Houston’s Leading Black Information Source
Volume 80 Number 2
www.defendernetwork.com
Number 47
NOVEMBER 4 - 10, 2010
| FREE
September 16 – 22, 2010 | FREE
SWEEP
www.defendernetwork.com
C tackles mployment
Democrats lose, Republicans win
The Health & Wealth of
By ReShonda Tate Billingsley Defender
By Odochi Ibe
Democrats faced some major upsets in the Nov. 2nd ON (NNPA) - The Congressional Black Caucus is election, with Republicans ent debilitating joblessness in the Black community retaining and taking over some veral sessions on the connection between education key positions both locally and at its 40th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). nationally. will be September 15-18 at the Walter E. Washington Gov. Rick Perry soundly er. defeated former Houston W. Burris (D- Ill) recently hosted a panel on “Exploring mayor Bill White to retain ss Opportunities with the Federal Government.” Sen. Texas’ top spot. advocate of looking toward the future when it comes Several county judge seats believes Americans should devote time into learning were on the ballot as well. In s and becoming aware of new jobs in the emerging Harris County, Ed Emmett retained his seat by picking up ★CBC Page 3 64 percent of the vote to defeat challenger Gordon Quan, and By ReShonda Tate Billingsley in Fort Bend County, RepubDEFENDER lican Robert Hebert beat out Democrat Rodrigo Carreon for www.tsu.edu/giving exas Southern University’s president has come up or contact Wendy Adair with a plan he hopes will put an end to a controHSWEEP, Page 3 University Advancement versy surrounding the painting over of some hisAdair@tsu.edu toric murals on the campus of the historically Black university. But some students and community members EWS SERVICE tions against his relative, who’s wonder if his contribution of $50,000 for a Preservation older than the age of 65. plan is enough to undo the damage. University officials of financial Harrison faces charges of False So they are often the first group sacrificed CHIP say coverage must be annually. By Aswad Walker they know it’srenewed not enough, but it’s a first step. rris County has Statement to Obtain Credit, when budgets are short. We are facing a During September, CDF was “We know $50,000 isn’t successenough for the whole project. for theft and Tampering with a budget crisis in Texas, a lot of big deciful with Fiesta Back-to-School Lost to many during the debate over It’sitsjust enough to bring in Outreach a conservator to analyze the tments recently Governmental Record, Theft, sions to be made. We have to make sure the Partnership, an effort which placed CDF President Obama’s Healthcare Reform against Edwin and Misapplication of ★MURALS, Page 7 voices of our children are heard,” said Laura staffers at five Fiesta Supermarkets to Bill before it was Property. passed intoThree law, and from allegaFiduciary of into Guerra-Cardus, Interim Director of CDF increase the number of children signed up this year’s election season is the very real le from an eld- the charges are first degree By Jessica Texas. for the Children’s Health Insurance Program of uninsured Children’s ecile Harrisonplightfelonies that children. expose The Harrison Williams-Gibson defendernetwork.com There are 1.5 million uninsured children (CHIP) or Children’s Medicaid. Defense Fund (CDF), a non-profit child sponsible for a up to 99 years or life in prison. Special to the NNPA from the in Texas, representing the highest rate in “Through our efforts and the work of with jail overfelony 35 years elated issues advocacy in The organization fourth is a state Let us know what you think adout the Mural Preservation Indianapolis Recorder the nation, and nearly doubling the national several partners, including Fiesta, United of history working to level the playing field his indictments on Friday @ defendernetwork.com. We want to hear from you! Health Care, AmeriGroup, and others, we for all children, seeks to not only remind the average. Since 2007 CDF Texas and its om the allega★INDICTED, Page 3 Beware of strangers, right? partners have secured health coverage for were able to serve 338 families and sign public of the plight of these children, but do That is a frequent warning 500,000 Texas children. But their work is up 532 children, exceeding our goal of 500 something about it. given to us all, but particularly an ongoing process. Children’s Medicaid children,” said Anat Kelman Shaw, Commu“If children could cast a vote, we women and children. However, coverage must be renewed every six months. nications Director of the CDF Texas. wouldn’t need to be here; but they can’t. the majority of African-AmerH HEALTHY KIDS, Page 4 ican females killed by men die at the hands of guys that they know—not strangers. Black females murdered by men most often killed The Houston community isare remembering Imani Evans dation by city staff to extend included significant capital with a gun, and almost always a longtime political Alliance. Theyahave a youth program where these kids By ReShonda Billingsley of Star going through, all of a sudden people pay more attention L TO THE NNPA FROM the Tatecontracts investments, during periby someone they know, accordactivist who died Sept. 11, take what they learned and apply it to business principles Defender DALLAS EXAMINER Concessions and Hudson to their financial affairs and want to make sure their od kids of uncertainty following ing to a recent report by the 2010. Beulah Shepard, their9/11 terror and the kids start businesses, they get their D.B.A’s, they attacks ultiRetail Sales - two firms with learn it at a young age and want to reinforce it asthe Violence Policy Center, a na89, made her mark both never open business accounts, write business In aworld world where lost based kids grow older, rather than have their kids say I mately NPA) - The arcane of fortunes ties can be to made orprominent failed to carry the they have logos, tional educational organization locally and nationally as a has a continuum of a few choicelaid decisions (or indecisions), many fiscally ons contracts onhas been Democrats, including State learned this before,” says Ivan Ashford with Comerica argument.plans, etc. In a nutshell, CoAmericatireless that works to reduce violence. fighter for civil our youth to have financial tools and sound people say one ofRep. the greatest regrets they have isand Bank, which partners with several Houston-area organiHelen Giddings In the opportunities three yearsforsince me, what they see isn’t pretty. “There was a myth out rights and political juslearnfirst everyembarked step of the way. We work with kids as young that they did not begin thinking seriously about money the council sometimes heated discussion, U.S. Congresswoman Eddie zations to teach young people fiscal responsibility. there saying women need to tice. “We teach savings, investing, budgeting, etc,” as third grade, all the way up to high school students.” until later in life.8-7 Some don’t even Johnson get their first taste of a ed city council voted Bernice - without onsays its Love Field modernHelen Eddie Bernice protect themselves against Funeral services will be Ashford. “We partner with theJohnson Texas Women’s Empowsays for too long, generally l that would have more untilcompetitive bid. setting ization plan,Ashford the concesGiddings fiscalgiven responsibility they are professionals strangers, but that’s not the held speaking, at 10am at Galilee Beaulah a African Americans have had the wrong mentality oncession space in a401(k)’s. renovatThe that essence of the city erment Foundation on an ongoing basis at least once sions contracts have up their It’s a mindset several companies reality,” said Kristen MBC, 6616about D.S. Bailey Shepard Rand, rminal to the airport’s current staff recommendation that themonth no-bid emerged by far thecan most money. contentious issue, on contracts various kid’s programs andas as often as we and local organizations are hoping to change by teaching Lane. Pastor Edwin legislative director for the ut a competitive bid -money for amatters would appropriate given we themake incumbents’ have led to also accusations“I of financial literacyand a component. We have thinkpolitical in the Black community, talking about individuals while be they’re young. Davis, officiating. Interment: Violence PolicyHouston Center (VPC). years. experience, the desirability of minimizing disfavoritism on both sides. taken it a step further and partnered with Texas Business money is still taboo. Money is so private, so how much “Given the current economic crisis the country is “It’s much more of a domestic e of some long-time council ruptions during the renovation and the busi★SHEPARD, violence risk.” Page 4 H MONEY MATTERS, Page 7 uncil overruled a recommen- ness risks taken by the incumbents, which ★AIRPORT CONTRACTS, Page 4 NNPA SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Our Children nty financial
Save the TSU Murals
ctor indicted
T
Standing up for healthy kids @ ★
Murdered Black women
rport contracts divide Dallas REMEMBERING CityTeaching Council in Race young people debate money matters Beulah Shepard
HMURDERED, Page 4
INTERVIEW
Je’Caryous: Shining light on local talent Kickin’ back with K’Naan
ting hands-on experience working on his current productions, Cheaper to KeepMos Her and Marriage of Damian Marley, Def, Chali Je’Caryous Johnsonbutions by the likes By Kam Williams Material. In fact, Johnson is showcasing local 2na, Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Adam Levine of talent CONTRIBUTING WRITER00 in Marriage Material, the latest production to grace Houston native Je’Caryous Johnson has Maroon 5. n Age: 33 the stage. always been committed to bringing quality enDuring his early childhood, the Western music, which n Education: Nimitz High School, Somalia. TheThe name alone previous stagelimited plays have tertainment to the Bayou City. Founder and conjures up images of reached K’naan’s earsJohnson’s was pretty much to included “Bob destruction, merciless warlords and ruthless Prairie View, The University of Houston Men Cry In The Dark, The Maintenance Man, CEO ofunbridled the Houston-based theater and music Marley and Tracy Chapman,” until at 10, he became terror. A place where nobody is safe the atrocities n from Awards: NAACP Trailblazer Awardby the Friends andbeing Lovers,emitting Cheaters, Confessions, production company, I’m Ready Producfascinated hip-hop from a tinyMen, car of war, and where eight year olds Recipient, handle AK-47s likeAward Nominee Pinnacle Money & Gold Diggers, Whatever Wants, 3 tions, Inc. (which he runs with his speaker. “I had heard a rap verse, but I had noShe idea what toys. When Forbes magazine recently unveiled their To Get A Husband and Love Overboard. partner Gary Guidry), has made a it was back then,”Ways he recalls. “Most Dangerous Destinations,” Somalia, above Iraq talked one-on-one the name for himself with blockbuster At 14, K’naan and The his Defender three best friends werewith attacked he’s worked with everyone from Vivica Fox to and Afghanistan, topped the list. But it’s also “The NAACP award-winning playwright about where plays that feature top celebrities. by warlords, just one of countless indelible images for Brian McKnight to Richard Nation of Poets,” where a poem can both inspire peace Roundtree to Billy Dee he’s been, where he’s going, and why he’s commitEveryone from Academy Award the impressionable teenager. Having chased them Williams, Johnson believes in allowing local talent and end wars. tedofto Mogadishu, taking local talent along for the ride. through the streets eventually cornering winning actors to Grammy Awardto shine as well.that Growing up, it was both of these Somalias the boys in an alley, the men began shooting. K’naan Defender: Many people credit you with changing winning singers, legendary movie The Nimitz High informed musician/emcee K’naan Warsame, who isSchool graduate has founded avoided injury, but his three friends were brutally the negative connotations associated with gospel stars and cultural icons have been a popular school, The Je’Caryous Johnson forging his own musical path via a uniqueacting blend of reggunned down. plays into a thriving respected urban genre. How led by Johnson’s direction. But while Acting School (JJAS), where students are getgae, funk, pop, soul and, above all, hip-hop. Recorded Certain that it was only a matter of time before her primarily in Kingston, Jamaica at Bob Marley’s home HJE’CARYOUS, Page 2 studio, his second album, “Troubadour,” includes contri★K’NAAN, Page 2 By Raquel Rogers Defender
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