The state rep. shines a light on the voting rights of the formerly incarcerated in Texas. DUTTONHAROLDNEWS Volume 91, issue 42 twitter.com/defendernetworkfacebook.com/defendernetwork defendernetwork.cominstagram.com/defendernetwork FREE
The former first couple unveiled their official White House portraits.
OBAMASTHEFEATURE September 8, 2022 Quanell X goes on defensive The civil rights activist addresses claims of taking money without providing services
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are reviving U.S relations with Africa starting with Har ris’ meeting with Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Washington this month. Te strategy outlined sev eral priorities, including fair and transparent elections in 2023 and security challenges, the climate crisis, and COVID-19 recovery. Tis comes ahead of the African leader’s summit to be hosted by President Biden in De cember. Do you all remember former President Don ald Trump’s remarks on African nations being “s-hole” countries? Well, the current administration is trying to make up and play catch up with China and Russia’s infuence on the continent. Tere is so much to dissect here. Nigeria is under religious and political turmoil far beyond the cute photo-ops and promises. We all know the negative impact the western world has had on Af rica. Is the U.S truly intentional about its “new vision” for this relationship? Has the U.S cleaned up its internal problems before running to fx another continent?
• Check out our DN+ channels featuring stories for Black women, Community Central, and Under 40.
The cross-over appeal is evident in the famous U.S.based collaborations with Beyoncé, Drake, French Montana, Da Baby, P Diddy, Meek Mills, and others.
On the other hand, there are some native Africans who question why an indigenous music award show would be hosted in the states and co-hosted by some one who doesn’t necessarily have a connection to the Nigerian entertainment industry. Some critiques on line were concerned about the need to find validation from America and whether America would consider hosting one of its famous award ceremony in another country. The quickest answer to that would probably be a “NO.” Regardless, this is the first awards ceremo ny based here. The only thing in life that is consistent is change. This was a good trial run, and with time and good CONSTRUCTIVE feedback, the awards will certainly measure up to the expectations of the most demanding critics… I hope.
Laura Onyeneho
2 | September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK
ON THE WEB
• How reading and math scores fell sharply during the pandemic.
Uvalde students returned to the class rooms this week, more than three months afer 19 students and two teachers were shot and killed at Robb Elementary School. Fam ilies struggle to overcome their mistrust of local school leaders and law enforcement. In July, the Uvalde school board unanimously voted to delay the start of school from Aug 16 to Sept 6 to improve security measures on campus and to give district stafers trauma-informed training, including upgrades on door locks and increased presence of police ofcers. But there is still concern about whether ofcers who did not step up to protect the school during the shooting will now be responsible for campus safety. Some parents have opted for virtual learning, while others turned to private schools. I might not be a parent yet, but I empathize with how they must feel. Who knows what major event it would take for the Texas legislature to consider changes to the state’s gun laws? If the tragedy doesn’t impact their families, why would they care?
Back to school for Uvalde students
SeveralAnderson.Nigeriansuperstars were honored at the ceremony with 38 award categories ranging from Song of the Year to Best West African artist of the year.
Afrobeats fans were tuned into the 15th annual Headies Awards [Nigerian music award show) that was held at the Cobb Ener gy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA. It was the frst time the award was held on U.S soil and was hosted by Nigerian-American actress Osas Ighodaro and Hollywood actor Anthony
• UH addresses the underrepresentation of women of color as tenured professors.
Wizkid, Davido, Rema, Tiwa Savage, Terms, and Chris Brown were recognized during the event. I felt this was a good step in the right direction to bridge the gap between the diaspora and Africa. The Afrobe ats genre has made significant strides internationally.
Biden-Harris strengthens Africa relationship
Mixed reviews on Nigerian music awards
A teacher hugs a student arriving at Uvalde Elementary for the frst day of school, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Uvalde. Students in Uvalde are returning to campuses for the frst time since the shootings at Robb Elementary where two teachers and 19 students were killed. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
To the POINTDN
Reporter’s Message
“You’reharder.now required to fll out a Texas ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Tat was not previously a requirement,” Shah said.
NewsDN | 3September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK
Mayor Sylvester Turner and local elected ofcials joined LISC Houston and the Har ris County Homeownership Collaborative (HCHC), to announce the launch of a new initiative to expand homeownership opportunities for Black, Hispanic and other underserved individuals and families.
By ReShonda Tate
Changes make vote-by-mail process made easier in Harris County
Te Harris County Elections Ofce is making some new adjustments as we near the November election.
needs to be corrected in order for that ballot to be resolved andIfcounted.”avoterwaits too late, however, then there’s a likeli hood that they won’t have time to cure an issue so ofcials are urging people to register sooner rather than later.
which in turn, grows generational wealth.”
CRITERIA TO VOTE-BY-MAIL • 65 years or older on Election Day • Sick or disabled • Will be out of Harris County during the Early Voting period and on Election Day • Expected to give birth within three weeks before or afer Election Day • Confned in jail, but otherwise www.HarrisVotes.comeligible
Te deadline to get your application in is Oct. 28.
Wells Fargo gives $7.5M to grow local Black, Latinx homeownership
“We know that without very deliberate interventions from the public and private sector, the racial homeownership gap will continue to grow. Today’s donation in Houston is about identifying specifc hous ing challenges in the city and accelerating actions that will build homeownership,
eforts aimed at increasing homeownership in communities that face these challenges.”
“As a company, we’re committed to creat ing opportunities for more people of color to buy their own homes,” said Otis Rolley, Wells Fargo’s head of Social Impact and president of the Wells Fargo Foundation.
During the March Primary, nearly 7,000 mail-in ballots were rejected. Te numbers were better in May, but in November, more people are likely to vote.
“I commend Wells Fargo for their com mitment to empowering communities of color through this generous grant. Home ownership is one of the frst steps toward building generational wealth, but it has been historically and systemically limited for Black and Brown families,” said Turner.
(lef to right) Otis Rolley, Wells Fargo head of Social Impact; Laura Jaramillo, LISC executive director; Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia and Mayor Sylvester Turner. Photo courtesy of Wells Fargo.
• Innovations that reduce construction costs and create housing stock, such as manufactured or modular homes.
The new Harris County Elections Administrator, Cliford Tatum says they are ready for voters.
• Increasing access to fexible, afordable mortgage products.
“We’ve made a lot of internal strides on how to assist voters in making sure they provide the correct informa tion to allow their ballot not to be rejected,” Tatum said. “And then if they, for whatever reasons, fail to include that information, we’ve identifed internal procedures to immediately respond back to the voter, highlighting what
Te donation to Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Houston comes from Wells Fargo’s Wealth Opportunity Restored Trough Homeownership (WORTH) initia tive, a $60 million national efort to address systemic barriers to homeownership for people of color. Houston is the first of eight markets across the U.S. to launch its WORTH grant, which aims to help create 5,000 new homeowners of color in Harris County by the end of 2025.
Over the next four years, the collabora tive plans to expand housing inventory and support homebuyers via:
“Unfortunately, many Latino and Black families, like the ones in my district, face disproportionate challenges and barriers on their path to homeownership,” said Con gresswoman Sylvia Garcia. “I welcome all
Serving as the lead convener for HCHC, LISC Houston brings together hous ing advocacy, counseling, fnancing and development organizations committed to advancing sustainable homeownership. Members of the Collaborative include Avenue, Fifh Ward Community Redevel opment Corporation, Houston Habitat for Humanity, Tejano Center for Community Concerns, the City of Houston Housing & Community Development Department and the Texas State Afordable Housing Corporation.
Funded with a $7.5 million grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the initiative kicked of recently with a panel discussion featuring prominent leaders from the col laborative discussing solutions to racial homeownership gaps across Houston and Harris County.
“We’re moving fast and furious in preparation for the November election,” Director of Communications and Voter Outreach at Harris County Elections Leah ShahOfcialssaid. have made the website more user-friendly, by enlarging text and making people aware of new identif cation requirements that may make applying to vote-bymail
Defender News Service
According to the 2022 State of Housing report by the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, homeowner ship rates have fallen for Black households in Harris County from 41% in 2010 to 36% in 2020. Homeownership rates for white households have also dropped but remain signifcantly higher with 71% in 2010 and 68% in 2020. Homeownership rates for Hispanic households have remained steady around 51% in 2020.
• Comprehensive outreach and educa tion campaigns.
• Continuing policy efforts to address systemic barriers impacting homeownershipHCHC’slaunch is a critical part of LISC’s national efforts to narrow gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity, particularly through Project 10X, a $1 billion commitment to reducing racial disparities.“HCHCis an investment in the well-be ing of our families and the long-term health of our economy,” said Laura Jaramillo, exec utive director of LISC Houston. “We are grateful for the leadership of the mayor and community leaders on these key issues, and the support of Wells Fargo to push this pro gram forward.”
Can the formerly incarcerated vote in Texas? Here’s the answer
Associated Press
In 1997, when George Bush was governor of Texas. I passed House Bill 1001 which restored the rights of ex-felons to vote in Texas such that when they complete their sentence, whether you complete it on probation, parole or confnement, or any combi nation thereof, you are now allowed to register to vote the next day. It’s my understanding that TDCJ, when they send you your discharge papers, which means you’re fully dis charged from your sentence, they’re also including a voter registration application.
Individuals calling for the right to vote for formerly incarcerated individuals. AP Photo by Rob Carr.
Te U.S. Justice Department agreed in 2021 to review Columbus police department practices afer a series of fatal police shoot ings of Black people — including the April 2021 killing of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant — and the city’s response to 2020 racial injustice protests.
DEFENDER: Are there any diferences for the formerly incarcerated who served time for a felony compared to those who served time for a misdemeanor?
DUTTON: Te law says, if you are convicted of a felony, at that point you lose your right to vote. House Bill 1001 re-establishes the opportunity for you to re-register to vote. So, I need to make clear that [for the individual convicted of a felony who has completed their sentence] you are now allowed to register to vote. If you don’t register, then you won’t be voting. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, you don’t ever lose your right to vote.
4 | September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK NewsDN VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 42 - SEPTEMBER 8, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles Creative Director Michael Grant Social Media Manager Tia Alphonse Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Associate Editor Aswad Walker Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles Photographers Jimmie Aggison The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
Ohio man’s police shooting death ‘reckless’
Time: 10a.m. – 5p.m.
Place: Finnigan Park (4900 Providence St., Houston, TX 77020)
The city also approved a first-ever civilian review board. Elliott acknowledged these actions, but said it’s not enough. “Whatever they’re doing, it’s not working,” ElliottElliottsaid.questioned the speed of the shooting, which appears in bodycam footage to happen within a second or less of Ofcer Ricky Anderson opening the door to a bed room where Lewis slept. Elliott made the point in criticizing suggestions by the police chief that Lewis had something in his hand when he was shot. No weapon was found.
Contact: State Rep. Harold Dutton’s Ofce @ 713-692-9192 or Deborah LaDay @ 281-638-6862
Not enough has happened in Ohio’s capital city to alter policing practices despite several instances of white of cers in the city shooting Black people, added attorney Rex Elliott, represent ing the family of Donovan Lewis.
DEFENDER: Can the formerly incar cerated vote in Texas? And if so, what must they do to be able to DUTTON:vote?
DEFENDER: Why do so many mistakenly believe the formerly incarcerated in Texas can’t vote?
DEFENDER: Why is the Sept. 10 voter registration event DUTTON:important?
“How many more lives are going to be lost to this type of reckless activity? How many more young Black lives will be lost?” Elliott said at a press event attended by multiple members of Lewis’ family.
In addition, a three-year police contract approved last year provided $200,000 buyouts for up to 100 ofcers with at least 25 years of experience, with a goal of clearing the decks of employees who might not be on board with the department’s new direction.
GET INFO ON FORMERLY INCARCERATED VOTING ELIGIBIILITY BY STATE
REGISTRATIONVOTER
Columbus police came under criticism for the kill ing of a man who was lying on his bed when an ofcer attempting to serve warrants fatally shot him, as a lawyer representing the slain man’s family demanded immediate changes to policing in the city and promised a lawsuit.
Lewis, 20, died at a hospital following the shooting. Columbus police say ofcers had gone to the apartment around 2 a.m. to arrest Lewis on multiple warrants including domestic violence, assault and felony improper handling of a frearm. Lewis was Black and the ofcers were white.
With several Republican-led states threatening to jail for merly incarcerated individuals for voting, even though they do have the right to vote—depending on the state—several individuals who have completed their sentences and fully paid their debt to society are unclear as to whether or not they can legally vote.
We’re trying to register everybody, but we certainly have a primary focus on those who are for mally incarcerated, who have completed their sentence. By and large, what we found is that a number of those people who fall in that category, they were not the only ones not registered. Teir family members weren’t reg istered. Because the family members had turned of on the system also. So, we’ll be registering the ex-felons and many of their family members. We’re gonna be getting a number of people who are going to be sworn in as voter registrars so they can go out and beat the bushes and fnd these ex-felons to make sure they’re aware, number one, that they have the right to register the vote, and two, that we sign them up.
EVENT
DUTTON: Because in some states ex-felons can’t vote. Also, I tell people that in Texas, for ex-felons, if the jury gives them 10 years, society gives them a life sentence. Because if you’re an ex-felon, there are certain things you can’t do
By Aswad Walker
For expert insights, so our readers can know defnitively whether the formerly incarcerated in Texas can or can’t vote, the Defender reached out to State Rep. Harold Dutton, who 25 years ago, authored legislation to tackle this issue.
LewisDonovan
and certain things people don’t let you do it. Te fact that you have completely paid of your debt to society, that’s of no consequence to some people despite what the laws say.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022
CHICAGO MAYOR BLASTS TX GOV. GREG ABBOTT ON MIGRANT BUSSING
AFTER TOMORROW.CAPPROGRAMSCHOOLTODAY.ANDGOWN
e bussing program aims to defy the Biden administration’s plan to roll back Title 42, o en called the “remain in Mexico” policy, which President Joe Biden announced on April 1. The following week, Abbott announced his plans to start bussing migrants arriving at Texas’ southern border to Washington, D.C. His administration has since sent several dozen migrants on buses from the border to Washington and New York.
YMCA
Some Houston bars, nightclubs and restaurants are now required to get a new kind of permit, which city officials hope will limit excessive noise. e ordinance comes a er complaints by residents in some neighborhoods, like Midtown and Montrose, who say loud music and amplified noise from bars and clubs is disruptive. It requires a Commercial Establishment Sound Permit for all bars within 300 feet of a residence that want to play music louder than 75 decibels Sunday- ursday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
“With these continued political stunts, Governor Abbott has confirmed what unfortunately many of us had already known: that he is a man without any morals, humanity or shame,” Lightfoot said. Lightfoot added that her city planned to welcome incoming migrants and they have organized and collaborated and will ensure migrants have food, clothing and shelter.”
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is joining the chorus of Democratic leaders who have denounced Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for bussing migrants from the Texas-Mexico border to so-called sanctuary cities across the U.S. a er a new group recently arrived in her jurisdiction.
News Briefs
GOV. GREG ABBOTT: RAPE VICTIMS CAN TAKE PLAN B
Many organizations like churches, businesses, relief groups, and nonprofits, donated water which exceeded the expectations of sending one 18-wheeler truck to Jackson. Due to the numerous donations, the City of Houston will be sending more than one 18-wheeler truck to Jackson. Mayor Turner said Houstonians have really stepped to help those in need in Jackson, MS.
YMCA-0186_defender_print_ad_mech.indd 1 7/25/22 8:02 AM
| 5
GROW WITH THE Y.
HOUSTON DONATES WATER TO JACKSON, MS AMID ITS WATER CRISIS
Help your child excel beyond the classroom with after school programs at the Y. Housed in local schools, students engage in a variety of structured activities that promote positive social interactions and reinforces academic concepts, as well as lessons in empathy, inclusion and service learning. Let your child discover their full potential at ymcahouston.org/after-school.
Residents have been without clean water preventing them from drinking, cooking, and taking care of hygiene needs. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is a graduate of Texas Southern University’s urgood Marshall School of Law.
Gov. Greg Abbott says that rape victims can take emergency contraception, like Plan B, to prevent a pregnancy. With abortion now banned in Texas, even in instances of incest or rape, the governor recommended the use of emergency contraception to ensure a victim of rape does not become pregnant. But for the lowest-income people in Texas, emergency contraception isn’t widely accessible, advocates said - a consequence of the significant number of people of childbearing age who are uninsured and the state’s lack of programs that provide access to treatment like Plan B.
Volunteers set up pallets of water to ship to Jackson, Mississippi amid its water crisis. Credit: HPM
A er Jackson, Mississippi experienced severe flooding and its water system failed, the city of Houston recently hosted a water bottled donation drive for Jackson.
Establishments violating the new ordinance could face $2,000 fines.
DN September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK
HOUSTON’S NEW NOISE ORDINANCE FOR BARS AND CLUBS NOW IN EFFECT
Emergency contraception primarily works by stopping fertilization. e treatment can prevent someone from becoming pregnant if taken up to five days a er sex, with varying effectiveness. A er signing Senate Bill 8 into law last September, which banned abortions a er about six weeks of pregnancy and didn’t provide exceptions for rape or incest, Abbott said the state’s goal was to eliminate rape.
Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome.
COVID-19 boosters targeting Omicron variant now available in Houston
booster shot came out because the same technology used for the previous boosters and the flu shot were used to make the new booster.
Last week the Center for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed reformulated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, which they said should better protect people from the most recent variants.During Houston Matters with Craig Cohen, Dr. Catherine Troisi, an infectious disease epidemiologist with UT Health School of Public Health, said the current boosters replaced the old ones, and those are no longer available.
A new COVID-19 booster would better protect people from the current Omicron variant that continues to spread throughout Houston and the United States.
Defender News Service
ton is looking better when it comes to COVID-19 cases, compared to how it was in the past. But it’s harder track exact case numbers because many people test at home and do not report results.
“ e new boosters are formulated to protect against the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of omicron that are circulating right now,” Troisi said. “ ese updated boosters will give more protection.”
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“ ere are recommendations about how long you should wait since your last booster or since you had COVID,” she said. “ e recommendations are at least two months since your last booster, and three months
since you’ve had COVID because you already have antibodies from those events. So you want to spread out your next booster so you’ll have immunity that lasts longer.”
6 | September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK NewsDN
Troisi said that there should be no concern for the speed in which the new
Vials of the newly reformulated COVID-19 vaccine booster are being readied by Pfizer for distribution now that the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the shots for people 12 and older.
Troisi said that right now Hous-
HARRIS COUNTY COVID CASES TO DATE 1.2M Total Cases 11,245 Deaths 1,200,000 Texas *CDC
Learn more at g.co/supporingnews/local
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| 7September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK
For time-strapped local journalists, it’s never been more imporant — or more challenging — to deliver the reporing their communities need
It’s also why we train thousands of local journalists on digital skills, resources, and tools that help them work more efciently, creatively, and securely.
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Chad Holley (second from right) stands beside his mother, Joyce Holley (right) as Quanell X (le ) describes the events surrounding the alleged beating of Chad Holley a er an encounter with eight Houston police officers in 2010. (AP/Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle)
e “Impact Houston Live” co-hosts Reverend Chris Johnson, Marcus Session and Donna Franklin invited me to join them in asking Quanell X questions regarding the allegations while providing him an opportunity to share his side of the story. Here is the majority of the interview transcript.
I have a moral obligation, not just because you hired my consultant firm to consult and advocate for you. If you are telling me a lie or not giving me all of the facts, I have a duty to only speak that which I know to be true and not to say something that I know from investigative work that is not true. So, there are some cases where people have not been thoroughly pleased, but all I can do is the best I possibly can do for it, but stand on the truth at all times.
Q: What would you say to those who are hearing that you have entered into these contractual agreements and didn’t fully fulfill in good faith your duties to perform?
ose brothers have families to feed, so they are paid to do that work. But remember, 75% of those cases that we take, we are not paid for. But what nobody wants to talk about, dear brothers and sisters, is the time people have brought cases to me and they lied to me and yet major lawsuits were filed on me.
8 | September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK FOCUSDN SOCIAL InFocusDN | 9
father came to me and said the police had beat him and just tortured him, and that criminal acts were committed against him. And I held three press conferences, a town hall meeting and a protest. And only later to learn through video, we were told a completely unfactual story. And then the Houston Police Officers Union filed a million-dollar lawsuit against me that I had to spend my daughter’s college education fund to defend myself.
If you are telling me a lie or not giving me all of the facts, I have a duty to only speak that which I know to be true and not to say something that I know from investigative work is not true.
Q: If there are no new cases of alleged misconduct, why do you think the Chronicle article was published
Quanellnow?
Addresses claims he owes $386K for advocacy not rendered
I said to them, “I’ve never ran for political office. I’m not a politician. at has never been my desire.” ey said, “We can raise the money to help you lead a successful campaign if you would accept our request that you run for this political office.” I told them that I would think about it and I would pray on it, but I’m not a politician. e very next day when I le that meeting, I started getting phone calls from different individuals saying, “I heard you’re going to announce soon that you’re going to run for this office.” I said, “I have not accepted that request nor invitation. I’m praying on it.” And that started moving around different circles. I believe that it’s absolutely why that piece came out, because of the fear that I would perhaps run for a seat that maybe God would bless me to win.
Recently, Defender Education Reporter
Laura Onyeneho and I (the Defender’s associate editor), appeared as guests on KTSU’s public affairs program “Impact Houston Live.” Part of that program included an exclusive interview with local activist Minister Quanell X who was the subject of a recent newspaper article that focused on a $386K civil case against him for advocacy services paid for, yet not rendered.
Q: Are there any truths to the accusations that you advocated for people and did not deliver on some of those services and promises?
QUANELL X GOES DEFENSIVEON
Q: What are the advocacy services you provide, and is there a fee?
By Aswad Walker
Quanell X: e only case that there’s a judgment against me on was a default judgment. e case that the Chronicle is referring to in the story for the hundreds of thousands of dollars, is actually a case that I did not go to court on that date because I was in California attending my father’s funeral. And they refused to reset
Quanell X: Seventy-five percent of all of the cases that I work are for free. Seventy-five percent. But we, in the New Black Panther Nation, we are not allowed, it is against our constitutional bylaws to take state funding, government funding, city funding. We’re not allowed to take any funding from any funding source that’s not Black. And we have to mobilize and organize our own source of funding to survive as a Black organization. We do have a consultant advocacy group that may deal with cases if your child got in trouble at school, your school suspended your child from a campus fight, and we come and advocate to find a peaceful resolution that makes sense, or
we will get the charge overturned. It could very well be that there’s a discrimination case on your workforce, in the workplace. We investigate it, and they’re trying to terminate you. But we meet with the heads of that company, and we successfully bring forth a peaceful, successful resolution. It could very well be that you have a missing family member and we need to get into the streets, into the highways and the gutters, and the most troubled areas of the city and speak with some of the most dangerous individuals that walk the streets. en we have to assign specialty brothers who are licensed investigators to get out in the streets and do that work because it is so dangerous.
Quanell X: ere are cases where, when they are brought to me, we are told one thing, and when we begin to investigate and vet those stories thoroughly then we discover that there’s a lot more to the story than what we were told. In a case like that, you cannot give the person what they wish for if they’re not being completely upfront and truthful with you in the beginning. My duty is to give wise counsel and give wise advice and to give sincere activism where it is justified. But in a case where you realize the truth is not exactly as it was presented to you, you have to move accordingly.
Just in 2006, I don’t know if y’all remember the Donald Driver case where Donald Driver, NFL Hall of Fame football player’s
X: A month and a half ago, I was asked to go to a meeting by a very close, personal, very well-connected political friend of mine. He said there’s a group of individuals who wanted to meet with me to discuss a serious matter. I went to that meeting at his home, and in that meeting was some very well-connected, influential political people in the city. Some of them were Black and some were not Black. ey were asking me, was I interested in running for a certain, very high-powered political office in city.
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT DEFENDERNETWORK.COM
Vivian Lewis (R) mother of October Battle, accused of having terrorist ties, listens as Brother Minister Quanell X, national spokesman for the New Black Panther Party for Self Defense, speaks with the media October 10, 2002 outside the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Court House in Portland., Oregon. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)
the case when I was at the funeral. at is the case that they’re referencing in that particular story of the $386,000 case. It is not multiple cases. Multiple cases were filed, but what the story does not save or reveal, I won those cases. [And regarding the default judgment], the facts of the case were never even heard nor discussed.
Quanell X
According to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), 43,000 Texas educators lef the feld in 2021.
TEXAS AFT SOLUTION-BASED IDEAS
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Low salaries, poor work-life balance, lack of autonomy in class, professional development, school safety and budget cuts were some of the topics addressed during the meeting.
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“We came up with a lot of diferent ideas, but they fall under several diferent categories to address the perfect storm,” Weingarten said during the press conference. “How do we keep teachers? How do we recruit teachers? How do we pay teachers a competitive rate so they can live in the communities where they teach? Lowering class sizes? How do we make schools the communities that people and families comeKimberlyto?”
Union tackles Texas teacher shortage crisis in classrooms
EducationDN 10 | September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK
Leaders from the American Federation of Teachers hosted a round table discussion with education experts and superintendents to discuss short- and long-term solutions. Tey shared a few recommendations at a live press conference from the Hilton University of Hous tonEducationhotel.
“One of the huge areas that have been a focus is that the pipeline to education has been drying up. Too many kids have no interest in going into education anymore,” said Zeph Capo, president of the Texas American Federation of Teachers (TATF).“Weare not retaining the ones we got into the classroom for more than a year in many cases. So how do we not just focus on the revolv ing door, but provide the support necessary to retain individuals once they invest and receive certifcation?”RandiWeingarten, president of the AFT,
@CenterWellPrimaryCare
Te teacher shortage crisis is one of the most crucial conversations in the nation involving the public education system. Many education advo cates are looking past the obstacles and focusing on tangible solutions to the needs of students, teachers, administration and families.
“It doesn’t matter when they started college. If they stopped and want to get back, we will accept up to 90 hours,” McLeod said. “It doesn’t matter how old those hours are on a competen cy-based platform where they can learn online in seven-week semesters at $750 a semester.” Tat was just one way Capo agrees will “increase the pipeline opportunity without lowering the standards” of the profession.
• Establish compensation systems that align with the needs of current/future teachers and staf.
• Provide support for staf to transition into teaching roles.
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HISD was present during the meeting to dis cuss its accomplishments, including the 11% raise it gave educators for 2022 and its “grow your own program” initiative called CTED (Career and Technical Education) in collabo ration with the Houston Federation of Teachers and UH.
• Create organizational cultures that help all educators and staf thrive.
presented a 50-page report titled “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? What America Must Do to Attract and Retain the Educators and School Staf Our Students Need.”
McLeod, associate vice president of Economic and Academic Development at Texas A&M University-Commerce, announced its partnership with Texas AFT on the Pride Pathway Program, providing accessibility and opportunity for individuals to complete their bachelor’s or master’s and earn a teacher certif icate in a fexible time frame.
Visit one of our 16 locations throughout Greater Houston & the Golden Triangle.
• Review required paperwork and set appropriate limits.
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Education
Te barriers to tenure can include struc tural and institutional obstacles that Black women face throughout the process, the microaggressions from faculty and stu dents, the invalidation of their contribu tions to the profession and the devaluation of their
DN | 11September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK
When Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones lef the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill afer the high ly publicized fallout over her tenure at her alma mater, it sent a ripple efect that res onated with many Black women in high er education, including members of the University of Houston’s Underrepresented Women of Color Coalition.
“I’ve been at UH for three years, and the amount of support I’ve received from the coalition has been tremendous. To have the mentorship of people who look like me who have gone through the ropes to guide me is huge,” she said. “Not only do they provide the social and emotional support, but they also provide professional support for the projects we want to achieve.”
“Womenresearch.ofcolor face unique challenges in higher education,” said Donna Stokes, professor of physics at UH and one of the coalition’s founding members. “Across most academic disciplines, we experience things such as microaggressions that can be both distracting from our work and dis heartening at times. And in STEM felds, we ofen aren’t valued for what we can bring to the table...or even provided the opportunity to sit at the table.”
Dr, Stokes,DonnaUHAssociateProfessorofPhysics Relationsing,UHPhoto:DivisionofMarket-CommunicationandMedia THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER 251,921FALLEDUCATION2019Number of tenured associate and full professors 5,221Number of Black women University of Houston Fall 2022 UH Minority women 47 Tenured 22 On tenure track UNDERREPRESENTED UH focuses on women of color as tenured professors
According to a report from the Amer ican Association of University Women, women of color comprise a small percent age of American faculty, with 5.2% Black women and 6.6% Latinx. Tenure is meant to protect academic freedoms regardless of how controversial the research topic may
It has been one year since Hannah-Jones ultimately declined the tenure ofer at UNC and accepted Howard University’s invitation to become its inaugural Knight Chair in Race and Reporting. Despite her exemplary journalism credentials, Han nah-Jones was at frst ofered a contract without tenure. Dr. Rhoda Freelon, associ ate professor at UH College of Education, said the controversy was a “harsh reminder about the challenges women of color face in higher Freeloneducation.”thanked the UH Underrep resented Women of Color Coalition for being a dependable resource and support during her pre-tenure journey. Te coa lition, launched in 2017, was founded by Senior Vice President of Academic Afairs and Provost Paula Myrick Short. It con sists of nearly 70 UH professors (tenure and promotion) who address critical issues facing the faculty members and provide resources to those who are on track to be coming tenured.
be, and it’s a secured lifetime position that comes with increased pay, infuence and opportunities within higher education. In Hannah-Jones’ case, the pressure against her tenure was due to the controversy of tying UNC journalism school to the New York Times Magazine’s 1619 project focus ing on America’s history of slavery.
e portrait of Obama, America’s 44th and first Black president, doesn’t look like any of his predecessors, nor does Michelle Obama’s look like any of the women who filled the role before her.
Defender News Service
“Barack and Michelle, welcome home,” declared President Joe Biden as the gatheringBiden,cheered.who was Obama’s vice president, praised his former boss’ leadership on health care, the economy and immigration and said nothing could have prepared him any better for being president than serving with Obama for those eight years.
White House unveils Obama portraits
Obama went on to say his wife was the “best thing about living in the White House,” and he thanked Sprung for “capturing everything I love about Michelle, her grace, her intelligence -- and the fact that she’sMichellefine.”
en the former first lady turned serious, drawing a connection between unveiling the portraits and America’s promise for people with backgrounds like her own, a daughter of working-class parents from the South Side of Chicago.
joking that the artist, who is known for his paintings of public figures from Nelson Mandela to the Dalai Lama, had ignored his pleas for fewer gray hairs and smaller ears. “He also talked me out of wearing a tan suit, by the way,” Obama quipped, referring to a widely panned appearance as president in an unflattering suit.
While her husband cracked a few jokes about his gray hair, big ears and clothes in his portrait, Mrs. Obama, a descendant of slaves, said the occasion for her was more about the promise of America for people like herself.
Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, returned to the White House recently, unveiling official portraits with a modern vibe in an event that set humor and nostalgia over his presidency against the current harsh political talk about the survival of democracy.
Obama stands expressionless against a white background, wearing a black suit and gray tie in the portrait by Robert McCurdy that looks more like a large photograph than an oil-on-canvas portrait. e former first lady, her lips pursed, is seated on a sofa in the Red Room in a strapless, light blue dress. She chose artist Sharon Sprung for herObamaportrait.thanked McCurdy for his work,
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Former US president Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama take part in the unveiling of the their official White House portraits in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on September 7, 2022. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)
FeatureDN 12 | September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK
“For me this day is not just about what has happened,” she said. “It’s also about what could happen, because a girl like me, she was never supposed to be up there next to Jacqueline Kennedy and Dolley Madison. She wasn’t supposed to live in this house, and she wasn’t supposed to serve as first Traditionlady.”holds that the sitting president invites his immediate predecessor back to the White House to unveil his portrait, but Donald Trump broke with that custom and did not host Obama. So, Biden scheduled a ceremony for his former boss.
Obama, when it was her turn, laughingly opened by saying she had to thank her husband for “such spicy remarks.” To which he retorted, by way of explanation, “I’m not running again.”
“It was always about doing what was right,” he said.
where near the Alley’s matching grant, which does not account for other donations and contributions received by the Alley.
FUNDING EXIST
“ ough I prefer to use the term ‘Economic apartheid in the arts’ because the arts exist within a larger environment, ‘art apartheid’ does exist in arts funding,” said Michelle Barnes, executive director and co-founder of the Community Artists Collective.
Case in point: the comparison of contributions brought in by two of Houston’s largest art institutions.
Is there art apartheid in Houston? Well, if “apartheid” is a reality where inequality based on race reigns, then a look at Houston’s art scene suggests it has resided in the Bayou City for a good minute.
“Historically, ‘art apartheid’ has existed here,” said omas, founder and co-owner of NT Studios and Conservatory. “I cannot speak fully to how it presented itself, but I have been a part of some conversations with those who have sought funding a lot longer and to greater extent than I have.”
omas added that she does see efforts to bridge the art funding divide, mentioning the work of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Office APARTHEID’ IN
Since 2013, the Ensemble’s largest contributions came in 2017 when they took in
In June, the Alley eatre received $25 million in matching grant funds from an anonymous donor. e gi was the largest in the 75-year history of the Alley. But even their gi s over the decades that have come nowhere near the record-setting donation have consistently dwarfed the donations received by Black-owned artistic venues.
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According to ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, the Ensemble eatre, for example,
$1.3 million. e Alley eatre’s largest contributions during that same period came in 2014, when they brought in $22.7 million.
received $1,176,809 in contributions in FY2020, the year marred by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the 2020 numbers weren’t far off from 2019 ($1,300,946) or 2018 ($1,093,099), numbers that are no-
“Frustrations, criticisms and periodic outcries from the sector of the arts community that includes small and mid-sized organizations, as well as individual artists urging policymakers to address the decades-old funding disparities, are the result,” added Barnes about how the arts community, especially the Black arts community, has responded to a huge gulf between funding realities.
Writer, director, producer, actress and educator Norma omas agrees with Barnes.
| 13 FeatureDN September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK DOES ‘ART
Michelle Barnes
By Aswad Walker
“I understand most head coaches are going to say the same thing right now. I like ours,” said Smith, whose team opens the 2022 NFL season against AFC South rival Indianapolis at NRG Stadium on Sunday. “Every step along the way, we’ve evaluated in detail. We’ve liked a lot of the things we’ve seen. I know we need to get to the game and play it, but I like where we are right now.”
With the addition of talented rookies like corner Derek Stingley Jr., safety Jalen Pitre, le guard Kenyon Green and running back Dameon Pierce along with some strategically placed veteran additions, the Texans will be more competitive than last season when they were a blowout loss waiting to Unfortunately,happen.more competitive games won’t result in a huge turnaround from their 4-13 finish last season. Five or six wins this season seems most realistic.
Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks will make his fair amount plays and Nico Collins seems primed for a stellar sophomore season. Cornerstone le tackle Laremy Tunsil is back healthy, which should solidify an offensive line that was constantly overwhelmed last season.
Lovie DustySmithBakerJadenStewart
Prairie View A&M freshman volleyball player Kylee Owens was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week a er coming up with 37 kills over three matching in her playing debut.
(AP Phillip)DavidPhoto/J.
During this time of year, NFL fans all over are excited about how their respective teams will do as the season gets set to kickIt’soff.not much different here in Houston where the Texans are fresh off back-toback four-win seasons. Fans are excited about the possibilities of this season despite the many question marks, starting with so-so second-year quarterback Davis Mills.Ithasn’t
TEXANSIMPROVEMENTPROGNOSIS:
Texans surprise Uvalde football team
A er Sunday’s 9-1 rout of the Angels, Dusty Baker’s team had a six-game lead over the Yankees for the AL’s top spot and they were leading their division by 10 wins. The Astros, who need to go 14-14 in their final 28 games to win 100 games, are in the midst of playing 18-straight games against teams with losing records.
Texans coach Lovie Smith, linebackers Kamu Grugier-Hill and footballschool’stoUvaldeRamirezdoctorKirkseyChristianandteamRolandtraveledtolastFridaysurprisethehighvarsityteamahead
Sports Briefs
University of Houston receiver Nathaniel Dell had 5 catches for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns during the Cougars’ 37-35 triple overtime win over UTSA.
By Terrance Harris
Houston.2022,Aug.Thursday,ciscoSanagainstballNFLthefollowingwithtakesleyDerekcornerbackTexansHoustonSting-Jr.(24)aselfiefansteam’sfoot-gametheFran-49ers25,in
With the exception of a few players here and there, the Texans’ entire roster looks completely different from two seasons ago. What does that mean for this season? Probably not quite what you hope.
proved its overall talent from a season ago. Smith’s Tampa 2 defense has a much more talented secondary and more athletic ability up front to get a er opposing quarterbacks.
But for now, the Texans are putting all of their trust in Mills.
Where the Texans are right now is in the midst of a massive rebuild that takes them another step away from the disastrous Deshaun Watson breakup and a giant leap away from the frustrating Bill O’Brien era.
But first-year Texans coach Lovie Smith and second-year general manager Nick Caserio know better. ey are doing their best to manage expectations while delivering just enough optimism to keep their players and fans locked in.
Maybe not in wins, losses
SportsDN 14 | September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK
Pierce has looked like he will inject a needed spark into the pedestrian ground attack, leaving Mills as the biggest concern on the Texans’ offense. Mills likely has this season to prove he can be a true franchise quarterback or the team will be forced to move on, taking either Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud or Alabama’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young with one of its two first-round picks in 2023.
of its season opener. Uvalde is where the shooting massacre at Robb Elementary school took place. The team, which received new uniforms courtesy of the Texans and Nike, in return will travel to Houston for the Texans season opener against the Colts on Sunday as guests of the team. The Texans will wear “Uvalde Strong” decals on their helmets.
helped that the Texans are coming off an undefeated preseason, which is really the equivalent of trying to cash Monopoly money at a real bank.
Prairie View’s rushing attack dominates Labor Day Classic
The Astros are looking like they will finish the season strong and atop of the American League.
In a bit of a throwback game, Prairie View A&M won the Labor Day Classic over Texas Southern with three rushers each going over 100 yards running the ball. Running back Jaden Stewart led the way with 119 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, followed by Ahmad Antoine’s 115 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries and quarterback Trazon Connley had 109 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries during Bubba McDowell’s head coaching debut. The Panthers did not complete a pass during the game with Chris Herron and Connley combining to go 0 for 6 passing the football.
Astros distanceaddingtoAL lead
“It’s going to be about working hard,” said Caserio. “It’s going to be about doing the right things day a er day, week a er week, month a er month, game after game. Where does that lead? I have no idea. Nobody really knows. Are we a better football team than we were last year? I mean, I don’t know. We’ll find out here come…Sunday.”Onpaper,itfeels like the team has im-
“It does come down to the quarterback an awful lot,” Smith said. “Everything you can do as a young quarterback, he’s done and he’s ready to take that next step. We’re going to give him all the tools that we think are necessary for him do to well and that’s not just offensively. at’s how we play defense and special teams.”
Keys to Success Moving Forward
PRESTON HATTER THE DUAL THREAT
“Me and DeDe (Palomo) go way back. From little league, we have been playing with each other since we were five years old, and the connection has always been there as you can see. And we are going to continue to show people that it is there.”
By Jodie B. Jiles
Twitter: @PrestonHatter2
Weight: 195 lbs.
e Defender spoke with the younger Hatter a er the Hightower game to discuss his style of play, keys to success, leadership and more.
In Hatter’s first game he threw an efficient six touchdowns with limited snaps, and in the most recent 51-29 victory over state-ranked Hightower, Hatter added five more touchdowns, bringing his total to 11 TDs in his first two starts.
“Just stay disciplined. We just need to get over that hump, keep our heads straight, keep working and we are going to be right there in the end.”
Style of Play
Chemistry with New WRs
Players He Studies: Lamar Jackson and Josh Hill
PRESTONABOUT “P.J.” HATTER
Hatter currently has 11 TDs in his first two games at Wetsfield. Photos by Jimmie Agisson
WESTFIELD QB
“We have been doing this since little league,” said Preston’s father, Preston Hatter Sr., when asked about his son’s spectacular performances thus far. “It is just another day at the office, pretty much. is year we are throwing the ball more, and that is what I wanted to see him doing.”
| 15 SportsDN September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK
Smooth Transition
Hobbies: Getting a massage and getting my body in shape
Favorite Musicians: NBA Youngboy and Kodak Black
Westfield senior quarterback transfer Preston “P.J.” Hatter hasn’t missed a step coming into a new Mustang offense from Klein Oak.
“I try to show people that you can be disciplined. I show different ways of doing stuff and I am just a natural-born leader. And everyone just wants to follow me. So, I just do what I can do.”
Shoutouts: “J.P. Tillman at Footwork Kings and long live Dylan and long live Cam because they were really close to me.”
“Just trusting Coach (Stephen) Hill to lead me right and trusting the process.”
“I am a very elusive player. I can throw really deep and can read defenses. I can do everything they say I can’t do.”
With sub-4.4 40-yard dash speed, Hatter has dual-threat capabilities to use his legs when needed. However, don’t get it twisted. Hatter has an arm that can make all the passes.
Leadership
Height: 6-2
HBCUs are more than a place for higher education
16 | September 8, 2022 | DEFENDER NETWORK
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