May 16 – May 22, 2019
Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication
Volume 30 | Number 20a
Complimentary
Jesse Jackson
65 Years After Brown v. Board of Education
Prop B
Mayor Turner Vows No Layoffs After Ruling
Kaylah Sharve Is a Star On the Rise
Words By Jo-Carolyn Goode and Photography Courtesy of Kaylah Sharve Follow Us #TeamStyleMag
Twitter @HoustonStyle
Instagram @StyleMagazine
Chevrolet Partners with HBCUs
Mental Health
Facebook: @HoustonStyleMagazine
Astros’ Hot Start in 2019
No Longer a Taboo Subject
Nipsey Lawsuit
N E W S | C O M M E N TA R I E S | S P O R T S | H E A LT H | E N T E R TA I N M E N T Support Black Owned Businesses
Walk with us into your future. Your weekly urban news companion. LIKE US ON
visit www.stylemagazine.com 222
May Sept1613–-May Sept21, 19,2019 2018
twitter.com/houstonstyle
www.stylemagazine.com www.stylemagazine.com
06 Publisher Francis Page, Jr. Associate Publisher Lisa Valadez
J. Prince Gets Honorary Degree
11
Managing Editor Jo-Carolyn Goode editorial@stylemagazine.com Social Media Editor/Videographer Reginald Dominique reggiedominique@me.com
NATIONAL WRITERS
Jesse Jackson jjackson@rainbowpush.org Roland Martin www.rolandmartin.com Judge Greg Mathis www.askjudgemathis.com
Our Schools Have Become Warzones
PHOTOGRAPHERS VICKY PINK vhpink@gmail.com
19
William Ealy Williamealy1906@gmail.com Semetra Samuel semetra@artistikrebelcreative.com Mike Munoz artrepreneur91@gmail.com Robert Franklin editorial@stylemagazine.com
ADVERTISING/SALES
advertising@stylemagazine.com 713-748-6300
Minority Print Media, L.L.C.
Spring Home Improvements
dba Houston Style Magazine & StyleMagazine.com Phone: (713) 748-6300 • Fax: (713) 748-6320 Mail: P.O. Box 14035, Houston, TX 77221-4035 ©2015 Houston Style Magazine, a Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Company. All Right Reserved. Reproduction in whole or within part without permission is prohibited. Houston Style Magazine has a 2007 audit by Circulation Verification Council (CVC). Houston Style Magazine is a member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA), Texas Community Newspaper Association (TCNA), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Independent Free Paper of America (IFPA), Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP). National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc. (NAHP, Inc.), Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals (HAHMP), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP)
www.stylemagazine.com
May 16 – May 22, 2019
3
COMMENTARY
65 Years After Brown v. Board of Education By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer equal in resources. In affluent, largely white suburbs, public schools are new, modern, with advanced facilities and courses and good teachers. In low-income, minority neighborhoods, schools tend to be old, dilapidated, with less experienced teachers, fewer resources and fewer advanced courses.
T
his week marks the 65th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Ed ucation, the unanimous Supreme Court decision that outlawed apartheid in America, declaring segregated schools “inherently unequal” and unconstitutional. Today, the common sense of the Brown decision is under attack. For nearly three decades, our schools have been re-segregating, reversing the progress made under Brown, reflecting the deep racial and economic segregation of our communities. Worse, several of Donald Trump’s nominees to the federal courts refuse even to endorse Brown as unassailable law. As the United States grows more diverse, we run the risk of becoming more separate and more unequal. The decision in Brown was and is compelling. Racially segregated schools were and are inherently separate and unequal. They also were and are un-
POLITICAL
Battle for the Senate
A
t first glance, 2020 looks like the year where Democrats should take back the Senate majority. They have only 12 seats of their own to defend while Republicans have 22. In years past, that sort of disparity has been a recipe for success for the minority party; more targets to shoot at = more likelihood of success. And that may be true in 2020, too! But looks -- in politics and life -- can be de-
4
Research shows that integration works. Segregation injures the chances for achievement, college success, long-term employment and income of students of color. Integration raises those chances with no detriment to white students. Indeed, the experience of going to a diverse school better prepares students of all races for the world they will enter. With neighborhoods largely segregated -- a legacy of racially restrictive laws and covenants, of bank and real estate red lining and more -- integration of public schools inevitably required busing. Busing, of course, is routine across America, a service to parents. But opponents of integration used “forced busing” to rouse fears and hatred. The question was never about busing, it was about where the bus delivered the students. When the federal courts, packed by judges appointed by Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, retreated from desegregation orders, the schools began to re-segregate. Now, as Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), chair of the House Committee on Education and
Labor concludes: “After four decades without federal support for desegregation, we are right back where we started,” with schools that are increasingly separate and unequal. A recent report, Harming Our Common Future: America’s Segregated Schools 65 Years After Brown, by the UCLA Civil Rights Project and the Pennsylvania State University Center for Education and Civil Rights detailed the bleak reality. As the Washington Post’s Valerie Strauss summarizes, “Over the past three decades, black students have been increasingly segregated in intensely segregated schools (defined as 90 to 100 percent nonwhite).” By 2016, 40 percent of all black students were in segregated schools. The worst states? The “blue” states of New York, California, Illinois and Maryland, with New York the most segregated for blacks and California the most segregated for Latinos. This isn’t just an urban problem: our suburbs are increasingly divided by race, with African-American suburban students attending schools that are three-fourths nonwhite, and white students in the same suburbs going to schools that are, on average, two-thirds white. Charter schools -- increasingly a profit-making venture rather than an educational one -- are even more segregated than traditional public schools. Schools are segregated because our neighborhoods are segregated. With-
out residential integration and without metropolitan-wide integration policies, segregation will intensify, even as the country grows more diverse. Yet requirements that communities pursue residential integration remain unenforced and programs to subsidize scattered affordable housing are weak at best. Now 65 years later, we face a stark choice: the promise of Brown or a country torn apart by racial tensions. Sadly, as Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, reports, Donald Trump’s nominees to the federal bench increasingly refuse to endorse Brown v. Board as unassailable law. The Republican Senate is about to confirm three of these judges to lifetime appointments. Like the Voting Rights Act, gutted by five right-wing justices in the Shelby case, Brown v. Board of Education itself may be at risk. Sixty-five years later, with our country more diverse than ever, we must once again decide if we will be one nation, with liberty and justice for all. That cannot be left to right-wing judges or timorous politicians. It is time once more for citizens of conscience to call this nation back to its better angels. (You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this newspaper or by email at jjackson@rainbowpush.org. Follow him on Twitter @RevJJackson.) Share this story online at stylemagazine.com.
Why the 2020 Senate Map Looks Better Than It Actually Is for Democrats CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire
ceiving. And once you get beyond the raw numbers in the battle for the Senate majority, the path for Democrats looks much, much tougher. Start here: To win back control, Democrats need a net gain of three seats if their party’s nominee beats President Donald Trump next November and a four-seat pickup if Trump is reelected. (The vice president breaks ties in the Senate, giving the party
May 16 – May 21, 2019
who controls the White House effective governing power in the Senate. That’s a small number -- seemingly. But, in only two of the last five elections has either party picked up more than three seats. In 2018 (Republicans +1), 2016 (Democrats +2) and 2012 (D+2), the gains all fell short of the minimum pickup Democrats need for the majority in 2020. Then there’s the actual seats in play -which is a far smaller number than the 34 that are up for election (or reelection) in 2020. According to the Cook Political Report, a non-partisan political handicapping service, eight of Democrats’ 12 seats are considered “safe” for their side, while 12 of Republicans’ 22 are rated the same. Which means that the real 2020 playing field -barring any sort of catastrophic unforeseen circumstances in the “safe” seats -- is four Democratic seats and 10 Republican seats. And in truth, the number of truly competitive seats come next fall -- when both sides start spending millions to persuade voters -- is likely even smaller than those 14 seats. At the moment, there are really only four seats (1 Democratic, 3 Republican) that are nearly certain to produce close contests in 2020. The one Democratic seat is in Alabama, where Sen. Doug Jones won a 2017 special
www.stylemagazine.com
election thanks, in large part, to Republican voters choosing the deeply politically damaged Roy Moore as their nominee. Moore spent the general election attempting to beat back allegations that he had repeatedly pursued relationships with teenage girls when he was in his 30s. Despite all that, Jones barely won, with a margin of just over 20,000 votes. Because of Alabama’s strong Republican lean -- Trump carried the state by 28 points in 2016 -- Jones immediately became the most endangered incumbent on the ballot in 2020. There’s a long list of Republicans likely to run, but Rep. Bradley Byrne looks like the early favorite. For Republicans, Colorado and Arizona are their biggest vulnerabilities. Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner has, by all accounts, done nearly everything right in his first term but has the unfortunate distinction of being one of only two GOP incumbents up for re-election in a state Hillary Clinton won in 2016. That fact has attracted a litany of Democratic hopefuls, including two past losing statewide candidates in former state Sen. Mike Johnston (lost a primary for governor in 2018) and former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff (lost a primary for Senate in 2010 and a House race in 2014).
51 st
HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE ANNUAL EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DAY GALA
HONORARY CHAIRS
Winell Herron
June Deadrick
H-E-B
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
GALA CHAIRS
Dr. Judith Craven
Pamela McKay
CELEBRATING AND HONORING TRAILBLAZING WOMEN KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Charleta Guillory, M.D., M.P.H. F.A.A.P. Director, Neonatal-Perinatal Public Health Program Texas Children’s Hospital TRAILBLAZER HONOREES
Dancie Perugini Ware
Honorable Lina Hidalgo
Vanessa Wyche
Founder and Principal Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations
Harris County Judge
Deputy Director NASA's Johnson Space Center
LEGACY TRAILBLAZERS
Mrs. Drucie Chase
Mrs. Irma Galvan
Matriarch/Philanthropist and Arts Patron
Houston Restaurant Legend
Mrs. Josie Robinson Johnson Civil Rights Champion
51 st
HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE ANNUAL EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DAY GALA JUNE 15, 2019 HILTON AMERICAS-HOUSTON HOTEL Ballroom of Americas - 2nd Floor Reception - 6:00 PM Dinner & Awards - 7:00 PM
ENTERTAINMENT A Tribute to The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin by Earnest Walker Band
BLACK TIE OPTIONAL
www.stylemagazine.com
May 16 – May 22, 2019
5
LOCAL & STATE BRIEFS
Mayor Vows No Layoffs After Prop B Is Ruled Unconstitutional
Patch.com state district judge has ruled Proposition B unconstitutional. District Court Judge Tanya Garrison issued her ruling saying the voter-approved measure granting pay parity to firefighters with the Houston Police department, violated Texas Local Government Code and the Texas Constitution. The judges ruling also voided Prop. B. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, an opponent of Proposition B, read the judges ruling during city council meeting, and addressed the ruling with media afterward. Turner said the judges ruling means the move to lay off 47 city municipal employees, and nearly 300 firefighters within the next month had been halted, that fire cadets will be sworn in and that demotions of more than 400 firefighters who were not laid off would not happen.
A
Texas Among Most Vulnerable to Measles Outbreak
Patch.com our Texas counties are among the top 25 in the nation identified as being most at risk for a measles outbreak, according to a new study. The findings by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and John Hopkins University were published this week in The Lancet. Compiled data show Travis, Bexar, Harris and Tarrant counties are among the most vulnerable for an outbreak against a backdrop of increased cases. Since January 2019, there have been more than 700 confirmed measles cases in 22 states — nearly double the amount of last year and the highest number reported since the virus supposedly was eradicated in the United States in 2000, according to the study. Twenty-five counties across the country have been identified to be most at risk for a measles outbreak due to low vaccination rates compounded by a high volume of international travel, according to the study.
F
6
Texas Southern to Recognize J. Prince with Honorary Degree
TSU.edu ouston native and legendary entrepreneur/music mogul James Prince will receive an honorary doctorate degree from Texas Southern University during Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18, 2019. Prince will be honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters at the 8 a.m. ceremony, which will be held in the Health & Physical Education (H&PE) Arena. Prince, also known as J. Prince, is the founder and CEO of Rap-a-Lot Records, a Houston-based Hip-Hop record label created in 1986. His diverse interests also include the world of boxing, where he has been a successful manager to the likes of Andre Ward and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., real estate investment, ranching, and being a business partner with his adult children. “J. Prince is a Houston icon, and his connection to Texas Southern is strong,”
H
Texas School District Moving to Four Day School Weeks
NBCDFW.com fficials in the Dime Box ISD recently decided to move to a four day school week starting next school year. The school district is in central Texas, about an hour east of Austin. Under the new schedule, Mondays will be considered a “flex day.” Students will still be able to attend school on Mondays, but will use the day for tutoring, or catching up on any school work. Teachers can use the time to assist students in a more one-on-one style, or work to plan for the week ahead. The school days will also be extended by 35 minutes to meet state requirements. Our NBC sister-station KXAN in Austin reports the school district has a student population of about 160 students. All students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade are under one roof.
O
May 16 – May 21, 2019
Latin Women’s Initiative Plans to Spice Up Houston
CW39.com atin Women’s Initiative is a membership organization committed to empowering and supporting Latin women and children in need through financial support, volunteerism and community resources. The annual Fashion Show & Luncheon held each May is the organization’s largest fundraising event, attended by approximately 700 people, and enables LWI to distribute over $100,000 in funds to the Latino community each year and to raise awareness on behalf of LWI’s six charity beneficiaries. Additionally, throughout the year, Latin Women’s Initiative members provide countless volunteer hours and in-kind contributions to our charity beneficiaries. These organizations are addressing critical needs in our community such as food insecurity, childhood literacy and educational opportunity and scholarship support.
L
Texas Police Officer Killed Woman During Arrest Attempt
CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire shaky cell phone video captured the moments before a Texas police officer shot and killed a woman who claimed she was pregnant. A family member identified the woman as Pamela Shantay Turner. Police Lt. Steve Dorris said Turner was not pregnant. The officer was patrolling an apartment complex in the Houston suburb of Baytown late Monday when he saw a woman he knew from previous encounters, Baytown police said. The officer knew the 45-year-old woman had outstanding warrants and started trying to arrest her, police said. A witness’ cell phone video showed the woman yelling at the officer: “I’m walking! I’m actually walking to my house!” the woman screams at him. She later says the officer is “harassing” her. The video shows the officer apparently trying to handcuff the woman, but she breaks free. The officer then fires his Taser stun gun, and the woman slowly drops to the ground.
A
www.stylemagazine.com
96 Charged in Immigrant Marriage Scheme That Provided Fake Wedding Albums
Click2Houston.com early 100 people were charged in connection with what federal prosecutors described as the largest sham marriage scheme ever documented in the Houston area. According to the U.S. district attorney’s office, a grand jury handed up a 206-count indictment against 96 people. So far, 50 people have been arrested. Prosecutors said that 53-year-old Ashley Yen Nguyen, of Houston, ran an organization based in southwest Houston that charged people $50,000 to $70,000 to circumvent immigration laws by arranging sham marriages complete with an album of wedding photos, plus false tax, utility and employment information. According to prosecutors, most of the couples would not meet each other until just before they got their marriage license.
N
Texas Senate Removes Exception That Allows Abortion After 20 Weeks
TexasTribune.org he Texas Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would ban a33bortions on the basis of the sex, race or disability of a fetus, and criminalize doctors who perform what opponents call “discriminatory abortions.” Current state law prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, but there are certain exceptions, such as when the pregnancy is not viable or the fetus has “severe and irreversible” abnormalities. Senate Bill 1033 would do away with those exceptions — which particularly inflamed Democratic senators, who worry the legislation will unfairly penalize doctors and force women to endure traumatic and ill-fated pregnancies. Still, the bill passed in a 20-11 vote, with Brownsville Democratic state Sen. Eddie Lucio bucking his party to support it. The bill must still pass the House. Abortion rights advocates argued the bill would force women to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term — even if the fetus is likely to die.
T
BUSINESS
Chevrolet Partners with America’s Black Publishers to Help HBCU Students Discover the Unexpected By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
the nation’s leading Black news publications, and the “road trip of a lifetime” in the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer. Each year, a selection of four NNPA Publishers provide the fellows with the opportunity to gain real-world journalism experience during the eight-week Fellowship Program.
S
ince 2016, General Motors Chevrolet brand and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) have partnered to provide deserving HBCU students with the exciting opportunity to “Discover the Unexpected” about themselves and their communities via a journalism fellowship program. The Discover the Unexpected Journalism Fellowship (DTU), now entering its fourth consecutive year, provides six HBCU students with scholarships ($10,000 each), stipends ($5,000 each), an eight-week fellowship with two of
Recently, host NNPA publishers, along with NNPA president and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., reflected on the success of the program from 2016 to 2018. “The issues of diversity and inclusion are of paramount concern for corporate America. The NNPA has a productive relationship with General Motors specifically focused on providing scholarships and opportunities to the emerging generation of African American journalists and publishers,” said Chavis. “Discover the Unexpected has been an excellent model for highlighting the importance of freedom of the press and academic excellence.”. NNPA Chairman and Chicago and
Gary Crusader Publisher Dorothy R. Leavell, whose Crusader Newspaper Group will be one of the 2019 host publishers, stressed the importance of the partnership and the resulting opportunities provided to the aspiring Black journalists attending the nation’s HBCU’s. “This experience, I believe, has given those students a leg up on pursuing a career in journalism and it’s my personal hope that they will lend their journalistic talents to the Black Press by returning to one of our member newspapers,” Leavell said. The Washington Informer, The New Journal and Guide in Norfolk, Va., The Carolinian in Raleigh, N.C., The New York Amsterdam News, the Chicago Defender, The Michigan Chronicle and The Atlanta Voice are among the NNPA member newspapers that have worked with DTU Fellows. They will be joined this year by The Chicago Crusader and Houston Forward Times. “The staff of The Washington In-
former and I are pleased to work with students from participating HBCU’s who come readily prepared to share 21st century knowledge and tech skills that enhance the reporting and story-telling experiences we offer with the Black Press, including vehicles that make it even more possible to Discover the Unexpected,” said Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes. “General Motors believes as we do — as Black newspaper publishers — that the Black Press is important, relevant and significant to telling the story and speaking truth to power on behalf of African Americans. As a member of NNPA, I also believe it is our duty to pass the baton, as it was passed to us, to the next generation of media professionals and owners whose responsibility it will become to shape the future of the Black Press,” said Barnes. Brenda H. Andrews, Publisher of the New Journal and Guide (NJG) in Norfolk, Virginia, hosted three HBCU students for four weeks as part of 2018’s DTU program.
MEMBER FDIC
We’re in the people business. We just happen to be a bank. Unmatched service. Sound advice. And peace of mind knowing your money is well cared for. Now, how can we help you today?
Visit us at frostbank.com or download the Frost App.
www.stylemagazine.com
May 16 – May 22, 2019
7
BUSINESS AND NATIONAL BRIEFS
Disney Is Taking Full Control of Hulu
CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire isney’s takeover of Hulu is just about complete. Comcast on Tuesday agreed to sell its ownership stake in the streaming video service to Disney. The sale won’t happen for at least another five years, but Disney will take full operational control of Hulu right now. The deal is a sign of how much streaming video has changed in the last few years. Hulu was at one time a joint venture between several media titans: Disney, 21st Century Fox, Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Time Warner (now WarnerMedia). None of those companies had majority control. Now Hulu is effectively a Disney product. The company became the majority stakeholder in the streaming video service after it closed a deal for most of Fox’s assets in March.
D
Largest Class of African-American Women Set to Graduate From West Point
Fox7Austin.com he United States Military Academy at West Point will see a historic number of African-American women graduate this year. The Philadelphia Tribune reports that 32 African-American women will cross the stage later this month. They are the largest group in the institution’s 216-year history. West Point was founded in 1802, but an African American cadet didn’t graduate from the academy until 1877, the Tribune reported. To memorialize the achievement, the 2019 graduates participated in the traditional Old Corps photoshoot, according Because of Them We Can, a website dedicated to sharing inspiring stories of “black excellence.” Last year, Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams made history as the first black officer to command West Point, and in 2017, Simone Askew became the first black woman to lead West Point cadets.
T
8
How Choice Hotels Is Putting Its Weight Behind Black Women Ownership
Walmart Ups the Delivery Game With Next Day Shipping
BlackEnterprise.com new survey by Mandala Research shows that African American travelers are a significant travel group who contributed about $63 billion to the U.S. travel and tourism economy in 2018. Contrast that with the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD), which estimates that less than 1% of hotels are owned by black women. The disparity is eye-opening to say the least. Choice Hotels International is tackling this disparity head-on with its one-of-a-kind emerging markets franchise development team that began in 2003. The effort has led to more black women ownership in the hospitality industry. The Bainum family, whose patriarch Stewart Bainum opened his first hotel in 1957, still owns 40% of the company and has always recognized the importance of diversity.
ABCNews.com almart is rolling out free nextday delivery on its most p3opular items, increasing the stakes in the retail shipping wars with Amazon. The nation’s largest retailer said Tuesday it’s been building a network of more efficient e-commerce distribution centers to make that happen. The next-day service will cover 220,000 popular items from diapers and non-perishable food items to toys and electronics. That’s nearly double the number of items it carries in its stores. Next-day delivery, which will require a minimum order of $35, will be available in Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas on Tuesday. In coming days, it will expand to southern California. The discounter plans to roll out the service to 75% of the U.S. population by year-end. It will also be adding hundreds of thousands more products as the program expands.
State Graduation Rate Up Overall and Among African Americans
Groups Bringing National Reparations Debate to Detroit
A
MySanAntonio.com ouisiana’s four-year high school graduation rate has surpassed 80% for the first time, and the graduation rate for African American students in the state has — for the first time — surpassed the national average, state education officials said Wednesday. Louisiana Education Department figures show an overall graduation rate for 2018 of 81.4%. That’s up from 78.2% in 2017. State Education Superintendent John White said reaching the 80% threshold meant “the state has finally hit a long-held goal” established by lawmakers and the state education board in 2012. White discussed the graduation data during a news conference on the steps of the state Capitol. The figures show black students’ graduation rate jumped from just under 73% in 2017 to more than 78% last year. The most recent national average is 77.8%.
L
May 16 – May 21, 2019
W
BlackAmericaWeb.com wo national organizations pushing for federal legislation on reparations for descendants of African American slaves are bringing their agendas and messages to Detroit. The Detroit-based Reparations Labor Union has scheduled a summit in June, which later the same week will be followed by the national conference for the Washington-based National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, also known as N’Cobra. Both events come as a national dialogue on reparations is underway and other issues related to race are attracting increasing attention. A number of Democratic candidates for president have come out in support of discussing some form of repayment to descendants of slaves. The U.S. has no reparations policy when it comes to African Americans, though legislation creating a study commission has been introduced in Congress. But “the recognition of (reparations) has now gotten more validation,” said Jumoke Ifetayo, N’Cobra’s southeast regional representative.
T
www.stylemagazine.com
Beyonce Reportedly Made $300 Million From Her Uber Investment Despite Shares Plummeting
BlackBusiness.com ber went public last week and their shares have been plummeting ever since. Despite this, singer Beyonce has still managed to score a $300 million profit from her investment. Many are wondering how this is possible since Uber’s shares plunged during the first week, closing as low as 17% below its IPO price! Well, according to The New York Times, Beyonce received $6 million in restricted stock units (RSUs) from Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick to perform at a private company event in Las Vegas in 2015. Here’s a little bit of information about restricted stock units (RSU). It’s compensation issued by an employer to an employee in the form of company stock that are assigned a fair market value when they vest.
U
Mayor Richard Thomas
Bank Calls Police On Black Mayor in His Own City
BlackNews.com ayor Richard Thomas discussed how staff at JP Morgan & Chase summoned the police on 3him, his staff member, and a Mount Vernon Police detective as the Mayor sought to deposit a six figure check and get access to the City’s online banking records. A Chase employee called the police after Mayor Thomas was invited into a conference room and after Mayor Thomas had introduced the two people with him, including the police detective. The response by the White Plains Police Department was resolved amicably after one of the responding officers recognized the Mount Vernon Police detective. Mayor Thomas believes that race certainly played a role in the Chase employees calling the police. The two staffers who accompanied Mayor Thomas are black and Hispanic. Supreme Court Justice Susan Cacace ordered Mount Vernon Comptroller Deborah Reynolds to stop blocking Mayor Thomas’ access to the critical financial records.
M
å
ENTERTAINMENT
Nipsey.Hussle
Tiffany Haddish
Tiger Woods
TheGrio.com apper Nipsey Hussle who was as noted for his business acumen as he was for his music, apparently died in debt to a music company, which now wants his estate to cough up the money they claim he owed them. Paramount Recording Group is alleging that Hussle, 33, who was murdered March 31 in front of his South Los Angeles clothing store, owed the music company $32,000 before his death and are currently seeking back pay. The Blast reports that the music company has filed a creditors claim with the rapper’s estate. According to court documents obtained by the entertainment publication, Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, reportedly owes the company money that its officials claims they won in a 2012 judgement against him and another party.
TheGrapevine.TheRoot.com iffany Haddish has been known to say and do the darndest things—and now she’ll be hosting a show full of kids with that same energy! The 39-year-old comedian has been confirmed as the host of Kids Say the Darndest Things, a reboot of the popular TV show hosted by Bill Cosby from 1995-2000. The show is based off of Art Linkletter’s House Party which aired from 1945-1969. “I’m excited to hear what kids have to say these days because I can’t understand what they are saying on social media,” Haddish said, via Deadline. “They’re using too many abbreviations!” I was an avid watcher of both House Party (syndicated, of course) and the original Kids Say the Darndest Things, as I was both thoroughly tickled with the concept and wanted to be on the show.
CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire he family of a Florida man who purportedly was drunk when he crashed his car is suing Tiger Woods, his girlfriend and his restaurant company, saying they should have prevented the man from drinking too much and driving to his death. Nicholas Immesberger, 24, died December 10 near the community of Port Salerno -- about 20 miles from The Woods Jupiter restaurant and bar -- when he crashed his Corvette. The lawsuit blames Woods, who owns the restaurant where Immesberger worked as a bartender, and Erica Herman, who is listed in the complaint as the general manager of business and is Woods’ girlfriend, for wrongful death. The lawsuit, brought by his parents, said Immesberger finished his shift at 3 p.m., sat at the bar drinking and died in a single-car accident about 6 p.m.
Nipsey Hussle’s Estate Sued
R
Tiffany Haddish Is Ready for Kids Say the Darndest Things Reboot
T
Tiger Woods Hit With Lawsuit After Employee Dies in Car Crash
T
www.stylemagazine.com
To Get 1 More Season On ‘Empire’ Fox Amid Schedule Shake-Up
BlackAmericaWeb.com mpireV will return for its final season this fall on F3ox — withJussie Smollett a question mark — and should count itself lucky. Fox, the lowest-rated network among the big four broadcasters, is hitting the reset button for the 2019-20 season by cancelling eight shows and adding 10 new ones. “Empire” companion drama “Star” is among the goners as the network makes room for an eclectic mix of wrestling, two new animated comedies and a “9-1-1” spinoff starring Rob Lowe. “We are turning the final season of ‘Empire’ into a large television event,” Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier told a teleconference Monday. “One of the great benefits of announcing a final season is that you actually allow the fans to lean in and have the ending they deserve.”
E
May 16 – May 22, 2019
9
FEATURE
Kaylah Sharve’ Is a Star On the Rise By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor
K
the schedule for CQ (Citizen Queen) from time-to-time. Sometimes I have to choose one over the other but more frequently than not, I can balance the two.”
aylah Sharve has to pinch herself these days to make sure she is not dreaming. The 20-year-old is having the time of her life living out the things she has imagined herself doing for years. As part of the hottest new female group, Citizen Queen, Kaylah is growing her fan base, traveling on a 45-city tour, and celebrating her new recording contract.
It is because of the path at USC that the opportunity with Citizen Queen was made available to her. Kaylah had always been a solo artist until attending college and being selected to be part of USC’s oldest acapella group SoCal VoCals. Through the group, she was able to meet several people who she now calls friends that led to her joining Citizen Queen.
“The success of Citizen Queen so far has been mind-blowing! So many people have been so supportive of our artistry and the love has been more than any of us have expected,” said an excited Kaylah.
Life is going really fast for the 20-year-old Louisiana native with Texas roots. She is trying to hang on for the ride of her life and learn as much as she can along the way. “I’ve grown as an artist and as a person. There have been
Citizen Queen is an all female acapella group formed by Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying, Ben Bram, and Shams Ahmed. The five member group is composed of bass, Kaedi Dalley; beatboxer, Cora Isa-
Citizen Queen
belongs to the Grammy® Award-winning and multi-Platinum-selling Pentatonix you get choice gigs like being invited to open for them and Rachel Platten on a 45-city tour. Pretty sweet for a newly form group! And if that wasn’t enough, Citizen Queen caught
album, produced several music videos and perfected her craft. Always in the background cheering is her supportive family. “My family is extremely vital in my success. They have supported me from
Kaylah Sharve
Kaylah Sharve
bel; and three vocalists, Kaylah Sharve’, Nina Nelson, and Hannah Mrozak. Looking at how close they are now, one would never guess that the group was just established in 2018. Kaylah said, “We are such good friends. We love each other to death.”
many things that I learned about myself and I’ve taken the time to confront those things head on.” Kaylah continued, “Not to mention I’ve grown spiritually and it’s not always easy, but I’m constantly striving to get it right.”
Putting their own spin Ariana Grande’s “No Tears Left to Cry,” Citizen Queen introduce themselves with their distinctive sound to the world. Each member has her own unique sound yet they blend together like butter. So crisp and clean the ladies sound like seasoned professionals although their ages range from 18-21. Following the release of several other videos, Citizen Queen found real fame when they paid tribute to all the female groups who came before them with the “Evolution of Girl Groups.” Putting their own twist on songs like “Lady Marmalade” by LaBelle, “Waterfalls” by TLC, “Wannabe” by Spice Girls, “Work From Home” by Fifth Harmony, Citizen Queens covers a decade worth of songs flawlessly with synced chorography proving that they are a true double threat. The public has really only been able to see the group perform on social media until now. When one of your producers
10
I’d say she is on the right path. She is just starting to see her dreams realized but she already has some sound advice for budding performers. “Never count yourself out,” advises the songstress. “You never know when your opportunity will come knocking. You might not be the most popular person at school or the richest employee at your job, but if you continue to humbly do what you love, eventually someone will notice you and provide you with the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Citizen Queen
the eye of record producers RCA who signed the group to their first contract. All this success and the group is not even a year old yet.
day one in spite of any consequence that might arise. They continue to believe in me and continue to be my number one supporters,” said Kaylah.
Success seems to have always followed Kaylah’s career. Singing since the age of six, she was inspired to further pursue a career in the industry from watching her parents and grandparents. From there she has had a string of performances across Texas, released an
She is going to need all the support as she balances her obligations with Citizen Queen and responsibilities as a college student at the University of Southern California. “It’s been pretty difficult,” admits Kaylah. “The classes I’m taking are demanding and so is
May 16 – May 21, 2019
www.stylemagazine.com
I can personally say that I am extremely proud of this remarkable young lady who is an excellent role model for today’s young girls. She is grounded in her faith and her values are solid. Her priorities are in the right order and I believe God is ordering her steps. See tour dates and get tickets by visiting CitizenQueen.Squarespace.com and following them on social media.
COMMENTARY
Our Schools Have Become Warzones, Our Children at the Front Lines: Question Is, When Are We, ‘The Adults, Going to Join Them? By Nicole Lynne Gray, Style Feature Writer
two gunmen who opened fired at STEM School Richland Hills Ranch in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Castillo’s fellow classmates remember him as a hero as one of them recalled on several news outlets that Castillo’s actions gave them enough time to seek cover and escape the carnage. It is only the fifth month of the year and the STEM school shooting marked the 42nd of 2019. Although the actions of these two students were indeed heroic, they were victims; victims of our failure, as adults, to act on their behalves. What can you do, you ask? We can press for stricter gun laws and take a more grassroots approach to end bullying and remove the stigma associated with mental health issues.
T
o be clear: this is not an attack, rather a light that, hopefully, sparks a sense of urgency in adults across this nation to step up to the front lines of this war against increasing gun violence in our schools. Our children are already there. Just within the last month, two students, one in college and the other a graduating senior in high school, were killed when taking on gunmen at their schools, saving the lives of fellow students. Riley Howell, formerly an ROTC cadet at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, was buried with military honors, is one of two killed and four injured, after reportedly tackling the shooter who went on a rampage the last day of classes. Kendrick Castillo was killed just a week later, on May 7, 2019, three days before graduation, after he lunged at one of
Following each of these horrific events, survivors have pled with us, as a nation, to enact measures which will make it more difficult for semi-automatic weapons to land in the hands of those looking to carry out such acts. Each time, we have responded, with thoughts, prayers, and crowdfunds, but little more. We have to enact stricter gun laws. Few politicians campaign on this issue because of the constitutional implications and the hard sentiment carried by a majority of Americans against folks ‘taking away our guns.’ But, the proof is in the pudding that activism makes politicians respond. After 17 students were gunned down on Valentine’s Day 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida, a group of surviving students immediately appeared on national news outlets, rallied
outside the State Capitol and organized ‘March for Our Lives’ where thousands of people have participated in marches on Washington and in cities around the country in support of the cause. As a result, in March 2018, the Florida Legislature Florida enacted the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act to tighten gun control and increase school security and safety. Gun violence in our schools impacts us all, so this shouldn’t be a partisan issue. However, Republican candidates have been least receptive to calls for action. In fact, our current Republican administration reversed Obama-era gun regulation just a year prior to the Parkland shooting which made it harder for people with mental illnesses to buy guns. If past is prologue, we can guess where the current administration stands on gun regulation going forward. One candidate for president, however, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., has made gun regulation a major platform for his nomination calling his plan “the most comprehensive gun violence prevention plan of any candidate for president in decades.” I will save my personal opinion of Sen. Booker’s plan but will say this, his stance and plan will force the conversation. It will be up to us to demand that whomever we elect for President in 2020 promise immediate action in exchanges for our votes. Beyond our gun laws, we will have to take a “kaleidoscope” approach to ed. “Those guns, those assault weapons, do not discriminate and determine, ‘OK, is the person pointing it at, is it a Democrat or Republican.’ “ Harris’ proposal is the latest in a series of gun-related executive actions she has promised to take if she wins the Democratic nomination and defeats Donald Trump in 2020. Previously, Harris had said she’d use presidential executive action to mandate near-universal background checks, revoke licenses of gun dealers who break the law, limit fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants from buying guns and close the so-called “boyfriend loophole.”
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris Says She’ll Ban ImporV of All AR-15 Style Assault Weapons If Congress Doesn’t Act
CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire en. Kamala Harris on Wednesday announced that, if she is elected president, she will ban the importation of all AR-15 style assault weapons by executive action if Congress fails to act in the first 100 days of her administration.
S
Harris made the announcement at a campaign stop in New Hampshire. “Assault weapons are designed to kill a lot of people in a very short period of time,” Harris said. “I think that this has got to be something that is understood, that we cannot any longer afford to allow people to make this a partisan issue,” Harris add-
The issue of gun violence has jettisoned into the national spotlight in recent years as a result of high-profile mass shootings like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012 that left more than 20 dead, and more recently, at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, which left 17 dead. Democrats have pushed for stricter gun laws in the wake of these shootings. Those pushes have been met with fierce opposition from most Republican lawmakers who do not support expanding regulations on firearms.
www.stylemagazine.com
the issue, as recently stated in a CNN town hall by presidential hopeful Julian Castro, former Obama administration HUD Secretary. We have to take a firmer stance on bullying and continue our work to end the stigma of mental health issues, as disenfranchisement and mental illness have been cited as contributing factors following these events. As there are already countless programs in place to address the two issues, we should continue to support those programs and take somewhat of a grassroots approach working from the home outward. In most instances, problematic behaviors and thoughts begin at home. We should take a cue from grandma and speak up for those being bullied and reach out to those we see, otherwise, in crisis. We must be the change we want to see here. Because, as hard as it to reconcile, the gunmen are victims of our failures as well. On Sunday, Gina Warren, an 18-yearold senior from Ashville, Ohio plans to honor those killed in mass shootings at American high schools by wearing a QR code she had placed on her graduation cap. When anyone takes a picture of the code, it will send them a list of victims and web address for two groups founded to address the issue, everytown.com and marchforourlives.com. Along with the names and addresses, Warren wrote, “I graduated. These high school students couldn’t,” “Protect our students,” and, lastly “Vote.” Earlier this month, Harris’ fellow 2020 Democratic contender Sen. Cory Booker unveiled his proposal to address gun violence and mass shootings. His plan would make gun licenses the federal standard -- requiring fingerprints, an interview and completion of a gun safety course. He also proposed banning assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and bump stocks; expanding background checks to include purchases from unlicensed sellers and closing the “Charleston loophole” that enabled Emanuel AME Church shooter Dylann Roof to purchase a gun when the FBI did not complete his background check during the mandatory three-day waiting period. Harris’ new proposal “would ban AR-15-style assault weapon imports because they are not ‘suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.’ Additionally, the Harris proposal would have the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives suspend all assault weapons imports until the agency studies and determines admissibility under the “sporting purpose” test, said the Harris official.
May 16 – May 22, 2019
11
EAT WITH STYLE
Add Fruits, Veggies to Meals for Plant-Forward Nutrition By Family Features
stuff, including refined carbohydrates, added sugars, processed meats, sodium and saturated and trans fats, according to the American Heart Association. While some may think meat makes the meal and it can be part of an overall healthy eating pattern, a survey from Aramark, the largest U.S. based food service company, found many people want to ease up on meat consumption, and 2 out of 3 want to eat more fruits and vegetables. The company made sweeping changes to incorporate more plants into its menus, resulting in meals with fewer calories, less saturated fat and reduced sodium. Black-Eyed Pea, Corn and Rice Salad
A family.
dding more fruits and vegetables is one of the simplest ways to make at-home meals healthier for your
Focusing your plate on more of the good stuff – vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, plant-based proteins, lean animal proteins and fish – can help you cut back on the not-so-good
12
Punching up the plants on your plate can lead to better nutrition in your house, too. Try putting vegetables and fruits center-stage with these hearthealthy salads. To help encourage healthier communities, the American Heart Association and Aramark have made it simple for you to learn better nutrition and lifestyle habits and to share that information. For more recipes, tips and resources, visit
May 16 – May 21, 2019
heart.org/healthyforlife. Black-Eyed Pea, Corn and Rice Salad Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association Servings: 6
231 calories; 10 g protein; 7 g fiber. Simple Persian Salad Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association Servings: 4
2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) no-salt-added or low-sodium black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained 1 can (15 1/4 ounces) low-sodium or no-salt-added whole-kernel corn 1 package (8 1/2 ounces) brown rice, microwaved according to package directions and broken into small pieces 2 medium ribs celery, chopped 1 medium bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon water 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 medium cucumbers, seeded and diced 4 medium tomatoes, diced 1 medium red onion, diced 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint or parsley 2 tablespoons fat-free feta cheese, crumbled 2 medium limes, juice only 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon black pepper In bowl, stir cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, mint and feta. Cover and refrigerate 20 minutes.
In large bowl, stir peas, corn, rice, celery, pepper, parsley, olive oil, water and black pepper until combined.
Pour dressing over salad, tossing gently to coat.
Nutritional information per serving:
www.stylemagazine.com
In small bowl, whisk lime juice, oil and pepper until well blended.
Nutritional information per serving: 88 calories; 3 g protein; 3 g fiber.
JUNETEENTH Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Introduces 4Juneteenth Independence Day Commemorative Resolution StyleMagazine.com Newswire
a senior Member of the House Committees on Homeland Security and the Judiciary, and the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, today released the following statement after introducing H. Res. 948, the annual House resolution commemorating Juneteenth Independence Day: “Today I introduce H. Res. 948, the annual congressional resolution commemorating Juneteenth Independence Day, which is co-sponsored by more than 55 of my colleagues.
J
ackson Lee: “Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures. But it must always remain a reminder to us all that liberty and freedom are precious birthright of all Americans which must be jealously guarded and preserved for future generations.” Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee,
“153 years ago, on June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and announced the freedom of the last American slaves; belatedly freeing 250,000 slaves in Texas nearly two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. “Juneteenth was first celebrated in the Texas state capital in 1867 under the direction of the Freedmen’s Bureau. Juneteenth was and is a living symbol of freedom for people who did not have it.
“Today, Juneteenth remains the oldest known celebration of slavery’s demise. It commemorates freedom while acknowledging the sacrifices and contributions made by courageous African Americans towards making our great nation the more conscious and accepting country that it has become. “It was only after that day in 1865 when General Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, on the heels of the most devastating conflict in our country’s history, in the aftermath of a civil war that pitted brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor and threatened to tear the fabric of our union apart forever that America truly became the land of the free and the home of the brave. “The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘Freedom is never free,’ and African American labor leader A. Phillip Randolph often said ‘Freedom is never given. It is won.’ Truer words were never spoken. We should all recognize the power and the ironic truth of those statements and we should pause to remember the enormous price paid by all Americans in our country’s quest to realize its promise.
“Juneteenth honors the end of the 400 years of suffering African Americans endured under slavery and celebrates the legacy of perseverance that has become the hallmark of the African American experience in the struggle for equality. “In recent years, a number of National Juneteenth Organizations have arisen to take their place alongside older organizations--all with the mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture. “Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures. But it must always remain a reminder to us all that liberty and freedom are precious birthright of all Americans which must be jealously guarded and preserved for future generations. “As it takes on a more national and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie back to this fertile soil from which a national day of pride is growing.”
FEATURING
THE SOUL REBELS
—one of New Orleans’s finest brass ensembles. PRESENTS
A GULF COAST JUNETEENTH JUNE 19, 7:30 PM
WITH OPENER HOUSTON’S OWN
ANNIKA CHAMBERS www.stylemagazine.com
May 16 – May 22, 2019
13
SPORTS
The Finer Things Astros Hot Start Has Fans Reminiscing About The 2017 World Series Run. By Brian Barefield, Style Sports Editor
“If you watched the last two games, it is pretty obvious that’s a really good team,” said Tigers outfielder Nicholas Castellanos after being routed 11-4 by the Astros at home on Tuesday. One reason the Astros have been so hot lately is due to the bat of George Springer who has over 25 extra base hits to start the season. He was named AL Player of the Week after hitting .519, two doubles and five home runs last week. Against the aforementioned Detroit Tigers, Springer accomplished another feat by hitting an inside the park home run.
O
net vthing I heard growing up from my other relatives, family, and friends was that I was spoiled. Being the first-born child actually comes with some perks, but I digress. Houstonians over the last three years must feel like spoiled kids when it comes to the Astros because they have become accustomed to the team being in first place come this time of the year. The Astros are the hottest team in Major League Baseball right now and are in prime contention to live up to their 2019 mantra, “Take It Back.” After coming up short last year to the Boston Red Sox in the 2018 ALDS, Houston is on somewhat of a revenge tour this year and the rest of the league is taking notice.
“You can hit one to dead center field here and maybe have a chance to do a lot of funny things,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said about Springer’s homer. “Pretty exciting play. We don’t get to see it a lot, obviously, in our ballpark, but it’s fun when it happens for us.” Although Houston leads the MLB in a lot of offensive statistical categories (hitting, on-base percentage, and slugging), their dominance starts on the mound. Starting right-hand pitcher Gerrit Cole leads the Majors in strikeouts (86) and strikeout per 9 IP ratio (13.90) through his 9 starts including a season-high 12 strikeouts in a game against the Rangers at Minute Maid Park. He has recorded
double-digit strikeouts five times this season and 9 or more strikeouts in 7 starts. One key component to any team winning the World Series is having a strong bullpen to close out games and the Astros have a very dominant one. Set-up man Ryan Pressly is riding a franchise record scoreless streak of 36.0 innings, which spans his last 37 games and dates back to Aug. 15 of last season. Per Elias, the last Major League reliever to post a streak of 36-plus scoreless innings was Craig Kimbrel (37.2IP) back in 2011 for the Braves. The Major League record for consecutive scoreless appearances is also held by Kimbrel U.S. and Canada. Athletes qualify for the national games in even-numbered years within five-year age divisions. “While people are competing for medals, they are also pursuing their optimum health, which we say is your real personal best,” says Marc T. Riker, CEO of NSGA. “It’s a lifelong journey that can begin for anyone, at any skill level, at any age.” The health benefits of athletic competition are striking. On average, athletes measured a fitness age 25 years younger than their chronological age in an NSGA study of highly-active seniors, developed by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Competitive Sports Can Improve Quality of Life at Any Age StatePoint
A
re you an older adult looking for some inspiration to stay physically active? In June, the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana will gather a record number of more than 13,700 athletes aged 50 and over to compete in 20 medal sports. Many assume competitors are elite
14
or career athletes. While that’s true for some, others find the opportunity in midlife to learn a new sport or return to an athletic passion of youth that lapsed with the demands and distractions of adulthood. Others discover that organized senior sports provide a motivation to exercise regularly with goals reaching beyond the tedium of the treadmill. The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) is comprised of 54 member games held annually throughout the
May 16 – May 21, 2019
Another potential benefit of sports participation? Accident prevention. Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, results from Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) screenings reveal that only 10 percent of senior athletes have a fall in a given year, which is one-third the rate of the general population. Of course, older adults don’t need to
www.stylemagazine.com
(Elias). Closer Roberto Osuna is 10-for-10 in save chances this season and has converted 22 straight save chances as an Astro, which ties as the second-longest of such a streak in franchise history, along with a 22-save run by Billy Wagner in 2003 and Brad Lidge who owns the franchise record, a 24-save streak, set in 2005. Currently, the Astros have a 5-plus game lead in the AL West. The last time they had such a commanding lead in the division was 2017 which ironically is the last time they won it all. Excuse us Houstonians if we have just become accustomed to the finer things in life play sports to achieve and maintain a better quality of life. Regular exercise and other recreational activity provide tangible health benefits as well. However, competitive sports, such as the Senior Games, engages participants mentally and socially, and provides the goals and motivation often needed to stay active. “The Senior Games is about more than competition. It provides fitness, fun and fellowship through sport for older adults nationwide,” says Riker. Founded in 1987, the National Senior Games is the largest Olympic style multisport event in the world for older adults. Held in different host cities every two years, this year, it’s all happening in Albuquerque, N.M. June 14 through 25. To find out more about the Senior Games Movement, including state games information, sports offered, news and athlete profiles, visit NSGA. com. Whether you take a walk around the block, go bowling with a buddy or enter the National Senior Games, it is never too late to start enjoying the benefits of a more active lifestyle.
HEALTH
Mental Health Is No Longer Taboo The Greatest Lesson Her Mom Would Ever Teach By Keandra “Ke’Ke” Scott-Tatum, Style Entertainment Writer
Bobbye Wagner
Silent sufferers are reaching their breach and the rapid growth of social media is allowing the voices of many to be heard like never before. May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and we wanted to find an organization that is assisting in ‘breaking the stigma’ everyday.
We got a chance to have a candidate interview with Founder of The Pink Canopy, Bobbye Wagner about how it was growing up with her mother, Gladys Mae Wesley Wagner, who suffered from mental illness. In 1965, her mom, a young educator at the time, told her sister that she was going to walk to the Des Moines river and throw her young son over the bridge. The young mom and her son could not be found and things would never be the same again. Ke’Ke: Can you recall where you were when your mom was at the river? Bobbye Wagner: I was not yet born when my mother had her initial mental breakdown, and took my older brother to the river, so I relayed on my brothers Jason and Tyree to tell the story. Ke’Ke: Describe your experience and insight on how it affected your siblings. Tyree, my oldest brother had to take on the responsibility of caring for mom, my brother Jason and myself at a young age, dad was aloof about mom’s illness, and eventually left the family for us to figure it out. Tyree was angry, and didn’t trust people, as he grew older. Jason was angry that our mom and our family
Gladys Mae Wesley Wagner
went through so much pain. Our experience was a difficult one, because we were so confused, mom was not always “sick,” when she was consistently on her medicine. Mom was a retired schoolteacher, very intelligent, wonderful and a fun-loving woman who would give you the shirt of her back if needed, and if she didn’t have it she would find a way. Mom had a great personality, full of wit, and kind of honory at times. When mom felt she didn’t need her medicine, she would stop taking it, which is not uncommon for those who have a diagnosis of a mental
www.stylemagazine.com
illness. Two weeks from her last dosage we would see symptoms of her disease start to appear into full blown episodes, and eventually would be hospitalized for weeks, or even months at a time. Of course, we were confused, and scared not knowing exactly what was going on with mom, why she was acting this way and being taken away from us, sometimes by force. Mom was even arrested by the sheriff’s department, as if she was common criminal right in front of us. We moved and were displaced too many times. I still can remember watching mother struggle daily with a disease that was taboo then, and to some extent it still is. This experience has made us a stronger family unit, we are innately aware of out mental health, and not afraid to go seek professional help because we lived in survival mode our entire childhood and early adulthood. There was no time to process all that was happening. On the flip side, it made us a stronger family unit that has a compassion for those who are going through a mental illness, and as strange as this may sound with all the unfair things that has happened to us. How people treated mom and
May 16 – May 22, 2019
15
BOOK
“A Craftsman’s Legacy” by Eric Gorges
© 2019, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
v$24.95 / $37.95 Canada
By Terri Schlichenmeyer, Book Reviewer
N
ecessity is not the mother of invention.
Childhood. There you are: that’s the mother of invention. When you were a kid, if you didn’t have something and you didn’t have the funds to buy it, you cobbled it together from whatever you could find – and it worked. But have you lost that initiative, the imagination, the joy in creating? As in “A Craftsman’s Legacy” by Eric Gorges, do you need to return to working with your hands?
Like most entrepreneurs, people who make a living with their crafts have traits that make them successful. They understand, first of all, that it’s physically impossible to attain perfection but they’ll
jack-of-all-trades. From his father, he learned that making a mistake allowed for “something new to discover.” A potter showed Gorges that focus comes when you relax, slow down, and stop
Absolutely, each of author Eric Gorges’ profiled craftsmen (and women) make money from what they do, and each has lived other stories to get to that point – stories that Gorges is careful to lay out, both good and bad, as he writes of his attempts at each of the crafts described. He also tells why he chose to include these talented people here and on his TV show: in all cases, their journeys toward making a living from their handiworks also have hidden lessons that apply to any aspect of business, both personal and professional.
Here, though, Eric Gorges writes of those who do.
always hold “on to an inkling of hope.” From a master penman and calligrapher, Gorges saw that “doing the single task well” is perhaps better than being
paying attention. On two sides of woodwork, he learned that “visualizing the future” is imperative. Gorges saw sacrifice in action from the family of
By Family Features f you rely on an antenna for your TV viewing, changes between now and July 2020 may affect reception of some of your channels.
I
As part of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) work to make more airwaves available for highspeed mobile broadband services, some TV stations in cities across the United States are changing their over-the-air broadcast frequencies. While the channel numbers you see
16
Not all channels are changing and the changes are happening on a rolling basis, so not all channels will change at the same time. Some viewers may need to rescan their televisions and converter boxes multiple times over the transition period. Viewers should look for additional announcements on local channels and rescan when those changes take place. Consider these common transition questions to ensure you’re prepared: How will I know it’s time to scan? Some local TV channels will change frequencies at various times through mid-2020. Viewers should be on the lookout for public service announcements, “crawls” running across the bottom of TV screens and other notifications from local stations announcing “rescan days” on which viewers will need to rescan. Broadcasters will give
May 16 – May 21, 2019
Who doesn’t wish to make a living from the things we love to do? If that’s your dream, too, then you’ll want this informative, inspirational book on your bookshelf. You may find that “A Craftsman’s Legacy” is an absolute necessity. Share this story online at stylemagazine.com. The benefit is that more airwaves will be available to meet consumer demand for increased mobile broadband capacity, the new 5G and other advanced high-speed mobile broadband services being developed.
on the TV are not changing, viewers will need to rescan their televisions to update to the new frequencies so they can continue receiving those channels. Viewers will not need to buy a new TV or purchase a converter box. Only those who use an antenna to watch local channels need to rescan their TVs; cable and satellite subscribers are not affected by these changes.
Your Broadcast TV Channels May Change Frequencies
an engraver. An alpaca owner and yarn spinner taught him that there is peace in any process, once you find your cadence. And he learned from each of his subjects here that you must “respect the customers, respect the work.” While it might, at first, seem like “A Craftsman’s Legacy” is an odd choice for a business book, know that it deserves a second, harder look.
Thousands of years ago, what a worker did determined what his surname would be. Mason, Brewer, Tyler, Taylor and other common last names have carried that legacy forward, despite that few people today make their livings by their crafts.
As someone who builds motorcycles, Gorges himself is a craftsman but he didn’t get there easily: he started his career at the bottom rung of Xerox and worked his way up, until panic attacks kept him from even leaving his house. A therapist pointed out that it was time for a change and Gorges realized how much better he felt when he was in The Zone in his garage.
256 pages
How can I find out which channels are changing? The FCC website has an interactive map that allows viewers to insert their address to see which local channels are making a transition in their market. To access the map, visit fcc.gov/media/ engineering/dtvmaps. viewers at least 30 days of notice that their frequency change is approaching. A good rule of thumb is to rescan your TV anytime you notice a channel missing. If you haven’t rescanned in a while, you may be surprised by how many channels are now available. How many people will be affected by the transition? Millions of Americans nationwide who watch television for free with an antenna will be affected. What is the advantage of making the frequency changes? \
www.stylemagazine.com
Once you enter your location information, such as city and state or zip code, you will be able to view a list of stations in your area. Stations that are changing frequencies will have an “R” in the last column marked “IA.” Click on the station to see the time period during which each affected station will make the change. To find the specific “rescan day” for a particular station, watch for its on-air announcements and notices or check its website for information. For more information and tips on how to rescan, visit fcc.gov/TVrescan or call 1-888-CALLFCC (1-888-225-5322). Photos courtesy of Getty Images
SMALL
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Advertise Your Business with
Houston Style Magazine Special Rates For Small Business!
advertising@stylemagazine.com
(713) 748-6300
www.stylemagazine.com
May 16 – May 22, 2019
17
TRAVEL
Not Flying Won’t Save the Planet. But It’s a Start CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire
A
will bring prices down.
t first glance, assuming personal responsibility for climate change -- and in response, bending over backward to trim your carbon footprint -- might appear pointless.
An added benefit: neighbors and friends witness that alternatives are possible. Practice what you preach
After all, the carbon footprint of the average American who emits about 16 tons of carbon a year constitutes an infinitesimal, ultimately meaningless fraction when measured against the 37 billion tons of CO2 emitted globally per year.
For those involved in the climate movement, or even those who are just cheering from the sidelines, the nature of one’s personal choices affects the credibility of one’s arguments for urgent climate action. Observers -- and I have talked with many people about it -- put stock in whether activists, such as green politicos or even lay proponents, practice what they preach.
The reality is that by taking small steps to reduce your impact -- going vegan, forswearing air travel or paying for green electricity -- you, as a single person, won’t reduce our carbon pollution enough to make a tangible difference in preserving our earth.
Recently, a number of Green party politicians in Germany caught ahail of flak for posting on Facebook photos from New Years’ holiday jaunts to places as far away South Africa and Chile, which required extensive air travel. Perhaps these politicians were being unfairly picked on -- one of them traveled to South America with his family to visit in-laws -- but the bad press hurts the cause. The Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has taken a stance against climate hypocrisy and now simply doesn’t fly.
But this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take these steps. Such actions by individual consumers can add up and influence industrial sectors to reduce the carbon emissions of our consumption-obsessed economies -- and influence states to create climate-protection policies. And only through these bigscale efforts from the government and the private sector will tangible progress be made for the environment.
Inspire instead of judge
The world’s legislatures -- the national and supranational -- will determine whether the fight against Earth’s warming will be lost or won.
One faux paus to avoid is the use of a moralizing tone or air of moral superiority when talking about your environmental choices. Even a whiff of “You should do what I do” can doom the most sincere advocate. Turning the lifestyles experiment into a game of one-upmanship only turns people off.
According to the 2018 IPCC special report, which issued a dire warning against exceeding a 1.5 degree Celsius rise in temperature, it is imperative that “policymakers and practitioners” respond with radical action to brake carbon emissions. As citizens of a democracy in a country with sky-high greenhouse emissions, we can do something to fight climate change by casting our ballots for those parties serious about lowering emissions through clear-eyed policies and supporting environmental lobby groups or organizing to protest the status quo. This much is the minimal civic duty of anyone concerned about the climate crisis. But legislation takes time -- and it’s time that we don’t have to waste. There are a number of personal steps we can each take in the meantime that are implicitly political. Make the personal political yourself Instead of waiting for the carbon pricing of jet fuel and meats to shape our behaviors, we can start reinventing the way we live now. Climate change and the transition to renewables will change everything we know: How we eat and travel, how we work, and even how we raise our families. We should start immediately and push the process
18
in a direction that we choose, not one chosen for us. A vegetarian diet, for example, can be cheaper, healthier and arguably just as tasty -- if you have the right cookbooks. Vacations closer to home can be less expensive and, by avoiding airports and flying, longer and less stressful. Less is very often more -- an idea anathema to capitalism as we know it. This is how we the people will design our sustainable lifestyles of the future. Our ambition should be to devise alternatives that give us a high quality of life (better yet if “quality” is based on well-being and not volume of consumption) at as low as cost to the environment as possible.
May 16 – May 21, 2019
Make markets work for the climate Our consumption-driven market economies are fashioned by demand. In other words, the private sector responds to our choices as consumers. Say, for example, that boycotting plastic results in a 20% drop in sales of one t ally plastic-packaged soft drink and increases sales of another soda brand bottled in biodegradable plant-based plastic. Surely, the soft drink sector would adjust by switching to the more popular bottle option. This is how the organic food assortments we have in our grocery stores came to life. Likewise, by purchasing new, climate-friendly, perhaps costly commodities, such as an electric car or rooftop solar-power systems, we can help those industries create economies of scale that
www.stylemagazine.com
In the same vein, original and sometimes tough lifestyle choices tend to impress and inspire others when they aren’t done for show. If my Berlin office colleague Heinz can give up holidays in the Greek islands in exchange for vacation on the Baltic coast, then so can I. The choice of against-the-grain behavior is a protest in itself. It speaks loudly: “I do not accept the status quo and I’m doing it differently!” As historian Timothy Snyder notes in his book, “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century”: “Life is political, not because the world cares about how you feel, but because the world reacts to what you do. The minor choices we make are a kind of vote. ... In the politics of the everyday, our words and gestures, or their absence, count very much.” In the fracas over climate change, the ostensibly rigid boundaries between the personal and the political break down pretty quickly. There’s nothing futile about putting your lifestyle choices where your politics are.
HOME Get More Bang for Your Buck With These Spring Home Improvements
StatePoint he warmer weather means it’s time to start thinking about home improvement projects. Whether you’re getting your home in tip-top shape for your own enjoyment, or getting it ready to put on the market, not all home improvement projects are created equal when it comes to return on investment (ROI). Here are top areas on which to focus:
T
Interiors The kitchen is the heart of the home and it’s one of the best areas to renovate in terms of ROI, according to Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, which puts the price tag of the average minor kitchen remodel at $22,507, with 80.5 percent of the cost recouped upon resale. To give the kitchen an updated appearance, replace the flooring, countertops, sink and faucet. A fresh coat of paint in a trendy shade, such as Living Coral, Pantone’s Color of the Year, can add a vibrant pop of color to energize any kitchen. Not looking to go that bold? Consider an accent wall, or stick to a classic palate of gray and white in terms of cabinets and countertops. White on white is also a popular new style for kitchens and bathrooms. Other features home buyers are paying close attention to are laundry rooms and such energy-saving elements as Energy Star appliances and windows, according to the survey “What Home Buyers Want in 2019” by the National Association of Home Builders.
Curb Appeal The popularity of outdoor projects remains strong and it’s for a good reason. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, the biggest bang for your buck in 2019 will come from replacing a garage door. The report says the average price is $3,611, and 97.5 percent of it is recouped when the house is sold. Other outdoor projects with high ROI include adding manufactured stone veneer to the exterior (94.9 percent), adding a wood deck (75.6 percent)
and replacing siding (75.6 percent). Looking for a simpler way to make an impact? Sprucing up the landscape by planting flowers or bushes or even just clearing the yard of debris will make a big statement.
Erie Insurance. “There are a few things to look for. Ask your agent about guaranteed replacement cost policies that can cover the cost to rebuild a home in today’s dollars following a covered loss.”
No matter what updates you end up making, it’s always a good idea to notify your insurance agent. “Certain upgrades may change the value of a house, so homeowners need to make sure they’re properly covered,” says Bob Buckel, vice president of product management,
Some upgrades may also make you eligible for discounts, Buckel adds, especially if they make the home more secure. “For example, Erie Insurance offers certain safety discounts such as for installing smoke alarms or an automatic sprinkler system.” effect, mimicking stones from unique geographic regions in a range of cuts. Their online resources, which can be found at provia.com, include design ideas and tools for selecting harmonious color groupings, helping you make the best choices for your home.
Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal
StatePoint hen it comes to your home, you only get one chance to make a great first impression -- and that takes place before anyone ever steps inside, making curb appeal upgrades an effective way to beautify your home while boosting its value.
W
Here are some great ways to enhance curb appeal that will give you a great return on investment, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 Cost Vs. Value Report. Garage Door Replacement Whether you want your garage door to take center stage or provide a demure complement to your home’s overall exterior, the right selection will make a great visual impression. Luckily there are a growing number of ways to personalize a garage door. New color options, which include two-tone combinations, are growing in popularity, and an ex-
panding array of panel designs can help you work in harmony with your home’s architectural style. But know that this is not just any cosmetic upgrade. A new garage door has the potential to improve your family’s safety and comfort, providing safety features not found in older models, while reducing heat and cold transfer for lower energy bills. Manufactured Stone Veneer A manufactured stone veneer project
can enhance the aesthetic appeal of any space, indoors or out, and can be customized to suit your needs and style. When applied to a home exterior, this project has an impressively high return on investment at 95 percent, according to the 2019 Cost vs. Value Report. Maximize this upgrade by opting for high-quality materials that look like authentic stone, even upon careful inspection. For example, the choices available from ProVia are molded and colored to produce a realistic, dramatic
www.stylemagazine.com
Siding Replacement Of all the home updates that will boost your curb appeal, new siding has the third highest return on investment, according to the report. When making this upgrade, consider materials wisely. Thanks to its overall low cost, ease of installation, minimal maintenance required and long-term durability, vinyl is the most popular home siding material. Whether you opt for insulated, traditional or decorative siding, this can be a great way to give your home a high-impact facelift that’s well worth the cost. To add beauty and value to your home, start with curb appeal, selecting projects that offer a great return on investment.
May 16 – May 22, 2019
19
®
®
11 in 5 items!
Get up to
$
meal deal!
save more than
$
BUY
8
in
FREE
items! with in-store coupons
Stouffer’s Family Size Meal 52.5 - 61.3 oz. assorted varieties
4
BUY
29
H-E-B Flavored Tortilla Chips, 11 - 13 oz. assorted varieties
Save up to
$
1.00!
BUY
assorted varieties
Save up to
16 - 16.5 oz. assorted varieties
• H-E-B Frozen Garlic Bread, 8 oz. • Dole Classic Romaine Salad 9 oz.
• H-E-B Salad Dressing 16 oz. assorted varieties
$
3.78!
BUY
Dixie Ultra 10" Paper Plates 44 ct.
1
THE H-E-B VISA PLUS PREPAID CARD Card use subject to activation and identity verification.*
GET
free! with in-store coupon
H-E-B Soft Drink
Llévatelo
¡gratis! GET 3rd
free! with in-store coupon
Llévatelo
¡gratis! GET
free! with in-store coupon
Heinz Yellow Mustard 14 oz.
Save up to
$
1.88!
BUY
H-E-B Easy Melt
32 oz. assorted varieties
Llévatelo
¡gratis! GET
free! with in-store coupon
Rotel Diced Tomatoes 10 oz. assorted varieties
Save up to
$
1.35!
BUY * ID verification required. We will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and your government ID number. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying information. Restrictions apply. See card package for details. 1 There is no fee for cash reloads at H-E-B locations. Reload fees may be assessed by other reload locations and may vary from location to location. The H-E-B Visa Plus Prepaid Card is issued by BofI Federal Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. BofI Federal Bank; Member FDIC. Netspend, a TSYS® Company, is a registered agent of BofI Federal Bank. This card may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Certain products and services may be licensed under U.S. Patent Nos. 6,000,608 and 6,189,787. Fees, terms and conditions apply. See the Cardholder Agreement for details. © 2018 Total System Services, Inc.® All rights reserved.
with in-store coupons
2 L btl. assorted varieties
two (2) Totino’s Pizza Rolls, 50 ct.
• Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough
FREE
H-E-B Fully Cooked Seasoned Pulled Pork with BBQ Sauce, 16 oz.
©2018 HEB, 118-4374
Llévatelo
¡gratis! GET
free! with in-store coupon
King’s Hawaiian Rolls, 12 pk. selected varieties
Prices Good Wednesday, May 15 Thru Tuesday, May 21, 2019 At Your Neighborhood H-E-B Stores.
Some items may not be available in all stores. Items not valid at Central Market. Due to the popularity of our Extra Low Prices Every Day, we reserve the right to limit quantities. Limit Rights Reserved. We Accept Lone Star Card, WIC And Manufacturers’ Coupons. ©2019 HEB, 18-5210 visit www.heb.com
20
May 16 – May 21, 2019
www.stylemagazine.com
Save up to
$
3.28!
Llévatelo
¡gratis!