May 24, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 25, Issue 18
“Our vote and our money are the two most powerful things we have. Be careful who you give them to.” - Roy Douglas Malonson
T S U
I N T E R I M
P R E S I D E N T :
‘I’VE COME FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN’ By: N.L. Preston
HOUSTON – Following the departure of former Texas Southern University President Dr. Austin Lane, all eyes are now on Kenneth Huewitt, who’s served as the university’s chief financial officer for the past three years. Huewitt is ready, and feels his diverse background will give TSU and its watchful board exactly what is needed to maintain the dignity and integrity of the institution, which is the second largest of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). African-American News&Issues spoke with Huewitt about plans for moving the university forward and care for its students during the pandemic. Q: The students feel they
need a person they can relate to. But what about you, can relate to them? A: I see myself in many of the students at TSU. My dad was in the military and I was raised by my mom so, other than the 11 years I spent on the East Coast, I have been right here in Texas. I came from a single-parent home and I’m a first-generation college student. If you ever want to know what’s driving me and where my passion is, it’s that. Q: Do you feel as former CFO you are qualified to lead all aspects of the university? A: The educational focus is a major priority, but it’s also about business. I was chief financial officer for the Houston Independent School Dis-
trict overseeing a $1.8 billion general operating budget. It’s a smaller budget at TSU than what I am accustomed to, and we are making sure we manage those resources most effectively. Nothing bothers me more than waste. I’ve never been one that felt like I needed to be out in the front, you can lead from the back. I spent a lot of years in the background, honing my craft and when I became interim, I had to step forward. I’ve come from behind the curtain and have let people see who’s been back there. Q: What qualifications do you think professors should have? Is work experience a good replacement for a degree? A: I don’t think everyone who teaches should have a master’s or PhD. Look at me.
I’m old (chuckle), but based on my age, I have work experience that afforded me the opportunity to lead at HISD and now Texas Southern. I think that a person’s wealth of experience has some value that can be shared with students. Q: What do you say to critics who claim TSU students are lacking the skills needed for the workforce? What will you do to ensure they are ready? A: We need opportunities for our students to have the right internships to find good employment. Students need not wait until their senior years; they need to seek internships after their sophomore years. We leaders must work on those relationships with CEOs and business own-
ers for our students and we need more feedback. If we are turning out students who are lacking a certain skill when they show up, we need to know so we can go back and adjust for the next group of students we send out. It’s a partnership. They need employees and we need employers. So that give and take relationship is important. Q: What fundraising initiatives do you have for the university? A: It is all about relationships, but I also believe that you need to establish those relationships even when you don’t want anything. It doesn’t always have to be an “ask,” in fact, I purposely took a trip to Washington DC and went to talk about resources. I started each con-
versation with “I’m not asking for anything, I just want you to know what Texas Southern University is doing.” We let them know what TSU brings to the table when it comes to research surrounding criminal justice reform, cancer prevention or transportation. There were some things they weren’t aware of. Q: What are you doing to help the students affected by the pandemic? A: Our alumni first stepped up and started leading the charge. We first launched a food pantry and had to slow them down because they started showing up before we were even ready. Through our TSU Founda-
TSU on page 3
WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY • AVOID PUBLIC SPACES OR EVENTS WITH MORE THAN 10 PATRONS • SANITIZE AND STOCK UP • AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE AND MOUTH • PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE
2 AFRAMNEWS.COM
President/Chief Editor
Tristar
Griselda Ramirez: Production
May 24, 2020
EDITORIAL A Revival of God
Consciousness Bobby E. Mills, PhD
Office: (713) 692-1178
JUSTICE! Since the spiritual disobedience of Adam and Eve, mankind has universally had problems with obedience to the spiritual laws of God or manmade-moral-enactments of laws (civil obligations). The Hebrews had (613) laws and they could not live by them. God reduced the (613) laws into the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, and we cannot live by the Ten. God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, and condensed the Ten Commandments into the Two Great Commandments based upon the principle of LOVE God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and LOVE thy neighbor as thy self, and individuals refuse to live by them. Thus, when individuals do not know The Lawgiver: GOD they will not obey either manmade or God given laws. Seemingly individuals cannot resist the devil or resist violating God’s original spiritual edit: “don’t mess with the tree in the center of the garden: sin.” It is not that we do not know that the wages of sin is eternal death, but unfortunately the temptation to sin is always present because of the flesh (selfishness). This
is why as Christians we must: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1 Peter 5: 8-9). American society has always used Law Enforcement Constabularies to unjustly enforce laws that are written, and those unwritten laws inscribed upon the hearts and minds of most Whites against Blacks/Minorities. This is why a spiritually confused father and son team of executioners (Gregory & Travis McMichael) riding in a pick-up truck can feel absolutely free, morally and legally in following, stopping and executing an unarmed Black man, Ahmaud Arbery, peacefully jogging down a public street. A White man (William Bryan) who videotaped the execution-style-murder has been fired from his job as a mechanic, harassed and ostracized by the White community for exercising his Constitutional God given rights of seeing a wrongful act and saying something. The McMichael executioners displayed a radicalized sign on their pick-up truck that read: “Don’t Tread On Me,” and to complete the phrase because “I will execute thee” and the White Law Enforcement Constabulary will protect me: The Blue Code. Most Whites are silent
and, we all know that silence is consent. This is the state of affairs in America: man’s law without Godly justice. However, a change is on the horizon orchestrated by our Lord and
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Savior Jesus Christ, because God is the instrument of righteous judgment: “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. (Psalm 7: 11). Believe me, the
numbers 7/11 is not a gamble with God; it is a sure-shot, because: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9: 27). Selah!
MENTAL HEALTH AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY
HOUSTON -- “She’s a change of life baby,” is a phrase my great-grandmother used to describe my aunt, whom she gave birth to when she was nearing menopause. That description was the family’s excuse of why my aunt was not deemed “as smart” as her nine older siblings, and was just accepted to be “different” without getting any medical attention at an early age. At 66 years old, she is now a diagnosed schizophrenic. It is a far-too common practice in the African American community that those suffering from mental health issues do not seek much-needed psychiatric treatment because “Black folks don’t go to the doctor, they go to church.” May is Mental Health Month and we would like to use this time to help remove the stigma surrounding African Americans and mental health disorders. Simply put, mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity. Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness
regardless of their background, but African Americans oftentimes experience more severe forms of mental health conditions due to unmet needs and other barriers. According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 10% more likely to experience serious psychological distress. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) outlined a list of reasons which may prevent African Americans from seeking treatment, and offered some valuable advice to help remove the stigma and shame surrounding the issue. Lack of Information and Misunderstanding about Mental Health In the Black community, many people misunderstand what a mental health condition is and don’t talk about this topic. This lack of knowledge leads many to believe that a mental health condition is a personal weakness or some sort of punishment from God. Many African Americans also have trouble recognizing the signs and symptoms
of mental health conditions, leading to underestimating the effects and impact of mental health conditions. Some may think of depression as “the blues” or something to snap out of. Seek professional help In the African American community, family, community and spiritual beliefs tend to be great sources of strength and support, but those believing they may be suffering from mental health issues should turn to health care professionals for proper diagnosis and treatment. Reluctance and Inability to Access Mental Health Services Approximately 30% of African American adults with mental illness receive treatment each year, compared to the U.S. average of 43%, for the following reasons: • Distrust and misdiagnosis. Historically, African Americans have been and continue to be negatively affected by prejudice and discrimination in the health care system. Misdiagnoses, inadequate treatment and lack of cultural competence
Mental Health on page 3
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TSU, cont’d
tion, we distributed 1,000 Wi-Fi devices to students so they could do their online classes at home. We had already turned their world upside down with the abrupt halt of campus activities, so we wanted to make sure they had what they needed. We also received $5.9 million from the CARES Act for our students. We made the application process very simple and we actually need to do another appeal because not all students have responded. We are sending out reminders to apply because we definitely need to get these dollars into their hands. Students who qualify are receiving $850. Q: There have been changes to the board. What do you
by health professionals cause distrust and prevent many African Americans from seeking or staying in treatment. • Socio-economic factors also play a part and can make treatment options less available. In 2017, 11% of African Americans had no form of health insurance. Provider Bias and Inequality of Care Conscious or unconscious bias from providers and lack of cultural competence result in misdiagnosis and poorer quality of care for African Americans. African Americans, especially women, are more likely to experience and mention physical symptoms related to mental health problems. For example, you may describe bodily aches and pains when talking about depression. A health care provider who is not culturally competent might not recognize these as symptoms of a mental health condition. Additionally, men are more likely to receive a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia when expressing symptoms related to mood disorders or PTSD. Find the Right Provider
think of the board under Lane, versus the new board? A: It’s basically the same board, but it’s more about communication. I try to call them at least every other week at a minimum. Even if I don’t have anything specific that I want to talk about, I am making sure they don’t have anything they need to talk to me about. I’ve also let them know they can call me anytime. The main thing I am trying to do is to keep them apprised of what we are doing. Q: To you, what are the expectations of a president of a university? A: The simplest thing for me to say is “Do no harm.” I am really trying to work on the culture, improving on how we work with each other and how we service the students. I’ve been here three years. I’ve had
When meeting with your provider, ask questions Public to Notic get a sense of their level of cultural sensitivity. Do not Contact Information: feel bad about asking quesName: Sharon K. Ognows tions such as: • Have you Company: treated other AfLone Star College System rican Americans? • Have you Phone: received(832)813-6211 training in cultural competence or on Email: Sharon.K.Ognowski@l African American mental Address for Tearsheets: health? --- needed forcultearsheet mai • How do you see our tural backgrounds influencing our communication and my treatment? AD COST • How do you plan to integrate my beliefs and Cost prac-to run Ad Total tices in my treatment? week: $118.13 per Your mental health provider will play an important role in your treatment, so make sure you can work with this person and that you communicate well together. Mention your beliefs, values Please sign for appr and cultural characteristics. email to Make sure that she understands them so that they can prod@aframnews.c be considered in the course of your treatment, and Thursday if fiNOON nances are preventing you Monday’s from finding help, contact a public local health or mental health clinic or your local government to see what services you qualify for. Signature Mental health is real, nothing to be ashamed of and many symptoms are treatable. Please seek help.
Date
- AANI
input and believe in the priorities we’ve always had in place. If our “North Star” is taking care of our students, then that is the best that we can do. Q: Final words? A: Our students need nurturing. It is hard to do that over a Zoom or a Blue Jeans virtual session. We are working on our “Return to Tiger Land” plan for the fall semester. The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority so when we bring them back, we will have ensured we have taken all necessary precautions. My college years were some of my best times, but I didn’t know it at the time, and I want to show our students the positive side of their TSU experience. Yes, they are going through a pandemic, but it is not the end all. - AANI
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May 24, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
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