Houston Defender: June 02, 2011 by Defender Media Group |DefenderNetwork

NATIONAL SPELMAN LESBIAN, GAY, BI-SEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER SUMMIT DRAWS ATTENTION P4

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source Volume 80 | Number 31

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WEEK OF JUNE 2, 2011 | FREE

NEWSTALK

TEACH FOR AMERICA

Beyond the rape

Celebrating 20 years amid challenges

P3 OBITUARY

MEDICAL TRAILBLAZER

Cleveland Tx. projects another image

Dr. James Watson dead at 74

 PAGE 6

P16

HEALTH RILEY-BROWN Cornerstone of Texas Children’s West Campus

Eddie Long settles lawsuits

Queen Latifah debuts apparel

Four lawsuits filed against Bishop Eddie Long of Atlanta have been settled out of court, but questions about the agreement remain. Last year, four men accused Long of sexual misconduct, and he promised to fight the charges. Now that Long has settled, those involved are keeping quiet. The monetary terms remain a mystery, and no one is saying who’s paying the tab.

Actress and singer Queen Latifah has branched out into the business world. She is launching a line of women’s apparel and accessories in partnership with the Home Shopping Network. The line debuts in August and includes jeans, bags, outerwear and even clip-on hair extensions. The Queen believes all women want “beautiful, ﬂy clothes,” no matter what size they are.

 PAGE

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In The Book Corner

david fitzsimmons, The arizona Star

An Uncaged Eagle – True Freedom

STATE REP. RON REYNOLDS named “Freshman of the Year”

by Colonel Richard Tolliver, USAF (Ret.)

News & Opinion Prophetic Genius of Gil Scott Heron

“This autobiography tells the story of my …… The odyssey begins with my family’s escape from the Ku Klux Klan in the backwoods of Louisiana in 1942.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.

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Teach for America

newstalk

Celebrates 20 years amid state budget challenges By aSWad Walker Defender

he Texas Legislature has kicked off a special session focused on education that will more than likely result in dramatic school district budget cuts, teacher firings and increased classroom sizes. Yet, in the midst of potential changes that educational advocates view as setbacks, Teach For America (TFA), one of the nation’s most prolific teacher and school leader producing organizations, is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in Houston while it too deals with projected cuts. Spearheading the celebration and the work of transforming the educational realities in low-income communities here in the nation’s fourth largest city is TFA Houston’s new leader, Terry Bruner. Founded in 1990 by then idealist college student Wendy Knopp, TFA has grown from 500 teachers (corps members) operating in six cities to 28,000 teachers and alumni serving 39 cities. Since 1991 TFA has placed teachers in Houston. At present, more than 450 TFA corps members are teaching approximately 33,000 Houston students. Twenty-six Houston-area school leaders are among the 700 TFA alumni making a difference in education and other fields. TFA has produced alumni who have gone on to found transformative schools and serve in key educational, political and entrepreneurial positions across the country. In fact, a recent Harvard University study found that TFA has produced more entrepreneurial leaders in K-12 education than substantially larger organizations, with TFA alumni establishing or leading 15 percent of all such entrepreneurial organizations. One of those alumni is Bruner. As TFA enters its 20th year of operations in Houston, Bruner is not content for the organization to rest on its laurels.

Terry Bruner

A lawyer by training who recently worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Bruner taught fourth grade language arts in HISD as a 2002 TFA corps member at the TSU Laboratory School and Clemente Martinez Elementary. In addition, Bruner has held positions on Capitol Hill and served in the military during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bruner is ready for a new battlefield – Houston area public schools facing major state budget cuts while working to stem the tide of rising dropout rates for Blacks and Latinos. The Defender spoke with Bruner recently on his vision for TFA in Houston. Defender: Will school districts use TFA teachers to replace existing teachers? Terry Bruner: Teach For America teachers are not hired for positions that are already filled. Corps members apply for open positions and are considered alongside all other candidates. In decentralized districts like HISD, principals make final determinations on staffing. Defender: How will TFA be used in the future considering potential educational cuts? Bruner: Historically we’ve seen

that even when facing budget challenges, districts continue to have open positions in high-needs subjects and schools. We work closely with our district and charter partners to determine their hiring needs and provide the appropriate number of candidates for the open positions they project. Given the hiring needs identified by our partners, corps members will continue to be hired for open positions in Houston’s highestneed classrooms and work to give all of our students the excellent education they deserve. Defender: What are you doing locally to meet TFA’s national challenge to increase the number of Black and Latino TFA teachers? Bruner: Houston is fortunate because it’s such a diverse city. We’ve been pretty successful recruiting teachers of color. About 40 percent of our corps members here are Black and Latino, with the University of Texas serving as our biggest supplier. We employ teachers of all races and backgrounds, but teachers of color bring extra added impact. Defender: What type of teacher candidates are you looking for? Bruner: About 70 percent are straight out of college, and about a quarter are career changers, like myself. But in all candidates, we’re looking for an intangible mix of academic excellence, demonstrated record of leadership, and an experience of persevering through some challenge. What we ask of our corps members is not an easy task: to go into low-performing classes and get results. We’ve found that individuals who have shown in quantifiable ways that they have overcome some challenge are the ones most up to the challenge. Defender: What does TFA mean by “Growing to scale” as one of its priorities? Bruner: For 20 years in Houston, in our strivings to get an effective teacher in every classroom, we’ve seen pockets of success, but not in neighborhoods and campuses citywide. We seek

localbriefs Day care operator Tata seeks reduction in bond An attorney for a woman charged with murder in the deaths of four children in a fire at her Houston home day care has asked a judge to reduce her $1.1 million bond. During a recent court hearing, Jessica Tata’s attorney planned to argue the bonds are illegally excessive and should be reduced to $50,000. Tata remains jailed on nine charges related to the Feb. 24 fire that also injured three children. She ﬂed to Nigeria and became an international fugitive. Authorities believe the 23-year-old left the children alone while she went shopping.

HISD student TAKS test scores slightly up Student test scores in the Houston Independent School District improved slightly in most subjects this year, though results stagnated in reading, according to preliminary data. Performance was mixed in the nine high-priority schools in Superintendent Terry Grier’s reform program called Apollo. Some scores in those campuses skyrocketed, while others slid despite the district pouring an estimated $24 million into the e≠ort. Based on the early test data, HISD, like most districts in Texas, expects to have fewer toprated schools and more unacceptable campuses under the state’s accountability system.

Accused HPD officers’ state record is clear Despite the fact that seven Houston police o∞cers lost their jobs earlier this year in connection with the videotaped assault of a suspect in 2010, their records remain clear. Records from the state commission that licenses cops shows no blemishes on those o∞cers’ records. They could walk into any police department in Texas to apply for a job, and potential employers would never know from the records that they were disciplined following the assault of Chad Holley. The high school sophomore and burglary suspect had ﬂed police, but in surveillance video could be seen prone with his hands visible at the time of the beating.

Continued on page 8

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 2 | 2011

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national

U.S.briefs

Questions remain…

Long settles lawsuits By Talibah ChikWendU AFRO Executive Editor

he prominent Atlanta pastor facing four civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual coercion recently settled the cases out-of-court, but the agreement leaves plenty of questions unanswered. The lawsuits were filed in September, 2010, against Bishop Eddie Long, the leader of the 25,000-member New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Four plaintiffs alleged that Long gave them and others attention, money and gifts, before and after they reached the legal age of consent. Such actions allegedly involved engaging them in manipulation, oral sodomy and other sexual acts. Long, however, said eight months ago that he had “never in my life portrayed myself as a perfect man. But I am not the man that’s being portrayed on the television. That’s not me.”

The settlement, which was reached after several months of mediation, doesn’t look like the fight Long promised. It leaves all the questions from the lawsuits unanswered, including the basic question of his guilt or innocence, and generated new ones, including the monetary terms of the settlement, and whether Long or the church is paying the tab. “After a series of discussions, all parties involved have decided to resolve the civil cases out of court. The decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry,” Art Franklin,

spokesman for Long and New Birth, said in a statement. B.J Bernstein, the lawyer for plaintiffs Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg, Jamal Parris and Spencer LeGrande, said, “The matter has been resolved.”

FBI reports drop in U.S. crime, especially in South Crime levels nationwide fell in 2010 from the year before, according to preliminary FBI statistics, which show a 2.8 percent decrease in property crimes and a 5.5 percent drop in the number of reported violent crimes. Figures in the FBI’s “Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report” revealed a decline in murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault in every region of the U.S. The South saw a 7.5 percent decline in violent crime, the largest drop among all regions, according to the report. Figures are based on information submitted by 13,007 law enforcement agencies in the U.S.

Supreme Court orders state prison population slashed The California prison system is so overcrowded that its conditions are, “incompatible with the concept of human dignity.” That was the conclusion of a bitterly divided U.S. Supreme Court in a judicial order that could result in the release of nearly 40,000 prisoners from the country’s largest penal system during the next two years. In Brown v. Plata, a 5-4 Court majority ruled that overcrowding in California prisons led to inadequate health-care services, resulted in extreme su≠ering and even death, and therefore violated the Eighth Amendment rights of prisoners, upholding a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Alabamans still in shelters a month after tornadoes

Spelman LGBT summit draws attention By adrienne leon Special to the NNPA from The Atlanta Voice

Spelman College is receiving national attention for hosting an unprecedented summit on lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender issues at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Chronicle of Higher Education, National Public Radio and BET are among the media outlets that addressed the significance of the conference in dealing with gay and lesbian issues on Black college campuses. Many observers, HBCU alumni and fellow students commended the Spelman administration for leading the charge as well. “Spelman College is leading HBCUs in opening up conversations

about the needs and concerns of LGBT students,” wrote the Chronicle of Higher Education. “These types of conversations need to take place on HBCU campuses throughout the nation,” it continued. “For too long, gay and lesbian issues have been ignored at HBCUs, leaving behind a significant percentage of African-American students who are looking for support as they pursue their educations and develop their personal identities.” Dr. Beverly GuyShefthall, who helped spearhead the inaugural event, said she was “pleased and a little pleasantly surprised by the national coverage.” Students and faculty from nine colleges, including Howard, Morgan State, North Carolina Central, and Southern universities, met for the event titled, “Facilitating Campus

Climates of Pluralism, Inclusivity and Progressive Change at HBCUs.” Besides raising awareness of alternative lifestyles topics – often considered taboo in Black communities – participants offered suggestions on how to make Black campuses more inclusive to LGBT students. JeShawna Wholley, former president of Afrekete, Spelman’s LGBT advocacy group, called the forum “brave but necessary.” “It’s our privilege and right to be out,” she said. She and fellow panelists shared their vision for broad-scale transformation in 10 years at Black institutions concerning diversity and homophobia that exists on campus. Guy-Shefthall said many Black colleges have been slow to launch LGBT initiatives because of their historic religious affiliations. She said the Spelman forum was held at an urgent time, referencing national reports of gay and lesbian students committing suicide out of fear of discrimination or ostracism.

It has been a month since tornadoes bulldozed parts of the South, killing more than 300 people in seven states, yet nearly 100 Alabama survivors are still living in public shelters. According to Associated Press, it could be a preview of what’s in store for some people in tornado-ravaged Joplin, Mo., after a twister killed at least 125 people there and leveled entire neighborhoods. Nowhere is the lingering shelter problem worse than in Tuscaloosa. The city took the biggest hit in the storms, losing 41 people. More than 5,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

VOLUME 80 • NUMBER • 31 JUNE 2- JUNE 8, 2011

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Editor Von Jiles Associate Editors Reshonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Columnist Yvette Chargois Sport Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender audited By Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2011 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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WEEK OF JUNE 2 | 2011 DEFENDER

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entertainment

what’sup  Poet, musician Gil Scott Heron dead at age 62

Another of the modern-day greats, poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron, has died. He was 62. As an inﬂuential poet and musician, Scott-Heron is often credited with being one of the progenitors of hip-hop, and is best known for the spoken-word piece “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” Scott-Heron struggled publicly with substance abuse in the 2000s, and spent the early part of the decade in and out of jail on drug possession charges. The specific details of his death have not been released other than he was hospitalized after taking ill upon returning from a European trip.

 Randy Jackson launches

new talent search website

“American Idol” judge Randy Jackson has launched a new interactive way to search for the next big thing in music, fashion, art and technology. The website RandyJacksonNext. com is home base for his new Enlightenment Institute, which urges users to let him know about any new ideas, advances or individuals that may not be on his radar. “As we enlighten you, you enlighten us… Post something here that you think I should know about,” he writes on the website.

Queen Latifah launches apparel line R By doroThY roWleY Special to the NNPA

apper-turned-A-list actress – and now entrepreneur – Queen Latifah has launched a partnership with the Home Shopping Network, which will showcase an exclusive line of apparel and accessories for women of all sizes. The New Jersey native’s venture with the shopping giant offers clothing items under $100, with leather outerwear and bags ranging between $170 and $300. The line debuts in late August and will also feature a variety of other products including leggings, jeans, and clip-on hair extensions, according to the Huffington Post. “I wanted to make something size two and

 ‘Oprah’ finale earned

show’s highest audience in 17 years Early figures show the finale of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” scored its highest audience in 17 years. The Nielsen Co. said that the final episode delivered a 13.3 household rating in the nation’s metered markets. It was the highest number since February 1994. That’s when an “Oprah” episode called “People Shed Their Disguises” got a 13.4 rating. Metered market ratings measure roughly half the nation and can’t be translated into audience figures. A viewer count for the “Oprah” finale won’t be available from Nielsen for two weeks.

up. The truth is, we all would like to wear the same clothes. We all want to wear beautiful, fly clothes no matter what size you are, and so for me it was important to match with a company that understood and respected that ideal,” Latifah, 41, said in an interview with Women’s Wear Daily. While adding that she abhors the term, “plus-size,” Latifah – whose real name is Dana Owens – said she waited for the right partner to come along that would allow her to reach a broader range of women. “I felt the marketplace didn’t respect [larger women] in the way it should,” Latifah said. “I was not going to step out with a clothing line that didn’t respect a fuller-figured woman or a curvaceous woman, and really all women.”

Real Housewives of the Bible

Reality TV gets a spiritual twist By afro STaff

A self-styled evangelist is putting a Christian twist to the Bravo Network’s “Real Housewives” format in a show called “The Real Housewives of the Bible.” Those who are tired of over-

wrought drama or immoral behavior can indulge in the reality show, according to producer Ty Adams, web evangelist and author. Adams, who authored the Essence magazine best-seller, “Single, Saved and Having Sex,” said the

Texas Music Festival Jazz Project

The Jazz Project www.tmf.uh.edu 713.743.3313 Tickets $15 / Free parking

Tuesday, June 7 • 7:30 p.m. / Moores Opera House Noe Marmolejo, Director

UH is an AA/EO Institution

Enjoy the sound of a full jazz orchestra featuring all-star musicians from around the state. Music by “Distinctly American” greats such as Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, Chuck Owens and more. Pre-concert music performances start at 6:30 p.m. in the outdoor courtyard and food sampling by Camarena Tequila Food Truck with recipes prepared by Ruben Ortega of Hugo’s.

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Ty Adams

Continued on Page 8

DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 2 | 2011

coverpage

Beyond the Rape Cleveland Tx. reveals its true image By Serbino Sandifer-Walker Special to the Defender

ainful is one word that the people in Cleveland, Texas, are saying a lot these days. Outsiders have come in and tried to paint the town as a “bad” place, locals say. But the town’s folks want the whole world to know that Cleveland is not bad. It’s a town of just about 8,000 tucked quietly in southeast Texas, right off of Highway 59. A welcome sign greets visitors, but you’ll have to pay close attention to catch a glimpse of it off of Washington Avenue. Throughout the town, residents almost instinctively wave at one another while sitting at red lights or driving down Rachel B. Scott Avenue. If they like you, you’ll know immediately. You’re given a firm hand shake and maybe a hug or little peck on the cheek. However, the eye contact is what you will not soon forget because it pierces straight through to the soul. Four months ago, the soul of this community was pierced to its core, when residents learned of a crime so graphic they are still questioning how it could have happened here. Police reports say an 11-year-old girl was raped multiple times between September 15 and December 1 by as many as 19 boys and men between the ages of 14 and 27 years old. The case has received national attention, including the fact that the girl is Hispanic and the men charged are Black. It’s a “bad thing” but it doesn’t define a town of people who are trying to collectively bring some sense of healing and normalcy back to their once unassuming rural East Texas community. “We’re hurt [and] confused because of so many unanswered questions,” says Linda Clay, community advocate. “We just want the truth to be told.” Court documents say some of the alleged assaults were videotaped and photographed with cell phones. Cleveland ISD students were talking about the videos and photos of the assaults when a school teacher overheard and alerted police. Police seized the cell phones used. The 11-year-old allegedly told police it all started when Eric McGowen called her and asked if she wanted to go for a ride. When McGowen arrived at her home, which was eight miles outside of Cleveland, two

other young men were in the vehicle, Brad Lewis and Jared Cruse. The girl said she was taken back to Travis Street where Timothy Ellis lives. She told investigators once she was inside the house Ellis told her to oblige to his sexual demands or some girls would beat her up. She said she did exactly what she was told. Then more men showed up. The report says she was sexually assaulted at the Travis location. However, when Ellis’ aunt came into the house, she jumped out of a rear window and was moved to an abandoned trailer on Ross Avenue, where the sexual assaults continued and more males showed up.

Cleveland community organizer and businesswoman Barbara McIntyre was interviewed by TSU journalism professor Serbino Sandifer-Walker at Samuel Wiley Park.

TSU c

A community perspective

The alleged rape of the 11 year old is on the minds of many Cleveland residents. At the Rachel B. Scott General Store the elder men play dominos. Common decency and respect are demanded from the moment anyone steps onto the property. Handwritten notes on the building remind visitors that nonsense will not be tolerated. “Pants up or no service,” the notes read. Earnest Charles “Coach” Carrington knows his community well. His sister, Earnestine Carrington, integrated Cleveland public schools in the ‘60s and was the first African-American to work at the Cleveland Police Department. He also knows all of the young men who have been accused in the case. Some of them, he’s coached at the Cleveland Youth League. “They’ve labeled some of the boys wrong,” says Carrington, with timbre in his voice that takes one back to simpler and more pleasant times. “But the ones that did it, they should be punished.” He doesn’t like what’s being said about Cleveland. He’s concerned that his hometown is being painted with one broad stroke. “We’re not thugs,” Carrington says sharply. “We’re decent people.” Carrington says this case has served as a wakeup call to Cleveland. His community is deeply

Clevel

By Amee Special to

Journalism students from carving a niche for themselv skills with social media. The correspondents.” The students use various p topics ranging from enterta leads every day via Twitter. Journalist and TSU journal Walker developed the corre content produced. “We are not only telling dy Cleveland residents enjoy a game of dominos at the Rachel B. Scott General Store.

religious and the churches are doing everything they can to help the town’s folks through these difficult days. He says there is a lot of crying going on. He doesn’t want rumors and misinformation to shatter an already very fragile situation. He wants the residents of Cleveland to pull together. “We need to get these Black men, these Black parents involved,” says Carrington. “We don’t have enough Black role models in Cleveland.” Carrington says this is not the time to point fingers. He says this is a lesson for some and a warning to others to just simply do the right thing. “It hurts me to see them [young men] in trouble,” says Carrington. “I hate it for the young lady too.” About five minutes away from the general

store, children of all bac play in Stancil Park. Cl an Durlene Davis is pro get along. She’s commit does not divide Clevelan “We are a commun justice for all and the wh Davis.

Save the childre

Davis, along with M McIntyre, Clay and othe started the Community R The committee is charge and honest dialogue wit

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Earnest “Coach” Carrington is concerned about his hometown’s image in the media and is interviewed by Sara Carr, Kenneth Ware, Jr., and Serbino Sandifer-Walker at the Rachel B. Scott general store.

Community organizers Miranda Clay, former Cleveland councilwoman Durlene Davis, and Linda Clay participate in a community meeting at Samuel Wiley Park.

land contributors

correspondents elevate skills

ena Rasheed o the Defender

m Texas Southern University are ves by coupling their reporting ey call themselves “Social Media

platforms to report on a myriad of ainment to politics. They post news

alism Professor Serbino Sandiferespondents’ team and edits all

ynamic stories, we are using in-

novation to tell those stories and reach a global audience,” says Walker. “We are especially interested in telling under told stories in underserved communities.” Walker has equipped her students with the ability to proficiently use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Podbean and several blog platforms. Armed with laptops, digital cameras, digital voice recorders, video cameras and smartphones, students are sent to cover multiple stories and events. Chief correspondent Kenneth Ware Jr. uses the experience to be a more well-rounded journalist. “I have developed innovative ways to tell stories on a wide variety of platforms, which has elevated my journalism skills,” says Ware.

ckgrounds and ethnicities leveland City Councilwomoud of how well the children tted to making sure this case nd. nity of families…we want hole truth to come out,” says

Mayor Pro-tem Barbara er community leaders, has Rescue Committee (CRC). ed with establishing an open th all residents of Cleveland

Correspondent and radio-TV-film major Samantha Vallejo agrees, noting that being part of the team keeps her on her toes. “The lessons I am learning are invaluable. Being an effective reporter requires journalists to always be ready for a breaking story. As a social media correspondent, I am able to immediately turn the events around me into an interesting news story,” says Vallejo. In this new age of digital journalism, the students realize that strong reporting and writing skills are no longer enough. Being multidimensionalin the newsroom is a must. “Learning and being familiar with social media is so important because social media is influencing all aspects of journalism,” says correspondent Alex Green.

on issues such as the alleged assaults and creating measurable solutions to social and economic challenges in the community. “We’re not trying to create a problem or settle this case. We’re going to leave that up to the courts,” says McIntyre. “We want to save our children.” Saving Cleveland’s children for McIntyre means developing year-round and summer programs to help them remain active, positive and productive. But that’s not enough says McIntyre. On average, three out of 150 graduates from the high school go on to college and the average income in Cleveland is $22,000. McIntyre says they need strong business partners, college outreach programs, jobs and commu-

the Houston area for over 80 years

TSU Social Media Correspondents are students Latricia London, Dwayne Adams, Alex Green, Kenneth Ware, Jr., Natia Childress.

nity involvement. She adds that reports suggesting racial tension among Cleveland’s youth demonstrates some media insensitivity toward rural community values. “They [youth] don’t have these racial issues like older people,” says McIntyre. “I don’t even think that there is racial tension, I just think there is a huge disconnect.” Tephaine Green says that it’s irresponsible for anyone to say the case is about race. Fifty-eight percent of the people who live in Cleveland are white; 27 percent are Black and 20 percent are Hispanic, says the U.S. Census. Green says everyone gets along just fine in Cleveland. The hair stylist knows the alleged victim and

one of the suspects is her cousin, Devo Green. She says she would often see the 11-year-old in Precinct 20. She’s not one to blame anyone but she says someone has to be held accountable. “Cleveland failed these kids; society failed these kids and they failed themselves,” says Green. “You cannot fall asleep on your child. If you take a blink, it’s over.” Clay is certain that the new coalition, CRC, will not fail the community or its youth. “We’re good people. We drive 40 to 50 miles for a days work,” says Clay. “We’re not without hope. We [will] survive.” (Reporting by Social Media Correspondents Kenneth Ware, Jr., Dwayne Adams, Sara Carr, Latricia London, Alex Green and Natia Childress)

DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 2 | 2011

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Medical trailblazer Dr. James Watson dead at 74 Dr. James “Jimmy” Watson, a man of many firsts, died on May 23 after a lengthy illness. He was the first African-American medical director for the City of Houston and served under former Mayor Jim McConn from 19781980. He also served as medical director for the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. During his tenure with the county, the division was awarded certification and Dr. Watson was instrumental in upgrading

Real Housewives... show depicts the challenges women face, both as wives and singles, Black Voices reports. “We’re going to deal with sex, relationships...we’re going to bring in a whole ‘nother level. We’re going to bring the ‘Real Housewives of the Bible’ alive,” Adams told Black Voices. Fans of reality TV can get a taste of the show on YouTube, with clips Adams has posted under the pseudonym TyAdamsTV. In

the level of medical care at the Harris County Jail. A native of Trenton, N.J., Dr. Watson received his bachelor’s in liberal arts from Lincoln University and his medical degree from Howard University School of Medicine. It was at Howard University where he met his first wife, Pauline Thomas. He completed his medical internship at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind., as its first African-American intern. In 1965, he moved to Houston, where he received his masters degree in public health from the University of Texas at Houston. He also served in the armed services and was commissioned as a captain while serving as chief of dispensary services at Ellington Air Force Base and providing health care to military personnel in the area. Dr. Watson began his medical practice in the Sunnyside community in 1967 and later opened the first medical building owned by African Americans in Houston. He served on numerous boards and committees including Park Plaza Hospital, Baylor

College of Medicine and the Harris County Hospital District. In addition, Dr. Watson taught at such institutions as Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Southern University and the University of Texas-School of Public Health. Dr. Watson became a journalist when he purchased the Informer and Texas Freeman newspaper. He voiced his opinions about the

plight of African Americans in his editorial column, “The Slingshot.” He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Marlene M. Watson; his daughters, Jamie Lynn Watson, Juliette Grace Watson, Paula Watson Jones, Debra Watson Islam and Nechol Henderson; his sister Ruby Watson Marshall; his grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Continued from page 5 one video, called “My Mind is Having Sex Pt. 1,” Adams preaches about the importance of mind control from lustful and sinful thoughts, what she called “struggles.” HHSC-0334_HoustonDefender_5n36x4.indd Sex before marriage, HHSC-0334_HoustonDefender_5n36x4.indd masturbation and 2 2 pornography distract a person from “God’s will,” she said. To date, the Bravo series has focused on “The Real Housewives of” Orange County, New Jersey, New York, Miami, D.C. and Atlanta.

Smart DeciSion 4/12/1110:56 10:56 AM 4/12/11 AM

HCCfacultyfacts.org

At HCC, our faculty knows the theory

Teach for America... to deploy our most critical assets, our corps members, across the city as teacher leaders and change agents. The problem in the U.S. is we don’t view teachers as leaders as they are in countries currently out-educating us, like Singapore and the Scandinavian countries. They choose teachers from the top third of their universities. Growing to scale also means increasing the number of TFA alumni who are lifelong education advocates. Defender: What have been TFA’s biggest successes? Bruner: Having 750 alumni in Houston who are leading some of the most transformative education initiatives here and across the country. The founders of KIPP and YES Academy are TFA alumni. HISD’s deputy superintendent of human talent and my predecessor, Ann Best, is an alumna. Rice’s University’s Center for Technology in Teaching and Learning director, Reid Whitaker, is as well. Defender: What are TFA’s biggest challenges going forward? Bruner: The state budget cuts. Twenty

yet applies the practice of real-world

Continued from page 3

experience in the very same classroom.

percent of our budget comes from the State of Texas, which means we could lose up to $2 million, or 90 corps members. That’s a big challenge. Also, we must do a better job letting the Houston community know who we are and what we do. Defender: Can you tell of a memorable TFA testimony? Bruner: During my experience at the TSU Laboratory School a fourth grader said to a classmate, “I don’t know who my dad is but Mr. Bruner is my dad.” Moments like that remind me of why I do what I do. So we fight to educate but also to prove to these kids that they matter – and to the parents also. Defender: What must happen before TFA reaches its goal of becoming an enduring American institution? Bruner: When we reach a point where we’re working with the vast majority of students in Houston; when most communities in the city can identify our impact. We’re on our way, but we have miles to go.

We are preparing students to be the next generation of thinkers and doers.

Dept. Chair for Health Information Distinguished Author

Dr. Carla Tyson-Howard

hccs.edu

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WEEK OF JUNE 2 | 2011 DEFENDER

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A Defender & Texas Children’s Hospital Alliance

healthnotes Traveling internationally with children As families make plans to travel during the next few months of summer, the Texas Children’s Travel Medicine Clinic is gearing up for families who will be traveling overseas. The clinic shares insight to help parents prepare children who overseas are traveling abroad. Whether going for a week or a year, travel presents children with unique risks, many of which can be prevented by seeking the services of a specialist prior to the trip. The risks associated with travel vary depending on the destination, duration of the trip, the age of the person traveling and any existing medical issues. Check with your pediatrician to determine if your children, especially infants and toddlers, should be vaccinated before traveling to ensure they are fully protected from endemic diseases when they out of the country. Bring your child’s car seat or booster, as safety seats may not be readily available during travel. No matter what the country’s laws are, wear a seat belt! Be mindful of the foods and water you and your child ingest. Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that may have been in contact with local water sources. Drink only bottled water – especially younger children. Stock up on recommended medications for travel: Malaria prophylaxis, medication for diarrheal illness, etc. When should you begin preparing for your international trip? Ideally, you and your child should seek medical care related to your trip six or more weeks prior to traveling. Many of the vaccine series take a month to complete, and it takes time for the vaccine to be fully e≠ective. By seeking care and advice early, you can make sure your family receives all the necessary protections prior to travel. Visit www.texaschildrens.org/carecenters/travel_ medicine for more information.

health

Vaccine now required for college students Many parents are aware of Boom, also with Texas Children’s the vaccinations children need Center for Vaccine Awareness and before attending kindergarten, Research, advocated extensively middle school and high school, for this legislation as she has seen but the Texas Legislature recently firsthand the serious complications passed a law requiring all students that can result from meningitis. to be vaccinated against meningococcal infection – also called meningitis – before starting college. “Adolescents who are 16 to 21 years old have the highest rates of meningococcal infection in the U.S., and this law follows a new recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Dr. Carol Baker, executive director of Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research. The first dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) should be given to children between the ages of 11 and 12 with a booster dose given at age 16. If your teen is 16 years old or older and has fallen behind All students entering college must have the the recommended schedule, meningitis vaccine. they can still receive their first dose of MCV4. Students starting In Texas Children’s Vaccinecollege will need to show proof of Preventable Disease: The Forgotten vaccination records within the last Story, University of St. Thomas 5 years. student Leslie Meigs, shared Dr. Baker along with Dr. Julie one such story. After contracting

meningococcal meningitis, Leslie had a kidney transplant in 2009 and will likely face more surgery, dialysis and medication in the years ahead. “No child or teenager should have to endure these medical hardships, especially with the availability of vaccines,” said Dr. Baker. “I applaud the Texas Legislature for taking heed and creating this law.” When the law is signed by Governor Rick Perry, it will be aptly named in honor of two Texas college students who suffered meningitis: Nicolis “Nico” Williams, a Texas A&M University student who unfortunately passed away earlier this year after contracting the disease, and Jamie Schanbaum, a University of Texas at Austin student who survived meningitis in 2008. “With or without the law, I want to urge parents to make sure that your children are up to date on all recommended vaccines,” said Dr. Baker. “Vaccines are safe and the best way to protect children from harmful, vaccinepreventable diseases.” Visit www.vaccines texaschildrens.org for more information about vaccines or to purchase the book Vaccine-Preventable Disease: The Forgotten Story.

Riley-Brown, cornerstone for Texas Children’s West Campus West Houston residents now have access to the best pediatric care at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus due to the dedication, hard work and leadership from numerous people, but in particular from Vice President Michelle Riley-Brown. Riley-Brown was an instrumental leader in the creation and success of the new West Campus location and helped bring Houston’s first pediatric community hospital into fruition.

Joining the Texas Children’s family in 1999, Riley-Brown served in the ambulatory surgical clinics and Health Centers where she built an excellent reputation of going above and beyond her call of duty as a leader. She was recognized as a Texas Children’s Super Star Employee for showing passion for the mission, caring for the well-being of her employees and striving to enrich their skills and abilities. Riley-Brown’s key to success as a

leader is communication, and she believes that it is vital in all areas of work. “I’m honored to be a part of West Campus’ inaugural leadership team and to contribute to the strategic expansion of Texas Children’s quality pediatric care in the Greater West Houston area,” said Riley-Brown. “I look forward to the many ways we can benefit the health of children and families by expanding access to the services they need in a community setting.”

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sports

NCAA hammers SWAC, cripples MEAC

By Max Edison Defender

n a move that could undermine the upcoming conference football campaign, the NCAA has dealt severely with the Southwestern Athletic Conference institutions that are not “cutting the mustard” in the classroom, especially in high profile sports such as football. The NCAA recently banned three of the conference’s most historically dominant schools from postseason play in football next season, citing poor classroom performance. Grambling, Jackson State and Southern were all penalized for poor APR (Academic Progress Rate) numbers. Texas Southern, the SWAC’s 2010 football champion, was docked 15 football scholarships. Jackson State will lose six scholarships and both schools will have their practice time reduced. The 13-member Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is taking a similar hit, minus the bans. Delaware State is losing nine football scholarships, North Carolina A&T is losing three and both schools must contend with new practice limitations, too. For the MEAC the punishments could be just as debilitating in basketball. Coppin State will lose four scholarships, while Norfolk State is losing two. Those two schools, along with Morgan State, also face practice reductions. The APR is a simple point-based system where each student-athlete can earn a maximum of two points for each term: one point for academic eligibility and one for retention. Thus, each student-athlete can earn each semester (or quarter) two, one or zero points depending on whether he or she is eligible for the next semester and returns for the following semester. In the NCAA’s high-profile sports, football’s average fouryear APR is 946, men’s basketball is 945, and baseball is 959. The numbers speak for themselves: The NCAA evaluated more than 340 schools for the APR report but only 24 of them – about 7 percent of the total – are considered historically Black colleges or universities. Yet of the 58 harshest penalties handed out this year, fully half went to historically Black colleges, all of them in the two conferences. “The NCAA will work closely with historically Black colleges and universities as well, as they seek to improve the academic performance of their student-athletes,” the organization said. SWAC commissioner Duer Sharp believes instability at the presidential level explains why the conference has performed poorly. “To effect change, there has to be a directive from the president or chancellor. But with the turnover, you never get that directive. That chancellor or president is no longer there after they give that order,” Sharp said. “It really makes it difficult when you don’t have that constant voice from the top asking, ‘Where are we on APR?’ When

Cross country coach Pauline Banks (center) guided her team to academic excellence as well as athletic success.

Bowling coach Robert Powell places priority on academics along with sports.

ship win shows that the TSU Athletics program can win under the new guidelines.” Two Texas Southern sports programs, women’s bowling and cross country, both received perfect 1000 APR scores. Women’s cross country received public recognition from the NCAA. “APR is calculated on a four-year cycle, so even with our improved rates for the past few years, our situation will not be corrected overnight,” McClelland concluded. “We see the improvements in all of our sports and I am confident that we are heading in the right direction. Our goal remains to compete at the highest level and to graduate all of our studentathletes.”

you get a new president coming in, they’ve got 800 other things on their plate.” At TSU, the athletic department has already taken aggressive measures to improve their TSU AD Dr. Charles academic plight. McClelland oversees the revised standards for “We definitely have issues academic excellence for in football, but we have adathletics. dressed them and are now moving forward,” said Dr. Charles McClelland, TSU athletic director. “Coaches recruit to win, but with the APR, you must recruit to win and recruit to graduate. Our policy strengthens the graduation part.” TSU implemented policies over a year ago to ensure the academic success of its studentathletes. All transfers must have three years of eligibility, they must be eligible prior to enrolling into the institution and they must have a 2.5 GPA. “Men’s basketball is a perfect example of TSU’s progress,” McClelland continued. “One year ago, they were in danger of post-season sanctions, but they avoided any sanctions by recording a 976 APR score. Also, the team’s 2011 regular season champion-

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WEEK OF JUNE 2 | 2011 DEFENDER

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h.s.zone North Houston softball

takes center stage R By Darrell K. Ardison Defender

ichard Jorgensen wanted to make one thing perfectly clear in the aftermath of his team’s rousing victory over a longtime rival in the 2011 Region II-5A championship series. Now in his seventh season as head coach of The Woodlands girls’ softball team, Jorgensen believes the results in recent years speak for themselves. “Somebody in the greater Players move around the Lady Highlanders’ dugout. Houston area is doing someMcDuffie has been nursing a fatigued seventh inning, the thing right when it comes to throwing arm in recent weeks. Yet she was Lady Highlanders girls’ high school softball,” in the circle to begin and end game three. rallied to close said Jorgensen, who has With a trip to the state tournament at within one run guided The Woodlands to stake, the two north Houston rivals fought with one out. Yet 42 victories in their first Tomball changed to the bitter end with The Woodlands 43 games and earn the prevailing 9-7. pitchers (Renada school’s first appearance in The Highlanders had back-to-back Davis) and retired this weekend’s Class 5A state four-run innings in the third and fourth to the next two hitters softball tournament in Austin. take a 9-2 advantage. and force a third-and“What I’m real proud about However, Tomball stormed back with deciding game. is that you normally hear about The Woodlands head two runs in the fourth and three more in “I have the utmost the Katy schools or the south softball coach Richard the fifth inning. of respect for The Jorgensen. Houston schools when they McDuffie worked out Woodlands and talk about the better high school of trouble in the sixth Coach Jorgensen,” said Tomball softball programs in the Houston area,” inning before retiring coach Benita Dunlavy, who Jorgensen said. “But here on the north side the side in order in guided her team to the state we play pretty good softball too. the seventh. tournament in 2010. “But “We’ve got Magnolia, Montgomery, “It was all I also have respect for my Tomball and The Woodlands that are all or nothing and adjacent communities and every year those own team and knew that that’s all I had schools are right there in the mix for a state it would be difficult for in my head,” she anybody to beat us two championship. I’m excited for that reason said. “So we went games in a row.” as well,” Jorgensen said. all out for it.” Lady Highlanders’ star The Woodlands has never won a In the Region pitcher Paige McDuffee was state softball championship, and lost last III-4A championship year to Rowlett High School in the Region tagged for six runs in the top of series, Santa Fe edged the third inning and was relieved Lady Highlanders II-5A state semifinals. freshman pitcher Caitlin Montgomery 11-10 in by freshman Caitlin Bartsch, who This season, The Woodlands won Bartsch. game three to earn the finished the game and gave her their first 40 games out of the starting gate, school’s first berth in the team a chance at a comeback. until north Houston rival Tomball won 9-8 Class 4A state tournament. “Bartsch is 7-0 on the season. We just in game two of a best-of-three regional Defending 5A state champion haven’t used her much lately,” Jorgenson championship series. The Woodlands is Pearland will make its third consecutive said. “That was a tough situation to put a ranked No. 1 in the country by ESPN Rise appearance in this weekend’s state softball freshman in, but I thought she handled it Magazine. tournament in Austin. well.” Trailing 9-2 in the bottom of the

sportsbriefs Nation’s top junior golfers coming to The Woodlands The top junior golfers from Texas and across the country will assemble at The Woodlands to compete in the American Junior Golf Association’s Inaugural Signsational Signs junior tournament June 6-9. Ninety-six boys and girls, ages 12 to 18, will take on the Players Course at The Woodlands Country Club for the 54-hole, stroke-play event. Seven youngsters from The Woodlands will play in the event, including Matthew Barth, Michael Durlo and Andrew Ertel.

Father/daughter tandem head to state tournament When The Woodlands girls’ softball team makes the school’s first appearance in the Class 5A state tournament in Austin, a father-daughter duo will be squarely in the mix for the Lady Highlanders. Head coach Richard Jorgenson has guided The Woodlands to a No. 1 national ranking with his daughter Alyssa leading the team in hitting as the starting second base player. The sophomore has already committed to the University of Houston.

Prairie View women golfers recognized by NCAA The Prairie View A&M women’s golf team was honored by the NCAA with a Public Recognition Award in the latest multiyear NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR). “We try to recruit students with strong academics first,” said head golf coach Alvin Blake. “Most of the golfers I’ve recruited are either agriculture or pre-med majors and those are rigorous programs that require a lot of time and commitment. Academics are just as important to me as golf and I’ve been fortunate that our system has worked as we’ve been pretty competitive over the past few seasons.”

NFL lockout movement as judge hears from both sides Expect the intensity of negotiations to heat up significantly between the NFL owners and players after a federal judge hears from both sides on June 3. If the judge rules in favor of the group formerly known as the NFLPA the lockout would be lifted. If the ruling goes in favor of the owners, the motivation would be there for the players to come to the bargaining table and get a deal done as soon as possible. “We’d like to make progress, but it’ll be hard to do. We have to wait to see what happens June 3,” Pittsburgh Steeler president Art Rooney II said recently. If a deal is not reached by mid-June there is growing concern that a portion of the regular season could be compromised

Join Darrell Ardison and Max Edison for the “Daily Blog” in high school, college and pro sports.

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