Houston Defender: February 03, 2011

Page 1

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 80 Number 14

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Number 47

FEBRUARY 3-9, 2011

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September 16 – 22, 2010 | FREE

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Alexander Bunin:

Feb. 7:

C tackles New Harris Co. Public employment Defender takes office By Odochi Ibe

convinced that a Public Defenders Office would Defender balance the scales of justice ON (NNPA) - The Congressional Black Caucus is for the indigent, were in Harris County welrent debilitating joblessness in the Black community celebration mode at Bunin’s comes a new public defendveral sessions on the connection between education arrival during the er. Alexander t at its 40th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). William A. Lawson “Alex” Bunin will be September 15-18 at the Walter E. Washington Institute for Peace takes the helm ter. and Prosperity the W. Burris as (DIll)county’s recently hosted a panel on “Exploring ss Opportunities with the Federal Government.” Sen. (WALIPP) recepfirst-ever Pubadvocatelic ofDefender. looking toward the future when it comes tion. believes Americans Bunin, who Bunin’s should devote time into learning es and becoming aware of new jobs in the emerging attended South Nov. 9 confirTexas College of mation by the ★CBC Page Law,3and cut his Harris County Alexander Bunin teeth as a lawyer Commissionin Houston, has extensive ers Court was thanks, in national experience as a large part to several years public defender. of work by community “I was a public deactivists and elected offender in 1995 in Alabama, ficials. These advocates, ByCORRESPONDENT Aswad Walker NNPA SPECIAL

nty financial ctor indicted

By ReShonda Tate Billingsley Defender While Blacks represent approximately 13 percent of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the group accounts for 49 percent of the nation’s AIDS cases. In Harris County, the numbers are just as alarming. African Americans accounted for 56 percent of HIV cases reported in Houston/ Harris County, according the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS). That’s why health advocates are hoping to shine a light on thewww.tsu.edu/giving growing problem on Feb. 7,or which is National BlackAdair contact Wendy AIDS/HIV Awareness Day, a University Advancement day designed to encourage African Adair@tsu.edu Americans to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get treated. “It is time for our people, from all levels and walks of life to fix our eyes on the horizon and carry forth the gift of freedom by raising awareness and visibility of HIV/AIDS in Black communities; locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.” says LaMont “Montee” Evans, of Healthy Black Communities, Inc, lead organization

Save the TSU Murals

National Black HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day

San Francisco, Trenton and Washington, D.C. “African Americans are leading in most of the areas of newly diagnosed cases of HIV in our community. So we think more testing, more education, will begin lowering those rates of cases in our community,” said Jeffrey Campbell, with the St. Hope Foundation. Several local churches are also helping spread information and awareness, including The Fountain of Praise Church. “We definitely want to empower people throughout this time of the month, By ReShonda Tate thisBillingsley particular day and for their whole lives DEFENDER so that they are empowered and they know what their status is,” said Mia Wright, the exas Southern University’s president has come up first lady of The Fountain of Praise. with a plan he hopes will put an end to a controIn Harris County during 2009, 1,289 versy surrounding the painting over of some hispeople tested positive for HIV. Those are and a member of the NBHAAD Strategic toric murals on the campus of the historically Black unijust the new cases. Houston ranks fourth Leadership Council. versity. But some students and for thecommunity most new HIVmembers cases in the U.S. In The N BHAAD is acontribution national group of $50,000 wonder if his a Preservation 2008, bothfor Black men and women had the that focuses on 18 cities where Black complan is enough to undo the damage. University officials highest HIV death rates per 100,000, ages munities disproportionately impacted sayarethey know it’s not enough, but it’s a first step. 25-34 and 35-44. Also, HIV was the fourth and the epidemic is not slowing. These “We know $50,000 isn’t enough for the whole project. leading cause of death for Black men and cities include Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, It’s just enough to bring in a conservator to analyze the third leading cause of death for Black Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los women,★MURALS, ages 25-44. Unfortunately, Page 7 many Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Newark, of those who are infected with HIV are New York, Oakland, Philadelphia, Raunaware of their status and may unknowleigh-Durham,

T

H BUNIN, Page 4 EWS SERVICE tions against his relative, who’s older than the age of 65. r of financial Harrison faces charges of False rris County has Statement to Obtain Credit, with a for theft and Tampering ctments recently Governmental Record, Theft, against Edwin and Misapplication of e from allega- Fiduciary Property. Three of ole from an eld- the charges are first degree ecile Harrison felonies that expose Harrison defendernetwork.com H BLACK HIV, Page 9 esponsible for a up to 99 years or life in prison. Orleans is part of the LouisiAFROfourth Staff is a state elated issues in By The jail felony Let us know what you think adout the Mural Preservation ana State University System. his indictments on Friday @ defendernetwork.com. We want to hear from you! In a rally held at Louisiana Gov. Bobby om the allega★INDICTED, Page 3 Southern University over Jindal’s proposed merger of the proposed merger, Darryl a historically Black univerBrown, an English professor sity into a mainstream uniat the school, versity has come said the school under heavy would not let the criticism. merger happen Jindal has without a fight. proposed a “If this merger between permeated the nation. By Hazel Trice Edney The Houston community is remembering merger goes the historically “We significant are in a dark capital place in Editor-in-Chief, Trice Edney News Wire y Imani Evans dation by city staff to extend included a longtime political this Southern this country right now,aand the L TO THE Black NNPA FROM the contracts through, of Star investments, during periactivist who died Sept. 11, willHudson be the end condition is toxic,” University of WASHINGTON (TEWire) DALLAS EXAMINER Concessions and odatmospheric of uncertainty following 2010. Beulah Shepard, Cleaver during an interview SUNO,” - Only four days after new New Orleans the 9/11 said terror attacks ultiRetail Sales - twooffirms with 89, made her mark both on NBC’s Face the Nation. He Congressional Black Caucus Brown said acand the UniNPA) - The arcane world of ties to prominent mately failed to carry the locally and nationally as a joined other politicians, including Chairman Emanuel Cleaver cordingState to The versity has of New ons contracts been laid Democrats, including argument. tireless fighter for civil new Republican Speakersince of the promised to maintain the historic New Orleans Gov. Bobby Jindal Rep. Helen Giddings and In the three years me, whatOrleans. they seeCurisn’t pretty. rights and political jusHouse John Boehner (R-Ohio) on racial relevance of the CBC in Times-Picayune. rently, Southern the council first embarked sometimes heated discussion, U.S. Congresswoman Eddie tice. his swearing in Eddie speech, Bernice he found ontheitsprogram. “We’re not going to letathat New 8-7 OrleansBernice ded cityUniversity council of voted Johnson - without Love Field modernHelen Funeral services will be Cleaver “I think himself squarely onJohnson the front lines ization happen.bid. We are here to fight. Giddings is in the Southern University al that would have given more competitive plan,continued, the concesheld at 10am at Galilee Beaulah memberscontracts of Congress either in a battle for civility and against sions “We stand System, historically The essence concession spaceainlarge a renovatof in thevision city for haveneed MBC, 6616 D.S. Bailey Shepard to turn down the volume, begin overtones in muchas of by the far the one goal …to retain erminal toBlack the airport’s current staff recommendation thatSUNO the no-bidvicious contracts emerged most contentious issue, public college system, Lane. Pastor Edwin to try to exercise some high level right wing political rhetoric that out a competitive bid - for of a New wouldforever,” be appropriate he added.given the incumbents’ and have led to accusations of political while the University Davis, officiating. Interment: Houston has years. experience, the desirability of minimizing dis- favoritism on both sides. New CBC Chair Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) promises to lead CBC in continued fight for justice. PHOTO: Roy Lewis/Trice Page 9 and the busise of some long-time council ruptions during H theHBCU, renovation ★SHEPARD, Page 4 H CBC, Page 3 Edney News Wire ouncil overruled a recommen- ness risks taken by the incumbents, which ★AIRPORT CONTRACTS, Page 4

Merger of HBCU proposed by La. Gov. Bobby Jindal Opponents Promise a Fight

@ ★

New CBC Chair promises rport contracts divide Dallas to push for justice City Council in Race debate Beulah Shepard REMEMBERING

Hubba Hubbard! Kickin’ back with K’Naan INTERVIEW

butions by the likes of Damian Marley, Mos Def, Chali By Kam Williams credits includeand guest-starring roles on forming in her first stage play. 2na, NeverKirk giving up TVof By Kam Williams Hammett Metallica Adam Levine of CONTRIBUTING WRITER00 such hits as “CSI: Miami,” “Everybody Hates on her dream, she attended Columbia College Maroon 5. Chris,” and “Cold Case.” in Chicago where she majored inDuring Broadcast Talented, gorgeous and “The Girl Next his early childhood, the Western music, which Somalia. name alone conjures up images of in Theater and earned her Shepretty was also a series regular Journalism, minored Door” are words used toThe describe Erica Hubreached K’naan’s ears was much limited to and “Bob unbridled destruction, and ruthless the voice of Abbey on the animated series Bachelor of Arts degree in justMarley three years! bard. Born in Chicago on January merciless 2, 1979, warlords and Tracy Chapman,” until at 10, he became terror.actress A place nobody is safe from atrocities Replacements.” In addition, re- car After the graduating, Erica landed covetedby the “The the versatile has where been lighting fascinated hip-hop being emitting from ashe tiny of war, and where eight year olds handle AK-47s like in national campaigns cently wrapped four successful seasons on leads in TV commercials up the big and small screens with her speaker. “I had heard a rap verse, but I had no idea what toys.and When Forbes unveiled their for such companies as McDonald’s, contagious enticing smilemagazine for the pastrecently it wasMCI, backReethen,”the heNAACP recalls.Image Award-winning, critically“Most Dangerous Somalia, Iraq to name a few. Next, acclaimed family drama “Lincoln bok, Searsabove and Noxzema, seven years and can now beDestinations,” seen as one At 14, K’naan and his three best friends wereHeights.” attacked the list. But it’s alsoto“The When not acting, Erica is she decided take her talents by to Hollywood of the and leadsAfghanistan, on “Let’s Stay topped Together,” warlords, just one of countless indelible deeply imagesinvolved for Nation of Poets,” where a poem can both peace in teenager. her philanthropic work, such them as volunteerwhere sheinspire found work almost immediately. the eagerly-anticipated, original comedy the impressionable Having chased andforend ingoffor charitable organizations the Boys Erica’s motion picture credits include, produced the wars. BET Network, which through the streets Mogadishu, eventually like cornering Growing up, it was both of these Somalias and Girls Club of America and serving as “Save the Lastthat Dance,” “A Cinderella Story,” debuted earlier this month. the boys in an alley, the men began shooting. K’naan informed K’naan“Light Warsame, is thehis Executive Directorwere of The Erica Hubbard It Up,”who “Sisterhood of the Traveling Erica knew atmusician/emcee the tender age of nine avoided injury, but three friends brutally forging own musical path a unique of regFoundation, a non-profit, which visits schools, andblend “Akeelah and the Bee.” Anddown. her that she wantedhis to be an actress after per-via Pants” gunned gae, funk, pop, soul and, above all, hip-hop. Recorded Certain that it was only a matter of time before her H HUBBARD, Page 3 primarily in Kingston, Jamaica at Bob Marley’s home studio, his second album, “Troubadour,” includes contri★K’NAAN, Page 2

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