Rapper Takeoff gunned down Killing shines negative light on Houston INFOCUS
PROFILE
VOTE NOV. 8
GRACIE’S CORNER
All your election questions answered to make sure your vote is counted.
Volume 91, issue 50 November 3, 2022
Houston fatherdaughter duo creates cartoon series.
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DN To the POINT
Just days after apologizing to the family of George Floyd for controversial remarks, rapper Kanye West lashed out against Roxie Washington — the mother of Floyd’s daughter — after reports that she was filing a $250 mil lawsuit over his recent remarks.
Message from the Managing Editor Kanye West is not playing a long game
after firing the entire Twitter board and making himself sole director. Musk’s intentions for Twitter remain unclear. Shonda Rimes and Toni Braxton shared that they are stepping away from the platform since it’s now under Musk’s control, but will more Black people follow suit? If the current hate that’s spreading on Twitter is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes.
Black folks kill me. When we support someone, we support HARD. Oftentimes, excusing behavior that shouldn’t be excused. Exhibit A, B, C and D….Kanye West. There’s not even enough room to list all that Kanye’s been in the news for lately….from wearing a White Lives Matter shirt, to spewing anti-semetic language, to losing 99.9 percent of his brand and sponsorship deals (that’s not Calling all young people, ReShonda Tate official, but that’s what it seems like), to have you voted? his school Donda Academy closing, then reopening, to Polls show early voting turnout in Harris County has his attack-apology-attack on George Floyd’s family…Kanye decreased compared to the record-setting midterm election keeps the negative light shining on him. in 2018, and higher percentages of older voters are going But it’s his loyal supporters that this message is for. The to the polls so far this year. So all I want to know is where “Y’all just don’t get Kanye, this is his strategy,” “Kayne is the young people at? (I know that’s grammatically incorrect playing Chess while the world plays Checkers,” “Kanye but you get my point). We’ve got to get these young people wanted out of his contract from the white man holding to the polls. him down” – folks who come up with any and every reason In-person early voting across the county, which includes to excuse Kanye’s behavior. most of Houston, is down 17.5 percent compared to 2018 Look, let’s call this what is….a brother spiraling out of through the first seven days of early voting, according control, with no one in his corner who has the ability to to data released by the Harris County Elections Adminrein him in. Kanye has been vocal about having Bipolar dis- istrator’s Office. That’s a favorable sign for Republicans, order and everything about his behavior is classic Bipolar according to election officials, and so is the fact that Harris symptoms. I’m not a physician, so whether this is actually County’s early voters are skewing toward older age groups. driven by mental illness or just a brother trying to “get the Election officials say they have noticed increased turnout white man’s knee off his neck” as Kanye said, fans who among older voters and a decline among younger groups, at excuse his behavior are contributing to the problem. And least through the early stages of early voting. Usually, when to those of you sending money to Kanye so he can get his that happens, it has an impact on the election turnout and billionaire status back, I don’t want to tell you what to do election outcomes. with your money, but really???? I get it, a lot of young people are less-than-enthusiastic about this election, but in the words of former President Will there be a Black exodus from Twitter? Barack Obama, tuning out and being cynical is “NOT AN Twitter is now in the hands of Elon Musk and he’s already OPTION.” causing some Black celebrities to toss in their bird. Black Twitter, a group of influential users whose tweets spot- ON THE WEB light issues affecting Black people, is among those who • The list of rappers who have died in the last decade is have reason to be concerned about the direction in which unbelievable. Check it out. Musk could take the app now that the sale is official. Those • The Black Women Channel’s guest contributors tackle concerns were immediately validated after Musk fired the everything from getting your kids off technology to why app’s top executives and let racists spew the N-word at a passport is important for your children. insane rates (it got so bad Lebron James had to step in). • Sports Reporter Terrence Harris has the latest on the And now he is charging for blue checkmark verification Texas Southern-Jackson State game.
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DN News
RAPPER TAKEOFF GUNNED DOWN Killing shines negative light on Houston
By ReShonda Tate
The death of Migos rapper, Takeoff, who was killed during a shooting outside a bowling alley in Houston, has prompted many to ask are rappers at risk? The death of the 28-year-old, who was fatally shot after an argument over a dice game, is also shining a negative light on Houston. The rapper, whose real name was Kirshnik Khari Ball, was in Houston with Quavo — Takeoff ’s uncle and another member of Migos — celebrating the birthday of Jas Prince, a music promoter. WHO IS TAKEOFF? Takeoff was part of Migos along with Quavo and Offset. The Grammy-nominated rap trio from Georgia have had four Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including their multi-week No. 1 “Bad and Boujee” featuring Lil Uzi Vert. They put out a trilogy of albums called “Culture,” “Culture II” and “Culture III,” with the first two albums hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. They earned an ASCAP Vanguard Award in 2018, for their streaming success with multiplatinum songs like “Motorsport (featuring Cardi B and Nicki Minaj),” “Stir Fry,” and “Walk It Talk It.” They also played a fictional version of themselves on an episode of the hit TV show “Atlanta.” Offset, who is married to Cardi B, released a solo album in 2019, while Takeoff and Quavo released a joint album “Only Built for Infinity Links” last month.
RAPPERS AT RISK
Several rappers have died in the last four years. XXXtentacion Juice Wrld Baby _ King Von Mac Miller Nipsey Hussle Pop Smoke Young Dolph Drakeo The Ruller MO3 Huey Snootie Wild JayDayYoungan Trouble PnB Rock
SEE THE 15 PAGE LIST OF RAPPERS KILLED SINCE 2020 Takeoff of Migos performs at the 7th Annual BET Experience at L.A. Live Presented by Coca-Cola at Staples Center on June 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED? Police responded shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 to reports of a shooting at 810 Billiards & Bowling, where dozens of people had gathered on a balcony outside of the bowling alley, which is on the third floor, police said. Officers discovered one man
dead when they arrived. Security guards who were in the area heard the shooting but did not see who did it. Two other people were injured and taken to hospitals in private vehicles. An argument started over the dice game and escalated into a shooting. Takeoff, who was not involved in the argument, was killed by a stray bullet. Quavo was not injured. No arrests have been announced. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: People react to the news.
(L-R) Takeoff, Quavo, and Offset of Migos perform onstage during Global Citizen Live on September 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
Young men of color are killing themselves. They are pulling their guns and shooting and just like that someone(s) is dead. Who do we blame? Activists, rappers, family members, faith leaders must confront this reality. This cannot be our future when our young are dying young.” Sylvester Turner
“He represented our future, and to lose your life due to gun violence is absolutely absurd. We can not continue to allow this to happen in a community like ours.” Bishop James Dixon, President, Houston NAACP “I’m sick and tired of the consistency of people that are influential to you are leaving us consistently. Takeoff was murdered…That eliminates all of yall leaving the hotel because it ain’t happening until I give you further notice. People can come to the hotel to visit you. Sooner or later we gotta start changing our addresses. That’s an analogy to say I know we this but we ain’t that. You gotta leave that behind.” Deion Sanders (to his Jackson State University players as they prepare to come to Houston for the game)
“How many times will this happen before its socially acceptable to acknowledge the issue of Black on Black crime? If Black Lives Matter, then why aren’t we acting like it?” Xaviaer DuRousseau
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DN News
Former State Rep. Ron Wilson (D) pled guilty to tax evasion after trying to hide some of his income and failing to pay taxes over two decades.
HAUL expands programs thanks to MacKenzie Scott’s $4.2M gift By Aswad Walker
The Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) recently announced a transformational gift that will allow the organization to dramatically expand and enhance the reach of its empowerment programs. Philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott donated $4.2 million, the largest single contribution in HAUL’s 54-year history. “We’re honored and grateful that Ms. Scott and her team have recognized the Urban League’s value to and impact on the community,” said HAUL president and CEO Judson Robinson, III. “By placing racial equity and social justice at the forefront of her philanthropic mission, Ms. Scott is shining a muchneeded spotlight on the nation’s structural and institutional limitations and helping
to build a stronger, more resilient society for everyone.” HAUL will use the gift to ensure the agency’s long-term sustainability and support its Strategic Plan to expand program services, outreach, awareness, and service access to more Black and other marginalized people in our Scott community. But according to HAUL Board Chairman Calvin Guidry, don’t expect the bulk of the funds to go to just one agency initiative. “Overall, what we’re trying to do is make self-sufficient our marginalized communities,” said Guidry. “So, that’s everything from job creation to housing and Robinson
housing support, and all types of things that we’re doing.” Guidry said when he first received news of Scott’s gift, besides being overwhelmed and elated and saying “Look at God,” he thought about how many more clients HAUL will be able to serve. “Our strategic plan is all about our growth and our ability to service the community better. This gift will help us do that in a major way,” he added. “We are elated that our work and its outcomes have been recognized and rewarded with this level of support”, said Robinson. HAUL is one of 25 Urban League affiliates around the nation that
received similar donations from Scott, who in 2019 signed the Giving Pledge, a promise by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. Since 1968, HAUL has advocated for and provided social services to disadvantaged people of all races, gender, age groups, and/or disabilities. It operates six programs targeting residents in economically disadvantaged geographic areas in the greater Houston area: Education and Youth Development; Workforce and Economic Development; Workforce Training; Housing; Social Justice and Health and Wellness Initiatives. The programs impact the lives of over 10,000 people each year. For more information, call 713-393-8700 or visit haul.org.
Supreme Court tackles college Affirmative Action Associated Press
Members of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority are questioning the continued use of affirmative action in higher education in lengthy arguments in which the justices are wrestling with difficult questions of race. The justices scheduled at least an hour and forty minutes of arguments and were hearing from six different lawyers in challenges to policies at the University of North Carolina and Harvard. Those policies consider race among many factors in evaluating applications for admission. Following the overturning of the half-century precedent of Roe v. Wade in June, the cases offer a big new test of whether the court now dominated 6-3 by conservatives will move the law to the right on another of the nation’s most contentious cultural issues. During arguments in the first of two cases, the court sounded split along ideological lines on the issue of affirmative action. Justice Clarence Thomas, the court’s second Black justice who has a long record of opposition to affirmative action programs, noted he didn’t go to racially diverse schools. “I’ve heard the word ‘diversity’ quite a few times and I don’t have a clue what it means,” the conservative justice said at one point. At another point he said: “Tell me what the educational benefits are?” Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the court’s newest justice and its first Black female, said that race was being used at the University of North Carolina as part of a broad review of applicants along 40 different factors. “They’re looking at the full person with all of these characteristics,” she said. The Supreme Court has twice upheld race-conscious college admissions programs in the past 19 years, including just six years ago. But that was before the three appointees of former President Donald Trump joined. Jackson was chosen this year by President Joe Biden.
People rally outside the Supreme Court as the court begins to hear oral arguments in two cases that could decide the future of affirmative action in college admissions, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Washington. AP
Lower courts upheld the programs at both UNC and Harvard, rejecting claims that the schools discriminated against white and Asian-American applicants. The cases are brought by conservative activist Edward Blum, who also was behind an earlier affirmative action challenge against the University of Texas as well as the case that led the court in 2013 to end the use of a key provision of the landmark Voting Rights Act. The Biden administration is urging the court to preserve race-conscious admissions. The Trump administration had taken the opposite position in earlier stages of the cases. Public opinion on the topic varies depending on how the question is asked. A Gallup Poll from 2021 found 62% of Americans in favor of affirmative action programs for racial minorities. But in a Pew Research Center survey in March, 74% of Americans, including majorities of Black and Latino respondents, said race and ethnicity should not factor into college admissions. A decision in the affirmative action cases is not expected before late spring.
VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 50 - NOVEMBER 3, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho
Creative Director Michael Grant
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Social Media Manager Tia Alphonse Managing Editor ReShonda Tate
Photographers Jimmie Aggison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
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DN Newsbriefs RIVERSIDE TO BE RENOVATED, RE-OPENED AS COUNTY HEALTH FACILITY The first non-profit healthcare facility in Houston for African Americans is getting renovated after it closed in 2015. The Houston Negro Hospital opened in 1926, which allowed trained physicians to work and provide care to Blacks and their families. In 1961, the name was changed to what is now Riverside General Hospital in Third Ward. Renovations, which will begin next year, include the hospital building, the nursing school building which opened in 1931, and the laundry building. A new adjacent building will be added later. Commissioner Rodney Ellis said the collaboration with the county and city will help move forward with ensuring equality of healthcare for all. Services that will be offered at the site are dental care, childhood vaccinations, flu shots, obesity reduction, asthma management, diabetes prevention, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program services,, maternal and infant health, and more.
Harris County and city of Houston officials announced plans to renovate the facility for Harris County services. Houston Public Media Courts Department has begun its fall amnesty program, allowing people with delinquent cases to get them resolved without penalty. Any cases delinquent before October 1 are eligible and the program will run through November 19. Officials say now is the time for people to take care of lingering warrants. Any moving or nontraffic violations, theft or assault are eligible for a discounted rate. The program doesn’t include parking citations, administrative violations, bond forfeitures or civil cases.
AMNESTY PROGRAM UNDERWAY; MEN EXONERATED IN MALCOLM RESOLVES DELINQUENT X KILLINGS TO RECEIVE $36M CASES WITHOUT PENALTY The city New York is AM settling lawHARRISVOTES_HDFNDR_9.75X6.333_Insertion_02.pdf 1 of 10/12/22 11:49 The City of Houston Municipal suits filed on behalf of two men who
were exonerated last year for the 1965 assassination of Malcolm X, agreeing to pay $26 million for the wrongful convictions which led to both men spending decades behind bars. The state of New York will pay an additional $10 million. Muhammad Aziz, and Khalil Islam were jailed for more than 50 years. Last year, a Manhattan judge dismissed the convictions of Aziz, now 84, and Islam, who died in 2009, after prosecutors said new evidence of witness intimidation and suppression of exculpatory evidence had undermined the case against the men. Then-District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. apologized for law enforcement’s “serious, unacceptable violations of law and the public trust.”
EMERGE SEEKS TWO NEW HOUSTON SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR PARTNERSHIP Emerge, a Houston college access organization, wants to partner with two new area school districts to empower and prepare high-achieving students from low-income communities to apply to their program. Their mission is to eliminate barriers and build systems to ensure students are equipped with the resources, tools and support needed to attend the best higher education institutions. Emerge addresses the “undermatching” phenomenon in which 25% of high achieving students from underserved communities choose to apply to the nation’s most selective schools, despite having the qualifications to attend. This could keep them from accessing full financial need scholarships, extensive support services and higher graduation rates. EMERGE recently embarked on a $56 million growth and operating campaign aimed at doubling the numbers of students receiving college access and support by 2027. By fall 2023 the organization hopes to start operating with two new school districts in the area. For more information, visit www.emergefellowship.org/emergepartners
IT’S TIME TO REPRESENT, HARRIS COUNTY! Harris County Voters can vote at ANY of the 782 locations throughout the county on Election Day!
782 LOCATIONS
Learn more about voting in Harris County at HARRISVOTES.COM 713-755-6965
HARRISVOTES.COM Brought to you by the Harris County Elections Administrator.
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DN Education
NAACP focuses on student debt relief By Laura Onyeneho
The NAACP hosted a national virtual town hall to discuss updates on the student debt relief application. The meeting was in collaboration with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Department of Education Senior Advisor Ashley Harrington, who provided context to the pressing issues impacting Black debt holders nationwide and meeting deadlines to the loan forgiveness application process. “Student loan debt is a super debt,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. “...It remains with you for the rest of your life. And if you hold that debt for more that 10 years, you’re paying more in interest payments than you are paying in principle, resulting in individuals who are unable to get out of that debt for their lifetimes. With this program, people can begin to see a pathway to satisfy their obligation and look at ways to retire with a level of comfort.” Cardona said when repayment resumes in January 2023, the country can’t afford to go back to the same broken system to set up borrowers for failure. “Public service loan forgiveness was intended to provide public servants [teachers, nurses, law enforcement, non-profits] serving their
Jericka Duncan, Correspondent, CBS News (center) moderates panel on student loan debt. Photo: via livestream
community for 10 years and if you’re paying your loans, after the 10th year your loan should be forgiven,” Cardona said. “Not only are we doing the broad-based debt relief, we are also doing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF).” Hundreds of people tuned into the meeting to ask important questions regarding student debt relief, which were answered by Harrington: Q: What should borrowers consider if they’ve carried debt for 10-15 years and don’t qualify for student forgiveness? Harrington: This one-time debt relief is
transformative; some of the other programs
the secretary has mentioned are equally transformative. What we’re doing with [PSLF], income driven repayment, that is available still for folks who have been in repayment for a long time. We’ve just announced more improvements to Income Based Repayment [IBR] and [PSLF] that will give borrowers that much more credit toward forgiveness. We are looking to make the actual payment plan more affordable so people won’t have so much of their money go toward the burden of student loan payments every month. Q: Can you get loan forgiveness if loans are in deferment?
Harrington: Loans can be in deferment for a lot of different reasons. The repayment status doesn’t matter for one time relief. If you meet the requirements for income, you can get the relief. If you got a pell grant while you were in school, you’ll get up to $20,000. Deferment status doesn’t matter. It can impact what counts towards PSLF and sometimes IBR, but when in doubt fill it out. Put in those forms and you’ll see how many credits you get when we implement the IBR adjustment, you’ll see how close you are to forgiveness and go from there.
Q: Do people who pay off loans get relief? Harrington: I think it’s absolutely awe-
some that these folks were able to pay off their loans. I know many who are struggling to do so and the pandemic only exacerbated that. The relief we are providing is in recognizing that the student debt burden is real for tens of millions of Americans. There are so many ways we are supporting Americans every day, not just on student loan relief. The things we do on other policy programs in other areas beyond student loans, in small business, housing, how we support all folks is an investment in our society.
A message from Chris Hollins, the Voting Guy:
We’re running out of time. VOTE NOW. The stakes in this election are way too high for you to sit on the sidelines. Early voting has already begun. When I served as County Clerk in 2020, we broke all records for voter turnout. We did it before and I’m calling on you once again to show up and make your voice heard. Please join me: Vote for Democrats up and down the ballot – and be sure to go near the end of your ballot and vote for these three outstanding Democrats:
Re-Elect Democrat
LINA HIDALGO Harris County Judge
Re-Elect Democrat
ADRIAN GARCIA
Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 2
Elect Democrat
LESLEY BRIONES
Candidate, Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 4
VOTE EARLY NOW through Friday, Nov. 4 Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.
Learn more about Chris Hollins and his campaign for Mayor of Houston: ChrisHollins.com
ÍÎÚ @CGHollins
Pol. adv. Chris Hollins Campaign
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DN Feature
CHANGE HAPPENS UPLIFTS BLACK BOYS THROUGH MENTORSHIP
By Laura Onyeneho
Noah Jackson was only a junior at Jack Yates High School when he was first introduced to the My Brother’s Keeper “Each One of Us” Mentoring Program in partnership with the Houston non-profit Change Happens. The self-described sheltered and shy student said that participating in the program helped improve his self-esteem while connecting with Black male mentors who uplifted him throughout his academic journey. The goal of My Brother’s Keeper is to connect young boys and men of color between the ages of 14 and 19 with caring adults by partnering with local businesses and organizations who share similar visions to support youth. “Change Happens and My Brother’s Keeper, these organizations have impacted me because it showed me the true definition of what a man should be. It gave me a sense of community,” said Jackson. “There are other young men of color who have similar life experiences or even worse, but they still
Change Happens hosts annual luncheon, Friday, Nov. 4, which supports My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.
return to educate the young ones coming up behind them, the same way my mentors did for me.” Jackson, who is now a third-year college student at Prairie View A&M University, will be one of the youth speakers at the Change Happens annual luncheon Friday, Nov. 4 at the Junior League of Houston, Inc. This is the organization’s 17th annual luncheon to raise funds to support the 19
programs it operates along with more than 60,000 people served every year. “This is our one big fundraiser that allows us to support the many initiatives we run and to bridge the gap in support that our grants don’t allow us to do such as buying food for our clients and covering transportation to get them to and from whatever services they need,” said Marcus Brewer, special projects and development director
at Change Happens. “Many of the organizations we work with provide amazing services and the extra funds will help the things they need to take their services to another level and serve more individuals.” Brewer said the luncheon is about much more than raising money, asking more people to step up in the community and get involved.
BETO O’ROURKE EVERY THING IS ON THE LINE
WILL fiGHT FOR US EXPAND MEDICAID to create jobs, lower property taxes, and ensure all Texans can afford to see a doctor.
FULLY FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS and raise teacher pay to fill the teacher shortage and improve our kids’ education. PROTECT OUR FREEDOM TO VOTE by reopening polling places in our communities and making it easier to register and vote.
VOTE FOR BETO O’ROURKE
OCT 24-NOV 4 VOTE EARLY
POLITICAL AD PAID BY BETO FOR TEXAS
NOV 8
ELECTION DAY
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DN InFocus other than the voter’s employer, an agent of the voter’s employer, or an officer or agent of a labor union to which the voter belongs.
TO THE POLLS
Everything you need to know to make sure your vote counts By ReShonda Tate
IMPORTANT DATES ELECTION DAY Nov. 8 POLLS OPEN 7 a.m.-7 p.m. EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING Ends Nov. 4
More than 25 million people have already cast their ballots, including 150,000 voters in Harris County. While that’s down from 2018, election officials are hopeful that people will show up by the end of early voting or on Election Day. Texas’ Nov. 8 general election includes races for U.S. House, state House and Senate, governor and several other state offices. We’ve compiled everything you need to know as you head to the polls. What is the Senate Bill 1 voting law? A GOP attempt at voter suppression, we mean, a new state law that was introduced in 2021 and changed voting in Texas. It includes: • A ban on drive-through and 24-hour early voting. • Election officials are no longer allowed to send unsolicited vote-by-mail application forms to voters. • Mail-in-ballot voters must now provide ID on both the application and the return carrier envelope for their completed ballot. • Those who assist someone else in filling out a ballot at the polls must
Q. What all needs to go on my mail-in ballot? A. Note that new state law requires you to
provide either your Texas driver’s license number, Texas personal ID number or election ID certificate number (which is different from your voter unique identifier number) on your mail-in ballot application and the return carrier envelope for your voted ballot. If you have not been issued one of these numbers, you can submit the last four digits of your Social Security number. Q. Can I track my absentee ballot? A. Yes. You can check the status of your
mail-in ballot as well as correct any missing or incorrect information identified by county election officials via the state’s official online Ballot by Mail Tracker. Q. Where can I find my polling location? A. Harris County voters can cast a ballot at
any location during Early Voting and on Election Day.
sign a form disclosing their relationship to the voter. They also must recite an oath stating that they did not pressure or coerce the voter into choosing them as their assistant. • Also, a new redistricting plan has changed the boundaries of some state legislative and U.S. congressional districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot.
What races are on the ballot and who’s running? U.S. House: all 38 seats; Texas gained two seats in the House, as determined by population growth in the 2020 census State Senate: all 31 seats State House: all 150 seats Governor: incumbent Greg Abbott (R), Beto O’Rourke (D) Lt. Governor: Mike Collier (D), Dan Patrick (R) Attorney General: Rochelle Mercedes Garza (D), Ken Paxton (R) State courts
Visit www.HarrisVotes. com for more races and sample ballots.
Q. I’m disabled. Will I still be able to vote? A. All polling places in Texas must be acces-
HERE’S THE ANSWER.
sible for voters. If you require assistance to cast your ballot you may receive assistance from either a person of your choosing (aside from your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your union) or from two election workers. Those who assist others must sign a form disclosing their relationship to the voter. They also must recite an oath stating they did not pressure or coerce the voter into choosing them as an assistant.
paycheck, or government check; or the voter registration certificate from your county voter registrar.
Q. What if a poll watcher says I’m not allowed in to vote. A. No one other than a certified election
GOT A QUESTION? Q. I didn’t register to vote. Is it too late? A. Unfortunately, yes. The last day to register
to vote was Oct. 11.
Q. How can I check to see if I’m registered to vote? A. Visit https://www.harrisvotes.com/
VoterRegistration/Search?lang=es-MX
Q. Do I need identification to vote? A. YES! You must present an acceptable form
of photo ID, which include a Texas driver’s license, election ID certificate, personal ID card, handgun license, U.S. military ID with photo, U.S. citizenship certificate with photo or a U.S. passport. Q. I don’t have a photo ID, can I still vote? A. Yes, simply fill out a declaration at your
polling place, where you must also present one of the acceptable forms of supporting ID, such as a certified copy of a domestic birth certificate, current utility bill, bank statement,
Q. I left my photo ID. Can I still vote? A. If you have an acceptable photo ID but
don’t have it at your polling place, you can still vote a provisional ballot. You will have six days — until Monday, Nov. 14 — to present the acceptable ID to your county registrar or to process an exemption in order for your vote to count. Q. Where can I vote early? A. Any qualified voter may vote in person
sure you registered, ask to be given a provisional ballot. Q. What devices can I take in the polling location? A. Wireless communication devices are
prohibited within the polling location. The taking of photographs is prohibited within the polling location. Q. Can I vote straight-party? A. No. The straight-party voting option
(straight-ticket) was outlawed in 2020 after a bill was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2017.
at the main early voting polling place or at any other designated early voting branch location during designated times. To find early voting locations visit: www.harrisvotes.com, www.fortbendcountytx.gov or www.brazoriacountyclerktx.gov
Q. How will I know my vote was counted? A. Take your printed ballot to the ballot scan-
Q. They said they can’t find my name on the roster. What should I do? A. Whatever you do, don’t leave! If you are
Q. Can I bring someone to help me? A. Yes. On the voter’s request, the voter may
ner and insert it into the scanner. Your ballot is cast when you see a confirmation screen on the scanner.
be assisted by any person selected by the voter
worker can tell you your voting status. Do not be intimidated by anyone, let alone someone claiming to be a poll watcher. Q. The line in my neighborhood is long. Can I take voters something to eat or drink? A. No. Because of Senate Bill 1, you are no
longer allowed to pass out beverages or food at voting locations. Q. Does my vote really matter? A. ABSOLUTELY! Critical races are on
the ballot, with candidates who will decide everything from what books children read in schools, to what a woman can and can’t do to her body, to what services your neighborhood receives. Many of these races will be decided by a small margin. EVERY vote is crucial. Visit votetexas.gov for more info.
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DN Health
WE HAVE A
FLU SEASON HAS ARRIVED, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW By Laura Onyeneho
Currently, Texas, Georgia and Washington D.C. are all seeing high flu activity and it’s only the beginning of the season. Health experts say this season is likely to be severe and according to a recent survey by the National Foundation for Infectious Disease, nearly half of Americans don’t plan to get vaccinated against the flu this year. We might have passed the crisis stage of the COVID-19 pandemic but Dr. Carla M. Davis, director of Texas Children’s Hospital Food Allergy Program, said this is not the time to let your guard down and encourages everyone to consider getting the flu shot. Dr. Davis spoke with the Defender about flu season and misinformation regarding immunizations.
Davis: I think that because there have been COVID vaccines and boosters, people may think that they don’t need to get a flu vaccine or even a COVID booster, but that’s not the case. The flu vaccine has been updated this year so that it has coverage for influenza A and B. For people who are 65 and older, there are special higher dose vaccines that have been shown to protect older individuals who are higher risk. The flu can also impact children less than 18. So everybody who is eligible at six months or older should get their flu vaccines this winter to decrease the risk of serious hospitalizations. Defender: How can people tell the difference between the COVID-19 and the flu? Davis: It’s very difficult to tell. The best
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thing to do is to get tested. Another thing people should know are what the warning signs are and if you are diagnosed with for it to be a very bad flu season...We want flu, just like there is an oral medication for to make sure that people stay out of the hos- COVID, there is an oral anti-flu medication pital with the flu. Hundreds and thousands that can be taken to decrease the chances of of people are hospitalized a year for the flu. symptoms, hospitalization and death. TreatWe know vaccines can keep people out of ments with an antiviral medication should the hospitals. The flu season in the southeast be taken within 48 hours after symptoms and Texas is at a very high level. start. The emergency signs of the flu are difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, pain Defender: Has pandemic fatigue in the chest, dizziness, confusion, muscle T:4.79" affected immunization rates? pains and fever. Defender: Why does flu season demand our attention this year? Davis: We believe that there is a potential
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DEFENDER NETWORK
| 11
How will the VATRE funds be used?
SAFETY AND SECURITY Cost $4 million Funding to hire new police officers for elementary schools
FORT BEND ISD VOTER-APPROVAL TAX RATE ELECTION (VATRE) | ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 8
The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees has adopted a tax rate of $1.21 which requires voter approval in the November 8, 2022, election. Voter approval of the adopted tax rate of $1.2101, the same rate as last year, will generate additional revenue for FBISD. State law mandates an election be held if the district is to maintain the same tax rate. Why is this being requested? FBISD has experienced state funding cuts of over $21 million. The cost of educating special education students is $36 million more than state funding provides. The funding per student has not changed since 2019 and has not been adjusted for inflation. More police officers will enhance security and bolster our commitment to provide a safe environment for our students and employees, and it is essential that the district offer a competitive compensation package for teachers and staff. The district is doing its part by already reducing $15.4 million in expenditures and committing to $22.9 million in future reductions. To the surprise of many, increases in collections from higher property values are offset dollar-for-dollar by the state. For example, if $1,000 more is collected by the district from our taxpayers, the state pays the district $1,000 less. The district does not benefit from the increases in property values in the general fund, which is used to operate the district.
PAY I N C R E A S E Cost $5 million Allow for an immediate increase in teacher pay
Full 5% increase in school paraprofessional and auxiliary staff pay
While a VATRE is new to FBISD, over 76% of districts state-wide have held this type of election since 2006. FBISD has managed to put off the need for this election until now.
FBISD Tax Rate Through The Years $1.60 $1.40 $1.20 $1.00
$1.34 $0.30
$1.34 $0.30
$1.32 $0.26
$1.32 $0.26
$1.04
$1.04
$1.06
$1.06
$1.27 $0.28
$1.24 $0.29
$1.21 $0.29
7.55¢ VATRE $1.21 $0.27
$0.99
$0.95
$0.92
$0.94
$0.80
YE A R S O F S E R V I C E P R O G R A M F O R A L L E M P LOYE E S Cost $2.2 million
$0.60
One-time payment of $500 regardless of the number of months/years worked in the district
$0.40 $0.20 $0
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Additional supplement based on years of service.
At $1.21, FBISD’s tax rate is lower than the present rate in Lamar CISD ($1.24) and Katy ISD ($1.35). FBISD has historically maintained a low tax rate in comparison to neighboring districts.
Financially, how does this affect me? C U R R E N T TA X R AT E
TA X R AT E I F A P P R O V E D
• $1.2101 per $100 of your property value
• $1.2101 per $100 of your property value
• $1,210 annually per $100,000 of your property value
• $1,210 annually per $100,000 of your property value
Same as current rate
Ballot Language Fort Bend ISD Proposition A
What the ballot language really means:
Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.2101 in Fort Bend Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 7.31 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $47.66 million.
A vote FOR will keep the same tax rate of $1.2101 in Fort Bend Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will increase district revenue by $47.66 million.
SUSTAINING THE TAX RATE
CURRENT
$1.21
IF APPROVED
$1.21
M A I N TA I N P R O G R A M S OF CHOICE Continuing the implementation of successful programs throughout the district
Please visit fortbendisd. com/VATRE for more information.
12 | November 3, 2022 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Profile MEET HOUSTON FATHER-DAUGHTER DUO BEHIND
‘Gracie’s Corner’ By Laura Onyeneho
The COVID-19 pandemic might have been one of the worse pandemics in recent history, but it has birthed some positively life-changingstories and business ideas. In 2020, Dr. Javoris Hollingsworth and his wife Dr. Arlene Gordon-Hollingsworth (Ph.D) created the popular YouTube series called “Gracie’s Corner,” an educational cartoon for children featuring predominately Black and Brown characters, when they couldn’t find diverse, age-appropriate content to watch during the lockdown. The channel introduces soulful nursery rhymes incorporated with elements of hiphop, reggae, Afro-beat, and pop voiced by their daughter Graceyn Hollingsworth (Gracie for short). The Houston family created content that highlights Black culture, breaks boundaries in education and empowers the masses in a unique way. In a short span of time, their videos have become the latest viral sensation capturing the minds and hearts of people all over. Gracie’s Corner has reached 1 million YouTube subscribers and they are just getting started. The Defender spoke to Javoris Hollingsworth, a former organic chemistry professor, to talk about diverse representation in education content and the creative process behind Gracie’s Corner. Defender: Congratulations on gain-
ing 1 million subscribers across YouTube and social media platforms. How does it feel to reach such a milestone in just two years? Hollingsworth: It’s unreal honestly. The only people who were watching at the time were my mom and some of our relatives. I remember sharing it across my social media pages with friends and it was like almost pulling teeth to get people to check it out. But it was something that we believed in and just with time it skyrocketed around the early part of this year. I remember we hit 100,000 subscribers and I thought it was crazy. But then we hit half a million and just recently a million. It’s really happening fast and we are grateful for it. Defender: You and your wife are both educators who launched this idea during the height of the pandemic. Why? Hollingsworth: During the pandemic I was, but I’m no longer teaching at the university. I was a chemistry professor and normally with
Graceyn Hollingsworth (Left) and Javoris (Right)
SOCIAL MEDIA
Birthplace: Chicago YouTube: Gracie’s Corner Instagram: @Gracie’s Corner Facebook: Gracie’s Corner Twitter: @Gracies_Corner
that job I’ll be in the classroom with students, but during the pandemic, everyone started doing it remotely. I was teaching from home. The kiddos were also doing school from home. So, everybody’s at home together seeing our daily routine. It gave me the opportunity to truly get to know my kids on a deeper level down to the content they consume. What really stood out to me was that there wasn’t much representation out there as far as children of color and being at the forefront, like in times where we are shown it’s almost like an afterthought. I saw the opportunity to try to be proactive and address it. The [researcher side of me] did some homework to figure out what would be necessary to
build it from the ground up. I have a music background...My science career took me away from music but oddly I’m back in music and it’s so cool not because I have this young lady taking part as well where she does all of the vocals and singing. [We] built an at-home studio, started writing the scripts and she was singing and coordinating with the animator to bring the script to life. Defender: When creating the series, how
did you develop the concept? Hollingsworth: My wife was kind of a part of the creative piece too as far as some of the messaging and things that needed to be in place. It’s kind of similar to the layout of Cocomelon like the short form music video type of setup, but we put out own spin to it. We started out with Gracie in her bedroom and then you notice in every episode she starts with imagining something. It gave us the opportunity to allow Gracie to go anywhere in the world ranging from Africa to South America. With the timing of the pandemic where people were shut in for the most part, [we] wanted to show kids the power of their imaginations. Figuring out how to writing a script and building my own at home studio, those
WATCH MORE OF THIS INTERVIEW ONLINE
types of things I had no clue about. I went on YouTube and Google just doing research and then kind of pieced it together. I had my doubts at first because when we started, she was 7 years-old. My mindset was wondering if she could handle doing different voiceovers and songs. It’s been crazy to watch the channel grow and also watch [Gracie] grow because of the confidence she has been building. It’s a true family effort to see it all come together. Defender: Where do you see Gracie’s Cor-
ner in the future?
Hollingsworth: As far as the channel itself,
one of the things that we have in the works is a long-formed version of Gracie’s Corner where we actually have full blown episodes. For that endeavor, it’s going to be full blown production. We’re just trying to find the right partners to push that forward. It’s going to give viewers an opportunity to learn more about Gracie as a person. Another thing that is also in the works is, I think probably by this time next year we should have a concert on the road like a live tour.
November 3, 2022 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
| 13
DN Profile
Deirdre Ricketts Teacher ignites love of STEM in students
By ReShonda Tate
that it’s science. And I have to bridge that gap. Children are innately scientists. And when parents understand that, and they don’t need a bunch of money or a bunch of know-how or to be engineers themselves to get their children involved in science, it makes a difference. Parents could take their child to the museum. Make sure you go to your child’s school and see what they’re doing in STEM. As you are cooking and making dinner, have your child be by your side because food science is science too. [With] botany, I learned about insects when I was in the backyard with my dad and we were watching meal worms grow. That’s metamorphosis right there. So there are everyday tangible things that you can do with your child at home.
For the past 25 years, Deirdre Ricketts has taught fifth-grade science to inquisitive young scholars in HISD. It’s something that she’s passionate about and now, she’s being recognized for it. At a recent Houston Astros game, Ricketts and nine other K-12 teachers received the Honeywell STEM Teacher Award and $2,000 in cash. The presentation by Honeywell was in conjunction with the Astros Foundation, led by Paula McCann Harris. As the lead science teacher (#DreamSTEAM) who runs the science lab at Lulu M Stevens Elementary, Ricketts’ passion for making science enjoyable for 5th graders in public school is to be commended. She shares with the Defender why that’s important and how parents can ignite a love of science in their children.
Defender: Though you are a natural at teaching, it wasn’t your first choice? Ricketts: I was a history major. Then I
Defender: Tell us about the award from the Houston Astros. Deirdre Ricketts: This award came from
the power of social media. One of my Facebook friends saw the passion I had for teaching over the years, how I am always advocating for STEM and nominated me for the award. I was shocked to learn I’d won. Defender: One of the reasons you were honored was because of your commitment to teaching. What makes it something that you’re passionate about? Ricketts: It’s my why. In America, we
have the best chance to make the next generation better...I just found my calling. I can’t explain it. When you are surrounded by 30 children, class period after class period, who, some of them want to learn, some of them don’t, you understand why you’re there. They really just want a safe, secure place.
Deirdre Ricketts
They want to be fed, they want to be loved, and they want to feel secure and safe. And then on top of that, you give them the tools which they can use to better themselves and you see that light turn on. That’s your why. Education is their superpower.
to discover the world. It is probably the best and the easiest thing to teach in elementary school. Children love hands-on. They discover new things every day. Sometimes they think I’m doing magic and they don’t realize
Defender: What do you tell parents and students who say “I’m not good at science and math and STEM?” How can we ignite that love in our children? Ricketts: It’s very easy because science is
intuitive. You come out of the womb wanting
Deirdre was one of several teachers recently honored by the Astros Foundation.
Deirdre Ricketts
was going to go to law school, or work in medicine but those things just didn’t work out. Whenever you start trying different things and you try hard and it doesn’t work out, ask yourself, “What am I good at? What’s my gift? What can I do? What’s my purpose?” I still love history. But what I do now is hopefully ignite and engage children so that they can be the problem-solvers in the future. That they can discover the next cure, the next innovation and really contribute to what humanity is all about.
14 | November 3, 2022 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports
Rockets point guard Kevin Porter Jr. had 26 points while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out six assists during a recent 124-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
SportsBriefs World Series void of U.S.-born Black players
While we celebrate Dusty Baker’s return to the World Series and his chance to finally win one, the Astros’ outspoken manager lamented Dusty Baker the fact that there are no U.S.-born Black players on the Astros or Philadelphia Phillies during this championship series. It’s the first time since 1950, after Jackie Robinson broke that color barrier, that the NL and AL champs are meeting without any American Black players. “What hurts is that I don’t know how much hope that it gives the young African-American kids,” Baker said. “Because when I was their age, I had a bunch of guys, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Tommy Davis – my hero – Maury Wills, all of these guys. We need to do something before we lose them.”
Rockets pick up options on young core
The Houston Rockets have seen enough of their young core from the 2021 class to know they want to Jalen Green see more. The team has exercised the third-year options for Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Usman Garuba and Josh Christopher. All four players are 20 years old.
TSU player named SWAC Specialist of Week
Texas Southern running back Chaunzavia Lewis was named the SWAC’s Specialist of the Week after his recent game-changChaunzavia ing performance Lewis at Alcorn State. Lewis helped turn the tide of the game for TSU in the third quarter at Alcorn State as his 73-yard punt return touchdown gave TSU a lead it would never relinquish. He also had a 49-yard return in the first quarter which set up TSU’s first score. He finished 122 punt return yards while tallying 92 yards on four kickoff returns. Lewis’ punt return for a touchdown was the first at TSU since 2016.
Prairie View A&M quarterback Trazon Connley has been named SWAC Offensive Player of the Week after running for 133 yards and a team-high four touchdowns and passing for 221 yards during the Panthers’ 58-48 win over Bethune Cookman.
JALEN HURTS’ HOMECOMING HIGHLIGHTS
PHILLY VS. HOUSTON SHOWDOWNS By Terrance Harris
It seems hard to imagine this week being scripted any better. Two cities that don’t normally have much of a shared history are front and center this week when it’s all about Houston versus Philadelphia. The Astros, of course, are in a heated World Series battle this week with the Philadelphia Phillies. H-town is all in on winning This One for Dusty Baker, but clearly the Phillies have a much different agenda with Games 3, 4 and 5 in Philly this week. While much of the world will be fixated on the World Series, there will be another big Philadelphia vs. Houston game taking place that’s a little more personal when Channelview product Jalen Hurts leads his 7-0 Eagles into NRG Stadium for a nationally televised Thursday Night game against the struggling Texans. It’s the first time Hurts returns home to play in front of his family and friends. And his timing couldn’t be better.
The third-year quarterback has the Eagles rolling as he is putting together what looks like an MVP-caliber season. “I think going back home and playing in Houston has always been a dream of mine,” Hurts said. “I never had an opportunity to go play in Reliant, now known as NRG, as a kid. I spent a lot of time in the Houston Texans facility...as a child. I have a lot of memories at that place. I think it will be exciting.” Hurts, of course, went away to college, making his first stop at perennial power Alabama before establishing himself as a legit NFL prospect at Oklahoma. But everything Hurts is about is still right here in Houston. His parents, Pamela and Averion Hurts are still here in Channelview. In fact, Averion, who was his high school coach at Channelview, is still coaching the Falcons. What’s pushing Hursts to thrive to this day are the lessons that were instilled in him by Pamela and Averion as a kid. He is the last person to pat himself on the back, in fact Hurts is quicker to point out his own flaws than to discuss what he is doing well on the football field. Hurst learned to be this way through what he calls his formative experiences, presumably as a kid growing up on through these first three years playing quarterback in a city that hasn’t always appreciated him. “I think I’ve endured a lot,” he said. “I think I’ve been fortunate to go through things that have built character in me, that have made me a stronger individual, a stronger man. It’s allowed me to understand the importance of competition, the importance of seeing something through and
the importance of working for what you want. “I’ve always prided myself on that and that’s something that I saw my dad do as a kid,” Hurts continued. “I saw how he handled being a coach, I saw how he uplifted the people around him, how he was a service to the high school kids. I saw how my mom did it. I saw how everybody did it and I was just always trying to learn from the people around me.” That he has. Hurst comes into NRG Stadium for the first as a kid who has his team sitting not just atop the NFC East but really on top of the NFL during this first half of the season. The Eagles’ success has everything to do with Hurts’ growth as a leader and as a wellrounded football player. His evolution into becoming a more complete player was on the display last weekend when Hurst, who is known for keeping drives alive with his running ability, only ran the football twice while throwing four touchdown passes in a 35-13 dismantling of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has been labeled, as many of the African-American quarterbacks in the NFL seem to be, as a dual-threat quarterback. But Hurts is quick to brand himself a triple-threat quarterback, adept at “killing them” with his legs, arm and mind. “Because you get to a point where you get different looks and they try to get you but you just want to try to be ready for all of those looks and have an answer for it,” said Hurts, who has thrown for 1,514 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions while running for 293 yards and three touchdowns so far this season. “That’s a testament to the preparation, to the people I have around me. It’s just an uphill climb.” And if you think the 2020 second-round draft pick, who the Eagles were ready to part with this past offseason for either Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson, is believing he has arrived with the spectacular run he has the Eagles on, think again. “Honestly, I feel like there is no arrival,” Hurts said. “You will never get to the point where you say you have arrived. There is no arrival, only the journey. And I have embraced that journey and will continue to do that and just try to climb.”
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates ahead of an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 30 in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Matt Slocum
November 3, 2022 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports
| 15
JELANI WATKINS KLEIN FOREST WR
is a fast speedster
By Jodie B. Jiles
Klein Forest junior wide receiver and track star Jelani Watkins is arguably one of the fastest high school prospects in the state and possibly the nation at top speed. The kid from New Orleans made a name for himself at the 2021 UIL State Track Meet when he finished the final leg of the 4x100-meter championship, securing upset gold over track powerhouse Duncanville. In addition to the 4x200-meter, Watkins also runs the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and 4x100-meter relays. On the football field, Watkins is must-see television with the ball in his hands. Whether he is going deep for a streak, catching a screen pass or running out of the backfield, Watkins will give defensive coordinators nightmares. The Defender spoke with Watkins to discuss his breakaway track speed, how it translates to football, advice to others, and more. STYLE OF PLAY “More like Tyreek Hill and Odell Beckham Jr. Fast and shifty.”
ADVICE TO OTHERS “Anything you put your mind to you can do it. And if anybody tries to tell you that you can’t do it they lied to you because if you put your heart and your mind to it you can do anything you want to do.”
KEYS TO SUCCESS “We have to buy into what the coaches are telling us and the plays they’re putting in. We just have to do our jobs and give the next man a chance to score.” TRACK & FOOTBALL CROSSOVER “Track gets you practice for football. And I am really big on that. It gets me right so I can translate it to the field.” DECIDING FACTORS ON COLLEGES “Whoever gives me the best opportunity to get the best education and help me develop as a player.”
ABOUT JELANI WATKINS Instagram: @laaared_ Athletes he studies: Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase, Stephon Diggs and Usain Bolt Favorite musician: NBA Youngboy Hobbies: Playing Madden and NBA2K on PS5 Shout-outs: “My momma and my brother”
YATES WR/QB
JAQUAN BRANDON GETS IT DONE
Yates junior wide receiver, quarterback and cornerback Jaquan Brandon has been like a Swiss army knife for the Lions this season. The Defender spoke with Brandon after Yates defeated Wheatley in the Battle of the Wards Classic to discuss his style of play, keys to victory in the classic and more. For the full interview, clips and photos visit www.defendernetwork.com
16 | November 3, 2022 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
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