Houston Defender: September 12, 2019

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BAHAMIAN EVACUEES ORDERED OFF U.S.-BOUND FERRY P10

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Volume 88 | Number 46 SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 |FREE

NATIONAL KAMALA HARRIS unveils criminal justice plan

P3 COLLEGE SPORTS ERIC DOOLEY coaches PVAMU Panthers football

P13 Angela Bassett

‘Black Don’t Crack’

Celebrating ageless women

PRO SPORTS SERENA WILLIAMS greatest tennis player of all time

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Tamron Hall returns to TV

The journalist is making a return to TV with her self-titled daytime talk show “The Tamron Hall Show.”

Following Hall’s controversial yet celebrated 2017 exit from the Today Show after being curbed in favor of the controversial Megyn Kelley, Hall returns as a talk show host on her terms.

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Ed Oliver

offers advice The former University of Houston standout is among several current and retired NFL players who talk about their career experiences and messages they would tell their high school selves – and aspiring pro players – if given the opportunity.

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Mark Taylor, Eleanor Lee, Glenda Taylor and Lydia Alston at Defender Ministers of Music Extraordinaire Awards.

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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 12 | 2019

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U.S. Rep. Jackson Lee troubled by uninsured increase

Texas has most uninsured people in United States Texas Tribune

The rate of Texans without health insurance rose for the second year in a row, making it once again the most uninsured state in the nation, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

In 2018, 17.7 percent of Texas residents – about 5 million people – had no health coverage, up from 17.3 percent in 2017. Both years, Texas had almost double the number of uninsured people compared with the national average of 8.7 percent in 2017 and 8.9 percent in 2018.

It was one of only nine states to record an increase in the uninsured rate.

Texas is one of 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid, a joint state-federal program that provides health care to low-income individuals, since the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act – better known as Obamacare.

President Donald Trump made the repeal and replacement of Obamacare a major part of his 2016 campaign, but the U.S. Senate narrowly rejected a bill in 2017 that would have repealed parts of the ACA.

HISD expands mental health support

Defender News Services

Last year, a federal judge in Texas invalidated a Medicaid expansion that would have filled coverage gaps for an estimated 1.1 million low-income Texans, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Between 2017 and 2018, fewer Texans got their insurance through Medicaid — the number dropped 0.7 percent, to 17.9 percent.

Some Texas political leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and former Gov. Rick Perry, have argued that expanding Medicaid would increase health care costs for the state, especially if the federal government doesn’t keep its promise to pay for the increase in newly eligible people.

Others, like state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, are in favor of the expansion. In 2018, the senator filed a bill that would allow county commissioners to request a federal waiver to expand Medicaid in their jurisdictions and roll out the expansion county by county. The bill didn’t even get a hearing during this year’s legislative session.

Five other states – Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Oklahoma – also had more than 12 percent of their population uninsured, according to the Census figures.

Defender News Services

HISD is expanding mental health and social emotional supports for students.

Through the mental health and wellness initiative, hundreds of HISD students at 15 campuses will have direct access to school administrators trained in

Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said she “laments” U.S. Census Bureau findings that the number of Americans lacking health insurance rose slightly from 7.9 percent in 2017 to 8.5 percent in 2018.

It is the first annual increase in the uninsured rate in nearly a decade, and some experts blame the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine Obamacare.

“These results should not be Congresswoman Sheila surprising to any Jackson Lee people paying attention to the relentless assault by this president and the Republican party against the landmark law championed by President Barack Obama,” Jackson Lee said.

“For almost three years, the current occupant of the White House has been devoted to undermining the Affordable Care Act. When they controlled the House of Representatives, House Republicans held over five dozen votes to repeal the ACA Act, which they derisively call ‘Obamacare.’

“The numbers outlined in today’s Census report are not a win for any political party, and Republicans celebrate these statistics at their own peril.”

trauma, crisis, abuse and suicide prevention.

This initiative is part of Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan’s strategic priorities for the 2019-2020 school year to ensure the well-being of students.

Schools participating in the initiative include Dogan, Hartsfield, and Rucker elemen-

tary schools; Attucks, Fleming, Holland, M.C. Williams, Sugar Grove, and Thomas middle schools; and Liberty, Madison, Washington, Westside, Wisdom, and Yates high schools.

Community partners in the initiative include LyondellBasell, Sewa International, WE, CapCityKids, the University of Houston and the Menninger Clinic.

localbriefs JURY SELECTION IS EXPECTED TO BE FINALIZED soon in the murder trial of former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger, who shot and killed an unarmed Black man, Botham Jean, in his own apartment in 2018. Guyger, who is white, claimed she thought she was entering her apartment and that Jean was an intruder.

Guyger’s apartment was actually a floor above Jean’s.

Guyger was off-duty at the time of the shooting. She was fired following an investigation led by the Texas Rangers.

Her defense team requested a change of venue for the trial, citing “prejudicial” and “inflammatory” media coverage.

The judge ruled that a decision would not be made until it was determined whether a jury could be selected in

Dallas County……..APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED THROUGH NOV. 1 for the City of Houston 2019-2020 Neighborhood Matching Grants Program.

The program is designed to help neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations carry out projects that improve the area’s appearance, cultivate volunteerism and promote community pride. The program provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants ranging from $500 to $5,000. Funded projects must involve residents, provide long-standing benefits to the community and be accessible to the public.

For grant guidelines and the application form visit www. houstontx.gov/neighborhoods.……..THE NEWLY RENOVATED J. W. PEAVY SENIOR CENTER has

reopened at 3814 Market St. in Fifth Ward. The $3.6 million renovation focuses on the needs of seniors with configuration and functionality improvements, new paving and sidewalks and replacement of the kitchen and restrooms. Other improvements include a new projection system, large televisions, upgrades to the community garden and courtyards, new fencing, new outdoor seating, new flooring and interior and exterior finishes. Center activities include free hot lunches, Tai Chi, exercise, health self-management classes, games, sewing, arts and crafts, computer training and opportunities to give back to the community. For more information on the center call 832-393-3868.

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national

U.S.briefs SIX IN 10 AMERICANS SAID PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP does not deserve to be re-elected, according to a new CNN Poll, and more now say he’s doing a poor job than a good one of keeping important campaign promises. Overall, the poll paints a picture of a president who has done little to improve negative impressions of him or his work during his time in office. In response to several questions asked early in Trump’s time in office and asked again now, the poll found little positive change. In 2017, 63 percent of those polled said Trump did not deserve to be re-elected…….A CHRISTIAN SEMINARY IN VIRGINIA IS SETTING ASIDE $1.7 MILLION in an endowment fund to pay reparations to the descendants of slaves who were forced to work on its campus decades ago. Virginia Theological Seminary said that the fund is an effort to “repair the material consequences of our sin in the past.” The school, which was founded in 1823, benefited from the work of enslaved African-Americans on its Alexandria campus and continued to discriminate against Blacks even after slavery was abolished, refusing to admit Black students until the 1950s. School officials said they recognized a need to pair repentance about its past with tangible action. The seminary is setting up a task force to locate descendants…….AMAZON IS GOING ON A HIRING SPREE. The online shopping giant is holding job fairs across the country and plans to hire more than 30,000 people by early next year, a 5 percent bump in its total workforce, from software engineers who can earn more than $100,000 a year to warehouse staff paid at least $15 an hour. All the positions are permanent full-time or part-time jobs that come with benefits. The hiring events will take place Sept. 17 in Arlington, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Seattle.

VOLUME 88 • NUMBER 46 SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Strategic Alliance Manager

Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Photographers

Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

Editors ReShonda Tate Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Sports Jodie B. Jiles Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For digital subscriptions, visit www.DefenderNetwork.com/ subscribe. No paper subscriptions are available. All material covered by 2019 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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Kamala Harris releases plan to fix criminal justice system Defender News Services

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) has released an extensive criminal justice reform plan, setting her eyes on overhauling the system completely – from ending mandatory minimum sentences, ending cash bail and getting rid of the death penalty on a federal level, to supporting a national use of deadly force standard for police.

“Americans deSen. Kamala Harris’ overhaul of the criminal justice system would include ending the death penalty. serve a criminal justice system that focuses on tive mechanisms are available to protect the safety fairness, rehabilitation and accountability to build of individuals in prison and of prison staff,” the trust and safe communities,” Harris said in a press breakdown of the plan notes. release.

Harris wants to end the profit that is made “My entire career has been spent making need- through incarceration by targeting prisons that ed reforms and fighting for those who too often are charge prisoners “exorbitant” rates for “telecomvoiceless – from young people arrested for the first munications and commissary/food and supplies in time and getting them jobs instead of jail, to grievprison.” ing Black mothers who wanted justice for their Another important part of the plan is to “Help child’s murder as the system ignored their pain.”

Children Thrive” by addressing the issues in the If elected, Harris intends to work with Conjuvenile system. Harris intends to create a Bureau of gress and use her executive authority to exact Children and Family Justice to focus on children’s change on a federal level, while also investigating civil rights in child welfare, education and juvenile state and local actors through the Justice Departjustice systems. ment’s Civil Rights Division. She intends to incenStarting in schools, Harris wants to encourage tivize states to end mandatory minimum sentences, states to stop pursuing criminal charges for schoolas well as to conduct their own independent invesbased disciplinary behavior. tigations of officer-involved shootings.

From there, the senator is intent on ending life The wide-sweeping plan seeks to end mass sentences for children, ending the solitary confineincarceration, starting with ending the “War on ment of children, and ending the transfer of children Drugs,” and more specifically legalizing marijuana to adult prisons. on the federal level and expunging convictions.

She also seeks to invest money on a state and She also seeks to end the disparity in sentenclocal level to end juvenile incarceration altogether, ing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. and instead focus on restorative justice programs, In addition to ending mandatory minimum sen- except for the most serious of cases. tencing at the federal level and incentivizing states “This plan uses my experience and unique capato do the same, Harris seeks to invest money to rebility to root out failures within the justice system. duce the incarceration of women who are convicted We can end mass incarceration and combat the bias of non-violent offenses. and racism that fuels it. We can ensure accountabilThe plan extends to prisons by ending the ity for all parts of the system to build foundations of death penalty, stating that the senator believes that trust in our communities,” she added. capital punishment is “immoral, discriminatory, “We can stop profit from incarceration and stop ineffective and a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars.” criminalizing poverty. As president, I’ll fix this broIt will also end solitary confinement and inken system to make it fairer and more accountable stead “ensure alternative therapeutic and rehabilita- for communities across the country.”

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Tamron Hall returns as TV talk show host

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NNPA Newswire

elevision host Tamron Hall is back with a self-titled daytime talk show.

Following Hall’s controversial yet celebrated 2017 exit from the “Today Show” after being curbed in favor of Megyn Kelly, she returns as a talk show host on her terms.

“Tamron Hall” airs weekdays at 1 p.m. on ABC 13.

In addition to Hall’s professional life, a lot has also changed in her personal life since the abrupt “Today” and MSNBC exit. The awardwinning journalist is now married and a mother of a • Born 1970 in Luling, Texas son, which she discussed at “There was a window, a • Bachelor of Arts Degree, Broadthe “Journey to My Wildest sliver of opportunity and I took cast Journalism, Temple University Dreams” Toyota-sponsored it,” Hall said. “I knew I had to • Reporter, KBTX, Bryan, Texas luncheon at the 2019 NABJ shoot my shot.” Indeed, Hall shot • Reporter, KTVT, Dallas National Convention held in her shot, landing on her feet with • Anchor/reporter, WFLD, Chicago Miami. a daytime talk show in a market • Co-host, “Today’s Take,” NBC; Hall discussed how that is crowded but ripe for a anchor, “NewsNation,” MSNBC motherhood has changed her voice like Hall’s.

• Host, “Deadline: Crime with life, the confidence required Her return to daytime pits her Tamron Hall” to be in the news business against another one of America’s • Married to Steve Greener; and the challenges faced by sweethearts, Grammy Award4-month-old son, Moses Blacks in general and Black winning singer Kelly Clarkson, women specifically on the who also launched a self-titled often-complicated journey to talk show on the same day on success.

NBC no less.

Hall reiterated the importance of having a seat at Clarkson is the season one winner of “American the table and being ready when the opportunity presIdol” and has served as a judge on the wildly popular ents itself.

NBC reality show “The Voice.”

About Hall

Hall will also be wading into territory currently occupied by Wendy Williams, Rachel Ray, and the women of “The View” and “The Talk” among others. Hall created her talk show to bring people together and to give them an opportunity to share their “authentic journey.”

One of the ways Hall is shaping her show is by insisting the makeup of the crew reflect her audience. Despite having veteran executive producer Bill Geddie at the helm, Hall insisted that more women be hired because she wants to empower people like her – a self-described country girl from Luling, Texas who made it to the upper echelons of television and news.

Although creating and hosting a daytime talk show is new to Hall, working in front of and behind the camera is not. Hall hosted the Discovery ID series “Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall,” a weekly series which takes at deep dive into crimes, including unsolved crimes.

Motivated by the unsolved murder of her sister Renate, Hall led an investigative team of journalists working together to find out what happened and why, to victims throughout the country for three seasons.

Hall’s talk show will differ greatly but will offer in-depth discussions about important topics in addition to traditional daytime lifestyle segments. Hall believes television has the power to help people share their “authentic journey” and wants people to talk about their lives and inspire others in the process.

what’sup The NYPD has released a statement regarding actor MALIK YOBA after allegations he paid for underage sex with a trans woman 20 years ago, saying “if there is wrongdoing by Yoba, a police report should be filed.” On Aug. 26, Yoba posted a supportive video of a man who killed himself after being teased for his relationship with his transgender girlfriend.

Yoba declared that he, too, is attracted to both trans and cisgender women. Without offering proof of the claims, a trans woman said the actor paid her for sex 20 years ago.

Yoba has denied all allegations…….EDDIE MURPHY is going on a stand-up comedy tour

next year. He will also host “Saturday Night Live” in December, his first time doing so in over three decades. The 58-year-old also has the film “Dolemite Is My Name” coming out on Oct. 25, where he plays the late comedian RUDY RAY MOORE and he’s shooting the sequel to “Coming to America.” Murphy’s last comedy special was 1987’s “Raw,” and before that he delivered “Delirious” in 1983. No word on which cities he plans to hit for his comedy tour or when it will start.…..Twitterverse lit up recently when President DONALD TRUMP, venting about a town hall on criminal justice reform that aired on MSNBC,

tweeted that he and other Republicans should be getting more credit for signing the First Step Act into law. Trump went after singer and activist JOHN LEGEND (who appeared in the MSNBC town hall) and his wife CHRISSY TIEGEN. Teigen fired right back with a colorful insult of her own. “(L)ol what a p**** a** b****. tagged everyone but me,” she tweeted. Legend criticized the President, too – without the profanity – by tweeting, “Imagine being president of a whole country and spending your Sunday night hate-watching MSNBC hoping somebody – ANYBODY – will praise you.”

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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 12 | 2019 defendernetwork.com

Ray Shackelford leads NUL Young Professionals NNPA Newswire

When it comes to voting, it is often said that “every vote counts,” and that adage rang true for Houston native Ray B. Shackelford who was recently elected 10th national president of the National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP) by a narrow one vote margin at the National Urban League Annual Conference in Indianapolis.

NULYP is a volunteer auxiliary that targets young professionals from the ages of 21 to 40 who seek to empower their communities and change lives through the Urban League movement. NULYP’s mission is to support the movement through volunteerism, philanthropy and membership development.

NULYP was unveiled at the NUL conference in Houston in 1999. The conference will return to Houston in 2020.

“This all still seems surreal,” Shackelford said of his election. “I am humbled and thankful for this awesome responsibility.”

Shackelford was born and raised in Houston’s Third Ward, where he spent his childhood attending Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. After graduating from Lamar High School, he left Houston to attend Morehouse College, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Finance.

Upon returning to Houston, Shackelford became a member of the Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals (HAULYP) and was eventually elected president.

As president, he steered HAULYP to an

intense focus on service programming and connecting with the community. His impact in that role led to him being named National President of the Year. Shackelford went on to serve as Southern Region vice president of NULYP before being elected national president.

Shackleford is the proud father of a 9-year old daughter, Jordan. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston and previously worked for HAUL in its Housing Programs department and as a certified housing counselor for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program.

In both roles, Shackelford worked to solve housing issues facing disadvantaged communities. He is currently working on a major Census 2020 project to ensure an accurate count for African-Americans in the upcoming year.

Shackelford understands that he must gain the trust and respect of all members, especially those who did not vote for him, and he is optimistic that the organization can thrive with collective unity and focus on advancing the movement.

“Just like I didn’t get here on my own, moving forward, the same will be true,” said Shackelford. “In the coming months my team and I look forward to meeting with the members across the country and hearing their ideas of how we can work together to advance the movement. It will take all of us to create the impact that Houstonian Ray B. Shackelford is the new president of the National Urban League we want to see, and our commuYoung Professionals. nities desperately need.”

AT&T Foundation donates to Bush Institute to our next generation,” said Dallas State Rep. Morgan Meyer, who attended the presentation AT&T and the George W. Bush and serves on the Texas House Institute’s Education Reform InitiaCommittee on Public Education. tive are joining forces to promote Holly Kuzmich, executive best practices for school leaders and director of the George W. Bush advance accountability in the classroom Institute, added, “We rely on to create more equitable schools. and appreciate the support of A $300,000 contribution from the organizations like AT&T that AT&T Foundation will support the understand the value of strong, effort and is part of AT&T Aspire, the capable leaders in education and company’s initiative to help provide the need for real data to ensure access to education and training people all students are getting the best need to get and keep good jobs. education available so they can The Bush Institute’s Education Resucceed in the classroom and form Initiative uses data and research to beyond.” showcase the need for strong account“AT&T is proud to support ability and effective school principals. the work of the Bush Institute Strong school leaders set a positive culfor Education Reform Initiature for children and adults that focuses tive,” said Ty Bledsoe, AT&T on academic success. assistant vice president, External The institute partners with Affairs. nationally-known research organiza“This contribution is part of tions, policymakers and school districts our ongoing commitment to invest to generate new research to advance The George W. Bush Institute, located in Dallas, received a $300,000 donation. The institute is built upon the leadership principles that shaped the lives of the late president and First Lady Barbara in projects and organizations the field of principal leadership and to Bush. that create learning opportunities, share comparable education data and promote academic and economic promising accountability practices. being visionaries in education, and for their steadfast achievement and address community needs.”

“We applaud the George W. Bush Institute for advocacy for smart policies that keep us accountable NNPA Newswire

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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 12 | 2019

“Black don’t c

Celebrating ageless

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By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

ost of us have heard the saying, “Black don’t crack,” referring to ageless Black women. But science is proving there are facts behind that theory.

“It’s due to the amount of collagen and melanin in the skin,” says makeup artist and skin specialist Kim Roxie, founder and CEO of LAMIK Beauty.

Melanin is a sticky pigment produced by your skin that works like sunscreen, protecting the skin from UV rays. Damage to the

Leona Butler Penelton, 76

Beauty regimen: I’ve never used beauty products. I only use Dove or Ivory on my face and I make sure I exfoliate regularly.

Tips to looking great: I take frequent naps. If you want to stay looking young, get plenty of sleep. I also wear lots of hats, that’s like a sunscreen.

Crystal Bonner, 56

Beauty regimen: Keeping skin clean, exercise, diet and lots and lots of water.

Tips to looking great: Being stress free, living my best life, the love of my husband of 34 years and our two beautiful children and always being happy.

Shirley Ann Holman-Rockett, 70

Beauty regimen: Dove Beauty Bar. Oil of Olay Moisturizer. Water.Prayer.

Rest. Repeat Tips to looking great: No one gets through life without facing challenges, but my faith and belief in God have given me the strength to endure and cast my cares. I stay active, and I tap into my youth each and every time I’m around my grandchildren, who range in age from 3 to 24.

Tamara Jones Davidson, 50

Beauty regimen: My Beauty Regimen consists of the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Skincare Line, exercise daily, and PH balanced water.

Tips to looking great: My essentials tools for looking great are using sunscreen, moisturizing your skin, using anti-aging products, adequate sleep every evening, exercising and dressing appropriately for my age.

See more Ageless Beauties at www.DefenderNetwork.com

The Defender is celebrating secrets to making sure they stay

Billye J. Mou 64

Maple Morganfield, 69

Beauty regimen: Wh up, I pray, drink water, brush my teeth, wash with soap and water, t shower. I only use bab and vaseline on my sk just a little makeup.

Tips to looking great: plenty of peaceful rest

Beauty regimen: Every day I wash my face and use a moisturizer and foundation to protect my skin for the day. Before I go to sleep I remove my makeup and apply a moisturizer for the evening.

Tips to looking great:I love dressing fashionable, I occasionally go to the gym, I stay active by attending dance classes, but I believe the biggest tip to looking great is my spirit and smile.

Andrea Jones – Mackey, 47

skin caused by the harmful ra signs of aging occur. The kind called eumelanin; the more w we get.

“That’s what makes Black oiliness. Black women compl those oils that are fighting off

and eat healthy. Be con what you wear and by a wear bold colors and k lipstick handy.

Jaie Willia

Beauty regimen: Exfoliate your skin twice a week and moisturize with Oil of Olay for smoother, soft youthful skin.

Tips to looking great: A good night’s rest and plenty of ginger and lemon water daily.

Beauty Regimen: Clarity, rinse with c Vitamin C + Turme lol). Then prime an the day.

Nightime: Face wa Pure Clay Cleanser and massage with night. Rosewater a My tips for looking ized. Always wash age 7x faster when STAY PULLED UP”. ery day so you don time to do what it t training; take a one until your stomac

defendernetwork.com • Servin

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s women

nfident in all means, keep red

Deborah Simmons, 59

Beauty regimen: I have cleansed and moisturized my face with Pears Soap, Witch Hazel Toner and Oil of Olay since high school! My motto is “if it still works, why change it?”

Tips to looking great: I believe genetics play a large part into our overall health.

However, I use every opportunity to walk.

My diet consists of lots of fruits and veggies and I implement portion control. I don’t believe in denying myself anything.

I eat whatever I want; in moderation. All I need is a sliver of dessert.

ams, 47

Daytime - Face Soap and cool water. Moisturize with eric (my own concoction... nd apply my makeup for

ash & Clarity after Loreal r. Moisturize with Rosehip h beauty bar for 15 mins a and vaseline under my eyes. g great are: Stay moisturyour face before bed (you n you sleep in makeup). ...meaning, stay ready evnt have to get ready! Take takes to build your confidence and self esteem. (i.e. get heels e-on-one makeup class etc). Have fun, live life and laugh ch hurts!!

Defender News Service

Cicely Tyson: Age 93 At the top of the list is the Oscar and Emmy nominated iconic actress.

From her fierce ombre wigs to her empowering attitude, Cicely Tyson embodies the notion that age is just a number.

Angela Bassett, 61 “The Mission Impossible” star has set the bar high on what to look achieve when reaching your 60s. Maybe it’s her genes, workout routine or her amazing skin care line, what we know for sure is that this Wakanda queen always comes to slay.

Halle Berry: Age 53 Some say the Oscar Angela Bassett winner looks better now in her early 50s than she did when she took home an Academy Award in 2002. On Instagram, she gives us some serious body goal inspiration. .

Naomi Campbell: Age 48 Since entering the game at the age of 15, Naomi Campbell has been an icon in the modeling industry for over 30 years. She says she keeps her skin lush and fab by drinking plenty of water and staying away from sugar.

Renee Elise Goldsberry: Age 47 The “Hamilton” Tony winner looks exactly as she did when she played Evangeline on soap opera “One Life To Live” back in 2003. While one would think she spends tons of money on skin care, Renee keeps it simple: Cetaphil and Aveeno products, plus lots of water.

Iman: Age 63 It’s unfathomable that the supermodel and cosmetics queen is 63 years old, but it’s true. One of her secrets is to embrace a little extra weight to keep her face a little more full and plump.

Cynthia Bailey: Age 51 The former model and RHOA star has never had an off day when it comes to the looks department. That, and never an off year. She credits that to good old Vaseline, witch hazel and eye serum to keep her visage in tip-top shape.

Marjorie Harvey: Age 53 Marjorie Harvey makes being a grandmother look so fly. She believes that eating healthy and working out is the key to looking and feeling young. That, and taking plenty vacations with her boo, Steve.

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g local ageless beauties who tell us their y healthy and looking younger.

t: Get t, exercise,

ageless celebs 1

k skin age so well,” Roxie says. “And plain about how oily our skin is but it’s ff the wrinkles.”

hen I wake , stretch, h my face then by lotion kin and

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Black girl magic is working overtime with countless celebrities. Here are 10 famous sistas that continue to prove that “Black don’t crack.”

ays of the sun is the main reason why d of melanin found in Black folks is we have of it, the more UV protection

utra,

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defender network.com

Eva Boldridge, 45

Beauty regimen: Oil of Olay & Night of Olay, eye moisturizer, exfoliant (once a week), Deep conditioner for hair (once a week) Tips to looking great: Stay hydrated, exercise regularly (2x week), & cutting back on processed food. Mental health is very important to me - I have learned to live in the moment - and be grateful. When you feel good inside - it shows on the outside! It also doesn’t hurt to have a #glamsquad for the special times when you want to go all out.

ng the Houston area for over 88 years

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Salli Richardson: Age 50 The actress and “Queen Sugar” director doesn’t look a day over 35 and with good reason. When you are out there living your dreams, you stay glowing.

LisaRaye McCoy, 51 Once the buzz of the ‘90s, Lisa Raye continues to hold that moniker, looking 28 with a body that some 19-year-old girls would kill for.

10 Cecily Tyson

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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 12 | 2019 defendernetwork.com

Bahamian evacuees ordered off U.S.-bound ferry Defender News Services

The ferry boat operation that ordered dozens of Hurricane Dorian evacuees from the Bahamas off its boat apologized to passengers but said it made the decision after being told more authorization for their travel was needed.

A reporter posted video from a Balearia ferry boat in which a person announced over a loudspeaker that anyone traveling to the United States without a visa must disembark. The ferry was set to travel from hurricane-ravaged Freeport in the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale when the announcement was made.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said earlier that the operator did not properly coordinate the evacuation ahead of time.

The ferry incident was the latest snag in a hellish week for residents of the Bahamas, who are dealing with the grim aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

Less than a week since the Category 5 storm hit, 45 people have been confirmed dead and that number is expected to rise drastically, officials said. Hundreds are still missing, nearly 70,000 have been left homeless and hundreds more are desperately looking for a way out.

Balearia Caribbean said it regretted and apologized for the “hardship and inconvenience” experienced by the 119 passengers who were not transported. But it added, “We boarded these passengers with the understanding that they could travel to the United States without visas, only to later having been advised that in order to travel to Ft. Lauderdale they required prior in-person authorization from the immigration authorities in Nassau.”

CBP later struck a different tone, pinning the blame for the incident on Balearia. CBP spokesman Michael Silva said that Balearia did not properly coordinate the evacuation efforts with the U.S.

Residents of the Bahamas, including those who were told to get off a ferry traveling to Florida, are trying to cope following Hurricane Dorian’s devastation.

Embassy, the Bahamian government and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Stephen Silvestri, acting port director for the CBP at Port Everglades, noted that the evacuees were ordered off the boat by the ferry operator and not by any U.S. government entity.

Bahamas’ National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is asking the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to investigate the

ferry incident, NEMA spokesman Carl Smith said.

He explained there are no mandatory evacuation orders for those living on Abaco and Grand Bahama, the two hardest-hit islands.

Instead, he said, temporary housing will be built there. About 4,800 people have been evacuated from those two islands already, Smith said.

CBP head Mark Morgan said at the White House that the U.S. is vetting Bahamians attempting to come into the country, which includes screening individuals who lack documentation.

President Donald Trump expressed concern over “people going to the Bahamas who weren’t supposed to be there” and insisted that everybody needs “totally proper documentation.”

“I don’t want to allow people that weren’t supposed to be at the Bahamas to come into the United States, including some very bad people,” he said.

Bahamian students can attend HBCU for free Defender News Services

A historically Black university is stepping up to help students in the Bahamas who are affected

by Hurricane Dorian.

Hampton University announced it would be partnering with the University of the Bahamas to allow students who have been displaced by the storm to spend the fall semester on its campus in Hampton, Va., tuition-free.

“I think this agreement is something that can be helpful to a great number of students and families, and is part of something I’ve tried to do my

entire career – helping people to achieve and meet their goals,” Hampton University President William R. Harvey said in a statement.

Rodney Smith, the president of the University of the Bahamas, is the former administrative vice president and chief planning officer at Hampton.

University of the Bahamas students will be able to receive room and board for one semester. They will also have the option of staying at Hampton after the semester is over while paying standard tuition and fees.

Smith and Harvey’s agreement comes after Hurricane Dorian slammed the Bahamas, wiping out entire neighborhoods when it made landfall as a Category 5

storm. Dorian is the strongest hurricane ever to hit the Bahamas.

Lawrence Rigby, who graduated from Hampton in 2015, said he is pleased to see his university helping other Bahamian students continue their education during this time.

“Hampton has been the educational choice for many Bahamians over its long history. I am grateful to President Harvey and university leadership on this demonstration of kindness and humanity to my home in our time of need,” said Rigby, 2014-2015 Student Government Association president from Nassau, New Providence.

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SEPTEMBER 12 | 2019 | DEFENDER

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Women-led group mobilizes female voters Defender News Services

The 2020 elections are a little over one year away and one organization, in particular, is on a mission to get as many women as possible out to the polls.

Supermajority, a consortium geared toward driving change around the issues that matter to women, and its educational research arm, the Supermajority Education Fund, are kicking off a crosscountry bus tour to “engage, train and mobilize millions of women” ahead of November 2020.

The initiative will kick off in Atlanta with former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Sunday, Sept. 15.

The tour will then touch down in 13 other states and the District of Columbia throughout the course of two and a half weeks.

The tour will visit Austin, its only Texas stop, on Friday, Sept. 27.

Joining them during their stops are everyday women as well as presidential candidates. U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and South Bend,

Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg are among those mentioned.

Women who are unable to attend in person can join online to interact with the candidates and let their voices be heard. The organization said it’s focused on growing women’s power and influence as well as “building on the unprecedented momentum that shaped the electoral participation in 2018.”

A 2019 Pew Research Poll found that while both men and women had improved attendance

during the country’s 2018 midterm elections, women voted at higher rates than men. This has been the case for two decades.

“Women, and specifically women of color, are holding up more than half the sky and yet we still don’t have the political power we deserve,” said Alicia Garza, co-founder of Supermajority and principal of Black Futures Lab. “That’s why we’re getting activated – women are adding oxygen to a movement that is spreading like wildfire across the country. This bus tour will support that movement by training, motivating and helping women realize and actualize their power.

Our launch of the Majority Rules will help all of us take action so we can live, work and rise together.”

The Supermajority Education Fund will also use the bus tour to roll out the Majority Rules, a guide that offers a “vision for how women can live, work and rise together.”

For the full list of cities where the Supermajority bus tour will stop visit www.

Supermajority.com.

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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 12 | 2019 defendernetwork.com

Keshia Knight Pulliam backing businesses Defender News Services

Keshia Knight Pulliam, the actress who starred on “The Cosby Show” and “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” is throwing her support behind Black female entrepreneurs by starting a venture capital fund.

She teamed up with Arian Simone, an entrepreneur and author of the books “My Fabulous & Fearless Journey: From Homeless to Hollywood” and “Fearless Faith + Hustle: 21 Day Devotional Journey.”

The venture capital fund has been named the “Fearless Fund,” and the women launched it with $5 million to help close the disparities between Black women and others trying to get their business funded.

“We’ve been busy!! Only 2% of Venture Capital Investors are African American & less than 1% are women,” Pulliam wrote on Instagram. “We decided to be a part of the solution by investing in our community!! I am so excited to announce that @Ariansimone & I have started The Fearless Fund. A fund for us by us!”

“Our mission is to bridge the gap in venture capital funding for women of color founders building scalable, growth aggressive companies. Follow our journey,” she added.

So far the Fearless Fund, which caters to pre-seed, seed and Series A startups, has backed Ellis Island Tea, described as an all-natural, antioxidant-rich hibiscus tea on the company’s website. They’re also working with Activvely, a fitness app that pairs people with others to work out.

The women have also partnered with EnrichHER, a company that “Connects revenue-generating women-led companies seeking up to $250,000 with accredited, non-accredited or institutional lenders.”

“We wanted to start small, that was with intention,” said Simone in a statement. “We want to prove great returns for our investors.

I started as an entrepreneur in college, raising funds for my retail store. I was only 21 but I promised myself that one day, Arian, you’re going to be that investor you’re looking for.”

Black hair care co-founder Joan Johnson dead at 89 Defender News Services

Joan Johnson, who helped create one of the nation’s largest Black-owned companies, has died.

Johnson, 89, co-founded Johnson Products Company, the pioneering Black hair care company which made iconic products such as Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen. She died Sept. 6 in Chicago after a long illness.

She and her husband George Johnson started the company in Chicago in 1954. They took a $250 investment and turned it into a multimillion-dollar company Joan Johnson which became the first Black-owned company to be traded on the American Stock Exchange (now known as NYSE American).

“When I think about pioneers, the real pioneers are the people who are able to make a path where none exists,” her son Eric G. Johnson told CNN. “Johnson Products in many ways was that company. She and my father had no provided path. They created a path where there was none.”

Eric Johnson said his mother was the true matriarch of the family.

Johnson’s family also described her as an advocate for women. She was a trustee at Spelman College in Atlanta

and her family plans to continue her legacy by supporting the school with an annual scholarship. “[Joan was] someone I always admired,” publicist Dori Wilson told CNN. Wilson had known Johnson since about 1970 and said Johnson and her husband were role models.

“She was perceived as a shrewd and smart businesswoman,” Wilson said. “I can’t remember any other product that was really synonymous with the African-American community.”

The company also helped the growth of another American icon, “Soul Train.” In the early 1970s Johnson Products became a sponsor of the groundbreaking TV dance and musical variety program, which went on to run in national syndication for almost four decades.

She was known for her sense of style as well and was a sponsor and organizer of the Congressional Black Caucus Fashion Show.

“She truly was a grande dame in every sense of the word,” said Linda Johnson Rice (no relation), CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, which formerly published Ebony and Jet Magazines. “Dignified, smart, sharpwitted and fun…”

Keshia Knight Pulliam (standing) has teamed up with entrepreneur and author Arian Simone.

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SEPTEMBER 12 | 2019 | DEFENDER

PVAMU Panthers a work in progress

By TERRANCE HARRIS Defender

The Prairie View A&M University Panthers have a chance to be special this season, but as they headed into their third game – a showdown with Nicholls State – they are still a work in progress.

The offensive trio of quarterback Jalen Morton, running back Dawonya Tucker and wide receiver Tristen Wallace can put up yards. The defense, led by free safety Drake Cheatum and middle linebacker Tre’Shaud Smith, is relentless and tough.

But after two lopsided games – a 44-23 win over Texas Southern University and a 37-17 loss to the University of Houston – exactly how good the Panthers are remains to be seen. It’s a process and the Panthers are very much in the midst of figuring Quarterback Jalen Morton of Arlington has played for the Panthers since 2016. it out. to win. But things took place and it didn’t go our way Second-year PVAMU coach Eric but we are not going to rest on that. We are going to Dooley, however, made it clear that he isn’t looking rebound and not look in the rearview mirror…” at the loss against the Cougars as a growth opportuDooley has a little more confidence in his backup nity. quarterbacks Trazon Connley and T.J. Starks. With “Every game helps prepare us, but I don’t look at Morton and the entire offense struggling and trailing us losing the game as preparation,” said Dooley. the Cougars by three touchdowns in the first half, “It’s a game that I thought we had an opportunity

13

Dooley took it as an opportunity to get his two backup quarterbacks some extensive work.

Dooley pulled Morton late in the second quarter and got Connley and Starks some valuable game experience.

“We always have a mindset where that guy that practices the most snaps in practice is going to get the call,” Dooley said. “In practice Jalen showed up better so he is the one who started. But we needed maybe a boost from someone. I thought Trazon came in and did a good job because we moved the chains and it was a great opportunity to get TJ some reps, as well.”

Connley, a redshirt freshman, played with poise while completing 9 of 17 passes for 129 yards as he moved the ball the best of the three quarterbacks. Starks entered the game late in the third quarter and finished out the game, completing 3 of 10 passes for 73 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

While Morton struggled, there is no quarterback controversy brewing.

“It doesn’t change anything,” Dooley said. “We felt we had an opportunity to do some things that we normally wouldn’t do in a close game so we gave some guys the opportunity to get some playing time because it helps build the depth of our football team.”

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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 12 | 2019 defendernetwork.com

sports

Serena Williams the greatest despite loss

S

NNPA Newswire

erena Williams lost her bid for what would have been her sixth U.S. Open Singles title.

It was the second straight year that Williams lost in the finals, but with 23 Grand Slam tournament titles and a .850 career winning percentage, her legacy as the world’s greatest tennis player was solidified a long time ago.

“Serena Williams’s legacy is sealed, whether or not she ever hits a tennis ball again,” Tera W. Hunter, a professor of history and African American studies at Princeton, wrote in an op-ed for the New York Times.

“It’s sad she didn’t beat Bianca Andreescu at the finals of the U.S. Open Championships and match Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. But her contributions to the game are much bigger than reaching another Grand Slam Final,” Hunter wrote.

Williams, 37, began playing tennis at the age of 5 in Compton, Calif.

Under the tutelage of her father, Richard Williams, Serena and her sister Venus rose to stardom in the 1990s. The duo took the tennis world by storm with Serena ultimately surpassing her sister and others as easily the best in the sport.

Serena Williams, who has earned approximately $100 million in her career, won her first Grand Slam title at the age of 17 and she hasn’t looked back.

“She’s without question the embodiment of strength, character, and accomplishment,” said Julio C. Rodriguez, of Université ParisSorbonne.

The Undefeated Magazine’s managing editor Raina Kelley summed up why Williams is the Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali of her sport.

“Serena Jameka Williams did not just come to play – she came to slay.

And you are alive to see it,” Kelley said. “…She reinvented tennis. She invented #BlackGirlMagic. She has all of the trophies and she stands for equality of women around the globe.

Is Serena the greatest athlete of all time? Please,” Kelley said.

List of 20 accomplishments

Serena Williams has bee n

a dominant force in ten

nis for 20 years.

mpeted as a team

s Williams have co Serena and Venu other.

and against each

1. Second African-American woman to win a Grand Slam title at 17 in 1999.

2. By winning the 2001 Australian Open doubles championship with Venus Williams, became the fifth pair to complete a career doubles Grand Slam and the only pair to win a career doubles Golden Slam.

3. At the 2001 U.S. Open, marked the first time in the Open Era, and the second time in 117 years that sisters met in a Grand Slam final (with Venus).

4. At the 2002 Roland Garros final, she became the first younger sister to defeat her older sister in a Grand Slam singles tournament.

5. Fifth woman to hold all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously, first African-American to win (2003 Australian Open).

6. Fifth woman in the Open Era to win back-to-back Wimbledon crowns (2003 Wimbledon).

7. She and sister Venus became the first players to compete in four consecutive slam finals (2003 Australian Open).

8. Only player in tennis history to win three Grand Slam singles titles (1999 U.S. Open, 2002 Roland Garros) by beating the top two ranked players (2005 Australian Open).

9. First unseeded player since 1978 to win a slam; ranked No. 81 in the world (2007 Australian Open).

10. Six-year gap between Wimbledon titles (2003-2009) is second only to Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s nine years in the Open Era. 11. Eleven-year gap between Roland Garros titles (2002–2013) is the longest in the Open Era. 12. By winning the 2010 Roland Garros doubles with sister Venus, they became the first pair since 1998 to hold the four doubles slams at the same time, first to complete the career doubles Golden Slam twice (2001 and 2003 Australian Open, 1999 and 2010 Roland Garros, 2000 and 2002 Wimbledon, 1999 and 2009 U.S. Open, and 2000 and 2008 Olympic gold medalists).

13. Hit a record 24 aces in a match (2012 Wimbledon).

14. At the 2012 Wimbledon Championships, she set a record for most aces served in a tournament, hitting 102 aces in the tournament, which was the most of men or women at the Championships that year.

15. Won sixth U.S. Open title, the most in the Open Era (2014).

16. Won her seventh Australian Open title, the most in the Open Era (2017).

17. Rio 2016 Olympic Games, T-ninth (singles), T-17th (doubles).

18. London 2012 Olympic Games, gold (singles, doubles).

19. Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, gold (doubles), T-fifth (singles).

20. Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, gold (doubles).

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SEPTEMBER 12 | 2019 | DEFENDER

H.S. sports ‘MESSAGES to my high school SELF’

15

W

By JODIE B. JILES Defender

isdom is defined as knowledge gained by experiences in life. The Defender spoke with several current and retired NFL players about their career experiences and messages they would tell their high school selves – and aspiring pro players – if given the opportunity.

The four players all have Texas ties: Andre Johnson and Whitney Mercilus have a Houston Texan connection. Ed Oliver is a Houston native and was a University of Houston defensive standout. Lubbock native Marquise Goodwin was a star receiver and long jumper at the University of Texas.

Andre Johnsonuston Texans

er, Ho retired wide receresivour ces and the teachers that are

“Take advantage of your prepared for the next level. there to help you and get you t they y are being hard on you tha Don’t feel that because the ources res r you Use y. the wrong wa are being mean or taking it way.” and use them in a positive

Whitney Mercilus

outside linebacker, Houston Texans

“Just don’t quit. There are goi ng to be some trying times, some dark tim es like I have experienced. I thought I was going to be gone out of the league pretty ear ly, but the thing is you just have to get back on that horse and keep moving forward and that’s it.”

dwin Marquise GFroanocisco 49ers

, San wide receiver er. And I think Sports don’t last forev

Ed Oliver

defensive tackle, Buffalo Bills

“One thing that I could tell young Ed is that it goes by fast and en joy every moment because you never kn ow what the next da y holds. So, enjoy ever y moment because yo u can’t redo it.”

“Focus on school. s across ssage that a lot of kid me nt rta po im an is that aches don’t ow and a lot of the co kn to ed ne try un co the look them. rents sometimes over pa d an em th on up push can focus on important thing you st mo e th is ics em Acad You thing you don’t lose. because it is the only old s ar I am at 28 ye lose athleticism. Here n run a 10-secca I and I don’t know if ore. So just focus ond 100-m dash anym the moment on school and enjoy ey don’t ever th because sometime come back around.”

CORRECTION

Last week, a Defender headline inadvertently identified Katy player Ronald Hoff as Ronald Huff. We apologize for the error.

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16

DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 12 | 2019

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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

topevents

2019 DEFENDER MINISTERS OF MUSIC EXTRAORDINAIRE project to recognize the victims of racial terror lynchings and featured a documentary AWARDS……..The Defender Network recently celebrated local standout screening along with presentations and a discussion on the subject. Attendees included ministers of music from boutique-sized, mid-size, large and mega churches with its Larry Brown, Marcia Johnson, Mack Bishop, Liz Allen, Johnny Sallie Jr., second annual Defender Ministers of Music Extraordinaire Awards. The winners were Michael Hurd, Debra Blacklock-Sloan, Robbie R. Lee, Dr. K.D. Charalamopus, Glenda Taylor, The Genesis Church (boutique); Eleanor Lee, True Light Missionary Joshua Sams, Jennifer Russell, RoShawn Evans, Shayla Lyles, Lawrence Battle, Baptist (mid-sized); Mark Taylor, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church (large); Joshua Taylor and others……..FALL WINE & JAZZ FESTIVAL……..Martini and Lydia Alston, Brentwood Baptist Church (mega). V. Michael McKay’s Hymns Blu Jazz Café once again sponsored its Fall Wine & Jazz Festival, a two-day event for Him Now event, featuring a “historical journey of praise and worship,” served held at Midtown Park featuring local and national jazz stars including Will Downing, as the backdrop for the awards presentation, featuring Melonie Mike Phillips, the Special EFX All Stars and many more. The Daniels, Stephen Hurd and Patrick Henderson. Other Defender TOP EVENTS jamming at Midtown Park was not the only weekend jazz attendees included Yolanda Adams, Mayor Sylvester Turner, action connected to this festival. The Kick-Off All White Party More photos on defendernetwork.com Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Jessica, Ettienne and and a later After Party featured saxophonist Theresa Grayson, Deborah Zak and many more……..HARRIS COUNTY musician Stephen Richard and others. Attendees included REMEMBRANCE PROJECT……..The Harris County Remembrance Project, a Caitlyn Floyd, Judy Sumner, Tanya Douglas, Jane Floyd, Felix and Doris project of the Equal Justice Initiative’s National Memorial for Peace and Justice, was Wright, Delores Taylor, Kia Fowler, Barbara Matthews, the Clayton Sisters, held recently at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. The Lloyd Ford, Annie Lunford, Sharon Tolbert, Adrianne Walker, Mary Fontenot event, co-sponsored by County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, was part of a national and scores more.

Mark Taylor, Eleanor Lee, Glenda Taylor, Lydia Alston

Larry Brown, Marcia Johnson

Marchelle Sloan, Karen Edwards

RoShawn Evans, Liz Allen, Johnny Sallie Jr.

Caitlyn Floyd, Judy Sumner, Tanya Douglas, Jane Floyd

Tramonica Green, Marcus Anderson, Ciephon Sims

Jessica Zak, Ettienne Zak, Deborah Zak

Shayla Lyles, Kaylee Veltri

Mercedes Clayton, Tere Nelson, Porsche Clayton, Jeryce Clayton

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