04.02.2026_Defender-e-FULL

To thePOINT DN

Message

Uncertified teachers rise,school workforceshifts

InHoustonclassrooms,thestate’steacher shortageisstartingtofeelveryreal.

AnewreportfromtheUniversityofHouston’sEducation Research Center showsthat Texaslostmorethan5,000teachersin202425, whilethe number of students decreased by 252 over thesameperiod.

Whoisfillingthe gap?

Perthe study, uncertified teachers now makeup8%oftheworkforceacrossTexas(as of2024-25),upfromlessthan1%in2019-20.

Nick Cannon and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas (not pictured) aretrending fortheir declarations of support forDonaldTrump.

from the Reporter

Amongfirst-year teachers,morethanhalfentered classroomswithout completing aformaltrainingprogram,i.e., theEducatorPreparation Program(EPP).

InadistrictlikeHoustonISD,thelargestinthestate,UH researchersfound that thenumberofuncertifiedteachers grew by over 1,900% sincethe statetakeover, from just 106 in 2022-23 to 2,122 in 2024-25. Meanwhile, thedistrictlost over 9% of itsteacherswithstandardcertification.

In Houston, wherethe shareofeconomicallydisadvantagedstudentsgrewfrom59%in2016-17to60.4%in202425,the impact is noticeable

AUHreportfound that over thepastdecade, campuses servingastudent population of more than 75% economicallydisadvantaged students have hadalower proportion of certified teachers

Atthesametime,studentneedsaregrowing.Morestudents requirebilingual supportand specialeducation services

Whiletheteacherworkforceremainsmajoritywhite,that sharehas declined over thepastdecade, dropping to about 54.1% in 2024-25. The proportion of Hispanic teachers has grownto30.2%,and theproportionofBlack teachers has grownto11.9%.Meanwhile,morethan70%ofstudentsare non-white.

Overall, thedatashowa teacherworkforce in transition. WhileTexas,andHoustoninparticular,continuetoadaptto staffingchallenges,shiftsincertificationanddemographics arereshaping howschooldistricts respond.

Nick Cannon andChillimakeheadlines again… butfor somethingelsethistime

Looks like comedian-producerNickCannonand singer Rozonda“Chilli”Thomasaretrendingagain…butthistime they arenot fendingoffdatingrumors.

Cannon recently shared hispolitical opinions during an episodeofhiswebseries,NickCannon’sBigDrive,inwhich he voiced supportfor PresidentDonaldTrump

He wasjoinedbymodel AmberRose, whoclaimed that Democrats“don’tcareabout Blackpeople, don’tcareabout people of color, andthe Republicansdo.”

Cannonreplied,“Iagreewithyou100percent,”andcalled theDemocraticParty “the partyofthe KKK.”

“They don’tcareabout people of color,”Cannonstated,

addingRepublicans “freed theslaves.”

He immediatelypositionedhimself as politicallyindependent

“And honestly,Idon’t subscribetoeither party,”hesaid.“IrockwithW.E.B.DuBois, when he said there’snosuchthing as two parties. It’s just oneevilparty with twodifferent names. ”

Thisquicklysparkedonlinedebates,with manyuserscallingtheremarksmisinformed andirresponsible.Othersapplaudedhimfor hiscandidremarks.

Meanwhile,“Chilli”isclarifyingherstance onmakingdonationstocampaignslinkedtoTrump,following aTheIndependentreportthatsaidshemadenearly$1,000in donationstoTrump’s campaign in 2024.

Now, thesingersaysshe wasmisinformed aboutwhere hermoney wasgoing

“I WANT TO BE CLEAR: Iamnot MAGA anddonot supportanyofthemanypoliciesthatarecausinggreatharm to theAmericanpeople,”she wroteonInstagram.“Imade amistake toomanymake: Idid notreadthe fineprint.I thoughtIwas supporting causes againsthuman trafficking andfor veterans.”

What startedascelebrity chatterhas turned into awhirlwindofdebatesandasnapshotofhowfastcelebritymoments canturnpolitical.

HISD fast-tracksmiddleschoolers toward AlgebraIbyeighthgrade

HoustonISD is making abig betonmathand starting earlier than ever

Beginningthisfall, allsixth- andseventh-graders will be placed on an acceleratedmathtrack designed to prepare them forAlgebra Ibyeighthgrade

“Thesoonerstudents getintoAlgebra I, thesoonerthat opensupadditionalpathwaysinhighschooltotakeadvanced math coursesand exploremorecareeropportunities,” said TracyFox,HISD’sexecutive directorofmathand science.

Perthenon-profit,GoodReasonHouston,takingAlgebra Iineighthgradeislinkedwithahigherlikelihoodofattainingapostsecondary credential andearning alivable wage in youngadulthood

Thisfindingcoincides with an increase in Houston-area eighth-graders enrolled in thesubjectsince 2023, when the statelegislature passed Senate Bill 2124, whichmandated that districtsimplement advanced algebrapathwaysfor high-achieving fifth-graders.

ON THEWEB

•KPGeorge’sfelonyconvictionleavesFortBendoffice in limbo.

•Texas school voucherprogram draws massivedemand butfew public students.

•IsHouston thenew spring breakhotspot destination?

News DN

More join Texas HUB lawsuit

By ReShonda Tate

A coalition of minority- and women-owned businesses escalated their legal battle against the state, filing an expanded lawsuittoblockwhattheydescribeasa“disturbingandunconscionable”dismantlingof the Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program.

The updated complaint, filed in Travis County state court, now challenges both a December 2025 emergency rule and newly proposed March 2026 regulations issued by Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock Plaintiffs warn that the state’s actions have effectively gutted a decades-old program designed to ensure fair access to state contracts.

A drastic reduction in opportunity

The legal challenge centers on a series of rule changes that have fundamentally altered the landscape of state contracting. According to the filing, the Comptroller’s actions have:

• ReducedthenumberofHUB-certified businessesinTexasfromapproximately 16,000 to roughly 500.

• Drastically restricted access to billions ofdollarsinpotentialstatecontracting opportunities

• Exceeded executive authority by rewritingstatutorydefinitionsofHUB eligibility.

“The Legislature created the HUB program,andtheComptrollerisnowtrying not once but at least twice to dismantle it without authority,” said Alphonso David, civilrightsattorneyandco-leadcounselfor the plaintiffs.

well as leaders from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Health and Human Services (HHSC), and the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC).

The plaintiffs argue that the harm is spreadingacrossmultipleagenciesthathave allegedlystoppedcomplyingwithstatutory HUBreporting,planning,andsubcontracting obligations

The human cost of decertification

The impact of these changes is already being felt by small business owners across the state. The updated lawsuit adds new plantiffs,includingtruckers,childcare,construction firms, healthcare suppliers, and a trade association representing over 150 minority- and women-owned contractors.

Seeking immediate relief

The plaintiffs are asking the court for a temporary injunction to immediately halt theemergencyandproposedrules.Theyare alsoseekingthereinstatementofHUBcertificationsforallaffectedbusinesseswhilethe litigationcontinues.

Expanding the legal net

The lawsuit has grown in both scope and defendants. In addition to Hancock, the complaint now names Adriana Cruz, executive director of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office (EDT), as

SNAPOVERHAUL

Co-lead counsel Adam Schuman noted thatthestatecannot“sidesteptheLegislature” througha“misguidedrulemakingprocess.”

“Every day these rules remain in effect,” David added, “more businesses are pushed outofopportunityandclosertoshuttingtheir doors.”

Sweets now banned on Lone Star cards

By ReShonda Tate

MillionsofTexansnowfaceastarklydifferent experience at the grocery checkout line, as the state implements sweeping new restrictions on what families can purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The shift, aimed at steering 3.3 million residents toward more nutritious options, marksasignificantoverhaulofhowtheLone Star Card can be used for daily essentials

Navigating the new restrictions

Under the updated guidelines from the TexasHealthandHumanServicesCommission (HHSC), sugary snacks and drinks that werepreviouslyeligiblearenowoffthetable. Thechanges,whichstemfromstatelegislation passedlastyear,targetitemsthatleadersargue contributetopoorlong-termhealthoutcomes

AsofApril1,thefollowingitemswillno longer be covered by SNAP:

• Sweetened Beverages: Any drink containing more than five grams of added sugar or any amount of artificial sweetener.

• Candy: Chocolate bars, sour candy, gum, and taffy

• CoatedSnacks:Nuts,raisins,orfruits that have been candied, glazed, or coatedinchocolate,yogurt,orcaramel

While staple items like meat, dairy, and freshproduceremaineligible,shoppersare being urged to check Nutrition Facts labels carefully for added sugars and artificial sweeteners before reaching the register

A policy for public health

Stateleaders,includingGov.GregAbbott, haveframedthemoveasanecessarystepin aligning government assistance with better nutrition.

“Texas is leading the way in aligning SNAPbenefitswithhealthierfoodoptions,” Abbottsaidinastatement,notingthegoalis toensurefamiliesaccessfoodthatsupports their well-being

The policy follows a state request approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2025, allowing Texas to become oneofthefewstatestostrictlylimitspecific foodcategorieswithinthefederalprogram.

The “Access Point” risk

However,thetransitionisnotwithoutits critics. Advocacy groups like Every Texan warnthatthenewrestrictions—pairedwith proposedfederalrulesrequiringretailersto carry more expensive perishable goods— could backfire.

Thegrouparguesthatthesedualrequirementsmayforcesmallercommunitygrocers to opt out of the SNAP program entirely, creating “food deserts” in neighborhoods that rely on them most

“Addingrequirementsforexpensiveperishableitemswhilesimultaneouslyrestricting SNAP purchases of shelf-stable items compromises millions of Texans’ health by risking their access points to food,” the group stated

Forhouseholdsnavigatingthesechanges, someitemsthatappearsimilartorestricted foods may still be allowed if they are intendedforcooking,suchasbakingchocolate or cake decorations. Households are encouragedtostayinformedthroughHHSC updates to avoid surprises at the point of sale

News DN

Homeless funding at risk?

ByTannistha Sinha

More than 400 volunteers and outreach workers fanned out across Houston and surroundingcountieslastweek,canvassing under bridges, in wooded encampments, along city streets and bus stops, for the region’sannualPoint-in-Time(PIT)homeless count and survey

Led by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH), the countprovidesaone-nightsnapshotofhow manypeopleareexperiencinghomelessness acrossHarris,FortBend,andMontgomery counties

Results from the 2026 count will be released this summer.

The Defender went on a ride-along with the organization to understand the on-ground realities of addressing homelessness in Houston.

Bythenumbers

According to the 2025 PIT analysis prepared by the University of Houston, 3,325 peoplewerecountedasexperiencinghomelessness, a slight increase of 45 individuals from 2024.

Ofthose,1,282peoplewereunsheltered, living in places not meant for human habitation. That marked a 15.8% increase in unsheltered homelessness compared to the previous year

The rise reverses a temporary dip and signals a growing need for outreach and housing solutions targeted toward those sleeping outdoors

The 2025 data reveal stark demographic patterns

Blackindividualsremained“significantly overrepresented”,makingup56%ofthetotal homelesspopulation,despiteaccountingfor a much smaller share of the region’s overall population

Whiteindividualscomprised28%,while Hispanic individuals accounted for 12%

On the ground during this year’s count, outreach workers said the numbers reflect what they see daily.

“I do see, unfortunately, a lot of young Black males. The African American population is experiencing homelessness quite a bit,”saidJeremySanders,anoutreachworker at the coalition, during a ride-along interview “Somecomefromincarceration,then

try to reestablish their lives and don’t have the same fortunate opportunity to do so as quickly as others Drugs play a part; some are already dealing with addiction.”

Discussingthementaltollofhearingthe stories of those they count, Sanders and Jackie Urbina, another outreach worker, emphasized how quickly housing instabilitycanhappen:“Onemedicalincident,one tragedy, one paycheck away.”

“Theyjustreallywouldliketheirstoryto be heard. It’s really hard not to be affected by them,” Sanders said “Because we’re human too and we have our own stories.”

Funding andwhat comes next

ThePITcountandrelateddatainfluence HoustonandHarrisCounty’shomelessness response and federal funding.

Renee Cavazos, vice president of the Homeless Response System, said the PIT countisrequiredbyHUDeveryotheryear, butHoustonconductsitannuallytobetter track trends and the service gap.

The results factor into HUD’s annual

VOLUME 95, NUMBER 24 - APRIL 2, 2026

NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) scoring. If the PIT count increases, the region could lose points and potentially funding, while a decrease could improve scoring, though HUD does not fully explain its methodology.

The local Continuum of Care (CoC) receives about $70 million annually, the organization said “OurCOCdollarshaveremainedpretty consistentoverthepasttwoyears,”Cavazos said “We’veactuallygrownourCOCportfolio by about 25% over the past three or four years. We’ve seen additional dollars through HUD through the program. ”

Catherine Villarreal, vice president of public affairs at the coalition, added that COVID-era federal dollars (CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act) boosted permanent housing efforts beginning around 2021, but those funds are winding down,reducingthenumberofpeoplewho can be housed compared with prior years.

“Wehavenotbeenabletohouseasmany peoplein‘25aswedidin‘24,”Villarrealsaid

Cavazos and Villarreal noted that PIT counts are snapshots that can under- or overcount,sothesystemalsoreliesonHMIS (Homeless Management Information System), a shared database used by providers to track clients’ pathways across agencies.

Both emphasized that Houston’s approachtoaddressinghomelessnessisdue to regional collaboration among nonprofits and local government Major barriers include mental and physical health needs, lack of affordable housing, and evictions, although evictions do not automatically equal homelessness.

They also extended support for the Housing First policy for permanent housing,butarguethatthenextphasemustadd upstream interventions, such as rapid resolution and improved discharge planning from jails and hospitals.

Stories behind the statistics

Formanysurveyed,thepathintohomelessness ties to health and income

Sanders and Urbina spotted two unhousedmenonHighway59North.They askedthemquestionsaboutthereasonsfor homelessness, abuse, disability, domestic violence, and other details.

The final results of the survey will be released by an epidemiologist in a few months

Ryan (last name withheld for privacy) toldoutreachstaffhelosthishousingafter his mother died The combined Social Securityincomethatoncecoveredrentand food disappeared, leaving him unable to keep up with expenses Wayman, another man,stayinginhiscar,saidhewaswaiting toseeifhewouldpassabackgroundcheck for a job he had lined up

Survey data from 2025 mirrors those accounts.Thereportidentifiesfamilyconflict,lackofincome,andjoblossasthemost commonly cited causes of homelessness.

About 40% of unsheltered individuals reported it was their first experience of homelessness, while 89% entered homelessness while living in the Houston area

About half of unsheltered individuals had no matching record in the region’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), indicating they had not yet engaged with formal services

Christian Menefee argues that it’s time fora changein Congress.

Credit: Christian Menefee Facebook

Al Green, Christian Menefee

Maketheir case to lead District18

By ReShonda Tate

Thepolitical fightoverTexas’new congressionalmapwassupposedtoreshapethe balanceofpowerinWashington.Instead,it has reshaped Houston.

What beganasaRepublican-led redistricting push to strengthen GOP seatshastriggeredanunexpected Democraticshowdowninthe heartofBlack Houston. A newlyredrawn District 18 nowplacesfreshmanU.S Rep. ChristianMenefee andlongtimeincumbent U.S. Rep. Al Greenon the same primaryballot Menefee,whojusttookoffice afterwinning aspecial election to fill thelateRep.Sylvester Turner’s seat in January, is nowrunning forafull term in adistrictmadeuplargely of new voters underthe revisedmap.Meanwhile, Green, oneofthe most senior membersof Texas’ congressionaldelegation, is seekingreelectionafter theLegislature reconfiguredhis longtime district to lean more Republican, promptinghis move into the redrawn 18th.

Christian Menefee: It doesn’t matter howmuchyou go alongtoget along. What mattersisyourwillingness to standup, to fightstrategically,and it’s goingtoactuallydeliver resultsfor people Andthat’sexactly what Idid as County Attorney,was figure outwaysto fightbackagainst theTrump administration,against theAbbottadministration, to make sure we have cleanair and water, to protectour voting rights, to protect health care programs That’s thetypeoffighting spirit we need in Washington, notperformativefighting, notcosmeticfightingfor cosmetic reasons, butfightingthat’sactually goingtoyield resultsfor thepeoplewho live in ourcommunities.And Ithink I’m theonlycandidate that presents that.The only candidatewho will step in on dayone andbethoughtful, surgical in attacking theadministrationand protectingthe rights of thepeoplewho live in ourdistrict.

Wealth-buildinginadistrict stillrecovering

District 18 includes working-classfamilies,smallbusinessowners,seniorsonfixed incomes, andcommunities still navigating theaftershocksofinflation,storms,andeconomicdisruption. Whatspecificfederal policieswouldyou championtoexpand wealth-building opportunitiesfor BlackHoustonians -whether throughhousing, smallbusiness accesstocapital, federalcontracts, workforcetraining,or studentdebtrelief?

TheDefenderasked both candidates to maketheirfinalcasedirectlytovotersahead of Election Day.

Whynow—andwhyyou? District18carriesapowerful legacy,fromBarbaraJordanto MickeyLelandtoCraigWashington toSheilaJacksonLeetoSylvester Turner.Ithaslongbeenaseat anchoredincivilrightsleadership andBlackpoliticalpower. Whyareyoutherightleader forthismomentinHouston’s history,andwhatwouldyoudo differentlyfromyouropponent inyourfirstyearinoffice?

Al Green: This race,at itsessence,isabout whohas demonstratedthe courage to confront President Trump face to face as Ihavein public forms. Thelatesttime occurred during theState of theUnion event, whilemy opponentwas campaigninginHouston.Ihavethe courage to standuptothe Trumpcryptocronies that arealigned with my opponent and spending $1,500,000 in theMenefee Republican-fundedcampaigntodefeat me.Whencourage counts, youcan countonAlGreen

Menefee: Thereusedtobe atimeinthiscountry whereyou could work forever. Butright now, people aren’t able to do that.They’re still notmaking ends meet.Ifsomething happenstotheir health,itcould setthemback financiallya decade,and they’re retiring much later. In some instances, they’renot retiring at all.WhatI’m goingtodo, every single thingIcan do,istoput more moneybackinpeople’s pockets. That meansincreasing theminimum wage to at least $15 an hour so that folksdon’t have to work threejobsjustto be able to make ends meet.It meansfightingfor health care for everysingleperson, single-payer universalhealthcaresothat nobodyhas to choose betweenputting food on thetable andgetting life-saving treatment. It meansincreasingthe number of apprenticeship programs becauseright nowwehaveanextreme shortage of folks

in skilled laborjobslikeplumbers, like electricians,likeconstruction. Thetypes of jobs that if youworkfor agoodamountof time youcan earn high sixfigures andbe able to raisea family.Itmeans doingall we cantomakecollege affordable.Mybasic agenda is puttingmoremoney back in people’s pockets so that they canaffordand enjoyAmerica. TheTrump administrationand Republicans arerunning theopposite direction on that right nowand Iplantotry to rein them in andget policy passes to putmoremoney back in people’s pockets. Green: To increase wealth-buildingopportunities forBlack Houstonians, we must addressinvidious discrimination in thefinancial services industry andhelp individualsachieve homeownership. To this end, Ihaveintroducedand sponsoredmanybills in Congress,including H.R.166, theFairLendingfor AllAct, aseminal pieceoflegislation that Ihave introduced to addressdiscriminationin lending. This legislationwould impose criminal penaltiesfor discrimination in lendingand wouldrequirethe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to establish an Office of Fair LendingTesting to hold predatoryinstitutionsaccountable. If we aretohelpBlack Houstoniansand other communitiesofcolor buildwealth, we must root outthisspecific form of discrimination. Iamalsoaproud co-sponsor of Rep. MaxineWaters’ H.R.6771, the HousingCrisisResponseAct,acrucial bill that wouldprovide $150 billiontobuild nearly 1.4 millionaffordablehomes.This bill wouldhelpaddress theracialwealth gapbyinvesting in first-time, first-generation homebuyers,and it is long overdue.

Black womenmakinganimpactinHouston sports SHE’SGOTGAME

By TerranceHarris

Sarah Joseph

SarahJosephdidn’treallyknowwhatshewasgettingintowhen shefirstjoinedtheRocketsorganizationastheCommunityRelationsDirectorin1994.

AllJosephknewwasthatshewasbeingofferedanopportunity thatalignedwithhercareeraspirationsandwasjoiningaf freshoffwinninganNBAChampionship.

“I didn’t know wherethiswas going,”Josephsaid. “I evenknowthispositionexisted.Ireallydidn’t.”

But as Joseph haddoneinher previous career at Chan shejumpedright in andmadeither ownand used herp to positively impact thecommunity by increasing ther theRockets’organization

Now,nearly32yearsandafewpromotionslater,Joseph ofthefranchise’smoreinfluentialandrecognizedfacesas presidentofcommunityrelationsandevents.Josephspe allaspectsoftheRockets’communityinitiatives,includin programs,fundraising, charitable partnerships andeve youthoutreach. Additionally,she worksdirectlywithR playersindevelopingindividualized programs forhow involvedintheHoustonArea

JosephjoinsTexasSouthernAthleticDirectorDr.Pau son,AstrosFoundationExecutiveDirectorandAstrosSe ofCommunityAffairsEmeldaDouglasandPrairieView AssociateAthleticDirector/SeniorWomanAdministrator

d not el 13, sit on ch of sone evice eads ervice , and cke s ey get

JackrVP n or cia

PeteasfourBlackwomentheDefenderfoundtobeimpactfulin Houston’ssportsmarketincelebrationofBlackWomen’sHistory

MonthinApril

“IabsolutelyenjoyitjustbythemerefactofwhatIdoisimpactingthiscommunity,and that’s helping so many people,” Joseph saidofher role.“It’s also beinginsports. Sports arefun,atleast attheRockets.It’sbeenaballtohavethisposition.

“Ourofficeisnotatraditionaloffice.Everythingaboutitisfun. Butwhenitcomes to theimpactthatwe

munity, whe youthin of30yearsofbeingab eto touch ives,tohelpthecommunity wetakethatveryserious y ” Since joining the Rockets n 1994, she has transitioned from community rela ons d rector to vice president of community relations and events Joseph s one of the longest-tenured executives in the organ zation starting out undertheleadershipof formerownerLesl e Alexander and nowworkingfor Ti man Fert tta who took over as the Rocke s owner in2017

As the Rockets’ vicepresident fo and events, Sarah Joseph spe aspectsofthe Rockets’ community includingservice programs, fun charitable partnerships and ev youth outreach. Credit:Houston

ommunity heads al atives sing, and ets

Emelda Douglas

Emelda Douglashas spent hercareeratthe intersection of philanthropy,leadership andcommunity engagement theexecutive director of eAstrosFoundationand Sr ce PresidentofCommunity Affairs forthe HoustonAstros, etookoverlastyearfrom ulaMcCannHarris, who dthe Foundation foralmost ur years. Douglasispoisedto keHouston’sbelovedbaseball am’s charitable armtonew ights. With abackgroundinnonofit leadership andyouth powermentinitiatives shaslongchampioned rvedcommunities.He rthe Astros is clear: ecommunity progra ocus on education, dyouth engagement

Emelda Douglas is making abig impactasthe executivedirector the Astros Foundation and Sr.VicePresident Community Affairsfor the HoustonAstros.

Courtesy: Emelda Douglas

increasingdiversityinbaseball

“Myinitial focusisbuilding strongcommunityconnections throughmeaningfulstakeholder dialogue,” Douglassaid. “We want to bringnew initiatives with themostsignificantcommunityimpact.I’mparticularly passionate aboutliteracyand wellness programs foryouth andwomenfrommarginalized communities.”

OneofDouglas’primary goalsisincreasingaccess to baseball foryoung athletes of color.Underherleadership,the Astros Foundation will maintain23CityofHoustonbaseball fieldsinunderserved communities andprovide uniforms to over2,000youthatnocost.

Alicia Pete

AliciaPetehasbeeninvolvedwith PrairieViewinsomecapacityalmost as long as she canremember. Shestarted outasa volleybal player forthe Panthers,cameback initiallyasthe bowlingcoach,then became theirhighlysuccessfulvolleyball coachbeforetransitioning over to theadministrativeside, wherePeteisnow theseniorassociateathleticdirector/seniorwoman administrator.

In all, Pete hasworkedfor her almamaterfornearly30years,where shehas made ahugedifference for thestudent-athletes.

Earlierthismonth,Petewasgiven theSWAC’sGameChangeHerAward inrecognitionofherleadership,service andcontinued commitment to advancingequityand opportunity.

“Justgivingbacktothe student athletesbecauseIwasastudentathlete when we didn’t have as much,”

said Pete,who guided thePanthers volleyball team to itsfirst NCAA Tournament appearance in 1999 andwastwicenamedSWACCoach of theYear. “Somygoalistowork withthestudentathletesasmuchasI caninmentoringandleadershipand anythingIcandojusttogetthemon theright track.”

Pete’simpactonwomen’ssportsat PrairieViewisfeltand appreciated by allonTheHill

“She hastouched everything at PrairieViewathletics,” said Panthers’ softballcoach Vernon Bland.

“I don’tthink we wouldbeinthe places that we arewithout her. She is everybody’sgo-to.

“Idon’tknowwherewewouldbe withouther.”

Paula Jackson

thatsheisseriousabouttakingonthe athletic director role at TSU, andas proof,shehasrelocatedtoHouston

Prairie View Associate AthleticDirector Alicia Pete wasrecently awardedthe SWAC’s Game ChangeHer Awardfor her outstanding work as the senior women’s administrator

Lastfall,Dr.PaulaJacksonstepped into oneofthe most challengingsituationsofhercareerwhenshecame aboardastheTexasSouthernUniversity’sinterimathleticdirectorafterthe school putits then Athletic Director KevinGrangeronleaveofabsencein thewakeofsexualchargeshefaced Jacksonhas sincesteadiedthe ship andhas focusedonmarketing fundraisingand hersignature NIL initiatives. Sherecentlyfacilitated herHBCUMasterclass,which she initiatedwhile an administratorat NorfolkState University,onTSU’s campus JacksonisaveteranHB istrator with over 25 yea rience includingstops University,Mississippi V Hamptonand Norfolk is stillunder theinterim thoughGrangerhasoffic fired.ButJacksonhasmad

Dr.PaulaJackson, aveteran college administrator steppedintothe interimathletic directorroleat TSUlastfalland immediately hitthe ground running

BCUadminars of expeat Lincoln Val ey State State She m tag even cia lybeen de tc ear

“Through herexperience and dedication,Dr. Jacksonhas also expanded learning opportunities forourstudent-athletesandcampus communityinthe rapidlyevolving Name,Image,and Likeness (NIL) landscape,”saidTSU President JamesCrawfordIII. “That exposure is invaluable as we position Texas Southern University to compete effectively in this newera of intercollegiateathletics. Equallyimportant hasbeenher steadfastadvocacyfor ourstudent-athletesand theircoaches Underher leadership,several of our programshavereachednewheights.

HarrisCountyleads in Blackmaternaldeaths Feature DN

By LauraOnyeneho

Texashas long struggledwithmaternal healthoutcomes,butnewdataunderscores adevastating realityfor Blackwomen,particularlyinHouston’s backyard

Racial disparitiesinmaternaland infant healthoutcomesarewell-documented.HarrisCountystandsoutasaparticularlystark example, with high ratesofmaternaland infant mortalityand maternal morbidity that often surpassbothTexas andnational averages

Thisisstrikinggiventhecounty’sdiverse population of nearly fivemillion residents, includinga significant Blackdemographic Dr.ErickaBrown,Alocalhealthauthorityat HarrisCountyPublicHealth,saysthecrisis is rooted in longstandinginequities.

“Thedisparities we seein Harris County andacrossTexas reflect longstanding gaps inaccess,quality,continuityofcare,andsystemicinequities,”Brownsaid.“Blackwomen aremorelikelytoexperiencebarriersto timelydiagnosisandtreatment,lesslikelyto havetheirconcernstakenseriously,andmore likelytodeliverinunder-resourcedsettings.”

Brownsaideveninaregionhometo theTexas MedicalCenter, access remains uneven.Chronic conditions such as hypertensionand cardiovascular disease, often shaped by inequities in preventive care, housing,andeconomicopportunity,further increase risk.She said that when thosefactors collide with gaps in care coordination, preventablecomplicationsbecomepreventable deaths

Accordingtothe 2024Maternity Care DesertsReportfromthe MarchofDimes, womenlivingincountieswithout adequate maternitycarefacehigherrates of preterm birth, lowbirthweight,and maternal complications.Inemergencies such as hemorrhage, preeclampsia,orsepsis, longertravel timescan mean thedifference betweenlife anddeath

Importantly, many maternal deaths occurafterdelivery, often within thefirst yearpostpartum.Incaredeserts,follow-up appointments, mental health services,and cardiovascular monitoring areharderto access

LaToyia Dennisknows that reality firsthand

Thematernalhealthadvocateand founderofA Chance to Learnnearlydied twiceduringher pregnancyjourney.She miscarriedfivetimes.Duringoneloss,doctors told hershe arrivedatthe hospital just minutesbeforeitwould have been toolate. Later, when shebecamepregnantagain, ahospital incorrectlytoldher shehad miscarriedandneededadilationandcurettage.

The disparities we seein Harris County and across Texasreflect longstanding gaps in access, quality, and continuityof care,aswell as systemic inequities. Credit: ChatGPT

“Because Iwas exhausted, Iwould have walked across thestreetand abortedmy baby,” Dennis said.“An ultrasound later revealed my baby wasalive.”

Dennis waseventuallydiagnosed with gestational diabetes andpreeclampsiaand delivered twomonthsearly.Daysafter returninghome,herbodybeganseizingand releasingfluid. Herblood pressure soared Shesurvived,butyearslater,aphysiciantold herthatwhatsheexperiencedisoftenfatal

“Shesaid,‘Ihavenevermetanybodywho hasmadeit,’” Dennisrecalled.“When your bodystartsreleasing fluid,yourorgansare shutting down,and youare dying.”

Now,Dennistravelsthecountryadvocatingformaternalhealthequity.Shesaidone ofthemostpersistentbarriersBlackwomen face is notbeing heard.

“Itisasifwecan tolerate this enormous amount of pain,”Dennissaid. “You’reokay. It’sgoingtopass.Andloandbehold,you’re in pretermlabor at 20 weeks.”

Shealsopointstosocialdeterminants of health,suchasfooddeserts,transportation barriers,and economic instability, that placewomen of coloratgreater risk.Culturalcompetencyinhealthcare remainsinconsistent, particularly around conditionslikegestationaldiabetesandpreeclampsia,whichcanhavelingeringeffects beyond delivery.

“Manysystemicchanges andinterventionsarebeingimplementedtoaddressthe Blackmaternalmortalitycrisis.Thisincludes publichealthinitiativesthatpromoteawareness of thecrisisand actionsthatmustbe taken,includingculturallyandtimelyaccess to care,” Brownsaid. “Policyreforms arein place,whichaimtoprovideaccesstobetter care andhealthcareservicesbeing covered

underinsurance.”

Duringthe2023legislativesession,Texas passedHB12,extendingpostpartumMedicaidandCHIPcoverageforeligiblewomen, ensuringvitalpostpartumcareservices.This extensionbenefits enrolled participants by providingaccesstoregularcheckups,mental

healthcare,andtreatmentforspecialhealth needsand preexistingconditions.

Forwomen navigating pregnancynow, Dennis urgespreparation andpersistence Have someoneinthe room.Ask questions untilyouunderstand.Ifaproviderdismisses concerns,find another.

Alexus Rhone

Embodies artistic spirit

By AswadWalker

AskAlexusRhone abouther roots, and she’ll tell youwithout hesitation:“From SouthParkVillageconcretegrewthis‘YellowRoseofTexas.’”

That grounding—equal partsHoustongritand BlackSoutherngrace—runs througheverythingshe creates.

An alumna of WillowridgeHighSchool andtheUniversityofTexasatAustin,Rhone isalsoseminary-trainedandproudlyclaims membershipinwhatshecallsthenotorious “first-borngirlchild gang.”

“Wedon’t play.Weget things done.We throwhands,” she says

That mixofintellect,irreverence,and unapologetic Blackwomanhood hasmade Rhonearespectedartistacrossmultipledisciplines,includingauthor,spoken-wordpoet, playwright,podcaster,director,andmore.

Rhonebuilt much of herartisticreputationinNorthCarolinaandonnationalstages. Butwhatbegan as apit-stopvisit home has turned into arelocationand relaunch in Houston—oneshe approaches with clarity aboutwhosheisandwhatsheoffers.

“Iamanartistictheologianandamaster storyteller,” Rhonesays. “I tell storiesabout thesweetnessofBlackgirlsandthecompassion of Blackwomen…Givemeamic and astage.Igot it.And Igot you. ”

Artistic theologian

Rhone’sself-description is deliberate

“Myartformisstorytelling,”sheexplains. “I attended seminary andhaveaMasterof Arts in Theology. My intentionwas never to be in apulpit,but to explorethe presence—orperceivedabsence—ofGodinour livedreality.”

Sheexploresthosequestionsthroughvariedstory forms, some instructional, most not.

“I’m reverently irreverent,” Rhonesays. “I’mnotforallaudiences.ButtheonesIam for, Iamloved,and lovedwell.”

That sensibilityisrootedinher upbringing

“One of thethingsthatisrealfor Black women, particularly in under-resourced spaces,isthe presence of Godinthe Black church,”shesays.“Butalsothewilesofwhat we’dcallthedevil.Igrewupinasingle-parenthouseholdwherethechurchwascentral. AndalotofwhatIseeinthepublicsphere, they gotwrong.”

ForRhone,faith andstrugglecoexist

“The‘reverent’partislovingGod,” she says.“The ‘irreverent’ part is knowingthat sometimesyou’vegottogetyourhandsdirty.”

Thatrefusal to be boxedinaligns with

Rhone’screativeinspirations: Nola Darling fromShe’sGottaHaveItandClaudine,portrayed by DiahannCarroll

“Itbecomes away of practicingperfect self-expression,”shesays.“Dothethingthat feelsgoodand gets youthe resultsyou’re after.”

From author to multifaceted artist

Rhonehas neverclaimed neutrality

“WhatIwantedwastobesuccessfulwith significance,” shesays. “Alexusthe artist beganasLex thewriter.”

Herearly missionfocused on Blackgirls whohad decidedtheyhated reading.

“IfaBlackgirldecidesshehatesreading, she’scutting herselfoff from resources, ” Rhonesays.

Shewrote what shecalls gatewayfiction, setinfamiliarplaceslikeSouthParkVillage, MissouriCity,andUT,soreaderscouldsee themselves reflected.

“Ifwhat’sontheshelfisn’tcapturingthem, Ihadtoputsomethingontheshelf,”shesaid.

In 2014,Rhone adaptedher first book, PrimitivePleasures,intoapoetryanddance stageproduction.

“Since then,I’vebeenlivingthe absolute dream,”she says,producingoriginalstage works, digitalstorytelling, andscreenprojects.“I’mscalingup.”

Praisefor Rhone

Audiencesand criticsalike have taken notice.Charlotte-based Star Robinson Russellcalls Rhone“so boss in creating experiencesthatbring thecurious andthe courageoustogether.”

Theatre critic SerayahSilverdescribes

Rhone’s AncientofWays as “a practice in personalandgenerationalhealing,”praising howitinvitesaudiencesto“re-memberour experiencesofBlack girlhood.”

Houstonian Demethra Orionrecalls Rhone’sstagedreadings in Houstonand Washington DC

“Iclosedm inga mind m

n, myeyesandwasliterallywatchovie,” Orion said

Love forB women

Black girls and e ’sfoundationisdevotion ologically driven by my d’s creation and my love irls and Black women, ”

AtRhone “I’m ideo love forGod forBlack g she says Sheinsis tions—mir affirming sweetness“ compassion

“Therear people sho

sts on nuanced reflecrrors, not caricatures that Black women ’ s “is not syrupy ” and their n “is not foolish.” resomanyways ould be in

Alexus (Grace) Rhonewas featured as an HMAAC 2025 Summer/ Fall guest curator. Courtesy HMAAC.

praise of Blackwomen,” Rhonesays, “for howwelove, remember,and showup.”

There’s no doubtRhone’s gottohaveit. Formoreonherwork,visit www.alexusrhone.com

Sports DN

THEJOURNEYTO‘FINISHTHE FIGHT’

PrairieViewbeginsSpringBall

By Terrance Harris

Prairie View has 103 football players out atspringcamp,andthereisfiercecompetition at nearly every position

That’s exactly what Panthers head coach TremaineJacksonwantsashegoesthrough hissecondspringpracticesonTheHill But who his likely starters will be and what his two-deeprosterwilllooklikegoingintofall camp, and that everyone is healthy, isn’t all he wants to know about his team coming out of spring ball

“Those things are normal Everybody wants to be healthy,” Jackson said recently to the Defender “But somebody has got to get hit. I need to see how people react after

they get hit. I need to see who is going to do the hitting.

“Wewanttobeknownasaviolent,physical football team It’s only one way to find that out.”

It’s a fitting desire for a 2026 season that hasalreadybeendubbed“FinishtheFight” afterthePantherscamesoclosetowinning the program’s first national championship beforefallingtoSouthCarolinaStateinthe Celebration Bowl

This spring is when the get-back has begun in earnest as Jackson and Panthers start the process of accomplishing all that they did in their first season together –winning the SWAC West title, winning the SWAC Championship, and making it to Atlanta with the Black college national championship on the line – with a couple of big differences.

“I didn’t do a very good job of saying we needtowininAtlanta,”Jacksonsaid “Isaid, `We’ve got to get there.’ I didn’t say we have towinthere.Sothegottagettheretookoff Now it’s, we gotta win there.”

August AndwiththeNCAA closing the spring transfer portal window, it’s also not as likely to see players moving on after spring practices are over

This year is more direct. Last year, it was more people not wanting to be here for real, not ready to play for us. So this year, it’s more we’ve recruited our guys to play for us.”

CHASE BINGMON

PANTHERS RUNNING BACK

This spring has been about preparing to take it to the next level. Jackson is quick to let you know how much better off the program is now than it was a year ago, when he started spring practices with 62 players, and half of the players quit before the 15 practices were exhausted.

Now Jackson has more players who fit what he is looking for, and he feels good about the progress that will be made between now and the start of fall camp in

WHAT: Prairie View Game

WHERE: Panther

Stadium

Inadditiontomorecommitted players, the Panthers also have more bodies to work with along the offensive and defensive lines, as well as more depth at defensive back and wide receiver The increased numbers and depth have allowed Jackson to shift their practice structure toward more 11-on-11 time without fear of losing depth due to injuries

WHEN: April 17

TIME: 6 p.m.

“That’sreallyvaluabletotheseguys,” said Jackson, whose most significant loss to the transfer portal this offseason was leading receiverIyzaiahRockwell,wholeftforSam Houston State after catching 74 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns for the Pantherslastseason “Everybodylooksgood inshorts,taggingoffofyou.Butsomebody hasgottogethit.Sowehavealotoftimein order to see that.”

Themostburningquestioniswhatisthe plan to replace Cam Peters, who ran out of eligibility at the end of last season Jackson said he likes the group he has to work with this spring Tevin Carter, who started a few games last season and played in others, is back, along with Tyler Nelson And the staff has broughtinacoupleofnewquarterbacksvia

thetransferportal,including Dez Thomas from Georgetown and Jaylen Pettway, who played for Jackson and hisstaffatValdostaStateand is familiar with the system and expectations

“We don’t need Tom Brady. We need somebody who is going to be a point guardandisgoingtodistribute the ball and not turn it over and make good decisions,” Jackson said “The earlier wecanknow,thebetter Butwearenotgoing tomakeahastydecisionjusttohurryupand make a decision.”

But don’t expect Jackson to elaborate much on who is winning the quarterback competition or what the QB depth chart might look like going into the fall What he is more than willing to talk about is the recent trip he and the staff, along with athletic director Anton Goff, took to Boulder, Colorado, to spend time with Colorado coach Deion Sanders and his staff

Theytalkedalotaboutfootball,butSanders, who coached a few seasons at Jackson State, also gave Jackson and his travel party some insight into the business of football, especially at the HBCU level.

“There is nobody in the country on any level, at any program that’s doing business in ball like they are doing business in ball at Colorado,” Jackson said “The amount of outside resources that they can command is phenomenal.”

Sports DN TYWAN COLLINSJR.

BecomesCypressCreek’s

all-time steals leaderwith 190

By Jimmie Aggison

Formostpossessions,the crowdwatches theball.TywanCollinsJr.watcheseverything else

The5-foot-9seniorpointguardatCypress CreekHighSchooldoesn’toverwhelmopponentswithsize. He overwhelms them with anticipation.Atwitchofthe wrist. Alazy crossover. Atelegraphed pass.Inaninstant, theballisgone,andCollinsisracingtheother way. With 190 career steals,Collins setthe newschoolrecordfor most steals.Hedidn’t justmakehistory.Hebuilt it,one calculated swipeatatime.

“Tywanmentionedhewasclosinginonthe schoolrecord,soIreachedouttotheformer headcoach,DanTroquet,whoconfirmedthat heonlyneededonestealgoingintothegame againstSevenLakes,”saidCypressCreekhead basketballcoachSamuelBenitez

Benitezkeptthedefensivemessagesimple headingintothematchupwithSevenLakes: Play hard,contain theball, andrebound on thefirstmiss.

Asthethirdquartercametoanendagainst SevenLakes,Collinshadyettorecordasteal Needingjustone,herecordedtwo in the fourthquarter,etchinghisnameintoCypress Creekhistory

“I wasn’t thinking aboutthe record at the time,” said Collins. “I wasjustfocusingon making theplay. When IrealizedIhad brokentherecord,ithitmethatallthehardwork andpreparationhadreallypaidoff.”

ButCollinswilltellyou the189thsteal wasn’t aboutthe moment.Itwas aboutthe habitsbuiltlongbeforethatmoment

To steala basketball from an equallytalentedopponentwhose jobistoprotect it requiresfarmorethanluck.Itdemandsskill, discipline,andpreparation

Collins’abilitytoreadaballhandler’sbody language andbodypositioning helped him average2.9stealspergameduringhissenior season.

“Thehipsdon’t lie,”saidCollins.“Iwatch hoursoffilm to learnplayers’rhythms and tendencies.”

Thatanticipationdidn’tappearovernight ForCollins, defense beganassurvivaland graduallybecameidentity

As a5-foot-8 undersized guard, Collins

wasoftenoverlookedandhadtoprovehimself.Thatrealitypushedhimtoleanintohis defensive skillset.

“I hadtofind away to getplaying time,” said Collins. “Mysophomore year,Iwas coming off thebench andhad to proveI couldhang.”

“His energy gets everyone hypedand readyto play,” said junior smallforward Elijah Trahan,who hasseenCollins’intensity firsthand

Thatedgetranslatedintonumbers this season,andthosenumbersbecamehistoric.

Collins’seniorsurgebeganNov.22,2025 whileatthe McDonald’s TexasInvitational BasketballTournament,whereherecorded 10 steals againstRichardsonHighSchool.

“I just played hard andlet them addup,” said Collins. “Thesteal feelsgreat,but the assist afterward feelsevenmoresatisfying becauseIget to talk noiseand gethyped in anticipation of anotherone.”

“I can’tput anumberonhow many points hisdefense creates, butTywan definitely disrupts opponents’ offense with his on-ballpresence,”saidBenitez.“Everysteal is atransitionopportunity.”

During hissenioryearalone,Collins tallied102steals.Still,numbersalonedon’t fullycapture what makeshim special. His impact oftenshows up in momentsthat neverreach thestatsheet

“Tywan’sabilitytocommunicatesetsthe tone andculture defensively,”saidTrahan. “Onceyou mess up,he’ll talk to youabout it andhelpyou fix it rather than getdown on you. ”

“Hiswillingnesstoplayharddefensively is contagious to theteam,”saidBenitez “Defenseisabouttoughnessandablue-collarmentality.Thoseare twoprincipleswe discussdaily.Takingcharges,divingfor looseballs,and sacrificing your body are part of TEAM defense. If onepersonisnot doingtheir job, it will breakusdown.”

WhileCollinsenjoysscoring,hetakes even greaterpride in shutting down his opponent.

“I like to setthe tone formyteammates ondefense,”saidCollins.“AtCypressCreek, Iwanttoberememberedasaplayerwho nevertookdaysoffbecause someoneelse

Class: 2026

wasalwaysworking,and as aplayerwho pushed histeammates past theirbreaking point, making that dog come out.”

ForCollins,the answer isn’tcomplicated. Legacy isn’tabout flash; it’s about consistency.

“Getting190stealsisasourceofpridein playingdefensebecausedefenseisnotabout talent; it’s abouteffort,” said Collins. “Asa 5-foot-9 guard, defense is what separates mefromothers.Toalltheyounger,smaller guards,Iwouldsaystayconsistentandnever doubtyourself. Idon’t currentlyhaveany offers,butIplantogotocollege,studyeducation,and ultimately become acoach so I cancontinuebeing around thegame.”

IG: @ihoop.tywan3

Twitter: @Tywan_Collins

Position: Point Guard

Height& weight: 5-feet9, 155pounds

Favoriteartist: Rod

Wave

Status: Uncommitted

Favoritesubject: Math

eek an Collins nown for defense ng nfor ball

Credit: gison/

Cypress Cre senior Tywa Jr (3) is kn lockdown and causi disruption handlers C Jimmie Agg Defender ABOUT TYWANCOLLINSJR.

Long after thefinalbuzzer sounds and thegym empties, thestealsremainetched into therecordbooks at CypressCreek High School.But forCollins, defensewas neverabout numbers. It wasabout reading thegamelikea language that fewothers understandandspeakingitfluentlyenough to change it

“Records aremeant to be broken,” said Benitez. “Wehavesomeyoungerdudes in theprogram wholookuptoTywan.They have seen hisworkethic on andoff the courtevery day. What he hasdonefor this programand theaccomplishments he has earned alongthe way. Iknowhehas motivatedthemtoleave theirown legacy.”