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Volume 82 | Number 49
FEATURE DR. A.I. THOMAS remembered by Prairie View
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HS ZONE MA’CAJAH FREEMAN catches passes for Yates
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Mobilizing Black males
CHAG’S PLACE OPINION
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KCOH charged with theft?
Audra McDonald comes to town
On-air personality Michael Harris has long been associated with KCOH. Now, Harris has taken himself off the air because of what he says is financial fraud. Find out why Harris believes the station is in trouble. Hear what he says the community should do. Discover his next steps.
Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald is enjoying a phenomenal career as a singer and actress on stage and screen. Find out when McDonald is bringing her immense talent to Houston. Learn about her impressive resume and repertoire. Read about her show’s hometown connection.
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Author ReShonda Tate Billingsley and daughter Morgan at booksigning.
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DEFENDER | OCTOBER 3 | 2013
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Michael Harris accuses KCOH management of theft, fraud By EVAN TAYLOR Special to the Defender
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ongtime KCOH radio personality Michael Harris is urging the community to take action as he uses legal means to handle his criminal complaint of theft and debit card abuse. Harris alleges that his boss, KCOH president Jesse Dunn, used loan money taken out by Harris for station expenses on personal expenses and gambling. He wants the community to show its concern by demanding new ownership and access to KCOH’s public records. Dunn, however, said the money belongs to him because he owns the company. “Loans were not taken out in New management at KCOH Radio accused of financial fraud. Michael Harris’ name,” Dunn said. “Loans were taken out in the name of the corporation, which I am the “Jesse Dunn needed to be stopped. I trusted, got president of.” played and I am trying to stop him from playing anyone Harris has removed himself from the airwaves else; even if it meant ruining my career,” Harris said. indefinitely. His allegations prompted several activHPD spokesman John Cannon said the banks inists to gather in front of the station in an unsuccessful volved will do their own investigation and the financial attempt to meet with Dunn. crimes unit will investigate on behalf of HPD. “We should all be concerned and demand anHarris has had some conversations with HPD swers from those who are currently in ownership,” investigators and said the matter is ongoing. said Kofi Taharka, chairman of the National Black Darrell Jordan, Harris’ attorney, estimated it will United Front. be two to three months before charges or arrests will be Harris insists that he “got played” by Dunn. made. He plans to subpoena the bank records of the
accounts involved and call for an indictment of Dunn. “The violations I have seen are clear,” Jordan said. Harris said he is concerned about the station’s financial future. “The station is in serious danger of going under. The bank records will show that the station doesn’t have any money,” Harris said. KCOH, which signed on at 1430 AM 60 years ago, was bought by a Catholic foundation and re-launched as a Spanish station earlier this year. KCOH changed to 1230 AM, and Dunn is leasing the studio and its call letters. Harris said the station can be bought before or after the lease is up in May 2014, but with Dunn as president the station won’t endure the current controversy. “Get rid of Jesse Dunn. The station will never survive. You can wait until he defaults on the lease or the station can be bought from under him,” Harris said. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said she hopes the entire matter can be resolved. “KCOH belongs to the entire and diverse community of Houston, and is particularly important to the African American community. KCOH is very historic and holds a special place in the hearts of Houstonians,” Jackson Lee said. “I look forward to the matters in controversy being resolved. More importantly, I look forward to working with community leaders to make it very clear that KCOH is here to stay.”
localbriefs THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING TO VOTE is Monday, Oct. 7. To vote in a Harris County election, you must be registered to vote at least 30 days before the election date. You are qualified to vote if you are a United States citizen, a resident of the county where you submit the application, at least 18 years of age by Election Day, not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole) and you have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
For more information visit hctax.net/voter/registration or call 713-368-2000……..FOUR TEXAS COUNTIES are included on Forbes list of the nation’s 10 fastest-growing counties since 2010. Williamson County on the outskirts of Austin is No. 1, and Hays County, also on the outskirts of Austin, is No. 3. Fort Bend County is No. 5, and saw a population growth of 7.6 percent from 2010 to 2012. Midland County is No. 6 on the list……..TEXAS JOB SEEKERS are warned to beware of unscrupulous people posing as potential employers who may try to obtain information such as date of birth, debit card or bank account
numbers or Social Security numbers. According to the Texas Employment Commission, scammers have been posing as potential employers from job matching websites. These false employers interview job seekers over the phone or Internet and following the interview, offer them a position on the condition that they cash a company check or send a money order to purchase equipment or training needed to begin work. Texas residents are reminded that legitimate employers will never ask for money as a condition for starting work. To avoid becoming a victim of scams visit oag.state. tx.us/consumer/scams.shtml.
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OCTOBER 3 | 2013 | DEFENDER
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Government shutdown harder on Blacks
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NNPA News Service
lthough the recent shutdown of the federal government affected all Americans, a disproportionate portion of the 800,000 furloughed federal workers are African Americans, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Because government jobs have been more available to Blacks than private sector employment over the years, Blacks, who comprise 13.6 percent of the U.S. population, make up 17.7 percent of the federal workforce. House Speaker John Boehner Texas Sen. Ted Cruz Overall, people of color reprebe done.” sent 34 percent of the federal workSome GOP members credited Texas Sen. Ted force. Latinos are 8 percent of government workCruz with helping make the standoff a reality. “I ers, Asians are 5.8 percent, Native Americans are 2.1 percent and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific think Ted Cruz did a huge service to the nation and to the cause of Republicanism,” said Texas Islanders are .40 percent of federal employees. Republican Congressman John Culberson. Federal workers considered non-essential to Cruz spent much of the summer helping the functioning of government were instructed not mount a campaign to defund “Obamacare.” He to report for the first day of the new fiscal year later spent 21 hours debating the issue during a because Congress failed to pass a permanent or pseudo-filibuster. interim budget in time to prevent a federal shutPresident Obama warned about the consedown, the first in nearly two decades. The impasse came as a result of a Republican- quences of a federal shutdown. “With regard to operations that will continue: controlled House determination to tie any budget measure to defunding the Affordable Care Act, the If you’re on Social Security, you will keep receivmajor provisions of which went into effect Oct. 1. ing your checks. If you’re on Medicare, your doctor will still see you. Everyone’s mail will still be “The American people don’t want a shutdown delivered. And government operations related to and neither do I,” said Republican House Speaker John Boehner. Yet, he said the new health care law national security or public safety will go on. Our troops will continue to serve with skill, honor, and “is having a devastating impact. Something has to
VOLUME 82 • NUMBER 49 OCTOBER 3, 2013 Publisher Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Art Director Advertising/Client Relations Tony Fernandez-Davila Selma Dodson Tyler People Editor Strategic Alliance Manager Yvette Chargois Clyde Jiles Sports Editors Multimedia Manager Max Edison Tiffany Williams Darrell K. Ardison Online Editor Contributing Writer ReShonda Billingsley Aswad Walker The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
courage,” Obama said. “Air traffic controllers, prison guards, those who are with border control — our Border Patrol will remain on their posts, but their paychecks will be delayed until the government reopens. NASA will shut down almost entirely, but Mission Control will remain open to support the astronauts serving on the Space Station.” The shutdown could have dire consequences for our national security, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service. According to the report, “Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects,” a federal government shutdown could have possible negative security implications “as some entities wishing to take actions harmful to U.S. interests may see the nation as physically and politically vulnerable,” the report stated. The longest federal shutdown lasted 21 days, from Dec. 16, 1995 to Jan. 6, 1996. In the past, furloughed federal workers received retroactive pay for the time they were out. But there is no assurance that would happen this time. Members of Congress are exempt from furloughs. There is also concern that the shutdown would be another setback for the already shaky economy. Moody’s Analytics estimates that a three- to four-week shutdown could cost the economy about $55 billion, about equal the combined economic disruption caused by Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy.
Black women murdered by men more often NNPA News Service
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and a new report shows that Black women are murdered by men – often their present or past husbands or lovers – at a rate nearly three times the murder rate of white women killed by men. The report, titled “When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2011 Homicide Data,” was compiled by the Violence Policy Center, a Washingtonbased organization working to stop gun death and injury. It found that, “Black females were murdered by males at a rate of 2.61 per 100,000, compared to
a rate of 0.99 per 100,000 for white females.” The center reported that 94 percent of Black females murdered by men knew their killers. The average age of Black female homicide victims was 34 years old. More than half of the Black women murdered were killed by gunfire, and 52 percent died at the hands of their husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends. More than 90 percent died during the course of an argument. When the murder weapons were identified, 51 percent of Black females were shot and killed with guns, 82 percent of them handguns. Not surprisingly, 93 percent of the homicides were Black-on-Black.
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DEFENDER | OCTOBER 3 | 2013
entertainment
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Audra McDonald
performs in Houston Oct. 19
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Defender News Services
ony Award-winner and vocalist Audra McDonald will entertain Houstonians for one night only on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m. in the Brown Theater at the Wortham Theater Center. Her performance is presented by Society for the Performing Arts. Accompanying her on stage will be Houston native Andy Einhorn. She will perform show tunes, classic songs from the movies, original pieces written especially for her and music from her latest album, “Go Back Home.” McDonald, a Broadway legend, most recently won her fifth Tony Award for her role in “Porgy and Bess.” She is returning to the concert stage after four seasons on the ABC television series “Private Practice.” Blessed with a luminous soprano and an incomparable gift for dramatic truth-telling, McDonald is equally at home on Broadway and opera stages as in roles on film and television. In addition to her theatrical work, she maintains a major career as a concert and recording artist, regularly appearing on the great stages of the world. McDonald made her opera debut in 2006 at Houston Grand Opera, where she starred in a double-bill: Poulenc’s monodrama “La voix humaine” and the world premiere of its companion piece, “Send.” McDonald received classical voice training at Juilliard, and just one year after graduating she won her first Tony for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for “Carousel.” She also received Tony Awards for her performances in “Master Class (1996)” and “Ragtime (1998).”
In 2004 she won her fourth Tony for “A Raisin in the Sun,” and in 2012 she won her fifth –and her first in the leading actress category – for “Porgy and Bess.” She joined Broadway legends Julie Harris and Angela Lansbury as the only artists in Tony history to win five performance awards. McDonald’s other theater credits include “The Secret Garden (1993),” “Marie Christine (1999),” “Henry IV (2004),” “110 in the Shade (2007)” and her Public Theater “Shakespeare in the Park” debut in “Twelfth Night (2009).” NBC recently announced that McDonald has joined the cast of “The Sound of Music” in a live production. The threehour television event will air on Dec. 5. Einhorn, an honors graduate of Rice University, is in demand as a music director, conductor, pianist, orchestrator, arranger and vocal coach. He currently serves as music director of the new Broadway production of “Cinderella.” Part of SPA’s Concert Series, the performance is sponsored by the Friedkin Group, the Humphreys Foundation, Reliant, United Airlines, BMC Software and H-E-B. Tickets range from $25-$80 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4SPA or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall, located at 615 Louisiana St. For groups of 15 or more call 713-632-8113.
Audra McDonald
what’sup VIOLA DAVIS and OCTAVIA SPENCER will reunite with “The Help” director TATE TAYLOR for his upcoming JAMES BROWN biopic “Get on Up.” They join CHAD BOSEMAN, who portrays Brown. Davis will play Brown’s mother and Spencer will play his aunt. Under Taylor’s direction in “The Help,” Spencer won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and Davis was nominated for Best Actress…….. RIHANNA was crowned the queen of social media for the week of Sept. 23-29. According to the Starcount global social media chart, the singer gained 2.6 million Facebook fans by sharing behind-the-scene shots from her new video, “Pour it Up.” DWAYNE “THE ROCK” JOHNSON gained 2.5 million Facebook fans in a week due to sneak peeks from “Hercules,” his new movie………Rap pioneer MC LYTE received the I Am Hip Hop Award during the recent BET
Hip Hop Awards. EVE presented her with the trophy. Lyte was the subject of a video tribute featuring WILL & JADA PINKETT SMITH and QUEEN LATIFAH. She encouraged today’s female artists to keep rapping. “Please keep the dream alive. I am with you,” she said. DRAKE won the People’s Champ Award and A$AP FERG received the Rookie of the Year Award……..The new comedy “Baggage Claim” ranked No. 4 at the box office, grossing $9.3 million. It stars PAULA PATTON as a flight attendant who travels crosscountry trying to find a husband. Her co-stars include TAYE DIGGS, DEREK LUKE and DJIMON HONSOU…….. STEVE McQUEEN, the director of the upcoming film “12 Years a Slave,” will receive the Hollywood Breakout Director Award at the Hollywood Film Awards on Oct. 21. LUPITA NYONG’O, who plays a slave in the film, will receive
the New Hollywood Award. She was reared in Kenya and educated at the Yale School of Drama. Previous recipients of the New Hollywood Award include GABOUREY SIDIBE and QUVENZHANE WALLIS……..“Saturday Night Live” cast member JAY PHAROAH said the show, which recently began its 39th season, needs to recruit a Black woman comedian. He suggested DARMIRRA BRUNSON, who appears in TYLER PERRY’S “Love Thy Neighbor” on the OWN network. The last Black woman on the show was MAYA RUDOLPH, who left in 2007……..PRESIDENT OBAMA appointed SHONDA RHIMES to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts board of trustees. Rhimes created the TV series “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice and “Scandal.” She is a Golden Globe winner and three-time Emmy nominee.
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OCTOBER 3 | 2013 | DEFENDER
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Former PV president dies Defender News Services
Dr. Alvin I. Thomas, who served as Prairie View A&M University president from 1966 to 1982, died Sept. 26. Thomas was known as a dynamic force in changing the face of the institution. He coined the phrase, “Prairie View produces productive people.” His tenure as president was marked by the expansion of the Prairie View landscape. Shortly before the school’s centennial, Thomas urged the Texas A&M University System to appoint a planning council charged with formulating a new master plan for PV. The document drafted by the council resulted in the name of the institution changing to Prairie View A&M University, and its status as an independent unit of the A&M system was reconfirmed. Under Thomas’ adminThe late Dr. Alvin I. Thomas istration, two new residence halls and a dining facility were built. Other major construction completed included the fire and security building, Farrell Hall Laundry, Burleson-Ware ROTC Building, Hobart Taylor Hall, the engineering building, and the Owens-Franklin Health Center. In addition, the state of Texas purchased and renovated a building in the Texas Medical Center to be used for the College of Nursing. In 1981-82, broadcasting began from newly constructed facilities of FCC-approved KPVU-FM at Prairie View, an instructional laboratory of the Department of Communications. Thomas started his undergraduate education at Xavier University and completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Pittsburgh State University (formerly Kansas State College of Pittsburgh). He received his doctorate from Ohio State. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at St. Mary of Purification Catholic Church, 3006 Rosedale. Visitation is at 9:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Dr. Alvin I. Thomas Memorial Endowment at the St. Mary of the Purification Montessori School, 3002 Rosedale St., Houston, TX 77004.
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DEFENDER | OCTOBER 3 | 2013
cover
Houstonians turn out for a town hall meeting focused on Black males.
‘Project Forward’ promotes unity
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By ASWAD WALKER Defender
n an effort to encourage unity, brotherhood and empowerment, Black males of all ages recently gathered at SHAPE Community Center for a city-wide town hall meeting. Participants examined three critical issues – stopping the violence plaguing Black communities, promoting economic development and standing for justice. “Our sincere desire is the development of a ‘mass action’ plan to unify Black men by the dozen, then by the hundreds, and then by the thousands to reach measurable and obtainable goals over a two-year period,” said local activist Deric Muhammad. He was one of the principle organizers of the gathering, which operates under the banner “Project Forward.” “We are focused on youth and on reestablishing the principle of ‘Each One Teach One,’ ” he said. Durce Muhammad, another organizer, said such events are critical to the progress of the African-American community. “The all-brother meeting was necessary because it will be the men who will lead our society in doing right and progressing forward,” he said. “Men need to talk to men as men in a setting that will allow them to express themselves and understand our role.”
Deric Muhammad said the initiative is focusing on the Black male because that is where the need is greatest, and pointed to such problems as unemployment, unequal education, incarceration and inadequate health care. He said crime and punishment is another problem.
Disturbing levels
“Young brothers are robbing, killing, cutting and shooting at disturbing levels. We can no longer sit around and act like we don’t see it. It takes strong men to call young, misguided boys to order. “The Nation of Islam, 100 Black Men, the Shrine [Christian Center], SHAPE Community Center – none of us can do it alone. Black men must unite at all costs. Our unity is the remedy,” said Deric Muhammad, who also organized a Black Male Summit in 2012. He said the community must get back to basics, and supports “the reestablishment of the basic principle of economic development via supporting Black business, entrepreneurship, and the acquisition and cultivation of land.” Durce Muhammad reiterated the need for unity, and said there is a “need for networking among each other to be able to pool our resources for the good of us as a people.” He is encouraged by the recent meeting at SHAPE. Participants pledged to organize men’s meetings in different parts of the city over the next year, host an economic development summit focused on land acquisition and
Mobilizing Black mal “We are focused on youth and on reestablishing the principle of ‘Each One Teach One,’ ”
cultivation, and organize a huge Bla Day event in June 2014. “I was encouraged by the dozens and committed men and boys that ca with us in this effort,” Deric Muham was hoping that we would attract new energy and a renewed spirit for this knows we did. “We are looking to identify and ership in our community. It is time a ready. I hoped to see good men come common ground, and leave on the sa to get to work. That is exactly what Durce Muhammad discussed his future. “I hope to see more action-orien will be able to reflect quickly our pr brothers our power when we unify,” “I also look forward to seeing yo get involved and start ascending to l a result of being inspired and encour things we do in ‘Project Forward.’ ”
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Deric Muhammad (center), one of the organizers, is joined by two participants.
g les ck Fathers’
s of sincere ame to join up mmad said. “I w faces, new effort, and God
train new leadand they are e together, find ame page ready I saw.” s hope for the
nted items that rogress to show he said. oung brothers leadership as raged by the
‘Stop the Violence Day’ planned Organizers of the town hall meeting are planning a city-wide “Stop the Violence Day” which will include a mentorship drive and speaking tour of area schools. It will take place on Sunday, Oct. 27. “We plan to partner with 100 churches to speak with one voice against the rising tide of senseless violence,” Deric Muhammad said. “We believe that Houston is slowly becoming as violent as Chicago and we would be foolish to sit back as we approach that level.” He added that during “Stop the Violence Day,” participants will pay homage to those who lost their lives to senseless violence and reach out to their families. Pastors will be encouraged to teach a message of non-violence from their pulpits. For more information visit projectforwardhouston.com.
he Houston area for over 80 years
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Deric Muhammad speaks out Activist Deric Muhammad has emerged as an outspoken activist in recent years, whether he’s calling for an end to police brutality or organizing an empowerment gathering of young Black men. Muhammad was born in Northeast Houston and graduated from Forest Brook High School in 1989. He is a former U.S. Marine and Gulf War veteran. He is currently enrolled in Lone Star College. “After more than 20 years outside of a classroom, I decided to start taking college courses two years ago, because I wanted to force myself back into a learning environment,” he said. He added that he lives by two mottos. The first is, “Man is given power for one reason… and that is to serve others.” The second is, “If you pull up their minds…their pants will follow.” Muhammad talked about his community involvement in a Q&A. Defender: What attracted you to the Nation of Islam? Muhammad: The truth, as taught by Minister Louis Farrakhan, is what attracted me to the Nation of Islam. So many questions about theology, our history, the time we live and what must be done to survive and succeed were answered when I started to study Elijah Muhammad’s teachings. I was particularly struck when I learned that many of our forefathers who were brought to America on slave ships were Muslims. And that Islam was a religion that we were forced to abandon. Others subscribed to traditional African religions. I read the “Autobiography of Malcolm X” along with books like “The Isis Papers” and “The Destruction of
Black Civilization” that framed my mind as well. But ultimately, it was those truths that I learned from the Nation of Islam that caused me to change my life. I am still in the process of that change. Defender: What attracted you to activism? Muhammad: It is my innate hatred for seeing my people suffer coupled with my love for my people and humanity in general. I never desired to be an activist or a freedom fighter. Growing up, I did not even know what that was. Over the years I have just been forced into so many situations where no one else would speak up so I felt that I had no choice. I am really a very private person who does not like a lot of attention. But I will speak the truth from a mountain top if no one else is willing to do it with integrity. My grandmother was an activist/leader in the unions. She was, and still is, very politically active at the age of 84. My childhood wasn’t ideal. I met my father at the age of 8. He died when I was 11. I grew up with no dad. My mother had a really bad drug problem. As a family we were put through a lot. But, I thank God for those experiences. It helps me to become an evangelist for the plight of young Black males. I know their pain, because I have been there. My experiences are what inspire me toward activism, as well. Black men need to hear from Black men that they can relate to. I live to be active in my community. I was born to do what I do and I am working hard to get better at it. Defender: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life? Muhammad: The biggest influence in my life is Minister Farrakhan. I believe he is a divine leader whose life every Black male should study, regardless of your religious preference. The second biggest influence is my family.
“Black men need to hear from Black men that they can relate to.”
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DEFENDER | OCTOBER 3 | 2013
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Black women should be aware of breast cancer Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. The prognosis is worse for Black women, who are more likely to die of breast cancer than other women. During October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Black women are reminded to know the facts about this pressing health issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control, many factors contribute to the higher incidence. • Black women often have fewer social and economic resources than other women. • Black women are less likely to get prompt follow-up care when their mammogram shows something that is not normal. • Black women are less likely to get high-quality treatment if they have cancer. The CDC lists three things Black women need to know. Screening means looking for cancer before symptoms appear. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer. A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. Black and white women get mammograms at about the same rate. But more Black women have breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast compared with white women when the cancer is found. Follow-up. When a mammogram shows something is not normal, follow-up tests are needed to see if it is cancer. Compared with white women, more Black women take longer to complete these tests after finding out they have a mammogram that is not normal. Waiting longer for follow-up care may lead to cancers that are larger and harder to treat. Treatment. After cancer is found, treatment should start as soon as possible. Fewer Black women start treatment in a timely way compared with white women. Also, fewer Black women get the surgery, radiation, and hormone treatments they need compared
with white women. One way to lower your risk for breast cancer is by getting mammograms regularly. If you are 50 to 74 years old, have a screening mammogram every two years. If you are 40-49 years old, talk to your doctor about when and how often you should have a
screening mammogram. If you are worried about cost, find out if you are eligible for a free or low-cost mammogram through CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Visit cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/ screenings.htm.
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Ben Hall
Hall wants new ethics rules
Houston mayoral candidate Ben Hall said he wants an end to alleged “pay-to-play political practices that have been rampant” under Mayor Annise Parker’s administration. Hall said it is wrong for a business or business owner to give money to the mayor and then get business from the city in return. “This shameful practice of insider politics has gone on long enough,” Hall said. “Mayor Parker cares only about protecting her selfish political interests and has made it clear that only those who can afford to support her will have the opportunity to do business with the city.” The Parker campaign accused Hall of “spreading lies.” “This is a preposterous attack coming from the king of pay-toplay,” the campaign statement said. “Hall resigned as city attorney while under investigation for corruption involving city contracting practices. And within a week of leaving City Hall, he took a million-dollar job with a firm to which he had steered a lucrative city contract.”
OCTOBER 3 | 2013 | DEFENDER
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HISD: District considers tax increase, wins award Defender News Services
The HISD Board of Education will consider adopting a 4 cent property tax rate increase on Thursday, Oct. 10. A public hearing on the proposed tax rate begins at 5 p.m. in the board auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th St. The board is expected to vote on the tax rate immediately following the hearing. It would represent the first such rate increase since 2001. HISD said the pro-
posed rate of $1.1967 per $100 taxable value is nearly 23 cents less than the average Harris County school district. The rate change proposal largely results from cuts to public education funding that the Texas Legislature imposed in 2011, which cost Houston schools $75 million in 2011 and a total of $122 million in 2012. The board meeting will be carried live on HISD’s website – houstonisd.org – and on the HISD Channel, which can be found on Comcast Channel 18 or AT&T Channel 99. In other HISD
news, the district was awarded the Broad Prize for Urban Education, which comes with $550,000 in college scholarships for graduating seniors. HISD is the nation’s first two-time winner of the prestigious award, which recognizes the public school system that has demonstrated the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among poor and minority students. HISD won the first Broad Prize awarded in 2002.
classified Are you HIV+? At least 18 years old? Has it been more than 12 months since you've seen a doctor for HIV? If so, you may be eligible for a confidential HIV survey & earn an incentive for your time. For information or to complete the survey, call: (713) 572-3729 M-F, 8am-4pm. Survey ends 10/31/13.
HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS
TEXANS NEED THE FACTS BEFORE HITTING THE POLLS. PROVED ONE OF THESE AP T EN ES PR IN PERSON: T TE US FACT IS, YOU M ENTIFICATION WHEN YOU VO O ID FORMS OF PHOT
The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18 th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 Project 13-10-01 – RFP for Property Insurance & Flood Insurance Broker Services with a deadline of October 22, 2013 at 2 P.M. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be October 8, 2013 at 2 P.M. in Room 2C10 at the above stated address. The District sells obsolete assets on-line at www.PublicSuprlus.com
Foreclosure Sale 64 Unit Apartment Complex Fort Stockton, Texas
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Stockton Village Apartments 1101 W. Sherer Fort Stockton, TX 79735
Time and date of sale: Friday, November 1st, 2013 9:00 AM Local Time
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Letter of Credit: A $200,000 Letter of Credit (LOC) is required at closing to ensure repairs.
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DEFENDER | OCTOBER 3 | 2013
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sports
PV football records historic road win
Jerry Lovelocke
I
By MAX EDISON Defender
t’s the type of win that has historical implications; the type of win that can define a program. Unfortunately for most fans, including many diehard Panthers, it went largely unnoticed. On Sept. 28 the Prairie View A&M University Panthers went on the road to Nacogdoches and defeated Stephen F. Austin 56-48. The win was the first over SFA in PV school history and the first win over a Southland Conference opponent since 1985. Why is the win so important? The undeniable fact is that HBCUs seldom beat their predominantly white counterparts in football. For those who might think SFA is not that good, on the contrary, SFA recently defeated Montana State, which at the time was rated the No. 2 ranked team in the nation (FCS division). The significance of the win was apparent to Panther head coach Heishma Northern. “This win is bigger than just Prairie View. This was for the SWAC, HBCU football, HBCU coaches and players,” he said. “We’re doing things the right way,” Northern continued. “During the off-season our president said he wanted us to be more competitive in our non-conference games and this win shows that. It also shows the things we are doing within the program are the right things. “The players are doing things right, on and off the field. The coaches are doing things right – treating our kids right and teaching them the right fundamentals.” The win further indicates that the Panthers (3-2, 2-1 in SWAC) are a very good team with the potential for greatness. They feature a highly combustible, fast-paced, passing offense that has averaged 36 points per game. They are currently tied for first place in the conference’s West division. A prime reason for the Panthers success is the stellar play of quarterback Jerry Lovelocke.
The 6-foot-5 foot junior from Baltimore really seems to have a firm grasp on the nuances of the offense and as a result, is having an outstanding year. Against SFA Lovelocke threw for four touchdowns and ran for three more. “Jerry’s done an outstanding job for us,” Northern said. “He’s completing close to 70 percent of his passes. He’s completed the short passes and done a great job on the deep balls, despite the fact that we’ve had guys drop passes that hit them right in the hands. “He’s also done a good job with our option offense, making the right reads whether he’s handing the ball off or passing. He’s really just done a great job controlling the tempo of our offense.” For the Panther offense to function at peak efficiency the team must get a consistent performance from its offensive line, and they have come through in a big way. “Those guys have played very well,” Northern said. “We challenge them throughout the week that now is the time for us to ‘man up.’ We try and impress upon them that although we are a passing team, we have to be able to run the ball when we play against a team nobody thinks we can beat. “As a result, we had over 200 yards rushing against SFA. They also are doing an outstanding job protecting for Jerry in the passing game.” The Panthers are a good team, but don’t have long to celebrate their recent accomplishment. The “meat” of their conference schedule is on the horizon. “The biggest thing we’re concentrating on is winning one game in a row,” Northern said. “That’s what we constantly stress to our guys. We can’t worry what other teams in the conference do. As long as we keep that focus we can achieve our goals for the season.”
a
Prairie View quarterback Lovelocke is having an outstanding season with the Panthers.
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h.s.zone Never underestimate Jack Yates Lions By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
F
ormer Houston Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich may have set the standard by which all good teams live by when he proclaimed, “Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion.” Take Yates High School, for example. Although the varsity football team has qualified for the playoffs every season since 1977, most preseason predictions had the Lions trailing both Kashmere and Worthing in the District 23-3A race, and in a dogfight with Furr and Washington for the district’s final two postseason berths. Apparently, the memo suggesting the demise of the Lions never reached 3703 Sampson Street in Houston’s Third Ward. Through the first month of the 2013 high school football season, Yates has registered victories over Wheatley, North Forest and Houston Sterling with the lone setback (20-14) coming to Madison. Yates opened its district ledger with Yates High school star players include (l. to r.) Ma’Cajah Freeman, Bruce Wilson and a 40-6 win over Sterling and faces Scarborough before taking on Worthing (Oct. Brandon Hayes. 11), Furr (Oct. 18), Booker T. Washington touchdown run. (Oct. 25) and Kashmere (Nov. 2) in a four-week stretch “We try to play both players an equal amount of time, that will define the Lions’ season. but Brandon was a little more physical tonight and he Head coach Jeff Ceasar is recovering from an autoplayed a little more,” Lawson said. mobile accident and has relied on his assistant coaches to Wide receiver Ma’Cajah Freeman caught four passes keep the team prepared for its next opponent. for 121 yards, including a TD pass from each quarterback. “We’re going to prepare a game plan for Scarborough Running back Bruce Wilson finished with 97 yards on 10 and focus on them right now,” said Yates assistant coach carries with TD runs of Marshall Lawson. eight and three yards. “We’ve seen both All three players Kashmere and Worthcredited the Yates ofing play but we can’t to read about the Lions’ tradition. fensive line for allowing afford to look ahead them to do their jobs. Click on High School Sports. and overlook some“Bruce is a steady body else. back; not the biggest, but “When coach Ceasar got the job, he brought in his he’s an intelligent runner who knows how to cut and program along with some good coaches and we told the he’s very physical,” said Lawson. “Ma’Cajah is a good kids how it was going to be,” Lawson said. “The players receiver who runs good routes and has great hands.” bought into what we are trying to do and that’s because The Yates defense forced three interceptions in the we’re all here for the same reason – to win football contest with Treyvon Travis, Leonard Fields and Chrisgames.” topher Reed recording one apiece. Yates employs a two-quarterback attack that includes “It’s just a situation where we try to perfect what senior Brandon Hayes and junior Anthony Franklin. we do in practice out on the field during games,” Hayes Hayes had the hot hand against Sterling as he rushed said. “We want to be the No. 1 team in the district when for a game-high 113 yards on 13 carries and a four-yard it’s all over.”
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OCTOBER 3 | 2013 | DEFENDER
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sportsbriefs Worthing to duel Kashmere The two schools most preseason prognosticators predicted would battle for the District 23-3A football crown will face off when Worthing takes on Kashmere on Oct. 5 at Dyer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. This figures to be a high-scoring affair with Kashmere coming off a 72-0 victory over Scarborough and Worthing claiming a 63-24 win over Booker T. Washington. Both Kashmere and Worthing possess quick-strike scoring abilities. Kashmere quarterback A’Darrion Christie tossed touchdown passes of 34 and 52 yards to Joseph Cormier and Danyel Glaspis, respectfully against Scarborough. Cormier added a 42-yard punt return for a touchdown, Anthony Jones returned a punt 48 yards for a score and Jeremiah Stevenson chipped in with a 15-yard interception return for a TD. In Worthing’s win over BTW, triple threat Yzerick Oliver caught TD passes of 19, 21 and 26 yards from quarterback Alfred Robertson. Oliver, an all-district defensive back, also caught a two-point conversion pass from Robertson and returned a kickoff 81 yards for another score.
The Woodlands tops poll The Woodlands is undefeated and ranked No. 1 in every state Class 5A volleyball poll. The perfect record doesn’t stop with the varsity team. The junior varsity and freshmen teams are also unbeaten. The Lady Highlanders’ varsity squad is led by seven seniors that have all secured Division I college athletic scholarships. The seven seniors include Courtney Eckenrode, Kelly Quinn, Madison McDaniel, Rachel Reed, Morgan Eason, Maddie White and Julia Pasch. Head coach Leslie Madison says the key to the varsity’s success has been its work ethic. “They know they’re good, but they don’t practice like it,” she said.
Astros bad season ends The worst season in the history of Astros baseball has mercifully come to an end. To commemorate their first season in the American League, the team finished with a record of 51-111. It marked the third consecutive year they finished with over 100 losses, a MLB record. They finished the season with15 consecutive losses. The Astros also have the dubious distinction of setting the MLB record for the most strikeouts by a team in a season with 1,535. With a team payroll of approximately $21 million, the team proves that the cliché is true – you get what you pay for. Too bad for first-year manager Bo Porter. We can only hope that things are better in 2014. They can’t get much worse.
Earl says Mack should retire Earl Campbell, the iconic symbol of University of Texas football, thinks it’s time for the school to send coach Mack Brown to the unemployment line. Then Horns are an underachieving 2-2 and have been blown out by BYU and Mississippi. Speaking to a local TV station Campbell said, “Nobody likes to get fired or leave a job, but things happen. I’d go on record and say yes, I think it’s time.” Brown is under contract until 2020 and will be paid $5.4 million this year. If Brown is removed, Texas should give serious consideration to Louisville coach Charlie Strong as his replacement.
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12
DEFENDER | OCTOBER 3 | 2013
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For Event Coverage...visit
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Simone Lewis, Emarion Miller and Deavra Daughtry
Sarah Freddy, Ntsiki Biyela and Wayne Luckett
Trena Green and Janice Shaw
chag’splace
Mark Thierry, Deavra Daughtry and Daymond John
Lavaille Lavette and Rhonda Arnold
Johnny and Alexis Spiller, Evette LaBome and Dr. Samuel Pegram
Patricia Luckett and Steven and Kimberly Littleton
Author ReShonda Tate Billingsley and Morgan Billingsley
Christine Plummer, Sherri Lynch, Jessie Jenkins and Dolly Jeffries
FINANCIAL & LEADERSHIP SUMMIT…..The Tex- entrepreneurs for networking opportunities. Some of the as Women’s Empowerment Foundation (TWEF), founded honorees included State Rep. Sylvester Turner, George Johnson, Frank Hunter, Dr. Frazier Wilson, and Mark by Dr. Deavra Daughtry, hosted its 7th annual InterThierry. Power couples honored includnational Financial and Leadership Summit at the J. W. Marriott Hotel. ed Sharon and Daryl King and Sadie Join Yvette Chargois Proceeds from the summit benefits and Dwight Pledger. Great summit!..... TWEF scholarships and EmpowerDINNER & WINE TASTING….. Events of the Week ment Community Center programs Founders of Branwar Wine DistributMore photos on defendernetwork.com for low to moderate income coming Co. Wayne Luckett and his son See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. munities. The summit included Warren hosted a fabulous wine tasting panel discussions, a live concert, a and dinner event at Julia’s Restaurant. black-tie gala and a night of honors, The company has become the preemihonoring several power couples. Also, a million dollar nent distributor of South African wines offering the most leadership roundtable discussion featured branding expert, diverse portfolio of South African wines on the market. business and motivational speaker and ABC’s “Shark The restaurant’s general manager Sarah Freddy partnered Tank” co-star Daymond John. Students from several with the company for an evening filled with great wines local schools and entrepreneurs had the opportunity of reand a fabulous dinner. Resident winemaker for Stellekaya ceiving valuable advice from him. It also brought together Winery, Ntsiki Biyela, was visiting from South Africa high- profiled professionals, business leaders and budding and shared her passion for wines. She was the first Black
female winemaker in South Africa. Spotted in the crowd were Patricia Luckett, Kimberly and Steven Littleton, Carole Pinkett, Didi Motloung, Christopher Kabosha, Alexis and Johnny Spiller and Evette LaBome and Sam Pegram. Great event!.....CHAG’S BOOKSHELF….. The Houston Public Library invited the community to an afternoon with award-winning author and Defender Online Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley to discuss her newest novel, “A Family Affair.” This is ReShonda’s 28th book and in this latest work, she unravels the secrets in a mother’s past that turn her daughter’s life upside down, by revealing the family she never knew existed. Her novel, “Let the Church Say Amen,” has been made into a movie, directed by actress Regina King and produced by Queen Latifah. Book lovers attending this event included Trena Green, Janice Shaw, Morgan Billingsley, Sherri Lynch and Sisters Sharing book club members Christine Plummer, Jessie Jenkins and Dolly Jeffries. Great novel!..... From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!
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