Houston Style Magazine Vol 6 No 7 by Houston Style Magazine (HSM)

Houston Style Magazine February 12 - February 18, 2015

Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication

Volume 26 | Number 7

Complimentary

Jesse Jackson

Selma & Shelby: The Fight for the New South

Human Trafficking Would It Be A Victimless Crime If It Were Your Daughter?

Jason Sumter

The ‘Child Genius’ That Could

Words by Demez White | Photo by dreamcenter.org

John Lewis

Twitter @HoustonStyle

Instagram @StyleMagazine

Facebook: Houston Style Magazine

A Life of Tears and Laughter in the Fight for Civil Rights

DJ Swearinger Signing Exclusive General Motors Media Brunch with Spike Lee 46th NAACP Image Awards Chevrolet Reception 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

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Minerva Perez Child Genius

Volume 26 | Number 6 | FEB. 12 - FEB. 18, 2015

EDITORIAL

FEATURE WRITERS Rebecca Briscoe Francis Page, Jr. National Entertainment Publisher and Editor Susie Stillwell - Entertainment fpagejr@stylemagazine.com Lan– Arts Mical Roy – Feature Jo-Carolyn Goode Yolanda Pope – Culinary Managing Editor Tonja Ward – Health editorial@stylemagazine.com Dr. Lovell Jones – Health Editor Lisa Valadez Kim Davis – Sports Hispanic Managing Editor Erick Cork - Feature Writer lisa@stylemagazine.com Aiaina Mayes – Blogger Demez White – Feature Brandon Caldwell Dawn Paul – Feature Online Editor bcaldwell@stylemagazine.com Lindsay Buchanan – Fashion Burt Levine – Political Jade Gold – Entertainment DESIGN/WEB Eric Ford – Editorial Intern De’Neisha Bell – Feature Trevor G. Piper Cynthia Nevels – Business Creative Director/Graphics trevor@tpipermedia.com Gabrielle Deculus – Account Manager/Events Coordinator Kermit Williams Dee Dee Wheaton – Blogger Web Master webmaster@stylemagazine.com Keandra Scott – Entertainment Cecilia Smith - Entertainment Jeffery T. Crump, Jr. Erynn Haskins - Feature Chief Designer Yvonne Guidry - Entertainment webmaster@stylemagazine.com Raegan Allen - Arts Mimi LaRue - Feature Abimbola Farinde - Health NATIONAL WRITERS Sloan Houd - Sports Jessica Crawford - Feature JESSE JACKSON jjackson@rainbowpush.org Marcus Carter - Culinary Writer Franceli Chapman - Entertainment ROLAND MARTIN CoCo Dominguez - Reporter www.rolandmartin.com JUDGE GREG MATHIS www.askjudgemathis.com

CIRCULATION

PHOTOGRAPHERS

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dba Houston Style Magazine and Stylemagazine.com Phone: (713) 748-6300 • Fax: (713) 748-6320 Mail: P.O. Box 14035, Houston, TX 77221-4035

©2014 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)

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Selma and Shelby: The Fight for the New South

COMMENTARY

Jesse Jackson

National Writer

hat time is it? It’s important to be clear. Is it mid-day and our labors still have hours to go? Or is it evening, our work done, and we can rest our weary heads? What time is it for the New South? Is it time to celebrate Selma, Alabama -- and the triumph of the Voting Rights Act? Or is it time to mourn Shelby, Alabama -- and the radical backlash against voting rights? Fifty years after Selma’s Bloody Sunday that led directly to the passage of the Voting Rights Act, many will gather to celebrate that victory. But we should understand that our work is not done. With the Shelby decision of the Supreme Court, the struggle for equal rights must go on. Too often, we remember the triumph and ignore the backlash. In 1870, the 15th Amendment, codified in the blood of the Civil War, was ratified to give African Americans the right to vote.

POLITICAL By Burt

Levine, Political Writer

announced when a virtual blizzard of laws designed to suppress the vote were introduced in states across the country -- gerrymandering, stacking and packing voting districts with black voters, voter ID laws, curtailing voting days, eliminating evening voting, ending sameday registration, making polling places remote or inadequate, forcing voters to wait hours to vote and more. Across the nation, more African-Americans are in jail today than were in slavery at any one time. The second reconstruction of the South is being rolled back. The Brennan Center at the New York University reported, that “of the 11 states with highest African-American turnout in 2008, seven have new restrictions in place. Of the 12 states with the largest Hispanic population growth..., nine passed laws making it harder to vote. And nearly two-thirds of the districts previously covered by preclearance under the Voting Rights Act have enacted new restrictions since 2010. The gang of five justices got it wrong. With Republicans the party of white sanctuary in the South, racial animus combines with partisan interest to drive a relentless backlash against the voting rights of people of color.

So the celebration of Selma and the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act should turn a harsh spotlight on the Shelby decision that struck down the heart of that law, and ushered in a new assault on voting rights. Selma marks a great victory, but our work is not done. Much more is needed for this nation to fulfill its promise of “liberty and justice for all.” 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 www. stylemagazine.com.

Congressman John Lewis: A Life of Tears and Laughter in the Fight for Civil Rights

s one of the last of the living “Big Six” leaders of the Civil Rights Movement Congressman John Lewis has had a life filled with tears and laughter. “The boy from Troy,” as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. affectionately called him, told his story of trials and triumph recently to a sold out crowd in Houston. Lewis, known for the bloody concussions and near death beatings he took in the March from Selma to Montgomery and the near bombings and burnings he survived enduring Freedom Bus Rides throughout the former Confederate South, said, “It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know we’re reaching people.” The 74-year-old highly animated widower and Georgia Democrat spoke before an audience that purposefully included high school and college students. Lewis was there as well to sell his newly published comic books “March: Book One” and “Book Two.” “I grew up in rural Troy, Alabama 50 miles from Montgomery and 35 miles from Tuskegee. I grew where my sharecropper father saved his whole life $300 to buy 110 acres in 1964 where

It declared that the right to vote shall not be denied “on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.” But the triumph was immediately challenged by the backlash. Across the South, states controlled the structure and laws of voting. They immediately set up seemingly neutral barriers to voting -- poll taxes, literacy tests and more -- that were used to disenfranchise black voters. The reconstruction of the South was ended as the Supreme Court ratified legal apartheid, and segregation was brutally enforced. It took nearly a century, a mighty civil rights movement, Bloody Sunday and other sacrifices, to pass the Voting Rights Act that gave the Justice Department the right to pre-screen any changes to voting laws in states with a history of discrimination and to ban those that would have a discriminatory effect, even if they looked neutral on their face. Two years ago, however, in the case of Shelby County v. Holder, the five conservative justices on the Supreme Court effectively gutted preclearance laws, arguing in essence that there as a new South that had moved beyond racism. The decision had barely been

Congressman John Lewis

members of my family still farm today. I grew up tired from picking cotton and peanuts in the hot sun and tired of seeing white men only and then colored men only signs in front of separate but not equal restrooms,” Lewis said to the captivated crowd. “I grew up punished by the brutal sun in the open fields and by the brutal segregation by the brutal bigots in the open hate of the town around

February 12 - February 18, 2015

me,” recalled Congressman Lewis as he spoke about how he could draw in a crowd. His first audiences were that of chickens he gathered to preach civil rights. “I saw chickens shaking their heads which to me looked like agreement and often far more a listening audience than what we have in the US Congress now,” he said to applause from Congressional colleagues Al Green and Gene Green who stood and laughed with

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approval. Congressman Lewis said he was so inspired by reading about Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King in the local newspaper he got from his grandfather he wrote a letter to Dr. King in 1958 who then sent him a bus ticket for him to travel to Montgomery. “I studied the non-violence strategies of Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi with the icons Dr. King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy. I learned from them if you see something not fair or not right you must stand up and speak out,” he explained. Congressman Lewis said there were counties in Alabama that were 80 percent African American but had no African American voters because of literacy tests requiring citizens to know how many bubbles were in a bar of soap or having memorized the US Constitution backwards. “Before going to Congress I was arrested 40 times. Since then additional four times for freedom,” he said. Share this story online at www. stylemagazine.com.

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LOCAL BRIEFS

Houston Police Department to Reach New Agreement with City of Houston

ayor Annise Parker along with Houston Police Officers Union President Ray Hunt announced the proposed agreement. The details of the agreement have a nod to the hiring problems HPD has had by increasing the salaries of new hires to possible attract new recruits in this strained economy. Concerns regarding seasoned officers are addressed as well with over $30 million adjustments for inequities in ranks. The agreement has to be approved by the police union as well as city council before it is ratified. If all is approved the contract will be good until 2018. For more information, visit www.houstonpolice.org.

Senator Rodney Ellis Filing New Legislation

enator Rodney Ellis is trying to make it better for Texans by expanding the Texas’ sales tax holiday with Senator Dwayne Bohac. Senator Ellis wants to increase the spending limit on tax free items from $100 to $200. Plus he wants to add more electronic devices to the list of tax-free items. And that is not the only legislation Rodney Ellis Senator Ellis is filing. He

HEALTH By

Erynn Haskins, Feature Writer

The following are a list of myths and facts. A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a Sexually Transmitted Disease. Myth. A UTI forms when bacteria gets into any of the four parts of the urinary tract (urethra, bladder, ureter, kidneys) and multiplies leading to burning during urination, frequent urination and an urgent feeling to urinate. These symptoms are common in most uncomplicated UTIs. Because the urethra is adjacent to the vagina, having sex can raise the risk of getting a UTI but it isn’t transmitted from one person to the next. Poor hygiene causes UTIs. Myth. This is a common misconception about getting a UTI. According to Mary Jane Minkin, MD, you actually do not have to do anything wrong to get a UTI. It is important, though, to consider the way you wipe. Dr. Minkin says all women should wipe from front to back to prevent the transfer of bacteria from the rectum to the urethra. Wiping in the wrong direction could very well cause an infection but a UTI could also occur in women that wipe in the right direction. Oral sex causes UTIs.

Expired Credit Cards Could Cost You More on Tolls

rivers who readily use the toll road have their credit cards linked to their account for easy deduction to keep the account current. But that convenience could cost you big bucks if you don’t watch the date on your credit card. Usually customers with expired credit cards can just update their card information and any fees that occurred before the update are waived. However, some toll authorities don’t follow that practice and charge you anyway according to sources. So beware as soon as your credit card or just before your credit card expires be sure to update your card on file. For more information, visit www. hctra.org.

Minerva Perez Chronicles Career in New Book

s anchor on ABC-TV 13 Minerva Perez entered the living rooms of Houstonians with the latest news. She now chronicles her 30 years in journalism in her new book titled “I Gotta Story.” Leaving no stone unturned, Perez takes readers on her journey when she was just getting her feet wet in the business in Rio

Grande Valley to becoming a season pro in Houston. According to Amazon, ‘ I Gotta Story’ speaks to the incoming generation of reporters about the struggles, the redemption, and the rewards of being a broadcast journalist and it ultimately reveals what really happens when one seizes a great opportunity and runs with it all the way to the top. It is definitely something any future journalist needs to pick up. For more information, visit www.amazon.com.

TxDot, Texas High Schools Focus on Saving Teen Lives

ehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. In an effort to curb this deadly trend, the Texas Department of Transportation is partnering with more than 900 Texas high schools to remind teens to Click It or Ticket. TxDOT Executive Director LtGen Joe Weber, USMC (Ret) is asking families, teachers and peers to remind teens to buckle up every time they get in a vehicle. To help raise awareness and save lives, TxDOT is sending free Teen Click It or Ticket educational toolkits to high schools across the state. Each kit contains banners, posters, brochures and parking lot signs reminding students to wear their seat belts or face costly tickets, injuries or even death. Throughout the spring, TxDOT also will promote Teen Click It or Ticket at University Interscholastic League (UIL) competitions. For more information, visit www.txdot.gov.

What Your Mama Never Told You About UTIs Myth or Fact

rinary Tract Infections (also known as UTIs) can happen anytime. Women make up more than 80 percent of those diagnosed and more than half of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. It’s a pretty big deal. Here we’ll get to the low-down on “down there” and discuss a few things your mama never told you about a UTI. Listen up, ladies.

is also leading a charge to make significant changes with grand jury proceedings with them being both recorded and open to the public if officer is not charged. Senator Ellis is also working on legislation that will change the way DNA is tested. He wants to open DNA testing to crime scene evidence that has the likelihood not just known biological evidence in effort to bring criminals to justice and protect the innocent. For more information, visit www.rodneyellis.com.

thra (a tube that allows urine to empty out of the body) is much longer in men than women. Women’s shorter tube makes it easier for bacteria entering the urethra to reach the bladder and cause infection.

Myth. By now it’s safe to assume this myth is untrue. Typically speaking, the bacteria transmitted from this activity should have nothing to do with your urinary tract. Certain sex positions can cause a UTI. Myth. There isn’t a sexual position to be blamed for getting a UTI but if your male partner thrusts aggressively, it can cause an awkward alignment that can irritate the urethra opening. The opening can swell and slow down the ability to empty your bladder, which can allow bacteria to multiply in the urine. Urinating after sex can prevent UTIs. Fact but it depends on how full your bladder is. A few droplets won’t be enough to empty out that bladder getting out the bacteria. The key is to produce enough urine so that toxins are able to flush out. It’s recommended to drink plenty of water before intercourse. Drinking cranberry juice will prevent UTI. Fact. Be sure you are drinking cranberry juice that isn’t filled with chemicals and sugar. Taking a cranberry pill or drinking pure cranberry juice regularly will help prevent bacterial growth in the bladder because of the sulfuric acid found in the fruit’s tasty, tart goodness. More women get UTIs than men. Fact. Men rarely experience a UTI because the ure-

February 12 - February 18, 2015

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Taking birth control will increase the risk of UTI. Myth. Birth control pills will not increase your risk of UTI, however, doctors believe using a diaphragm could pose a risk because of its ability to press against the urethra, which could lead to an infection. A UTI can cure on its own. Fact. A UTI can very well cure on its own but not always. If a UTI is left untreated it can cause serious kidney damage so it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. If you think you may have a UTI, schedule an appointment with your doctor or local clinic. Websites like treatmyuti.com offer easy and convenient services that allow you to fill out a simple questionnaire and get diagnosed online by a physician. A 3-day course of antibiotics will be mailed to your local pharmacy and you will receive a comprehensive treatment plan. Share this story online at www.stylemagazine.com.

BLACK HISTORY Standing on the Shoulders of Giants By Charlene

Hunter James, Special to Style

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been fortunate to witnessed black history in the making, as my mother and father were very active in the civil rightsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; movement. My parents instilled in me the need to not just excel but to be an advocate for the rights of all. I was reminded recently of their struggles and triumphs in watching the movie â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Selma.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The film has sparked very personal memories about what my parents, siblings and I encountered when I was a child in Pensacola, Florida, and I believe it has also opened the eyes of others. My parents, who held positions in the NAACP, were among the trailblazers in the integration of Pensacola Catholic High School, and they worked tirelessly with other community leaders in integrating eating establishments and public transportation. It seems like conversations about â&#x20AC;&#x153;the struggleâ&#x20AC;? are occurring everywhere -- in homes, restaurants, movie theaters, and, coffee shops. I sorely hope that these conversations will continue. The younger generation needs to know that they are standing on the shoulders of giants. Today, black Americans can vote, get a college education, be captains of industry, and many of their dreams realized. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to not forget that these opportunities did not come overnight and did not come without the struggle of those who came before us. In 1921, Texan Bessie Coleman became the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first African American pilot. It was a huge accomplishment considering Coleman, born and raised in tiny towns in Northwest Texas, grew up picking cotton. She didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let her past hold her back. Instead,

Charlene Hunter James

Coleman attended aviation school in France, and in 1921, obtained her pilotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license. Nicknamed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brave Bessieâ&#x20AC;? because she liked to perform daredevil stunts, Coleman paved the way for other people of color to become pilots. Ms. Colemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accomplishments helped many people of color discover that they could reach new heights. Among them is Ralph Bunche. In 1950, Mr. Bunche, in his 40s, became the first African-American and person of color in the world to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He earned the award for his successful peace-keeping and mediation efforts in the Arab-Israeli conflict which ended in 1949. Paving the way for thousands to be educated was Heman Sweatt who is considered primarily

responsible for the establishment of Texas State University for Negroes (later renamed Texas Southern University), a college for blacks that included a law school. We were inspired by Hattie Mae White, a teacher who became a president of the PTA, and later, a member of the Houston School Board, which made her the first black elected to public office in Texas since Reconstruction. White fought for desegregation and held public office for almost 10 years before returning to teaching. She was 70 when she retired. Also changing the landscape of history and politics was Barbara Jordan. This educator-turned-politician from Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fifth Ward, a predominantly African American community, attended Texas Southern University in Houston and Boston University School of Law. Jordan became the first African American elected to the Texas Senate since 1883. In 1973, she became the first African American woman from a Southern state to serve in Congress. The notable accomplishments of all these individuals would not have been realized without their belief that it is possible to change the course of their lives and course of history, and a reason we at AARP are proud to join in the celebration of Black History Month. Share this story online at www.stylemagazine. com.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND FOCUS FEATURES PRESENT EXECUTIVE A MICHAEL DE LUCA PRODUCTION â&#x20AC;&#x153;FIFTY SHADES OF GREYâ&#x20AC;? DAKOTA JOHNSON JAMIE DORNAN JENNIFER EHLE MARCUSSCREENPLAY VISCIDI JEB BRODY PRODUCED AND MARCIA GAY HARDEN MUSICBY DANNY ELFMAN PRODUCERS BY MICHAEL DE LUCA p.g.a. E L JAMES p.g.a. DANA BRUNETTI p.g.a. BASED ON DIRECTED THE NOVEL BY E L JAMES BY KELLY MARCEL A UNIVERSAL PICTURE BY SAM TAYLOR-JOHNSON SOUNDTRACK ON REPUBLIC RECORDS

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LOCAL LISTINGS FOR STARTS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13 CHECK THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

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ENTERTAINMENT The “Child Genius” That Could By Mical

J. Roy, Feature Writer

Getting to know 9 year old phenomenon John Sumter

John Sumter

his scholastically capable, nationally noted, and well versed, breakout 9-year-old “Child Genius,” John Sumter, can be described as nothing much less than. He is, by all accounts, remarkably mature and grounded in his beliefs. His father, Greg Sumter, a vocal activist and practitioner of parental involvement, engaged conversation regarding our belief in the public school system as a help mate to what parents establish at home. We shared common efforts in molding young minds whether it is ours, but especially ours, as they cultivate amongst a variety of people and moral principles. The new Lifetime Network show “Child Genius” focuses on the nation’s most intellectually sound youth of various ages, along with their families, as they gear up for a national intelligence competition that tests their awareness of a broad spectrum of topics including spelling, literature, inventions and logic for a $100,000 college fund grand prize and the title of Child Genius 2015. “Child Genius” contestant, John, who started reading at just 2, began his interview with me commanding , “The less you read and learn, the more you will become friends with inanimate objects.” The tone he was conveying to me, even through the phone, was that of intense assuredness. He never wavered in his beliefs and even advised that although it’s good for adults to be teachers, it’s highly likely that children can be teachers too. As a teacher myself, I agree whole-heartedly with this. There are many times in my classroom, where I’ve overheard a student explaining a skill or process to another student during constructive conversations that amaze me. His confidence pretty much set the tone for our phone interview. The young impressionable John stated that there are so many kids who lack the intelligence to learn. He’s also sure that this lacking comes from adults and parents lacking in educat-

ing them, as well as modeling the types of people we want them to become. The most critical time, he told me more than once, is when they’re young. His analogy rang true: “It’s like getting a flower fertilized when it’s young. You wouldn’t think of waiting until it’s dying to fertilize it.” I’d wanted to know more about the genius. We only get a small, although impactful glimpse of him, as a contestant on the show, where he is likely the only one from a public school. He told me that he loves swimming, karate, playing the piano, and he loves video games. Having a couple of 9-year-old nephews myself, it’s more than safe to say he’s totally a 9. He shared with me that his grandfather recently passed away, and that a necklace, which was left to him, has become his source of strength. He always has it with him, and that it consistently helps him. Though very young, he already has career plans, and told me most definitely he will be a defense attorney. Again, take note of the air and the language of “will” and not “might”. It’s this capacity of coolness that so many of our youth lack. This poise comes from parents, guardians, and the village, speaking good things into our children. In his spare time, John also likes to play Minecraft, talk on the phone with his friends, and take deep breaths, which to him, means to calm down and reflect. A short time on the phone with this family, and it’s no wonder there is undoubtedly an enormous amount of expectation there, but shouldn’t there be? Mr. and Mrs. Sumter don’t boast to be overly educated or wealthy by any means. They are working people who want what’s best for their children. They understand that what you get out, much like any other part of life, is what you put in. So every day after school, Mrs. Sumter, who is a stay at home mom, begins her full time job, when young John walks into

which I replied, “That’s all that matters.” I couldn’t help but ponder the facts. While John may not have placed 1st or 2nd, he was competing with middle school students, as well as a college student, while he himself had just completed the 3rd grade…WOW! John was taught early that if you want to hide something from someone you put it in book. His dad says, “It’s like folks are held captive, primarily because for so long, it’s what we’ve been taught. We feel that the man that does not read is no better than the man that cannot read. It’s a trippy ideology, but one that evidence proves daily.” Mr. and Mrs. Sumter are advocates for more pay and appreciation of educators in the school system. They also possess a strong belief that John goes to school to get fundamentals, but even after school, there is school and an atmosphere conducive to learning taking place within the home. The work put into this child genius is evident. Young John, whose mother is a former video journalist for CNN and a television reporter, tested into the 99.9 percentile in all core subject areas on a national level. In his region, John is the youngest member of Mensa, the most noted IQ society in the world. John’s success comes from his personal will to think things through. He is a living breathing proc-

John Sumter and family

the door. I asked John if it were hard for him to balance his busy life, and he told me it’s not hard at all. “I have to do piano and karate and thanks to mother, she allowed me to eliminate everything else, and all I did was study.” He ranked 17th place, but made sure to let me know that even 18th place was not last, to

February 12 - February 18, 2015

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John Sumter

lamation to the fact that the only time success comes before work is in the dictionary. Keep up with mastermind, John Sumter by visiting www.facebook.com/childgeniusJohnSumter

CULINARY By

Family Features

Cookie Flavors Inspire New Desserts

Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Tart with Cinnamon Peanut Crust

hot new dessert trend is here — cookies are getting a makeover. As identified in the McCormick Flavor Forecast 2015, favorite cookie flavors — like snickerdoodles and gingersnaps — are being reimagined in new decadent desserts. From peanut butter mousse tarts to chocolate chip biscotti with a creamy dipping sauce, these desserts redefine “milk and cookies.” “Here in the kitchens, we looked at the distinctive flavors of popular cookies for inspiration,” said Mary Beth Harrington of the McCormick Kitchens. “Cinnamon sugar is the signature flavor in snickerdoodles, so we reimagined that cinnamon sweetness into a peanut butter mousse and peanut crust, resulting in a delicious tart.” Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Tart with Cinnamon Peanut Crust Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 8 minutes Refrigerate: 1 hour Servings: 8 (1/2 tart) servings 1 1/2 cups lightly salted roasted peanuts, lightly crushed 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon, divided 3 tablespoons chocolate milk 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract 1/2 cup heavy cream Mix peanuts, sugar, butter and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon in medium bowl. Remove 1/4 cup and spread on small baking sheet. Divide remaining peanut mixture among 4 (4-inch) tart pans with removable bottoms. Press firmly onto bottom and up sides of each tart pan. Bake tart crusts and peanut crumble mixture together in preheated 350°F oven 8 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Meanwhile, microwave chocolate milk in medium microwavable bowl on high 45 seconds.

Add chocolate; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. Set aside. Beat peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add heavy cream; beat until soft peaks form. Spread in prepared tart crusts. Spread chocolate mixture over top. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve. Cut each tart in half. Sprinkle with toasted peanut crumble. Serve immediately. Note: To crush peanuts, place peanuts in large resealable plastic bag. Pound with a rolling pin, mallet or heavy skillet until lightly crushed.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Biscotti with White Chocolate Dipping Sauce

ten logs to 1-inch thickness. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 20 to 25 minutes or until slightly risen and firm to touch. Cool logs on wire rack 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Transfer to cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut logs diagonally into 3/4-inch thick slices. Place slices, cut sides down, in single layer on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until crisp and golden, turning biscotti over halfway through cook time. Transfer biscotti to wire racks; cool completely. For the dipping sauce, place all ingredients in medium saucepan on medium heat. Simmer 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring constantly. Serve with biscotti. For more twists on classic cookie flavors, check out www.McCormick.com.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Biscotti with White Chocolate Dipping Sauce Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes Servings: 16 servings (2 cookies and 2 1/2 tablespoons sauce each) Biscotti: 2 1/2 cups flour 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/4 cup instant nonfat dry milk 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 eggs 1 teaspoon McCormick Extra Rich Pure Vanilla Extract 1 cup miniature chocolate chips White Chocolate Dipping Sauce: 2 cups half- The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White and-half Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 8 o u n c e s will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board white chocolate chips Services Office, Level C1 1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur • Project 15-01-09 – SAP HR Implementation – with a 2 teaspoons deadline of 10 A.M. 2/23/2015. The pre-proposal conference for this McCormick Extra Rich Pure project will be in Room 2W26 at the above stated address on 2/12/2015 at Vanilla Extract 9:30 a.m.

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HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

For the biscotti, mix flour, sugar, dry milk, baking powder and salt in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Mix eggs and vanilla in medium bowl until well blended. Gradually add to flour mixture, beating on low speed until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a 12-inch long log. Transfer logs to parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Flat-

• Project 15-01-10 – Organizational Change Management and Project Training – with a deadline of 10 A.M. 2/23/2015. The preproposal conference for this project will be in Room 2E02 at the above stated address on 2/11/2015 at 9 A.M. • Project 15-01-12 Chips, Breakfast Bars and Cereals, Snacks, Beverages & Related Products – with a deadline of 2 p.m. March 3, 2015. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2C12 at the above stated address on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 1 p.m. • Project 15-02-01 – Enhancement of SRM Functionality – with a deadline of 10 A.M. 2/23/2015. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2W26 at the above stated address on 2/12/2015 at 8 A.M.

Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District. The District sells obsolete assets on-line at www.PublicSurplus.com.

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FEATURE

By Demez White, Feature Writer

Would It Be A Victimless Crime If It Were Your Daughter?

he pastor preached about loving people inspite of their flaws and even on a cold, windy Tuesday evening Bible study was packed. A thousand people sitting together excited about sharing our faith. Leaving church and trying to find my way around traffic I found myself on Bissonnet, a popular street in Houston, TX and as I was pulling up to a light I noticed women walking the streets around me. As I’m sitting there waiting I notice that some of them aren’t even women at all but girls. There were heels and makeup and clothes that were too tight and too short but there’s only so much you can do to make a girl look like a woman. Pulling off I had this nagging guilt. “What if that was one of my little sisters?” They’re 13, 16 and 18, the average age a child enters sex slavery in 2015 is 12-14 years old. How can I call myself a Christian and sit in this church just ten minutes ago but then turn my back on girls that should be studying for a test or leaving cheerleading practice, not walking the streets. Turning around and pulling into a Jack in the Box parking lot three of the girls walked up to me. A part of me did look around and wonder what if? What if someone sees me talking to these girls? What if some pimp attacks me? What if the police pull up? All of that crossed my mind but the guilt of not doing anything would have burned deeper than a misconception. I asked them how old they were and they wouldn’t tell me. I wasn’t going to bring them to my home but I did offer to take them to a women’s shelter or back to the church with me. They declined. Once

they saw that I wasn’t there for a quickie they started to walk away until I offered them hamburgers. We went inside and I let them order what they wanted. I wish I could say we had this long in-depth conversation about how they ended up where they were but they mostly just ate and looked at each other. They finished their food and left and as I pulled off I still felt that guilt. I couldn’t save those girls and even if I could there were thirty more on that street alone. What I could do though, I could use my words, my voice to tell the world about the sex trafficking that’s happening not just in Asia or Mexico or Dubai but that’s happening right here in America. Right here in Houston, Texas. Over the last two weeks the Harris County Sheriff’s Department and 17 other states participated in prostitution stings. If you read the comments on the articles most of them go something like, “Why are the police wasting their time on a victimless crime? Go arrest real criminals.” Did you know that most of the teenage prostitutes in Houston are runaways? Girls that just wanted to get away from abuse. The National Human Trafficking Hotline receives more calls from Texas than any other state in the US. 15% of those calls are from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I just read an article about a local rapper that held two teenage girls captive so that he could pimp them out and then he rapped about it. There’s nothing victimless about that. A society is judged by how we treat those that need us the most, elderly, children but mostly women, especially girls. We can’t use them and disregard it

February 12 - February 18, 2015

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because they aren’t our sisters, daughters, and cousins. If you see an instance of prostitution or child abuse or domestic abuse report it. Don’t be afraid to be a snitch or think that it’s not your problem. Don’t get caught up in blaming the victims or calling it a victimless crime. For every instance of a Senator or Congressman or athlete getting caught up with a grown woman, there are ten instances when women have no say so in this life that beats them down and exploits them until they throw them away and replace them. Black History Month for me isn’t just about sitting around sharing old Civil Rights stories and talking about that invented what. Black girls go missing everyday and there’s no CNN special or Amber Alert waking me up at 5am. Maybe you see a Facebook post or Instagram picture but by noon people have moved on. Doing something to stop these young black girls from being held against their will, from being exploited and destroyed physically and mentally. That’s my Civil Rights Movement. Just like it matters when a police officer shoots an unarmed kid or a thug attacks an elderly woman. It matters when these girls are modern day slaves. You can read more from Demez White at www.demezw.com.

FEATURE

By Lovell Jones, Health Writer

Lovell’s Food For Thought: All Lives Matter

he other day my barber mentioned that he had not seen any new Lovell’s Food For Thought. Was my new job keeping me busy? Well, in some ways it is. However, the main reason I have not sent out a new Lovell’s Food For Thought is writer’s block. Not because I have not thought of things I could write about, but because the more things change, the more they remain the same; and it was impacting me mentally. A depression that we probably saw express itself in the number who voted in the last election, especially African Americans. The question that continues to come to mind is how can one change this. As I said in my initial Lovell’s Food For Thought – Rebel With A Cause, I have been at this for over 50 years, since participating in my first civil rights march. Wow, did I have tremendous hope for change. What is troubling today is the fact that although we have made progress, we are regressing, especially where African Americans are concerned. For instance, there are fewer African Americans in graduate programs in the sciences at the University of California Berkeley than there were when I was a graduate student. And closer to home, is the significant absent of African American scientists in the Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston. You have heard me talk about being the only African American basic/behavior scientist at the rank of tenured full professor in the TMC. Now that I am retired, I believe that the number is ZERO. More troubling is the lack of any real efforts to change this. All I see is a great deal of lip service dialog about how bad this

Lovell Jones

do something about it? I do believe that the root cause of why I continue to ask the question and nothing is really done is the fact of our refusal to really address the question of how we value human life. That we continue to value human lives on a sliding scale; one that continues to place the vast majority of African Americans at the bottom of American Society. Yes, we have Black millionaire, mayors, governors, senators and even a president, but the vast majority of African Americans are not there. And even reaching the highest office in the nation does not prevent the black man in that office from perceptions and stereotyping. A mentee of mine, Tyrone Hayes, recently commented about highlighting his accomplishments, “don’t want to be self-aggrandizing by posting more reviews...but this one really gets at where we need to go next...the role that the university (ies) are playing “in the background”. For all of his accomplishment, the fact that he feels compelled to highlight them, but feels that he is self-aggrandizing them gets to the issue of value. For such an accomplished scientist, you would think that the university’s office of communications would be at his door. As I wrote to his Facebook post, Go for it Tyrone. Read the full story online at www.stylemagazine.com.

is. Yes, we have a great deal of dialog about the need for change but with very little change. So here we are, and I continue to ask the question, when are we going to value this enough to get past the dialog and really

BOOK REVIEW The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl By

Terri Schichenmeyer, Literary Writer

here is life after high school. And were you ever happy to learn that! You couldn’t imagine spending the rest of your days feeling like you did at thirteen, or enduring a not-cool lifetime of zits, hormones, self-consciousness, bad hair, and Mean Girls. You were only able to endure it then by remembering that you weren’t alone. And in “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” by Issa Rae, life got better. For much of her early childhood, Jo-Issa Diop never worried about being cool. Coolness wasn’t an issue when, until age three, she lived with her parents and her father’s extended family in his native Senegal. There, she was surrounded by loving aunts, uncles, and assorted cousins, all living within the family compound. Coolness never came up when she started grade school in Maryland with a diverse group of children of many races. It was, in fact, barely discussed… … until Diop’s family relocated to South Central, between Compton and Watts, near L.A. There, she attended a series of private schools, in all of which she was one of a small handful of black kids. The family moved a lot – and with each new location, it became harder to keep up, harder to be one of the Popular Kids. It was harder to be cool. Oh, but she tried! She attempted to give herself a cool nickname, but it didn’t stick. She haunted online chatrooms, but her profile lies were quickly discovered. She was taunted by classmates for her inability to dance, by peers for not having “cool” music, and by family for being overweight. Valentine’s Day was particularly embarrassing. Even after moving to New York as an

adult and assuming a new name, Issa Rae felt like a misfit. And then she realized a few things: she didn’t need constant companionship. She needn’t laser-focus on black culture, or think about racism. She could use innate talents to make videos, launch a new web series, write TV shows, and win awards. She could be liked for who she was in person. And she didn’t have to say yes to every man; she could love herself enough to find real love. Mistaken me: I misunderstood “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” as a comedy piece, and I was initially disappointed. Yes, it’s got its cracka-smile moments but it’s not hilarious. As turns out, there’s really so much more to it. Author Issa Rae writes with a wonderful universality: no matter who you are, there’s been a time when you’ve felt out-of-place and floundering. Because of the candor Rae applies to her essays, we intimately know the feelings of which she writes and it’s easy to see her as an ally and cringe along with her, since we’ve been in that same situation. And then, we’re delighted when things finally go her way. So, while this isn’t a laugh-a-minute book, it’s a nice memoir that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt like an oddball. If that’s you, then “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” is pretty cool. Share this story online at www.stylemagazine.com.

by Issa Rae

c.2015, Atria Books $26.00 / $32.00 Canada 224 pages

Issa Rae

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Exclusive General Motors Media Brunch with Spike Lee Photography by Kenny Rodriguez, General Motors

n Friday, February 6, 2015, Houston Style Magazine was on hand in Pasadena, CA at the Langham Pasadena Hotel by special invitation from General Motors, Jocelyn Allen and Chevrolet for an exclusive brunch. Team Style Mag and other journalists joined the conversation with Martin Davis, design manager, exterior lighting and North American exterior design, and Vivian Pickard, president, GM Foundation and director, Corporation Relations for General Motors. A special guest was the multitalented Spike Lee representing Spike DDB, a boutique ad agency founded by the filmmaker and the DDB global advertising network. Spike DDB is the African American advertising agency for the Chevrolet brand. Journalists also got an up close look at the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 that is the all-new supercar with a supercharged engine, paddle-shift automatic transmission and removable roof panel for coupes, and convertible model. General Motors also showed off the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe that has been redesigned both inside and out to be quieter, more comfortable, and better connected. Â

February 12 - February 18, 2015

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46th NAACP Image Awards Chevrolet Reception

Photography by Kenny Rodriguez, General Motors

n Friday, February 6, 2015, Houston Style Magazine was on hand in Pasadena, CA for the by special invitation from General Motors, Jocelyn Allen and Chevrolet for the 46th NAACP Image Awards with special coverage from the red carpet by Chevrolet. On the red carpet with the stars showing style and class was the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. Some in attendance at the very private affair were Clive Davis, Russell Simmons, Elise Neal, Kevin Frazier, Nicole Beharie, Sharon Leal, Spike Lee, Tracee Ellis Ross, Common, Ava DuVernay, Anthony Anderson, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Marsai Martin, and Deon Cole. Â

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D.J. Swearingerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Meet and Greet Photography by William Ealy

n Saturday, February 7, 2015, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at photo Marks for a meet and greet with Houston Texans D. J. Swearinger. He gave fans a special treat as he posed for all photos and signed footballs and other paraphernalia. It was an amazing time for all in attendance.

22nd Annual Black Heritage Rodeo Committee Western Gala Photography by Semetra Samuel

n Saturday, January 24, 2015, Houston Style was on hand at the George R. Brown Convention Center for the 22nd Annual Black Heritage Rodeo Committee Western Gala: A Toast to the Women of Excellence. This gala contributes to the goals of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentations. Dr. Heather Brown, Judge Maria Jackson, Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee, Courtney Rose, and Dr. Docia Rudley were honored for their amazing work in their respective field of expertise. It was an amazing night and we look forward to a successful Rodeo season. Step Rideau & Zydeco Outlaws and Chase Jordan provided live entertainment. Some in attendance were Mia Wright, Linda Knight Burkley, Melinda Spaudling, Terence Fontaine, Deidre Fontaine, Ursula Hall, Wendy Armstrong, Vince Armstrong, Dr. Elwyn Lee, Nataesha Hill, Ashley Jones, Sherifat Lawal, Felicia Lawal, Adrian Hill, Tracy Middleton, Shannon Henderson, Mayor Annise Parker, Rep. Borris Miles, Dr. John Rudley, and Carl Davis.

February 12 - February 18, 2015

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BUSINESS BRIEFS $830,000 T.P.W.D. Urban Outdoor Grant Makes $1.6 Million Dollar Renovation of Busby Park a Reality

he Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.) has been awarded an $830,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (T.P.W.D.) Urban Outdoor Grant for Busby Park. The grant will be matched with CapJoe Turner ital Improvement Project monies to complete a $1.6 million dollar renovation of Busby Park. The grant is one of four recommended for awarding by the T.P.W.D. Commission on January 22, 2015. According to Joe Turner, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department the grant will help with outdoor recreational opportunities for the Houston-Trinity Gardens and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods. The $1.6 million dollar renovation project will redesign the park to include outdoor recreational opportunities and a natural element to the park. For more information, visit www.houstonparks.org.

District, the area is now the Navigation esplanade or “El Corazón de la Comunidad. ” The area is becoming more of a gathering spot for families and is attracting new residents. More and more single and multi-family housing complexes are being built as well as new businesses are popping up in the already expanding area that is in close proximity to the coming METRO Light Rail. Diane Schenke, President of the GEEMD, hints this is just the beginning. A new family friendly park, Guadalupe Plaza Park, is planned to open later this year. It will be the close-knit community even closer. For more information, visit www.greatereastend.com.

Whataburger and H-E-B Partner Again to Bring More Flavor

hataburger is expanding its line up on H-E-B grocery store shelves by introducing two new sauces. H-E-B will now carry Whataburger’s Honey BBQ sauce and Bold BBQ sauce. Those two sauces will now appear with the other Whataburger products of Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup, Original Mustard, Honey Butter, Premium Pork Sausage, French Fries, Peppercorn Ranch, Creamy Pepper Sauce, Jalapeno Ranch and Honey Mustard. For more information, visit www.whataburger.com.

Colgate-Palmolive and Children’s Online Space Game Aims to Help Teens Health Fund Launch Online Campaign Learn STEM Principles to Help Make a Difference During Black History Month just-released alternate

n honor of Black History Month, Colgate-Palmolive has partnered with the Children’s Health Fund to encourage consumers and their families to help make a difference by sharing a smile. Colgate’s Honor Your Past, Treasure Your Healthonline campaign will encourage supporters to post photos of their smiles via social media using the hashtag #StartWithASmileas a means to raise funds to help children in need of health services throughout the U.S. Between now and March 1, 2015, Colgate-Palmolive will donate $1.00 (USD) to the Children’s Health Fund for each picture that is shared on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Google+ with #StartWithASmile. Between now and March 1, 2015, Colgate-Palmolive will donate $1.00 (USD) to the Children’s Health Fund for each picture that is shared on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Google+ with #StartWithASmile. For more information, visit www.Colgate.com/Treasure.

reality game called DUST is trying to encourage teens, especially girls and minorities, to get excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In the game, adults worldwide fall unconscious because of mysterious dust from a meteor shower. It is up to the players, whose target ages are 13-17, to save the world (and their parents› lives) by the end of seven weeks of play. Over the course of the game, players receive new parts of the story and science clues two to three times a week through social media, email and game apps. They work as a community to add their own input, guide the action, do research and provide solutions to help rescue the adult characters. For more about the NASA Langley directorate that is working with the game developers, go to: http://sacd.larc.nasa.gov/

Halliburton Cutting Jobs in Houston

Economic Boom Happening in Oldest Hispanic Neighborhood

ne of Houston’s oldest Hispanic neighborhoods is experiencing an economic boom after an area that once was an eye-sour got a bit of an artistic makeover. Developed by the Greater East End Management

alliburton will cut at least 5,000 jobs from their work force due to declining oil and gas prices. Chairman and CEO Dave Lesar sent employees a company email making them aware of the upcoming cuts and letting them know the cuts could hit anyone; a hard pill to swallow for Lesar since he values every worker. Halliburton will up to 8% of its global team. Halliburton joins a growing list of oil and gas that have come to the grim task of scaling down their employees. For more information, visit www.halliburton.com.

Free Program Helps Minority

Contractors

ponsored by Capital One Bank and The Kingdom Builders’ Center, The Construction Contractors’ College (CCC) is a comprehensive, nine-month development program. It’s designed to equip and prepare qualified small and mid-sized business owners in construction fields with the knowledge and guidance they need to bid, win and thrive after acquiring major contracts.Each small business receives one-on-one mentoring. Those mentors continue to make themselves available to the contractors for continued support following the completion of the course. Graduates who qualify also have access to more than $750,000 in funding to assist in expanding their businesses. The next session of the Contractors’ College will begin May 2015. For more information, call 713-726-2519 or email construction.college@thekbc.com or visit www.stylemagazine.com.

Atlanta Black Tech Firm to Develop Apps for DJs Around the World

V Mobile Apps has announced a strategic partnership with Fleet DJs to be the official mobile app provider for their organization and its members. BV Mobile Apps specializes in creating mobile apps for clients within the entertainment industry. They have created 100+ apps for music artists, DJs, actors and Internet radio stations. As part of the partnership, BV Mobile Apps will provide special pricing for all certified members of the Fleet DJs community, resulting in a significant savings for its members as well as providing them with an essential marketing tool to promote their skills. For more information, visit www.fleetdjs.com

Southwest Airlines Connects Patients to Critical Medical Care with Free Flights

outhwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced that 75 nonprofit hospitals and medical organizations from across the nation would benefit from the Southwest Airlines 2015 Medical Transportation Grant Program, with the total impact reaching 101 facilities. Through the program, participating nonprofit hospitals and medical programs provide complimentary, roundtrip airline tickets to families who need to travel for specialized medical care. Receiving world class medical attention is more attainable when the cost of travel is not an issue. In 2015, Southwest will provide more than $3.2 million in free transportation to caregivers and patients seeking medical treatment, a 14 percent increase from the 2014 program. For a full list of 2015 participants, please visit www.southwest. com/medicalgrant.

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February 12 - February 18, 2015