Houston Defender: May 23, 2010

May 23 – 29, 2010 | FREE

Volume 79 Number 30

www.defendernetwork.com

NAACP endorses Elena Kagan for Supreme Court

National Black Book Festival converges on Houston

NBA withholds judgment

By Hazel Trice Edney

By Raquel Rogers

NNPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DEFENDER

Houston entrepreneur Gwen Richardson has always had a love of books, so much so that in 1998, she and her husband, Willie, started a successful web-based bookstore, CushCity.com.

But the couple wanted to do more.

“We had thousands of authors that we network with, as well as book clubs and readers and so we wanted to get them all together in an indoor atmosphere,” Richardson said.

After doing some research, Richardson decided that something would be The National Black Book Festival, which will be held May 21-23, 2010, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown Houston “There was nothing (literary) being done in this part of the country and we believed we needed something here like that,” Richardson said. “A lot of people don’t realize how big Houston is and how big a Black population the Houston metro area has because we always get overshadowed by Atlanta. Houston has just as many, if not more African Americans in the metropolitan area as

Mayor Annise Parker pins Charles McClelland as he’s sworn in as HPD chief.

One on One with Houston’s Police Chief

Charles McClelland

By ReShonda Tate Billingsley

MCCLELLAND: HIGHLIGHTS

DEFENDER

It has been just over three months since Mayor Annise Parker named the new head of the Houston Police Department. And while he may be new to the position, Charles McClelland is no stranger to law enforcement.

The 32-year veteran has been with HPD since 1977, and has worked in patrol, vice, homicide and other key divisions. He became assistant chief in 1998.

McClelland took over the job in a time of strife community disenchantment, declining morale and soaring crime. But they are all issues that the chief is confident he’ll be able to turn around.

★BLACK FESTIVAL, Page 3

Years with HPD: 32 Education: B.S., Criminal Justice University of Houston M.A., Sociology University of Houston Hometown: Center, Texas Family: Married, Two daughters, Ashley and Brittany.

★MCCLELLAND, Page 7

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — The NAACP unanimously endorsed Elena Kagan, President Barack Obama’s choice for the U. S. Supreme Court, at its quarterly board meeting over the weekend, according to a recently released statement.

“After a careful and thorough review of Elena Kagan’s record, we have unanimously voted to endorse her nomination,” stated President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “Elena Kagan has demonstrated a commitment to civil rights and equal Benjamin justice under the law Jealous throughout her career.

Kagan drew her inspiration from NAACP former counsel and Supreme court Justice Thurgood Marshall who she considers a hero and mentor. During her tenure at the White House, Kagan worked on issues such as strengthening hate crimes legislation and civil rights enforcement. As a law school Dean, she worked to ensure a diverse stu★KAGAN, Page 7

PRESIDENT OBAMA

‘Education Means Emancipation’ Obama reveals strategy to President delivers curb U.S. drug problem message to Hampton Univ.

By Melanie R. Holmes

SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE RICHMOND FREE PRESS

SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS

HAMPTON, Va. (NNPA) - It was an unforgettable, historic occasion for more than 18,000 students and guests who attended the 140th commencement of Hampton University, where President Obama was the main speaker on a breezy, 59-degree, sunsplashed day.

Photo: Jerome Reid/Richmond Free Press In his 21-minute, attention-riveting President Obama tries to hold back a smile as he is “hoodmessage, the president told 1,100 celed” with an honorary doctorate as Hampton University ebrating graduates that education is President William R. Harvey gleefully reads the award cita★EMANCIPATION, Page 3 tion during the school’s 140th graduation ceremonies.

(NNPA) - President Obama has outlined a broad initiative to reduce drug abuse in the U.S. over five years, which focuses on treating the problem as a public health issue rather than a criminal-justice problem.

The National Drug Control Strategy, developed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, addresses drug prevention, treatment, enforcement, and international cooperation, Obama said.

“By boosting community-based preven-

INTERVIEW

On “Common” ground

By Kam Williams CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Common was born Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. in Chicago on March 13, 1972 to Lonnie, Sr. a former pro basketball player, and Dr. Mahila Ann Hines, an educator. He started rapping while still in high school, forming a trio called C.D.R., which opened for acts like N.W.A. and Big Daddy Kane. He adopted the alias Common Sense by 1992, which is when he released his first CD, entitled “Can I Borrow a Dollar?” He shortened his name to just Common after a lawsuit by a band claiming to have the exclusive trademark for “Common Sense.”

In 2002, he made his screen debut in “Brown Sugar,” and a year later, he won his first Grammy for “Love of My Life,” a duet he did with Erykah Badu for the same film. Since then, he’s made seven more CDs, and

appeared in such films as “Smokin’ Aces,” “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party,” “American Gangster,” “Wanted,” “Street Kings” and “Date Night.” Here, he talks about his new movie, “Just Wright,” a romantic comedy directed by Sanaa Hamri, where he stars opposite Queen Latifah.

Common: Hey, peace, Kam, how are you?

Kam Williams: All is well, thanks. I don’t know whether you remember but the last time we spoke I told you my son was taking saxophone lessons with your saxophonist, Justin Robinson.

C: Definitely, man. I hope he’s doing well.

KW: He’s doing fine, thanks. How does it feel to be playing your first lead role as Scott McKnight in “Just Wright?”

C: It feels wonderful! This is something I dreamt of and prayed for. It’s a blessing to get this opportunity to ★COMMON, Page 2

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tion, expanding treatment, strengthening law enforcement, and working collaboratively with our global partners, we will reduce drug use and the great damage it causes in our communities,” Obama said in a statement. “I am confident that when we take the steps outlined in this strategy, we will make our country stronger and our people healthier and safer.”

By 2015, the plan is expected to reduce by 15 percent the rate of youth drug use and the number of chronic drug users, as well as reduce the incidence of druginduced deaths and reduce by 10 percent ★DRUG PROBLEM, Page 3

2

Common

continued from page 1 play a leading man. I feel like it’s the beginning of a new stage of my career as an actor.

KW: And how was it being directed by Sanaa Hamri and acting opposite Queen Latifah, Paula Patton, Phylicia Rashad and Pam Grier?

C: It was cool! These are beautiful, beautiful women. And it was great having Sanaa at the helm, because she brought a fresh perspective to the project in terms of her vision that made it easy for women to relate to it, given how my character was portrayed as sensitive and a good person. But, by the same token, she was also wise enough to balance that with his chi energy as an NBA player to attract a male audience as well.

KW: When is your new CD, “The Believer” being released?

C: The new studio album is coming out in the Fall, but I have a Greatest Hits album coming out May 25th.

KW: Any chance of a musical collaboraPhoto: David Lee tion between you and Queen Latifah?

Common is receiving rave reviews for his portrayal of Scott McKnight in JUST WRIGHT. C: We already hooked up on a collaboration on that Greatest Hits album, it’s a new enced career-wise. It was like, “Man! How moment when a record label tried to get me song featuring Queen Latifah called “The can somebody just take my name?” Still, to make some songs that sounded like Next Time.” I think it’s the first of many Biggie and Nas, who were the hottest guys everything ultimately came together in on the radio at the time, but I knew it would duets we’ll be doing. The song is soulful divine time, and the name Common is very have to come from my soul to be a hit. One and makes you feel good. So, I’m looking appropriate because my music represents of my biggest songs, “The Light,” was just forward to doing more music with her, as everyday people. Common is right.

KW: If you weren’t acting or doing something I wrote because that was the way well as more movies. music, what would you have become?

I really felt about somebody. So, I don’t KW: You seem to be involved in so many C: I believe a teacher.

I always feel that I think I’ve ever compromised myself. good causes from HIV/AIDS awareness to have something to say that will hopefully KW: Did your song “I Used to Love H.E.R.” PETA. Is there any particular cause you want inspire. cause a rift between the East Coast and people to get involved in today?

KW: What are your religious beliefs?

If I West Coast rap artists?

C: Yeah, my Common Ground Foundation remember correctly, you’re a member of C: No, but it caused a situation between [http://www.commongroundfoundation.org/] Reverend Wright’s church in Chicago. myself and Ice Cube and the Westside , because it’s about empowering youth in a C: I’m a Christian.

I believe in God, and Connection.

It started a little beef, but it holistic way, and about helping to shape our I’ve been a member of that church, Trinity ended up being resolved, and out of it we leaders of tomorrow.

United Church of Christ since I was eight.

I both came up with some good raps. They KW: What is the hardest thing you have don’t live in Chicago anymore, so I don’t really felt that I was dissing the West Coast, had to do in your career thus far? but I love the West Coast.

I grew up listenC: I think the hardest thing I’ve had to do get there regularly. But I believe God exists in us all, so I don’t knock any other reliing to both East Coast and West Coast. was to change my name from Common gions. I respect anyone with spiritual beliefs KW: Growing up, who were your role modSense to Common, not only because I was in a higher being. els? attached to it since it meant something to KW: Did you have to compromise you C: I’d say my mother, my Math teacher me, but because I was just beginning to Mr. Brown, and Muhammad Ali. music to make it? build some name recognition when I had to KW: Do you think Black musical artists are C: No, never.

I’ve stayed true to who I deal with a lawsuit over it. That was one of misrepresented in the mainstream media? was, as much as I could.

There was one the more traumatizing things I’ve experi-

MAY 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

C: Yeah, absolutely. Rap artists tend to be stereotyped in one way, as if they all wear chains, curse, flash money and abuse women. It’s unfair not to look at them as individuals with different personalities.

That’s what I like about my character Scott in “Just Wright.” Even though he’s an NBA star, he’s not depicted simplistically as a superficial person, but as a sensitive, complex individual who’s looking for true love and finds it in a beautiful package he didn’t expect.

KW: Is there a major historical figure you would like to portray?

C: Yes, Barack Obama or Marvin Gaye.

KW: Are you ever afraid?

C: Yes, it happens sometimes, maybe before I go onstage, before I shoot a scene, or even when I just reflect on where I am in life.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

C: Some days I see a king. Some days I see a scared little kid.

KW: What is your favorite dish to eat?

C: Tomato sauce, cheese and bread. I love pizza.

KW: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?

C: It’s hard to measure them, but I think the biggest accomplishments are when someone comes to me and says that one of my songs or movies changed their life, got them through the death of a friend, or made them want to marry their lady.

KW: What is your earliest childhood memory?

C: Having my fourth birthday party on a Fun Bus. I was with my mother and remember feeling overwhelmed because there were so many incredible things going on on that party bus.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

C: Believe in God, believe in yourself, and know that it’s a journey, and you will make it.

KW: Well, thanks again Common, and best of luck with the movie, and I look forward to interviewing you again soon.

C: Oh, thank you so much, Kam. It was great to speak to you again. God bless you and your family.

3

MAY 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

Drug Abuse

continued from page 1 the prevalence of drugged driving and drug use among young adults. Prescription drug abuse, drugged driving, and preventing drug use are the top three drugrelated problems in the country.

National Drug Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske led a nationwide listening tour to receive input for the strategy and also met with police, medical professionals, drug treatment providers, elected officials, corrections officials, academics and others.

“In following President Obama’s charge to seek a broad range of input in the strategy, I gained a renewed appreciation of how deeply concerned Americans are about drug use,” Kerlikowske said in a statement.

“It touches virtually all of us, whether we know a family member, a friend, or a colleague who suffers from addiction or is in recovery, a police officer

working to protect the community, or a parent striving to keep a child drug free.”

Jay Rorty, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Drug Law Reform Project, gave credit to the Obama administration for moving away from “failed and unconstitutional” drug enforcement policies, but said he wants to ensure that drug importers, rather than smaller domestic dealers, are the main targets of law enforcement efforts.

“Attempting to reduce demand by continuing to focus on the search, arrest and conviction of street sellers rather than importers will further erode the Fourth Amendment, exacerbate the crippling financial effects of our nation’s addiction to mass incarceration and is no substitute for an effective public healthbased strategy that promotes public safety while preserving communities’ constitutional rights,” Rorty said in a statement released by the ACLU.

Emancipation continued from page 1

the answer for overcoming heavy challenges facing black people and America.

The president, in his first commencement address at a historically Black university, quoted Frederick Douglass to underscore his point, declaring: “Education means emancipation.”

Speaking before an enthusiastic audience assembled on the university’s football field on Mother’s Day, the nation’s first Black president also recalled the origins of the university, which traces its roots to an 1861 school for escaped slaves who sought asylum after fleeing nearby plantations in the Confederate South.

In addition, to awarding the president an honorary degree, HU officials also presented him with a seedling from Emancipation Oak, under which former slaves once were taught and where President Abraham Lincoln later came to read the Emancipation Proclamation.

The president’s appearance on the stage situated on a stage in the end zone of HU’s football field was greeted with a roar of clapping and cheering and a shout from the crowd: “I love you.”

The president, with a big smile, responded: “I love you back, that’s why I’m here.”

Black festival continued from page 1

Atlanta. One of the problems we have is because we’re so spread out, we don’t have the cohesive atmosphere of the geographically smaller cities. Houston needs to make itself known as a place in the south where cultural activities occur and the more that we have of them, the more that we will have of them because people will start thinking of Houston in that light.”

This is the third year of the festival, Brenda which will feature Jackson author signings, launch parties, seminars and networking events.

“Attendees can expect to meet more African-American authors than anywhere they could ever probaReShonda bly go. Throughout Tate the day, all of the Billingsley authors will have their tables set up, which will be grouped by genre for easy navigation and people can meet and talk with authors they love and meet new authors.

The readers and book clubs love it because they can meet so many authors in one place. And the authors like it as well because they get to meet their readership face to face, and they get to network with other authors. With over 130 authors scheduled to attend, we’re one of the largest indoor gatherings.”

Among the headline authors scheduled to attend are Carl Weber, Tracy Brown, J.M. Benjamin, Beverly Jenkins, Brenda Jackson, and former Fox 26 Reporter, ReShonda Tate Billingsley.

“There is nothing like getting up close and personal with readers and that’s what this festival is all about,” says Tate Billingsley, a national bestselling author and native Houstonian, who will be speaking and signing her latest book,

National Black Book Festival May 21-23, 2010 Houston, Texas Crowne Plaza Hotel Saturday, May 22, 2010 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 23, 2010 Noon to 6:00 p.m. $5.00 per day for adults and teens FREE ADMISSION for children under 12

The Devil is a Lie, Sunday, May 23rd at 3 p.m. “As someone who travels all over the country attending book events, it’s refreshing to see something of this magnitude taking place in our own back yard.”

New York Times Bestselling author Brenda Jackson, who will be at the festival celebrating the release of her 75th book, Hidden Pleasures says her excitement about participating in the event is two-fold.

“I like getting out whenever I can to meet the ladies and gents who read my books; especially in Houston, since it’s the where the Madaris Family (my most popular family series) is based,” said Jackson, who will be speaking and signing on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. “I not only want to meet and greet my readers, but fellowship with other authors. We as authors need to support each other as well.”

Richardson says they are expecting about 3,000 people to attend the festival this year, the first year that the Black Book Festival has been a stand-alone event.

“In 2008, we held the festival in conjunction with the Houston Black Expo.

The first year we had some challenges

just because whenever you do something for the first time, you don’t know what to expect, and we were hoping for more people from the expo to assist with our crowd. We had about 600 people the first year. Last year, we had about 1800 people. We increased marketing and are expecting an even greater turnout this year,” Richardson said.

And she hopes that Houstonians will turn out to support Black books.

“If we don’t tell our own story, it won’t get told. No one can tell our story as well as we can because the point of view is just not something that is easily transferred,” Richardson said. “These types of events, first of all, let people know there are tons of AfricanAmerican books and authors out there.

But they also encourage other people who have not started writing and they want to write and I’ve had several people who came to past festivals and they were inspired to either write their next book or stop procrastinating and write the book that they felt was within them.

And the world needs to know that we are literate people and there are not just one or two authors that they know about, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, or Eric Jerome Dickey, but there are thousands of African Americans who have written books and have a story to tell.”

“All over the country, there are Black bookstores closing down. Sales for books across the board are declining and Black authors are being hit the hardest.

Black events are being canceled. It’s a vicious cycle. That’s why it’s imperative that the community comes out to support things like the National Black Book Festival so that our voices can continue to be heard,” said Tate Billingsley.

“Without the people’s support our books will become a dying breed,” added Jackson. “I can remember when there were no books written by African Americans in the stores and we don’t want to ever go back to that way again.

To guarantee that doesn’t happen, we need people to support Black authors.”

Tickets are $5 for adults and teens, free for children under twelve. For more information, visit www.nationalblackbookfestival.com.

4

MAY 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

SPORTS

MAY 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

Max Edison

on Sports

TSU Baseball, Hot Congratulations to coach Mike Robertson and the TSU baseball team. A few weeks ago we chronicled the success they are enjoying this season and as the regular season winds down the Tigers show no signs of slowing down.

The Tigers began last weekend needing to sweep the Panthers to clinch first place in the Western Division. So what did TSU do? They went to PV and swept the Panthers three games in stunning fashion.

TSU scored 38 runs with 57 hits in the three game series while holding Prairie View to 11 runs and 24 hits.

Texas Southern ends SWAC play with the best conference and overall records in school history, finishing 28-23 and 18-6 in conference. The team compiled an amazing 11-1 conference record road mark.

Heading into the conference tournament, Tiger confidence has never been higher.

“Early own we (coaches) were a little concerned because things were coming together so quickly with such a young team, but now because of the way we’ve played on the road, our confidence has really kicked in,” Robertson explained. “Now we’re gelling at just the right time. We’re getting timely hitting, playing great defense and getting outstanding pitching. I’m really excited about the tournament. We have the best team in the conference.”

The SWAC Post-Season Baseball Tournament runs May 26-30 at ★EDISON, Page 6

Darrell Ardison

on H.S. Sports As part of its recent Centennial Celebration, the University Interscholastic League announced the UIL all-Century track and field teams as selected by the fans.

More than 8,000 votes were cast for the favorite track and field athletes in the history of Texas prep sports.

Former Dallas Jefferson High School standout Michael Carter was honored at the 2010 state meet in Austin for still holding the national (77 feet) and state records (75 feet, nine inches) he established back in 1979 (31 years ago).

Dennis Brantley of Worthing still holds the 110meter hurdle record (13.34 seconds) that he set in 1980.

When Roy Martin of Dallas Roosevelt completed the 200-meter dash in a time of 20.24 seconds at the state meet in 1985, who would have ever thought he’d still own the record 25 years later?

James Lott of Refugio still own the state high jump mark of seven feet, 4.7 inches, 27 years later (1983) and Henry Neal of Greenville covered 100 meters in 10.14 seconds in 1990.

Each of these state record holders, with the exception of Lott, still hold the National Federation national record.

Houston area schools North Shore and Westbury ★ARDISON, Page 6

5

Conference Finals The NBA’s Final Four

Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant

Boston Celtics

Phil Jackson

Phoenix Suns

Amar'e Stoudemire

Paul Pierce

Doc Rivers

Orlando Magic

Alvin Gentry

By Max Edison DEFENDER

Much has been made of the NCAA Final Four and rightfully so, since it’s one of the most compelling events in all of sport. Now it’s time for the guys who play for pay to strut their stuff. The NBA Conference Finals are underway and the professional Final Four features two perennial favorites and two upstarts, trying to make their way into the big time. The Phoenix Suns try to upset the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, while the Boston Celtics, ’07-’08 champions, attempt to fend off last year’s finalist, the Orlando Magic.

The Phoenix Suns finished second to the Lakers in the Pacific Division during the regular season. Head coach Alvin Gentry has done a masterful coaching job that has gone largely unnoticed throughout the regular season, but is on full display in the playoffs. They handled a pesky Portland Trailblazer team in six games in round one of the playoffs. Then, most surprisingly, they swept a San Antonio Spurs ball club that seemed to be surging at just the right time.

For Gentry and the Suns, the conference finals

Dwight Howard

against the Lakers is just another step toward achieving their team goal.

“We have the utmost respect for the Lakers, but we don’t fear them,” Gentry said. “No one gave the right to play them. We earned it. We know it’s a heck of a challenge, but we look forward to it. We have a chance, if we play well and find a way to win, to get to the NBA Finals and that’s what our goal should be.”

Of course, when you mention the Sun’s success, it always begins with the play of their dynamic duo, Steve Nash (16.5 ppg, 11 apg.) and Amare Stoudemire (23.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg.). No player in the NBA has played better down the stretch (post All-Star game) than Stoudemire.

Despite numerous reports before the trade deadline that he would be moved, Amare has remained a Sun and has been playing the best ball of his career. Something that Amare insists was just a matter of getting back into a basketball groove.

“I knew if I continued to stay with the game and keep working hard, the rust would eventually come off after that long off-season,” Amare explained. “That was my game plan to stay with it. It happened that way. Second half of the sea-

Stan Van Gundy

son, I got the rust off, my basketball IQ back and we just grew from there.

The Sun have also gotten stellar play from starters Jason Richardson (15.7 ppg.) and Grant Hill (11.3 ppg., 5.5 rpg.). The contributions off the bench of Goran Dragic, (7.9 ppg.) Channing Frye (11.2 ppg. ,5.3 rpg.) and Leandro Barbosa (9.5 ppg.) have all been keys to the Sun’s playoff success. The return of injured center Robin Lopez could make the Suns giant slayers.

With the defending champion Lakers, there are no surprises, you know what to expect. A heavy dose of the game’s most dominant player, Kobe Bryant (27 ppg., 5 apg.) mix in liberally one of the games more underrated big men, Pau Gasol (18.3ppg., 11.3 rpg.), sprinkle in a veteran point guard, Derek Fisher (7.5 ppg.) and a wacky defensive specialist, Ron Artest (11 ppg., 4.3 rpg.) and you have the recipe for what could be a back-to-back championship run for Phil Jackson’s group.

The Champs wrestled the youthful Thunder into submission and steamrolled the verticallychallenged Utah Jazz. With the combination of ★FINAL FOUR, Page 6

Bellaire loses one of its stars

By Darrell K. Ardison DEFENDER

The unexpected is never easy to rationalize or accept.

Just days prior to the Bellaire High School graduation ceremony and following a school-sponsored prom night after-party, basketball star Tobi Oyedeji dropped off some friends at their homes and headed home in the wee hours of a Sunday morning.

The 17 year old took the time to text his father and at 5:53 a.m. wrote the words “Dad, I’m on my way home.”

Twenty minutes later, the silver Toyota Avalon that Oyedeji was driving veered out of its lane in the 14100 block of South Main in southwest Houston and crashed head-on into a Jeep Patriot, police said.

Gertha Augustin, 51, of Sugar Land, was driving in the opposite direction toward her job at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at 6:15 a.m. Sunday, May 16, when Oyedeji’s vehicle crossed over Photo: TexAgs.com the grassy median. Augustin died Bellaire basketball star Tobi Oyedeji died in a head-on collision on at the scene. Oyedeji died later his way home from the prom that day at Ben Taub General Hospital. .

Player while helping the pened,” said his father, Michael Tobi Oyedeji was Bellaire’s Cardinals win the district title Oyedeji, while in tears, from the second-leading scorer last seaoutright and earn the No. 1 rank- family home in Missouri City. son, averaging more than 16 ing among Class 5A schools in The double loss was not only points per game. A 6-foot-9, 220Texas. felt at Bellaire High School pound center, Oyedeji was Bellaire’s season came to a where Oyedeji was just days selected first-team All-Greater sudden end in the Region III-5A away from graduating, but also Houston and was a driving force championship game on a buzzer deeply impacted the staff at M.D. in the Cardinals’ 35-2 season. beater to eventual state champion Anderson, where Augustin He also was selected the Fort Bend Bush. worked with the first trials of District 20-5A’s Most Valuable “I don’t know why this hap- experimental drugs on some of

the hospital’s sickest patients.

“We’re deeply, deeply saddened by her loss,” hospital spokesman Wendy Gottsegen said of Augustin, who previously lived in Virginia before joining M.D. Anderson’s staff in the summer of 2000. She was a native of Haiti.

Oyedeji was a top Texas A&M recruit and rated one of the Top 100 in the nation. He was one of the Houston-area’s top rebounders and shot blockers and just days shy of turning 18, graduating from high school and beginning summer college courses.

Family members disclosed the youngster didn’t drink or abuse drugs. Police speculated that Oyedeji may have nodded off as he drove home.

Bellaire basketball coach Bruce Glover said he last spoke with Oyedeji at the school’s prom, which was held at the Westin Galleria on that Saturday night. Glover took a group photo with Oyedeji and the rest of the team before telling everyone to be careful.

“The mourning is natural,” Glover said. “The question we ask ourselves is, what do we mourn the most – his past or his future? Because he had such a bright future and he had such a great past.”

Glover praised Oyedeji for his relaxed, easy-going off-court demeanor and added that he was an intense on-court competitor. ★BELLAIRE STAR, Page 6

SPORTS

6

Final four

continued from page 5 Gasol (7 ft.), the ailing, yet playing Andrew Bynum (7 ft.) and everyone’s Mr. Versatility, Lamar Odom (6’10”), the Lakers have the length to create major headaches for anyone they face.

Needless to say, Laker coach Phil Jackson plans to continue to utilize his team’s height advantage.

“As we look into the playoffs, we’ve had size and it’s been our strength and we want to exploit it, and we certainly will against the Phoenix Suns,” Jackson said.

And then, if all else fails there’s “that Man,” the Black Mamba, the best finisher in the game today.

Bryant, who’s been nursing a sore knee and a bad finger, has benefited from the week layoff before the Western Conference Final begins.

“It’s all part of the game,” Bryant said. “I love a long layoff.

Everybody on our team is pretty much banged up, so it’s good to get rest and get ready for what’s in front of you.”

The Boston Celtics are the most experienced team in the playoffs, which is another way of saying they’re an old team. After sending Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers home early for summer vacation, the Celtics have rediscovered the fountain of youth and are geared for another championship run.

The Celtics bring back the same squad that defeated the Lakers to capture the crown two years ago, plus the addition veterans, Rasheed Wallace, Michael Finley and the athletic Nate Robinson.

Head coach Doc Rivers believes that balance is the key to the C’s success thus far.

“I would say the biggest change that we have through this year is that we are a balanced-scoring basketball team,” Rivers said. “We

don’t rely on one guy anymore; we don’t even rely on two or three. We just keep looking for the right place to go. And that’s easy for our coaching staff, but very difficult for the players because the players have to want to do that and trust that.”

All-Star Paul Pierce agrees with his coach on the significance of balance.

“That’s what makes us so strong.

When you do your scouting report on us, you have to worry about four, five, six different guys night in and night out,” Pierce said. “A lot of the great teams, they have at least one great player, when you look at Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James. So a lot of our scouting report is going to be geared toward the star players and then key in on the other guys.”

“I think with us, you can’t just key in on one guy,” Pierce continued. “You can say I’m our leading scorer, but you’ve got four or five other guys that could be our leading scorer and it’s not by much. I’m only our leading scorer by like two points [during the regular season] from the second-leading scorer, three points from the third-leading scorer, so it can happen from anybody on any given night. That’s what makes us so great, when we move the ball and we have so many people we can rely on.”

Last year, the Orlando Magic served notice on the league, the Eastern Conference in particular, that they would no longer be overlooked. Last season, the Magic advanced to the NBA Finals to the surprise of most pundits. Dwight Howard (18.3 ppg, 13.2 rpg.) demonstrated that he was worthy of the hype that had been heaped on others. So what do the Magic do for an encore? Take the next step, return to the finals and win the championship. They finished with the second best record in the league

MAY 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

Edison

continued from page 5 Shreveport/Bossier City’s Fairground Field. The Tigers open competition against Alabama State.

Texans, do we have a problem?

Earlier this week the Texans started Organized Team Activity (OTA’s). For a team coming off their first winning season (9-7) and expecting to finally break through and make the playoffs in 2010, they couldn’t have started any worse.

To start matters off, just before OTA’s began the team discovered strong-side linebacker Brian Cushing, the human cyborg and AP Rookie of the Year, has been suspended for the first four regular season games for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Never mind what you think of Cushing or his excuse (or plausible lack of an excuse) for testing positive, one of the key cogs to a rapidly improving, physical defense will be missing for the first quarter of the season.

In addition, as OTA’s begin we find out that All-World wide-out Andre Johnson will be a no show because he’s upset about his contract. At age 28, the team’s most prolific offensive weapon feels he has outperformed his lucrative deal that was extended 3 years ago and has 5 years remaining. Now Johnson missing OTA’s or the subsequent minicamp shouldn’t slow him down because he stays in excellent shape, but for a team that preparing for a playoff or bust season, with a seriously difficult schedule, you don’t need any unnecessary distractions and hopefully this story won’t become one.

Photo:NBAE/Getty

Paul Pierce elevated over Dwight Howard for the jumper in Game 2, and he's gotten his team to raise its game in the postseason as they're making another run at a ring in 2010. during the regular season.

Gone from last year’s team is Hedo Turkoglu, replaced by Vince Carter (16 ppg.). Also, the team benefits from a healthy Jameer Nelson (12.6 ppg, 5.4 apg.) who missed the lion’s share of the playoff last year due to injury.

Magic head coach, Stan Van Gundy believes in magic and the power of preparation.

“The one thing I’ve said that I have real confidence in with our team is that our mindset, our preparation; and what we bring to the game in terms of intensity will be real good ... If we get beat and when we get beat, it will be because

somebody outplayed us. It won’t be because we weren’t ready to play.”

Local product Rashard Lewis sums up his team and their mindset.

“Since the midway point of the season, we have played great and our chemistry has been so good,” Lewis shared. “We all dream about winning a championship all the time. I’ve been in the league 12 years, and I know how hard it is to win a championship.”

Truer words have never been spoken.

Ardison

continued from page 5

won team titles in 2010 and we should also remember those schools that have achieved the greatest success over the years.

Refugio leads the way with 10 state boys titles. Lancaster and Dallas Skyline possess eight state girls championships.

The Refugio girls won five consecutive team titles and Houston Westbury garnered four straight championships from 1997 to 2000.

Some past Texas state high school track and field champions that went on to win an Olympic gold medal include Randy Matson of Pampa, who won a 1968 Olympic gold medal in the shot put.

Louise Ritter won an Olympic gold medal in the high jump in 1988 and still holds the American record 22 years later.

Don’t forget that Toya Jones, Nanceen Perry, Ychlindria spears, Stephanie Duke and Chandi Jones each won gold medals in two events for four consecutive years.

I love taking trips down memory lane.

CLASSIFIED IF YOU USED TYPE 2 DIABETES DRUG AVANDIA AND SUFFERED A STROKE OR HEART ATTACK you may be entitled to compensation. Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727

Advertise in the Defender

MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Request for Proposals for the following:

IT EQUIPMENT FOR MHMRA

(COMPUTER REPLACEMENTS AND SOFTWARE) Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway,Suite 100 in Houston,Texas 77074,telephone number (713) 970-7300,and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, May 24, 2010. The Request for Proposals (RFP) must be submitted to Purchasing Department, Suite 100, 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston,Texas 77074 by Friday, June 18, 2010, 10:00 a.m. in a sealed envelope marked "RFP - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010, 10 A.M – “IT EQUIPMENT FOR MHMRA (Computer Replacements and Software)”. Any questions pertaining to this RFP should be addressed in writing to Joycie Sheba, Buyer II / Sharon Brauner, Buyer III via fax (713) 970-7682 or email questions to joycie.sheba@mhmraharris.org, cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all offers it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

Photo: TexAgs.com

Tobi Oyedeji had already signed to play for Texas A&M University.

Bellaire Star

continued from page 5 “He was a lion once he crossed those lines,” Glover said. “He reminded me of (Boston Celtics center) Kevin Garnett (yelling) ‘Let’s go!”

In a statement released soon after Oyedeji’s death, Aggies coach Mark Turgeon called the young man “a great kid.”

Turgeon went on to say that “Tobi epitomized the term student-athlete.

He was a very good student and worked hard in the classrooms and on the basketball court,” he said. “He was a terrific basketball player.

“This is difficult to understand, and today is a very sad day,” Turgeon said.

“My heart aches for his mom and dad.”

One of Oyedeji’s Bellaire classmates, Maya E. Perrin, said she remembers him from her first day at the school when she fumbled and dropped her books.

“He laughed at me, then he helped me pick up the books,” she said.

Oyedeji recently played in the High School Academic All-american Game in Azusa, Calif., and was named the American squad’s Player of the Game.

Players who participate in the game must have at least a 3.0 grade point average and are selected based on academic profile as well as basketball ability.

Glover said he hopes to make arrangements for the school to retire Oyedeji’s jersey next season, possibly before their season-opening home

game against Booker T. Washington.

At his Missouri City home following the tragedy, Oyedeji’s NigerianAmerican relatives prayed, cried and shared memories of the basketball prodigy. They asked how this could happen to someone who showed so much promise.

As Michael Oyedeji continued to grieve, he showed a reporter the last text message he sent to his son at 6:48 a.m.

It said: “Call me when you get this message. A short time later, he received a grim call from the hospital.

A memorial fund has been set up in Oyedeji’s name at Amegy Bank.

Donations can be made at any Amegy Bank location.

MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Request for Proposal for the following:

JANITORIAL SERVICES Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway,Suite 100 in Houston,Texas 77074,Telephone number (713) 970-7300 and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, May 24, 2010. The Request for Proposal (RFP) must be submitted to Purchasing Department, Suite 100, 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston,Texas 77074 by, Thursday, June 24, 2010, 10:00 a.m. in a sealed envelope marked "RFP DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2010, 10 A.M – “JANITORIAL SERVICES”. Any questions pertaining to this RFP should be addressed in writing to Joycie Sheba,Buyer II / Sharon Brauner, Buyer III via fax (713) 970-7682 or email questions to joycie.sheba@mhmraharris.org, cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org.MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all offers it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Request for Proposal for the following:

MAIL AND PHARMACEUTICAL COURIER SERVICES Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston,Texas 77074,Telephone number, 713-970-7300, and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, May 24, 2010. The Request for Proposal (RFP) must be submitted to Purchasing Department, Suite 100, 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston,Texas 77074 by,Wednesday, June 16,2010,10:00 a.m. in a sealed envelope marked "RFP - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2010, 10 A.M – “MAIL AND PHARMACEUTICAL COURIER SERVICES”. Any questions pertaining to this RFP should be addressed in writing to Joycie Sheba, Buyer II / Sharon Brauner, Buyer III via fax (713) 970-7682 or email questions to joycie.sheba@mhmraharris.org, cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all offers it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

MAY 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

7

McClelland

institutions and so. If people can’t get an adequate education, or they don’t get an adequate education, they drop out of school, then can’t find a job. If people can’t find legal jobs, then they’re going to find illegal jobs. People can also certainly benefit from some type of spiritual support. It takes all of those institutions to deal with crime, not just govenerment or the police.

Defender: Do you have any intention of dealing with racial profiling?

McClelland: All of our officers have been trained on the law regarding racial profiling.

Let me be clear, racial profiling is illegal.

Any officer who has engaged in racial profiling and we can prove it, that’s grounds for termination. That’s a violation of someone’s constitutional rights. Criminal profiling is different. That’s legal and certainly appropriate. We can’t stop someone based on their race, background or gender but we can stop someone based on their behavior, based on what their actions were and that’s called criminal profiling.

Defender: There’s been a lot in the news regarding the suspension of the eight police officers for the alleged beating of a 15-yearold burglary suspect. Many have praised you for stepping up and placing the officers on leave. Is that the approach you plan to take in situations like this?

McClelland: Well, each case is different, but I want to assure the public we will be transparent and open with our findings in this case once the ongoing investigation is completed. Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos has requested that no evidence be released at this time because it would compromise the integrity of the investigation.

When I first viewed the surveillance tape, I was very concerned. I immediately contacted the Harris County D.A.’s Office to start an independent criminal investigation. At the same time, I ordered the Internal Affairs Division to launch an investigation to identify the officers involved in the incident.

Internal Affairs worked to identify the officers and, after determining their identities, they were relieved of duty. I previously contacted the local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office and made them aware of the incident and assured them of the department’s full cooperation in any subsequent investigation.

continued from page 1 The Defender spoke one on one with Chief Charles McClelland about his challenges, what lies ahead and his plans for the Houston Police Department.

Defender: What are some of the biggest challenges facing the Houston Police Department?

Charles McClelland: There are a number of issues facing the Houston Police Department, including our inability to use technology to our advantage as a force. We need more electronic license plate readers, more electronic surveillance. Anything we can use to make sure that we can eliminate some of the jobs that requires an officer’s physical presence, we need to be looking at.

That’s one. Two, I’m hoping that these challenging financial times can cause us to be more creative and innovative and team up with our other law enforcement partners in the region and the state. There are a lot of law enforcement agencies that have some jurisdictions in Houston. We need to do more collaborative work to make sure that we’re not duplicating services and how we can assist each other, do some more resource sharing.

Defender: In the last reporting cycle, violent crime is down, while property crimes are up. What are some the things you’re planning to do to address Houston’s overall crime rate?

McClelland: I have a three-point vision to move the department forward and all of them have an impact on crime, or the fear of crime. One, I want to strengthen police community relations because there’s a perception that those relations have suffered over the past few years. That goes to the heart of people’s fear of crime, when they don’t have trust and confidence in the police department. So, I’m going to work all over the community to help people understand that the police department is going to be open, transparent and we’re going to have regular dialogue with community groups and community leaders. Two, I want to increase the internal communication in the organization. There’s a lot of good ideas from the rank and file members throughout the organization, police officers and our civilian support staff. They have good ideas

Kagan

continued from page 1 dent body and faculty. And as Solicitor General, Kagan has vigorously defended the nation’s equal opportunity and civil rights laws. We look forward to actively supporting her nomination,” Jealous said in the statement.

NAACP Chair Roslyn Brock says in the statement that Kagan is a unifier.

“Elena Kagan has a track record of bringing people together. She is skilled at forging legal consensus on contentious issues,” Brock states. “Civil rights is a bipartisan issue. It is central to the core of our American values. We believe Elena Kagan has the ability to use her fine legal mind, her commitment to diversity and her ability to build bridges to effectively advocate in the Court for the civil rights and democracy enshrined in our constitution.”

The NAACP, with its reputation as the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the country, will no doubt influence the perception of Kagan by some in the Black community who are observing various perspectives from credible Black organizations. Kagan’s civil rights credentials have been intensely questioned by high-profiled organizations. This includes the National Bar Association, which has withheld judgment on her candidacy until her record is more closely scrutinized.

“The National Bar Association, having put forth a very qualified candidate for consideration, was a bit surprised by the choice. I think that has as much to do with the process as the nominee. As the largest association of predominately African-American lawyers and judges, we have a vested interest in our judiciary. We hope to support the president with this nomination and want to know more about the nominee’s sensitivity to issues of race, gender, class discrimination and to affording equal opportunity to all segments of our society,” said NBA President Mavis T. Thompson in a statement.

“Hence, our standard examines not only the professional qualifications of judicial nominees” said Thompson, “but also scrutinizes whether the proposed jurist has the ability to judge fairly, to conduct matters with judicial temperance, and to advance and seek equal justice under the law. Moreover, our standard is vital to ensuring that groups that have been historically marginalized by the legal system obtain the American mandate of equal justice under law.”

The NBA, which represents 44,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students in 80 affiliate chapters in the U. S. and around the world, had recommended that the president appoint a Black female to the court. In a letter, the organization had asked the president to

CITYWIDE CRIME STATISTICS Jan 1-March 31, 2010 Murders down 1% Sexual assaults down 7.7% Robberies down 8.5% Aggravated Assault 9.6% Total violent crime down 6.3%

PROPERTY CRIMES Burglaries up 4.8% Thefts up 3.0% Auto thefts down 11.2% about how to reduce crime, save money, and become more efficient. I want to create an avenue and an atmosphere where they can bring those ideas forward. Three, I want to improve the efficiencies in my processes, both for individuals and patrol commanders.

That means that although they may not have adequate resources to address crime in their individual geographic areas that they’re responsible for, we still use citywide resources to assist them. For example, if the North division captain doesn’t have enough resources to deal with crime spikes in his area, then we need to make sure that we can assist them with citywide resources, like vice, narcotics, crime reduction units. Those are the units that we have flexibility to deploy all over the city and not take any officers out of any other patrol districts. We also used March as a time to focus on the March on crime, whereby we tried to educate and address property crimes because property crimes are the most preventable crimes in our society because if people do more to protect their homes and their vehicles (folks not leaving personal items like cell phones, laptops, purses in car), you become less of a target. If you use window locks, alarm systems, etc, to protect your property, you’re less of a target. And individual citizen can do more than the police can in terms of property crimes.

Defender: How would you assess the morale in the Houston Police Department?

consider Ann Claire Williams, the first African-American ever appointed to the Seventh Circuit and the third AfricanAmerican woman ever to serve on any United States Court of Appeals.

The Black Women’s Roundtable, headed by Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation, had also asked Obama to appoint a Black female to the court. In a letter, Campbell and 27 women also expressed concern that Kagan’s civil rights record is not well established; therefore her appointment is risky for African-American progress.

NAACP board members say they made their decision based on the Kagan records that they have been able to research.

“The organization reviewed Kagan’s available record on civil rights including her recent authorization for the Department of Justice and the Department of Civil Rights to file an amicus brief supporting the constitutionality of the University of Texas’ affirmative action program in Fisher v. University of Texas and her brief in support of African American firefighters who challenged a hiring test used by the City of Chicago under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Lewis v. City of Chicago),” the press release stated.

“Kagan has a keen understanding of the importance of diversity to the strength and advancement of our nation,” added Jealous. “It is no accident that during her tenure as dean of the Harvard Law School, the percentage of African American students rose from 9.3 percent to 11.6 percent. The percentage of Hispanics in the entering class was 6.4 percent, while it had been 4.6 percent prior to her becoming dean. The number of African American students admitted, particularly Black men - given the national decline in African American males in colleges and universities— is impressive Her record demonstrates a legal scholar who clearly values the precept of equal opportunity as a right that is protected by our constitution.”

Still, the argument remains that one of the nation’s most powerful institutions has no Black female voice.

“The NBA viewed the court’s vacant seat as an opportunity to further diversify the high court and to make it more reflective of the nation it serves,” states Thompson. “The NBA will remain actively engaged in the Supreme Court confirmation process. Further, we will continue to work with the White House to expand the pool of qualified candidates to serve on the nation’s highest court.”

McClelland: I think people are excited that we have a new police chief. I think they’re even more excited that we actually have one from inside the ranks. And I think they’re going to work hard to make things work and do more with less. I think the people were really hoping Mayor Parker would choose from within the rank and file. I’ve gotten many, many cards and emails from people saying congratulations. And not just officers, civilians, too.

Defender: Speaking of civilians, do you have a plan for more civilian workers?

McClelland: I would like to hire more civilian workers, but I can’t because of budget regulations, so I have to do with what I have. Right now, we have over 53hundred police officers and a little over 17hundred civilians. So, I know the upcoming budget year, that’s what I’m going to ask for. I’m probably not going to be able to grow my workforce, but I’ll still ask.

Defender: What are your plans to reduce the amount of Black-on-Black crime?

McClelland: I would like to reduce the rate of crime, period. But I’m certainly concerned about the amount of young minority males who are involved in crimes of violence. I’ve said many times, in many different arenas, people need to understand, crime is not a police problem, it’s a social problem. As a police department, we do have a responsibility and a part in controlling crime, but so do the schools, our religious

8

AN EVENING WITH A STAR……..Tony Award winning playwright and performer, Sarah Jones, treated Houstonians with her multi-character solo show “Bridge & Tunnel.” The show was originally produced off-Broadway by Oscar-winner Meryl Streep and went on to become a critically acclaimed, long-running hit on-Broadway. In this stirring production, she examined Jewish and African American relations in America that was developed especially for the final event of a fabulous debut season for the Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC). No one can reflect on that better than Sarah, who is a product of a Black father and a Jewish mother. HMAAC has had an incredible first season and is quickly establishing itself as a place that attracts national talent and initiates thought-provoking discussions about people, places and times.

Spotted at the show included Melanie Lawson, HMAAC Chairman of the Board of Directors, John Guess, Jr. HMAAC/CEO, Rev. Bill and Audrey Lawson, Roxanne Lawson, Vanessa Williams, Alyce Coffee, Vanessa Gilmore, Sharon Owens, Roxanne Chargois, Lisa Chargois, Janice Beal, Linda, Lindsey and Lou Gregory, Michael Helm, Ellen Ray, C. B. Claiborne, Carole Pinkett and Carol, Carolyn and John Guess, III. Fabulous Show!.......PUMP-ALICIOUS…….Putting their best foot forward, about 200 ladies attended the 2010 Kick Out Kidney Disease Luncheon by wearing their pump-a-licious shoes. The event was chaired by Merele Yarborough who knows first-hand about this terrible disease and the need to kick it out of existence. On the scene were Terri Phillips, Board Chair/National Kidney Foundation Serving Southeast Texas, Nicole Sonnier, Regional Vice President, Crystal Wright, Marion Johnson, Myra Rega, Phyllis Williams, Clarease Yates, Keryl Douglas, Regina Carrington, Gail Smith, Rhonda Adams, Florence Love, Ebele Iloanya, Stacy McIntosh and Elouise Jackson, to name a few. Adding a special touch to the luncheon included greetings from Deborah Duncan, KHOU Channel 11 Great Day Houston, HFD poster-boys Errick Presley and Aaron Bond and a fabulous fashion presentation by Neiman Marcus.

Continued Success!.....MENTORING MIXER………To kick-off the 2010 Black Expo, the Houston Area Urban League hosted a mentoring mixer welcoming Susan L. Taylor, Publisher Emeritus of Essence Magazine to the city and honoring five outstanding mentors. The honorees included Charles Savage, Executive Director of the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program, Algenita Scott-Davis, Executive Director of Houston Habitat for Humanity, Lawrence Allen, Director/Special Projects for HISD, Dr. Jonita Reynolds, CEO /Gulf Coast Community Services Association and Dr. Frazier Wilson, Vice President/Shell Oil Company Foundation.

Congrats!......NEWEST CHAPTER…..

The recently organized Cy-Fair Chapter of the National Women of Achievement hosted their first event, “Sister II Sister” Health & Wellness Breakfast at Good Hope Baptist Church. In addition to a delicious breakfast, the guests were treated to a panel discussion presented by Venisha Shepard, nutritionist, Dornne Burnside, pharmacist and Officer Rachelle Holman. Although new, the chapter has already surpassed their expectations in providing service to the elderly, veterans, youth and women. Should you wish to join the chapter, contact Helen Johnson at 281-852-4405 or Chapter President Anne Harris at 713-937-3320.

Congratulations and continued success!........ KUDOS…….Mt. Horem Baptist Church family and Minister Thomas F. Freeman celebrated their 60th Annual Women’s Day Program…….Houston’s first African American Congregational Church and Senior Pastor Rev. Myron E. Cloyd celebrated its 106th year of service with a dedication and unveiling of the Official Texas State Historical Marker presented by the Texas Historical Commission and the Harris County Historical Commission and Mayor Anise Parker has been named one of “The World’s Most Influential People”

by Time magazine…….. 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!

MAY 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

Audrey, Rev. Bill and Roxanne Lawson

John Guess, Jr., Playwright Sarah Jones and Melanie Lawson

Lindsey, Lou and Linda Lorrell Gregory

Michael Helm and Roxanne Chargois

Ayesh Mutope and Calepha Johnson

Chair Lady Merele Yarborough and Honoree Myra Rega

John W. Johnson, Jr. and Linda Johnson

Gail Smith, Rhonda Adams and Florence Love

Ebele Iloanya and Stacy McIntosh

Terri Phillips and Deborah Duncan

Nicole Sonnier, Errick Presley and Marion Johnson

Kicking Out Kidney Disease

Arlener Poydras, Susan Taylor and Phyllis Bailey

Dr. Jonita Reynolds and Dr. Frazier Wilson

Ellen Ray and C. B. Claiborne

Joe Arrington and Jerome Love

Charles Savage and Algenita Scott-Davis

Yvette Pawnell and Deanna Santiago