Houston Style Magazine Vol 34 No 18

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Managing Editor

Jo-Carolyn Goode editorial@stylemagazine.com

Social Media Editor/Videographer

Reginald Dominique reggiedominique@me.com

Sports Editor

Brian Barefield brian_barefield@yahoo.com

Food Writer

Alex Jack alexandriajack1991@gmail.com

Arts Editor Kathleen Coleman kathleen@stylemagazine.com

NATIONAL WRITERS

Jesse Jackson jjackson@rainbowpush.org

Roland Martin www.rolandmartin.com

Judge Greg Mathis www.askjudgemathis.com

Erynn Haskins editorial@stylemagazine.com

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WHO GETS THE GOLD AND WHO GETS THE SHAFT?

By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer

Over the next few weeks, the manufactured crisis over the “debt ceiling” will reach its boiling point. But this is pure melodrama, badly overacted with the outcome already known. The real question is about our priorities – and about who gets the gold and who gets the shaft.

On the debt ceiling, President Biden says he won’t negotiate over raising it. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says Republicans won’t raise it without negotiations. This is like teenagers playing chicken in cars racing toward each other – only in this case a crash would blow up the world economy. That can’t happen – and so it won’t. The United States will pay the debts it owes. Our full faith and credit will not be trashed.

That will still leave the question about our priorities and the national budget. Who pays and who benefits? Here – beneath the posturing – is the real deal. Here’s a handy guide to what’s in the deck. First on our annual deficits. The best solution to the deficit is economic growth. When the economy grows, more people get jobs and raises. As wages and profits rise, the government collects more in taxes and pays out less in support –on everything from unemployment insurance to welfare to food stamps. Deficits come down.

How do we get growth? For years, Republicans have passed tax cuts – largely for the rich and corporations – saying that would lead to more investment and more jobs. Turns out it mostly led to more inequality, slower growth and thus more deficits.

Biden argues that we need to invest in areas vital to our economy – in modern infrastructure, in re -

search and development, in subsidies that get companies to locate plants in the U.S. and not abroad. Although his program has just begun, it seems to be working – with unemployment down, wages up, and deficits getting reduced.

That said, politicians in both parties still want even faster deficit reduction. The big question is one of priorities. Here common sense should apply.

Over the past years, the richest Americans have captured more and more of the nation’s income and wealth. The middle class has struggled, and the poor haven’t kept up. Common sense would suggest that the wealthy should pay more in taxes, rather than the middle class or the poor.

On the spending side, the military budget has been rising – and now is at levels not seen since the height of the Cold War. We spend as much on the military as the next 10 nations combined. Health care

costs have been rising even as life expectancy has been declining. We spend nearly two times per capita than other advanced countries with far worse results.

We can reduce our military budget and still have the most powerful military in the world. And we can transform our medical system – moving as other advanced countries have done to the equivalent of Medicare for All, providing more service for less cost. Biden has taken a small step by controlling the price gouging on some prescription drugs, but much more can be done.

But common sense rarely surfaces in the Washington debate. Consider the Republican debt ceiling “proposal” that passed the House. Republicans oppose asking the rich and corporations to pay more. They oppose cutting the military budget (and in fact want to raise it substantially). They oppose controlling drug prices, or moving to Medicare for All or even having a public option

in health care that would limit insurance company excesses. Trump and Biden have convinced them that they shouldn’t touch Social Security or Medicare – at least before the election.

That leaves all the cuts to come from domestic programs – and the pain to be borne primarily by the most vulnerable – and by the middle class. Low-income families will see cuts in food support, in affordable housing, in health care through Medicaid, in infant nutrition, in childcare. The poor and middle-income families will suffer cuts in public education, in clean water and air, in safe workplaces, in childcare. The country will suffer with the slashing of investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and electric vehicles. All of us will pay more from extreme weather as climate change goes unaddressed.

All the fulminations about the debt ceiling come down to this. Will the wealthy pay a little more in taxes or the poor a lot more in pain and hunger? Will we invest in more smart missiles or more smart children? Will we support the obscene profits of the private health insurance companies or the essential health care Americans need? Will we fund wars abroad or curb the extreme weather that threatens our communities at home? Don’t be misled by the sound and fury over the debt ceiling. The real question is who pays and who benefits.

You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this Newspaper or by email at: jjackson@rainbowpush.org

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy talks with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, April 28, 2023

This Saturday, May 7th, is Texas’ second Uniform Election Date other than the second Tuesday in November. This Saturday, with early voting having happened from Monday, April 24th, to this past Tuesday, May 2nd, features mayor, city council, school board, and bond elections throughout the region, deciding the fate of suburbs and our schools.

MAY 6 POLLS PROVIDE PLENTY POLITICAL PICKS

By Burt Levine, Political Writer, Style Magazine

Fort Bend ISD features three positions on this ballot, including Oscar Saenz, a husband and father with military and business experience for Pos. 1, and Dr. Shirley Rose Gilliam for Pos. 4, who earned BS and M.Ed. degrees from the University of Houston and her Ed.D. from Texas A&M University. She is a wife and mom with three decades of Fort Bend ISD teaching and management experience at every level, including home and business building. Angel Hicks is running for Pos. 5. She has a University of Houston accounting and teaching background and is a mother of three.

Humble ISD features Humble ISD Trustee Marques Holmes, who graduated from Historically Black College and University, North Carolina A&T and has decades of high-tech entrepreneurial and local community

leadership. Holmes is a husband, father, and friend of Humble ISD.

Katy ISD features Cicely Taylor to becomes the first woman minority to win an election there. Taylor is a wife and mom to an academically and professionally accomplished son and daughter. She earned BA and M.Ed. degrees. She has a track record of proven leadership in the Katy community.

Xavier Herrera has served on the Stafford School Board and on Stafford Economic, Development Commissions. He’s a lifetime Stafford citizen who has been with his wife, Prinscilla, since they met in high school working at James Coney Island. He was elected last year to City Council and is running for a full term. With his wife and three sons, he’s incredibly involved in school and civic life in Stafford and its bright future.

HOW DEBT DEFAULT COULD AFFECT YOU

By Tami Luhby and Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN

President Joe Biden and House Republicans may have as little as a month to prevent the US from defaulting on its debt, which would impact millions of Americans and unleash economic and fiscal chaos here and around the world.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Monday that the government may not be able to pay all of its bills in full and on time as soon as June 1. However, the forecast was uncertain, and the default date might come several weeks later, she said. The US hit its $31.4 trillion debt ceiling in January, and Treasury has been using cash and "extraordinary measures" to satisfy obligations since then.

Just what would happen if the nation defaults on its debt is unknown since it's never actually happened before. A close call in 2011 roiled the financial markets and prompted Standard & Poor's to downgrade the US' credit rating to AA+ from AAA.

Yellen gave a sense of the turmoil it would cause in her letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday.

"If Congress fails to increase the debt limit, it would cause severe hardship to American families, harm our global leadership position, and raise questions about our ability to defend

our national security interests," she wrote.

To be clear, a debt default doesn't mean all payments would stop and people would permanently lose out on money they are owed. Treasury would have the funds to satisfy some obligations, but it's not certain how the agency would handle the disbursements. Much would also depend on how long it takes Congress to address the borrowing cap.

"Tens of millions of people across the country who expect payments from the federal government may not get them on time," said Shai Akabas, director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center.

"Such calamity would place

further stress on our servicemembers, retirees, and veterans, as well as their families, caregivers, and survivors," Rene Campos, senior director of government relations for the Military Officers Association of America, said in a blog post. "Though life in uniform is not always predictable, those who serve or have served their country expect their country to honor their commitment to service."

About $25 billion in pay or benefits for active-duty members of the military, civil service and military retirees, veterans and recipients of Supplemental Security Income is sent out on the first day of the month, according to the CBO.

Susan Sample has served on the West University Place City Council and is running for re-election as mayor. She has supported one of the lowest tax and crime rates in Harris County and built-up youth sports and senior citizen recreation, parks, and flood relief.

Sample earned Rice University management and accounting degrees, University of Texas Law and Business graduate degrees, and University of Houston tax law master's and Spanish degrees. She is a tireless wife and mother to 11-year-old twins.

Clay Brett is running to serve on the City Council with Sample. He’s a lawyer and business investor who's emotionally invested in the city he wants to serve. With a young son and daughter, he’s determined to make West University’s streets safe for his and all children.

Financial markets

Americans' investments would take a direct hit. Case in point: Markets had what was then their worst week since the financial crisis during the 2011 debt ceiling standoff after the Standard & Poor's downgrade.

Even if the debt ceiling impasse is resolved soon after a default, stocks could shed as much as a third of their value. That would wipe out around $12 trillion in household wealth, according to Moody's Analytics.

Borrowing costs

If a default occurs, yields on US Treasuries will inevitably rise to compensate for the increased risk that bondholders won't receive the money they're owed from the government.

Since interest rates on loans, credit cards and mortgages are often based on Treasury yields, the cost of borrowing money and paying off debt would rise. That's on top of the increased costs Americans are already facing from the Federal Reserve rate hikes.

Families and businesses would also have a tougher time getting approved for lines of credit since banks would have to be more selective about to whom they loan money. Read the full story at StyleMagazine.com

$8 MILLION HOUSTON EQUITY FUND GRANT POWERED BY WELLS FARGO OPEN FOR MINORITY SMALL BUSINESSES SECOND ROUND GRANT APPLICATION OPEN MAY 15TH

By Adam Zuvanich, Houston Public Media

Minority -owned small businesses and nonprofits in the Houston area can apply for up to $100,000 in grant funding later this month.

A total of $8 million is available this year during the second phase of the "Open for Business" grant program, which is funded by Wells Fargo and administered by the Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity. An online application portal for grant money is scheduled to be open from 5 a.m. May 15 through 11:59 p.m. May 31, with eligible businesses and nonprofits competing to receive awards ranging from $5,000-$100,000 apiece.

To be eligible, businesses and nonprofits must have been established before Dec. 31, 2021, and be located within Houston city limits. Eligible businesses must also be "mission-aligned" and "diverse-owned" with no more than 100 employees and no more than $3 million in gross revenue during 2022, according to the Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity, which says eligible nonprofits must be historically underserved organizations with no more than 100 employees.

The grants can be used for tangible assets such as land purchases and

By Ed Lavandera,

The longtime partner of the man accused of gunning down five people, including a 9-year-old, in a neighboring Texas home apparently helped the suspect while also cooperating with authorities -- all while a massive manhunt was underway -- a prosecutor said Wednesday.

The suspected gunman, Mexican national Francisco Oropesa, was caught Tuesday and faces one count of first-degree felony murder -- with four more counts expected -- after the mass shooting Friday night, San Jacinto County criminal district attorney Todd Dillon said. The charge could be upgraded to capital murder -- a death penalty offense in Texas -- a source with his office told CNN.

Oropesa's longtime partner, Divimara Lamar Nava, faces a charge of hindering apprehension or prosecution of a known felon, a third-degree felony, online sheriff's records show. She was booked Wednesday; It's not clear if she has an attorney or when her court

improvements, building construction or renovation, purchases of inventory, machinery, equipment and technology and improvements or modernizations of landscaping, parking lots, streets and utilities, among other uses.

"We are committed to bridging the economic gap in our city by supporting Houston's underrepresented and underfunded minority-owned small businesses and nonprofit organizations,” Thomas Jones, the board president for

the Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity, said in a news release. “It is our continued vision and mission to facilitate transformative change in our local communities."

The Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity, also known as the Houston Equity Fund, was established by the City of Houston in 2021. The Open for Business program is a three-year, $20 million initiative, with a total of $5 million having been awarded to more than 200 businesses and nonprofits during the first phase last year.

Grant recipients during the first phase are not eligible for awards during the second phase, but they can apply for additional funding as part of the third phase next year.

The Houston Equity Fund says on its website that the businesses and nonprofits it selects for the funding can "demonstrate direct, tangible and meaningful impact" related to the four pillars of the fund, which are community building, economic development, social and racial justice, and youth empowerment and education. www. houstonequityfund.org

9-year-old

appearance will be.

"Ms. Nava appeared to be cooperating up until the time that we arrested her," Dillon said. However, "what we believe that Ms. Nava was doing is that she was providing him with material aid and encouragement, food, clothes, and had arranged transport to this house."

Nava was arrested at the same Montgomery County location where

Oropesa was found Tuesday evening hidden in a closet under a pile of laundry, according to case records and San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers. Law enforcement had tracked her to the home, associated with a relative of Oropesa, a law enforcement source told CNN, about a 20-minute drive west of where the shooting unfolded in Cleveland, northwest of Houston.

The district attorney, like other

officials, has referred to Nava as the suspected killer's "wife," though public records suggest she is not married. "I don't know if it's common-law (marriage), or they've actually in fact been married," Dillon said. "But they were living together as husband and wife."

FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES

A man suspected of assisting Oropesa also is in custody in the San Jacinto County jail, the district attorney said. He's being held on a possession of marijuana charge, and "we expect there to be more charges filed," Dillon said. "Several arrests" have been made in connection with the slayings, and "others are hinging on what's going on right now," Chief Deputy Tim Kean of the San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday morning. Fewer than five people have been arrested beyond Oropesa, he said.

Read more at

The Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity, which awarded $5 million in grant money last year to local small businesses and nonprofits, is accepting applications for additional grant funding from May 15-31, 2023. HoustonEquilityFund.org

Francisco Oropesa, the man suspected of gunning down five people -- including a

and his mother, was captured on May 2 after hiding in a closet just a few miles from the massacre site. Photo Credit:FBI

Ashley Killough, Josh Campbell, Holly Yan and Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN/StyleMagazine.com

LIFE LESSONS FROM MOM

By Houston Style Magazine Staff

has never willed its power to make me give up on anything I was pursuing because I never saw it as a stop sign, only a yield. I will forever be grateful to my mommy because of that.

My mother gave me that lesson right before I became an extra in the Marvel movie Spider-Man with Toby McGuire.

-Bell, Totally Randie, Feature Writer

Amother’s job is to shape you into the best version of yourself. She inspires you to reach for the stars while also giving you lessons on what to look out for along your journey. With a gentle hand, she teaches you right from wrong and gives you wisdom that will sustain you throughout life. As Mother’s Day approaches, the Houston Style Magazine staff thought about the words of their mother that still ring in their ears today and that continue to mold and shape them while they are on the way.

My Mama, Beverly J. Maddox, always told me to stay in my lane. If I stay in my lane and on the course God has for me, I will excel in life. I veer off course when I look at what others are doing in their lane and try to compare or imitate. We are each given a set of gifts and talents to use in our lanes. What is for one person may not be for me, and that is ok. I just need to focus, control my actions, and stay in my lane to stay on course. I repeat those often to myself and to those I mentor.

makes perfect.' In life, I know I won't get most of what I'm aiming for on the first try, so in order for me to manifest whatever goal or dream I have, I must put in the work daily until I master it. Then the end result of all of the practice is a mastery that you obtain, and within that mastery is a level of confidence in you that assures not only you but whoever you come into contact with that you definitely have supreme knowledge and understanding of the topic you're talking about. I used that same principle when I decided to open up my own business, and after 5 years, my business is still doing great because of God and that advice my mom gave me all throughout my childhood. She's the reason I work for myself. It's because of her and my aunts’ teaching that I always bet on myself.

-Kermit Williams, Webmaster

light. Choosing kindness has allowed me to be open and accepting of others and has allowed me to be a magnet for good things in my life.

-Erynn Haskins, Feature Writer

I'll never forget my mother telling me no means "not right now." I have kept this very close to my heart and believe this logic plays a huge part in the level of success I have ever experienced. The word "no" can be depressing and debilitating. Many have given up because of that word. The word "no" has always meant I needed to: A. ask someone else; B. do more research; or C. go back to the starting board. But it

My mom told me to be alert..."be alert Burt" of those around me and of their needs. She told me to listen to others and to care about their concerns, to love our faith, our country, and our family.

-Burt Levine, Political Writer

My mom always believed in me and she even knew what my future woul dbe like realistically. The best advice she gave me was to simply graduate high school, go to college to do what I love as a career, then graduate college and become a productive citizen of society while doing what I love to do the most. She Also said to COME HOME, COME HOME, COME HOME!

-Cameron C. Lee, Layout Editor

-Jo-Carolyn

Goode, Managing Editor

My mother's piece of advice has always been, "Do your best and leave the rest to God." At first, I didn't fully understand the significance of this advice. But as I went through my days at work, I began to realize that it was a reminder to focus on what was in my control rather than worrying about things beyond my influence. I started to put all of my effort into my work, striving to do the best I could on every task without worrying about the outcome. Whenever I’ve encountered a setback or a challenge, I always remember my mother's advice and remind myself to do my best and let the rest unfold as it may.

-Reginald Dominique, Video and Social Media Editor

My mom, Zelda Williams, would always tell me, ‘Son, practice

My late mother, Rosalind Barefield-Rice, used to tell me all the time to keep working and never let setbacks stop you from living out your dreams. That helps me on the days when I feel underappreciated. When I want to be down on myself, I hear those words, and it makes me work harder.

-Brian Barefield, Sports Editor

The best advice from my mom was that I could be anything that I wanted to be and use my imagination. Using my imagination has put me in some of the most amazing places and allowed me to build a thriving career as a food writer. Her advice equipped me for this magical, creative life that I am so lucky to live, and it's all because, from an early age, I was encouraged to use my imagination.

-Alex Jack, Culinary Writer

The best advice I have ever gotten from my mom is to always be kind. She has taught me that no matter what happens in life, it does not have to affect what is going on inside of me. It has helped me to always give out kindness freely and to always be the

THREE BLACK QUARTERBACKS MAKE HISTORY AS THE TOP NFL DRAFT PICKS

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

Trying to figure out who will be #1 in the NFL draft is always a very opinionated conversation. With bona fide sports aficionados giving their expert opinions and the avid Monday night fan weighing in with his thoughts. Despite all the talk, no one could predict that this year’s draft would be of historic proportions. For the first time in the NFL, three African American quarterbacks were selected as the top five NFL draft picks. The Carolina Panthers took the #1 pick with the selection of Alabama’s Bryce Young. Ohio State’s C. J. Stroud was chosen as the #2 pick by the Houston Texans. Coming in as the #4 pick was Florida’s Anthony Richardson. Beyond that significant fete, this is only the second time black quarterbacks have been taken in the first round since the late nineties. In addition, this is the ninth time in NFL history that quarterbacks have been back-to-back first round picks.

CNN reported the Houston Texans picked quarterback CJ Stroud of Ohio State University as the second pick.

Stroud entered the draft after

two successful years for the Buckeyes.

The 21-year-old's "accuracy stands out on tape," according to Zierlein. "He's able to lead receivers with good placement and make on-frame throws to targets on all areas of the field."

"I bring a leader. I bring somebody that's going to work every day and work their tail off," Stroud told the NFL Network on what he provides to the

Texans. "Somebody who comes from a winning tradition. Somebody who wants to win -- and that's all I care about. So I'm going to be the best teammate, the best leader, the best quarterback I can be."

The Texans then traded for the third pick and chose Young's teammate, linebacker Will Anderson Jr., who twice won the award given to the nation's outstanding college defensive player by the

Football Writers Association of America and Charlotte Touchdown Club.

"Everybody don't know how much hard work goes into this, man," Anderson told NFL Network. "The sacrifices I made, the hard work, the dedication. Everything that goes into this. They just see what happens on Saturday but the process, man I'm just so blessed."

Other picks:

No. 4 -- Indianapolis Colts: University of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson

No. 5 -- Seattle Seahawks: University of Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon

No. 6 -- Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.

No. 7 -- Las Vegas Raiders: Texas Tech University linebacker Tyree Wilson

No. 8 -- Atlanta Falcons: University of Texas running back Bijan Robinson

Parts of this story are attributed to CNN/StyleMagazine.com.

Miller Outdoor Theatre has delighted generations of audiences for100 years with the best in performing arts entertainment. And every performance free.

JOIN THE SEASON-LONG CELEBRATION. Enjoy eight months of the best music, dance, theatre and more. Plus, celebratory events throughout the year packed with fun for the whole family. With enough time to roll down the hill. milleroutdoortheatre.com/celebratemiller

MAY 12 — HAPPY BIRTHDAY MILLER!

Let’s celebrate together with a larger-than-life birthday cake with slices for all served during intermission. Make memories with a photo in the 7-foot cake. And sign the giant Miller card, starting at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. Houston Ballet presents George Balanchine’s Jewels.

Bryce Young., Anthony Richardson, and C. J. Stroud, (Getty Images)

THE OBESITY CRISIS IS NOT A HOPELESS FIGHT FOR BLACK AMERICA

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association

of the key tools for combating obesity a healthy diet — because of factors outside of their control.

It’s also important to note that obesity is a complex disease that may require more than diet and exercise. Our understanding of the disease has changed drastically over the years thanks to scientific research and advances. Where diet and exercise are not enough, some people may need the extra support of anti-obesity medications to fight the disease. Just as many of us take medications to manage hypertension, diabetes, or cholesterol — conditions you may have inherited medications for chronic weight management may be needed as well.

Further, combating severe obesity may even require bariatric surgery. Chronic diseases are treated with a range of treatment options, and obesity is no different.

obesity, prevent people from living their healthiest lives, and contribute to our country’s stagnant healthcare policies that exacerbate obesity’s disproportionate impact on Black communities.

From less access to quality healthcare, to the exclusion of anti-obesity medications from Medicare, and most Medicaid and general insurance coverage, our healthcare systems under-prioritizes the well-being of Black Americans. And we’ve learned from history that until we make our voices heard, this crisis will continue to be brushed aside.

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an expert on obesity, noted that we have been living through three pandemics: COVID-19, racism, and obesity. We must prioritize combating the obesity pandemic with the same energy we use to combat COVID-19 and racial injustice. Our lives depend on it.

From less access to quality healthcare, to the exclusion of anti-obesity medications from Medicare, and most Medicaid and general insurance coverage, our healthcare systems under-prioritizes the well-being of Black Americans. And we’ve learned from history that until we make our voices heard, this crisis will continue to be brushed aside.

Whether we accept it or not, obesity continues to be a complex, chronic disease that kills thousands of Black Americans every year. Indeed, nearly half of Black Americans live with obesity, so we cannot afford to ignore this national emergency any longer.

The public discourse around weight loss that has taken over recent headlines has entirely missed the mark. Our mainstream media, social media, and content providers are all either dissecting whether a movie star used weight loss medication or analyzing whether these medications are safe to take, even though they’re FDA approved.

The fact of the matter is that we are squandering a critical moment to focus on the deadly disease of obesity, and missing the opportunity to save thousands of lives, particularly Black lives. Within the next seven years, researchers anticipate that half of American adults will live with obesity. This is a personal health burden and a public health crisis, and we should talk about it as such.

Turning the narrative around

on this disease, and on Black wellness overall, is critical to stemming obesity’s growth. The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a trade association of more than 250 Black-owned community newspapers and media companies from across the United States, has consistently been the voice of the Black community since its founding 83 years ago.

I serve as the organization’s President and CEO and right now, we’re calling on our members to elevate the conversation on the obesity crisis to one that clarifies the facts, shares reliable resources, and advocates for impactful changes for the benefit of our community’s health and longevity. We can address obesity in a way that gives hope, because this is not a hopeless fight.

To start, it’s vital that we correct the misinformation. Too often, people don’t know that obesity is a chronic disease and a long-term illness, with multiple contributing factors outside of a person’s control: environmental circumstances, inherently racist healthcare programs, poverty, and genetics. In cities across the country, like Washington, D.C., where nearly half the population is Black, food deserts and food swamps have become the norm in Black communities. This makes it nearly impossible for many Black residents to eat well even if they wanted to. That is to say, many people cannot access one

To be clear, the perception that people who live with obesity just need to take better care of themselves is false and dangerous, as it prevents thousands from receiving or seeking the care they need. Societal weight biases strain the mental health of people living by

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr is President and CEO of the NNPA, Executive Producer/Host of The Chavis Chronicles on PBS TV stations throughout the United States, entrepreneur, global business and civil rights, and can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org

H-E-B ANNOUNCES 2023 EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD WINNERS

n Sunday, April 30, H-E-B announced statewide winners for the 21st annual H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards during an awards ceremony at the La Cantera Resort and Spa in San Antonio. During the ceremony, $430,000 in cash awards and grants were awarded to eight educators, two school districts, one early childhood school and a public-school board for being among the best in Texas. The program has awarded more than $13 million in cash and grants to Texas teachers and schools since 2002.

Thomas L. Friedman delivered the keynote address to a ballroom packed with hundreds of educators, community leaders and H-E-B employees. Mr. Friedman is an internationally renowned author, reporter and columnist. He is the recipient of three Pulitzer Prizes–two for international reporting from the Middle East and a third for his columns written about September 11. He is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers—From Beirut to Jerusalem; The Lexus and the Olive Tree; Longitudes and Attitudes; The World Is Flat; Hot, Flat and Crowded; That Used To Be Us (with Michael Mandeland most recently, Thank You

For Being Late.

The 2023 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award Winners are:

Rising Star Elementary

Katie Doyle

Flour Bluff Intermediate School

Flour Bluff ISD

Rising Star Secondary

Ryan Beeler

Spring Woods High School

Spring Branch ISD

Leadership Elementary

Kaneice Washington

Galena Park Elementary School

Lifetime Achievement Elementary

Lisa Barry

Woodridge Elementary School

Alamo Heights ISD

Lifetime Achievement Secondary

Eliza Delgado

Preparatory for Early College High School

Rio Grande City Grulla ISD

School Principal Elementary

Dr. Christina Barrera

Moses Menger Elementary School

Corpus Christi ISD

School Principal Secondary

Jennifer Collier

Spring Woods High School

Spring Branch ISD

Won $25,000 grant

Pre-K Academy at West Avenue

North East ISD

San Antonio, TX

School Board

Won $25,000 for their district

Northside ISD

San Antonio, TX

Small School District

Won $50,000 grant

Corsicana ISD

Corsicana, TX

Large School District

Won $100,000 grant

Corpus Christi ISD

Corpus Christi, TX

H-E-B asks customers, Partners (employees) and community members to nominate teachers, principals, districts, early childhood facilities and school boards in Texas. Each nominee is sent an invitation to complete an application online and is asked about their professional experiences, educational philosophies and achievements both in and out of the classroom.

A team of judges reviews the applications, narrowing the field to semi-finalists

North East School of the Arts

Nort East ISD

Early Childhood

For more information, please visit haul.org/eodgala or contact Brandi Ledet | bledet@haul.org | 713-393-8783

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FILM AND TV WRITERS GO ON STRIKE, BRINGING PRODUCTION ON MANY SHOWS TO A HALT

By Lisa Respers France,

More than 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) are set to go on strike Tuesday morning for the first time since 2007, a move that could bring an immediate halt to the production of many television shows and possibly delay the start of new seasons of others later this year.

"Though we negotiated intent on making a fair deal ... the studios' responses to our proposals have been wholly insufficient, given the existential crisis writers are facing," said a statement from the union leadership.

"They have closed the door on their labor force and opened the door to writing as an entirely freelance profession. No such deal could ever be contemplated by this membership."

While union members would be on strike as of 3 am EDT Tuesday, the WGA tweeted that it would not set up picket lines until Tuesday afternoon. The Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP), which is negotiating on behalf of studio management, responded by saying it was willing to improve on its offer but was not willing to meet some of the union's demands.

"The primary sticking points are 'mandatory staffing,' and 'duration of employment' — Guild proposals that would require a company to staff a show with a certain number of writers for a specified period of time, whether needed or not," said the statement from management's negotiating committee.

"Member companies remain united in their desire to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial to writers and the health and longevity of the industry, and to avoid hardship to the thousands of employees who depend upon the industry for their livelihoods."

The distance between the two sides suggested this could be the start of a long strike. The last strike that started

in November 2007 stretched 100 days into February of 2008. There were no talks scheduled Tuesday after the talks broke off more than three hours before the strike deadline Monday night, according AMPTP.

Many shows on cable and broadcast networks have already filmed their final episodes for the current season, but viewers could see an impact with late night shows, daytime soap operas and shows such as "Saturday Night Live," which could have early ends to their seasons.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will begin airing repeat episodes on Tuesday due to the film and TV writers'

strike, sources close to the programs told CNN.

Show host Seth Meyers, who was on the picket line as a writer at SNL during the last strike, also prepared his viewers that Late Night with Seth Meyers won't be on the air if there is a strike.

Financial pressure

The strike comes at a time when both sides say they are feeling financial pain.

The multi-employer contract is between the WGA and AMPTP, which represents Amazon, Apple, CBS, Disney, NBC Universal, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony and CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. Many of those companies have seen drops in their stock price, prompting deep cost cutting, including layoffs.

But the writers, many of whom can't support themselves with writing alone, are suffering from reduced job opportunities and the loss of some sources of income due to an industry shift from traditional broadcast and cable programming to streaming services.

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GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE

Kathleen Coleman, Arts Editor

Eileen J. Morris will begin showing at The Ensemble Theatre May 11 –June 4, 2023. Previews begin May 6, 7, and 10, 2023 and opening night is May 11, 2023.

Eighteen-year-old black high school student Marques has “narrowly survived” being shot by a white man while sitting in a car with a friend, who was killed. As the show begins, Marques recuperates at home, listening to a sports-talk radio program hosted by his uncle, Randall, who announces an upcoming local march for safety from gun violence. The family’s reluctance to attend seems to stem from other, unclear concerns, but it’s that fear, in its many forms, that is a thread throughout this play. Do we need guns to keep ourselves safe?

Audition to be on the Ensemble Theatre’s stage

Adults and youth of all ages, identities, races and body types are welcome to audition. These auditions are for talent who have never performed on The Ensemble stage and are for Mainstage and TourEd* shows. Youth (ages 6-17) only come if you have not participated in the Young Performers Program.

The Ensemble Theatre is celebrating their 46th Anniversary Season not only celebrates the genius of African American voices of the past and the present but also of -

fers plays that explore controversial subjects facing our communities.

Brother Toad written by Nathan Louis Jackson and directed by Rachel Hemphill Dickerson and

Playwright Nathan Louis Jackson aims to pose questions, not answer them. Get your tickets now for this PG-13 drama.

*TourEd shows most often take place during school hours and are performed around the city as well as in-house. Therefore, daytime availability and some travel are required. Open auditions for actors, dancers, and singers are Sunday, May 7, 2023, from 5:30-8:30pm. All general auditions are by appointment only. Artists must email a headshot and résumé prior to the audition.

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H

Texas Aviation Hall Of Fame Luncheon H

H Lone Star Flight Museum Inducted Four Into Texas Aviation Hall Of Fame H

H Luncheon Was Held at 11:30AM • Friday, April 21, 2023 H

Lone Star Flight Museum Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Luncheon on Friday, April 21 at 11:30

a.m. The event celebrated four new inductees into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame including Daniel Baker, founder & former CEO of FlightAware; Major General Joe H. Engle (ret.), X15 test pilot and

former NASA Astronaut; Rod Lewis, energy executive, pilot & owner of one of the largest WWII aircraft fleets in the world; and Edna Gardner Whyte, pioneering pilot, instructor, and air racer.

www.LoneStarFlight.org