Houston Defender: April 18, 2010

April 18 – 24, 2010 | FREE

Volume 79 Number 25

www.defendernetwork.com

Black voters to play big role in November

U.S. Labor:

COMMUNITY MOURNS

Whites up, Blacks down

Lenora “ ” Doll Carter

By Kendra Desrosiers NNPA SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

(NNPA) - As Democrats gear up for midterm elections this November, the Black electorate will play an important role in battleground states.

But, with all the new political jargon about “climate change,” “green jobs” and the environment, how much will those issues weigh on Black voters?

According to a recent poll by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies (JCPES), between 74 and 80 percent of AfricanAmericans surveyed said they are very likely to vote in key elections.

Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a publication of the University of Virginia Center for Politics stated the majority of the congressional seats rated a toss-up are currently held by Democrats and if elections were to occur today, Republicans would gain seven seats in the Senate and 27 in the House of Representatives.

“There’s a lot of states where Democrats just can’t win unless African-Americans turn out at the same rate that they did in 2008,” says Tom Jensen, director of Public Policy Polling, a polling research company based in Raleigh, NC. Jensen anticipates a drop in Black

By Hazel Trice Edney NNPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

By ReShonda Tate Billingsley DEFENDER

Houstonians are remembering Lenora “Doll” Carter, the pioneering publisher of The Forward Times newspaper, who worked tirelessly, not only to tell the African-American story, but to build economic development, community prosperity and youth development.

Carter, a former National Newspaper Association Publisher of the Year, was found dead of an apparent heart attack in her home on April 10. She was 69.

Defender Publisher, Sonceria Messiah Jiles remembers Carter as more than just a colleague.

“Doll Carter was a friend. She gave me my first job in the newspaper industry,” Jiles said. “We often saw each other at the post office on Almeda and usually talked for about 30 or 40 minutes, covering everything from Houston issues and personalities to opportunities and challenges of the business. Doll was a down-to-earth person, who loved her family especially her grandchildren - her pride and joy. She will be truly missed. The community has lost a strong voice,

CARTER: BACKGROUND Birth place: Corrigan, Texas Education: Arizona State University majoring in Business Administration.

Memberships: •Eta Phi Beta Sorority-XI Chapter • National Association of Market Developers • National Women of Achievement • National Newspaper Publishers Association • Texas Press Association • Greater Houston Partnership • Board of Directors of Amalgamated Publishers, Inc.

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – The numbers are clear. As the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last week that the national unemployment rate remained steady at 9.7 percent last month, there remains the untold story.

That story is that as the overall unemployment rate remained steady, the Black unemployment rate leaped from 15.8 percent to 16.5 percent.

The rate for Black women rose from 12.1 percent to 12.4 percent. The rate for Black men closed in on 20 percent, rising from 17.8 to 19.0.

Meanwhile, unemployment rates for White America – only half that of the Black rate - either remained steady or went down. For Whites, the rate remained at 8.8 percent, well below the national average. For White men, the rate dropped from 9.0 percent to 8.9 percent. For White women, the rate remained steady at 7.3 percent.

Labor experts say racial disparities in education is a key answer.

“There’s a very sharp relationship between the level of education and unemployment rates,” says Dr. Barry R. Chiswick, distinguished professor

★CARTER, Page 2 ★BLACK VOTERS, Page 7

★UNEMPLOYMENT, Page 2

Metro Board confirmed The powerful Houston Metro Board officially has five new members.

Mayor Annise Parker has formally sworn in her picks to replace five members whose terms had expired at the public transportation organization.

On the list of new appointees are asset management executive Gilbert Garcia, who will chair the board; attorneys Dwight Jefferson and Carrin Patman; and engineers Allen Dale Watson and Christof Spieler. e 8The Metro board of directors has nine members. In addition to those appointed by the city, two are appointed by Harris County and two are appointed by the mayors of Metro’s 14

other member cities.

Parker has the authority to appoint five board members. The agency’s agenda and priorities largely can be set by the mayor, Parker has not minced words about her desire to “shake up” the organization.

“I really approached this as if I were assembling a corporate board, and, in a sense, that’s what this is, because they will have oversight of hundreds of millions of dollars in their tenure as board members, and they will have an impact on the lives of millions of citizens in our region,” Parker said, adding that “I wanted a change of leadership at Metro.”

Mayor Annise Parker formally swears in the new Metro Board members. Pictured l to r. Mayor Parker, Gilbert Garcia, Christof Spieler, Dwight Jefferson, Carrin Patman, and Allen Dale Watson.

Astros, MLB combine to open Urban Youth Academy

By Max Edison DEFENDER

Photo: Stephen P. O'Brien

Several Houston Astros players were on hand for the grand opening of the Houston Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park in Acres Homes.

April 15th marks the 63rd anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color line, integrating Major League Baseball. At the time of Robinson’s passing in 1972, the percentage of African-Americans in MLB was 20 percent. That number peaked at 27 percent in 1975 and then began to decline.

According to a report: 2008 Racial and Gender Report Card: Major League Baseball by Richard Lapchick with Nikki Bowey and Ray Mathew, that figure has dropped to an alarming 8.2 percent.

Although the reasons for the decline are varied, one thing is certain; more resources are needed within the AfricanAmerican community to encourage Blacks to play baseball.

Quality facilities and equipment are essential if those numbers are to rise again.

To that end, MLB and our Houston Astros have combined to open the Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park in the Acres Homes neighborhood. The facility will provide

year-round, free baseball and softball instruction to local youth ages 7-17. The Houston Academy is the second facility that MLB has co-sponsored and is modeled after the original facility established and operating in Compton, California.

The Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park features a show field; permanent seating for 500 fans, with space for an additional 1,800 fans; dugouts and lights; one auxiliary field; two little league/softball fields; and 1,500 square feet of office space and other facilities.

“Providing opportunities for young people to learn and play baseball and softball is a priority for Major League Baseball and the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will help us accomplish this goal,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “This new facility will build upon the success we have achieved in Compton by providing the youth of this community a resource for education, fun and baseball.”

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Ron Walters

Parent Tips

Michael Shinn

A Time to Break Silence

Positive Discipline.

Who Have You Touched?

★ASTROS, Page 7

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Carter

continued from page 1 a pioneering entrepreneur, a spiritual woman and a good friend of mine.”

For the past seven years, Carter served as treasurer of the NNPA, and at one time worked on the executive board with Messiah Jiles.

“During my chairmanship of NNPA, Doll served as the Treasurer and we worked hand-in-hand for the Black Press of America,” Messiah Jiles said.

“Her years of service on the board proved her loyalty to Black newspapers and the Black community.”

NNPA Chairman Danny Bakewell Sr. said Carter always made it a priority to bring the news from a Black perspective. Bakewell recently spoke with her family by phone.

“I spoke with Doll’s daughter, Karen and gave her my sincere condolences and offered any help we could provide to both she and her family on behalf of all NNPA Publishers,” added Bakewell. “As was the case with her mother, Karen is proving to be a very strong and poised Black woman during this time of sadness and challenge to her family.”

The Houston Forward Times Newspaper, one of the South’s largest independently owned and published African-American newspapers was founded in January1960, by Carter’s late husband, Julius Carter. Lenora Carter served as General Manager and Advertising Director. After Julius’

APRIL 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

death in 1971, Mrs. Carter became Publisher and CEO of the company.

Over the years, she has had a “profound impact” on everyone from ministers to educators to civic leaders to politicians.

“Doll represented all ages,” said Manson Johnson, senior pastor at Holman Street Baptist Church. “She was a talented individual. She juggled her roles of motherhood, businesswoman, first lady, and community activist and did them well. I think Houston and Harris County is certainly going to have a gap. She was a consistent voice for the people and had an uncanny way of seeing and telling if a person was doing good or bad. We will miss her voice.”

“Doll Carter was a friend to many and respected by the nation of pioneers who pioneered Black media. She carried the world on her shoulders, making sure the world's stories came to our community. She was a charitable, loving champion for our civility. She may have been a publisher in print media, but she'll be remembered as an iconic leader in our community. She was a tough woman with a big heart. She was my friend,” added Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. “With Doll Carter’s passing, we have lost a community icon and leader,” added State Rep. Garnet Coleman. “She was a second generation publisher/journalist, and under her stewardship the Forward Times and the Black press as a whole have succeeded in moving our city, our state

Unemployment continued from page 1

of economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago and director of the UIC Center for Economic Education. “For example, in March of last month, those with less than a high school degree had an unemployment rate of 14.5 percent whereas those with a bachelors degree or more has an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent.”

Also exacerbating the Black unemployment rate may be the fact that many of the job areas where Blacks and Latinos tend to concentrate

Photo: Forward Times

Photo: Forward Times

Carter and U. S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, pose Sept. 2009, Washington, D.C.

Houston NAACP President Carolyn Scantleberry and First Vice President Reginald Little honor Lenora "Doll" Carter with the 2010 Community Image Award for her outstanding community service.

and our nation forward. As a family friend, mentor and a visionary community activist she will be missed.”

Womack says Carter took great pride in bringing the AfricanAmerican experience to life, and despite the many obstacles she faced, she was able to take the paper to new heights.

“People read and look at print media to see not only other people, but our own people. For 60 years, the Forward Times has been able to serve as that source for our community,” he said.

“Considering an African-American woman leading such a hard business, where you have to sell advertising, she had one of the largest printers in the south. Being able to have the equip-

are among the first to lay off or become slow during hard economic times.

“It goes up more rapidly in manufacturing and in construction than it does in service occupations,” Chiswick says. He says there are several ways to reduce the unemployment disparity in educational attainment and the second is to increase jobs.

Chiswick’s suggestions mirror that of the National Urban League’s State of Black America released last month. In a plan to “put America back to work” outlined in the annual report, NUL President and CEO Marc Morial

ment and have a business with employees and then being able to nurture that business with family members and take it to the next level is really outstanding.”

Under Carter’s leadership, the Forward Times filled a vital role in the African-American community, covering politics, social events and community news that often were given short shrift in the mainstream daily press, said Coleman.

“I think these newspapers are still very important and integral to change for Black people in America,” he said.

“The Forward Times, the Black print press, are woven into the history of Black Houston and also into the fabric of contemporary Black Houston as

lists “targeted investments for job creation” as the number one means of dealing with unemployment. He also lists job training for the chronically unemployed; greater access to credit to help small businesses and the self-employed to stay afloat; additional counseling relief for people caught in foreclosures; and tax incentives for clean energy companies who employ individuals in hardest hit communities.

Despite noble efforts by the Obama Administration, it appears conditions are worsening for Black Americans. The “Equality Index” comparing the economic status of Blacks

well.”

And Carter was more than just a steward of the African-American story.

She was an entrepreneur who reinvested her money into her community, Womack added.

Carter’s viewing will take place April 16, starting at noon at Holman Street Baptist Church, 3501 Holman Street, with a celebration to be held Friday evening from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, April 17th at Holman Street Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Julius and Lenora Carter Scholarship and Youth Fund at Wells Fargo bank.

NNPA contributed to this report.

and Whites in the SBA report is only 57.4 percent.

Morial explains in a recent column for NNPA: “This reflects an unemployment rate for Blacks that is double that for Whites, a widening of the median household income gap, and the sobering facts that less than half of African-American families own a home compared to three quarters of White families and that Blacks and Hispanics are more than three times as likely as whites to live below the poverty line.”

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APRIL 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

‘Overwhelming Need’ still exists in Haiti

By Nisa Islam Muhammad SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE FINAL CALL

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - There is the Haiti that President Obama recently described: “The situation on the ground remains dire and people should be under no illusions that the crisis is over,” he said following a meeting with Haitian President René Preval.

With spring rains coming, the president noted, “The challenge is now to prevent a second disaster.”

Then there’s this Haiti: “The situation on the ground in terms of the medical situation has improved,” according to José Ruiz, a civilian spokesman for the United States Southern Command. “Demand for medical care is not exceeding the capacity of facilities on the ground.”

The real Haiti is more like the situation described by President Obama, according to TransAfrica’s President Nicole Lee, who recently returned from the Black republic. Speaking at a press briefing, she said, “When President Obama says that the situation in Haiti is dire, he is right. People are hungry and sleeping in the open. Only a small percentage of Haitians in need of medical care and food are receiving it on a regular basis or at levels high enough to make a real difference. We need to sustain our humanitarian efforts until emergency needs have been met.”

TransAfrica organized a forum featuring experts from the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights and the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti to report on their experiences in Haiti.

Monika Kalra Varma, director of the RFK Center, recalled her testimony earlier in the day to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. She explained that in 2008 over half a

billion dollars was pledged to Haiti after the hurricanes. Only 15 percent of that ever reached the country, she said.

“For several years, the organizations present here today have tried unsuccessfully to track pledges of foreign assistance made to Haiti, to monitor the amounts actually delivered, and to assess project implementation. It was extremely difficult—verging on impossible—to do this because an infrastructure to track funds does not exist,” said Ms. Varma.

“Haitians have a right to have a say in how funds are spent in their country, and they should have recourse if projects are poorly implemented, not implemented, or are doing harm to their communities. Rhetoric from international officials supports rights-based principles such as transparency; however, unless member states take specific steps to create concrete mechanisms, it will be nearly impossible for the Haitian government and especially impacted Haitian communities to follow the money trail.”

Mario Joseph is the managing attorney of the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The BAI assists and represents those who suffer civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights violations.

“Violations of economic and social rights after the earthquake are massive and felt throughout the country. The violations are also all interconnected: the violation of one right leads inexorably to the violation of other rights.”

He explained that Haitians are forced to live in public parks and on the streets and have slept outside for more than two long months—and when the rains arrive they will be absolutely desperate.

“According the United Nations, for two months, 1.3 million of my fellow citizens— more than twice the population of the District of Columbia—have lived in spontaneous camps

Obama No-Show in Haiti

By Joseph Guyler Delva

without access to most of the basic commodities despite an unprecedented international effort to provide assistance to the country.

PORT-AU-PRINCE (NNPA) Haitians, who feel very close to Many survivors of the earthquake Obama partly because of his racial that ravaged Haiti three months ago background, said they thought Obama said they were disappointed that US would have already visited the country president Barack Obama has not yet after such a huge disaster to see for paid a visit here to personally show himself what was going on and to solidarity and to see with his own show solidarity with the Haitian peoeyes the tragedy the Caribbean nation ple who suffered unprecedented lossis going through. es.

The Haitian government says more Barack “We are the first Black independent than 300,000 people may have been Obama Republic of the world, and Obama is killed in the 7.0-magnitude earththe first US Black president,” Baptist quake that also left more than 1.5 million peo- Minister and political leader, Chavannes ple homeless, living in makeshift tent camps Jeunes, told NNPA. NNPA HAITI CORRESPONDENT

for internally displaced people. No one knows how many ‘lucky people’ sleep, as I do, in a car or in the yard of their homes,” he said. “Seventythree percent of people interviewed by LAMP for Haiti said that a lack of food was one of their primary priorities, 53 percent had not received any food aid … 70 percent in the camps.

Joseph said up to the present, food aid distribution has been poorly coordinated. The aid has generally been distributed in disorder. “At times, women have been forced to trade sex to obtain a voucher to feed their families,” he said.

TransAfrica urged the Obama administration and Congress to: • Maintain emergency relief efforts at their highest levels: Currently, the United Nations and large international aid agencies have prioritized distribution to only 19 major camps in Port-au-

Prince, leaving the majority of those affected by the earthquake without access to food, water, and shelter.

• Decentralize the triage: In addition to the capital city, the earthquake has devastated several major cities in the country. An estimated 600,000 people have left the Port-au-Prince area for the rural areas. The migration has sparked an immediate need for food, shelter, and sanitation in earthquake affected areas outside of Port-auPrince and in those rural areas now hosting displaced people.

• Adhere to international standards: There is anecdotal evidence that humanitarian agencies have not uniformly applied international humanitarian standards of ethics and practice in creating camps and in disposing of rubble and waste.

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APRIL 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

SPORTS

APRIL 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

Max Edison

on Sports

Dickey’s Hires Staff For many fans of Cougar basketball, James Dickey was not the first choice or even the second choice to succeed Tom Penders. Now that Dickey has completed his staff, you might formulate a different opinion.

Dickey has hired three assistant coaches and all three just happen to be qualified African-Americans.

The Cougars have rehired former Wheatley All-Star and former UH head coach, Alvin Brooks as his associate coach.

Brooks served as the head coach at Houston from 1993 to 1998. Taking over in April 1993, he became the first African-American head coach in program history and one of the nation’s youngest head coaches.

“Alvin loves this city and the University of Houston, and we are thrilled he is coming back to our basketball program. This is home to Alvin,” Dickey said. “He is one of the most respected people in the coaching profession and will be a great mentor for both our coaches and players. Alvin will be invaluable in recruiting the city of Houston and will be a tremendous resource on the sidelines.”

Following his head coaching stint at Houston, Brooks served as an assistant coach at Texas Tech (1999-01), where he worked on Dickey’s staff, North Texas (2001-03), UTEP (2003-04) and Texas A&M (2004-07). He also worked as the director of operations at Kentucky from 2007 to 2009.

Dickey has also hired former Iowa State men’s basketball assistant coach Daniyal Robinson to the staff.

He will assist in all coaching aspects with the Cougars ★EDISON, Page 6

Darrell Ardison

on H.S. Sports

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TSU Spring Football Building a winning program

By Max Edison DEFENDER

E

xcuse TSU head football coach Johnnie Cole if he isn’t resting on his teams laurels as they begin the last week of spring workouts. The Tigers were 6-5 in 2009, Cole’s second year on the job. They were 5-2 in conference play (tied for 2nd in the West), their best records since 2009. While the records put a smile on his face, Cole is not satisfied.

“I said when I first came here that I wanted to build a winning program here at Texas Southern,” Cole said. “I’m happy with what we accomplished last season. Our players and coaching staff worked extremely hard, but we haven’t reached our ultimate goal. Our ultimate goal is to win championships. Our season just makes me more hunJohnnie Cole gry to win. I don’t want it as much for myself as I do the alumni. They deserve a football championship for supporting us all these years.”

The Tigers finished the season on a roll, winning five of their last six games. As a result, motivating the team in spring workouts has not been a problem.

“Motivation has not been an issue this spring,” Cole shared. “The biggest thing about this spring is our players are at a stage where they know exactly what to expect from us (coaches). They know our expectations. They have come out in great shape, thanks to strength and conditioning coach Johnny Olguin, now we just can get down to the meat and potatoes of coaching football.”

Offensively, the Tigers return eight starters to spring workouts, led by 2009 SWAC Newcomer of the Year, quarterback Arvell Nelson.

“Everything starts at the quarterback spot.

This is a big spring for Arvell, coming off the season he had,” Coach Cole opined. “He feels a lot more comfortable and confident. His choices with the ball this spring have been greatly improved.”

On offense, one of the biggest surprises this spring has been the performance of the running backs. Marcus Wright, Joe Warren, Michael Gilbert and Sean Daniels have all shown playmaking ability that is turning heads.

Texas Southern University is poised and ready for the 2010 season.

Defensively, the Tigers return eight starters, led by All-Conference performers, linebacker Dejuan Fulghum and defensive back De’Markus Washington.

“I think the defense did a great job under defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey and his defensive staff,” Cole said. “They (players) know what to expect from him. The staff did a great job with mid-term recruitment. We brought in three or four defensive linemen who can help us and provide quality depth and have a chance to make an impact. We need a little depth in the linebacking group, so we’re looking for some guys to step up. Our secondary remains in tact, so we’re looking for big things from them.

We’ve used the spring to tweak and polish things to keep us sharp.”

Going into the final week of spring workouts Coach Cole has implemented a week of activities and programs that he hopes will strengthen

the relationship between his team and the student body and the community at large.

“This is our second annual “Football Week” where our seniors take the leadership role in a series of activities both on and off campus. We utilize this week to bridge the gap between our players and the student body. It also works toward our giving back to the community in exchange for their support. It’s all about involvement and it takes involvement beyond just myself, the coaching staff and the players. We need the support of the student body and the community to make this whole thing work.”

In addition, Coach Cole has created a Texas Southern Football Hall of Fame to honor those players and supporters who laid the foundation for today’s football program.

“I promised myself that if I ever became head

H.S. baseball springs back into action

By Darrell K. Ardison

NBA basketball Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy led off the parade honoring the backto-back state champion Yates Lions by twirling his baton with the school’s band.

Murphy and the band led the procession down Cleburne, Ennis and Alabama streets before returning to the school auditorium, where the team accepted the 2010 MaxPreps Tour of Champions trophy presented by the National Guard.

MaxPreps and four other national high school basketball polls selected the Lions as the No. 1 team in the nation in the final poll. Yates became the first school from Texas to achieve the honor since Dallas Lincoln in 2002.

Lincoln’s team was led by Chris Bosh, who defeated Beaumont Ozen and Kendrick Perkins in the Class 4A state finals that season.

Yates has won 58 consecutive games over the past two seasons. The Lions set a national record with 15 consecutive 100-point-plus games and set a national record for season scoring average with 116.2 points per game.

In addition to winning by an average of 50.7 points per game, Yates set a state record by scoring 170 points against Houston Lee. Joseph Young and Brandon Peters were selected all-state in Class 4A. Young was named Gatorade Texas Boys Basketball Player of the Year ★ARDISON, Page 6

★TSU, Page 6

DEFENDER

Bellaire head baseball coach Rocky Manual once told the Houston Defender that there are three hotbeds for high school baseball in the United States.

“There’s Harris County (Texas), Orange County (California) and Dade County (Florida). That’s where the best youth league baseball is played in this country,” Manual said.

Since I had the privilege of playing little league and high school baseball in two of those three counties, I remain convinced that Manual was absolutely correct. It doesn’t hurt that Manual has guided Bellaire to two of the school’s seven state baseball championships.

Bellaire was ranked No. 1 in some preseason high school baseball rankings.

Yet the Cards fell 4-3 to Galena Park in their season opener. Since then, Bellaire has won 21 of its next 23 games, including a sparkling 8-0 record in rugged District 20-5A through the first half of district play.

The old sports cliché could never be truer. It doesn’t hurt to get off to a good start, but it’s how you finish that counts.

Other Houston area schools thriving through the first part of high school district play include Klein

District 22-4A opponents face off as Wheatley battles Worthing.

(18-3, 8-0), Tomball (17-5, 6-2), Klein Oak (16-8, 53), Cypress Falls (16-3, 81), Cypress Woods (14-5, 8-1), Cy-Fair (18-4, 7-2), Katy Taylor (19-4, 6-2), Memorial (21-4, 8-1), Kingwood (18-4, 6-0), Lamar (16-5, 6-2), Pearland (19-7, 6-1), Clements (15-3, 8-1), Dulles (16-8, 7-2) and Brazoswood (20-3, 7-0) in the Class 5A classification.

When Memorial met perennial area powerhouse Stratford with first place at stake in District 18-5A recently, it marked the last time the two schools would meet in district competition for awhile.

Next year, they’ll continue their rivalry in non-district play. In the University Interscholastic League bi-

annual realignment, Stratford moves to Class 4A for the 2010-2011 school year while Memorial remains in the large-school classification.

With a packed-house in attendance at Stratford High School, Memorial rallied from a three-run deficit to pull out a 6-4 victory.

The Mustangs are seeking their sixth consecutive district championship.

“The players battled back and did what they had to do,” Memorial coach Jeremy York said. “That’s the sign of a club that’s starting to come together.”

Stratford (9-10, 7-2) jumped out to a 3-0 lead as Bryan Rucker, Mark Benninger and Nick Waikem scored first-inning

runs.

York relieved starter Josh Mihalec after four batters with right-hander Jacob Dahlstrand and the move proved effective.

Dahlstrand, a University of Houston signee, struck out five and allowed only one run over the next 5 and 2/3 innings.

In the sixth inning, Memorial shortstop Carter Burgess tied the game with a solo home run. Outfielder Boomer White followed with a two-RBI double that gave the Mustangs the final advantage (6-4).

Stratford coach Jason Willis expressed his sentiments following the game.

“I think it will always mean as much as it does right now,” he said.

“Whether it’s a non-district

game or a district game, I think we’re still going to have interest from the community and our family and friends.”

In District 22-4A. Furr leads the district standings with a perfect 9-0 record.

When head coach Ronnie Fenton had to miss a game for personal reasons, athletic coordinator and head football coach Cornell Gray stepped in and guided the Brahmans to a district victory over Worthing.

Gray played college baseball at Texas Southern University and was quite at home in his substitute role as backup head coach.

“We’ve got some kids that I think can play at the next level,” Gray said.

“We’ve already been making some calls to college coaches.”

In Softball News The Katy Lady Tigers have been ranked in the Top 10 in the state all season. Yet Katy suffered a humbling experience recently when dealt an 11-0 setback to District 17-5A rival Cinco Ranch at home.

Cinco Ranch improved to 6-0 in district play with the victory and 19-6 overall.

Class 2A powerhouse Danbury can play with schools in any classification.

With three quality starting pitchers, Danbury has registered wins over sever★BASEBALL, Page 6

SPORTS

6

Edison

continued from page 5 and brings 11 years of coaching experience as an assistant at Illinois State, UALR and Iowa State. In addition, he has guided 15 players who have competed professionally overseas.

“We are so excited about Daniyal and his family joining the University of Houston. He possesses all the qualities you look for in an assistant coach – loyalty, integrity, character and work ethic,” Dickey said. “He is an outstanding recruiter and has developed contacts throughout the country. As an excellent communicator and teacher on the floor, he has had tremendous rapport with the players with whom he has coached. Daniyal has worked for outstanding coaches, and I look forward to the dif-

Ardison

continued from page 5 and also was a Parade Magazine third-team AllAmerican.

Astros Launch Urban Youth Baseball Academy The Houston Astros trotted out the stars for the grand opening of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy last weekend in the Acres Homes community of north Houston.

Astros Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton introduced the guests. None was more prominent than state representative Sylvester Turner, who spearheaded the drive to bring the Urban Youth Academy to Houston. The academy is located on the grounds of Sylvester Turner Park.

Houston mayor Annise Parker and congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee were in attendance along with Astros owner Drayton McLane and current players Michael Bourn, Wandy Rodriguez, Tommy Manzella, J.R. Towles and Jeff Keppinger.

The first academy was opened four years ago in Compton, Calif.

Baseball

continued from page 5 al 4A and 5A schools this season.

Kaylee Garner has wrung up 189 strikeouts this season, while Kristen Yaeger (98) and Chelsey Clawson (12) are also tough to hit.

Danbury is 26-4 on the season.

Cypress Falls In The Midst Of A Turnaround The Cy Falls Golden Eagles’ softball team was a disappointment in 2009 with a 9-16 overall record and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

With largely the same roster back for the 2010 season, Cy Falls is currently 19-2 overall and 8-1 in District 155A. Other Houston area girls softball teams faring well at midseason include Tomball (18-6, 8-1), Klein (14-5, 7-2), Klein Collins (17-7, 6-3), The Woodlands (27-1, 10-0), MacArthur (9-4, 7-0), Kingwood (20-5, 6-1), Bellaire (25-4, 7-0), Lamar (20-6, 7-1), Pearland (19-5, 9-0), Clements (25-4, 12-0), Elkins (19-8, 11-1) and Alvin (12-5, 6-1).

VOLUME 79 • NUMBER 25 APRIL 18 – 24, 2010 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Editor Von Jiles Associate Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Cale Carter Columnist Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writers Aswad Walker LaGloria Wheatfall Webmaster Corneleon Block The Houston Defender Newspaper published by The Houston Defender Inc. Company (713) 663-6996. The Defender audited

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For subscriptions, send $60.00 — 1 year, to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All materials covered by 2009 copyright...

(No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

ferent philosophies he will bring to our program.”

Rounding out the staff will be Ulric Maligi. Maligi joins the Cougar program after serving for three seasons (2007-10) as an assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin. There, he was involved in all phases of the daily operation of the men’s basketball program, including on-the-floor coaching, recruiting, academic monitoring and opponent scouting.

“Ulric is a bright young coach and recruiter with tremendous enthusiasm for the game. He has developed very strong relationships in Houston, Dallas, the state of Texas and across the country,” Dickey said. “Ulric has great personal and professional qualities, and his ability to relate to players will be a terrific asset to our program.”

APRIL 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

CLASSIFIED HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 ‘ • Project 10-04-06 Groundwater Remediation at Barnett with a proposal deadline of 2 P.M. April 28, 2010. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be held in conference room 2C12 at HISD Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th Street Houston, TX 77092 on April 20, 2010 at 10 A.M. • RFP/ Trainer for “The Leader in Me” Program for Stevenson Elementary with a deadline of 2 P.M. on May 5, 2010. The pre-proposal conference is Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 3 P.M. in Room 2C06 of the above stated address.

• Project 10-03-12 – RFP – Mural Painting - with a deadline of 10 A.M. April 28, 2010. The preproposal conference for this project will be in Room 2C04 at the above stated address on April 21, 2010 at 10 A.M.

TSU

Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org.

The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.

Scwyana Smith

continued from page 5 coach at Texas Southern, I would do something to honor the great players who played at TSU,” Cole said.

The 2010 inductees are: representing the ‘50’s Horace Young, James “Bo” Humphrey, Edward Smith, William Glosson and Audrey Ford; the 60’s class includes Herman Driver, Ernest Calloway, Andy Rice, Willie Ellison and Kenny Burroughs; representing the ‘70’s are Mike Holmes and Ernie Holmes; the ‘80’s class includes wide receivers Darrell Colbert and Donald Narcisse; the ‘90’s class features Super Bowl champion Michael Strahan.

The football contributors are: Rod Paige (coach), Homer McCoy (supporter), Wyman Barrett (supporter) and C. P. Windall (supporter).

A gala Hall of Fame reception is scheduled for May 1st at the Westin Galleria from 5:00 pm-until 11:00 pm. Donations are $25.00 and you are asked to RSVP by April 26th by emailing to kirventm@tsu.edu or by calling713-313-7048.

Football Week Activities Sunday April 18 ■ Football Team attends Church Services- 11:45 am Brook Hollow Church Monday April 19 ■ Community Outreach Texas Children Hospital-10:00 am ■ Football seniors vs. TSU Football Coaches Basketball Game 6:00pm-7:30pm Tuesday April 20 ■ Literacy in the Elementary Schools (KIPP Academy) 9:00am-10:30am ■ Pool Party Recreation Center (Cover $2)-8pm-12midnight

Wednesday April 21 ■ Ice Cream Social (Tiger Walk/Pitt) 12noon-1:00pm ■ TSU Volleyball Girls vs. TSU Football Seniors Volleyball Game 6:30pm-8:00pm HPE Thursday April 22 ■ Toga Party ($2 cover) Café-9:00pm-1:00am Friday April 23 ■ 50 yard line BBQ & Season Ticket Holder Drive Durley Stadium 5:00pm Saturday April 24 ■ Tailgate Party/ Crawfish Boil12:00pm Durley Stadium ■ Traditional Maroon and Grey Game Durley Stadium-3:30pm

Notice of Availability Final Environmental Impact Statement (US 290) Public Notice of Availability Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS): Pursuant to Title 43, Texas Administrative Code, §2.5(e)(8)(B), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is advising the public of the availability of the FEIS for proposed improvements to the US 290 Corridor, from Farm-to-Market (FM) 2920 near the community of Waller, Texas to Interstate Highway (IH) 610 in Houston, Harris County, Texas. The FEIS wait period ends May 17, 2010. Comments regarding the FEIS should be submitted to the Director of Project Development at the TxDOT Houston District Office located at 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas prior to 5:00 p.m. on May 17, 2010. The TxDOT mailing address is P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251.

The US 290 study corridor extends approximately 38 miles from FM 2920 near the community of Waller to the US 290/ IH 610/IH 10 interchanges area in Houston, and includes Hempstead Road from approximately Beltway (BW) 8 to IH 610. In general, the proposed project evaluated includes the following roadway improvements: additional general-purpose lanes on US 290 and reconstruction of US 290 frontage roads; a managed lane (toll) facility along the US 290 corridor from Bauer Road to BW 8, and continuing along Hempstead Road from BW 8 to IH 610; frontage roads (Hempstead Road) adjacent to managed lanes from BW 8 to IH 610; direct connectors from US 290 and the managed lanes to IH 610 and IH 10 via the Northwest Transit Center; and a reserved high-capacity transit corridor along US 290 from future Grand Parkway/State Highway 99 to BW 8, and along Hempstead Road from BW 8 to IH 610. The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce traffic congestion in the US 290 Corridor within Harris County, improve level of service and mobility on US 290 and Hempstead Road, and bring the roadway facilities up to current design standards, all of which will help to improve safety. The alternatives that were identified and evaluated include various configurations of the locally preferred modal alternative identified in the major investment study (MIS); alternative alignments for proposed improvements along US 290, Hempstead Road, and IH 610 (to provide for direct connectors); and doing nothing beyond what is already planned or programmed. Throughout the development of alternatives, efforts were made to avoid potential impacts to existing residential, commercial, and public properties, and other developed areas. Four alternatives were developed for the US 290 portion of the project. Five alternatives were developed for the Hempstead Road Corridor. Three alternatives were developed for IH 610 to integrate with the US 290 and Hempstead Road alternatives. The US 290, Hempstead Road, and IH 610 alternatives were evaluated at a comparable level of detail in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Based on environmental, planning, and engineering considerations, and public and agency input, a Recommended alternative was identified for the US 290, Hempstead Road, and IH 610 areas of the project. Subsequent to the DEIS public hearings, the Recommended alternative was modified to incorporate suggestions made by the public and agencies, and revised designs. The FEIS contains the evaluation of the Preferred alternative and the No Build alternative, and provides a summary of the alternatives considered and evaluated during the MIS and DEIS studies.

The Recommended alternative as presented in the DEIS, was selected after careful consideration and assessment of the potential environmental impacts and evaluation of agency and public comments. After consideration of all agency and public comments received on the DEIS, as well as updated environmental data, TxDOT, in coordination with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), selected a Preferred alternative alignment. It was determined after careful review of the DEIS comments that the Recommended alternative as presented in the DEIS be carried forward as the Preferred alternative. The Preferred alternative has the same general configuration as the Recommended alternative, with some changes in the number of proposed main lanes on US 290: 12 lanes from West 34th Street to Pinemont Drive (revised from 10 lanes), 12 lanes from FM 529 to Eldridge Parkway (revised from 10 lanes), and 10 lanes from Eldridge Parkway to Telge Road (revised from eight lanes). Some direct connector and access ramp modifications were also revised. The other major change in the Preferred alternative is the relocation of the transit reserve from north of the managed lanes along Hempstead Road to between the managed lanes and the Union Pacific railroad, from BW 8 to IH 610.

The Preferred build alternative that has resulted from the study was proposed on the basis of its ability to best facilitate the project's Need and Purpose, while minimizing impacts to the natural, physical, and social environments. The Preferred build alternative begins at FM 2920 and ends at the US 290/IH 610/IH 10 interchanges area in Houston, and includes Hempstead Road from approximately BW 8 to IH 610. It is approximately 38 miles in length. The Preferred alternative would require the acquisition of new right-of-way (ROW) (approximately 780 acres), the adjustment of utility lines, and the filling of aquatic resources including jurisdictional wetlands (18.63 acres, based on the preliminary determination, to be verified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). The Preferred alternative as presented in the FEIS would displace 87 single-family residences, 225 multi-family residential units, 134 businesses, and 16 mini-storage units along US 290, and 49 single-family residences and 224 businesses along Hempstead Road. Single-family residences that would be displaced are primarily in Oak Forest and White Oak Falls neighborhoods. Several mobile home communities would be impacted. The multi-family units that would be displaced are in Creekwood,Vintage,Wynnewood at Wortham, The Promenade, Carrington Place, and Stonehaven apartment complexes. The US 290 portion of the Preferred alternative would require the relocation of two churches (St. Peter’s Anglican and Celebration Lutheran Church), and several areas with pipeline transfer facilities and pipeline equipment. The Hempstead Road portion of the Preferred alternative would require the relocation of the Christ Family Church, a Southwestern Bell facility, and the Precision Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station. The archeological survey is incomplete because right-of-entry (ROE) was denied by several landowners to parcels in the proposed ROW. The archeological survey will remain incomplete until ROE to the remaining proposed ROW has been acquired. TxDOT coordinated the archeological survey report, recommended that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process be allowed to proceed and the archeological inventory be deferred until ROE or the parcels in question have been acquired. Once ROE or the parcels have been acquired, the archeological survey of the remainder of the area of potential effect will be completed, as well as any coordination/consultation that is required, prior to commencing with construction. If archeological sites are identified within the Selected alternative, additional investigations may be necessary to determine if they are eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). If unanticipated archeological deposits are encountered during construction, work in the immediate area will cease, and TxDOT archeological staff will be contacted to initiate postreview discovery procedures under the provisions of the Programmatic Agreement–Transportation Undertakings (PA-TU) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). If any site identified by archeological field survey within the Selected alternative is found to be eligible for the NRHP, actions and consultation will be initiated to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to that site. If an NRHP-eligible site cannot be avoided in the final design process, consultation will include development of a mitigation plan.

The mitigation plan will be developed and reviewed by TxDOT in consultation with the Texas Historical Commission and FHWA. Design modifications may be sufficient to reduce the severity of the effect to a non-adverse level. Mitigation of unavoidable adverse effects typically includes archeological data recovery and full archival documentation. Section 4(f ) coordination will only be performed for archeological sites warranting preservation in place. No historic properties or endangered species are expected to be affected.

Copies of the FEIS and DEIS (both electronic and paper) and other information about the project may be obtained, at the cost of reproduction, by contacting the Director of Project Development, TxDOT Houston District Office at 713-802-5243.

The FEIS and DEIS may also be reviewed at the following locations: (1) TxDOT District Office, 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston,TX 77007; (2) TxDOT Area Office, 14838 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77040; (3) US 290 Program Office, 2950 North Loop West, Suite 1150, Houston, TX 77092; (4) Spring Branch Library, 930 Corbindale, Houston, TX 77027; (5) Fairbanks Library, 7122 North Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77040; (6) Cy-Fair Library, 9191 Barker-Cypress Road, Cypress, TX 77433; (7) Collier Regional Library, 6200 Pinemont Drive, Houston, TX 77092; (8) Hillendahl Library, 2436 Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77080; (9) M. Smith Memorial Library, 2103 Main Street, Waller, TX 77484; (10) Northwest Library, 11355 Regency Green Drive, Cypress, TX 77429; (11) Hockley Community Center, 28515 Old Washington Road, Hockley,TX 77447; and (12) Houston Library Central Branch, 500 McKinney, Houston, TX 77002. An electronic version of the FEIS and DEIS may be reviewed or downloaded from the US 290 Program Office website at www.my290.com.

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APRIL 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

Astros

continued from page 1 Major League Baseball and the Houston Astros contributed $600,000 to the construction of the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park, which equaled the contributions by both the City of Houston and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Houston native Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB Executive Vice-President of Baseball Operations, was pleased that Baseball’s second academy is opening in Houston.

“I’m very excited to have this facility opening here in Houston, in Acres Homes,” Solomon shared. “There is need everywhere, need in all cities and many urban areas. Major League Baseball, the Houston Astros and State Representative Sylvester Turner, a longtime friend of mine from law school, were all able to get together along with Commissioner Selig’s guidance and put our collective money where our mouth was. As a result we were able to put a facility right in the heart of an area that really needed help, needed service and needed sports, needed baseball.”

Needless to say the Houston Astros are excited

to be a part of this historic venture.

“The Houston Astros have had many significant days on the field,” said Drayton McLane, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Houston Astros. “Today is a very significant day off the field. We are so proud and honored to have partnered with the City of Houston and Major League Baseball to make the Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park a reality. This academy provides an excellent opportunity for our team to make a positive difference in the community by making the great sports of baseball and softball available to our aspiring young athletes year-round. You learn so much more than just skills of the game when you play a team sport, and we want to ensure these kids are champions on and off the field!”

State Rep. Sylvester Turner was a picture of elation at the grand opening.

“In 2006 this was 29 acres of weeds and trees.

It had a name on it and little else,” Turner recalled.

“People can’t imagine the transformation. Things can happen if you can visualize it, work hard on it, don’t give up and utilize relationships and Photo: Stephen P. O'Brien assets at your disposal. You can transform little of 2010 Houston Astros. Houston Urban Youth Academy grand opening at Sylvester nothing into something, dreams do come true!”

Turner Park.

Black Voters

continued from page 1 voter turnout by 10 to 11 percent but says it will vary by political race in each state.

“There are some candidates who are willing to motivate Black voters to come back out to the polls just like they did in 2008 for Barack Obama. and there are other candidates who will not inspire African-Americans to vote,” Jensen says.

“It’s very clear that African-Americans are paying attention to what is going on right now,” says Dr. David Bositis, director of the JCPES poll. “They’re very supportive of President Obama and issues related to climate change. They take those issues very seriously.”

The majority of respondents said they believe the Senate should pass legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions before the next election. This is an issue that some relate to increase in jobs and reduction of the Black unemployment rate.

“Republicans will lose votes that they could possibly win from Blacks, the young, and working class Americans if this issue is successfully framed as boosting America’s stagnant economy,” says Katherine Tate, University of California Irvine professor and author of the upcoming book, What’s Going On? Political Incorporation and the Transformation of Black Opinion.

Tate says the environment has never been aggressively linked to the Black political agenda. She attributes the strong interest to Al Gore’s leadership as vice president to his interest in the envi-

ronment for which he has since received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Now, President Obama has successfully linked his green policies with job creation.

The majority of the polled African-Americans said they would pay an additional $10 per month on their electric bill to curb global warming. More than a quarter said they would pay up to $25 per month. Despite a tumultuous economy and high unemployment rates, respondents were clear on their willingness to make a financial commitment.

In closely contested races, the need for candidates to be in tune with the issues important to their constituency will be ever pressing. Despite the strong interest in environmental issues, they will not take priority.

“Voters of all stripes say that their number one thing is jobs and the economy,” Jensen says. “What is going to be most important for Democrats to get across is that putting the Republicans back in charge is not going to make things better, but the policies pressed in Obama’s pursuit will take some time to really make an impact.”

According to Jensen, Democrats will ultimately need to be successful beyond Black voters and push more than green issues.

“There are still many, many more White people in the country than Black people. If Democrats completely lose the White voters like 70-30—and that’s what we’re seeing in some races— then it’s not going to matter how many African-Americans turnout,” Jensen says. “The democrats will still lose.”

8

2010 BEAUTILLION……..The Alpha Merit Group Educational Foundation presented their 2010 Alpha Merit Beautillion Gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. This stellar event has become Houston’s premier event where collegebound young men are spotlighted and have their accomplishments highlighted as they receive well-earned scholarships.

The 12 young men honored at the Seventh Biennial Beautillion Scholarship Gala included Beaus Ronald Bookman Jr., Ivan Butler, Tyrie Goodman, Ashton Grisby, Adrian Johnson, Gregory Joseph II, Daniel Mitchell, Jeremy Simmons, Jahil Smith, Patrick Smith, D’ral Thomas and Robert Timmons II. The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Eta Lambda Chapter are to be commended for their dedication, especially Michael A. Williams, Chairman and CoChairmen, Errol Allen II and Roderick Green. Spotted at the event were Rickey Brown, Larry Green, Davis Cheri, Tony Pierce, Curtis Cooper, Prince Cartwright, Kristan Allen, Turylah Jenkins, Kay Rosebure, Kathy Allen, Margaret, Byron Gautier, Levonne Harrell and Fred Turner. Congratulations and continued success!.........MULTI-HUE OF ELEGANCE………One hundred and sixty tables, ten to a table, equals one thousand, six hundred well-dressed folks who attended the 17th Annual Callie LewisWatson Scholarship Luncheon & Fashion Show featuring the Forty Plus Models. The catwalk scene included hats, accessories, casual, church, business, vintage, red carpet and cocktail fashions. In addition to several scholarships awarded to students, the 2009-2010 Queen Renita Royal and King Alfred Moody gave their farewell salute and the 2010-2011 was crowned. Queen Annette Chenevert and King Dr. Albert Lemons took their walk down the runway to an electrifying crowd. Some of the program participants and guests included Callie Lewis-Watson, founder, the Honorable Sylvester Turner, Sharron Melton, Mary Reescano, Allyson Buckner, Miss Black Houston, Lola Burkley-Davis, Cheryl Rivers, Ruby Jones, Earline Davis, Ruth Smith, Constable Ruben and Sharon Davis and Allen Owen, Mayor of Missouri City, to name a few. Fabulous Luncheon!.....

WEDDING BLISS……Olethia Elise Chisolm and Alan La Naire McKenzie were united in marriage recently.

Apostle Joyce James was the officiating minister and the beautiful ceremony was held at the University of Houston’s AD Bruce Religion Center, followed by a lavish reception at Rice University’s Cohen House Faculty Club. The couple will honeymoon in Hawaii. Wishing you a beautiful future made up on one happy day after another. God Bless! ..................KUDOS…….Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee was recently honored with an appreciation reception for his 25 years of service, dedication and commitment to the constituency of Precinct One…….Rev. Dr. F. N. Williams Sr. was honored by the Women of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for his service of 52 years as the pastor of this historic church……..The Black Nurses of Greater Houston celebrated 62 years of service and honored Georgia Provost with the Community Leader award at their Annual Scholarship Luncheon…..The YMCA honored 21 of Houston’s best and brightest at their 42nd Annual Minority Achievers Gala that included Tarnisha Adams, William Campbell, Conoshura Cauley, Crystal Cooper, Tiffany Dean, Robert Gallegos, Catina Hayes, Kelly Hodges, Carla Lane, Cynthia LentonGray, Laura Murillo, Danny Nguyen, Anthony Odubele, Robert Pettit, Lacy Reynolds, Terrynce Robinson, Clara Russell, Neeta Sane, Ahmad Traylor, Marion Scott and Rev. Dr. Kalvin Spells. Continued success to all of you!.........Have a great week and remember to watch CROSSROADS on Channel 13 Sunday morning with Melanie Lawson for your event covered

by Ms. Chag. Also check out our website at defendernetwork.com to view the “Event of the Week.”…..From Chag’s Place to your place, Ciao Darling!

APRIL 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

Beaus D'ral Thomas, Gregory Joseph, Ivan Butler and Tyrie Goodman

Beaus Jeremy Simmons, Ronald Bookman, Adrian Johnson and Jahlil Smith

Beaus Robert Timmons, Daniel Mitchell, Patrick Smith and Ashton Grisby

Roderick Green and Errol Allen II

Byron Gautier and Levonne Harrell

Larry Green, David Cheri and Tony Pierce

Prince Cartwright and Fred Turner

Rickey Brown and Michael Williams

2009-2010 King Alfred Moody and Queen Renita Royal

2010-2011 King Dr. Albert Lemons and Queen Annette Chenevert

Dr. Albert Lemons and Callie Lewis-Watson

Earline Davis and Ruth Smith

Dr. Grace Butler and Pompia Durril

Cheryl Rivers and Ruby Jones

Mayor Allen Owen and Sharon and Constable Ruben Davis

Olethia and Alan McKenzie

Wanda Carter and Troy Taylor