Black identity
the new
HOW THE BLACK COMMUNITY IS SHIFTING AWAY FROM TRADITIONAL LABELS.
NEWS
SPORTS
BENNIE THOMPSON
The Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security filed a federal lawsuit against Donald Trump. Volume 90, issue 16 February 18, 2021
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DN On Point
FIT & FINE Ryan Mosby Age: 29 Occupation: Houston’s Top Fitness trainer/ Muscleheadz Houston, Owner of IT Staffing Company Education: Rockwall- Heath High school Major: Global Business Motto: Life is too short to not look your best
Quote “God made me a selfmotivated person”
Visitors to Houston’s Hermann Park enjoying a rare snow day. Photo by Mark Felix, Texas Tribune
Message from the Associate Editor Card,” i.e. charging racism where none existed. We thought we were going to make it But the real culprits, police who continue to through this entire winter without any real kill unarmed Black people and get off scot free; winter. We were wrong. Big time. The record lawmakers from state to state who suppress cold that hit us between the eyes, and in every votes under the cover of “election integrity;” other part of our bodies, literally brought our and former Reality TV stars and their lapdogs city to its knees. who attempt to overthrown a democratically But challenging weather is nothing new elected US government because they believe for us, and nothing for us to be mad about. neither Black Votes nor Black Lives matter— However, we have every right to be pissed these are the real card sharks dealing daily in at the fact that millions of us were without racism and white supremacy. power for multiple days. That is simply But just like this cold front, they won’t be Aswad Walker unacceptable. running things for long. The rising Black pride If we didn’t know who The Electric Reliability Council and consciousness seen in the explosion of Black entrepreneurs, of Texas (ERCOT) was before, we know them know. They scientific geniuses and social gamechangers will bring a spring are the ones responsible for allowing our access to electricity and summer breeze that will thaw out justice, so that real freeto disappear with inside heat. But they aren’t alone. As Dr. dom and self-determination can ring for us, and for all. Abdul (Robert) Muhammad stated in a letter to Texas’ lawmakers, from Governor Greg Abbott on down, “We must invest in IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER energy grid infrastructure.” He added, “The same incentives • Pay attention to Defender intern Tiana Woodard and her we hold out for the Teslas, we should offer to those who would “Black Legislative Round-Up” highlighting the work Texas build Texas a 22nd-century power grid.” To that I say, “Preach Black lawmakers are getting into. hard Brother minister.” • Pro/College Sports Editor Terrance Harris spotlights TSU & PVAMU gamechangers on the hardwood. PLAYING THE RACE CARD • The Defender always represents for Black History. Check Speaking of divine messages, we received one this past week. out this week’s spotlight on a local history-maker. If it wasn’t made plain to us before, during our 400-plus years in this nation, the US Senate vote on Donald Trump’s second ON THE WEB impeachment trial should have made it crystal clear. Those in • Get the latest on Texas’ redistricting drama. this nation peddling in and promoting white supremacy, are • Atlanta’s newly elected DA is making national headlines playing the real Race Card. with her investigation into potential illegal activities of For too long, we have allowed false prophets to convince us Donald Trump. that we were wrong for pointing out racism, institutional, per• Check out Megan Thee Stallion’s big heart. The Houstonian sonal, and otherwise. We were charged with “Playing the Race gifted $50K to a healthcare worker. FROZEN
IG: @theallnaturalape IG: @fullybossedup Read more on Friday about Ryan Mosby at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine Direct Message our Instagram page @DefenderNetwork
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DN Local
Tenants behind on rent may seek aid from $1.3 billion assistance program Defender News Service
State officials plan to roll out a $1.3 billion rental assistance program for Texans struggling to keep up with housing payments during a shaky economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The new program comes after a separate state initiative was criticized for its limited scope and because many landlords declined to participate. More than 1.6 million Texans had little or no confidence in being able to pay next month’s rent, according to a January survey by the U.S. Census Bureau. Assistance for the new program will only be available to households that make no more than 80% of the area’s median income, which varies by county and by the number of members in a household. In 2020, for example, the threshold for a family of four in the Houston area was around
Demonstrators rallied against evictions Friday outside of a Harris County justice of the peace precinct in Houston. Thousands of evictions have been filed in Precinct 5 since the start of the pandemic.
$63,000. Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has created a website with the requirements and instructions on
how to apply, as well as a hotline (1-833-989-7368). The new program, which started receiving applications on Feb. 15,
will help with both for past or future rent payments. According to the department, around 80,000 households will be able to receive
assistance. Both landlords and tenants will be able to apply. Once the program is running, the payments could take up to two weeks to reach the tenants or landlords if the paperwork is filed correctly, said Brooke Boston, deputy executive director of programs at the agency. The program comes after renters have spent months depending on local funds and nonprofit organizations for rental assistance. Many of those programs were quickly depleted. In October, the state created a separate pilot program for assistance in 19 counties. This initiative, called the Eviction Diversion Program, has been available for tenants in specific county courts when they were going through the eviction process. To get the funds, landlords would have to agree to participate in the initiative in front of the justice of peace.
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON POLL
Local residents concerned about Social Justice Racial Disparity Defender News Service
• 62% of respondents say violent crime is a top issue. Researchers said this shows that people want to feel secure in their homes, whether they feel the main threat to that is flooding or crime. • Other concerns include failing public schools, streets in poor condition, homelessness, lack of access to health care, and traffic congestion, with more than 50% of Harris County residents listing these as major concerns.
Black Harris County residents are more likely to consider police violence as a major concern when compared to white and Latino residents, according to a new poll from the University of Houston. The poll, conducted by the UH Hobby School of Public Affairs, found that white residents are more likely to consider infrastructure, taxes, and education among their top concerns, while the top concerns for Latino residents include failing public schools, the city’s homeless population, and lack of access to health care. The report analyzes the top concerns among all Harris County residents. It comes in the wake of a year of civil unrest in the country following the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, both African Americans, at the hands of police. Floyd’s death led to days of protests in Houston. Hobby School senior research associate Mark P. Jones also said the pandemic has increased concerns minority communities have already had regarding health equity. “Latinos and African Americans are being disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus, but these inequities have been evident long before the current public health threat,” he wrote.
major concern, compared to 19% of Republicans and 39% of independents. • Woman are significantly more likely than men to consider economic inequality, social welfare issues, and racial discrimination as major concerns. • Overall, the top concerns plaguing the residents of Harris County are flooding and violent crime, according to the report.
AMONG THE FINDINGS: • 65% of Harris County Democrats consider racial inequality a major concern, compared to just 9% of Harris County Republicans. • 58% of Democrats considered police violence a
OTHER FINDINGS: • More than three years after Hurricane Harvey caused record flooding and damaged hundreds of homes, 66% of residents still say that flooding is a major concern for them.
Police officers stand beside a mural for George Floyd in Bronzeville during an anti-police brutality protest. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 16 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Creative Director Michael Grant
Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
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DN News
Democratic congressman sues Trump over role in Capitol riot
Associated Press
The Democratic chairman of the House Homeland Security committee accused Donald Trump in a federal lawsuit of inciting the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and of conspiring with his lawyer and extremist groups to try to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the presidential election he lost to Joe Biden. The lawsuit from Mississippi’s Rep. Bennie Thompson is part of an expected wave of litigation over the Jan. 6 riot and is believed to be the first filed by a member of Congress. It seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages. The case also names as defendants the Republican former president’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and groups including the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, extremist organizations that had members charged by the Justice Department with taking part in the siege. A Trump adviser, Jason Miller, said Trump did not organize the rally that preceded the riot and “did not incite or conspire to incite any violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6th.” Giuliani has not commented. Even some Republicans who voted to acquit Trump acknowledged that the more proper venue to deal with Trump was in the courts, especially now that he has left the White House and lost certain legal protections that shielded him as president. The suit traces the drawn-out effort by Trump and Giuliani to cast doubt on the election results even though courts across the
Chairman Bennie G. Thompson of the House Committee on Homeland Security. John McDonnell
country, and state election officials, repeatedly rejected their baseless allegations of fraud. Despite evidence to the contrary, the suit says, the men portrayed the election as stolen while Trump “endorsed rather than discouraged” threats of violence from his angry supporters in the weeks leading up to the assault on the Capitol. “The carefully orchestrated series of events that unfolded at the Save America rally and the storming of the Capitol was no accident or coincidence,” the suit says. “It was the intended and foreseeable culmination of a carefully coordinated campaign to interfere with the legal process required to confirm the tally of votes cast in the Electoral College.” Presidents are historically afforded broad immunity from lawsuits for actions they take in their role as commander in chief. But the lawsuit was brought against Trump in his personal, not official, capacity and alleges that none of the behavior at issue had to do with his responsibilities as president. “Inciting a riot, or attempting to interfere with the congressional efforts to ratify the results of the election that are commended by the Constitution, could not conceivably be within the scope of ordinary responsibilities of the president,” Joseph Sellers, a lawyer for Thompson, said. “In this respect, because of his conduct, he is just like any other private citizen,” he said. Sellers, a lawyer with the Washington law firm of Cohen Milstein, filed the case along with the NAACP. Several other members of Congress are expected to join.
Black leaders turn to Biden to save Black businesses Defender News Service
Members of the National Urban League and the U.S. Black Chambers are demanding that funds from President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan be specifically earmarked to save Black businesses. “It should be specific,” said Ron Busby, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Black Chambers. “It should not be ‘minority,’ it should not be ‘underserved,’ it should be ‘Black.’” The request comes as the coronavirus pandemic has seen Black businesses close at a disproportionate rate, and fatalities from the virus more disproportionately affect the Black community. The New York Federal Reserve recently released a report that noted the number of Black businesses dropped by nearly half between February and April of last year during the height of the pandemic, while white businesses saw only a 17% loss.
The report, titled Double Jeopardy: COVID19’s Concentrated Health and Wealth Effects in Black Communities, contends that the business disruption and virus cases were geographically concentrated in urban centers. As previously reported, a study released in January showed that thousands of minority-owned businesses were at the bottom of the list when it came to receiving the government’s coronavirus relief loans. Minority-owned companies struggled to find banks to accept their applications or were limited by the terms of the program, according to Associated Press. “Many of our businesses were being turned down in the first and second round of funding,” Busby told AP last month. “That caused application fatigue and frustration.” Vice President Kamala Harris and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen held a virtual roundtable earlier this month to discuss how the Biden administration would repair
Former New Orleans mayor Marc Morial (left), now president of the National Urban League, and Ron Busby (right), president and chief executive officer of U.S. Black Chambers, want funds from President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan to be specifically earmarked to save Black businesses. Photos by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images and Larry French/ Getty Images for AT&T
the economic damage to Black communities caused by COVID-19. Former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, now president of the National Urban League, said that for a package from the White House to directly impact Black businesses, it should be micro-business targeted as well, as 99% of Black-owned businesses are run by sole entrepreneurs. He called for relief for “those businesses specifically that have 10 or fewer employees.” Both Morial and Busby are also calling for funding to help Black Americans who may have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and want to start their own business. Due to systemic issues, many existing Black businesses faced the pandemic already dealing with daunting challenges. “Many have had to close because of no business, no savings, no reserve funds,” Morial said, “and no access to financing.”
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DEFENDER NETWORK
WE STAND BEHIND THE VACCINE Here’s why our experts support the COVID-19 vaccine:
TESTED
TRUSTED
EFFECTIVE
There has been thorough testing and rigorous external review. Previous research and new technology allowed the vaccine to be developed faster, yet still follow the standard FDA process for emergency review before approval.
Most side effects are minimal, like other vaccines — including sore arms, muscle aches and fever. These flu-like symptoms indicate that the vaccine is doing its job — helping your body develop immunity to the virus. Other side effects are rare.
Current evidence indicates the vaccine is safe and up to 95% effective. COVID-19 can be fatal or debilitating. The risks of experiencing serious symptoms or being hospitalized from the disease are far greater than the risks associated with getting the vaccine.
Many different organizations across Greater Houston are providing vaccines as quickly as they can get them. We encourage you to get the first vaccine available to you when it is your turn according to the state’s prioritization plan. Visit houstonmethodist.org/vaccine for the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines. #ProtectedTogether
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DN News Black legislative wrap-up
3 takeaways from state legislature a takeover of Houston Independent School “It is hard to believe this could happen in District (HISD) in November 2019, citing Texas, but Mark Cuban’s actions of yesterday Wheatley High School’s repeated failing made it clear that we must specify that in ratings. An appeals court upheld a ruling Texas we play the national anthem before preventing the move last December. all major events,” Patrick said in a statement. Of the 34 House committees, several “In this time when so many things divide chairs are filled by Black legislaus, sports are one thing that bring us tors. This session’s assignments together — right, left, black, white include: and brown.” Rep. Senfronia Thompson All members of the Houston 1. Black lawmakers made historic will now chair the Licensing and Rockets and Dallas Mavericks teams firsts with this session’s House Administrative Procedures Comkneeled during the national anthem committee assignments. mittee. She oversaw the Public Senfronia in protest of racial injustice at a game An unprecedented number of Black Health committee in the previous Thompson this past July. state legislators will chair and vice-chair the session. Rep. Garnet Coleman will SB 4 has not been filed. House’s 34 committees this session. oversee the County Affairs Committee. Rep. Among the gains include Rep. Harold Shawn Thierry will vice-chair the Ways and 3. Don’t expect state redistricting to Dutton’s appointment as the PubMeans Committee. Rep. Alma Allen will be finalized anytime soon. lic Education Committee’s first vice-chair the Corrections Committee. In a normal session, the U.S. Census Black chair in state history. The House chairs have the most influ- Bureau would’ve begun delivering the first Democratic chair in recent ence to determine what bills receive redistricting data needed to redraw political history, Dutton said he was surcommittee hearings — one of the maps for 2022 this month. But COVID-19 prised by the Republican Speakmany tests they must pass before mak- has forced the U.S. Census Bureau to once er’s move but believes education is ing it to the governor’s desk. again push its distribution deadline back to Harold a nonpartisan issue. Sept. 30. Dutton “COVID-19 makes it a little more 2. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick makes bill This means Texas lawmakers will likely difficult for (the committee), but we’re going that would require publicly funded have to reconvene for a special session in the to get the job done,” Dutton said. “Hopefully events to play national anthem a fall. Constitutional arguments against rediswe’ll look back at my tenure … and we can ‘legislative priority’ tricting outside of the regular session could say, ‘Improving education for all our children Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Wednes- join the expected court disputes over Black got its start (here).’” day SB 4, legislation that would require and brown voters at that time. Dutton helped push HB 1842, which events receiving public funding to play the The state Senate Committee for Redisallows the state Education Commissioner Star Spangled Banner. This came in response tricting still heard testimony as recent as last to either close a low-performing school to Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s Friday, where some Houston residents spoke or oust the district’s elected school board. choice to stop playing the national anthem out against gerrymandering’s disproportionThis law gave the state power to announce at the team’s home games this season. ate impacts on the area’s constituents of color. By Tiana Woodard
In this time when so many things divide us, sports are one thing that bring us together — right, left, black, white and brown.” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
The 87th legislative session, which lawmakers gaveled in last month, has finally started to pick up speed. But even during these quiet hours come legislative actions that directly affect and concern Houston’s Black residents. Here’re three main takeaways from February so far:
Census delay will push Texas’ redrawing of political maps into the fall Texas Tribune
Facing significant holdups in finalizing the decennial count, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that the detailed population numbers needed to redraw legislative and congressional districts to reflect the state’s growth in the last decade will be delivered by Sept. 30, a monthslong delay that could upend the next set of elections for seats from Congress down to local offices. The bureau’s original plan was to get the data in lawmakers’ hands as soon as this month, giving them time to rejigger district boundaries and decipher Texans’ representation during the regular 2021 legislative session. But the census’ typical timeline
was repeatedly upended by the coronavirus pandemic and interference from the Trump administration. “If this were a typical decade, we would be on the verge of delivering the first round of redistricting data from the 2020 Census,” James Whitehorne, chief of the bureau’s redistricting and voting rights data office, said in a statement. “Our original plan was to deliver the data in state groupings starting Feb. 18, 2021 and finishing by March 31, 2021. However, COVID-19 delayed census operations significantly.” Instead, the bureau is still working to release the population numbers that determine how many congressional seats are apportioned to each state by April 30
A Census worker collecting data. Credit: Texas Tribune
— blowing past the legal deadline for those numbers by many months. Census officials previously indicated the second set of more detailed numbers needed for redistricting wouldn’t be available until after July.
The current timetable puts the data delivery far past the end of the 2021 legislative session on May 31, meaning Gov. Greg Abbott would need to call lawmakers back for legislative overtime in the fall.
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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL
Black identity
the new
HOW THE BLACK COMMUNITY IS SHIFTING AWAY FROM TRADITIONAL LABELS.
By Aswad Walker
For several generations, the vast majority of African Americans were able to fit neatly in certain boxes— Democrats, Christians, employees, etc. Now, however, a shift is happening in all areas of life that make those traditional labels less and less accurate. Just as the Defender explored the shift taking place in politics, with Blacks who are still overwhelmingly Democrats, seeing more and more of their millennial-age and younger voters identifying as independents (see article at Defendernetwork.com), we now seek to explore shifts taking place in religion, the workforce and national affiliation. Here are just some of our findings: CHRISTIAN TO SPIRITUAL
There are countless revered scholars, including Dr. John Henrik Clarke, who argue that Africans were the first to create the faith systems that gave birth to Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The late Reverend Albert B. Cleage Jr., “Father of Black Liberation Theology,” argues the Hebrew founders of Christianity were Black. But whether you care to go back that far in time or not, the majority of African Americans have been Christian since the doors of that church were open to us—doors initially closed, but later opened to quell their spirit of resistance. And though there have always been Blacks of other faiths in America, and periods when large numbers of Blacks questioned Christianity and went other faith routes, our numbers have always been greatest within Christiandom.
Now, however, there is an exodus afoot, mainly of Blacks 40 and younger, moving away from Christianity to traditional African faiths or a general spirituality that rejects the labels of any particular faith. “Personally, I believe the shift away from Christianity to another faith with people in my generation is because of the knowledge and information made available to us,” said Cydney Crathers, a University of Houston junior, majoring in pre-psychology. “I feel that my peers who have learned more about the history of their own ancestors made that shift in order to get back to their true roots.” Crathers, who strongly identifies as Christian, says she understands why some of her peers have had a shift in their beliefs. Fellow UH student, Joaquin Moreno, believes the issue behind the shift is Christianity’s history and lack of regret its leaders have for atrocities like converting Native Americans to the faith by the sword and the enslavement of African people. “The teachings of Christianity aren’t necessarily a problem, [rather] America has politicized Christianity and used it to push an agenda that isn’t Gods and isn’t the teachings of Jesus.” Reverend Chris Johnson, a minister at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church and millennial, agrees.
Rev. Chris Johnson
EMPLOYEES TO ENTREPRENEURS
Secunda Joseph
“Unfortunately for some people the word ‘Christianity’ is more synonymous with Jim Crow than it is with Jesus Christ,” he said. “I have some friends who simply do not accept Christianity as their native spiritual practice and that is their right! All of this is signaling a new era in Black spiritual identity.” Johnson added, “This generation refuses to be herniated by social and religious constructs and markers. I believe this shift only proves that statement. US-CENTERED TO GLOBAL CITIZENS
Though there are pockets of us who live in “the country” that often get overlooked, Blacks are predominantly concentrated in urban areas like Houston, Chicago and Atlanta. This is due, in large part, to the Great Migration of the early 20th century. But even with the reverse migration that has seen over the past two decades a large shift of the national Black population leaving the north for southern cities like Charlotte, NC, Memphis, TN and Houston, for us, urban areas still rule. However, there is another migration taking place, one that is both geographical and psychological: the shift in African Americans from being US-centered to defining ourselves as global citizens. “We are truly global; not just with Black people everywhere on the planet, but Black people from everywhere on the planet right here in the US, especially Houston, with its huge Ethiopian, Nigerian, Ghanian, Eritreian and Caribbean communities,” said T’Shon Jenkins, a Houston transplant by way of New Jersey, by way of Belize.
Kevin Bahati Johnson, journalist, engineer and current Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University’s cultural anthropology program, sees two sides to the globalization of Blacks in America. “As global demands for political, economic and human rights unfolded particularly in the 1960s, migrations of Black peoples from Africa, the Caribbean, and the rest of the Americas brought groups of Blacks into the U.S. have added to the overall population in the U.S. while adding to its cultural, racial and ethnic diversity,” stated Johnson, who is the Pan-African Ambassador for his Houston-area church. He added that urban areas have been the main recipients of newer arriving Blacks, using Barack Obama’s father from Kenya and Kamala Harris’ father from Jamaica as examples. “In addition to the movement of Black groups into the U.S., there are also movements of Blacks with centuries of roots into the U.S. who are regularly visiting or relocating to Africa or other parts of the Americas,” said Johnson, speaking on the geographic shift. Secunda Joseph, host of “Imagine a World” on All Real Radio, spoke to this geographic shift. “I recently did an interview with Swatara Olushola who repatriated to Tanzania. She spoke about how surprised she was that many of the Black folks repatriating were not necessarily from the conscious community at all, and that they were from many places where Black folks were oppressed and were over it. It’s the culture now,” Joseph said. Joseph argues the psychological shift towards global is just as prevalent. “Black people are choosing to say no to double consciousness. No to being twice as good for less pay. No longer desiring to be accepted by whiteness. It’s the interpersonal liberation that opens the world up for us. When there is no longer a need to belong to the white establishment, there is freedom. The biggest impact is the cultural mindset. Black people as a whole have developed a certain ethic that values every part of Black life, everywhere.”
Tiffany Guillory and Chasity Christian
Contrary to the racist stereotypes of Blacks being inherently lazy, historic records show Blacks have been the hardest-working demographic in the nation since officially arriving on these shores in 1619. For decades, Blacks could be jailed if they couldn’t prove they were employed. And with decades of attacks on successfully self-employed Blacks (ie Black Wall Street, etc.), we have a long and storied history of working for others, with the majority of Blacks working government jobs. This reality is changing as there has been a rush of Blacks, especially women, choosing to run their own businesses. According to Inc., “The number of African American-owned businesses in America had ballooned, increasing 37% between 2007 and 2012, when the U.S. Census Bureau last tallied the nation’s Black-owned businesses at 2.6 million.” There Black-owned businesses generate over $150 billion in gross revenue and employ more Blacks than any other US businesses. Locally, this shift from employee to entrepreneur has countless examples, including the nationally-renowned Marcus Davis, owner of tbk Holdings, who was once employed by Chick-fil-A before opening his own business, the breakfast klub. But Davis is far from alone. Chasity Christian along with her sister Tiffany Guillory have followed that same path. Christian worked for a title company while Guillory worked at another beauty salon. “Tiffany was always complaining about working with people in the beauty industry, and I said ‘Why don’t you open up your own shop?’” recalled Christian. Guillory, however, didn’t like the business side of running a business, but the business side happened to be Christian’s forte. “So, we decided to open up our own business, The Beauty Bar and Salon/ Boutique (3000 Weslayan, Suite 150, 77027). We’ve been in business since 2010, with me doing the business side, make-up and waxing, while Tiffany handles the services, doing hair and managing our social media.” Christian’s testimony is consistent with many others who made the move from employee to entrepreneur. “The best part about working for yourself is you grind and work hard for yourself instead of for someone else,” she said. “Even as a business owner, you never truly work just for yourself because you have to pay taxes and take care of your employees. But as an entrepreneur, you have more control over your life and your destiny.”
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DN Black History FIFTH WARD NATIVES
The Jazz Crusaders HOUSTON-BRED, WORLD-RENOWNED
By Aswad Walker
When searching for Black history to celebrate, we Houstonians don’t have to look far, especially if the topic is the arts. The number of actors and actresses, dancers, and visual artists from the greater Houston area could fill a book. Even if you simply focus on music, Houston has history-makers in every genre. Case in point, one of the most iconic groups in the history of improvisational jazz hails from right here in Houston—the Jazz Crusaders. Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder, each musical legends in their own right, were the members of the legendary group. The group, which also included Hubert Laws in the original lineup and Stix Hooper, left Houston in 1958 bound for fame and fortune in Los Angeles. However, it wasn’t until 1961 that the group recorded its first album, “Freedom Songs,” in commemoration of the then-budding Civil Rights Movement. The Crusaders enjoyed a long run of success well into the 80s before personal conflicts within the band led to their parting of ways. “Wilton and Joe are without a doubt two of the most creative and soulful people I’ve ever played with; we’ve been playing music together since we were pre-teens,” said Henderson, the group’s trombonist. “And since we’re getting up in age I wanted the opportunity to once again play with those cats.” However, one member was determined to resurrect the group. “Wilton and Joe are without a doubt two of the most creative and soulful people I’ve ever played with; we’ve been playing music together since we were pre-teens,” said Henderson, the group’s trombonist. “And since we’re getting up in age I wanted the opportunity to once again play with those cats.” According to Sample, the two talked and
apologized for anything that may have stood between the two so the group could reunite, which it did officially in 2009. Though the group took a 30-plus year hiatus before their reunion, getting the old chemistry back didn’t take much effort. “All it took was us in a room, ‘Hey, you remember this tune,’ and we were jamming,” said Henderson. During a 2011 Defender interview, Henderson noted, “Playing with the Crusaders again is something you can’t put into words. It’s like an ongoing conversation. I’ve known Joe since we were 4 or 5 years old, and Wilton since we were 11. It’s a continuing conversation. Music is invigorating.” “The best thing about playing with the Joe and Walter is the feeling of the music, and the playing of the music that can only be done by the original ones,” said saxophonist Wilton Felder. “Its just not the same with others playing.” Ten years ago, Sample returned to the Houston area to headline the 4th Annual Legacy Concert honoring Henriette Delille and benefiting Inner City Parochial Schools. “I remember when I was in grade school the state of Texas wanted to demonstrate that separate was equal, so they put real money into our schools,” recalled Sample. “I went to a brand new Wheatley High School. But when I came back several years later it was in disrepair.” The Joe Sample Youth Organization, Inc. (JSYO) was a non-profit organization born out of Sample’s experience returning home to Houston to see so many of the schools and neighborhoods in disrepair and in need of funding just to survive. A 1999 trip back home allowed Sample to see firsthand public schools, in his estimation, not properly funded, and thus unable to give
inner city students a competitive education. “I also saw the catholic schools in need, especially with the older nuns who taught for free dying off, and no nuns coming behind them, which meant these schools would have to pay for quality teachers,” said Sample. “I was asked by St. Mary’s to help raise funds for their playground equipment. And when that little jam session was successful the
other Black catholic schools asked, ‘What about us?’ So we organized one concert to help them all.” Upon reuniting, the group played to packed houses and sold-out venues all over the world, with the 2011 Legacy Concert being their first performance on home turf. The Jazz Crusaders played together until Sample’s passing on Sept. 12, 2014.
PUBLIC NOTICES HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS
The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 Project 16-10-53-D – RFP / College and Career Readiness – with a deadline of 10:00 a.m. on March 24, 2021. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. The solicitation for bids is available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org. To access, go to Directory, Purchasing Services, Solicitation of Bids. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.
Project LEAP (Learning, Empowerment, Advocacy, Participation) is a free 17 week training course for individuals living with or affected by HIV. The purpose of Project LEAP is to train people to become active participants on local HIV planning bodies. Topics covered include history of HIV in the Houston area, local HIV trends, services for people living with HIV and much, much more!
Classes are 4 hours on Wednesdays starting in July or August; Participants can choose the morning class or evening class: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. -or- 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. A brief application and personal interview are required Due COVID restrictions, Project LEAP may be held virtually If you have questions about the program or would like to receive an application when they are released, please contact Diane Beck at 832 927-7926 or diane.beck@hctx.net RYAN WHITE PLANNING COUNCIL OFFICE OF SUPPORT
2223 West Loop South, Suite 240; Houston, TX 77027 Phone 832 927-7926 Fax 713 572-3724 www.rwpcHouston.org The HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD (formerly known as MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY) will be accepting proposals for the following:
MULTI-FACILITY BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM RFP
Stix Hooper, Wilton Felder, Wayne Henderson and Joe Sample
Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Services located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7281, The HARRIS CENTER website www.theharriscenter.org or the Electronic State Business Daily Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/ beginning Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Proposals must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 23, 2021 in a sealed envelope marked “PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – TUESDAY, March 23, 2021, MULTI-FACILITY BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM”. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Frances Otto, CTCD, Buyer II and Sharon Brauner, C.P.M., Purchasing Manager, via E-mail to frances.otto@theharriscenter.org cc: sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org or fax at (713) 970-7682. Historically Underutilized Businesses, including Minority-Owned Businesses and Women-Owned Businesses are encouraged to participate. The HARRIS CENTER reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature Millions of Texans lost power during this winter storm. Can it be prevented in the future? Houston Public Media
Widespread power outages across the state left millions of Texans without electricity this week. Some Houston-area residents have gone days without power, as the region enters its second day of below-freezing temperatures. Houston Public Media spoke with Dan Cohan, a professor of environmental engineering at Rice University, to learn more about what led to these widespread power outages and if they could have been prevented.
Large swaths of Texas have experienced blackouts in the past day. What led to these widespread power outages?
What’s happening now is that demand is at record highs as we’re trying to keep our homes warm in the coldest freeze that we’ve had in three decades. Demand for power right now is around 70 gigawatts and power plants in Texas right now can only supply about 45 gigawatts.
And so the system simply isn’t able to handle demand at the level it is, mostly because so many power plants are down right now. People are trying to keep their homes warm. Yet power plants aren’t able to operate the way they normally do both because they weren’t designed to operate well in freezing cold conditions and freezing rain conditions, and because many of the natural gas power plants aren’t able to get enough gas to burn.
Beyond the current conditions that are limiting operations and driving up demand, is there anything unique about Texas’ energy infrastructure that has led us to this moment?
What makes it challenging to handle this is that we don’t have options that might give us more flexibility. We can’t import power from other states because we have so few lines connecting the Texas grid to our neighboring states. When it comes to electricity, what happens in Texas stays in Texas. Because Texas made a decision many decades ago to have its own power grid that
Adrianne Walker (l) and son Amari try to stay warm during day two of three without power.
wouldn’t connect to the rest of the country, in part because we didn’t want federal rules telling us the way Texas would handle things. And we’re paying the price for that now. Because just when we need the power most, we’re not able to import any of it from our neighboring states.
Looking beyond right here, right now and keeping the bigger picture in mind, what can Texas do to prevent blackouts like this during cold weather events in the future?
There is no one silver bullet to keep this from happening again, we’re going to need
a menu of options. We’re going to need to better insulate (and) weatherize our homes so that we can bring down the demand. We need to think about building some transmission lines to connect our isolated island with other states to be able to trade power. We need to have more storage on the grid — at the moment, there’s only a very tiny, tiny amount of power that can be stored in batteries. And we need to be sure we’re maintaining a diversified supply, especially during daytime — now, solar panels are working great, but we don’t have many of them in the state.
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12 | February 18, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Health
A DEFENDER AND KELSEY-SEYBOLD CLINIC ALLIANCE
COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective BY VICTOR SIMMS, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., AND FELICIA JORDAN, M.D., F.A.C.P. The world has been waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine in the hope that it would bring an end to the pandemic. Now that the FDA has approved emergency-use authorization for a limited number of vaccines in the U.S.A., misconceptions, distrust, and skepticism are making the rounds. We
FROM THE DOC “It’s recommended that even those who have had COVID-19 get the vaccine.” Dr. Victor Simms is Chief of Internal Medicine at KelseySeybold Clinic.
hope to put these to rest by presenting factual information for you to consider when deciding whether to get the vaccine when you have the chance to. THE VACCINE IS SAFE The COVID-19 vaccine has passed human trials and is safe. While it’s understandable that the speed at which the vaccine was developed and tested might be concerning, the risks of not getting vaccinated are greater
FROM THE DOC “Even if you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s important to wear a mask and practice social distancing.” Dr. Felicia Jordan is an Internal Medicine specialist at KelseySeybold Clinic.
than the risks of getting vaccinated. African Americans have some of the highest death rates from COVID-19. This means deciding not to take a vaccine that could protect you and others has major consequences. It’s important to note that COVID-19 is a member of the coronavirus family, which contains numerous strains of the virus that have been studied. The scientists who developed the COVID-19 vaccine didn’t start from scratch. They used research and data going back years as a foundation. Billions of dollars were poured into the development of the COVID vaccine, making it possible to significantly speed up the process.
most of which occur after the second injection. Anyone with a history of anaphylactic reaction should consult with their doctor about whether to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. YOUR DNA ISN’T ALTERED There’s also a misconception the COVID-19 vaccine will alter DNA. The fact is messenger RNA isn’t able to alter a person’s genetic makeup because it does not enter the nucleus of the cell where DNA is kept. THE VACCINE WON’T GIVE YOU THE VIRUS
Neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccines, or others currently in development, SIDE EFFECTS ARE MILD TO contain the live virus that causes MODERATE COVID-19, which means getting the Side effects are possible with vaccine won’t give you the virus. any vaccine, but severe allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine THE VACCINE IS EFFECTIVE Based on clinical trials, the are rare. Most are short term without complications. Most are at the site of Moderna vaccine is 94.1% effective the injection and include soreness, at preventing illness caused by the redness, and swelling. Other reported COVID-19 virus. The Pfizer vaccine is side effects include headache, chills, 95% effective. It’s recommended that fatigue, muscle pain, or fever that last even those who have had the virus less than three days after injection, get the vaccine when it is available.
Now Scheduling VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON Appointments! Whether you’re new to the Kelsey-Seybold family or a longtime patient, you have a choice of where you can safely get care. Call our 24/7 Contact Center at 713-442-0000 to schedule a same-day or next-day virtual Video Visit or, for non-respiratory illnesses, an in-person appointment at a Kelsey-Seybold Clinic near you. Your health and safety are our top priority. We‘re screening patients upon arrival for COVID-19 symptoms, checking temperatures, and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Please remember to wear a mask or cloth face protection while visiting our clinics. Do you feel more comfortable visiting with a Kelsey-Seybold doctor from your home? We also offer virtual Video Visits for children and adults. Visit kelsey-seybold.com/virtual to find out more. Our doctors and clinical teams are here for you now and in the future.
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU 24/7/365 Berthelsen Main Campus 2727 West Holcombe Blvd. Houston, Texas 77025 24/7 Contact Center 713-442-0000 MyKelseyOnline (MKO) mykelseyonline.com MKO Help Line 713-442-6565 (7 days a week, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.) After-Hours Nurse Hotline 713-442-0000 Learn More About Virtual Visits kelsey-seybold.com/virtual
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS and more than 50 HEALTH PLANS, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Also accepting two Medicare Advantage plans, KelseyCare Advantage and WellCare TexanPlus.
February 18, 2021 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
Real
CHANGE IS ROOTED IN
Helping Texans in need has been the cornerstone of H-E-B’s Spirit of Giving. We’re continuing to expand our investment in nonprofit organizations that are doing meaningful work in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) – The Houston Area Urban League is dedicated to providing opportunities and resources that enable African Americans and other minorities to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights.
UNCF – The UNCF awards more than 10,000 scholarships annually, enabling more African American students to attend and graduate from college. Through their partnerships with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), they have helped to more than double the number of minorities attending college.
NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc. – The NAACP and the NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc. work to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race, by focusing on training, education, and advocacy that ensures the health and wellbeing of all persons.
Join us in supporting equity, empowerment,
and education in your community when you donate in stores or online at heb.com/bethechange
©2021 HEB, 21-2954
14 | February 18, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports University of Houston junior guard Quentin Grimes has been named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason Team after averaging 16.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals during the first half of the season.
Prairie View bowling coach Glenn White has been named SWAC Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Panthers to their fourth regular season title in five seasons.
TSU MEN’S BASKETBALL
Michael Weathers embraces growth opportunity By Terrance Harris
There is a great chance when Michael Weathers envisioned his senior season in college it looked a lot different than it is in reality. The Texas Southern guard has endured a few school changes and now he and the Tigers are navigating a tricky 2020-21 season in which COVID-19 continues to throw blows from all directions. But like much of the adversity Weathers has faced, he views the unexpected stops and restarts as growth opportunities for him and his teammates. Case and point was a recent game against rival Prairie View that was suddenly postpone due to COVID-19 issues with the Panthers. “We had been practicing, preparing every day for them and to find out the news that we couldn’t play them was kind of devastating but at the same time that’s kind of how things go right now,” Weathers said. “You can’t really be upset with it, you just have to take it to the chin and deal with it and keep rolling.” In many ways keeping it rolling has been the story of Weathers college career, which began in 2016 at Miami of Ohio where he was MAC Freshman of the Year. Weathers left there after one year following a coaching change. When his coach, John Cooper, left and took an assistant job with Oklahoma State, Weathers went with him. But after a couple of years there, Weathers found himself in some trouble and then was kicked out of school and not sure if he even would have a college basketball career. That’s when TSU coach Johnny Jones and his assistant coach Brandon Chambers offered Weathers and his family a lifeline. “At one point I did think I was done with basketball just because of the situation I was put in at Oklahoma State,” Weathers said. “But my family told me to never give up and Coach Chambers and Coach Jones, they were on my tail ever since I left Oklahoma State and they were with me every step of the process. I give nothing but thanks to them.” Weathers has shown his gratitude by working hard and making the most of this opportunity with the Tigers. He sat out last year because of NCAA transfer guidelines but this year has been the spark the Tigers have needed. Weathers, who is 6-foot-3, now leads the Tigers in scoring with 14.0 points per game
Rockets slowed by injuries The Rockets, who were on a five-game losing streak going into the Feb. 15th game at Washington, have Victor Oladipo been hit with some injury issues as of late. Center Christian Wood has been out with an ankle injury and guard Victor Oladipo missing time with a foot injury. Astros starting spring training Spring training is right around the corner and for the Astros it starts with pitchDusty Baker ers and catches reporting to the team practice facility in West Palm Beach this week. The Astros and manager Dusty Baker have looked to bolster their bullpen with the additions of Pedro Baez, Ryne Stanek and Steven Cishek.
Michael Weathers
MICHAEL WEATHERS
Age: 23 Height: 6’3 Position: Guard Year: Senior Major: General Studies Fun Fact: Has fraternal twin brother, Marcus Weathers, who is a 6’5 forward at Duquesne. They started out at Miami University together before both transferring following their freshmen years.
to go along with 4.8 rebounds per game. Personal stats, however, aren’t what this all about for Weathers. He has bigger team goals in mind. “I want to win the conference, that’s for sure and make it the NCAA Tournament,” he said. “I just want to win, that’s all that matters to me. “For us the ultimate goal is to hang up a banner and get to the NCAA Tournament.”
Sports Briefs
That would be the perfect culmination of these last five years that have been full ups and downs and personal growth. “I think for me my personal failures I think have helped me become the man I am today, which is not to get too high or too low on myself,” Weathers said. “I just have to maintain the right level and keep focused on everything that I do.”
Teams lining up for Watt sweepstakes The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers lead an early group of teams that are J.J. Watt vying for the services of former Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. The Texans released Watt after 10 seasons last week upon the future Hall of Famers request.
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports KASHMERE DUO TO WATCH
JUNIORS JOE JONES, STILTON MCKELVEY SETTING THE PACE By Jodie B. Jiles
With a 9-8 overall record, Kashmere missed out on the playoff this season with a 6th place finish in their district standing. However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel with the return of their junior backcourt of Stilton McKelvey and Joe Jones, who have shown flashes of being something special. While McKelvey sets the pace for the starting offense using his speed, agility and spot up shooting ability, Jones comes off the bench and shoots the lights out from three-point range. When Kashmere’s head basketball coach was asked what makes this duo special, he stated, “Stilton is very aggressive on offense and I like the energy that he brings.” “Joe is probably one of the best shooters on the team. When he gets his confidence going, he knocks down shots.” The Defender spoke with McKelvey and Jones to discuss their playing styles, overall games and more. STYLE OF PLAY
McKelvey: “I really look up to Kyrie Irving and try to reflect my game after him. I believe in hard work and teamwork with my team so that we can come out and get the ‘W’.” Jones: “My coaches tell me whenever I get the ball just shoot and that is what I do.”
ENERGY AND TEMPO
McKelvey: “Our intensity is really good when we have a leader like me. I try to lead the team all the way through the game. Taking it one quarter at a time.”
FINDING SPOTS ON THE FLOOR
McKelvey: “My first step is really fast. So, I get my first step in and find my spot in the mid-range because that is where I am good at in the mid-range.”
3 POINT SHOT
Jones: “When I was young I never had a trainer but my dad took me to the backyard and we would just shoot the ball 100 times a day. Then it just started going up from there.”
STREAKY SHOOTING
Jones: “If I get hot the ball will just go in most of the time. It feels good because you got good teammates on the bench who hype you up when you make a few which makes me want to shoot even more.”
MOVING FORWARD
McKelvey: “Our keys to success will be our defense and just keeping our mind right.”
ABOUT JOE JONES
Instagram: @100k.jaay Players He Studies: Stephen Curry, Stephen Curry and Stephen Curry Hobbies: Fortnite and NBA2K Favorite Artist: Polo G and Lil Durk Shoutouts: My teammates
ABOUT STILTON MCKELVEY
Twitter: @stiltonmckelvey Players He Studies: Jayson Tatum and Kyrie Irving Hobbies: Cooking Favorite Food: Pancakes Shoutouts: Kashmere, Hollywood and Joe Jones
16 | February 18, 2021 |
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