LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTION RESULTS FROM MARCH 1 PRIMARY, P2
ELECTION
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Volume 85 | Number 18 MARCH 3, 2016 | FREE
NEWSTALK DERRICK MITCHELL appoints TSU search committee
P3 ENTERTAINMENT STEPHAN JAMES portrays Jesse Owens
P5 H.S. ZONE TASHARIAN ROBINSON Scores for Clear Springs
P15 TOP EVENTS
Eileen Lawal, South Africa’s First Lady Bongi Ngema-Zuma and Yvonne Cormier at a reception for the first lady
KOFI TAHARKA
BLACK WARRIOR H PAGE 8
SWAC champion TSU tournament-bound The Texas Southern University Tigers won their third SWAC regular season basketball championship in four years after defeating Alabama State. They now head to the SWAC tournament, which runs March 8-12 at the Toyota Center. See why forward Derrick Griffin has played an important role in the team’s success, and why he is “double trouble” for TSU opponents. Check out the parties, concert and other off-the-court tournament activities. H PAGES 13-14
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Election results:
March 1 Primary
Texans cast their ballots for candidates in the March 1 Primary. Here are some of the results. • Missouri State Rep. Ron Reynolds is headed for a runoff with challenger Angelique Bartholomew. Steve Brown came in third and Chris Henderson came in fourth. • In the race for the Texas House of Representatives District 139 seat previously held by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Kimberly Willis and former City Councilmember Jarvis Johnson appeared headed for a runoff with 94 percent of precincts reporting. Randy Bates came in third in the race and Jerry Ford Jr. came in fourth. • In the Ron Reynolds race for Precinct 7 justice of the peace, Hilary Green and Cheryl Elliott Thornton are headed for a Angelique Bartholomew runoff. • District 29 Congressman Gene Green defeated former Sheriff Adrian Garcia, who sought Kimberly Willis to become the heavily Hispanic district’s first Latino representative. • In the Democratic race for Harris Jarvis Johnson County district attorney, Kim Ogg barely escaped a runoff with 50.8 percent of the vote. Former Judge Morris Overstreet came in second. • Sen. Ted Cruz won his home state of Texas in the Republican presidential race, topping Donald Trump, Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. John Kasich and Ben Carson. Cruz also won in Alaska and Oklahoma. Trump won primaries in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia. Rubio won in Minnesota. • In the Democratic race, Hillary Clinton defeated Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Texas primary, and also won in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Virginia. Sanders won in Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Vermont.
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newstalk
TSU forms Presidential Search Committee HISD hosts The search for Texas Bell said. “While Southern University’s we are targeting a 12th president has begun June deadline, we with the formation of a will not rush the 14-member Presidential process. We will Search Committee aptake the time necespointed by Derrick Mitchsary to make the ell, chair of the TSU right recommendaBoard of Regents. tions and choices.” The committee is The Presidencharged with conducting tial Search Coma comprehensive national mittee will host search for a successor to several forums and Dr. John Rudley, who will meetings led by Derrick Mitchell retire at the end of this Diversified Search, year after nine years of Inc. leading the university. The search Regent Oliver Bell process is designed has been appointed to to be open, but will lead the search comalso protect the mittee, which is comconfidentiality of prised of members of the applicants. university and business “We want to community, including be as transparent regents, faculty and staff, as possible without students, alumni and local jeopardizing inforbusiness leaders. mation entrusted Bell said the search to us by the cantimetable is aggressive didates,” Mitchell Oliver Bell but seeks to include input said. from the entire campus commuIn addition to Bell, other memnity. A tentative goal of June 1 has bers of the search committee are been set to have a new president Ahunanya Anga, Alaina Benford, selected. Dominique Calhoun, Marcus Davis, “We will identify candidates in Tandra Jackson, Sherman Lewis, March and April, interview candiJose Medrano, Fundi Mwamba, dates in April and May and make a Crystal Owens, Edward Stemley recommendation to the board so the Jr., Marilyn Rose, Wesley Terrell board can name a new president,” and Mammo Woldie.
superintendent search meetings
The HISD Board of Education is searching for a new superintendent, and trustees want input from community members about the qualities and traits they would like to see in their next district leader. The board has scheduled meetings in March to gather feedback from the community that will be used to develop a superintendent candidate profile. The dates and times for additional meetings will be announced soon. The firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates has been hired to assist in the superintendent search process. The meetings scheduled are:
Tuesday, March 8
• 9:15 a.m., Welch Middle School, 11544 S. Gessner Dr. • 1 p.m., Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, 7817 Calhoun Rd. (reserved for clergy in District IX and District IV) • 6 p.m., Hines-Caldwell Elementary, 5515 W. Orem Dr. • 6 p.m., Leonel Castillo Community Center, 2101 South St.
Wednesday, March 9
• 7 p.m., Baylor College of Medicine at Ryan, 2610 Elgin St.
Monday, March 21
• 6 p.m., Pin Oak Middle School, 4601 Glenmont St.
Tuesday, March 22
• 9 a.m., Pin Oak Middle School • 6 p.m., Wheatley High School, 4801 Providence St. • 6 p.m., Westside High School, 14201 Briar Forest Dr.
Wednesday, March 23
• 7 p.m., Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St. (reserved for clergy and elected officials in District II)
Thursday, March 24
• 6 p.m., Sharpstown High School, 7504 Bissonnet St. For updates or to complete a candidate profile survey visit www. HoustonISD.org/SupeSearch.
localbriefs A BLACK KATY ISD STUDENT said she has been a victim of racial bullying. Honesti White, a student at Cinco Ranch High School, said a group of girls had been taunting her, but when she defended herself, she was expelled for fighting. “I was the one who was being harassed and bullied now I’m the one expelled from school,” she said. Her mother, Tatiana Rountree, said she complained numerous times to school administrators about the threats and was told they have no record of it. She also said the girls threatened her daughter on social media. Katy ISD said it takes such matters seriously and will investigate to ensure
students’ safety. “However, because this case is still under investigation by Katy ISD Police, we are unable to share any details at this time,” the district said…….. THE NUMBER OF TEXAS GRADUATES taking at least one Advanced Placement Program exam during high school has more than doubled over the past decade, according to a College Board report on the class of 2015. In addition, the percentage of Texas students taking at least one AP exam in high school continues to outpace the national average. “It’s not only important that we continue to see more students taking AP exams in the years ahead, we should also maintain
an expectation for high levels of success,” said Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath………U.S. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Secretary Julián Castro announced that $142 million will be awarded to Texas communities for disaster recovery efforts following significant flooding in the spring of 2015 as well as last fall due to Hurricane Patricia. Houston will receive $66.5 million. The funds will help to meet remaining unmet housing, economic development and infrastructure needs that resulted from thousands of homes and small businesses being damaged or destroyed.
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DEFENDER | MARCH 3 | 2016
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Black ministers rally for Supreme Court nominee Black members of the clergy are taking a stand in President Obama’s battle to nominate a Supreme Court justice to replace the late Antonin Scalia, who died on Feb. 13. More than 100 ministers from across the country recently gathered on the steps of the Supreme Court to pray for the justice selection process. The ministers said they were praying “for President Obama and his constitutional power to nominate a justice that has the professional merit and ideological attitude that represents people of races, gender and faith.” Earlier, leaders of the National African American Clergy Network along with 17 African-American religious leaders sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid calling on them to fully consider Obama’s nominee. “It is unthinkable that members of the Senate and candidates for the highest office of the land would desire to put on hold for almost a year the fulfillment of urgent presidential and constitutional obligations,” the clergy members wrote. “While this delay occurs, critical decisions will hang in the balance that impact millions of Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike. In our opinion, the obstruction projected by some members of the Senate is immoral, unwise, undemocratic and unconstitutional. Moreover, it is an affront to the dignity of the office held by our President.” The clergy members said the historical prec-
edent is clear, and since 1900, six justices have been confirmed in a presidential election year. They also quoted scripture in their letter. “As Christians, Romans 13:1 reminds us, ‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.’ “…Taken together, the moral call is clear: respect the authority of the President, and that of the Constitution, and consider fairly and fully his nominee,” they wrote. Obama recently met with McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley in the White House to discuss filling the vacancy. “Senator Grassley and I made it clear that we don’t intend to take up a nominee or to have a hearing,” McConnell said after the meeting.
Black woman nominee to head Library of Congress President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Carla D. Hayden as librarian of Congress. He said if confirmed, Hayden would be the first woman and the first African- American to hold the position, “both of which are long overdue.” Hayden is CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, a position she has held since 1993. She was nominated by Obama to be a member of the National Museum and Library Services Board in 2010
and was confirmed by the Senate. Prior to joining the Pratt Library, she was deputy commissioner and chief librarian of the Chicago Public Library from 1991 to 1993 “Michelle and I have known Dr. Carla Hayden for a long time, since her days working at the Chicago Public Library, and I am proud to nominate her to lead our nation’s oldest federal institution as our 14th librarian of Congress,” he said. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world.
ABOUT 30 BLACK STUDENTS were escorted from a Donald Trump rally at Valdosta State University in southern Georgia and accounts differ on why they were ejected. Tahjila Davis, a sophomore at Valdosta, said, “We weren’t protesters. We weren’t there to start anything.” She also said she felt “outraged” and “let down” by the university. But Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress said the students were escorted out after cursing. There are also conflicting reports on who asked the students to leave but Childress said it doesn’t matter. “They’re twisting it into something it’s not. They’re trying to make it seem like they were asked to leave because it was ‘Black Lives Matter.’ No, they were advised to leave because they were causing a disturbance and they were using profanity,” he said……..SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS spoke during oral arguments for the first time in 10 years. His comments were directed at a government attorney in a domestic assault case. Some observers said Thomas was previously reluctant to ask questions because he believed his colleagues did enough talking. Thomas also once said, “We have a lifetime to go back in chambers and to argue with each other.” There is also speculation that he spoke out due to the absence of his “ideological partner,” the late Justice Antonin Scalia……..THE NATIONAL BLACK FARMERS Association (NBFA) is offering scholarships for the next generation of farmers. The application deadline is May 2, or until 100 applications have been received. The NBFA Scholarship Program provides scholarships of up to $5,000 to students pursuing agriculture-related study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school. Recipients are selected based upon several criteria, including academic performance, demonstrated leadership and participation in agricultural and community activities, and career goals and objectives. For information visit www.scholarshipamerica.org/ blackfarmersassociation/.
VOLUME 85 • NUMBER 18 MARCH 3, 2016
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Social|Online Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila
Dr. Carla Hayden
Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison
Contributing writers Jasemine Knowles Amber Vernon
The Defender is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. (713-663-6996). The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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entertainment
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Stephan James
Plays Jesse Owens in ‘Race’
S
By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender
tephan James was born in 1993 in Toronto, Canada. He was named a Rising Star at the 2015 Toronto Film Festival on the strength of his impressive performance in the TV mini-series “The Book of Negroes” as well as his portrayal of John Lewis in the civil rights saga, “Selma.” Here, James talks about his latest outing in “Race” as another African-American icon, Jesse Owens (1913-1980). Owens, who was a track and field sensation at Ohio State University, won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics staged in Berlin. Overcoming racism at home and abroad, Owens faced off against Adolf Hitler’s vision of Aryan supremacy at the Olympics, and showed the world that he was the fastest man alive. KW: How did you prepare to play Jesse Owens? SJ: It’s a big story about an iconic figure, so I knew I was going to have my work cut out for me. There were only but so many Youtube “Race” starring Stephan James is currently in theaters. videos I could find of Jesse running and being KW: You’ve played a number of real-life characters. Do interviewed, but I got a sense of how he carried himself and of you feel more pressure to get the role down correctly in those some of his mannerisms. situations than when you’re playing a fictional character? Besides that, having his daughters around really helped SJ: Of course, not that you pay less attention to detail with me understand the kind of man he was. They were able to teach a fictional character. But there is certainly a different degree of me the father he was, the husband he was, and the humanitarian responsibility when you realize this is a real person, a person he was. There were so many things I learned about him which who was looked up to and was so highly regarded in the world. intrigued me that I really wanted to bring to the role so I could Jesse was a legend who had been adored. So, I knew I really had impart what type of person he is, even more so than the type of to do my homework to make certain I was being accurate in my athlete he is. depiction to ensure that people would believe my portrayal of
such a beloved figure. KW: What was it like being surrounded by such an accomplished cast which included Oscar-winners Jeremy Irons and William Hurt, “Saturday Night Live” alum Jason Sudeikis and Carice van Houten of “Black Book?” SJ: It was great. There’s nothing like working with performers of that caliber. I feel almost spoiled to go from “Selma,” where I was working with David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson and Oprah, into “Race” with Academy Award-winners and Jason, who’s accomplished so much in his own right. I’ve been blessed to be able to work with so many A-list performers with a high level of dedication to their craft. And I’ve been able to take something from each one of these performers and bring it to the next project. KW: What is your favorite dish to cook? SJ: Curried chicken and rice. I grew up on Caribbean cuisine, since my parents are from Jamaica. So, I’m big on West Indian food. KW: Who loved you unconditionally during your formative years? SJ: My immediate family. It’s always been like that. KW: Was there a meaningful spiritual component to your childhood? SJ: We certainly went to church growing up. KW: What is the most important life lesson you’ve learned so far? SJ: To never forget the core foundation of what makes you who you are. I try to continue to be myself every day and not let anything around me change that.
what’sup Commentator, author and professor MELISSA HARRIS-PERRY departed her weekend MSNBC show. Harris said she refused to host the show in protest over being pre-empted by election coverage for several consecutive weeks. “Here is the reality: Our show was taken –without comment or discussion or notice – in the midst of an election season,” she wrote in a memo. “After four years of building an audience, developing a brand and developing trust with our viewers, we were effectively and utterly silenced.” Perry later said, “I don’t think anyone is doing something mean to me because I’m a Black person.” An MSNBC spokesperson said many of the network’s
daytime programs had been “temporarily upended” by breaking political news……..LUDACRIS recently spent the day with a group of high school students in Atlanta through his Ludacris Foundation. The rapper and actor partnered with USHER and Usher’s New Look Foundation for a student workshop, and discussed effective leadership and the power of giving back. The Ludacris Foundation was founded in 2001 and has invested more than 10,000 hours in service to youth across the nation……..The new movie “The Perfect Match” hits theaters on March 11. It stars TERRENCE JENKINS as a playboy who meets a beautiful and mysterious woman. Agreeing
to a casual affair, he wants more from their relationship. The film’s co-stars include PAULA PATTON, KALI HAWK, DONALD FAISON and BRANDY NORWOOD. Jenkins is a former co-host of BET’s “106 & Park” and appeared in such films as “Think Like a Man,” “Sparkle,” “Think Like a Man Too” and “Baggage Claim,” which starred Patton…….As part of its national tour, the acclaimed DILLARD UNIVERSITY CONCERT CHOIR will perform at Houston’s Metropolitan CME Church on Saturday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. at 8955 South Freeway and Reed Road. For more information email Metrocme@aol. com or call 713-748-5947.
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Boys & Girls Clubs choose Youth of the Year
T
ea’ Edwards, a senior at Hitchcock High School, was named Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston 2016 Youth of the Year. She has been a member at Johnny Mitchell Boys and Girls Club in Galveston for seven years, where she is a leader tutoring in Power Hour, participating in SMART Girls, SMART Moves, Healthy Habits, Triple Play and Keystone programming. Tea’s impact is not limited to her club. She has completed more than 250 volunteer hours in the Galveston community by leading and organizing numerous events and feeding senior citizens. She is passionate about addressing hunger issues with today’s youth and starting community gardens in urban settings. Tea’ was motivated by the murder of her grandmother and her mother’s alcoholism to
use tragedy as an inspiration for good. She was able to overcome unstable times in her life with the support of club mentors who were able to keep her focused and involved at the club and in school. She is ranked 16 in Hitchcock’s senior class and maintains a GPA of 3.16. She is dually enrolled at College of the Mainland where she completed 27 semester hours of college work that will allow her to graduate from high school with a diploma and an associate’s degree in General Studies. To earn the title of Youth of the Year, candidates must embody the values of leadership and service, academic excellence and healthy lifestyles. The Youth of the Year participates in regional and state competitions. Dallas Collins, a senior at Dickinson High School, was runner-up for Youth of the Year. Kade Grace, a senior at Reagan High School, received third place.
Tea’ Edwards
March: Families asked to read aloud
Spelling bee participants and supporters included (l. to r.) Mickey McGill, Vanessa Reed, Jacqueline Terrell, firstplace winner Isaiah Samuels, second-place winner Michael Minix, third-place winner Rylan Carroll and founder Robert Garner.
Students compete in spelling bee championship The African American National Spelling Bee Championships were recently held at Houston Community College Central Campus. Students from middle schools in Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend and Galveston counties competed for scholarships and prizes. The winning word was “misogynist,” spelled by Isaiah Samuels, a 7th grader at Northeast Christian Academy. Isaiah walked away with the first-place prize, a $1,000 scholarship. The second-place winner was Michael Minix, an 8th grader at KIPP
Polaris Academy for Boys, who received a $500 scholarship. The third-place scholarship of $250 went to Rylan Carroll, a 6th grader at Frank Black Middle School. The AANSBC is a non-profit organization founded in 2010. Its mission is to train students in grades 6-8 in decoding and spelling techniques to enable them to expand their literacy skills and knowledge, improve language development and increase reading and writing levels. For more information visit www.beeaboutit.org.
In recognition of National Read Aloud Month in March, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation has united with 15 local literacy organizations to increase the awareness and importance of reading aloud to children so that they can learn, grow and succeed. “In Houston alone, three out of five children enter kindergarten lacking essential reading readiness skills,” said Dr. Julie Baker Finck, president of the foundation. “Research shows that reading aloud is the single most important activity that parents, grandparents, childcare providers, and teachers can do to help a child develop the foundational skills needed for learning how to read, thus decreasing low literacy rates in our community.” An essential element of a child’s development, reading aloud stimulates brain activity and helps with literacy and developmental skills, It also fosters listening and attention skills, forms interpersonal bonds and self-esteem; and establishes a positive association with books and a love of reading. Additionally, reading aloud in the early years exposes children to story and print knowledge, as well as to words and concepts uncommon in conversations or digital media. In observance of National Read Aloud Month and in conjunction with the National Read Aloud 15 Minutes campaign, the Barbara Bush foundation and 15 local literacy organizations will host an array of literacy awareness programs, events and activities to inspire the community to read aloud to children for at least 15 minutes a day in March and beyond. For information visit www.BushHoustonLiteracy.org.
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Harris County offers business property help The Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) has begun the process of mailing personal property rendition forms to businesses known to have been operating during 2015. If you own tangible personal property that is used to produce income, you must file a rendition with HCAD by April 15. A rendition is a report that lists all the taxable personal property you owned or controlled on Jan. 1 of this year. Personal property includes inventory and equipment used by a business such as furniture and fixtures, supplies, raw materials, and business vehicles, vessels and aircraft. The appraisal district is offering six free workshops to help business owners complete the required personal property rendition forms before the April 15 deadline. The schedule is: • Thursday, March 17, 1-5
p.m., HCAD Offices, 13013 Northwest Freeway, 6th floor • Wednesday, March 23, 1-5 p.m., 13013 Northwest Freeway • Wednesday, March 30, 1-5 p.m., Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road • Tuesday, April 5, 1-4 p.m., Galena Park ISD Administrative Bldg., 14705 Woodforest Blvd., • Saturday, April 9, 8 a.m.noon, 13013 Northwest Freeway • Wednesday, April 13, 1-5 p.m., 13013 Northwest Freeway Those who attend will be able to consult individually with appraisal district staff about personal property taxation and rendition requirements and forms. “We hope these workshops will help business owners avoid the 10 percent tax penalty for those businesses that fail to render or that render late,” said HCAD Chief Appraiser Sands Stiefer. For more information visit www.hcad.org or call 713-957-7800.
Obama budget would increase MBDA funding The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) said President Obama’s fiscal year 2017 budget proposal will help support the growing number of minority-owned businesses in the U.S. “These additional resources would help us serve an even greater number of minority businesses across the nation,” said Alejandra Y. Castillo, MBDA national director. “We also would be able to reach and empower the next generation of minority business leaders through a new program targeted at Alejandra Castillo young entrepreneurs.” Obama’s FY 2017 budget proposal requests $35.6 million for MBDA to expand its services and assistance to the nation’s eight million minority businesses. This represents an increase of $3.6 million over FY 2016 appropriations. MBDA currently funds a national network of minority business centers in 29 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that provide a variety of services to minority-owned firms, including business consulting, procurement matching and private equity and venture capital sourcing.
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cente
KOFI TAHARKA:
BLACK WARRIOR A
By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
s chairman of the National Black United Front, Kofi Taharka is one of the most visible activists in Houston. He has been at the forefront of issues impacting the Black community, whether speaking out about injustice or distributing food to those in need. Taharka describes his style of activism and organizing as “unbought and unbiased.” He has protested the jailhouse death of Sandra Bland, opposed the closure of HISD schools, stood in solidarity with Ferguson over the death of Michael Brown and rallied against the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the murder of Trayvon Martin. In 2012 Taharka was arrested for shutting down the office of Harris County District Attorney Kofi Taharka will be honored Pat Lycos after a jury acquitted a on Sunday, March 6, at 3 pm. white police officer in the videoat SHAPE Community Center, taped beating of teenage robbery 3903 Almeda. Donations of at suspect Chad Holley. least $25 are suggested. For In 2014 he was honored by the info email tributekofi2016@ City of Houston for his diligent efgmail.com or call forts to save the Southmore Station 832-602-3085. Post Office on Almeda. “As the city grows, many of our communities feel under attack,” Taharka said. “That is why you received the response about the post office. It’s not just about the post office. It’s the schools closings, it’s Riverside Hospital, it’s the bricks in Freedmen’s Town.” In a Q&A with the Defender, Taharka discussed the organization and issues confronting African-Americans. Defender: How did you become involved with NBUF? Taharka: I have been in NBUF for approximately 25 years. I got involved in the Houston chapter because I like the message of unity in the community and the standing up to injustice. Defender: What is the most rewarding part of leading the organization? Taharka: Accomplishing victories for our community and mentoring
Tribute planned
Houstonian Kofi Taharka has served as national chairperson of the National Black United Front for the last seven years.
younger members to commit to serving our community. Defender: How is NBUF making a difference? Taharka: Through bold and decisive actions regarding social justice issues. Also our programming, which includes: African-Centered Education, Feed the Hood, Sankofa Study Circle, Acoli/Sankofa Community Garden, Buy Black initiatives, Sankofa Caravan to the Ancestors and coalition building. Defender: What is the greatest challenge facing African-Americans today? Taharka: The global system of white supremacy/racism which manifests itself in all areas of human endeavor, including economics, law, education, media, religion and housing. Defender: How would you describe race relations in Houston? Taharka: White people control or dominate most positions of power in the private and public sectors. Others, including African/ Black people, indigenous/Latino, Asians and others for the most part are trying to improve their position within in this system. [Only] a few such as NBUF are really trying to make structural changes in the power structure of this city or country. Defender: How can the community support NBUF? Taharka: Come to our programs and projects; people power is critical. Financial contributions are also critical. We do a lot with a little.
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rs onstrato and dem Taharka protested police s of all age t. uc miscond
Taharka, Minister Robert Muhamm ad and others called for solidary with Ferguson, Mo.
n honored The City of Housto ts to or eff his Taharka for more help save the South Post Office.
Background
• Native of “Chocolate City, AKA Washington D.C.” • Attended public and Catholic schools • Earned business degree from Morehouse College • Moved to Houston in 1987 • Has served as NBUF national chair for seven years • Hosts “From the Frontline” Thursday, 7 p.m., KCOH-Radio • Married with two children
Taharka joine Housto d other during h n activists is early day with NB s UF.
10 facts about National Black United Front The National Black United Front is a broad-based organization that includes all social, political, religious and cultural sections of the Black community. It is comprised of individuals and organizations that have united to “assume responsibility for working and leading the struggle for a better life for themselves and their children.” Other NBUF facts include: 1. Founded in June, 1980, when representatives from 35 states and five countries gathered in Brooklyn, N.Y. 2. Motto is “Forward Ever, Backward Never.” 3. Statement of purpose is to recognize that no one group or individual leader represents the Black com-
he Houston area for over 80 years
munity, strive for collective representation and work out differences in a tolerant manner. 4. Previous national chairpersons include Brooklyn minister Rev. Herbert Daughtry and Chicago professor Dr. Conrad Worrill. 5. Was at the forefront of the Free South Africa Movement and played a role in forcing economic sanctions against South Africa’s apartheid regime. 6. Serves as key grass roots organizer in the African Centered Education Movement. 7. Launched a 1996 Genocide Petition Campaign against the United States government which produced
more than 200,000 signatures. 8. Joined the 2003 Millions for Reparations Rally at the United Nations in New York and helped to link the reparations movement with the Pan African struggle worldwide. 9. Established a Prison Correspondence Program to keep in contact with “our sisters and brothers behind the walls throughout America.” 10. Works nationwide to combat police brutality, challenge the criminal justice system and oppose the death penalty.
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DEFENDER | MARCH 3 | 2016 defendernetwork.com
Credit reports: Frequently asked questions Your credit history is important to a lot of people – mortgage lenders, banks, utility companies, landlords, prospective employers and more. So it’s especially important that you understand your credit report, credit score and the companies that compile that information, credit bureaus. Most credit scores fall between 600 and 750. A score above 700 usually suggests good credit management while a score below 600 usually indicates bad credit. Here are some frequently asked questions from the Federal Reserve Board. Q. Why is a credit report important? A. Your credit report is important because lenders, insurers, employers and others may obtain your credit report from credit bureaus to assess how you manage financial responsibilities. For example, lenders may use your credit report information to decide whether you can get a loan and the terms, such as the interest rate. Q. Who collects and reports credit information about me? A. There are three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – that gather and maintain the information about you. Q. Where do credit bureaus get their information? A. From your creditors, such as a bank, credit card issuer or auto finance company. They also get information about you from public records, such as
property or court records. Each credit bureau gets its information from different sources, so the information in one credit bureau’s report may not be the same as the information in another credit bureau’s report. Q. Does the credit bureau decide whether to
READY ANSWERS
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grant me credit? A. No, credit bureaus do not make credit decisions. Q. How long does negative information, such as late payments, stay on my credit report? A. Generally, negative credit information stays on your credit report for seven years. If you have filed for personal bankruptcy, that fact stays on your report for 10 years. Information about criminal convictions may stay on your credit report indefinitely. Q. How can I get my credit score? A. In some cases, a lender may tell you your credit score for free when you apply for credit or a loan. You can get one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide credit bureaus by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com or calling 1-877-322-8228. You may also purchase your credit score from any of the credit bureaus by calling them or visiting their websites. • Equifax: Call 1-800-685-1111 or visit www.equifax.com. • Experian: Call 1-888-397-3742 or visit www. experian.com. • TransUnion: Call 1-800-493-2392 or visit www.transunion.com.
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MARCH 3 | 2016 | DEFENDER
opinion
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Rebuild America’s infrastructure I
By REV. JESSE L. JACKSON, SR.
n the presidential campaign, we’ve seen libels on immigrants, fear mongering about Syrian refugees, arguments over Medicare for All and Obamacare, concerns about big money corrupting our politics and more. But too little attention has been paid to the one thing on which there should be consensus within and between the parties: the need to rebuild America now. We didn’t need the horrors of children at risk from fouled lead pipes in Flint, Mich., to know that our infrastructure is dangerously decrepit. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) issues a report card every four years on our infrastructure, detailing the level of our investment deficit. According to the most recent report card, issued in 2013, simply to get the country’s drinking water in safe shape would cost more than $1 trillion over the next 25 years. The report card pegged the immediate cost of fixing at-risk bridges at $76 billion. Add fixing unsafe schools, repairing mass transit, disposing of hazardous waste and maintaining other basics, and ASCE estimated an infrastructure price tag of $3.6 trillion by 2020. That is simply to repair what is. But we face a far larger investment deficit. If we are ever to enjoy widely shared prosperity, we will need a far more competitive real economy. That means 21st century broadband, fast trains, modernized airports, efficient mass transit and a modernized electric grid, just for starters. As Flint demonstrated, we have communities in distress that need special, targeted investment. Community health clinics to replace hospitals that have closed. New schools with modern facilities and equipment. New water systems. New affordable mass transit that makes getting to jobs in the suburbs possible. Public parks that provide a place for children to play. And now catastrophic climate change is causing hundreds of billions of dollars in damage. We need significant research and development to generate the next generation of efficient appliances, cars, buildings and factories. We need public/private partnerships, and public investment, to help retrofit buildings and apartment houses for efficiency and alternative energy. The need is clear. But the price tag should be
seen as an opportunity, not a barrier. We still have not recovered from the financial collapse in 2008. Millions have dropped out of the work force. Some 17 million are still in need of full-time work. We pay to imprison too many and educate and employ too few. In these circumstances, a bold plan to rebuild the country will put people to work, generate demand, and boost a flagging economy. Modernizing our infrastructure would help us compete in the global economy. With interest rates near zero, reputable economists argue that this will pay for itself in increased productivity, employment, wages and tax revenue. If not, we can easily afford it by requiring the wealthy and the corporations to pay their fair share of taxes. This is not and should not be a partisan question. Republican Abraham Lincoln built the railroads and the land grant colleges even in the midst of the Civil War. Republican Dwight Eisenhower built the interstate highway system in the 1950s. The conservative
Chamber of Commerce joins with the AFL-CIO to endorse a major infrastructure plan. Yet, to date, the presidential candidates haven’t stepped up. Republican talk about infrastructure is focused on Trump’s promise to build a wall on the border and get the Mexicans to pay for it. Marco Rubio promises to spend $1 trillion more, but on the military, not on rebuilding America. Hillary Clinton’s proposal on infrastructure – $275 billion over five years – is below what President Barack Obama has called for. Bernie Sanders’ proposal – $1 trillion over five years – is still far short of the ASCE accounting. As Flint has shown, the human costs and risks of allowing our infrastructure to decline are immense. The economic costs are far greater in lost productivity than the price tag of making the investment. Consider this a simple measure of our future. America’s decline will continue for as long as we fail to rebuild the country.
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DEFENDER | MARCH 3 | 2016
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Study links rap music, teen sexual initiation about how often they listened When middle school youth listen to rap music and whether to rap music for three or more hours they believed their peers each day, they are more likely to were having sex. At followbelieve that their peers are having up in ninth grade, the same sex and subsequently more likely youth were surveyed about to initiate sex by ninth grade, whether they had initiated according to a study by researchers sex. at The University of Texas Health Youth who listened to rap Science Center at Houston. music three hours or more The findings were recently each day in seventh grade published in the Journal of were 2.6 times more likely Adolescent Health. Previous to report having had sex two research has shown that sexually years later. The association explicit media, with extreme or became weaker when subtle references to permissive factors like age, gender and sexual behavior, has an impact on Dr. Kimberly Johnson-Baker perceived peer behavior were sexual behavior among youth and that rap music is more likely to have sexually taken into account. explicit messages than other genres. However, researchers found that the In a secondary analysis of 443 predominantly association was partially mediated by perceived Black and Hispanic youth enrolled in a study in peer sexual behavior because youth who believed Houston, middle school students were surveyed their peers were having sex were 2.5 times more
One in three adults not getting enough sleep More than a third of American distress. CDC data found that: adults are not getting enough sleep • Healthy sleep duration was on a regular basis, according to lower among Native Hawaiians/ a new study in the Centers for Pacific Islanders (54 percent), Disease Control and Prevention’s non-Hispanic Blacks (54 percent), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly multiracial non-Hispanics (54 Report. percent) and American Indians/ “As a nation we are not getting Alaska Natives (60 percent) enough sleep,” said Wayne Giles, compared with non-Hispanic M.D., director of whites (67 percent), CDC’s Division of Hispanics (66 percent) “As a nation Population Health. and Asians (63 we are not “Lifestyle changes percent). getting enough such as going to bed • The prevalence at the same time of healthy sleep sleep. Lifestyle each night, rising at duration varied among changes....can states and ranged from the same time each help people get 56 percent in Hawaii morning and turning off or removing the healthy sleep to 72 percent in South televisions, computers Dakota. they need.” and mobile devices • The percentage from the bedroom can reporting a healthy help people get the sleep duration was healthy sleep they need.” higher among people who were The American Academy of married (67 percent) compared Sleep Medicine and the Sleep with those who were never married Research Society recommend that (62 percent) or divorced, widowed, adults aged 18-60 years sleep at or separated (56 percent). least seven hours each night to The CDC recommended that healthcare providers routinely promote optimal health and wellassess patients’ sleep patterns and being. discuss sleep-related problems Sleeping less than seven such as snoring and excessive hours per day is associated with daytime sleepiness. an increased risk of developing Individuals should make chronic conditions such as obesity, getting enough sleep a priority and diabetes, high blood pressure, heart practice good sleep habits. disease, stroke and frequent mental
likely to initiate sex, regardless of the additional factors. “Rap music influences your beliefs about what you think your peers are doing,” said Kimberly Johnson-Baker, Dr.P.H., lead author and faculty associate in the Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research at UTHealth School of Public Health. “It’s a norming agent that tells you that certain things are okay, like drinking alcohol or having sex. It gives you the idea that everyone is doing it. And the more you’re listening to it, the more you’re conforming, so you could see how it would set up a belief about what your peers are doing.” Johnson-Baker said if friends are being critical of the themes in the music, teens may be convinced that it’s not happening around them. She added that parents can play a more proactive role by having open conversations with their kids regarding the themes in rap music while setting clear expectations for responsible sexual and dating behavior.
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MARCH 3 | 2016 | DEFENDER
13
Off-the-court happenings at SWAC tournament Various special events will be held in Houston during the 2016 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament from Tuesday, March 8 to Sunday, March 13. Events include: Tuesday, March 8 – “Tuez Steak Night” will be held at 4 p.m. at Social Junkie, 2412 Washington Ave.
Wednesday, March 9 – The free SWAC College Expo will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on March 9-10 in the 94-95 Room at Toyota Center. “Wednesday Night Live” will be held at Sugarhill Bar and Lounge (2533 Southmore) with live music and “Wednesday Wing Night” at Prospect Park (3100 Fountain View).
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Thursday, March 10 – Quarterfinal play gets underway and is capped off with “SWAC Almuni Live” at the Mosaic Bar & Lounge (5927 Almeda) along with SWAC Thursdays at 5th hosted by 5th Amendment Bar (2900 Travis). Friday, March 11 – Grooves Houston (2300 Pierce) will host the SWAC Official Alumni Happy Hour and Free Friday’s Tip Off Party. The Mosaic Bar and Lounge is home to the SWAC Official Alumni Affair Pre-Party. Sugarhill Bar and Lounge will host the SWAC Official Alumni Kick Off Party. Saturday, March 12 – Once
the SWAC champions are crowned, fans will be treated to a post-game concert at Toyota Center featuring rapper Big Daddy Kane, R&B group Guy, Pop/R&B artist Jeremih and artist Ty Dolla $ign. The concert ticket is included with the tournament championship ticket for Saturday. After-parties will be held at Grooves Houston, Mosaic Bar & Lounge and Prospect Park. Sunday, March 13 – Festivities will conclude with the SWAC Sunday Funday Party at Social Junkie at 2 p.m. For ticket info visit www.swac. org or call 866-446-8849.
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DEFENDER | MARCH 3 | 2016
sports
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TSU Tigers: Griffin ready for SWAC tournament
W
By MAX EDISON Defender
ith one week before the SWAC post-season tournament, which runs March 8-12 at the Toyota Center, the Texas Southern University Tigers show no signs of relinquishing their top spot in
the standings. At 15-1, the Tigers have clinched the SWAC regular season title and the No. 1 seed heading into the tournament. One key to the Tigers’ success has been the intimidating presence of forward Derrick Griffin. The red-shirt freshman (6-foot-7, 235 pounds) has proven to be a force to be reckoned with on the hardwood as well as the gridiron. As an all-state performer in football and basketball at Rosenberg’s Terry High School, Griffin was a five-star prospect in high school with all of the major universities recruiting him. Academic issues prevented Griffin from accepting one of those larger offers, but their loss has been TSU’s gain. In his first year as a freshman wide receiver for the Tigers, Griffin compiled impressive numbers. He had 36 receptions for 709 yards and 11 touchdowns, good enough to garner All- Conference honors. Now as seamless as a hand in glove, Griffin has made the transition to the hardwood for coach Mike Davis’ conference leading hoops squad. Griffin’s 13.2 points per game makes him the team’s third leading scorer and the No. 10 leading scorer in the conference. He leads the team in rebounding, averaging 11.1 rebounds per game, which tops the SWAC. In addition he leads the Tigers in minutes played (33.7). Davis is elated with the production Griffin has provided. “Derrick has been an outstanding addition to our team,” Davis said. “He’s a tremendous athlete who really understands the game. He’s really a big-time weapon for us without us having to run a lot of specific plays for him. We get a lot of layups because no one is going to leave him to help out on the ball. Most of his stuff is screen and roll. “Opponents have to pick their poison on how they play it because we’ve shown we can hurt you with whatever option we choose. His defense has been just as spectacular as his offense. He should be the conference defensive player of the year.” Griffin is happy with the opportunity to continue his academic and athletic career close to home where relatives and friends can see him play. “It is a bonus to be this close to home, playing here at TSU,” Griffin said. “I’m a country boy and the adjustment has been pretty easy.” Whether it’s football or basketball, Griffin attributes his success to two words – hard work. “I just come out here and work hard,” he said. “I want to always be known as a hard worker. I’m a two-sport athlete and now its basketball season.
“I enjoyed the football season. Unfortunately, we didn’t win many games. I’m enjoying playing for coach Davis. We have a really talented team. I don’t look at personal stats. The only thing that matters is we’re winning and having fun doing it.” Griffin led Terry to a state championship as a senior. Now with considerably more talent around him on the hardwood than the football field, his goal is to lead the Tigers to a SWAC tourney crown and a trip to the NCAA tournament. “I’m really excited about the chance to play in March Madness, but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” Derrick continued. “We have a really good team, but we still have room to get better, especially on defense. We just want to work hard, continue to improve and go from there.”
Derrick Griffin
Griffin is a star on the basketball court and also plays football for TSU.
The TSU Tigers won their SWAC regular season championship in four years after defeating Alabama State 96-86 at H&PE Arena. They now head to the SWAC tournament.
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h.s.zone Robinson provides glue for Clear Springs success best effort,” Crawford said. “These girls have been here before and we hold them to high expeclear Springs tations.” High School With the score tied is the home at 10 in the early going of one of the against No. 21 Hightop girls’ high school tower, Clear Springs basketball programs upped the ante to create in the greater Houston chaos and turnovers area. No other Class 6A that translated to a 31school has reached the 16 advantage following regional semifinals five the first quarter. Highof the past six years. tower’s early deficit Clear Springs head only widened as the coach Pam Crawford game wore on. doesn’t cater to the “We play very superstar philosophy. well as a team,” Instead she fosters multiRobinson said. “We contributions from a had our minds set number of different playthat we were going ers. A 76-48 victory over to play hard and not state-ranked and upsetunderestimate them minded Hightower in because they are a the regional quarterfinals good team. provided another blueprint “Once Highfor success. tower gets their Point guard Dymond momentum, it’s Gladney, a sophomore, hard to stop them,” n Tasharian Robinso was the facilitator with 16 Robinson said. “Getting up on them early gave us a points, six rebounds and five assists. Senior Destini big advantage.” Hall was effective from the outside and close to the Robinson said that qualifying for the regional basket to finish with 20 points and eight rebounds. tournament in back-to-back years was an accomJunior JaNay Redic dominated inside (14 points, 15 plishment the team had been gearing for all season. rebounds) to give Clear Springs an insurmountable “We’ve been working hard ever since last early advantage. year when we made the regional tournament to get Then there was the all-around brilliance of back there and win it so we can qualify for the state 5-foot-10 junior guard/forward Tasharian Robinson, tournament,” she said. “We’re excited about getting who added 16 points and nine rebounds. “She is the experience and building on it. the glue of this team,” Crawford said. “Her lead“Our heart is the main reason for our success,” ership, the way she plays, her unselfishness and she said. “We put a lot of dedication and time into this her determination to win makes her one heck of a and we all believe that we can do it. When we play player.” together we’re a very Clear Springs (29-6) good team.” defendernetwork.com has been state-ranked Robinson relishes Find out what schools joined Clear all season and entered her role on the team as Springs in Region III-6A Final Four the postseason No. 10 the player that holds in the Texas Association everything together. of Basketball Coaches “I try to encourage everybody, try to keep them (TABC) Class 6A poll. The Chargers’ get it started all together and try to make sure we’re all on one with suffocating, full-court pressure defense and accord in order to get the job done,” Robinson said. share the ball on offense. “We’re always talking and communicating with each “At this level we have to come in with our other and that makes the job a lot easier.” By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
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MARCH 3 | 2016 | DEFENDER
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sportsbriefs Josh Gordon seeks return After a year-long suspension, former Cleveland Brown wideout Josh Gordon has applied for reinstatement into the NFL, and hopes to return to the Browns organization. Gordon, a Houston native (Lamar High School), was one of the NFL’s dominant young receivers prior to his suspension. He accounted for 1,646 receiving yards in 2013, despite missing two games. Sashi Brown, Cleveland’s executive vice president of football operations, is willing to give Gordon a second chance. “Josh is a tremendously talented young man,” Brown said. “I’ve known him to be generally a good young man. He understands that he’s made some mistakes in the past. I think he’s accountable for those. If he’s done all the things to put himself in that position and clean up some of the mistakes of the past, then certainly we would welcome him back.”
Warriors make history The Golden State Warriors recently became the fastest team to reach 50 wins in a season by defeating the Atlanta Hawks 106-92. Golden State surpassed the mark set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who needed one more game to win their 50th. Reigning league MVP Stephen Curry was elated to set the mark, but said the team’s ultimate goal is to repeat as champions. “Fifty wins is great,” Curry said, “but we’ve got to keep plugging away and staying hungry, because nobody wants to talk about that in June.” The win pushed the defending champions’ record to 50-5.
Crosby earns berth Crosby took the high road to the girls’ Class 5A state basketball tournament. The Lady Cougars knocked off defending regional champion Bryan Rudder 66-56 and rewarded head coach Michelle Trotter with her first trip to the highest stage of the University Interscholastic League ladder. Trotter underwent her second open-heart surgery prior to the start of the season. She had to make a trip to the emergency room during the playoffs. “I feel very blessed,” she said. “I wanted to get the surgery done so that we could have an opportunity to get here.” Crosby scored the game’s first 15 points and led 20-2 before Rudder got it going and finally closed to within one point on three different occasions in the third quarter. Crosby (30-7) never relinquished the lead and held off Rudder behind a team-high 23 points by Shannon Jones. Paris Netherly hit a key three-pointer early in the fourth quarter and finished with 16 points. Sydney Carr added 12 points. Rudder closed down a 31-7 campaign.
Dekaney wins crown Twice in the last four years Spring Dekaney lost in the regional finals. The third try proved to be the charm as the Wildcats stymied Waco Midway 62-55 to earn its first berth in the girls’ Class 6A state basketball tournament since 2012. Dekaney’s season ended in the regional finals in both 2013 and 2015. Despite trailing Midway at halftime Dekaney regained control of the game late in the third quarter and pulled away in the fourth. Dekaney beat Killeen 62-48 in the regional semifinals.
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DEFENDER | MARCH 3 | 2016
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
topevents
SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST LADY VISITS……..The first lady of the Republic of the community to learn about the significance of heart. Dr. Wanda Mott-Russell was the South Africa, Madame Bongi Ngema-Zuma, was honored with a reception hosted by mistress of ceremony. A special performance was provided by Dr. Mary Washington Yvonne and Rufus Cormier, Eileen and Kase Lawal, Judy and Wayne McConnell, (Rapper MD). Those in attendance included Dr. Baxter Montgomery, Akima Taylor, Anita and Gerald Smith and Sonny and Jodie Jiles. The first lady shared with the Rita Rodriquez, Kelly Hodges, Monica Poindexter, Janelle Davis, Dr. Linda Brown audience the vision of her Bongi Ngema Zuma Foundation, which includes a focus on Coleman, Tatyana Thornton, Zaria Coleman, DJ Honey B., Dr. Faye Bryant, diabetes, empowerment of children, women and the aging, education and more. Madame Roxann Chargois and Carolyn Guess……..SISTERS NETWORK PINK ANGEL Zuma stopped in Houston prior to speaking at Jarvis Christian CELEBRATION……..Sisters Network, Inc. recently raised funds College and Wiley College for Black History Month. Guests to benefit its Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP) at the 2016 Defender TOP EVENTS included Texas Southern University First Lady Docia Rudley, Pink Angel Awards Luncheon & Style Show. BCAP provides free More photos on defendernetwork.com Anthony and Dina Alsowayel, Dr. John and Lora Clemmons, mammograms and financial assistance for treatment. The celebration See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ was emceed by FOX 26 anchor Melinda Spauldling. Honorees Wayne and Patricia Luckett, Madeleine Montgomery, Paulwith Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m. included D’Artagnan Bebel, Susan Deison, Regina Dickson, Pastor David Van Atta, Judge Vanessa Gilmore, John Guess and Dr. Chris Hartwell, Winell Herron, Javonna Holmes, Mary Prince, Lee Monroe……..SASSY LADIES GO RED……..Sassy Kim Roxie, Dr. Polly Sparks Turner and Laurie Vignuard. Special guests included Ladies Go Red: The Dr. Evelyn E. Thornton 4th Annual Hip-Hop Heart-Healthy founder/CEO Karen Eubanks Jackson, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congressman Al Affair sponsored by the Health & Human Services facet of the Missouri City Chapter Green, Caleen Allen, Shawntell McWilliams, Dr. John and Judy Foston Standford, of The Links, Inc., is a community service project designed for the Sassy Ladies of Lawson Academy and Yellowstone Academy. Sassy Ladies invited friends, family, and Claude Cummings Jr. and Theldon Branch III.
Eileen Lawal, First Lady Zuma, Yvonne Cormier
Jarmese Morris, Kelly Hodges, Dr. Wanda Mott Russell
Winell Herron, Barbara Seymour
Anita Smith, First Lady Zuma and Judy McConnell
Dr. Carla Ortique Overstreet, Helen Crawford, Jackie Washington, Dolores Smith, Dr. Faye Bryant, Carolyn Guess
Karen Eubanks Jackson, Shawntell McWilliams
Claire Cormier Thielke, Lora Clemmons
Monice Poindexter, Roxann Chargois, Dr. Wanda Mott Russell, Carol Watson
Judy Foston Standford, Dr. John Standford
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