LOCAL
PARENTS KNOW WHAT TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A CHILD CARE FACILITY P3
Houston’s Leading Black Information Source Volume 80 | Number 35
WEEK OF JUNE 30, 2011 | FREE
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NATIONAL
GOP believes
Obama beatable
P4 SPORTS
Analysis:
Rockets go big in NBA draft
P10
TSU summit hopes to help
Displaced Teachers
H. S. ZONE
H Page 6
Houston NAACP leaders suspended There’s a lot going on at the NAACP Houston Branch, including conflicting reports about what’s really happening. After the executive director was reportedly fired, members of the national office reinstated her, but suspended the local president and others. The matter must be resolved as soon as possible, since Houston is the site of the NAACP’s 2012 convention. H Page 3
Oprah Winfrey revamps network Launching her own cable channel – the Oprah Winfrey Network – has been harder than Oprah imagined. Ratings have been lower than expected, and the network’s chief executive has been ousted. Oprah believes it’s time for her to pay more attention to OWN. “The vacation that I thought that I was going to have is over,” she says. H Page 9
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Joshua Blackmon Improving his skills
P11 CHAG’S PLACE
Jerome Gray is honored by 5th Ward Enrichment Program and joined by his wife, Saundria.
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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 30 | 2011
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Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant
The Cartoon of the week
In The Book Corner The Last Year of Your Life:
News & Opinion National African American Leadership Summit: Operational Unity
A Personal Exploration Experience by Clint Arthur “Do you think it’s possible for a person like you to transform your life in just one year’s time? I was a taxi driver, surviving on less than $500 a week...
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com
Automotive highlight
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2011 LEXUS RX 450H FIVE-DOOR SUV
Should parents do more homework in selecting a day care center?
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Discover the New Look, New Size, New Content, New Attitude Designed for your convenience, the new Defender is packaged in an easy to handle tabloid size, with a colorful contemporary flair featuring more content as we celebrate 80 years of service to the African-American community. The new Defender logo with the large star reflects that “You Are the STAR.” Each week you are invited to share your opinions and comments on our stories and the issues confronting our city on the defendernetwork.com. Let your voice be heard and invite others to join you. Look for the Defender at community locations, Krogers, Fiesta, Gerlands and soon CVS pharmacies.
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Houston NAACP hit by suspensions By Aswad Walker Defender
Mum is the word from the majority of NAACP officials regarding the recent suspension of NAACP Houston Branch President D.Z. Cofield and local branch board members. Yolanda Smith, longtime executive director of the NAACP Houston, was reportedly fired from her position last week by Cofield. However, after a visit to Houston by members of the NAACP national office, Smith was reinstated while Cofield and board members were suspended from acting on behalf of the local or national office. Rev. Gil Ford, NAACP national director of Membership & Units, emphasized that the current silence from officials is a normal part of the resolution process for any non-profit dealing with organizational challenges. “This is an internal administrative issue,” said Ford. “Like all non-
profits, we have an internal process. We haven’t reached a conclusion yet as we are finishing up our review of information gathered from our review team. After that process, we will then make recommendations.” Attorney and NAACP Houston member Glynis F. Gilder confirmed Smith’s firing in a recent interview, but said Smith had been terminated by the NAACP’s national office and was contesting that termination. However, current NAACP legal counsel James Douglas made statements to the contrary. “No one has terminated Mrs. Smith,” Douglas said. “Mrs. Smith can only be terminated by the executive committee here in Houston. That has not happened, and by National. That has not happened, so Mrs. Smith still works for the NAACP.” Still, it was not until national NAACP representatives met with the Houston leadership that Smith was officially reinstated. Sources say that the more experienced, civil rights era members of
the NAACP prefer the matter to be handled in-house, without an airing of dirty laundry in public because of the potentially negative organizational fallout such actions could invoke. The Defender was unable to reach Cofield, who is pastor of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, for a comment. Houstonian Howard Jefferson, an NAACP national board member, declined to comment on the matter. NAACP Texas head Gary Bledsoe declined to comment on the suspensions but did share his thoughts on the effect the current wrangling will have on the organization’s 2012 national convention scheduled to take place in Houston. “Of course the current negative press coverage is undesirable, but the NAACP as a national organization clearly has an ‘A’ brand and reputation,” said Bledsoe. “Problems have occurred with local branches in other convention venues in the past, and the conventions went smoothly. I expect that to be the case here.” The convention, which will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in July of next year, is expected to bring more than 10,000 delegates to Houston.
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localbriefs HISD passes $1.6 billion budget with funding cut in mind The Houston Independent School District recently passed a 2011-12 budget plan that is $96 million less than the prior year and would maintain the current property tax rate. The budget is built on the assumption that HISD will lose $79 million in state funding for the upcoming school year. That figure could change, however, since Texas legislators have yet to give final approval to a state school finance bill. HISD had already identified potential budget cuts in preparation for the reduction in state funding. Major reductions include $58 million less in campus funding for teachers, librarians, supplies, and other campus-based salaries and programs.
Texas considers Confederate flag specialty license plate Though some find it offensive, Texas is considering a specialty license plate featuring the Confederate flag. The Sons of Confederate Veterans is asking the Department of Motor Vehicles to approve the plates to honor Texans who died during the Civil War. The DMV license board voted on the request in April, but one of the members was absent and the vote ended in a tie. The board planned to reconsider the request at its next meeting, which didn’t take place because a member died. Gov. Rick Perry must now appoint a new board member.
Greenspoint Mall establishes sagging pants policy In response to customer complaints about young men with their underwear showing, Greenspoint Mall is experimenting with a “no sagging-pants” policy.” Signs posted at mall entrances tell shoppers, “Any attire that exposes your undergarments will not be permitted. Please pull up your pants or you could be asked to leave.” When mall security officers see someone in violation of the policy, they ask them to hide their underwear so it doesn’t show. According to mall management, the majority of young men comply with the request.
Parents: Ask questions before choosing child care Defender News Services With children out of school for the summer, many parents face an immediate need to find qualified and dedicated child care providers. That’s why Collaborative for Children, a nonprofit organization committed to helping parents find quality child care, is intensifying efforts to make sure parents know what to ask and what to observe when choosing a child care facility. “Our main goal is to provide parents with the materials, resources and instruction they need when facing decisions about their child’s care and development needs,” said Carol Shattuck, presi-
dent and CEO of Collaborative for Children. Shattuck urges parents to check the child care licensing compliance history of every single provider they consider. “It’s simply a matter of going to our web site www.WeKnowChildCare.com and using our new QualiFind tool,” Shattuck said. Other key considerations for parents seeking a child care provider include: • When are parents welcome to visit and are they welcome to assist with the child’s adjustment? • How often do caregivers talk to parents about the child’s progress? • Is sufficient cleanliness practiced in the center
or home, such as with diaper-changing and handwashing procedures? • Do caregivers seem genuinely warm, caring and devoted to their work? • Are medicines and chemicals in the facility adequately secured? • Are caregivers certified in CPR and first aid? • Are the meal- and nap-time routines consistent? • What are transportation procedures if children are taken on field trips? • What are the procedures when children act-out or break classroom rules, and how is positive behavior encouraged?
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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 30 | 2011
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national
GOP believes Obama beatable in 2012 By AFRO Staff
More GOP candidates have been encouraged to enter the 2012 presidential race as plummeting approval ratings and an anemic economic recovery, along with frustration among Democrats, have put President Barack Obama in a vulnerable political position. “In recent weeks, as economic news has continued to worsen, Republicans have begun to think that President Obama is not just vulnerable, but beatable,” Mark McKinnon, a former strategist to President George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain told the Hill. “And that’s why you are seeing candidates like Rick Perry, Rudy Giuliani and George Pataki testing the waters.” The Hill’s Alexander Bolton stated that Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign was successful due to his message about the economy, and Republicans should follow suit to win the 2012 presidential race. But lawmakers are split on who would be the best nominee. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) nominates Rudy Giuliani, New York City’s former mayor. “There are some other names out there — I think Rudy would be a good addition to the field,” Graham told Bolton. “The president’s vulnerability on the economy and, potentially, on national security, depending on what he does in Afghanistan and how we deal with Libya, is real,” he said. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) supports Gov. Perry as a potential nominee. “I know he’s seriously considering it, and I personally think that he’d be a great choice. I think right now, the Republican Party’s looking for a real leader to come out of the fray,
and he has the narrative, in terms of creating more jobs than any other state,” McCaul said. A recent Gallup poll revealed that Obama’s job approval rating dropped four points. The Obama administration may have downplayed a recent Labor Department report that stated that only 54,000 jobs were added in May and the unemployment rate increased to 9.1 percent by calling it “bumps on the road to recovery.”
CHICAGO – The debate about whether President Obama is doing enough for Blacks and the poor should focus on the issues, not on personalities. That was the consensus of members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)
A report by the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center finds that the outlook is not good for young Black males in America. According to the report, nearly half of those between the ages of 15 and 24, who graduate from high school, will end up unemployed, incarcerated or prematurely dead. Citing an “educational crisis,” the report detailed challenges in classroom achievement. Barriers include lack of parental support, a high absenteeism and dropout rate, under representation in programs for gifted students and poor teacher-student relationships. The report called for more mentoring opportunities, school reform, and professional development for teachers, along with culturally appropriate retention programs, and more research on ways to improve teaching methods.
Black college leaders gather to discuss challenges
Findings show more minority kids, Black single mothers Preliminary census estimates show that for the first time, more than half of the children under age two in the U.S. are minorities. The estimates also show the share of African-American households headed by women — mostly single mothers — now exceeds African-American households with married couples. The findings reflect the trend of declining U.S. marriages overall, as well as a sweeping race change. Demographers say racial and ethnic minorities will become the U.S. majority by mid-century.
‘Showdown’ becomes dignified debate during a forum here at their annual convention. The forum featured two prominent leaders – Rev. Al Sharpton and Dr. Cornel West – who have been the face of the public debate, where the issues have sometimes been clouded by the passion each leader has brought to the discussion, once erupting into an on-air shouting
Future not promising for America’s young men of color
Historically Black institutions face extra pressure from threats to the financial support that many of their students depend on, the presidents of some colleges recently said. About 100 presidents of historically Black colleges met in Atlanta and discussed their role in President Barack Obama’s call for America to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. Meanwhile, Pell Grants are under fire as some members of Congress look at cutting such programs to trim the budget. Many minority students depend on the needs-based grants to stay in school.
Al Sharpton and Cornel West By James G. Muhammad Special to NNPA from The Final Call
U.S.briefs
match. NNPA members were concerned that the personalities of the leaders were overshadowing the issues that needed to be addressed. It was a concern that Sharpton addressed immediately. “I want to get [something] out of the way early,” said Continued on page 8
VOLUME 80 • NUMBER • 34 JUNE 30 - JULY 6, 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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Official Court Notice
Children who lived, stayed, or visited at public housing in New Orleans before Feb. 17, 2001, might qualify for money from a $65 million settlement fund. Settlements have been proposed in a class action lawsuit about whether children were injured by lead at Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) public housing developments. People who qualify must register by October 20, 2011 to receive future settlement notices and to get a claim form to ask for a payment. If you are included you may object to the settlements, or ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the settlements. The Orleans Parish Civil District Court in Louisiana authorized this notice. The Court must decide whether to approve the settlements before money is paid to those included.
Who’s
included?
You qualify as a Class Member if, before February 17, 2001, you were damaged by lead present in the Iberville, Florida, Lafitte, B.W. Cooper, St. Bernard, Desire, Guste, Fischer, St. Thomas, or C.J. Peete/Magnolia public housing development and either: (a) You filed a lawsuit against HANO and/or C.J. Brown Property Management, Inc., C.J. Brown Public Housing, Inc. and/or Ventana Property Management, Inc., Ventana Public Housing Management, Inc. and/or the City of New Orleans saying that you were hurt from exposure to lead at one of the HANO public housing developments; or (b) You have or can get medical documents or other evidence showing you were lead poisoned, specifically a document that shows you had an elevated blood lead level of 10 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dl) of whole blood, or higher, when you were six years old or younger and you were born on or after December 12, 1987. Register, and get more information, including a Detailed Notice, at www.HanoLeadSettlements.com—or— by calling toll free 1-888-768-2043.
What
do the settlements provide?
A $65 million Settlement Fund will be set up. After deducting money for lawyers’ fees, expenses, and other settlement costs, the fund will pay valid claims from an estimated 10,000 or more Class Members. If you are a Class Member, the exact amount of money you might get will be based on how bad
your injuries are, and other factors, for example, how long you lived, stayed, or visited at HANO housing, your blood lead level, how long your elevated blood lead level lasted, the medical evidence you have or can get, your medical treatments and bills, and the total number of valid Claim Forms received after the settlements are approved. The settlements do not mean that the defendants did anything wrong.
How
do you ask for a payment?
First, you must register before October 20, 2011 at the website or by calling the toll-free number. If the Court approves the settlements, Class Members who register will receive another Notice with a Claim Form. The Claim Form will tell you what you need to prove your claim and receive a payment. You will need evidence, for example a test result that shows you had an elevated blood lead level (>10 µg/dl) when you were six years old or younger and proof you were born on or after December 12, 1987, so you should start now to find these documents.
What
are your other options?
You may object to the settlements if you think the Court should not approve them. The Detailed Notice explains how to object properly before the October 20, 2011 deadline. By that deadline you may also ask to speak at a Fairness Hearing the Court will hold on December 21, 2011. At the Fairness Hearing the Court will consider whether to approve the settlements, and how much to pay the Class lawyers. They will ask the Court for fees and reimbursement of their expenses totaling up to 45% of the Fund, plus $15,000 each for the five named Plaintiffs and five Class Representatives who provided service in the class action. Significant administration costs are required by the settlements, and will also be deducted from the Fund, but the total cannot be known until Claim Forms are processed. For more information on this case (Billieson v. City of New Orleans, et al, No. 94-19231) call toll free, see the website, or write to Billieson Notice Administrator, P.O. Box 2010, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2010.
1-888-768-2043 www.HanoLeadSettlements.com
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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 30 | 2011
coverpage
TSU summit hopes to help
Displaced Teachers By ReShonda Tate Billingsley Defender
children. They’re targeting education. They see that as a way to balance the budget. It’s caused us to step back, reevaluate and see what other things we can do.”
In the past, people looking for a longterm stable career, often turned to teaching. Not anymore. “Teaching has always been a mainstay A serious problem As of April, HISD had processed and once you get in education, you feel like 1,912 “human resource actions” — a you’re going to have a job forever,” said combination of 945 job eliminations and Dr. Danita Bailey-Perry, associate professor of education at Texas Southern University’s College of Education. “We now know that’s no longer the case.” Especially in the Houston Independent School District, where Thursday, July 14, 2011 more than 700 teachers were laid off ously indicated the 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) in the past year. TSU now wants to displaced teachers Roderick R. Paige Education Building help some of those displaced teachers. would be given Texas Southern University Campus The College of Education is hosting preferential treata displaced teacher career summit to ment in filling the Workshop topics: help educators reinvent themselves in new jobs. But many • Translating Teaching Skills into Corporate/Community Assets this ever-changing job market. HISD teachers have • Career Options The summit will take place expressed fear that • Resume Writing & Interviewing Techniques Thursday, July 14, at 9 a.m. at the by opening up the • Technical Writing and Public Speaking College of Education on the campus jobs for additional of TSU. applicants, the 967 resignations or retirements, according “A lot of teachers have lost their district will be leaning toward hiring to a summary presented by HISD. The positions, positions they’ve held for a long first-year educators. district was required by law to send its time,” said Bailey-Perry. “Many of those The school district already held a layoff notices to teachers by mid-April. job fair late last month for the disteachers have been employed for years so Since HISD is a decentralized it’s a transition, a change for them.” placed teachers, but only 200 of them Bailey-Perry says since many of those school district and principals had to attended. However, the district still make their own decision, more than educators came from TSU, the school felt has vacancies from that job fair, so 700 teachers received notices. Then, compelled to do something about it. the district now will consider external more teachers notified the district they “We have a lot of alumni that might candidates. would be resigning or retiring and the have been caught up in this. We thought it “We’re committed to ensuring an district found out it now had more than effective teacher in every classroom would be a real good idea to provide them 200 jobs to fill. with some support and resources so they and we know that many high-quality “It is sheer in-your-face gall to could have a successful transition into an teachers lost their jobs through no have posted 286 jobs and tell those alternative career,” she said. fault of their own as a result of the [laid off] teachers, ‘You can apply The cuts to HISD’s workforce, while state budget cuts,” HISD Chief Human for them, too,’ ” said Gayle Fallon, unsettling, comes as no surprise to BaileyResources Officer Ann Best said in a president of the Houston Federation Perry. statement. of Teachers. “It has demoralized them “That’s the reality with the recession. “Not all of our displaced teachThat’s the reality of the legislation in Texas. so badly. They think [district officials] ers hold the required certifications to don’t want us at all.” They’re wanting to take money from our be eligible for some of our vacancies, Fallon said HISD had previ-
TSU Displaced Teacher Career Summit
which are one reason why we will begin giving consideration to external candidates.”
TSU’s summit details
In the past, many teachers laid off in one district would simply move to a surrounding district. But now that those districts are no longer hiring, Dr. BaileyPerry says many teachers are simply opting out of education. That’s where the TSU summit comes in. They’ll hold workshops, teaching displaced teachers everything from how to search for jobs using social media to alternative careers. “A lot of them are uncomfortable with using social media to look for a job. We hope to make them knowledgeable of the opportunities they can explore with social media,” she said. “The workshops will help these teachers determine how to translate their teaching skills into corporate/community assets, renew and build skills that will help them to make a successful transition into a new field and learn what alternative career options and opportunities they might have.” Keynote speakers for the summit are: Omar Reid, director for the City of
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Dr. Danita Bailey-Perry
Houston Department of Human Resources; DeShaunda Warner, project manager, Elementary Digital Pearson Digital Learning; and Frazier Wilson, vice president, Shell Oil Company Foundation and manager, social investment. Summit facilitators hope that participants will leave with a renewed awareness of community resources, enhanced resume writing and interviewing skills, confidence in public speaking, a better knowledge of how teaching skills can be translated into saleable corporate and community assets, educational opportunities, and meet and talk with individuals who have successfully transitioned from teaching to other careers. There is no cost to attendees and parking will be provided. For additional information, contact Bailey-Perry at 713-313-4418 or email bailey_dm@tsu.edu.
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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 30 | 2011
Ask questions before...Continued from page 3
Web-based system ranks child care facilities
make the best, most informed decision based on their needs and preferences, as well as a T:4.79” provider’s quality rating.” According to the system, excellence is achieved only when a provider meets the highest of These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off games will be closing soon: standards. Official Close End To receive an “Excellent” GAME # GAME NAME / ODDS $ of Game Validations Date ranking for teacher-to-child ratio and group size, for example, all 1309 5 Star Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.87 $5 07/21/11 01/17/12 classrooms in the center must 1312 Hot $100,000 - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.82 $5 07/22/11 01/18/12 meet standards established by 1345 Loteria® Texas - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.99 $3 07/23/11 01/19/12 the National Association for the Education of Young Children. 1244 Royal 7’s - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.56 $7 08/24/11 02/20/12 QualiFind was developed 1250 Dallas Cowboys - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.47 $10 08/24/11 02/20/12 through funding from the U.S. Department of Education. 1283 Silver & Gold - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.87 $5 08/24/11 02/20/12 Qualified licensed and regis1308 Hog Mania - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.43 $1 08/24/11 02/20/12 tered family homes are in the process of being added to the For detailed odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-37LOTTO. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas Education. © 2011 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved. system and are scheduled for online completion by the end of the summer. Child care centers that wish to be included in the QualiFind program, or provide latest 1 their TX4731_HNDF_EOG_AFAM_0630.indd HCCfacultyfacts.org program information, may call Printed At from Tommy-MacPro by Tommy / Steve Grill Saved at at6-27-2011 4:27 PM the Provider Update Line 713-600-1312. Job info Approvals Fonts & Images
LEGAL NOTICE
Smart DeciSion
Job # Client Headline/Tag Trim Bleed Live Color Setup Vendor/Pub Media Type Die Cut
TX4731 TX Lottery JULY EOG 4.79” x 3.25” None None BW Houston Defender Newspaper N
Al Sharpton and Cornel...Continued from page 4 Sharpton, leader of the National Action Network. “Folks have been saying that Cornel West and I are going to have a ‘showdown’ today.” If you’re looking for a circus “there’s a Chicago zoo,” he said. West, a professor at Princeton University, encouraged Rev. Sharpton to use his access to the White House to raise critical issues of Black unemployment, the homeless, inadequate health care and the needs of America’s children. Sharpton reminded West that he’s been at the forefront of those issues and challenged the Black press to maintain its position as an advocate for justice. During the discussion, both leaders stuck to their positions
staff, caregivers, directors, assistant directors and owners working in licensed child care centers or in registered/licensed family child care homes in 13 area counties. Founded in 1987, the agency works with families, educators and community leaders – the people who most influence a child’s quality of life.
T:3.25”
Collaborative for Children has developed a free system on its website that ranks Houston-area child care and educational facilities. QualiFind, which is found on www.weknowchildcare.com, designates a facility’s overall qualities as “Excellent,” “Good” or “Minimal.” Establishments are ranked according to teacher-to-child ratio and group size, teacher education and training, accreditation, teacher tenure, family involvement and compliance with licensing standards. “The process of choosing a quality, reputable child care provider has become more difficult and intimidating than ever, but it is one of the most important decisions a parent can make,” said Carol Shattuck, president and CEO of Collaborative for Children. “With QualiFind, child care seekers can know instantly how a provider ranks across key performance standards, so they can
• Are the indoor and outdoor play areas secure and what are the safety precautions used by staff? • What are the plans to evacuate in the event of an emergency? As part of its goal of improving the overall quality of child care in the Houston area, Collaborative for Children offers early childhood training sessions to teaching
about the need to support and be critical of the administration. Sharpton cited the “creative 206 E. 9th Street • Austin, TX 78701 tension” stimulated by historic Tel 512.479.6200 Fax 512.479.6024 and public disagreements between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington, and even how White progressives have feared when Blacks sought to form their own agenda. West noted that Obama is surrounded by advisers who have no concern for the poor and working class. He reemphasized that he speaks what he believes in an effort to steer the President in a correct direction, just as Sharpton speaks in a “prophetic voice” that condemns what is wrong.
Creative Dir Art Director Copywriter Account Mgr Proofreader Notes Due: 06/23 Pub: 06/30
None Fonts our faculty knows the theory At HCC, None Helvetica Neue (95 Black, 77 Bold Condensed, None Medium, 85the Heavy, 75 Bold, 57 Condensed), yet65applies practice of real-world ALVARO CIFUENTES Times (Regular) None experience in the very same classroom. Images We are None preparing students to be the next Inks
generation of thinkers and doers. Black
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WEEK OF JUNE 30 | 2011 DEFENDER
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Oprah
entertainment
9
Revamping her cable channel By Gail Choice Special to the NNPA from Our Weekly What do champions do when they discover that things are not going as planned or hoped? They regroup and come out fighting. Oprah Winfrey is just that kind of champion. Winfrey has acknowledged that launching her own cable channel has been more difficult than she expected. And she plans to devote herself to overhauling OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, and spending more time in Los Angeles where the channel is headquartered. Since its launch, OWN has been averaging fewer than 300,000 viewers in prime time, according to the Nielsen Co. It’s now reported that ratings are just a third of those expected by advertisers, averaging a 0.1 rating on an all-day basis rather than the anticipated 0.3 rating.
Sagging ratings prompted Winfrey and Discovery to oust the channel’s chief executive, Christina Norman, who is Black, and the former president of MTV. Norman spent 17 years at MTV, climbing from a freelance production manager to president. In a recent interview with Discovery Channel host Paula Zahn at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association convention in Chicago, Winfrey said: “The vacation that I thought that I was going to have is over. I need to be there. I need to be engaged and involved.” Oprah told Zahn, that she didn’t have “one single space of energy left” to devote to the startup while she was taping the final season of her talk show. She was consumed with giving her program the sendoff that she felt it deserved. Winfrey said that when she told viewers she had a new cable channel, people showed up with high expectations – not expecting to see a work in progress. But she said she was determined to make it work. “I have committed everything I have to this cable venture,” Winfrey said. “I wouldn’t bet against me.” Experts say it takes a cable station some five years to get up and running profitably, but Winfrey claims OWN will do it in three years.
“The vacation that I thought that I was going to have is over. I need to be there. I need to be engaged and involved.”
what’sup H 2011 BET Awards crowned Chris Brown
H Diddy settles suits with victims in ‘99
H Twins Tia and Tamera Mowry
During the recent BET Awards, 22-year-old Chris Brown was the uncontested man of the evening. He collected five trophies, including male R&B artist, video of the year and collaboration for “Look at Me Now” during the telecast, which aired live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. “All my fans are everything to me,” Brown said while accepting the award for male R&B artist. “I know it’s been a long road. I just appreciate every blessing that’s been put in front of me.” Other winners included Wiz Khalifia for new artist, Kanye West for male hip-hop artist and Nicki Minaj for female hiphop artist. Highlights included Anita Baker performing with Mary J. Blige and a passionate, posthumous tribute to Teena Marie, Gill Scott-Heron, Nate Dogg and Clarance Clemons.
More than a decade after Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal woes surfaced after a shooting at a New York nightclub, the hip-hop mogul has settled all civil actions filed against him. The New York Post recently reported that Diddy, his former artist Jamal “Shyne” Barrow and the now-defunct nightclub struck a deal with the three club-goers who were harmed in the bar fight in 1999, according to court records. Natania Reuben, the most seriously injured shooting victim, received $1.8 million. The two other victims received $500,000 and $50,000. Barrow fired the shots after Combs’ group that evening got involved in an argument with another club attendee. While charges against Combs and then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez were dropped, Barrow was convicted on two counts of assault, gun possession and reckless endangerment.
Tia and Tamera Mowry, former stars of the sitcom “Sister, Sister,” are teaming up for a new show, an eight-episode reality series to debut on the Style Network in August, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The series follows the 32-year-olds as Tia goes through her first pregnancy — she and her husband, actor Cory Hardrict, are expecting a boy in just a few weeks — and Tamera plans her wedding to FOX News correspondent Adam Housely, who she got engaged to in January. Tia also currently stars in BET’s hit comedy, “The Game,” which was recently renewed for season five. Tamera most recently co-starred with her sister in the Lifetime movie, “Double Wedding,” and also starred in ABC Family’s short-lived comedy, “Roommates.”
the comeback kid collecting five trophies
nightclub shooting after more than a decade
starring in reality series debuting on Style
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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 30 | 2011
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sports Analysis:
Rockets go big in NBA draft By Max Edison Defender
T
he 2011 NBA Draft has come and gone and the Rockets are beaming from ear to ear over their selections. With the Yao Ming era officially over, it was no secret that size was the No. 1 physical trait at the top of the team’s wish list. The Rockets selected Big 12 Player of the Year power forward Marcus Morris (6’7 3/4” 230 lbs.) from Kansas with the 14th pick of the first round. They then added Donatas Montiejunas, 7’ 220 lbs., center/power forward from Lithuania with the 20th pick in the first round. They concluded the draft by selecting 6’10”, 221 lbs. small forward Chandler Parsons. The SEC Player of the Year, Parsons was drafted in the second round, 38th overall. Team GM Daryl Morey shared the team’s philosophy on drafting talent. “We went with who we thought was the best guy there each time,” Morey explained. “We’re a team trying to reestablish our foundation. We’re very value-oriented. “We thought Marcus Morris was one of the top players in the draft, skilled on both ends. We thought Montiejunas was a lottery type talent, so we’re thrilled to get him at 20. We thought Chandler was a first round type-talent, we were thrilled to get him later.” New Rocket head coach Kevin McHale is enthralled with the overall versatility of his team’s top draft selection Morris. “I think Marcus is a
tremendous player. Can play the 3 spot, can play the 4 spot, you can post him up, he’s very skilled. You can do a lot of different things with him, just very versatile which is great. He can handle the ball on the perimeter and make shots.” For Marcus Morris, Houston was the place he most wanted to be. “From the first time I worked out for them I got a great vibe from those guys. They told me how much they wanted me,” he said. He also reflects on the great post men that have influenced him, including his new head coach. “It’s so crazy, I just went from one of the best great post players in Danny Manning [Kansas assistant coach] to Kevin McHale, two of the best.” So at the end of the day the Rockets are right where they started before the draft. Morey continues to draft undersized power forwards. It started with Carl Landry, last year Patrick Patterson and now Marcus Morris.
Rockets #1 pick Marcus Morris greets NBA Commissioner David Stern
GM Daryl Morey (l) & Coach McHale (r) introduce the newest Rockets
Montiejunas has the perquisite height, but is woefully thin. Chandler will compete with Chase Budinger for minutes at the small forward position and both will have to learn to upgrade their defense significantly. Right now the Rockets, as composed, are the worlds largest “swap shop.” They’ve got more spare parts than Auto Zone and hopefully Morey can find some poor team to pawn some of them off on. The draft night deal to ship off oft-injured and over the hill center Brad
Miller gave the team the opportunity to acquire Montiejunas and former lottery pick, point guard Jimmy Flynn, who has to date underachieved on a bad Minnesota team. Already rumors abound that two recent stiffs acquired in trades, Hasheem Thabeet and Jordan Hill, are about to be shipped to Golden State for another underachieving player Andris Biedrins. If you’re starting to see a pattern emerge, you’re not alone. At some point we’ve got to actually win a Morey trade that makes us something other than a mediocre team, destined to always just miss the playoffs and select too late in the lottery to get a franchise player.
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WEEK OF JUNE 30 | 2011 DEFENDER
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h.s.zone
sportsbriefs
Blackmon using 7-on-7 to improve skills J
By Darrell K. Ardison Defender
oshua Blackmon doesn’t waste time in the “what if” or hypothetical world. He’s a realist. As the youngest of three brothers who competed in sports at Houston’s Mirabeau B. Lamar High School, Blackmon is using the 7-on-7 summer football session to improve on a wide variety of skill sets. Blackmon will enter his senior year at Lamar this fall listed as a wide receiver on the Redskins’ varsity football roster. Yet just because his older brother, Garry, started three years as a defensive back at Lamar and his middle brother, Matthew, was a two-year starter at tight end, the youngest brother doesn’t expect anything to be given to him. He wouldn’t want it any other way. Garry Blackmon is currently finishing up his B.A. degree at Southern University while Matthew Blackmon will be a sophomore at Houston Baptist this fall. “I don’t want to be the only [brother] that doesn’t go to college,” Joshua Blackmon said. “So I’ve got a number of things to improve on like improving my speed to help me get open better, running better pass routes and catching the ball better.” The speed element was targeted during the spring when he ran track for the Lamar boys’ varsity track squad. Blackmon ran the open 100-meter dash and a leg on the 4X100 meter relay. Yet for the past five weeks, he and his Lamar teammates have been playing in 7-on-7 football tournaments to qualify for another berth in the state tournament. With only one loss in five weeks of action, Lamar qualified for the July 15-16 state tournament in College Station prior to
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Retirement ceremony for Madison coach Seals is July 17 After 46 years as an educator and coach in the Houston Independent School District, Houston Madison High School head football coach Ray Seals will celebrate his retirement on July 17 at the Houston Marriott Westchase Hotel. An evening of dining, dedications and dancing will take place from 7-11 p.m. The venue is located at 2900 Briarpark Drive. Attire is semi-formal. Seals compiled a 212-96 ledger with head coaching stints at Milby and the last 23 years at Madison. His teams made 21 playoff appearances and Seals was named HISD Coach of the Year 10 times. In 2008, Seals was selected the NFL High School Coach of the Year and last February was named the inaugural Don Shula Coach of the Year. For ticket information, go online at RaySeals@Yahoo.com. RSVP required by July 5th.
Kingwood’s Amadu named Defender girls’ track MVP Mariam Amadu of Kingwood Park High School is the Houston Defender’s girls’ high school track and field Most Valuable Player. Amadu won gold medals in the 300-meter hurdles at the state meet as a sophomore and junior. As the favorite to win again this year, Amadu fell and broke her wrist while running the 100-meter hurdles at regionals. She still repeated as 300-meter hurdle champion at regionals later that same day. A few days later, Amadu won her third consecutive state 300-meter hurdle crown.
Blackmon (foreground) enjoys rest during a 7-on-7 tournament at Butler Stadium.
a June tournament at Butler Stadium. Victories over Jones, Madison and Westbury ensued and the Redskins were awarded medals for their overall excellence. Blackmon is hoping that is a sign of good things to come. “Last year, we were eliminated early on the second day of the state tournament,” he said. “I think we’ll do better this year. We have a team that wants it more.” Lamar is trying to find a replacement at quarterback for two-year starter Bram Kohlhausen, who graduated and took his skills to the University of Houston. Sophomore Darrell Colbert has looked good in 7-on-7 drills. The Lamar senior class for the 2011 high school football season will be smaller than usual. Along with Blackmon, other seniors that will be counted on for leadership Joshua Blackmon displays his 7-on7 football medal.
in the skill positions include Carrington Thompson, Kevin Hall, Nathaniel Mayberry, Daniel Lopez, Marvin Taylor and Dorian McNeil. Blackmon says playing 7-on-7 football in the Houston heat is a formidable challenge. “I drink a lot of water anyway, but particularly the day before we play so that I can make sure to remain hydrated,” he said. “Playing without the pads in the heat makes it nice and working on team chemistry and building camaraderie is fun.” Besides football, Blackmon spends much of his time this summer in Lamar’s conditioning camp. He says the best thing he likes about running track is winning. Blackmon lists English as his favorite subject in school and is considering a college major in sports management or possibly becoming a coach at some point. “I want to attend college in Texas,” he said. Born September 1, 1993, he lists LeBron James and Usain Bolt as his favorite athletes and the New England Patriots and Miami Heat as his favorite teams. “I like playing the 2K11 video game and I’m usually the Miami Heat,” Blackmon said. “I’d love to be the president for one day so I could see exactly what he goes through on a daily basis,” he added. “If I could solve any world problem, it would be the economy.”
Update: Carter makes Cougar record books with jump Chris Carter leaped into the Houston Cougar record books as he finished fourth place in the triple jump at the USATF Championships in Eugene, Ore. With his distance of 16.86m/55-3.75, he ties Byron Criddle (1983) for the second-best in Houston history. “I was real thankful and excited about my jump today,” Carter said. “I didn’t know that it was the second best in Houston history but that’s something I’m real proud of. It’s just great to see all that work paying off in one of the biggest meets of my life and I just have to thank God for that performance today.” Carter set his personal best on the second jump of the competition and was situated in fourth place for the remainder of the flights. The senior from Hearne missed on the automatic qualifying for the IAAF World Championships by one place, but will still be active in other top-flight competitions this summer with his world-class mark.
PV baseball signs junior college, high school standouts Prairie View A&M University head baseball coach Waskyla Cullivan announced recently the addition of 10 studentathletes to play baseball for the Panthers next season. After combing the country for pitchers in last season’s recruiting class, Cullivan focused on position players this time around as nine of the 10 recruits will play in the field. Cullivan also sought athleticism as he wanted to increase the team’s overall speed. “We were lacking in the stolen base department this past season and I felt we needed to be more athletic,” he said. “This group of hitters has the capability to hit for a high average in addition to causing havoc on the base paths.” After a solid 2011 season, which featured strong starting pitching and a SWAC Tournament appearance, Cullivan signed a solid mix of standouts from both the junior college and high school ranks. “I wanted more experience on the field and we’ve been pretty successful here by going the junior college
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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 30 | 2011
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For Event Coverage...visit
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chag’splace
HEALING OUR COMMUNITY……. The Art Project, was truly a healing for our community through the arts!..... Houston hosted an amazing and therapeutic art venture ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION…….Constable benefiting the Bread of Life, Inc., agency at the KnowlesRuben Davis has faithfully served as constable of Fort Rowland Center for Youth, on the Bend County, Precinct Two, for the past campus of St. John’s UMC Downtown. 15 years. He was recently honored at Join Yvette Chargois Established in 1992, the Bread of Life Fung’s Kitchen restaurant hosted by Events of the Week provides solutions to homelessness, Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen and More photos on defendernetwork.com hunger, and HIV by sustaining, former Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown. See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads equipping, and transforming lives His wife, Sharon Davis, his father, with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. with compassion. Hundreds of folks Ruben Davis Sr. along with many, many friends attended to include, Fort attended this interactive paint party for Bend County Commissioner Grady an unforgettable morning of food, fun, and creative expressions by painting their own masterpiece. Prestage, Vivian Singleton, Leslie Collins, Debra Davis, Joe Lee and Charles Randle. Continued success!....... We salute Juanita Rasmus, founder of the Art Project, A BIG HEART .........The Fifth Ward Enrichment Houston and co-founder of Bread of Life, Anita Smith, Program recently celebrated their 13th Annual Heart of event chair, and Lanecia Rouse, project manager. This
Anita Smith, Pastor Juanita Rasmus and Lanecia Rouse
Pastor Yvette Tarrant
Commissioner Grady Prestage, Ruben Davis Sr., Sharon and Constable Ruben Davis, Honorable Lee P. Brown and Mayor Allen Owen
Al Calloway, Jerome Gray and Charles Savage
Daniel Hoang, Constable Davis and Don Dinh
Honoree Jerome Gray and Saundria Gray
Houston Awards Luncheon by honoring Jerome Gray, vice president and senior press officer with Metro. He is well known for his Emmy award-winning work during 22 years as a broadcast journalist. Jerome has tirelessly given his time to many non-profits and community-based organizations and he’s committed to Houston and its citizens. Those sharing this occasion with him included his wife, Saundria Gray, his mom, Helen Fisher, Drucie Chase, George Greanias, Ernest McMillan, Al Calloway, Charles Savage, Markus Rue and Alfred Hughes. Congratulations!.....LIGHT ANOTHER CANDLE……..Ernest Smith Sr. recently celebrated his 91st birthday with family and friends and still sings with the Original Spiritual Travelers Quartet. Happy B-Day!......... From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!.........
Vernelle Jackson
Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen and Constable Ruben Davis
Markus Rue, Ernest McMillian and Alfred Hughes
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