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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source
Volume 85 | Number 26 APRIL 28, 2016 | FREE
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OBITUARY PRINCE mourned by countless fans
P7 OPINION HARRIET TUBMAN was economic freedom fighter
P11 SPORTS JONATHAN WOMACK makes name in racing
P14 TOP EVENTS
A.J. McQueen and Justin “IamJustified” Milburn at Writer’s Block Live Showcase
P16
TOP 10 GIFTS H PAGE 8
Gerald Albright plays festival Jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright is one of the accomplished performers at the annual Red Cat Jazz Festival, which will be held in Galveston. Find out when and where performances take place. Check out the impressive line-up of artists.
Jacque Tinsley coaches Sharpstown Sharpstown High School baseball coach Jacque Tinsley wants his team to return to the school’s glory days. See how the team has improved in district competition. Read about the challenges Tinsley has faced during this two years in charge.
H PAGE 5
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DEFENDER | APRIL 28 | 2016
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Beware of flood scammers Area residents are advised to beware of scammers and con artists who seek to unfairly profit in the aftermath of flooding and other natural disasters. Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan said legal action can be taken against scammers and reminds residents to be mindful of the following: Watch out for door-to-door solicitors, particularly those who offer discounts for cash, claim to be making repairs with leftover supplies from other jobs, or state that you must act now to get a reduced price.
Protect yourself by asking to see identification for people who want to enter your home and check with the governmental authority or company they claim to represent. Avoid giving out personal information such as Social Security or bank account numbers. Some scam artists masquerade as safety inspectors or utility workers. Get a written contract. Guaranties, costs, and expected completion dates should be part of a written contract that you review before signing.
Avoid paying in cash. Using a credit card provides you with the ability to dispute a charge if the repair is not completed. Do not pay for an entire home repair up-front. Ask for proof of licenses and insurance . Charging an exorbitant price for fuel, food, medicine, or another necessity during a declared disaster is price gouging and unlawful. If you are unable to resolve the matter contact the Harris County Attorney’s office at 713-755-5101.
Flood victims can apply for assistance President Obama approved Texas’ request for a federal disaster declaration for Harris, Fayette, Grimes and Parker counties. The action paves the way for federal recovery assistance to begin flowing into the Houston area. “I hope this leads to help for all of our residents who were impacted by the flooding, including our most vulnerable residents in the 17 apartment complexes in the Greenspoint area,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. The City of Houston has established a website to help residents navigate the disaster recovery process, which includes the latest information from FEMA, as well as ways to receive and give help following the flooding. Visit houstonrecovers.org for more information. In addition, low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Texas
businesses and residents as a result of the disaster declaration. Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.6 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.8 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621- 3362.
localbriefs EARLY VOTING for the May 7 special election in State Representative District 139 continues through Tuesday, May 3. The election is being held to fill the position vacated by Mayor Sylvester Turner. There are four early voting locations where registered voters in SRD 139 can cast votes in the special election: Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery; Lone Star College, Victory Center, 4141 Victory Dr.; Fallbrook Church, 12512 Walters Rd., and the Harris County Administration Bldg., 1001 Preston. Visit www. HarrisVotes.com or call 713-755-6965……..HISD SCHOOLS with the highest concentrations of students living in poverty would receive a larger share of district
funding under a proposal by interim Superintendent Ken Huewitt. The proposal takes into account a growing body of research showing that students from lowincome families face more academic challenges when they attend so-called “hyper-poverty” schools than low-income students who attend school with fewer students living in poor households. Most HISD schools that have fallen short of the state’s minimum academic standards have a larger percentage of low-income students than the typical HISD school. Under the proposed funding plan, schools would gradually receive more money per low-income student as the percentage of those students increases.……..DALLAS POLICE
OFFICERS must respect the civil rights of homeless residents, warned the ACLU of Texas in a letter issued to Dallas Police Chief David Brown. City of Dallas councilmembers recently instituted a final plan to close Tent City, a homeless encampment. The city has posted “No Trespassing” signs within the Tent City area and advised some residents of the impending closure. “While Dallas’s policymakers are understandably concerned about the sanitation and public safety conditions in Tent City, any plan for improving those conditions must respect the dignity, property and civil rights of the homeless,” said Trisha Trigilio, staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 28 | 2016
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HBCUs pay more to borrow money Afro Staff
Historically Black colleges and universities pay higher borrowing costs, a discrepancy mainly caused by racial discrimination, according to a new study. The study was produced by scholars at Drexel University, the University of Notre Dame, Duke University and the University of California, San Diego. According to the report, “What’s in a (School) Name? Racial Discrimination in Higher Education Bond Markets,” underwriter fees for bonds issued by HBCUs are about 15-20 percent higher than those issued by predominantly white institutions, even if those schools bear the same debt rating. Researchers examined 4,145 tax-exempt municipal bond issues by 965 four-year colleges and universities from 1988 to 2010, totaling approximately $150 billion. Of those bond issues, 102 were completed by 45 different HBCUs. For institutions with the same bond rating, a $30 million bond cost HBCUs about $50,000 more on average ($290,000) than it cost white institutions ($242,000), the report showed. “That could be a scholarship for 10 students,” said Sidney Evans, who most recently served as chief financial officer for Morgan State University in Baltimore. “HBCUs are already facing scarce resources,”
he added. “If you don’t have the capacity to borrow, you can’t advance your institution.” The report’s authors said that “the high spreads HBCUs are charged reflect, in turn, high selling costs borne by underwriters. Indeed, conversations with municipal bond traders suggest that bonds issued by HBCUs are particularly illiquid, or in industry [terms], ‘harder to place.’ Further, it is perceived that racial animus by potential investors is the source of this illiquidity.” The fact that discrimination plays a major role, the researchers said, is evident in data showing that cost margins were three times larger in states in the Deep South, where anti-Black sentiment is most prominent. One of the study’s researchers, William Mayew of Duke University, said they looked at such factors as share of alumni in a state (most bond investors are local) and endowment size. The researchers wondered if underwriters might be doing a lackluster job trying to sell Black college bonds, but found no evidence of any reduced effort.
Cleveland paying Tamir Rice’s family $6 million The City of Cleveland agreed to pay $6 million to the family of Tamir Rice. The 12-year-old-Black youth was fatally shot by a white police officer in 2014 while he played with a toy gun in a park. The Rice family lawyer, Subodh Chandra, said the “historic” financial terms of the settlement can’t compensate for the loss of Tamir’s life. “Regrettably, Tamir’s death is not an isolated event,” Chandra said in a statement. “The problem of police violence, especially in communities of color, is a crisis plaguing our nation. It is the Rice family’s sincere hope that Tamir’s death will stimulate a
movement for genuine change in our society and our nation’s policing so that no family ever has to suffer a tragedy such as this again.” Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson expressed his regret over the killing. “This is not easy for me, personally, or for the city in general,” Jackson said. “And I can’t speak to how difficult it must have been for the family of Tamir Rice…At the end of the day, a 12-year old child lost their life, and that should not have happened in the city of Cleveland. It should not have happened.”
PRESIDENT OBAMA addressed the Black Lives Matter Movement while speaking to a crowd of young people in London. He said movements have to include more than yelling. “Once you’ve highlighted an issue and brought it to people’s attention and shined a spotlight, and elected officials or people who are in a position to start bringing about change are ready to sit down with you, then you can’t just keep on yelling at them,” he said. “And you can’t refuse to meet because that might compromise the purity of your position. The value of social movements and activism is to get you at the table, get you in the room, and then to start trying to figure out how is this problem going to be solved,” Obama said……..THE MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL filed 13 felony charges and five misdemeanor charges against two state officials and one city official associated with the lead poisoning crisis in Flint, Mich., a mostly AfricanAmerican city 66 miles northwest of Detroit. Attorney General Bill Schuette filed the charges against Stephen Busch, Michael Prysby and Michael Glasgow. If convicted of the felonies, the three could spend four to five years behind bars. The men also could be fined $5,000 to $10,000. The high lead content in Flint’s water has left 30,000 of city’s residents without drinkable water…….. THE FIRST FLINT MOTHER to sue over the water crisis was recently found dead. Sasha Bell, 19, and another woman were shot to death at an apartment complex. In her lawsuit, Bell said her 16-month-old son had been a victim of lead poisoning. Police have a suspect in custody for the double murder, but no official charges have been filed. “Sasha was a lovely young woman who cared deeply for her family, and especially for her young child,” said her attorney, Corey Stern.
VOLUME 85 • NUMBER 26 APRIL 28, 2016
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila
Print Editor Marilyn Marshall
Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (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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Red Cat Jazz Festival returns to Galveston In honor of over 100 years of American Jazz and just in time for Mother’s Day weekend, the 6th Annual Red Cat Jazz Festival will be held at Moody Gardens Resort on Galveston Island from May 5-8, 2016. The festival features an all-star lineup of performers, including Ronnie Laws, Marion Meadows, Jonathan Butler & Gerald Albright and Kyle Turner. It is produced by the Red Cat Jazz Preservation Society, a non-profit dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of jazz, celebrating its past, pioneering its present and nurturing its future. “The festival does so much to raise awareness for the jazz community while concurrently providing the best all-around fun for the festival’s attendees,” said Jan Pink, executive director of the preservation society. “With over 10,000 attendees last year, our festival is growing larger every year and we love that we can celebrate with so many moms and families.” The schedule includes: • Thursday, May 5 – Mayor’s welcome reception, jazz legends awards ceremony • Friday, May 6 – Veterans breakfast, celebrity golf classic, VIP all-white party, all-star jam session • Saturday, May 7 – Red Cat for Pink “Health And Wealth,” Young Cats workshops, jazz festival day one (Butler and Albright, Jessy J., Alex Bugnon, Theresa Grayson, Warren Hill, Mike Phillips, Jazmin Ghent) • Sunday, May 8 – Sunday gospel brunch, festival day two (Mindi Abair, Chieli Minucci, Special EFX, Eric Marienthal, Lao Tizer, Karen Briggs, Laws, Eric Darius, Meadows, Turner and Andre James), official after party Visit RedCatJazzFest.com for more information.
Ronnie La ws Kyle Turner
Karen Brig g
s
Gerald
t Albrigh
what’sup BEYONCÉ sings about relationships, infidelity, forgiveness, empowerment and love on her new visual album “Lemonade.” It aired on HBO, and features videos for 12 of the 13 songs on the album. One song, “Forward,” shows the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and others holding portraits of their sons who were shot to death. Another song, “Denial,” shows Beyoncé smashing a car with a baseball bat and singing about being “jealous” and “crazy.” The album also shows video from Beyoncé’s childhood and with her husband JAY-Z……..YOLANDA ADAMS announced the cancellation of “The Yolanda Adams
Morning Show” on social media. The show was based in Houston and syndicated by Reach Media/Radio One, with co-hosts ANTHONY VALERY and MARCUS D. WILEY. “We thank you for all of your support and love,” Adams said. “We love all of you. Tune in to see the great things God is now doing with us.” Reach Media announced that it would launch a new weekday radio show with ERICA CAMPBELL of MARY MARY fame beginning on May 10. The show will be called “Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell” and will air from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m……..Motown gospel recording artist BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON is
celebrating his first Billboard Music Award nomination in the Top Gospel Song category for the hit song, “Worth Fighting For.” The song is from the live album of the same name, which was recorded at St. John’s United Methodist Church. The Billboard Music Awards will air on Sunday, May 22 at 7 p.m. on ABC……..JENNIFER HUDSON will headline the cast of NBC’s “Hairspray Live!,” the network’s next live Broadway musical holiday event following the success of “The Wiz Live!” in 2015. Hudson, who will play Motormouth Maybelle, is currently completing a Broadway run in the revival of “The Color Purple.”
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AIDS treatment underutilized among Blacks There have been major developments in both treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. in recent years and one of the most promising ones is PreExposure Prophylaxis or PrEP. However, as the persistently unacceptable high rates of new HIV infections underscore, PrEP and other biomedical interventions tools are not being applied effectively in Black communities. While new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. as a whole fell 19 percent between 2005 and 2014, new cases among Black gay and bisexual men increased by 87 percent. When used correctly, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV by over 90 percent. However, it is still being underutilized in Black communities. According to “Black Lives Matter: What’s PrEP Got to Do With It,” the latest annual State of AIDS In Black America report recently released by the Black AIDS Institute (BAI), the response to PrEP in Black communities lags far behind that which is found in other communities. “The report examines where Black
communities are in familiarity, understanding, knowledge, beliefs, access and utilization of PrEP,” said Phil Wilson, president and CEO of BAI. “It also makes recommendations on how the community can maximize the potential benefits of PrEP and other biomedical interventions.” The report’s key findings include: • PrEP works. Research studies and demonstration projects have shown that PrEP is extraordinarily effective when used as directed. Protection against HIV infection approaches 100 percent for people who take PrEP as prescribed. • PrEP can help end the AIDS epidemic in Black America. On its own, PrEP can prevent
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1 in 5 new HIV infections through 2020. Combined with scaled-up HIV treatment, PrEP could avert 70 percent of all new infections over the next five years. • Black America needs PrEP the most. America’s HIV epidemic is a Black epidemic. • When it comes to PrEP, Black America is being left behind. Every available measure indicates that while Black communities need PrEP the most, they are far less likely to receive PrEP than other racial or ethnic groups. The report’s seven key recommendations for next steps include: 1. Invest in community education and awareness campaigns. 2. Educate healthcare providers about PrEP. 3. Adapt delivery systems to facilitate PrEP uptake. 4. Remove financial barriers to PrEP use. 5. Undertake specific efforts to address the PrEP needs of women and transgender women. 6. Strengthen the ability of PrEP programs to maximize sexually-transmitted infection control. 7. Continue to pursue a robust research agenda on PrEP.
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Prince mourned by fans Countless fans are mourning superstar singer and musician Prince, who died April 21 at age 57. He was found unresponsive in an elevator at Paisley Park in Minneapolis, and an autopsy was conducted. Results could take days or weeks. Prince was cremated and family members and friends remembered him afterward in a small, private service. Fans continued to gather outside his estate, and a security fence was covered with purple balloons, flowers and signs. His death came two weeks after he canceled concerts in Atlanta, saying he wasn’t feeling well. He later played makeup shows and apologized to the crowd. Prince also had a medical emergency on April 15 that forced his private jet to make an emergency landing in Illinois. Prince Rogers Nelson was born in 1958 in Minneapolis. His debut album “For You” was released in 1978, followed by “Prince” in 1979. His first top 20 hit was “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” followed by such hits as “1999” and “Little Red Corvette.” His classic 1984 album “Purple Rain” served as the soundtrack to the hit film of the same name. Prince starred in the movie and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. Prince, who was married and divorced twice, guarded his personal life and preferred to spend time at Paisley Park away from the spotlight.
Billy Paul dead at 81
Soul singer Billy Paul, best known for his 1970s hit “Me and Mrs. Jones,” died April 24 at age 81. He was recently diagnosed with cancer. His song about an affair with “Mrs. Jones” reached No. 1 and earned Paul a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1972. His later releases included “Thanks for Saving My Life,” “Only the Strong Survive” and “Let’s Make a Baby.” Paul was born in 1934 in Philadelphia. He began performing as a teenager and received his first record deal at 18. After a stint in the Army he resumed his singing career. He eventually became associated with the Philadelphia sound created by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Survivors include his wife, Blanche, and two children.
APRIL 28 | 2016 | DEFENDER
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DEFENDER | APRIL 28 | 2016
cente
Moms tell what they really wan
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8, a time to give a special acknowledgement to the women who brought us into the world and nurtured us int individuals we are today. One of the ways many people celebrate is by bestowing their mothers, grandmothers or wives with the perfect gif The Defender asked more than 500 moms to share what would be the perfect Mother’s Day gift for them listed in order of most requeste
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Day to herself. The majority of the mothers surveyed simply wanted a day off, a day without being asked to do anything – break up fights, fix dinner or help with homework. “I just want a day without someone needing something from me,” said Kriston Lowry-Sims. “Some ‘Me’ time. Have them leave the house and leave me alone for a day! I will get my own food...just give me some peace!”
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Weekend getaway. Many moms said a day to themselves simply wasn’t enough. They wanted a whole weekend, in a nice hotel, preferably in another town. And if they can’t go out of town, some moms say they’ll just settle for a weekend off. “Idealistically, I’d like a spa weekend away,” said Rhonda McKnight. “Realistically, since my 10-year-old has $4 in his wallet, a weekend off. I mean I don’t want to have to do jack, including putting the dog out at 7 a.m.”
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Spa gift card. Coming in at number three is a request for the royal treatment – massage, manicure, pedicure, hot stone treatment – the works. Many mothers said their days are hectic and having a day at the spa is just what the doctor ordered.
Quality time with family. Many of the mothers surveyed also wanted uninterrupted quality time with the family – no cell phones, no video games, just her and the family together over dinner that she didn’t have to cook.
“I want my children and my grandchildren to acknowledge that there is a time and place for use of their phones,” said Pamela Jones White. “Putting the phones up for half a day shouldn’t be too much to ask. What an enjoyable day that would be!” Another mom, Sharonda Johnson Gordon, wants to spend “uninterrupted time with hubby and kids doing whatever we want...no practices, no homework, no emails, no voicemails. I can get ‘things’ anytime but quality time is what I love.”
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Housekeeper. Another common request was someone to do something many mothers say they were tired of doing – cleaning. “I’d love a professional deep clean of my house while I am out to lunch with my best friend,” said Reshae Flegal Massey.
Homemade gifts. Many moms understand that their children aren’t rolling in dough so they’d welcome gifts from the heart. “I’d love a homemade gift of things that I love, like a Mason jar full of my favorite color jelly beans, M&M candies or a least something that I can cherish, and can’t be bought at a store, said Shelli Mills. “I want something that shows their appreciation for me not killin’em when they got on my nerves.” “I’d be so happy with a handwritten letter from each of my kids acknowledging the things they are grateful for that I provide,” added Tammie Alexander.
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Vacation. Some moms say maybe with the girls – to Pa “My dream would be an all my at home personal responsibili Bernice Dickey.
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Shopping spree. While ma this one happening, these m include a trip to the mall. A on, Mom!”
Other gifts. There were m good, old-fashioned gift in items: Jewelry (especially w coffee maker, workout clothes, c comedy show tickets.
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Babysitter. It may be moms say they just w they go out and enjoy
Enter to Win
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TOP 10 GIFTS
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they’d love to be sent on vacation, aris, Vegas, the beach – just away. l expenses paid spa vacay with all ities covered while I’m away,” said
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many mothers who still wanted the hand. Among the most requested with birthstones), gift cards, Kuerig collage blankets, concert tickets and
e at the bottom of the list, but lots of want someone to watch the kids while y time with their friends.
n: Defender Mother’s Day Look-Alike Contest 2016 on Facebook
he Houston area for over 85 years
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DEFENDER | APRIL 28 | 2016
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Five low-cost ways to test your business idea So you’ve got a great idea for a new product or solution and you think it’ll be a sure-fire hit. To find out if your idea has traction, however, you need to test it. Here are five low-cost tips on how to test your business idea from the Small Business Administration. 1. Find your idea’s fatal flaw. Disregard the idea that your product or solution is perfect. Ask yourself: “What am I missing? What possible pitfalls am I not seeing? How might my competitors respond? What makes me think that my business or product idea will work when others don’t?” Once its flaws have been identified, find a way to fix them. 2. Test outside your network. Refrain from soliciting input from your immediate network. Instead focus on those whose opinion matters – your target market. One way to do this is to crowdsource your market research. Form a focus group. Then provide these people with free samples of your product to test. Have them try out your product alongside the competition’s and see what results you get.
3. Tweak it, but not too much. As you test your idea you’ll encounter lots of feedback. It can be tempting to edit your idea to the point where it becomes so customized to the needs of a single customer, that you rule yourself out of the rest of the market. Instead, focus on the must-haves that translate well across several markets or customer profiles. 4. Perfect your elevator pitch. You should be able to pitch your idea in 30 seconds or less. People buy outcomes, not products. Your elevator pitch is something you will take with you for the lifetime of the idea – whether you’re pitching to investors, customers, manning a tradeshow booth or briefing a marketing agency. 5. Create a mini version of your idea. If you run a hair salon and want to start a massage therapy business at a new location, test it by dedicating a small area of your current location to provide the new service on a part-time basis. Likewise, if your product can be experienced without launching a full-fledged version, such as a piece of software, music or literature, test it as such.
Houston job fairs promote youth employment McDonald’s of Greater Houston and the City of Houston are teaming up to host a job fair program as part of an effort to help employ youth over the summer. The job fairs will help connect young adults with various area employers, including McDonald’s, Jack in the Box, Whataburger, Raising Canes, Luby’s/Fuddruckers, Cash America, Walgreens, BNY Mellon and CST Brands (Cornerstone Convenient Stores).
The on-the-spot hiring events will include access to community resources, financial literacy and scholarship information. The job fairs will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following City of Houston multi-service centers: • May 7 – Southwest, 6400 High Star Dr. • May 14 – Sunnyside, 9314 Cullen Blvd. • May 21 – Acres Home, 6719
W. Montgomery Rd. • June 4 – Magnolia, 7037 Capitol St. To qualify for a position, candidates must have a Texas ID, Social Security card and fall between the ages of 16-24. There is no guarantee all qualified candidates will be hired. Visit www.hirehoustonyouth.org for more information. T:4.79”
Financial statements essential for business 2. Profit & loss statement. Also referred to as an income statement, it enables you to project sales and expenses and typically covers a period of a few months to a year. To determine net profit, subtract total operating expenses from gross profit. 3. Cash flow statement. This statement highlights how much money is coming in and going out. Cash inflows include cash sales, accounts receivable collections, loans and other investments. Equipment purchased, expenses paid, inventory and other payments are considered cash outflows.
These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch ticket games will be closing soon:
Game #
Game Name / Odds
$
1714
Bonus Cashword - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.64
$3
Official Close of Game 5/8/16
End Validations Date 11/4/16
1693
$5 Set For Life - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.81
$5
5/12/16
11/8/16
1747
$200,000 Double Payday - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.11
$5
5/12/16
11/8/16
1617
Money Money Millionaire - Overall Odds are 1 in 2.90
$20
5/14/16
11/10/16
1727
Mustache Money - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.68
$1
6/29/16
12/26/16
1724
Stocking Stuffer - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.41
$2
6/29/16
12/26/16
1728
Veterans Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.12
$2
6/29/16
12/26/16
1687
20X The Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.83
$5
6/29/16
12/26/16
1723
Merry Money - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.85
$5
6/29/16
12/26/16
1733
Super Loteria - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.97
$5
6/29/16
12/26/16
1768
High Roller - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.97
$5
6/29/16
12/26/16
1748
$250,000 Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.74
$10
6/29/16
12/26/16
1711
Holiday Game Book - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.31
$20
6/29/16
12/26/16
1492
Millionaires Club - Overall Odds are 1 in 2.51
$50
6/29/16
12/26/16
For detailed odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-375-6886. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education and veterans. © 2016 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.
T:3.25”
Accurately tracking financial data is not only critical for running the day-today business operations, but it is also essential when seeking funding from lenders or investors to take your business to the next level. The SBA lists three basic financial statements that are important for your small business: 1. Balance sheet. This statement provides an overall financial snapshot of your business. As an equation, it looks like “liabilities + owner’s equity = assets.” The two sides of the equation must balance out.
LEGAL NOTICE
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APRIL 28 | 2016 | DEFENDER
opinion
11
Harriet Tubman:
Economic freedom fighter
W
By JULIANNE MALVEAUX
hen Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced that Harriet Tubman would grace the new $20 bill, my heart sang hallelujah. Additional changes to the currency were also announced. The back of the $10 will now recognize the five leaders of the women’s suffrage movement and the back of the $5 bill will recognize civil rights leaders and honor historic events from the Lincoln Memorial. The faces on our money will no longer be all pale and male, and that’s progress. It is especially fitting that Tubman grace the $20, since she was an economic freedom fighter. She is credited with ushering more than 300 people out of enslavement, many of them family members from the state of Maryland. She hit slaveholders in the pocketbook, costing them billions of today’s dollars. Every time an enslaved person ran away, they struck a blow for freedom, and a blow against the economic stability of the South. Enslavement was at the root of the development of contemporary U.S. capitalism. Black lives were the collateral that plantation owners used to purchase more land, to purchase more slaves, to purchase equipment, to expand. Enslaved people were, in many ways, a form of currency. Harriett Tubman gracing the $20 makes perfect sense. The new $10 is supposed to be available in 2020, nearly four years from now. The new $20 may not be available until 2030. The design and production schedule have to be approved by the Federal Reserve Board. Perhaps the Fed can be lobbied to speed the production schedule up. I can’t wait to cash a check and ask for my money in “Harriets.” As exciting as the currency design is, it is a symbolic, not a substantive change. Real change would close the income gap between men and women. Real change would close the racial economic gap. Real change would take a look at the reparations issue. In this last year of his Presidency, President Obama could use his executive order to appoint a commission to look into issues of racial economic justice. He could make an amazing, if belated, contribution by bringing the reparations issue to the economic forefront. I suppose we have to reconcile ourselves to progress at a snail’s pace, to symbolism, not substance. Still, the image our economic
Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com
ence on the $20 will help us to remember. The most exciting thing about the presence of Harriet Tubman on the $20 is the way change came about. The public was engaged. Hundreds of thousands of people signed petitions, and participated with some of the online polls that various groups sponsored. The treasury secretary asked for public input, and he got it. He says he was surprised about the amount of input that he received. Daryl Cagle, CagleCartoons.com He should not have been. Both women and freedom fighter on the twenty-dollar bill will men were passionate about changing symbols be inspirational for all of us, especially for the of supremacy, ridding the currency of Andrew young people who don’t know all of the sordid Jackson whose role in the oppression of Native details of our history of enslavement. Americans was shameful. Perhaps this pasI hope that as we talk about Harriet Tubman sion of symbolism can be converted in passion on the money, we also talk about the economic for substance. Perhaps we can use currency impact she had on the institution of slavery by freeing those 300 people. This is part of the his- change to trigger a substantive movement for economic justice. tory we must never forget, and Tubman’s pres-
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112
DEFENDER | APRIL 28 | 2016
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Defender Mother’s Day contest kicks off Mother’s Day is a special time of the year. The Defender wants to acknowledge how important moms are as we celebrate the occasion on Sunday, May 8. There is a special bond between mothers and daughters in addition to fathers and sons. So the Defender would like to invite you to enter the Mother’s Day LookAlike Contest. We’re searching for mothers and daughters who are two of a kind! “We learn so much from our mothers. At times we catch ourselves acting just like them,” said Defender Publisher Sonny Messiah Jiles. “Now we get to share with the Houston community how much we look like them. So get together with your mom and shot a nice photo of the two of you on your cell phone and submit it in the contest.
“The prize money will make a perfect gift just in time for Mother’s Day,” Jiles said. “By the way, we plan to do the same contest for the fathers so be on the lookout. For now, happy Mother’s Day. ” It’s easy to enter the contest. First, go to the Defender Facebook page for the contest. Second, register. Next, post your photo with your mother or daughter. Then encourage your friends to vote for you. The photo with the most votes wins. The prizes are three Visa gift cards: first place $300, second place $200 and third place $100. The contest is underway now. The photo submission deadline is Sunday, May 1 at midnight and voting ends on Tuesday, May 3 at 10 pm. The three winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 4 at 10 a.m. T:9.75”
The Texas Lottery Commission Invites You to Attend:
“Doing Business Texas Style” Spot Bid Fair
In conjunction with: DFW Minority Supplier Development Council’s ACCESS 2016 T:6.5”
Location: Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas | 500 West Las Colinas Blvd. | Irving, TX
Monday, May 9, 2016 | 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm Tuesday, May 10, 2016 | 9:15 am - 11:30 am & 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Small, minority-owned, and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) will have a unique opportunity to compete for bid awards and network with state agencies and institutions of higher education. Bids must be submitted to agency staff on-site. Bid opportunities available for view and download at: https://data.texas.gov/Business/Bid-Book-Spreadsheet-2016/daek-f7x4 For more information contact: Lisa Maldonado: (512) 463-5662 or lisa.maldonado@dir.texas.gov Lynn Sanchez at (512) 463-9813 or lynn.sanchez@dir.texas.gov Tiffany Dockery at (512) 471-2863 or tiffany.dockery@austin.utexas.edu
© 2016 Texas Lottery Commission. All Rights Reserved.
The Spot Bid Fair is FREE of charge!
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APRIL 28 | 2016 | DEFENDER
13
Beat wardrobe ‘blahs’ with a closet makeover
I
Family Features
t’s that time of year when everything in your closet just seems drab. But instead of investing in a new wardrobe this spring, try dressing up your closet. By getting organized and sprucing up a little, you’ll get a fresh perspective and maybe even find some lost treasures. Start by evaluating your closet. You may have heard of the Pareto principal, commonly known as the 80-20 law, and chances are good that it applies to your wardrobe. If you’re like most people, you wear 20 percent of your things 80 percent of the time. This means a lot of clothes are just taking up space. Weeding out the unnecessary items is your first step in a closet makeover. Once you’ve done the preliminary clean out, it’s time to reorganize. If you don’t have a closet system in place, you might want to consider a simple DIY product like ClosetMaid ShelfTrack. It’s a system that is completely adjustable and customizable. Once you have the right organizing system in place, it’s time to get creative and design a look that makes your daily trek to the closet more exciting. These ideas will help boost your outlook on all those clothes that seem tired and worn. Shine the light. Bad lighting can be a hindrance in any closet. In a crowded one, clothes are hard enough to find, but if it is packed tight, it’s almost impossible. Proper lighting is essential. A trendy light fixture can be lots of fun, but make certain it will provide adequate lighting to illuminate everything. Be sure to eliminate shadows by using diffused lighting. Add style to your storage. Colorful and patterned fabric bins can be your closet’s best friend. They provide a home to hide and consolidate more personal belongings and add pops of color and style
to your shelves. Hang clothes with care. Get rid of the wire and pamper your clothes with good hangers. Critical for maintaining order, they help keep your wardrobe in tip top shape by eliminating garment stretching. Slim velvet hangers, available in an array of colors, are optimal for saving space, but if you have the room, a heavier wooden version is better. Whichever you choose, remember that a
uniform set makes for a streamlined look. Whether it’s a full blown makeover or a modest face lift, you won’t be disappointed in how a newly organized closet makes you feel. The tricky part is to be vigilant about keeping it organized. Dedicating about 15 minutes a week to your closet should keep it in great shape for seasons to come. Visit ClosetMaid.com. for more makeover tips and tricks,
Make spring cleaning simple, natural, easy Family Features
Wiping away the grime of winter doesn’t have to mean launching an attack with dangerous chemicals. As you tackle this year’s spring cleaning chores, take a note from Mother Nature and rely on the cleaning power of a surprisingly effective natural product: vinegar. “Cleaning with vinegar has always been an effective way to banish dirt and grime in kitchens, bathrooms, the garage and the outdoors,” said Mike Smith, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Mizkan Americas, the makers of Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar. Learn how vinegar can make it easier to tackle common tasks around the house with the following tips and discover more uses at VinegarTips.com.
In the kitchen
Clean your ice/water dispenser by running vinegar through the system. Flush the vinegar out by running water through the system for 30-60 seconds. Rid your dishwasher of mineral buildup by pouring half a cup of vinegar into the reservoir and running an empty cycle. You can also use vinegar in the dishwasher instead of another glass cleaner to keep your glassware sparkling. Renew sponges and dishrags by placing them in just enough water to cover them. Then add one-fourth cup of vinegar and let them soak overnight. Remove dark stains on an aluminum pot by boiling two cups of vinegar. For stained and smelly plastic food containers and lunchboxes, wipe them with a cloth dampened with vinegar.
In the bathroom
To unclog and remove odor from a tub drain pour a half a cup of baking soda in the drain, then follow with two cups of hot vinegar. Immediately plug the drain with a rag to keep the bubbles contained for 10 minutes. Rinse by pouring a kettle of boiling hot water down the drain. Spray shower doors with vinegar after you’ve squeegeed the glass – or before you turn on the water – to help release hard water deposits. Clean shower door tracks by filling them with vinegar and letting it sit for a few hours. Pour hot water into the tracks and scrub away any remaining film with a toothbrush. To make the toilet bowl sparkle, pour in a cup or more of vinegar and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Scrub well with the toilet brush and flush.
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14
DEFENDER | APRIL 28 | 2016
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sports
Houston native Womack making name in racing
T
By MAX EDISON Defender
he National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Spring Nationals invades Houston April 29-May 1 at the Royal Purple Raceway. For Acres Homes native Jonathan Womack, it’s a chance to race at home in front of friends and family. The Klein Forest grad (1999) is one of the sport’s premier drivers in the super stock category. The need for speed is something that Womack said he came by honest. “I grew up with racing all my life,” he said. “My dad [Warren Womack] always ran NHRA stuff. I always wanted to go to the race track with him. It’s in my blood. In my teens is when I really decided that’s what I really wanted to do, drive race cars. My dad gave me the opportunity at age 16. I made my first run in one of his cars and basically ever since then I been doing it.” Though Womack made up his mind early about his career path, his dad made him pump the brakes. “One of the things that my dad always instilled in us was that you had to go to school and if nothing else pick up a trade,” Womack said. “He never wanted racing to interfere with that. After I graduated high school I raced here and there, but first things first, per Dad’s rules. I went to barber school, got my license and that’s my life – racing and barbering.” With speed in his DNA, Womack elected to stay in NHRA instead of pursuing other racing options. “I grew up with drag racing, two cars, a quarter mile track,” he said. “It’s single elimination. Two cars go down, one wins and comes back for the next round. NASCAR and Indy Cars are a totally different deal. It’s more based on racing for a certain distance, like the Indianapolis 500. I grew up on drag racing so that’s always been my preference.” Once Womack started racing full time it wasn’t long before he experienced success. “When I started racing I started in the super gas category because that’s what my dad had always competed in. I really got We’ve had some success with this car. We’ve serious about the sport around struggled at times, but I was able 2002,” he recalled. “We got to win the first points race this a new Don Davis Corvette defendernetwork.com year. So far we’re off to a great roadster and hit the road. Houston’s pro athletes step up to start this year,” he said. “In 2004 I was able to aid flood victims With the success that Womwin the national championack and other drivers of color ship which is kind of like the have had in various categories, Super Bowl of NHRA drag racing. Like anything else it takes why aren’t more African-Americans involved in NHRA? hard work and dedication and we were fortunate to be successful. “That’s a hard one,” he said. “I probably think lack of expo“In 2006 we sold that car and started racing in the super sure is the biggest reason. Most African-Americans that I know stock class. I’m racing in a 2005 Cavalier now in that category.
Jonathan Womack
Womack won at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals in 2010.
Racing is a family affair for the Womacks (left to right): Warren Jr., Warren and Jonathan.
have never been exposed to NHRA. For most guys when you mention drag racing, the first thing they think about is street racing, not the more organized sport of NHRA.” Womack may have been born to race, but he is quick to point out that his success has been a family affair. “My dad is the foundation for all I’ve accomplished in this,” Womack acknowledged. “He’s taught me everything I know. It’s a family-owned and operated business. My mom [Madelyn], my dad, my brother [Warren Jr.] and my wife [Tra’Nasha] are all a part of this. They all make it possible for me to be successful.”
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h.s.zone Sharpstown baseball builds back to glory days By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
Jacque Tinsley doesn’t shy away from a challenge. The Sharpstown High School second-year head baseball coach knows there will be good days followed by bad days and vice versa in the process of rebuilding a once-proud and tradition-rich baseball program gone south. In his first year (2015), Tinsley had one team (no junior varsity or freshman teams) with a total of 11 players. “Three of those players failed academically so we had to end our season early,” he said. There were not enough players left to field a team. That was a far cry from the Apollos’ glory years under longtime successful head coach Dick Janse. Sharpstown won state championships in 1977 and 1982. A come-from-behind 16-8 victory over Yates at Knoblauch Field recently keeps the resurgent Apollos squarely in the playoff hunt in District 20-5A. Sharpstown improved to 7-6 on the season with four of those wins coming in district competition. “We ended this game on a good note,” Tinsley said. “We weren’t focused at the start and we must have the mentality that any opponent we face can beat us. We can’t just Jacque Tinsley is the second-year baseball coach at Sharpstown High turn it off and turn it on. We have to come School. with our ‘A game’ every time out. weren’t so fortunate. “I gave a senior lefthander [Jorge “Some of the other teams have rainouts to Morales] the start and he did the best he could. Then we had to come in relief and give some other guys a make up so we have to wait for the outcomes of those games to see where we fall in the district shot,” Tinsley said. standings,” Tinsley Sophomore Miguel said. Castello has been a defendernetwork.com “We’re strides positive force on the See how baseball playoff chase ahead of where we mound and at the plate shapes up in District 20-6A were last year. We just for the Apollos all want to take steps to season. “Even though get better every year,” he said. he’s a tenth grader, he’s a leader on our team,” Sharpstown has two league games remaining Tinsley said. “You’re going to hear a lot more from with Waltrip and Austin. A return trip to the him in the future.” postseason is certainly within grasp. Other key Sharpstown players include senior “I remember how good Sharpstown used to first baseman Raul Rivas and junior shortstop/ be back during my playing days at Lamar High pitcher Saul Lumbreras. “Raul is my three-hole School,” Tinsley said. “I am aware of the history hitter and he’s been consistent all year. Saul has and I’m trying to restore this program to those days. been good in the field and on the mound. Those “It takes a while and it takes a whole changing are my three leaders and possible all-district of the culture,” Tinsley said. “Once you change the candidates,” Tinsley said. culture and get the kids to buy into what you’re Sharpstown was able to avoid any game trying to do, then you have a chance to build cancellations due to the recent influx of rainy something.” weather. However, other schools in the district
APRIL 28 | 2016 | DEFENDER
15
sportsbriefs PVAMU athletes excel Big things are happening in Prairie View A&M University athletics and it’s not just on the field. Five PVAMU athletic teams posted perfect scores of 1,000 on 2014-15 Academic Performance Rates (APR) while the Panther football and baseball teams posted the SWAC’s top single-year score as the NCAA recently announced its 2014-15 Division I APR Public Report. The APR holds institutions accountable for the academic progress of their studentathletes through a team-based metric that accounts for eligibility and retention. Currently, teams must earn a 930 four-year average APR or a 940 average over the most recent two years to participate in NCAA championships. “Words cannot express how I feel about where we are headed academically,” said Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson.
Thomas cites problems Former Willowridge All-American and NFL Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas recently disclosed that he is experiencing medical issues as a result of excessive head trauma he suffered while playing football. Thomas, who played 13 seasons and rushed for more than 12,000 yards, received news from his doctor that his brain was “similar to someone who has fallen off the top of a house, on to the front of his head, or going through a windshield of a car several times.” Thomas said he realized that “discussing the effects of concussions and the reality of the situation doesn’t make me less of a man, less tough, less loyal to the National Football League (or have) less love for the game.”
Lamar girls shine The Lamar High School girls’ varsity track and field squad dominated the UIL Area Meet held at Seven Lakes High School. Lamar scored 137.50 points to outdistance second place Seven Lakes by 15.50 points. Gold medalists for the Texans included Julia Heymach in the one-mile and two-mile runs, Milan Young in the 100-meter dash, Brandy Thomas in the 400-meter dash, Haley Pollard in the discus and the Lamar mile relay quartet of Reina Ryan, Brandy Thomas, Destiny Hamilton and Chase Martin. Young won silver medals in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. Ryan won a silver medal in the 200-meter dash. Pollard won a silver medal in the shot put. Naomi Ferdinand of Chavez High School won a gold medal in the 6A girls’ long jump. In the 5A division held at the same meet, Brandolyn Walker of Houston Madison placed first in the 100-meter dash while teammate Payton Wells won the 400-meter dash. The North Forest High School foursome of Prince Robinson, Damon Wiggins, Montel Perkins and Antonio Davis won gold medals in the 4X100 and 4X200 relays.
Katy reprimanded The Katy High School varsity baseball team has been forced to forfeit 20 games because two players broke a UIL rule. The District 19-6A executive committee unanimously voted (7-0) that seniors Hayden Baker and Grant Jackman violated the UIL amateur athletic rule when they were paid as assistants for a local Little League baseball team. The 20 games occurred during the time the players were being paid. The ruling is being appealed.
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16
DEFENDER | APRIL 28 | 2016
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
topevents
WRITER’S BLOCK LIVE SHOWCASE……..The Writer’s Block organization held a included: Vernita Harris, Carlotta Brown, Paulette Frederick, Jalene Mack, CleRenda live talent showcase with the theme “Where the Pen is Stronger than the Gun” at Social Junkie McGrady, Penelope Nobles, Carolyne Oliver, and Dr. Jonita Reynolds. Melanie Lawson Sports Bar and Grill. Writer’s Block is a conglomerate movement of leaders who use elements emceed the event. Those in attendance included: Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, Diedra of hip-hop, spoken word, and writing to communicate issues affecting our society. The talent Fontaine, Sharon Cushingberry, Cydonii Miles, Dr. Polly Turner, Dr. Fennoyee Thomas, line-up embodied the organization’s mission as it included a combination of artists and poets Elaine Murphy, Jacquline King, Dr. Apryl Neal, Anne Neal, Borris Miles, Wanda – founder A.J. McQueen, spoken word artist Prentice Powell, Norman Sanchez, Tro’Juan Adams, and a host of others……..ALVIN AILEY AFTER PARTY……..Gerald and Henderson, Raw, Kodak, Coco Sullivan, Q Guyton, Hilary Pradia, IamJustified and Anita Smith and family hosted an after-performance reception at their home for members of Desmond. Guests included Cameron Fulford, Kimberly Onyia, the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. A special shout-out goes to dancer Shanee Quarles, Patience Agholor, Brandon Hamilton, Charles Marcus Jarrell Willis from Houston who wowed the audience as he Defender TOP EVENTS Wright, Tierra Nicole, Kassie Johnson and Helen Ball. The event danced to Donny Hathaway’s “A Song for You.” It was spell-binding. More photos on defendernetwork.com was hosted by Shawn Flowers……..WOMEN’S GUILD IMPACT Guests at the reception included Society for the Performing Arts AWARDS LUNCHEON……..The Women’s Guild celebrated 53 CEO June Christensen, board member Tymothi Tombar and wife years of service at the 2016 Audrey H. Lawson Impact Awards Luncheon and Fashion Charlene, Joan Ravasy, Terry Zeno, Desrye Morgan, Ethel Porter, Troy Porter, Traci Porter, Sameer Abusalah and Jasmine Fail. Alvin Ailey company members included Show at the Hyatt Regency. Some of the proceeds benefit the Wheeler Avenue Inner City Visions, Inc. programs such as educational grants, Honey Child Prenatal Education program, Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya, Akua Noni Parker, Samatha Figgins, Ghrai Madge Bush Transitional Living and Audrey H. Lawson Senior Residences. Honorees DeVore, Sheyi Ojofeitimi and Danica Paulos.
Shawn Flowers, Hilary Pradia, Kimberly Onyia
Vernita Harris, Councilman Larry Green
Sheyi Ojofeitimi, Desrye Morgan, Anita Smith, Akua Noni Parker
AJ McQueen, Justin “IamJustified” Milburn
Shanee Breaux, Sharea Quarles, Patience Agholor
HISD trustee Wanda Adams, former trustee Paula Harris
State Rep. Borris Miles, Rev. Dr. Marcus Cosby
Charlene Tombar, Akua Noni Parker, Tym Tombar, June Christensen
Joan Ravasy, Ghrai DeVore, Masazumi Chaya
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