Houston Defender: September 29, 2022

Black-owned sneaker entrepreneur is

pushed out of

To the POINT

Vote Vote Vote!

Reporter’s Message

I’m sure this message has been beaten in your heads every 2-4 years, but what are you doing if you aren’t registered to vote? Te U.S midterm election season is set to be one of the most expensive to date, with more than $6.4 billion being poured into TV, radio, and digital ads for the U.S House, Senate, and guberna torial and local races. We all know that in the game of politics, control is key. Tese parties are going head-to-head to gain power in Washington and nationwide, doubling down on messaging that will pull on the heartstrings of their constituents. Abortion rights, infa tion, and the economy are just some issues on the table that you’ll see where you read or watch your news. Be mindful, research, and don’t get bamboozled by all the noise. Your vote has the power at the end of the day.

Let’s give our Black OG actresses their fowers

If you are a TV or movie buf, then I know you must have heard of the latest series trending on Netfix called Monster: Te Jefrey Dahmer Story. Te flm was about a real-life serial killer who killed 17 men and boys over 13 years without capture. Dahmer was notorious for his acts of necrophilia and cannibalism with his victim’s remains and preserving the body parts as souvenirs. I had heard about these stories years ago. However, when I learned about Niecy Nash-Betts playing Dahmer’s neighbor Glenda Cleveland, I was convinced enough to watch, and she did a fantastic job. It was also a treat to see 90s veteran actor Karen Malina White (Lean on Me, Fresh Prince of BelAir, Cosby Show, Proud Family), who played the role of Shirley Hughes, the mother of one of Dahmer’s victims. Not only did we get to see these talented Black women

shine on screen, but this movie was an ode to the victims and families who lost loved ones to these senseless acts.

Rihanna set to perform at Super Bowl

It is confrmed. Rihanna will perform at the Super Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb 12 Tis is the frst time we are seeing the singer on stage since her performance at the Grammy Awards in 2018 and since her last solo album, “Anti,” was released in January 2016. Te new mother and billionaire has kept busy with her fashion and makeup lines. How ever, fans have been curious about when she would return to at least drop an album. Tis announcement shocked the internet, and I’m sure fans are gearing up to see what “RiRi” has in store. Te NFL enters its frst year with a new deal with Apple Music as the primary sponsor of the halfime show, replacing Pepsi. Rihanna was among many artists who declined to perform for the 2019 Super Bowl in support of Colin Kaepernick who was being blackballed for kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality toward Black people. Te NFL signed Jay-Z and Roc Nation as the live music and entertainment strategists in 2019. Roc Nation manages Rihanna, and she is signed to its record label.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Rihanna attends Rihanna’s 5th Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street on September 12, 2019 in New York City. Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

Laura Onyeneho

TSU, UH POLL

Community leaders support Oct. 8 gun buyback

By ReShonda Tate

Members from several local community organizations were on hand to throw their support behind the City of Houston and Harris County as they con tinue the fight to get guns off the streets.

In partnership with the Hous ton Police Department, ofcers will conduct another Gun Buy back Operation on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. until noon at the Metro Park and Ride at 11050 Harwin Drive in Alief. It will be held in the heart of the districts of City Councilmember Tifany D. Tomas and Houston Congressman Al Green.

Depending on the type of weapon, citizens turning in frearms will be rewarded with a gift card in the amounts of $50 to $200. All firearms will be retrieved with a no-ques tion-asked policy by law enforce ment. Funding for the program was provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

City and county leaders have joined together to invest over $2 million in funds into upcoming gun buyback events. And they’re getting fnancial support from local community partners.

“On behalf of the One Coun cil, a conglomerate of the local chapters of Phi Beta Sigma in the Houston area, we made a

fnancial contribution to be used toward marketing and promot ing this buyback initiative,” said Clif McBean, president of the Fort Bend Chapter of the fra ternity. “Our goal is to assist in giving as many people as possi ble an opportunity to get those guns of the streets.”

The Oct. 8 event is part of Mayor Sylvester’s Turner One Safe Houston Initiative to reduce violent crimes throughout the city.

Officials say they will be cracking down on “ghost guns” – privately manufactured guns that can’t be traced to a manu facturer – afer a large amount of the weapons were dropped of at the frst gun buyback event in order to receive gif cards that are worth more than the amount it costs to make the gun. Of cials said they would accept ghost guns, but participants should not expect a gif card for dropping them of.

Tiffany Thomas, who rep resents District F, welcomed the contributions from the commu nity partners.

“The gun buyback event in District F is one of the resources and tools we’re deploying to

Defender News Service

A new survey of Texans by Texas Southern University and the University of Houston appears to show support across the political divide for support for tightening controls on guns and gun ownership.

Some of the key fndings in “Texas Trends Survey 2022 – Gun Safety” report include:

make sure that residents...feel safe in their neighborhoods. And marginal ized, disenfranchised and low-income communities ofen have higher inci dences of crime. Tis is about making sure, regardless of what your income is, your experience, education level, you should feel safe coming from your home to the grocery store, the convenience store, or walking to the park. And so if we can remove 100 guns, we’ve done what we needed to do.”

Officials also said they would add multiple lines, afer the last event was expected to end at noon, but lasted hours longer and did not end until 7 p.m.

The City of Houston hosted its frst gun buyback event in late July at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Tird Ward in partnership with HPD

and Harris County Precinct 1 Commis sioner Rodney Ellis. Te city collected 845 firearms and distributed up to $100,000 in gif cards.

According to the city, due to the overwhelming response from citizens, more than 150 people were given a future voucher for the next gun buy back event.

“Te turnout demonstrates there are too many guns on our streets, and peo ple want to get them out of their posses sion,” Mayor Turner said.

Although some considered the event a success, there was major backlash from the Harris County District Attorney’s Ofce. David Mitcham, the assistant to Harris County DA Kim Ogg, expressed concerns on whether the event is efec tive enough for solving crimes.

Community leaders join city and county leaders at the announcement for the new gun buyback program.

Public safety is all of our responsibility, and especially since the murder of George Floyd, as a council and with the Mayor’s administration, we have worked intentionally about addressing crime through a variety of ways.”

Will Jones has been named Finance Director for the City of Houston following a unanimous vote by Houston City Council.

State Rep. Ron Reynolds has been elected Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus.

HELP

Defender News Service

New data shows Houston’s num bers are above the national average when it comes to struggling to keep the lights on.

Data from KTRK shows that 26% of Houstonians struggled to pay at least one power bill during the year, which is higher than in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco. Te data also revealed that 36% of Houstonians had to either reduce or cut back on food or medicine to help pay for utilities.

“It’s upsetting, but we still have to pay. Otherwise, it’s hot, and we wouldn’t have any air. And I’m not going to sweat like a dog living in the house,” Houston resident Charleen Jones said. “You just have to pay it.”

ABC13’s data team discovered that power problems are dispropor tionately worse depending on a vari ety of variables. Households making under $25,000, and don’t have a high school diploma are twice as likely to be unable to pay the power bill.

If someone in the house loses a job, they’re three times as likely to be unable to pay the bill. Households with kids are twice as likely to be unable to pay the power bill as those without children.

Black and His panic households are twice as likely as white Amer icans to choose power over food or medicine.

One helpful resource is Bak erRipley’s income-based, federal ly-funded program.

“If you have a need and you’re having to make decisions about whether you need to buy food, med ication, or pay your electricity bill, there are resources in the commu nity that are available to you,” said Glynniece Herron, BakerRipley’s

utility assistance operations man ager,explained. “Our Utility Assis tance Program reaches Bra zoria, Galves ton and Harris County. The $2,400 in assis tance is what would be for the future, but (if you have a rear amount), or back pay that you owe, or that’s due, that can be cov ered as well.”

A recent federal report shows electricity costs are 15% more than this time last year. Experts don’t expect it to drop much anytime soon.

Herron said the nonprofit has

around $15 million in federal funds to hand out. Te money can be used to help cover electricity, gas, pro pane and water bills. It also covers A/C and heater repairs.

Herron said the organization is hoping to help at least 7,000 fam ilies. Those with disconnection notices take priority.

“We take that to heart. We don’t want anybody’s electricity cut of. We don’t want anybody’s gas cut of,” she said.

To qualify for the program, you must be a U.S. citizen or a legal res ident. You also will be required to share your utility bills with Baker Ripley and prove your income.

“We’ve got specific funds that may be set aside, even if families are over income,” Herron said.

City addresses food deserts

Houston Public Media

The city of Houston has launched a new initiative to battle food deserts in the area — 100 Pantries in 100 Days. The hope is to combat food insecurity in Houston and allow local nonprofts to part ner with the city to provide better food quality for those in need.

District J council member Edward Pollard leads the food insecurity board and says there are more than 738,000 Housto nians with no access to healthy food and 360,000 children are experiencing food insecurity.

“If you think about it, the city of Houston has about 2.3 million people, so almost 1/3 of Houstonians are facing food insecurities,” Pollard said.

Houston’s food insecurity rate is 4% higher than the national average.

“Over the past year and a half, I’ve been involved in numerous food distribution drives. I am continuously in awe of how many people wait for hours for basic food items,”

Pollard added. “Tis drove me to find solutions to the food needs of our city and issues related to the root cause.”

Pollard said the Houston Food Bank and nonprofts will provide fresh produce, meat, dairy and non-perishable foods to those in need. Whirl pool will donate refrigerators to help with the upkeep with donations.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the initiative is well-needed especially for his home community of Acres Home.

“Some of us standing here today have found ourselves in similar situations includ ing myself,” added Turner. “As mayor I still reside in one of those communities that we would defne as underserved and under-resourced, in an area that’s a food desert.”

Any nonprofit looking to help in this endeavor can apply online through the city’s food insecurity board page. Te city of Houston is now accepting applications.

A Houston Food Bank volunteer helps box food. The city of Houston announced its 100 Pantries in 100 Days initiative which is aimed to combat food insecurities.

Working together to drive progress

At Bank of America, we continue to support diverse local communities to help fuel economic opportunity and growth. We’re inspired by the determination and passion of Hispanic-Latinos and are committed to doing more as a trusted partner. Here are some of the ways we’re helping:

Listening

Our Hispanic-Latino Business Councils across the country are focused on understanding the needs of our clients so we can better serve them.

Supporting

We’re furthering our partnership with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc., helping emerging leaders succeed in today’s economy.

Delivering

Our Better Money Habits® platform is available in Spanish, Mejores Hábitos Financieros,® to help people build financial know-how and make informed, confident decisions.

My teammates and I are proud of the work we’re doing in Houston to address the needs of our clients and the diverse communities we serve.

Hong Ogle President, Bank of America Houston

What would you like the power to do?

Learn more at bankofamerica.com/houston

®

Bank of America, Better Money Habits, Mejores Hábitos Financieros and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

DNNewsBriefs

Buffalo Bayou Park expands with new funding

A plan to expand Buffalo Bayou Park to Houston’s East End is being jump-started by a $100 million investment from Kinder Foundation, which has previously funded other projects around the city. e funding is part of a 10-year plan to revitalize the area. Shawn Cloonan with Buffalo Bayou Partnership said the project will bring further investment to some of Houston’s historically under-served communities and will include new parks, trails, cultural destinations, affordable housing, and connections to, among, and within the historic Fi h Ward and the Greater East End. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said over the next 10 years, more than $310 million will be invested in Buffalo Bayou. Both the City of Houston and Harris County are expected to invest a combined total of $200 million in the project and officials are expected to sign off on final documents this week.

More than 80% with misdemeanors fail to show up for court

District Attorney Kim Ogg and the Houston Police Union have compiled data showing a lot of defendants in Harris County do not show up for court. The Professional Bondsmen of Texas took an even deeper

dive into court records covering the period from Jan. 1, 2021, through August 2022.

ey found that the average failure to appear rate in the 16 misdemeanor courts is over 80% e data shows many misdemeanor courts take no action against those who fail to appear and 71% of all misdemeanor cases are dismissed. ey also found days when 90%, 95%, 98% and 100% of the people on the docket failed to show up for court and the courts did nothing.

Black student community college enrollment declines

A recent study published by the Joint

Center found that Black student enrollment at community colleges across the U.S. has steadily declined in the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. From Fall 2019 to Fall 2021, enrollment fell 18% for all Black students. at’s 23.5% and 15% for Black men and Black women, respectively. As a result, graduation rates for students of color also staggered. e gap between Black and white graduation rates more than doubled from a four percentage point gap in 2007 to an 11 percentage point divide in 2020. Conversely, Black community college students who did graduate between 2019 and 2021, faced inequitable outcomes a er graduation.

According to the report, Black grads also earned $20,000 less per year than their white peers. e difficult reality is a tough pill to swallow for the 67% of Black students who borrowed money to pay for education at their local community college, compared to 51% of white, 36% of Hispanic and 30% of Asian students, respectively.

Houston Baptist University changes name to Houston Christian University

Houston Baptist University has announced the school is changing its name to Houston Christian University. School officials say the new name more accurately epitomizes the student body and reflects the faculty, staff, alumni and community. e renaming is part of a growth campaign to expand HCU’s residential campus to 4,200 students and online campus to 5,800 students. e name change does not affect the university’s accreditation status, tuition or fees, or financial aid application process. A revised logo is expected to be completed soon. e university colors of orange and blue will remain the same. And the university’s Husky mascot will continue to represent their 17 Division I sports programs.

Mayor Sylvester Turner talks about Buffalo Bayou Park’s East End expansion during a press conference near Tony Marron Park on September 26, 2022.

DN ONLINE Read more details on Newsbriefs.

InFocus

SEEKING BLACK DONORS

RED CROSS RAISES

SICKLE CELL AWARENESS

By Laura Onyeneho

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and the American Red Cross is celebrating its one-year launch of the Sickle Cell Initiative.

ey are spotlighting a critical need for a diverse blood supply to educate the masses about sickle cell disease and grow the donor base of first-time Black blood donors.

Sickle cell anemia is the most commonly inherited blood disorder in the United States and impacts African Americans at a more disproportionate rate than other ethnicities. People with the disease may face financial limitations, lack of insurance and access to proper care, significantly reducing their quality of life.

e intermittent pain and fatigue from coping with an inherited red blood cell disease can be debilitating. As systemic inequities in our health care system continue to persist, it becomes harder for individuals to seek proper care. e average life expectancy for those with severe cases of sickle cell is three decades shorter than for those without it.

“We’ve always had a diversity arm of what we’ve done trying to ensure that our blood supply matches our population,” said Rena Witherspoon, regional sickle cell account manager for the American Red Cross, North Texas Region. “ is initiative is to ensure that we can treat these patients. When looking for blood products, the most compatible match will come from someone of the same race and ethnicity.”

In the initiative’s first full fiscal year, the number of first-time African American blood donors who gave to the American Red Cross increased by 60%. The organization is hosting blood drives across Houston and encourages the community to participate.

“The basis of this initiative is about education. The Black community must understand how and why their blood is unique, especially when treating sickle cell patients. We are looking for Black churches, HBCUs and high schools with a significant number of Black people. Come alongside us. Partner with us and host a blood drive.”

Why is it a public health issue?

Dr. Vinay Tubman, co-director of the

According to the CDC, about 100,000 people live with sickle cell in the United States.”

Sickle Cell Disease Program of Texas Children’s Hospital, said that since the 1970s, progress had been made in improving survivability for sickle cell disease in pediatrics patients. About 96% of children with sickle cell disease will survive into adulthood.

Pediatric hematology providers are working to provide a good quality of life well into adulthood with few complications. However, Tubman said the ability to progress in adult hematology is limited. e average age for adults with sickle cell disease is in the 50s and 60s, and it hasn’t budged in the last couple of decades.

“ e lack of access to care, knowledge,

adult hematologists, lack of familiarity, lack of a community of other adults with sickle cell disease, are just a few examples of why we haven’t made the same amount of progress,” Tubman said.

“According to the CDC, about 100,000 people live with sickle cell in the United States. That estimate has been the same for nearly 20 years now. The numbers should change because we’ve seen progress in survival in pediatrics. Sickle cell disease research for decades has been underfunded, and it has received less funding from national organizations such as [National Institute of Health] than other disorders.”

Treatments

Dr. Tubman said there are four FDA-approved therapies for sickle cell disease. Gene therapy, a newer treatment in the works to be FDA approved, would allow patients to be their own donors. Bone marrow transplants are one method to cure sickle cell disease by infusing healthy blood-forming stem cells into the body to replace bone marrow that’s not producing healthy blood cells from an outside donor.

In the case of gene therapy, bone marrow is taken from the patient to a lab where cells are modified to overcome the effects of the sickle cell gene and returned to the patient.

Dr. Vinay Tubman. Co-director of the Sickle Cell Disease Program of Texas Children’s Hospital

Photo: Allen Kramer

Rena Witherspoon Regional Sickle Cell Account Manager Biomedical Services American Red Cross, North Texas Region

DR. VINAY TUBMAN

LEARN ABOUT SICKLE CELL SCREENING.

WHAT HAS PEOPLE TALKING…

YES, EVEN BEAUTIFUL WOMEN GET CHEATED ON Ime Udoka suspended a er affair exposed

Social media is abuzz with news that Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka cheated on his movie star girlfriend, Nia Long. Why is this news when people cheat every day? We wish it wasn’t, but it’s because Udoka has been suspended for a year for having an inappropriate relationship with a female staff member on the team.

Udoka’s sexual relationship with this unnamed woman is considered a violation of the organization’s guidelines and the championship coach was suspended for the 2022-23 season.

Udoka and his mistress were allegedly caught by a home security camera.

Long, Udoka’s longtime girlfriend/partner of 12 years, knew nothing about the affair and didn’t find out until a few days before the world did. Sources close to Nia claim she and the couple’s 10-year-old son moved to Boston just two weeks ago to settle down. But, unknown to her, Ime was prepared for the scandal to go public and he didn’t warn her about it.

50 Cent takes over Houston

The Houston Astros and rapper, philanthropist and new Clutch City resident 50 Cent struck a partnership between the MLB franchise and his company, Sire Spirits, which retails spirits and wine in stores across the nation.

Sire Spirits consists of a champagne, Le Chemin Du Roi, and a new Houston favorite, Branson Cognac. The champagne will be branded as the official champagne of the Astros, while the cognac will be branded as the official cognac of the Astros. Fi y has a similar partnership with the Houston Rockets and Houston Texans.

I love me some Houston, watch everybody is gonna start moving out there. I’m gonna move Hollywood to Houston. I don’t want to travel to shoot television, I can do it in H Town. Watch how many jobs I create.” 50 Cent

New bonnet Memoji feature draws mixed reactions

Apple’s new iOS 16 update allows users to customize their Memoji with different hairstyles and headwear, and that includes the option to add a bonnet, like the one some Black women wear, to their cute animated characters.

Apple’s nod to Black culture sent social media spiraling with mixed and passionate reactions.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...

Celebs rave over Rihanna Super Bowl news

Fans of the R&B singer are celebrating her confirmed return to the live music stage for the Super Bowl LVII Hal ime Show in February 2023. Among those looking forward to witnessing Rihanna’s hal ime takeover is Dr. Dre, who gave an award-winning performance at the Super Bowl earlier this year alongside Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent.

“I’m a super fan of Rihanna. I can’t wait to see what she’s going to do,” Dr. Dre said.

T.D. Jakes passes torch to his daughter Sarah

Bishop T. D. Jakes has surprised his daughter by handing over the giant Woman, Thou Art Loosed ministry to her. Jakes passed the symbolic torch to Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts at the culmination of the recent Woman, Thou Art Loosed!: Homecoming! conference. As he anointed his daughter with oil, Jakes said, “With every drop of oil that falls upon your head, may the strength and power of the Almighty God rest upon your life.”

What happened to our self respect? No different than walking out the door in pajamas. WOMEN, our young adults are products of who we are and how men sees us, if we don’t respect ourselves in public best believe no one will and neither will our Black men. We can NOT have our young girls fall into this trap to belittle us more than we already are, They already think we are.”Marlayna White

How is it any worse than a scarf OR hat? I’m totally ok with people wearing bonnets wherever they feel like wearing them.” - J Rochelle Elder

There is nothing about a bonnet that needs to be seen.” - Kim Topps

Many Black women wear bonnets as a hair care tool. When did it become shameful or something stereotypical? Did I miss something?” - Tameka Mullins

That mess is ghetto. If your hair isn’t done stay home.”

- Ina Stovall

I’m amazed at how much anti-Blackness festers among Black people. Just...wow.”

- Shakealia Y. Finley

Family shows emaciated loved one in AL prison

Family members of Kastellio Vaughan are pleading for help a er receiving photos that appear to show him malnourished, and in dire need of medical attention while in an Alabama state prison.

#KassieVaughan took to social media begging for a welfare check and medical intervention for her brother a er sharing disturbing images of him, which she says were taken inside Elmore Correctional Facility.

The Alabama Department of Corrections has since shared an update to @advancelocalsmo on Kastellio’s condition via email.

“He is assigned to Elmore Correctional Facility (CF) but is currently housed at Staton Medical Observation Unit. ADOC’s Office of Health Services has fully investigated his situation from a clinical perspective, and he has been offered all necessary treatment for his condition. Also, he has been in touch with his family to update them on his situation.”

WHAT WE REALLY SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT…

Brett Favre sought welfare money for football facility

While everyone was talking about Udoka, another story was getting little attention. Thank goodness, more people are starting to talk about it this week.

A er Mississippi spent millions of dollars in welfare money on Brett Favre’s pet project, a university volleyball arena, the retired -- and rich -- NFL quarterback tried two years later to get additional cash from the state’s welfare agency for another sports facility, new court documents show.

The governor at the time, Republican Phil Bryant, texted in 2019 with Favre, who wanted to build an indoor practice facility for the University of Southern Mississippi’s football team. Bryant told him federal money for children and low-income adults is “tightly controlled” and “improper use could result in violation of Federal Law.”

Favre claims he didn’t know the money was coming from welfare recipients, though text messages show otherwise.

Ime Udoka

Brett Favre

Kastellio Vaughan. Contributed by Kassie Vaughan

Education

School meals are no longer free for students across the U.S

By Laura Onyeneho

The COVID-era universal free lunch program will no longer offer free or reduced meals the 2022-2023 school year.

For the last two years, the federal gov ernment made school lunches free to all children regardless of the family’s income. Now, students returning to school will have to fll out an application to qualify for free or reduced lunch, just as they did before the pandemic.

Tis will disproportionality impact many low income and minority families across the nation, who might not be aware of this information.

Te Defender spoke with Franco Cruz, senior program manager for No Kid Hun gry, a nonproft working to fnd solutions to hunger and poverty in the U.S and interna tionally, to break down what families need to know about this update.

Defender: What do families need to know right now?

Cruz: Congress passed the Keep Kids Fed Act, which is legislation that armed schools and community organizations with more tools that they need for feed ing children throughout this upcoming school year. Te only thing the Act didn’t do was extend the fexibility that allows free meals for all families which lasted over these last two to three years. Families were used to receiving this because of the pandemic. Te real important thing that families need to know is that all schools now don’t have free meals like they used to. Many school districts will require fam ilies to fll out a free or reduced lunch ap plication to see if they qualify. Tis will certainly impact families with very young kids. Families need to check with their child’s school to see if they have free meals or not and that is determined through a federal program called “Community Eli gibility Provision.”

Defender: What is the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)?

Cruz: That is a federal program that schools can participate in. Schools can be eligible for this program based on demo graphics in their community that are

Families must apply for school meals this school year. Adobe Stock Images

largely fnancial led depending on income level and other qualifers. So just because one school is eligible doesn’t mean the school district is eligible for the program. It’s a school-by-school basis. The broad message we want to get out there is for families to cover their bases. Check to see if your school qualifes before flling out the application. For example, HISD is a large school district, they have things down pat already because they have good data and they are good at identifying which schools qualify and which don’t. So this applies for a lot of rural schools that we work with.

Defender: What has No Kid Hungry done so far to help families stay in formed?

Cruz: Tis is our bread and butter. Tis nonproft works across all 50 states includ ing Texas. We are focused on eradicating child hunger. One of the most effective ways to combat childhood hunger is school meals because they are reimbursable. Tat means schools can continue to serve them in perpetuity every single year. We are big advocates of this and anything that helps support school districts in increasing meal access through school meals. Over the last year, we’ve partnered with school districts, hosted webinars, social media campaigns trying to inform people that regulation is ending. Infation is at a 40-year high and living expenses, grocery bills, and gas are putting a strain on budgets. School meals give fexibility to your monthly budget. If families have a hard time putting food on

are eligible for SNAP and other local resources at yourtexasbenefts.com.

Join Us at Our Open House Event

Stop by to experience the CenterWell™ approach to senior primary care, tour the office and meet our expert Care Team led by Dr. Carothers.

CenterWell Hiram Clarke

Tuesday, September 27th | 11am - 1pm 4435 W. Fuqua St.

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Education

By Aswad Walker

Prairie View A&M University recently became the only HBCU in Texas with an African American Studies program. anks to a $1 million initiative, Enhancing the Humanities at PVAMU, students have the option to major or minor in African American studies in addition to in the arts and sciences, education, agriculture, engineering and nursing.

“A part of the HBCU experience for many students is a journey to self-identification, Blackness, and trying to understand the Black experience better,” said PVAMU’s Director and Associate Professor of AAS Jeanelle Hope, Ph.D. “[African American Studies] provides students with the language to understand the world around them and an opportunity to engage key theories, concepts and methods that seek to make sense of the Black experience and amplify our narratives.”

Funded in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, an anonymous contribution, and a matching grant, the new Bachelor of Arts in AAS Program will prepare the emerging generation of leaders to communicate effectively,

think critically, research and examine any field of work through a comprehensive cultural lens.

e long-awaited program is a vision of President Ruth J. Simmons who made it a priority to establish an AAS program at PVAMU when she became the school’s leader.

Here’s what Simmons said about AAS during the Defender’s HBCU Presidents Classic this past August:

“When we were coming along as institutions, somehow we were sold a bill of goods, and that

bill of goods is, ‘You people need to imitate everything that you see someplace else. Don’t worry about that stuff that’s about you, because that’s not going to ever get you anywhere. So, for heaven’s sake, don’t have African American Studies. Don’t do poetry and the arts, because you need to be doing something concrete, and that’s going to advance you people.’ at’s the bill of goods we were sold.

“And so, a phenomenal thing happened. When American institutions started being integrated, a flood of institutions developed African American Studies departments. And so, you have this interesting phenomenon where you can go to Tokyo, you can go to Germany, you can go many places around the world and find African American Studies departments. Some of the best scholars of African American Studies actually are German or Japanese, and so on. But guess what. Try finding it in HBCUs.

“So, we have not developed appropriately the expertise that we should have in the field that is most particular to our circumstances, and that is the history and culture of African Americans in this country. And it is a great shame in our history that we did not have the common sense

a century ago to understand that it was our duty first. It’s not Princeton’s first. It’s not Harvard’s first. And I’ve been traveling around this country for decades helping other institutions start African American Studies programs. I helped Harvard structure its program and recruit Dr. Henry Louis Gates there. I helped Princeton start its program.

“So, the first thing when I came to Prairie View, you know what I said. ‘What is the matter with you people? We have got to have African American Studies.’ And so, we do. Now. But we have got to claim the responsibility for doing this, and not leave it to others to interpret us and who we are and where we come from and what we produce, and so forth. Because if we leave it to others, guess what will happen? Policy-makers will start talking about CRT, and ‘Don’t teach e Bluest Eye.’ It’s outlawed in a lot of schools because other people say so.”

Currently, only a handful of HBCUs nationally have AAS programs or departments.

For more information about PVAMU’s new BA in African American Studies Program, visit www.pvamu.edu/bcas/departments/swbps/ programs/aastudies.

Dr. Ruth Simmons addressing attendees of the Defender’s inaugural HBCU Presidents Classis Aug 25, 2022. Photo by Aswad Walker.

Business

GALLERIA PUSHES OUT

BLACK-OWNED SNEAKER STORE

By Aswad Walker

After four years in the Galleria, Ken Haggerty, owner of Agenda Houston, a successful and popular Black-owned urban sneaker and streetwear retailer, has been told he can no longer operate out of his current store, and that he may be relocated to another part of the mall.

Te reason? According to Haggerty, the popular Houston mall recently signed an exclusive deal with a new client.

In response, Haggerty is considering moving its entire operation from the Gal leria to a new fagship store in Upper Kirby. And he wants other small businesses to know about his situation.

“I think it’s important for the community overall to know about this situation because there are many small business owners in Houston and we all have the same goal: to grow and expand,” said Haggerty. “If there are roadblocks like this in the way, how can we make it to the next level?”

Sneakers and resale retro kicks are a huge part of Agenda’s story and success, and Haggerty believes he is being singled out and “pushed out” by Galleria Mall owner Simon Property Group, the nation’s largest mall owner, and A Sneaker City, a multi-state retail operator whose business model mirrors Agenda’s as a premier buy/ sell/trade store for fashion sneakers and streetwear.

“We have been good tenants and very successful partners in the Galleria Mall for four years,” said Haggerty. “Te shoes are my passion; my bread and butter. Tey’re what Agenda is known for. To have the mall suddenly tell me I can no longer sell shoes, just clothing, because they negotiated a deal with another vendor, signifcantly impacts my business model, my customers and my revenue. Tey never ofered me an oppor tunity to submit a competitive ofer, and to the best of my knowledge, they haven’t told anyone else in the mall they can’t sell shoes anymore, just me. It all feels very targeted and discriminatory.”

In addition, Haggerty, whose store has a temporary lease, was told he may have to move his retail store to a diferent location in the mall, without explanation, and his repeated requests for a long-term lease at the Galleria Mall, which other merchants have received, have gone unanswered by

Simon Property Group.

Simon Property Group has yet to respond to Defender requests for comments.

“When you’re in a temporary lease, they essentially can move you anytime they want. Tey came to me to move my cur rent store to another part of the mall that has way less foot trafc, along with being less than half the size of my current store.

Tat’s when I was told my lease would be changed and I could not sell shoes anymore because of another shoe store, similar to mine, coming into the mall. I tried to ofer more money per month in rent, or even ask if I could stay through the holidays, but I was given no response.”

Haggerty said he had no choice but to sign the space ofered at the Galleria, even though he’s still not able to sell shoes.

“Because of this situation, this is why we’ve decided to build the fagship store on Kirby, opening next month [October],” said Haggerty.

“I and my team hope that everyone comes out to the new location of Kirby & 59. We are putting a lot of work into making this new store the best shopping experience possible for our customers.”

Agenda Houston’s Galleria Mall location

Ken Haggerty, owner Agenda Houston

Ken Haggerty

DN

Profile

Deric Muhammad

By Aswad Walker

Deric Muhammad is a Houston-area activist and member of the Nation of Islam who has garnered the respect of thousands far beyond the Bayou City and outside of his own faith community through the positive and powerful work he has done over the years.

Muhammad has not only spent a lifetime advocating for the mistreated, he has mentored legions of Black boys and young adults through the Smart’n Up Black Male Summit he founded in 2010. at summit has taken place in Houston and several other cities around the country, including Austin, New Orleans and Miami.

Now Muhammad is posed to make an impact in a different way, with his new book “New Rules.”

“It’s a book that deals with my perspective on the most critical issues that we face, particularly in Black America,” he said.

“’New Rules’ represents our pivot points. It represents those things that I believe that we have to set in motion and set in place if we are to achieve freedom, justice, equality and independence.”

e book speaks on many topics, including education, economics, fatherhood, generational wealth, the ‘hood and more.

“ ere’s a chapter in the book that deals with politics,” Muhammad said. “And I talk about the importance of local politics versus national politics. How local politics actually has an impact on the quality of our everyday life. So, that’s one of the pivot points that I think we need to make.

If we want political power, then we have to start local. But more than anything

else, if we want any kind of power, be it political, educational, economic, any kind of power, it requires that we be unified as a community.”

According to Muhammad, even the book’s cover possesses a valuable lesson.

“You see torn pages on the bottom of the image. is represents those pages that we have to tear as a community. It represents those things that we have to leave behind. It represents those things that we’ve tried but have not worked, like the social experiment called integration. It’s something we’ve tried, but it hasn’t worked. So, we have to turn the page, tear the page. And that’s what ‘New Rules’ is about. ‘New Rules’ is pointing us in the direction of independence.”

An excerpt from the book’s introduction makes plain Muhammad’s goal with this work.

“ is is not a self-help book. is is not a motivational speech. is is serious work

about restructuring how we think. is is about enforcing radical change. is is the pressing of the reset button on our collective consciousness a er four hundred years of mere survival in the face of American terrorism.”

And according to Muhammad, all are welcomed to consumed the words and ideas of “New Rules.”

“It’s written for anyone who wishes to be enlightened about the condition of Black people and the way forward. But, it’s more like a letter to my people, to my community. So, it is a book that’s geared towards solving the problems in and of the Black community. But it’s also semi-autobiographical. So, there are a lot of vignettes, stories about my personal life, and just some of the things that I’ve gone through that led me to believe in what it is that we’re preaching in this book.

For more information, visit www.DericMuhammad.com.

HOUSTON ACTIVIST AUTHOR WRITES ‘NEW RULES’

SportsDN

Sports Briefs

Texans come unraveled at the end

The Texans continue to play almost good enough to win, but not quite there football. They dropped to 0-2-1 on the season a er falling 23-20 on the road against the Chicago Bears. Chicago went ahead on a late field goal a er quarterback Davis Mills threw an interception in a game the Texans appeared to have a chance to win. “I mean, looking at the glass half full, that’s what you would say,” said Texans coach Lovie Smith. “But the other way of looking at it is that when you’re that close, you’ve got to be able to finish.”

Astros AL West champs once again

The Astros have clinched the American League West Division title for the fi h time in six years. That brings their tally to 11 division titles and their 16th playoff berth in franchise history.

PVAMU’s Kylee Owens continues to dominate Lady Panthers freshman outside hitter Kylee Owens has earned her second SWAC Offensive Player of the Week recognition a er a dominant run during the UT-Arlington Invitational. The 5-foot-9 standout had a career-best 28 kills while adding 17 digs in a five-set win over Lamar. For the week, Owens had 70 kills, 53 digs, four assisted blocks and two service aces.

TSU awarded NCAA academic success grant

Texas Southern’s athletic department received an NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program Grant for the second straight year. TSU is one of the 13 Division I schools to receive the grant that is worth $82,000. “Once again, I would like to thank the NCAA for their support in ensuring the needs of our student-athletes are met academically,” said TSU athletic director Dr. Kevin Granger.

Jalen Green eager for next step as Rockets star

By Terrance Harris

It’s hard to get the Rockets’ brass to put a tangible expectation on the 2022-23 season and even second-year star guard Jalen Green is a little evasive when it comes to

predicting a number of games or if the playoffs are realistic.

But Green is firm when it comes to seeing an improved team on the floor this season.

“ is year the Houston Rockets will be better than last year,” Green said during the team’s recent Media Day to officially kick off the season. “If we buy in and stay, I think the team will take off.”

Green will play a big part in the new look, rebuilding the Rockets’ ability to take off this season. e No .2 overall pick from last season’s NBA Dra has superstar written all over him.

It’s just a matter of time when Green will be ready to deliver on all of his promise and NBA star ability. He and the rest of the Rockets’ young core, which includes center Alperen Sengun, Josh Christopher and Kevin Porter Jr., took their lumps last season with the goal that it will pay in the years to come in what is a massive rebuild.

Green isn’t a big talker, but he is clear on his expectations in Year 2.

“Carrying myself and my team to more wins than last year,” said Green, who was part of the Rockets youth movement that went 20-62 last season. “Hopefully, I can get All-Star.”

Green, a product of the G-League,

came in last season amid high expectations. He struggled initially through inconsistent play on both ends of the court, as most rookies do.

But toward the end of the season, the 6-foot-6 shooting guard began to show glimpses of being the explosive and versatile star the franchise needs. In 67 appearances last season, Green averaged 17.3 points, 2.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds while logging 31.9 minutes per night.

Rockets coach Stephen Silas liked what he saw toward the end of the season and he watched it carry over during the offseason when Green and most of the team stuck around to work out at the team’s practice facility.

“The experience Jalen had as far as starting the season off slow and improving to the point where he was really really good toward the end of the season,” said Silas, whose team opened training camp this week in Lake Charles.

“He has gotten stronger [during the offseason] and kept working at his game and we will see a second-year version of him being him and it’s not the best that he will be, but it will be better than he was at the beginning of last season.”

Green spent the offseason on catch and shoot, ball handling, pick-and-roll and getting to his spots. He also bulked up, adding about 10 more pounds to his frame with a better diet and hitting the weight room.

“I think it’s going to make a huge difference for me this year,” Green said of going from the low 170s to 182 pounds this season.

Another major part of Green’s growth will be his veteran status and role as a leader on the floor, especially for the new arrivals Jabari Smith, TyTy Washington and Tari Eason. Green seems eager to take on that role.

“I feel good about adapting and being a leader for the young guys coming in if they have questions just [knowing] I went through what they are going to go through,” Green said. “It’s kind of like being a big brother in a way that they can lean on just because I was going through a lot last year. ere are highs and lows but I will tell them to just keep that even keel.”

Kylee Owens

Dr. Kevin Granger

Lovie Smith Dusty Baker

Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts, a former standout at Channelview, completed 22 of 35 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns for a 123.5 passer rating during the undefeated Eagles’ 24-8 win over Washington.

Texans rookie safety Jalen Pitre, a product of Stafford and Baylor, had two interceptions and came up with a big sack during the loss to the Chicago Bears.

ABOUT KALEB BAILEY

Twitter: @unexpectedkb9 Players he studies: Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel

Current ofers: Auburn, LSU, Purdue, TCU, UTSA and Grambling

Hobbies: “Eat, sleep, football and school.”

Favorite artist: NBA Youngboy

Shout-outs: “My parents, coaches, my brothers. I thank ya’ll for pushing me.”

Awards: Ofensive MVP of 2021 State Title Game, Pre-Season AllState Selection

North Shore QB Kaleb Bailey born ready

By Jodie B. Jiles

North Shore sophomore quarterback Kaleb Bailey is playing well beyond his years afer leading the school to a state title his freshman year in arguably one of the toughest divisions in the nation. And this season Bailey has not missed a beat, running a Mustang offense that is aver aging nearly 52 points a game in its frst four victories.

At 6-feet-1 and just under 200 pounds, Bailey is built like a run ning back when he tucks the ball and uses his legs for a big play. Bailey has also proven himself more than capable of making the necessary read throws in the pocket and on the move.

But when you talk to Bailey you will quickly realize that the reason the moment never seems too big for the underclassman is that he already has the mindset of an NFL player before receiving his driver’s permit.

North Shore head coach Jon Kay explained what makes Bailey so special.

“He has the physical tools when he comes out here and runs the

ofense the way he does…I think he under standing of how to prepare, how to make kids around him better, and how to lead.

Tose intangibles are rare in a 15- or 16-year-old kid. And those are the things I am most proud of watching him out here.”

The Defender spoke with Bailey about his style of play, early suc cess, advice to others and more.

STYLE OF PLAY

“I am a dual threat quarterback.”

EARLY SUCCESS

“I have just been playing football all my life. And it really isn’t anything new to me playing the game I love.”

KEYS TO SUCCESS

“Working on my craf, grinding, collecting data and watching flm.”

BIG MOMENTS

“There isn’t any pressure at all. I am really built for this. I been working so I might as well go out there and do it.”

ADVICE TO OTHERS

“Just grind, work on your craf and watch flm. Your opportunity is going to come.”

When Madison High School fresh man wide receiver Dontreal “Paco”

Fischer was asked what made his game special after scoring three touchdowns in a 54-0 win over Sharpstown, Fischer simply stated, “I’m shify.”

Fischer possesses a rare blend of breakaway speed and ball carrier vision that makes him a threat in

open space. He envisions the path to the end zone and just gets there.

If Fischer continues to put in the same work that earned him a starting spot as a freshman over the summer, know that he can only get better with reps.

For full video interview and clips of “Paco” Fischer visit: www.defend ernetwork.com

FeatureDN

MEGAN THEE STALLION

Rapper focuses on mental health

By Raquel Rogers

Houston “hot girl,” Megan Thee Stallion, has made a name for herself in music, fashion and business. And now, the trendsetter is using her influence to encourage people to take care of their mental health.

e 27-year-old rapper recently launched “Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too,” a digital archive of mental health care resources. e website contains links to several free therapy organizations, crisis hotlines, and resources specifically for LGBTQIA+ folks of color and Black men and women.

e name is a reference to her current single called “Anxiety” from her second album, “Traumazine.” “Hotties! You know how much mental wellness means to me, so I created a hub with resources that can help when you might need a hand,” the tweet said. “Head to badbitcheshavebaddaystoo.com now and check it out. Love y’all so much,” Megan wrote on Twitter.

Megan has been very open in interviews about seeking therapy herself to deal with grief. In 2019, Megan’s mother, Holly Thomas died of a brain tumor, and her grandmother, who had helped to raise her, passed away soon a er. Megan’s father died when she was just 15 years old.

In an interview with Taraji P. Henson, she opened-up about getting therapy to help her cope with the death of her parents.

“I’ve lost both of my parents. So now I’m like ‘Oh my gosh, who do I talk to? What do I do?’” she told Henson. “And I just started learning that it’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to want to go get therapy.”

e website features links to free therapy organizations and other mental health resources like helplines. Fans can also find resource directories for different organizations that specifically support Black women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. ere is also is a link to help fans find a therapist and sign up for updates for new resources. Throughout her career, Megan has been open about her mental health struggles.

In her song “Anxiety,” she raps, “ ey keep sayin’ I should get help/ But I don’t

As a Black person, and when you think of therapy you think of, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m weak.’ You think of medication and you just think the worst. That’s kind of what you see on TV too. Like, therapy wasn’t even presented in the media as something that was good. Now, it’s becoming safe to say, ‘Alright now, there’s a little too much going on. Somebody help me.”

Megan Thee Stallion

even know what I need/ ey keep sayin’ speak your truth/ And at the same time say they don’t believe.”

Last month, she sat down with Apple Music’s Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis to discuss how “Traumazine” allowed her to be more vulnerable.

“I could be sad and I’ll write a song like ‘Body,’” she said. “Or I could be pissed off and I’ll write a song like ‘Freak Nasty.’ I don’t write songs about how I feel, I write songs about how I want to feel.”

e Houston rapper has also opened-up about the pressures of being in the spotlight and facing public ridicule a er she says she was shot by rapper Tory Lanez.

“I became the villain,” Megan told Rolling Stone Magazine about the public reaction to her speaking out about the alleged shooting. ( e case is still on-going, and Lanez denies the shooting).

For those who don’t remember, Megan alleged that in July of 2020, Lanez shot her a er they le Kylie Jenner’s pool party. Lanez immediately went on the defense, implying that Megan was lying. Many folks online ran with that rumor, calling Megan a liar and a snitch.

In her interview with Henson, Megan said it was especially important in this moment to take her mental health seriously.

“I feel like right now mental health is more important to me, more than ever,” Megan told Henson. “I have more pressure on me than I feel like I used to have...when I was Megan, and I wasn’t as criticized and under such a magnifying glass as I am now.”

Megan shared that in the past she was taught not to discuss her personal business with other people.

“I feel like it’s been so easy for people to tell my story for me, speak on my behalf because I’m a nonchalant person,” she said. “But, like, I see now that it can get out of control. So I feel like I wanted to just take control of my narrative, take control of my own story. Tell it my way. Tell it from me.”