Houston Defender: November 19, 2020

THE GEORGE FLOYD IMPACT Even after his death he is impacting our lives worldwide.

EDUCATION

GRENITA LATHAN

SPOTLIGHT

Community leaders respond to the HISD school board’s decision on the interim superintendent.

Volume 90, issue 4 November 19, 2020

JACKIE WARD

Following in her mother’s footsteps, she is making history as she assumes a new position in healthcare.

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DN On the web

FIT & FINE Hugh Arrington Age: 37 Occupation: CEO & Founder, BRAV Education: Tulane University Southwestern University Major: MBA- Finance - BBA-Business Motto: Nothing great was ever developed within a comfort zone, so lean in.

Cities like El Paso are having to put up makeshift morgues because of the growing death tolls from COVID-19. -AP

Message from the Managing Editor And do your part to curb the spike. Gov. Greg For the past two-plus years, Dr. Grenita Lathan Abbott has made it clear that even though our has worked tirelessly for the children of the numbers are higher now than they were this Houston Independent School District. She’s risen summer when he ordered a lockdown, it’s not above the drama and stayed focused on the longhappening this go-round. So it’s up to us to term goal of educating the children of HISD. mask up and take precautions on our on. And Lathan is credited with pulling dozens of let’s all pray these promising vaccines come to academically challenged schools into fruition - and fast.

Start where compliance and earning a “B” rating ReShonda you are and from the state for the district as a NO TAKERS ON DAN PATRICK’S Tate Billingsley only compete with the $1 MIL OFFER whole. So why, then, did the Board previous vote 6-3 against her elevation to permanent Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick jumped on the version of status? Board members say it was “based on Trump train and offered to pony up $1 million of his money yourself data” but we can’t help but wonder if there’s some for anyone that proves voter fraud in Texas. Since the GOP validity to the claims from several community, says it was so widespread, we expected Patrick to have to hire civic and religious leaders that the move was racially teams of people to scour through all the fraud reports.Patrick motivated. We really can’t afford a Black-Brown divide in hoped financial rewards would produce evidence Republithis city, but this whole situation reeks of racial undertones. cans couldn’t find on their own. A week later, it seems like The move and the subsequent “Lathan can apply when the Patrick still has his million dollars. He hasn’t had much to say position opens up” is not only an insult to Lathan’s accomabout this lately. Hmmm, we wonder why. Probably because plishments, but we can’t help but wonder why the cashhe has a $1 million bounty for a fraud that never happened. strapped district is okay with spending $250,000 searching for a permanent Superintendent, when Lathan is right there BIDEN DIVERSITY doing the job. You know what else we can’t help but wonder?

All of these efforts to keep Biden from taking office seem If Dr. Lathan was Hispanic, would she already have the job. moot. The Trump camp is 1-23 in terms of lawsuit losses.

These are some questions the community wants answered.

And Biden is moving right along...stacking his transition team and staff with a diverse coalition that reflects America.

GRIDLOCK’D So refreshing. Jan. 20th can’t come soon enough.

With the nation gripped by a resurgent coronavirus and looking to Washington for help, President MIA (Missing in IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER action) Donald Trump and lawmakers in Congress have a • Michelle Obama opens up about how “going high” in the message for struggling Americans: just keep waiting. Trump Obama-Trump transition was difficult. is only worried about bogus voter election fraud claims and • We love good news! We’re spotlighting Jackie Ward, who rage-tweeting from his bunker, and meanwhile, the country just received a coveted spot as Chief Nursing Officer at is seeing raging positive cases, spiking hospitalizations and Texas Children’s Hospital. @hugharrington @getbrav increasing death tolls. The virus has killed more than 247,000 • Sports reporters Terrance Harris and Jodie B. Jiles have Americans this year and infected at least 11.1 million — some awesome profiles worth checking out.

Website: www.getbrav.com some 1 million of them in just the past week.

Read more on Friday about Hugh Trump is a disruptive factor on Capitol Hill and no deal ON THE WEB Arrington at defendernetwork.com is possible without his buy-in, or at least his signature.

• Take a look at some of the Blacks poised to work in the If you are Fit & Fine Direct Without a better and more reliable signal of Trump’s inBiden administration Message our Instagram page tentions, both McConnell and Nancy Pelosi could be wary • Why the American Medical Association says racism is a @DefenderNetwork of navigating the turbulence required to forge an agreenational health crises. ment. What does that mean? Don’t wait on a stimulus.

• More sports stories!

HISD DRAMA

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DN News

JUDSON W. ROBINSON JR., the first African-American elected to the Houston City Council who served 36 years, died 30 years ago on November 21, 1990.

Carol Guess (far right) with GHBC leadership at 85th Annual GHBC Meeting, February 2020

GHBC Pres. Carol Guess reacts to Harris County’s 30% commitment to MWBEs

By Aswad Walker

In the wake of a Harris County disparity study that revealed the county awarded a shameful 0.5% of its contract dollars to Black-owned businesses, Commissioners Court announced its goal to steer 30% of county business to minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs).

The Defender spoke with Carol Guess, president of the Greater Houston Black Chamber, about her thoughts on the county’s stated commitment.

Defender: What were your initial thoughts when you heard about the commitment to steer 30% of the county’s business to MWBEs?

Carol Guess: Well, first of all, I thought that it’s been a long time coming, but I was very thankful that Commissioner Ellis stepped up to give African American business owners representation in the way that he has.

I’m really glad that we had a champion there after such a long time.

Defender: What kind of tangible impacts do you think this could have for MWBEs? Guess: I think the tangible impact will be the growth of their profit margins, their bottom lines, which will enable them to hire more African Americans. Because African American owned businesses hire more African Americans than any other businesses

in the country… So, the employment rate will increase. And from there, hopefully we can generate more wealth in our community.

Defender: What needs to happen on Harris County’s part to move from idea to action?

Guess: I’m hoping that there’s a strategic plan in place with a timeline of implementation that is not far extended into the future. Perhaps maybe a five-year plan. I think the first step is to have a plan together pretty quickly, and to make the implementation of it such that there’s not a lot of red tape that has to be cut through in order for the execution to take place.

TSU Center for Justice Research receives donation for justice reform research Defender News Service

The Center for Justice Research (CJR) at Texas Southern University received support from Chevron with a $50,000 grant, aiding the Center’s research on equity-based criminal justice reform.

Since the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmad Arbery and Breonna Taylor, the role of police officers in our cities has become a focal point for Americans everywhere. Support from corporations like Chevron are vital for the researchers at CJR, who will use the funding to continue their mission of discovering data-driven solutions that can address any inequities in our criminal justice system.

“We are grateful for the support of Chevron in our quest to bring awareness to the need for a criminal justice system that treats everyone fairly, regardless of race and socioeconomic status,” said Dr. Howard Henderson, founding director of the Center for Justice Research. “The important work conducted by our researchers will continue to educate policy makers and practitioners in the criminal justice realm, while simultaneously preparing the next generation of

justice-oriented researchers.”

With broad stakeholder and community support, CJR’s work has revealed distinct insights and solutions. For example, the wider impact of COVID19 on historically disenfranchised populations and assessing the impact of a prison-based, postsecondary education are just two of the projects CJR is undertaking to expand our understanding of the culturally-responsive solutions necessary for criminal justice reform.

PVAMU receives $10 million gift for students Defender News Service

Prairie View A&M University announced the receipt of a $10 million gift to assist students in their pursuit of successful college completion. The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, wanted to invest in PVAMU by easing many students’ financial burdens.

The pandemic-related trauma and a virtual college experience are impacting student performance, which is being exacerbated by the stress of staying healthy while also applying to graduate school or job searching for their career after graduation.

“I am pleased to announce that the generosity of an anonymous donor will allow the university to establish an initiative to assist juniors and seniors impacted by the COVID-19 crisis to remain enrolled and graduate on a timely basis,” said PVAMU President Ruth J. Simmons. “Called Panther Success Grants, these unrestricted funds will be the critical difference in enabling these students to continue and complete their studies.”

Job loss due to COVID-19 has, in many instances, impeded working students’ ability to pay even small unfunded portions of the cost of college. Where such students face a shortfall in funding, the Panther Success Grants will be able to fi ll in that shortfall.

VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 4 - NOVEMBER 19, 2020 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Creative Director Michael Grant

Photographers Ray Carrington III 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 News JOE BIDEN PACKING TEAM WITH PEOPLE OF COLOR

Defender News Service

President-elect Joe Biden has maintained that he wants diversity in the White House and he’s starting with his transition team, which is compromised of people of color, with women actually holding a majority.

Biden is expected to announce his cabinet picks and senior staff for his new administration in the coming weeks, which is expected to be the first step in him keeping his promise to have a team that will “look like America.”

The diversity is significant because the teams will be responsible for evaluating the operations of federal agencies that have a broad impact on Americans’ lives.

And it’s especially important because Biden will take of f i c e at a t i m e when the United Cedric Richmond States is confronting a historic pandemic, joblessness and police brutality -- crises that have disparately impacted Black Americans.

The teams face hurdles because President Donald Trump has yet to publicly acknowledge Biden’s victory and his administration has prevented a formal start to the transition.

The makeup is a sign that Biden is focused on rewarding Black voters for their support in the election. Many of the review team appointees are graduates of historically Black colleges and universities. Civil rights leaders and activists have pledged to push Biden’s administration to create more progressive policies on criminal justice, housing, the

President-elect Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, speaks about economic recovery in Wilmington, Del. AP/Andrew Harnik

economy and more.

Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond is also expected to join Biden’s White House staff in a senior role, departing the New Orleans-area House of Representatives seat he has held since 2011. Richmond, the 47-year-old former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, was a co-chair of Biden’s presidential campaign and a close ally during the 2020 race. He is now set to become perhaps the highest-ranking Black aide to the President-elect.

Symone Sanders and Karine Jean-Pierre

Karine Jean-Pierre

Symone Sanders

are both in contention to serve as Presidentelect Joe Biden’s White House press secretary, but sources say there are other

Michelle Obama reflects on how she put her anger aside for a peaceful transition Michelle Obama has weighed Trump had won,” the former in on the refusal of President first lady wrote in a post on Donald Trump and first lady her Instagram account. “My Melania Trump to move forward husband and I instructed our with a transition of power to staffs to do what George and the incoming administration, Laura Bush had done for us: run reflecting on where she was four a respectful, seamless transition years ago and how -- though the of power -- one of the hallmarks process of ceding responsibility of American democracy.”

Michelle Obama to the Trumps was difficult -- she Obama added that she and persisted.

President Barack Obama had “I was hurt and disappointed -- but invited Trump staff to their offices and the votes had been counted and Donald their staff members had provided detailed

memos and insight from their experiences.

She confessed in a recent post: “None of this was easy for me. Donald Trump had spread racist lies about my husband that put my family in danger. That wasn’t something I was ready to forgive.”

Obama said in her post that it took “strength and maturity to put my anger aside.” In doing so, she proceeded to invite Melania Trump to the White House.

Melania Trump has yet to invite first ladyelect Jill Biden to the White House to continue the tradition.

alternatives — including the possibility of bringing on a prominent TV personality.

Sanders worked for Sen. Bernie Sanders in 2016 and joined Biden’s 2020 bid early.

Observers note her deftness on TV and that she was a frequent Biden travel companion during the campaign’s closing weeks. JeanPierre, a former Obama official, joined the team in May and served as Kamala Harris’ chief of staff after she was tapped for running mate in August. Jean-Pierre traveled less with Harris toward the end of the campaign.

None of this was easy for me. Donald Trump had spread racist lies about my husband that put my family in danger. That wasn’t something I was ready to forgive.”

Michelle Obama

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DN Education Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupree announces he is retiring in 2021 to spend more time with family.

Addie Heyliger was recently named President of Fort Bend ISD School Board, the 6th largest district in Texas.

Community Leaders Outraged HISD board declines to make interim superintendent permanent Defender News Service

As the Houston Independent School District Board relaunches it’s nationwide search for a superintended, Black elected officials, clergy and racial justice advocates are blasting board members for overlooking the woman who’s held the job on an interim basis for the past two years.

The leaders want the board to reverse its recent vote declining to name Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan as the district’s long-term leader, arguing that Lathan has more than proven herself worthy of the top job. Some officials also questioned whether trustees were motivated in part by race, given that the board’s three Black members supported retaining Lathan while the six non-Black members voted against it.

The rebuke of trustees came five days after board members voted to resume the district’s long-dormant superintendent search and forgo removing Lathan’s interim tag. The board majority argued HISD should conduct a national search — with Lathan as a candidate, if she chooses to apply — before selecting a long-term leader.

“We owe it to our students to, at the very least, take a look at the records of other candidates and other superintendents who want to apply to the school district,” HISD Trustee Dani Hernandez said. “I cannot make this decision for my community and our students without conducting a search.”

Those gathered at a recent press conference included state Rep. Ron Reynolds, former HISD trustees Rhonda Skillern-Jones and Jolanda Jones and several religious leaders. In addition, U.S. Reps.

Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green, state Sen. Borris Miles, and state Reps. Alma Allen and Harold Dutton Jr. signed a statement in support of Lathan, according to the NAACP Houston Branch.

The issue of race has loomed over HISD’s superintendent position since the district’s former leader, Richard Carranza, abruptly left more than two years ago to run New York City public schools.

HISD trustees have not yet outlined a timeline for the superintendent search.

I respect the Board’s decision.

Just as my focus has been for the past five years in HISD, my goal remains the same: to continue to achieve academic excellence in the district and support each and every student, parent, and staff member to the best of our team’s abilities.”

Dr. Grenita Lathan

There is a full frontal attack on Black elected officials. This is about race. They want Hispanics over everything.

It breaks my heart to say this but it is what it is.”

Former HISD Trustee Jolanda Jones

I’m very troubled and disappointed by the HISD board decision not to hire Dr. Grenita Lathan as the permanent Superintendent.

Dr. Lathan has been the interim Superintendent for nearly 3 years and has done an outstanding job of turning the low performing schools around. The 6-3 decision not to name Dr. Lathan as the Superintendent was a misguided vote against the best interest of our children, teachers and faculty.”

State Rep. Ron Reynolds

The decision not to name Dr. Lathan as superintendent of HISD was grossly misguided, and I must add, ill-motivated. We stand together in opposition to a discriminatory decision made by the HISD Board of Trustees, which negatively impacts ALL CHILDREN in the district.”

NAACP Houston Branch Vice-President Bishop James Dixon

If I had been dehumanized and humiliated and disregarded and disrespected in the way that she has been over this entire tenure I would have walked away and taken some of the job offers I have personally seen her receive over this time, but she cares enough about where she is and who she serves to stay even through that. That speaks to her character.”

Former HISD Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones

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DN Feature

NASA astronaut Victor Glover waves to family members after walking out of the Operations and Checkout Building on his way to the SpaceX Crew Dragon at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. Red Huber/Getty Images

VICTOR GLOVER

Becomes First Black Astronaut on NASA’s Extended Space Station C

Defender News Service

Navy commander and test pilot Victor J. Glover is now the first Black astronaut to live aboard the International Space Station. Commander Glover and three other astronauts departed on Nov. 15 in a capsule called Resilience and will spend about six months aboard the space station.

Glover, 44, is the pilot and lone space rookie. He’s from the Los Angeles area and will be the first African-American astronaut to move into the space station for a long stay. He wrestled and played football at California Polytechnic State University.

When picked as a NASA astronaut in 2013, he was working as a legislative fellow for the late Sen. John McCain. He and wife Dionna have four daughters.

Glover is not the first African American to visit the space station, but previous members were parts of space shuttle crews who only made brief stays at the center.

Glover earned three master’s degrees — in in-flight test engineering, systems engineering and military operational art and science — in three years.

He has been vocal about the significance of his mission, as well as those of other African Americans who have played a role in space exploration. NASA has also been diligent in highlighting “Hidden Figures to Modern Figures” within the history of the organization. The research led to the successful, Academy Award-winning 2016 film, Hidden Figures.

This summer, Glover spoke out about the protests for racial justice that flooded American streets. One social media user asked if he should not just “stick to space.”

“Actually no,” he replied. “Remember who is doing space. People are. As we address extreme weather and pandemic disease, we will understand and overcome

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racism and bigotry so we can safely and together do space. Thanks for asking.”

Glover noted that his mission is “something to be celebrated once we accomplish it, and I am honored to be in this position and to be a part of this great and experienced crew.”

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NOTABLE BLACKS IN SPACE Guion S. Bluford Jr. became the first Black American in space in 1983 aboard the space shuttle Challenger.

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Mae Jemison became the first Black woman in space aboard the shuttle Endeavor in 1992.

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

Among the protests springing up around the world in the wake of George Floyd’s killing is a mural of Floyd painted on a remnant of the Berlin Wall. Omer Messinger/AP

THE GEORGE FLOYD IMPACT

POLITICS, POLICIES & POLICING

By Aswad Walker

George Floyd’s murder May 25, 2020 at the hands of Minneapolis police, has had a profound impact around the world. Politics, policies and policing are being shaped and changed in search of social justice.

While funeral arrangements were being planned, the six year old daughter of George Floyd, Gianna Floyd was prophetic when she stated, “Daddy changed the world.” The Defender looks at the changes that have resulted after his death.

POLITICS/POLICIES

George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 (HR 7120): Introduced

on June 8, 2020 by Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA-37), this proposed legislation 1) lowers the criminal intent standard—from willful to knowing or reckless—to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution, 2) limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer or state correctional officer, 3) authorizes the

Department of Justice to issue subpoenas in investigations of police departments for a pattern or practice of discrimination, 4) creates a national registry—the National Police Misconduct Registry—to compile data on complaints and records of police misconduct, 5) establishes a framework to prohibit racial profiling at the federal, state, and local levels and 6) establishes new requirements for law enforcement officers and agencies, including to report data on use-of-force incidents, to obtain training on implicit bias and racial profiling, and to wear body cameras.

George Floyd Act: Unveiled by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus in August 2020, the George Floyd Act, is a sweeping police reform proposal that would ban chokeholds across the state and require law enforcement officers to intervene or render aid if another officer is using excessive force while on the job. The bill would allow civil lawsuits to address qualified immunity, which shields government officials from litigation. Another provision would end

Texas Legislative Black Caucus. Michael Stravato/Texas Tribune

arrests for fine-only offenses like theft under $100.

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Police Reform, which 1) called for higher professional standards, 2) training on de-escalation techniques and use of force, though it provided no consequences for noncompliant police departments, 3) established co-respondent services — a system in which officers would pair with social workers when responding to nonviolent calls and 4) it was said to set up a national database to track police misconduct. No such database has been set up. Moreover, the order does not address the link between racism and police brutality, a crucial element of national police reform efforts and demands.

POLICING

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, in June 2020, signed an executive order banning chokeholds by officers in the city of Houston.

Five Black Houston City Councilmembers submitted recommendations regarding

meaningful public safety reform.

Minneapolis City Council forced the police department to ban chokeholds and neck restraints, as have several other cities. They also unanimously approved a proposal to eliminate the city’s police department, and to establish a new “holistic” approach to public safety in the form of the Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention.

Unannounced police raids, known as “no-knock warrants” have been scrapped in Louisville - where Breonna Taylor died.

She was at home in bed when police officers entered her apartment. She died after being shot eight times. Other cities, as well, have banned the use of no-knock warrants.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he would divert money from the city’s police department to social services.

NYC also repealed a law that locked down police complaint records Several school districts across the country have ended their security contracts with police

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DN InFocus SOCIAL

THE GEORGE FLOYD IMPACT

By Aswad Walker

The George Floyd Effect has not been limited to police reform. Corporations, sports teams and athletes, as well as entertainers, have stepped up and spoken out for change in ways that open doors to employment, create greater investment in Black businesses, urge increased voter participation, and more.

CORPORATE

COMCAST RISE, an initiative launched by the Comcast Corporation, seeks to help strengthen and empower small businesses hard hit by COVID-19.

The Comcast RISE program will help thousands of small businesses over the next three years via grants of up to$10,000, marketing and technology upgrades, including media campaigns and connectivity, computer and voice equipment, as well as free marketing insights to all applicants. Apply at https:// www.comcastrise.com/apply/.

JUNETEENTH: Several U.S. corporations, led by Twitter and Square, made Juneteenth a paid company holiday. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said he wanted to make Juneteenth a permanent paid state holiday and started by giving state employees the day off, as did Nike, Twitter, Target, General Motors, the NFL and many other businesses. Several banks closed branches early, including JPMorgan Chase, Capital One and others.

QUAKER OATS — owned by PEPSICO — retired its AUNT JEMIMA brand of pancake mixes and syrups after 131 years.

The manufacturers of UNCLE BEN’S rice, CREAM OF WHEAT porridge, MRS. BUTTERWORTH’S syrup and the ESKIMO PIE ice cream brand are considering renaming or retiring their products.

HARPER’S BAZAAR named Samira Nasr the magazine’s new editor-in-chief; the first Black editor in the magazine’s 153-year history.

REDDIT co-founder Alexis Ohanian announced he was resigning from the board of the social media site and urged that his replacement be a Black candidate. Ohanian, who is White, is married to Serena Williams.

NETFLIX committed to deposit up to 2% of its cash holdings (roughly $100 million), into Black-focused financial institutions to lend that money to Black business owners and others who don’t typically have access to that capital.

ADIDAS committed to filling at least 30% of all open positions at Adidas and Reebok, which it also owns, with Black or Latinx individuals. Visit https:// careers.adidas-group.com/?brand=adidas.

AMAZON has placed a one-year moratorium on police use of Rekognition, its facial recognition tech considered controversial for its unfair treatment of Blacks.

ANDREESSEN HOROWITZ, an investment firm, donated $2.2 million to start the Talent x Opportunity Fund, a program designed to support entrepreneurs from underserved communities via seed capital and training to help start their businesses.

Visit https://a16z.com/talent-x-opportunity/) APPLE is creating an entrepreneurship camp for Black software developers, and committed to increasing the number of Black-owned Apple suppliers. Visit https://developer.apple.com/entrepreneur-camp/.

ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES verbally promised several things, including matching the percentage of Black employees at all company levels with the percentage of Blacks in the U.S. population within the next five years, doubling recruits from HBCUs and doubling the amount it currently spends on services and supplies from Black-owned businesses. https://www.esteelauder.com/customer_service/careers/index.tmpl FACEBOOK pledged to double the number of its Black and Latinx employees by 2023, increase the number of Blacks in leadership positions by 30% over the next five years and spend at least $100 million annually on Black-owned suppliers. https:// www.facebook.com/careers/ FITBIT pledged to support research projects to address health conditions that disproportionately impact Black people, including COVID-19. FitBit also said it will offer more workouts from Black fitness influencers on its app and social media channels.

PAYPAL created a $500 million fund to support Black and minority businesses by strengthening ties with community banks and credit unions serving underrepresented communities as well as investing directly in Black- and other minority-led start-ups. PayPal has done several other things, including setting aside an additional $10 million for grants to assist Black-owned, COVID-19-impacted businesses, and another $5 million to fund program grants and employee matching gift s for nonprofits working with Black business owners.

CORPORATE, SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS | ATHLETES

LEBRON JAMES and a group of other prominent Black athletes and entertainers (PATRICK MAHOMES, ALVIN KAMARA, ALLYSON FELIX, BEN SIMMONS, TRAE YOUNG, KEVIN HART, TONI BRAXTON, SLOANE STEPHENS, DRAYMOND GREEN, etc) started More Than a Vote (MTAV), a group aimed at protecting African-Americans’ voting rights. Teaming with FLOTUS MICHELLE OBAMA’s When We All Vote, MTAV focused on voter registration, recruiting poll workers, paying for transportation to the polls in some cities and worked with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) to negotiate NBA, MLB and NFL sports venues to serve as voting locations.

More than 96% of the NBPA’s eligible players registered to vote in this year’s election, after fewer than 25% voted in 2016. In the NFL, more than 900 players registered through their joint initiative, NFL Votes, a campaign to inspire people to make a voting game plan. At the college level, the NCAA’s Division I Council voted to prohibit games and practices on Election Day. Spurred by owner MICHAEL JORDAN, the CHARLOTTE HORNETS turned the Spectrum Center into an early-voting site and offered transportation and free parking. Other sports arenas, parks, and stadiums that became polling places included Houston’s Toyota Center, NRG Stadium, Fenway Park, Dodger Stadium, Staples Center in Los Angeles, State Farm Arena in Atlanta and more.

NFL has pledged to donate $250 million over the next 10 years to “end systemic racism.” In 2017, the NFL blackballed 49ers’ QB Colin Kaepernick from playing in the NFL NASCAR banned the Confederate Flag from its race tracks.

WNBA played its 2020 season, held in a Florida bubble, in honor of Breonna Taylor, whose name was on every player’s jersey. When the Georgia Republican senator and WNBA team co-owner Kelly Loeffler attacked BLM, WNBA players regularly dawned pregame shirts bearing the name of Loeffler’s opponent, Rev. Raphael Warnock, who they endorsed. WNBA players also partnered with Rock the Vote for the Hoopers Vote Initiate.

A group of MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER players created Black Players for Change to encourage people to vote in the Nov. 3 election, as part of the broader MLS Unites to Vote initiative. They also partnered with LeBron James’ More Than a Vote.

LeBron James

ENTERTAINMENT

HOUSTON REPRESENTS: Beyonce’ took to Instagram issuing a statement calling on her 147 million followers to demand justice for George Floyd.

Lizzo stumped for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in Michigan, specifically urging Blacks in Detroit and University of Michigan students to vote for change.

On Oct. 3, Megan Thee Stallion made headlines by making a powerful statement to “Protect Black Women” during her SNL musical performance—a call for justice for Breonna Taylor and others. Trae tha Truth helped facilitate the “Say Their Names” exhibit at Emancipation Park. Truth and Bun B were also instrumental in the protest march in Houston in support of justice for Floyd.

BLACKOUT TUESDAY: On Tuesday, June 2, inspired by members of the music industry, a series of black tiles were posted across social media as part of a protest to ‘black out’ usual activity and take the time to learn about the Black Lives Matter movement.

A’ja Wilson of the WNBA

Kevin Hart

The episode of BLACK-ISH Season 4 (2017), “Please Baby Please,” which dealt with Colin Kaepernick’s police brutality protest and the national backlash, which ABC chose not to air, has now been made available on Hulu.

The popular show “COPS,” often criticized for its over-portrayal of Blacks as criminals, is now off the air… at least temporarily.

Megan Thee Stallion

GONE WITH THE WIND, considered an American cinema classic, was removed from its regular viewership rotation. When it returns, there will be an introduction explaining the movie’s historical context.

Grammy Award-winning group LADY ANTEBELLUM changed their name to Lady A COMMON and JADEN SMITH, along with Twitter and other companies, partnered with Vote.org to target “unlikely voters” and get them to the polls.

Colin Kaepernick

Countless donations were made to other racism-related causes like the Minnesota Freedom Fund, created to help cover bail costs for low income people. Celebrities who helped bailout George Floyd movement protesters included JAMEELA JAMIL, HARRY STYLES and CHRISSEY TEIGAN among others.

Trae tha Truth

12 | November 19, 2020 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL THE GEORGE FLOYD IMPACT

International and symbolic impact

LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD:

By Aswad Walker

The George Floyd impact shifted the national sentiment of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. According to a 2020 Civiqs poll, 37% of registered voters supported BLM in April 2017, while 52% supported the movement in June 2020. The growing support resulted in global community protests against police violence, racism, and other issues.

In addition, symbolic gestures occurred resulting in name changes and removal of vestiges of slavery.

International Protests in over 60 countries outside of the U.S. sparking discussions on racism, police misconduct, colonialism and more.

More than 10,000 people gathered in the vicinity of Place Polaert (Palace of Justice) during protests in Brussels, Belgium on June 7, 2020 to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the movement for global police reform.

Solidarity marches and gatherings took place from Sydney to Beirut to Istanbul to London to Berlin. Black Lives Matter, a slogan and hashtag coined some seven years ago in the United States to draw attention to police abuses against African Americans, trended globally on social-media networks and among protesters on the streets.

In Syria’s Idlib province, an artist painted a portrait of Floyd on the side of a bombedout building, an attempt to both back the US movement and draw attention to the misery of Syrians bombarded regularly by an oppressive regime and its foreign backers.

Protesters in Sao Paulo, Brazil threw rocks at police in protests that turned Floyd’s death into a rallying cry against the racially tinged, right-wing policies of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

In Belgium, protesters demanded the removal of statues of genocidal conqueror, Leopold II, past ruler of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A statue of British slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol was removed from its pedestal and dumped into the River Avon at the hands of protesters inspired by the dismantling of monuments to the Confederacy in the United States.

Australia’s Floyd protests are focused mainly on persistent oppression of the continent’s indigenous communities.

French protests regarding Floyd combined with protests over police violence inflicted upon people of color in the suburbs of France’s big cities.

Protesters in Berlin’s Alexanderplatz declared, “Germany, you are not innocent,” protesters cried in Berlin’s Alexanderplatz, as they decried both Floyd’s killing and

Houstonians Speak on the George Floyd impact

Syria Mural of George Floyd by artists Aziz Asmar and Anis Hamdoun.

Photo by Omar Haj Kadour. -Getty Images

the racism that pervades German society.

Symbolic Gestures The Washington Football Team retired the name “Redskins” and will change it in 2021. The organization also removed founder and segregationist George Preston Marshall from all official team materials, as well as deleting his name from the stadium’s Ring of Fame. Marshall was the last NFL owner to allow Black players on the team, after receiving an ultimatum from the U.S. government.

Other Name Changes: Hundreds of university buildings, public parks, K-12 schools, etc. across the country and world have changed their names, removing names of individuals with an antiBlack history. The University of Texas at Austin, for example, removed Robert Lee Moore from a building because he was a segregationist math professor who refused to teach Black students and was hostile towards the Black community.

New Definition of Racism: MerriamWebster agreed to update its three-part definition of racism after a 22-year-old Black woman requested that it include a definition of systemic oppression. The recent college graduate said she was motivated by conversations she had with people who referenced the iconic dictionary to justify their racist views.

Publications Capitalizing Black: Though many African American publications have always capitalized Black in news stories when referring to race, The Associated Press changed its longstanding style to capitalize the word when it is used to identify a community of people who identify as Black, including the African diaspora and people in Africa.

Removing Confederate Memorials: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the portraits of four former House speakers

who served in the Confederacy removed from the U.S. Capitol. Pelosi told reporters the removal of the portraits on June 19, Juneteenth, coincided with the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom two years after emancipation. Confederate statues have been or will be removed in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington D.C. Many companies and universities have also announced they will be removing Confederate-related items.

NASA renamed its Washington, D.C., headquarters after Mary W. Jackson, the space agency’s first Black aerospace engineer and mathematician referenced in the Academy Award-nominated film, “Hidden Figures.”

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser renamed a two-block area on 16th Street near the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza.” The Department of Public Works painted Black Lives Matter in yellow, 11-meters-long letters on the street leading to the White House.

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian gave a $1 million contribution to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp.

Admitting Past Mistakes: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that the NFL had made mistakes by not listening to players who complained about racism. “We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest,” said Goodell. “We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter.”

Goodell said he would be reaching out to players who have “raised their voices” to discuss how they can do better in the future.

The thing that moves me most is seeing the players, seeing sports stars, seeing athletes, seeing in all the entertainers, be so outspoken and using their platforms to be outspoken and unabashedly, and without shame.”

The Madd Hatta, KTSU

We talk about social justice and racial justice, and I believe in America that comes with economic empowerment and economic freedom, and it’s through our economics, that we are also able to support programming that matters in our community’s policy.”

Jeri Brooks, CEO One World Strategy Group, LLC

Nobody’s solved all the problems. But I think that [corporations] are really setting things in motion that they may not have ever considered before. Whether it be like an employee resource group or really looking at their succession plan and making sure they have a conscience effort to increase diversity.

Or even looking at what criteria they’re using to make decisions.”

Denise Hamilton, Founder and CEO of WatchHerWork and corporate diversity and leadership trainer

Go to DefenderNetwork.com to catch excerpts of the interviews with The Madd Hatta, Jeri Brooks and Denise Hamilton.

November 19, 2020 |

| 13

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Health

A DEFENDER AND KELSEY-SEYBOLD CLINIC ALLIANCE

Type 2 diabetes isn’t a given

BY STEVEN THOMAS, M.D.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious health problem within our community. Of the estimated 34.1 million adults in the United States with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, 16.4% are African American.

Untreated or uncontrolled diabetes increases your risk for blindness, kidney disease, medically necessary amputations, heart disease, stroke, and nerve damage.

Now we can add COVID-19 to the list. The good news is that by making a few changes to daily habits, you can help prevent Type 2 FROM THE DOC diabetes or slow its progression.

“More than 7 million LIFESTYLE IS KEY It’s a myth that taking care of diabetes means taking your medicine. Although medication may be important, managing diabetes is really about lifestyle. In fact, a

Americans don’t even know they have diabetes.”

Dr. Thomas is a Family Medicine physician at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.

big part of diabetes management is selfcare with guidance and support from your medical team.

WHAT YOU CAN DO Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease in which the body doesn’t produce or properly use insulin, which is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy. Here are some tips to help you prevent, manage, and control diabetes: • Get moving. Exercise helps your cells remove glucose from the blood so your sugar is lower. Just 10 to 20 minutes a day can make a difference.

Go for a brisk walk, do a mini workout at home, sign up for a fun exercise class, or walk the family pet – any

activity that will get you up and active will do.

• Make smart food choices. Managing your blood sugar is closely linked to diet. Plan meals carefully and be mindful of how much you’re eating.

Stick with lean proteins, low-carb vegetables, and whole grains and avoid processed foods.

• Take your medication, if prescribed, as prescribed.

• Track your numbers. Your glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels tell you how well you're managing your blood sugar. Keeping your A1c at or below recommended levels helps reduce the risk of eye, kidney, and nerve damage.

Now Scheduling VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON Appointments!

Whether you’re new to the Kelsey-Seybold family or a longtime patient, you have a choice of where you can safely get care. Call our 24/7 Contact Center at 713-442-0000 to schedule a same-day or next-day virtual Video Visit or, for non-respiratory illnesses, an in-person appointment at a Kelsey-Seybold Clinic near you.

Your health and safety are our top priority. We‘re screening patients upon arrival for COVID-19 symptoms, checking temperatures, and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Please remember to wear a mask or cloth face protection while visiting our clinics.

Do you feel more comfortable visiting with a Kelsey-Seybold doctor from your home? We also offer virtual Video Visits for children and adults. Visit kelsey-seybold.com/virtual to find out more.

Our doctors and clinical teams are here for you now and in the future.

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU 24/7/365 Berthelsen Main Campus 2727 West Holcombe Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77025 24/7 Contact Center 713-442-0000 MyKelseyOnline (MKO) mykelseyonline.com MKO Help Line 713-442-6565 (7 days a week, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.)

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ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS and more than 50 HEALTH PLANS, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Also accepting two Medicare Advantage plans, KelseyCare Advantage and WellCare TexanPlus.

14 | November 19, 2020 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

Officials issue warnings as COVID-19 cases on the rise Houston Public Media

As coronavirus hospitalizations continue to trend upward in Houston, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said “reopening” the state too quickly has erased the gains made by local governments.

Hidalgo was among the first county judges in Texas to shut down nonessential businesses, back in March. Those measures worked, she said — but she was ultimately hamstrung by Abbott’s executive orders lifting restrictions, nullifying local directives across the state.

Hidalgo specifically pointed to state leaders imposing restrictions and lifting them before she said the numbers were where they needed to be, and “aggressively” reopening businesses across Texas. She also criticized the state for what she said was switching up the metrics it relied on to push for that reopening.

The county judge argued that if local leaders were allowed to make their own decisions on when to end lockdowns and

stay-at-home orders, numbers would have decreased — instead of approaching a new high point.

“I mean, it simply seems to be an effort to avoid the hard truth,” she said.

Ideally, Hidalgo said she would have the authority to enforce the county’s threat level system. And she said she’d like more financial support from the state and federal government to support businesses that can’t afford to operate in a limited capacity.

Right now, restaurants are open for indoor dining at 75%, and bars at 50%. There is no occupancy limit for outdoor dining.

But, Hidalgo said, the economy is doing no better than other areas that have restrictions in place.

“It’s not a choice between economy and health,” she said. “It’s a false choice.”

The county judge continued to ask the public to get tested, wear masks and use social distancing when around other people.

She also urged people to cancel all indoor gatherings, and limit outdoor gatherings.

will be accepting Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the following: Executive Search for a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Department located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7279 and/or via The HARRIS CENTER website www.theharriscenter.org or the Electronic State Business Daily Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/, beginning Thursday, November 19, 2020. Deadline for prospective firms to submit questions to this RFQ is Wednesday, November 25, 2020. Solicitation documents must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 via email by 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 8, 2020 or in a sealed envelope marked “RFQ - Executive Search for CMO” - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 AT 2:00 P.M. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner, Purchasing Manager or E-mail questions to sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org cc: nina.cook@theharriscenter.org. Historically Underutilized Businesses, including Minority-Owned Businesses and Women-Owned Businesses, are encouraged to participate. The HARRIS CENTER reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest solicitation.

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November 19, 2020 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 15

DN Spotlight

JACKIE WARD TAKES TOP SPOT AT TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

By ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Jackie Ward has always known she wanted a career working in the health industry. After all, she grew up watching her mother serve patients at Texas Children’s Hospital. So it’s no surprise that she would follow in her mother’s footsteps.

And now, 27 years later, her dedication and commitment is leading her to one of the hospital’s top spots.

Jackie is poised to take over as Chief Nursing Officer, not only making history as the first African American in that position, but she’ll be leading one of the world’s top nursing units.

She talks with the Defender about this monumental accomplishment.

Defender: As a woman of color, do you feel a special pride in this position?

Jackie Ward: Absolutely. As a woman

of color, as a woman in general, representing this organization is something I take pride in. I’m honored to have little girls that look like me be able to say, ‘I can do that. I can be a nurse and an executive. I can lead the nursing service of the largest pediatric hospital in the world.’

And they can see that hard work, perseverance and resilience in being authentic in what you want to be from a very early age can pay off. I want people that look like me to see that our nurses care about all races, ethnicities, people from all walks of life. And as we work through embracing diversity, inclusion and equality they will see that Texas Children’s leads by that mantra. Our CEO believes in that. And so I’m just honored to be able to represent that.

Defender: What does being CNO entail?

Ward: The Chief Nursing Officer is the

visionary for the nursing service, in order to establish the highest level of quality of care, service and safety. So that’s a huge responsibility. I oversee 3,500 nurses across the system. We have three hospitals, a variety of Texas Children’s pediatric locations, health centers, etc.

And the CNO has to link, practice and advance the care of pediatric healthcare and women’s services. So it’s a strategic role and it is not one that should be taken lightly. The nurses in this organization are critical. They play an integral role in the healthcare team. They’re the person who is with the patients the majority of the day. And so as the Chief Nursing

Officer, I have to establish the strategic priorities for nursing to ensure that they deliver on the care that our community expects and deserves.

Defender: Is nursing something that you’ve always wanted to do?

Ward: Healthcare was always a

no-brainer for me. I’m a second generation, Texas Children’s employee. My mother, Marilyn Lacey retired from here after 36 years of service. So it’s always been a part of my life. I became a TCH family member at the age of seven because that’s when my mother started working here. So I’ve seen it grow from one building to the massive enterprise that it is today. I remember vividly sitting at the dinner table with our family and her talking about how she loved her job, and the CEO, Mark A. Wallace, who is still the CEO. So it’s a generational legacy for me. I started off being a pre-med major in college until I realized how long it was going to take me to get out of school. I switched to nursing, but nursing really was where I was supposed to be, because it’s an art and a science, and it’s where I excel.

Defender: When you’re not working, what do you do for fun?

Ward: I have a wonderful, amazing

family: my husband of 17 years, Darren, my daughter, Whitney, and son, Cody. Just trying to be creative in how to live our life in the COVID era. I am affiliated with two amazing organizations that keep me fulfilled: Jack and Jill of America, Inc., which is a national organization for African-American women and children to advance our children in Jackie Ward with a Cancer Center patient. Credit: a variety of competencies Paul V. Kuntz/Texas Children’s Hospital around leadership and culture. And I’m also a member of the first AfriABOUT WARD can-American sororEducation: Madison High School, Texas ity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Tech (BA), Loyola University (MA), UniSorority, Incorporated. I versity of Texas Health Science Center do a lot of work in both (Doctorate) of those organizations for my own fulfillment.

Professional: Joined Texas Children’s I also do a lot of readHospital, 1993; Vice-President of ing. Those are just Nursing, 2015; Associate Chief Nursing Officer, 2018 some of the things I do outside of work to Credit: Michael Carr Photography try to balance myself.

16 | November 19, 2020 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment

Blue Ivy Carter narrates audiobook of Matthew A. Cherry’s ‘Hair Love’

‘ALL SCREWED UP’

Visual tribute aims to untangle legacy of DJ Screw Associated Press

When DJ Screw started trending in August, it wasn’t because of newly discovered music or a coordinated effort by his devoted fans. The chatter surrounded a TikTok video that quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons: a teen attempting to explain a “new” music trend called “slowed and reverb.” The problem — as Twitter unforgivingly pointed out —was that it was nearly a direct copy of DJ Screw’s iconic sound.

That’s why Lil Keke, one of Texas hiphop’s most influential rappers and a friend of the late DJ, says the approximately 50-minute “visual tribute” “All Screwed Up,” which is now playing at the Houston Cinema Theater, is being released at the right moment.

“It’s people who use this genre…(and put) it in songs. I’m talking about big platinum artists (who are) slowing down records,

Houston in the early 90s. At the time, the method involved pitching down his turntables to a sluggish, psychedelic tempo as he scratched and mixed songs. He eventually formed the Screwed Up Click (S.U.C.), a collective of friends that included notable rappers such as Lil Keke, Lil’ Flip, Z-Ro, Trae tha Truth and E.S.G. The sound would be copied on the north side of the city by Swisha House artists such as Slim Thug, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire who eventually burst on to the national scene a few years after This image provided by IYO Visuals shows creator/director Isaac Yowman, Screw died in 2000 of an accidental codeine left , and Rosha Washington as DJ Screw filming a scene from the visual overdose. tribute.

The sound is still prevalent today with and they had no idea who this man is and Screw’s death. native Houstonians such as Beyoncé and where this came from,” says Keke. “They The project will be released on www. Travis Scott incorporating screw elements don’t know that this ‘trend’ came from a very allscrewedup.com for $99, which includes into their music, along with other huge artimportant person to our culture.” a commemorative giftset designed to look ists such as Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye “All Screwed Up” combines biopic film like an original DJ Screw grey tape filled West, A$AP Rocky and Bryson Tiller. But elements with animation to detail the early with a tribute cassette and other commem- the genre has also floated into suburbia, years of Screw’s life before his “screwed” orative items. Plans are to release the video and some critics say discussing “slow and music technique exploded in Houston and for free at some point. reverb” without properly acknowledging spread throughout the South. Its release Born Robert Earl Davis, Jr., Screw began Screw’s blueprint only gentrifying his AMEGY39264_BrandingPart2_FaceTimeDEFENDERPrint_v02.pdf 1 is 11/3/20 1:06 PM coincided with the 20th anniversary of slowing down songs on the south side of sound and whitewashing his legacy.

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November 19, 2020 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS

By Aswad Walker Houston Mural Map: Virtual or DIY Tour of Houston Street Art, Now-Dec, all day UP Art Studio is hosting a virtual and/or do it yourself (DIY) tour of Houston’s street art. Come enjoy over 750 street installations scattered all over the city by visiting www.

HoustonMuralMap that provides a digital map of locations, photos, and artist information.

YMCA of Greater Houston’s 5th Annual Triumph of the Human Spirit Virtual Art Show and Auction, Now – December 10 This is Houston’s premier refugee and immigrant art showcase celebrating the work of artists from around the globe who now call Houston home. Each of the 10 contributing artists has commissioned pieces showcasing their unique perspectives in art and their Houston experience. Proceeds from the art sales will benefit the artists and YMCA International Services to support programming designed to help immigrants, refugees and other vulnerable individuals in Houston. Access the auction at www.ymcahouston. org/art-show. Final bids must be in by Thursday, December 10, and winners will be notified on Friday, December 11. Additionally, donations will be accepted.

The Dream Corps Tech Town Hall, Dec. 7, 6pm – 8pm As the economy continues to go digital and high-tech, Black and Latinx communities are slowly tracking to gain equity in the tech space. At the same time, high-tech and Fortune 500 companies are struggling to hire and retain talented people of color. The Dream Corps TECH Town Hall powered by TGS promises to be a powerhouse event to change the trajectory of the tech industry and communities of color. Featured guests include Van Jones, CNN Contributor, Author and Founder of Dream Corps TECH (formerly #YesWeCode), and Maxine Williams, Chief Diversity Officer of Facebook, along with others representing major employers, activists and educators in the tech space. To apply for the #YesWeCode $1,500 Scholarship Giveaway! follow TECH on IG and Twitter and submit proof of enrollment in a coding boot camp or a tech-related degree program.

To register for the Town Hall, visit https://act.thedreamcorps.org.

| 17

18 | November 19, 2020 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus recorded his fifth quarterback hit of the season and the 110th quarterback hit of his career against the Browns.

On the day the Texans lost to the Browns, ex-wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins made a game-winning catch in triple coverage for the Cardinals.

Sports Briefs WATSON UNCHANGED

Houston Rockets’ James Harden (13) and Russell Westbrook (0) during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, in Los Angeles. -AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

HARDEN, WESTBROOK

READY TO PART WAYS?

By Terrance Harris

For the first time in years, the Rockets seem to be in total disarray with the NBA season set to start in little over a month.

At least that’s what we are hearing.

Suddenly, Russell Westbrook no longer wants to play with James Harden or be in a Rockets uniform. Now Harden has decided that the most ideal place for him to play is Brooklyn, joining Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to form an explosive but problematic trio.

These rumors are swirling without an official word coming from either Harden or Westbrook.

But there have been major changes within the organization since the team’s run in the NBA Bubble was ended that could lead to unrest. Longtime general manager Daryl Morey and veteran head coach Mike D’Antoni have departed and have been replaced by neophytes Rafael Stone and Stephen Silas, respectively.

Still, there hasn’t been any sign from within the organization that the turmoil that is said to exist with the Rockets star backcourt is really a

thing. In fact, it has been quite the opposite in the last couple of weeks.

Stone and Silas both expressed excitement in continuing to build around Harden and Westbrook. Silas said he met with both stars prior to being offered the Rockets job and came away excited they were interested in doing whatever is best for the team and translated to winning.

“I enjoyed my conversation with them,” Silas said. “They had questions that I enjoyed answering. I will keep that between us as far as what we talked about. But I’m beyond excited to coach both of those guys. They are so, so talented. We can do some things with those guys that you can’t do with everybody else.”

Stone had a deeper enthusiasm having been part of the brain trust that brought both Harden and Westbrook to Houston.

“I’m inheriting this team of guys I really like, led by James and Russ,” Stone said. “It’s really unique. Not very many people get this opportunity for the first time with these types of guys.”

While Stone and Silas certainly paint a rosier

picture than the national media is of the relationship between the team and its two stars, there certainly could be something to the rumors.

Westbrook could indeed be on his way to the New York Knicks, a franchise that covets flashy and explosive guards like Westbrook.

And Brooklyn might be the ideal landing spot for both Harden and the Rockets because the Nets have some exciting young players and the 19th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft – all of which could be enticing for a rebuilding franchise.

It just doesn’t sound like the Rockets are quite there yet.

“For the last eight years our goal has been to win a championship because we had James Harden,” Stone said. “We still have James Harden and our goal is to win a championship.

If you’ve got him then you are half way there.

It’s incumbent upon me and Stephen and the whole team to figure out the rest of the whole, but the key piece is there.”

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson said his approach the remainder of the season with the team being 2-7 is the same as it would be if the team Deshaun was 7-2.

Watson “There is nothing that you really can change,” Watson said. “If we were sitting with a better record, I would be saying the same thing. Keep my head held high.

Keep working. Keep trying to encourage and stay as healthy as possible. Nothing is going to change, at least on my end.”

RIVERS OPTING OUT Rockets reserve guard Austin Rivers has said he will opt out of his current contract to explore his opAustin tions.

Rivers Rivers is slated to make $2.4 million this upcoming season, which is only slightly higher than the NBA minimum. Certainly, the Rockets will have to beat that salary or another team will.

Go to Facebook.com/ DefenderNetwork to read about Robert Covington being traded.

November 19, 2020 |

| 19

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports LAMAR CONSOLIDATED CF SHENITA TUCKER CAN HIT

By Jodie B. Jiles Lamar Consolidated High School centerfielder Shenita Tucker is not only leading off in the batting order for the Illusions Gold select softball team, she is also leading with her play.

Read More: Visit www.defendernetwork.com

WHEATLEY KICKER

Jose Galarcza Shines

By Jodie B. Jiles

After going an undefeated 6-0 during the shortened regular season, Wheatley suffered their first loss of the season in a first round 44-16 playoff defeat by Brazosport. While there was little to celebrate in the game, one Wheatley player stood out above the others.

Wheatley junior kicker Jose Galarcza, a rising player in the soccer ranks, hit a perfect 3 out of 3 of his field goal attempts on the night, including a 37-yard kick that appeared to be something you would see on the college or pro levels.

Galarcza began his football journey two years ago and has worked with the Wheatley coaches to transfer his leg strength to the gridiron. As it appears today, the coaches may have stumbled onto a goldmine on their special teams unit.

When Wheatley head football coach Cornelius McFarland was asked what impressed him about Galarcza’s perfect night, McFarland stated.

“He did a wonderful job tonight. He came in and did an excellent job kicking the football and we are just happy that he had a good game tonight.”

The Defender spoke with Galarcza after Wheatley’s playoff game against Brazosport to discuss his soccer background, his transition to football and his plans going forward.

Soccer Background

“I have been playing soccer since I was very little.”

Reason for Transition to Football

“I don’t know, I just felt like it was another chance to kick a ball.”

3 For 3 Playoff Night

“I just practice. I try to practice everything so that everything works on the field.”

Galarcza is lifted up after making a 37 yard kick in the playoffs.

ABOUT JOSE GALARCZA Players He Studies: Lionel Messi Favorite Music: Country Favorite Subject: Math Shoutouts: Coach McFarland and all the coaches on the team

Football Plans Moving Forward

“I plan to keep going and keep making field goals.”

Jose Galarcza

Photos by Jimmie Aggison

20 | November 19, 2020 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

WHEN

ICONIC MEETS INNOVATIVE THE

RESULT IS ELECTRIC!

*Preproduction computer generated image shown.

Available late 2020.