NATIONAL
HBCU EDUCATORS RALLY BEHIND BETHUNE-COOKMAN GRADUATES P3
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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source
Volume 86 | Number 30
MAY 18, 2017 |FREE
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NEWSTALK AL GREEN calls for Trump’s impeachment
P2 ENTERTAINMENT SIMONE BILES voted off ‘DWTS’
P5 H.S. ZONE KYNNEDY FLANNEL Alvin track star shines at meet
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P11 TOP EVENTS
Rodney Bush and Dr. Elwyn Lee attend the Music Doing Good Scholarship event.
P12
Kara McCullough crowned Miss USA A Black woman has once again taken the title of Miss USA, but the former Miss District of Columbia is already under fire for her comments during the pageant’s question and answer segment.
D’Onta Foreman readying for season The Texas City native is hard at work in the Texans’ rookie camp. Excited about beginning his pro career less than an hour from his hometown, Foreman joins other new players as they look forward to the upcoming season.
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DEFENDER | MAY 18 | 2017
newstalk
Al Green calls for Trump impeachment
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Black Enterprise brings conference to Houston Defender News Services
Defender News Services
After weeks of warning that President Donald Trump’s actions were veering toward illegality, Congressman Al Green is now calling for the president to be impeached. The Houston Democrat claimed that Trump may have committed illegal obstruction of justice by firing FBI Director James Comey during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and then seeking to intimidate him in a tweet warning that there may be “tapes” of their conversation. “President Trump is not above the law,” Green said in a written statement. “He has committed an impeachable act and must be charged. To do otherwise Congressman Al Green would cause some Americans to lose respect for, and obedience to, our societal norms.” Only one other member of Congress, Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters of California, has explicitly called for Trump’s impeachment. Green emphasized that impeachment proceedings in the House would only be to charge the president, not necessarily to remove him from office. “Whether he is guilty is a separate action for the U.S. Senate to decide,” Green said. The Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate to convict the president and remove him from office. An aide for Green did not respond to questions about whether he would file an impeachment resolution and whether he has reached out to other Democrats to garner support. “Impeachment is a really serious charge,” said Sean Theriault, a political science professor at the University of Texas at Austin. “Unfortunately, since the Clinton era, the word gets thrown around quite a bit.”
More than 1,000 of the country’s leading entrepreneurs, business funding sources, and corporate executives are gathered in Houston for the Black Enterprise 2017 Entrepreneurs Summit. Running, through Earl Graves Saturday, May 20 at the Marriott Marquis (1777 Walker St.), the summit boasts a powerhouse lineup of some of the nation’s most accomplished and celebrated entrepreneurs and motivational speakers. Confirmed guests include Mayor Sylvester Turner, award-winning Kase Lawal actor Hill Harper, singers/entrepreneurs Yolanda Adams and Patti LaBelle, Windsor Village UMC Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell and CAMAC International chairman Kase Lawal. Attendees will have countless opportunities to meet, network, and learn from hundreds of entrepreneurs, including angel investors, from around the country with a focus on innovation, capitalization, monetization, and growth. Highlights include: • A general session with multibillionaire Charles Koch, CEO of Koch Industries and Thurgood Marshall College Fund President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, as they engage in a critical discussion on how to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurial innovators and value creators by harnessing the proven potential of HBCUs and expanding the availability of youth entrepreneur-
ship programs. • The Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch Competition hosted by AT&T will award $10,000 to one of 10 finalists who will pitch their business ideas to a panel of accomplished entrepreneurs, including Black Enterprise CEO Earl Yolanda Adams “Butch” Graves Jr. • The ABC “Shark Tank” Diversity Tour will be holding an open casting call to identify entrepreneurs ready to pitch their ideas for an investment on the hit business reality show. In addition, the session “Why it Pays to Swim Hill Harper With the Sharks” will feature entrepreneurs who experienced success – and learned critical lessons – by appearing on the show. The summit will also provide attendees with breakthrough ideas on innovation, vision, and growth strategy in high-powered sessions on critical business topics. “The Entrepreneurs Summit is already well established as a must-attend event for entrepreneurs who want to actually win as entrepreneurs, not just start and own a business,” said BE founder Earl Graves. “However, bringing the event to Houston for the first time ever promises to raise the bar of opportunity and innovation even higher. That’s because Houston is clearly positioned to stake its claim as America’s next great Black business mecca.”
localbriefs THE ACLU OF TEXAS HAS FILED A LAWSUIT on behalf of three homeless Houstonian plaintiffs adversely affected by the City of Houston’s camping and panhandling ordinances. The ACLU contents that taken together, the ordinances illegally deprive homeless Houstonians of shelter, infringe on their right to free speech and ultimately constitute a criminalization of homelessness itself. “In recent years, Houston has admirably managed to reduce homelessness by half by pursuing sensible and compassionate solutions to this nationwide crisis,” said Trisha Trigilio, staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas. “But these latest ordinances abandon that humane approach. The City
says they’re meant to get people into shelters with ‘tough love,’ but the truth is the shelters are full and Houston’s homeless have nowhere else to go.” Mayor Sylvester Turner called it a public safety issue. “The question is what is the best way or ways to transition people from living on the street to a better place,” he said…..MILITARY VETERANS AND THEIR SPOUSES IN SEARCH OF JOBS will have the opportunity to connect with employers at a job fair. Hosted by RecruitMilitary, the free hiring event is for veterans, transitioning military personnel, National Guard members, Reserve members and military spouses. It takes place Thursday, June 8, 2017,
11:00am - 3:00pm at Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford Street, Houston, TX 77002. Visit www.recruitmilitary. com…..THE FAMILY OF SANDRA BLAND called a bill in her honor a “missed opportunity,” after lawmakers whittled down the criminal justice reform bill to legislation focusing mostly on mental health issues and county jail operations. “It’s a complete oversight of the root causes of why she was jailed in the first place,” Sharon Cooper, Bland’s sister said. Senate Bill 1849 — was filed after Bland was found dead in the Waller County Jail days after being arrested during a routine traffic stop. The family was hoping for a bill that focused more on policing.
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MAY 18 | 2017 | DEFENDER
national
U.S.briefs THE NAACP IS SPEAKING OUT OVER President Donald Trump’s executive order creating a commission on voter fraud. The organization issued a statement saying the commission is yet another veiled attempt to disenfranchise people of color. “Citing false and unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud, President Trump has perpetuated this mythology of ‘voter fraud’ as justification for support of laws and policies that promote voter suppression. This commission poses a very real and direct threat to our electoral system and democracy,” the NAACP said……..THE SUPREME COURT IS STRIKING DOWN AN APPEAL from North Carolina to reinstate voter identification laws, which a lower court had ruled targeted AfricanAmericans “with almost surgical precision.” The justices instead let stand the lower court’s ruling, which struck down the photo ID requirement and reduction in early voting, among other provisions. Chief Justice John Roberts said that the political uncertainty raised questions over who is authorized to seek an appeal of the lowercourt ruling and that nothing should be read into the court’s decision to refuse to hear the argument……..A FORMER WEST VIRGINIA POLICE OFFICER is suing the city where he was employed, saying he was fired for not shooting a Black man during a standoff. Stephen Mader was fired from his job in Weirton, W.Va. for unsuccessfully meeting the “probationary standards of an officer” and showing “apparent difficulties in critical incident reasoning,” according to a federal lawsuit. In May 2016 Mader was dispatched to a call regarding Ronald “R.J.” Williams, a visibly distraught 21-year-old, who was holding a gun. Mader ordered him to drop the weapon, to which Williams replied “Just shoot me.” Mader refused, saying he thought Williams was trying to commit suicide by cop and didn’t pose a threat. Another officer arrived and opened fire, killing Williams, whose gun turned out not to be loaded.
VOLUME 86 • NUMBER 30 MAY 18, 2017 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Digital Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Proofer Maia Shelby
Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Jasemine Knowles 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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Bethune-Cookman President Edison Jackson admonished graduates for booing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
Black educators rally around Bethune-Cookman grads Defender News Services
Black faculty members from colleges across the country are rallying behind graduates of Bethune-Cookman University after some grads booed commencement speaker Betsy DeVos, the secretary of education. “The world watched you protest the speaker you never should have had,” said an open letter signed by more than 200 faculty. “Your actions fit within a long tradition of Black people fighting back against those who attack our institutions and our very lives with their antiBlack policies and Anglo-normative practices.” Camika Royal, an assistant professor at Loyola University Maryland and one of three principal authors of the letter, said the message was clear that the students needed support. “As a graduate of an HBCU, I know how important an education is for an individual, as well as a community,” Royal said. “So, to look at these Bethune-Cookman students have that moment taken away from them and see Betsy DeVos be held up as a speaker, was a slap in the face to them and their families.”
In February, DeVos referred to Black colleges as “pioneers of school choice,” asserting that the schools “started from the fact that there were too many students in America who did not have equal access to education.” The remark ignited a firestorm from many who said DeVos ignored the fact that Black colleges were direct responses to slavery and Jim Crow when Blacks had fewer educational options. As DeVos began her Bethune-Cookman address students booed and turned their backs on her, prompting President Edison Jackson to take the microphone from DeVos to admonish the students. “If this behavior continues, your degrees will be mailed to you,” Jackson said. “Choose which way you want to go.” In Houston, Texas Southern University avoided a potentially similar experience by cancelling Republican Sen. John Cornyn as commencement speaker just 24 hours before he was slated to appear. More than 800 people signed a petition to protest Cornyn’s appearance. Cornyn was invited to visit students “at a future date in order to keep the focus on graduates and their families.”
Sessions rolls back drug sentencing reforms Defender News Services
Attorney General Jeff Sessions has instructed federal prosecutors to take the most aggressive approach possible against federal criminal defendants. The policy change will result in lengthier prison sentences for drug offenders and likely reverse a recent drop in the federal prison population. The new policy replaces the approach of the Justice Department during the Obama administration under former Attorneys General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch. They gave federal prosecutors more leeway to decide when it was appropriate to charge crimes that trigger mandatory mini-
mums, which automatically result in set prison terms. “This policy affirms our responsibility to enforce the law, is moral and just, and produces consistency,” Sessions wrote in a new memo. “This policy fully utilizes the tools Congress has given us. By definition, the most serious offenses are those that carry the most substantial guidelines, including mandatory minimum sentences.” Under Sessions, if prosecutors want to divert from the new policy and not pursue the most serious charge available, they must get specific approval from the U.S. attorney or an assistant attorney general. Holder’s policy only required charging decisions to be reviewed by a supervisory attorney.
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MAY 18 | 2017 | DEFENDER
entertainment
Simone Biles
voted off ‘Dancing with the Stars’
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Defender News Services
imone Biles is used to winning, and she has the Olympic gold medals to prove it. But the talented gymnast fell short of taking home the mirror ball trophy on the popular “Dancing With the Stars” competition. Despite a perfect score from the judges, the Olympic champion and Houston native was eliminated at the end of “Dancing with the Stars” semifinals round. The audience and judges were visibly shocked at the outcome. Since eliminations are determined by a combination of judges’ scores and viewer votes, it appears Biles did not have a strong enough fan base. Biles’ ouster was particularly stinging after she earned perfect 10s her last week for her jive and rumba. It was a breakthrough after the previous week’s dust-up, in which she told host Tom Bergeron “Smiling doesn’t win you gold medals.” Biles looked frustrated after what many deemed confusing and contrasting critiques the previous week from the judges. “The judges’ comments hurt. It made me feel like I didn’t work hard enough, but I had,” Biles said during rehearsal footage. She eventually broke down in tears. Biles and her partner, Sasha Farber, received the lowest number of votes from the previous week combined with the judges’
scores for the semi-final show. Biles had danced solidly, receiving straight nines from each of the judges for both of her routines. She got a 36 out of 40 for her foxtrot to One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful,” and the same score for her trio paso doble with Farber and Brittany Cherry. Biles’ elimination is clearly a shocker, as the Olympic gold medalist was one of the season’s top dancers. During the semifinals, however, Biles got a perfect 40 out of 40 points for her rumba to Demi Lovato’s “Skyscraper.” And earlier, Biles received another perfect score for her jive to Stevie Wonder’s “Faith,” which was chosen by Carrie Ann Inaba as part of the judge’s challenge round. But it wasn’t enough, and so Biles was the ninth contestant voted off. Inaba had challenged Biles to let go of being perfect. Biles said she channeled alter egos named “Zoe” for the jive and “Sophia” for the rumba to help get into character. “[The] Last time I showed a little bit of emotions, I messed up at the Olympics on beam, and I ended up with a bronze instead of a gold,” Biles said. Fifth Harmony member Normani Kordei, whose family lives in the Pearland area, danced into the Season 24 finale. NFL running back Rashad Jennings was also among the finalists. The finals are set for May 22.
Fifth Harmony member Normani Kordei was among the top three finalists chosen.
Gymnast Simone Biles and her partner Sasha Farber were eliminated from ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
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DEFENDER | MAY 18 | 2017
=JOBS TRADE Vocational training in demand By ASWAD WALKER Defender When it comes to high-demand careers and salaries, several economists believe that “Blue collar is the new white collar.” Yet, while Latino teens and young adults seem to have gotten the memo on these growing vocational and technical opportunities and responded accordingly, some say young Blacks are not taking advantage at the same rate. “Trade school education will be the defining factor in the economic Norma Thomas Alton Smith progress and wealth development of American society in the second quarter of the 21st century,” said Norma Thomas, former Booker T. Washington High School Teacher of the Year, and founder of her own school, the NT Conservatory. Thomas believes billionaire Warren Buffet’s prediction about the next decade witnessing an increase in millionaires emerging from small business owners will be fulfilled primarily by today’s vocational education students. Michael Love Franklin Higgins She believes this will best be facilitated if such education expands beyond shortage of people in America with technical skills. its current forms. And everyone is not suited for a four-year school,” he “The majority of these future millionaires will added. come from students who have been afforded the According to Smith and multiple industry sourcopportunity to not just begin vocational education es, several of the top trade fields offer salaries that in high school or attend trade school thereafter, but outpace many of the jobs offered to college graduates, those whose forté is discovered, nurtured, and utilized but without the student loan debt. to inform their educational experience beginning in Smith argues that Black parents “need to start elementary school,” said Thomas. being parents,” especially during their children’s 8th However, Dr. Alton Smith, board chairman grade year when they choose their high school area of of Lone Star College, believes the most immediate focus. hurdle is getting Blacks students in high school to “Black parents need to be more adamant about take advantage of vocational programs. telling their kids what to take in high school, like “Our kids get the same information about these Latino and white parents,” Smith shared, hoping to programs as other kids before they start high school,” increase what he sees as lagging Black participation said Smith. “Latino students are taking advantage, but in vocational programs. our kids aren’t.” But participation rates reported by local educaSmith says vocational programs fell out of favor tional institutions paint a different picture. in the 1960s when Russia launched Sputnik, and the HISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) U.S., in attempts to catch up and win the space race, Program boasts 191 career pathways in 42 HISD began pushing everyone towards obtaining four-year schools. Many of those pathways are geared toward degrees, especially in science or engineering. students looking for immediate employment after “The message was, ‘You’re inferior if you don’t graduation rather than pursuing a college degree. With have a four-year degree.’ The result – we have a major
Linda Head
a 2015-2016 enrollment of 42,300 students, and 3,417 CTE graduates in 2015, HISD has found a receptive audience for these programs. Dr. Michael Love. HISD’s Assistant Superintendent, Career Readiness, oversees the district’s Futures Academy that offers multiple programs designed to graduate students who are workforce ready. According to Love, “The demographics of Black students in our program mirror the demographics of Blacks in the district.” Currently, HISD’s student racial makeup is 62.1 percent Hispanic, 24.5 percent Black, 8.4 percent White and 3.7 percent Asian. Like Smith, Love points to 8th grade as the key year for applying to these programs that produce high school graduates who “are workforce ready or can cut down on college hours needed and costs because students earn associates degrees along with their high school diplomas.” For students unable to apply as 8th graders, or those 9th graders transferring in from out of state or another school district, Smith says they can
apply during their freshman year, b ability will depend on the program already be filled to capacity. In neighboring Aldine Indepe District (AISD) the demand for vo is so high an entire campus, schedu gust 2018, is slated to offer this cur According to Franklin Higgin tor of Career and Technical Educat Career and Technical High School West Road, will offer a multiplicity the areas of audio/video production technology, health sciences, constr gas, manufacturing, engineering, a more. “The facilities design will inc latest technology and environment designed with an industry environm gins. “Equipment and technologies used in the industry.” Higgins says the school will b student applications in October 201 curriculum that blends work-based academic curriculum. He added, th reflect the District’s student popula rently is 23 percent Black. Their CTE program as of Jun percent Black. For high school graduates wh pursuing vocational education, the offered at the community college l “We have over 100 workforc certificates, level 1-3 certificates le Associate of Applied Science (AA Linda Head, Lone Star College’s Chancellor, who coordinates wor
defendernetwork.com • Serving t
but spot availm, as some will
endent School ocational programs uled to open Aurriculum. ns, AISD’s Direction, Aldine’s l, located at 311 y of programs in n, information ruction, oil and automotive and
corporate the tal technologies ment,” said Higs will be the same
begin accepting 17, and offer a d concepts into the he school seeks to ation which cur-
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ho regret not ere are programs level. ce fast-track eading up to an AS) degree,” said Associate Vice rkforce educa-
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Top tion and corporate partnerships. “If a student is just beginning their educational path to a non-traditional student who may need additional skills for the workplace, our areas of study include business & professional services, computer information technology, energy & manufacturing, skilled trades and healthcare. If a student is looking for training in any of these areas they can start their education while also working and continue toward a workforce AAS degree.” Head says they work tirelessly to help their students find jobs, which is a lot easier because the students have been trained with actual equipment from the workplace. “Our curriculum is 75 percent hands-on, 20 percent theory and 5 percent visual simulation. This type of training allows the students to work with equipment they will be using with employers. The training within workforce education allows for a direct connection between skills needed and earned with Lone Star College,” Head said. Despite the positive institutional numbers, Smith is not alone is believing Black numbers in vocational programs aren’t adequate. “Vocational programs are not only the means by which positive economic forecasts will be fulfilled, but are the answer to those whose outlook on the future for Black and Hispanic students, males in particular, is bleak. The future does not have to be bleak, when it is placed in the hands of students who have been pointed in the direction of their own very special fortés and vocations at a young age, and whose personalized education has been informed by this knowledge,” stated Thomas.
the Houston area for over 85 years
Trade Jobs
According to thebalance.com, these are the Top 10 Trade jobs and median incomes…
1. Elevator Installer/Repairer ($77,580) Education: HS diploma and apprenticeship 2. Radiation Therapist ($66,823) Education: Associate’s Degree 3. Geological and Petroleum Technician ($61,762) Education: Associate’s 4. Web Developer ($57,662) Education: Associate’s 5. Dental Hygienist ($54,175) Education: Associate’s 6. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer ($51,832) Education: Associate’s 7. Respiratory Therapist ($51,011) Education: Associate’s 8. Electrician ($50,740) Education: HS diploma and Apprenticeship 9. Plumber ($50,048) Education: HS diploma and Apprenticeship 10. HVAC Technician ($42,886) Education: Post-secondary non-degree award
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HISD Futures Academy The HISD Futures Academy gives students the opportunity to earn an Associate’s degree and valuable industry certifications in highdemand career fields while in high school for free. Futures Academy collaborates with Houston Community College to provide students courses of study that offer valuable technological and academic skills. Upon completion of the program, students are in position to be highly sought after by industries as well as four-year colleges and universities. The Futures Academy programs are specifically tailored to meet the current and future needs of Houston’s thriving industries, which include the fields of medicine, shipping, energy, manufacturing, and computer technology. Futures Academy includes the following programs located on the following HISD campuses. • Petroleum Engineering (Furr HS) • Computer Engineering Technology (Kashmere) • Computer Networking & Administration (Scarborough) • Health Science (Westside) • Engineering (Booker T. Washington) • Pharmacy Technology (Jane Long) • Nursing and Construction Technology (Jones) • Global Supplies and Logistics (Sterling) For more information on HISD’s Futures Academy, call the HISD Career Readiness Office, 713-556-6981 or visit careerreadiness@houstonisd.org.
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DEFENDER | MAY 18 | 2017
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Obama center could bring Chicago billions Obama Presidential Center in the heart of Chicago’s South Side because it is the neighFormer President Barack borhood they call home and Obama’s Presidential Center (OPC) is the place that they believed slated to do more for Chicago’s South they could have the most imSide than originally thought. pact,” said David Simas, CEO The Obama Foundation is now of the Obama Foundation. estimating that the proposed center “The OPC will create new would “support 4,945 direct, indirect jobs and opportunities in the and induced jobs created during the community, strengthen the construction phase and 2,536 direct, economic climate and revitalindirect and induced jobs after the ize historic Jackson Park. This Center opens.” analysis helps quantify the An analysis of the center’s potenimpact we can expect the OPC tial economic impact predicted that it to bring to the community, the could earn nearly $3.1 billion for the city, and the state.” city during its construction and first Toni Prekwinkle, presi10 years of operation. dent of the Cook County The former president recently Board, echoed Simas’ sentiattended the center’s design and site ments about the presidential plan unveiling where he suggested center’s economic impact. that his foundation expected roughly “As a longtime resident 600,000 to 700,000 annual visitors at of the South Side, I believe the OPC. However, the Obama FounThe Barack Obama Presidential Center is expected to generate thousands of new jobs in South Side Chicago and the Obama Presidential Center dation’s latest estimate puts those surrounding areas. (Image courtesy of Designboom.com) will give a solid economic numbers slightly higher at 625,000 to boost to not just the immediate 760,000 yearly visitors. In addition, the analysis estimates the OPC will earn area in and around the facilThe foundation also projected that Cook County $5.9 million post-construction. ity, but adjacent, underdeveloped neighborhoods,” the project’s construction would rake in $16.5 million “President and Mrs. Obama chose to develop the Prekwinkle said. in “indirect and induced” state and local tax revenue. Defender News Services
Black woman wins Miss USA amid controversy not been scored by the Congressional Budget Office to A Black woman see what the cost has been crowned of the bill would Miss USA, but not be and how many before igniting a Americans stood firestorm of criticism to lose health care for one of her pageant coverage. answers. “Miss DC was While competing my fav but … not as Miss District of after that answer,” Columbia, Kara Mcwrote Twitter user Cullough talked about Charlsley Carey. health care in relation “Everyone has to job creation, saying, a right to health “I’m definitely going care.” to say it’s a privilege.” Kara McCullough was crowned Miss USA. “Well I guess “As a government poor people don’t employee, I’m granted health care. And I deserve health care because the new Miss see firsthand that for one, to have health USA said it was a privilege,” tweeted care, you need to have jobs, so therefore Kathy Lovett. we need to continue to cultivate this Later, McCullough also stirred up environment so that we’re given the opdebate online for her answer on feminism. portunities to have health care as well as (“As a woman scientist in the governjobs for all Americans worldwide,” Mcment, I’d like to lately transpose the word Cullough, who is a scientist at the U.S. feminism to equalism.”) But as it turns Nuclear Regulatory Commission, added. out, a possible controversy doesn’t necesThe comments sparked major sarily matter to the judges — at the end of backlash online, especially considering the night, she was named the winner. the fact that Republicans recently pushed It’s the second year in a row Miss through the American Health Care Act D.C. won the title. There was no word (AHCA) in a controversial move that had from McCullough on the controversy. Defender News Services
The Ryan White Planning Council Invites You to Meet Local Public Leaders and Give Public Comment on…
Ryan White Part A, Part B and State Services:
#1
Service Definitions for 2018
#2
Priority Rankings and Allocations for 2018
Also learn the updated Houston Area HIV Care Continuum
A l s o l e a r n a b o u t t h e m o s t r ec e n t Needs Assessment Findings
7:00 p.m. Monday, May 22, 2017
7:00 p.m. Monday, June 26, 2017
These televised Public Hearings will be held at the Houston City Hall Annex Council Chamber 900 Bagby Street, Public Level - Free Parking in Back To register for free Childcare or Transportation, you must call by 5pm on June 17th: 713 572-3724 (TTY: 713 572-2813) *** Watch the public hearings LIVE on the following channels *** Comcast (Ch. 16), Phonoscope (Ch. 73), Suddenlink (Ch. 14) & U-Verse (Ch. 99) Ryan White Planning Council Office of Support 2223 West Loop South, Suite 240; Houston, TX 77027 www.rwpcHouston.org
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MAY 18 | 2017 | DEFENDER
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Black women at risk
Planned Parenthood cuts could be harmful Defender News Services
While the new healthcare bill still has a long way to go before passing the Senate, it calls for Planned Parenthood of America to be defunded, a move that could impact hundreds of thousands of Black women who rely on the group’s services. Planned Parenthood provides reproductive services and other health care to 2.5 million people every year through 600 health centers around the country. A portion of the bill would stop the organization from being reimbursed by Medicaid for any of its services. Currently, federal funds cannot be used for abortion services. The proposed House legislation would freeze all government funding for health care services to organizations because the centers also perform abortions. Planned Parenthood is the country’s largest abortion services provider, which makes it a target of conservative legislators and voters. During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised his base
that he would defund Planned Parenthood if elected. The defunding of Planned Parenthood is just one aspect of the proposed replacement bill that could have a big impact on Black women. If the American Health Care Act is passed, it could change the requirement that individual health plans cover maternity care. The new plan would still require that insurers will cover maternity care, but states could opt out by asking for a special waiver. This could have a major impact on women who rely on Medicaid. The current safety net that ensures that pre-existing conditions are covered is in jeopardy. Alencia Johnson, director of Constituency Communications at Planned Parenthood said, “Black women need to know that blocking access to health care at Planned Parenthood can further the gap between health disparities and improved health outcomes.” Johnson said that there are misconceptions about services. “Over 90 percent of our services are lifesaving, preventive care,” she said. T:9.5”
Planned Parenthood facts
• Blacks represent 370,000 or 14 percent of Planned Parenthood patients for all services. • Services over 2.2 million Medicaid recipients. Before expanded Medicare through the Affordable Care Act, Black women were 50 percent more likely to be uninsured than white women. • Screens for several cancers, including cervical cancer. Black women have the highest rates of the disease and the highest death rates. • Provides nearly 4.5 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, including 700,000 HIV tests, and diagnoses of more than 157,000 STIs. Black women have the highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection among all women.
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DEFENDER | MAY 18 | 2017
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sports
Texans’ future begins with rookie mini-camp By MAX EDISON Defender
W
hen you have a draft class that experts believe is your franchise’s best in recent years, you can’t wait to get those prospects on the field and examine what you’ve acquired. Such is the case with the Texans, who recently held their rookie mini-camp for some 44 draft picks, undrafted college free agents and tryouts. Most NFL draftniks gave the Texans an “A” for their recent selections, starting with Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, their first-round pick. Rookie mini-camp is the first step of indoctrinating players with the NFL method of doing things. Head coach Bill O’Brien described the process. “They arrived here Thursday afternoon and we started to meet with them right away. we It was kind of individually,” O’Brienhad said. “They had to take physicals and things like that but then we started to meet with them. Then, at 7 o’clock on Thursday night we had a squad meeting and we started to talk about the weekend and the expectations of this organization,” O’Brien said. rent “We had an offense/defense meeting that e NFL is “a diffe terback, said th ar qu ie ok ro a n, night. It’s been a lot of meetings. So, it’s meetDeshaun Watso environment.” ings, it’s walk-through, and it’s practice. Everything is brand new to them. [They want to know “You can expect a lot of stuff and want to be everything from] ‘Where’s my meeting room, and great, want to be successful, especially early on, where do I get taped?’ to how we practice and where but it’s a process. It’s not going to happen overthe practice fields are. night. It’s going to take long nights, early morn“Everything is brand new. As quickly as they ings to be able to put in the work and to get what can get adjusted to all of the little things, they’ll be you need to get in to be successful on the field.” in good shape. They’re a competitive group. We’re For Texas City native and University of Texas really enjoying working with them.” All-American running back D’Onta Foreman, Top pick Watson discussed the first day on his beginning his pro career less than an hour from his new job. hometown is special. “It’s just a different environment,” Watson “My dad was a big Houston Texans fan and I said. “This is the NFL. College is a different level watched the team growing up,” Foreman recalled. but this is the National Football League. It’s your “[It’s] unreal, me being a part of it. I just want to job, it’s your career. The things you do are differget in and do what I’m asked to do and just take it ent than what I’ve been doing before.” all and embrace it all.” As Watson settles in to his new surroundings, Fourth-round draft pick Julien Davenport, an he is keenly aware of what it will take to duplioffensive tackle, arrived at rookie mini-camp with cate the success that he enjoyed at Clemson on the the distinction of being the first player drafted out professional level. of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. in 60 “It’s going to take hard work,” Watson said. years. Coming from a smaller school, Davenport is
D’Onta Foreman, a run ning back from Texas City, wants to “embrace it all.”
Julien Davenport, an off ensive tackle, is ready for the next level of competition.
prepared for the next level of competition. “[It’s] definitely a big honor but now I’m a Houston Texan and it’s time to work toward attaining these goals and getting that ring,” Davenport said. “Anywhere I go I’m real competitive. I want to be the best. I want to go against the best and I’m always carrying this chip on my shoulder. “I’m always ready to compete,” Davenport said. “I’m looking forward to going against anybody that lines up against me and continuing to develop my game and be the best person I can be.”
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MAY 18 | 2017 | DEFENDER
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Houston prep stars shine at state meet By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
AUSTIN – The Houston area collection of high school track and field allstars took their dazzling show on the road for a Mother’s Day presentation in the state capital. Julia Heymach (Lamar), Champion Allison (George Ranch), Kynnedy Flannel (Alvin), Kesean Carter (The Woodlands), Milan Young (Lamar), G’Auna Edwards (Spring), Adrian Piperi (The Woodlands) and Jayson Baldridge (George Ranch) won multiple medals as Houston area student-athletes dominated the medal stand at the UIL state Class 6A track and field meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium. Flannel, a junior at Alvin High School, won gold medals in the long jump, 100-meter dash and the 200-meter race. “I was still a little tired from the long jump so I didn’t know what to expect in the sprints,” Flannel said. “It was a mental thing to win the 100. I had a feeling that I was in front but I wasn’t sure until I heard the announcement. It was really exciting,” Flannel said. Heymach secured gold medals in the two-miles (3,200) and 800-meter races while settling for a silver medal in the mile (1,600). The Lamar senior, who has signed with Stanford University, has won seven gold medals between track and cross country during her prep career. “I’m really happy that all the work my coaches put into me paid off,” Heymach said. “I’ve been really psyched Find out what area schools won all season to team titles at state meet compete in all three distance races at the state meet. It’s such an awesome opportunity that not many people get to experience. Young, a senior heading to LSU, capped off her high school career with a gold medal in the 300-meter hurdles with a Class 6A state record time of 40.97 seconds. Young added a silver medal with a runner-up finish in the 100-meter hurdles (13.44). “I was going for the state record (40.81 seconds) so when I got to the last 100 meters, I told myself that I got to go,” Young said. “I didn’t get the state mark, but I did get the conference record and I’m totally fine with it. I won the gold medal.” Allison garnered a gold medal in the 400-meter dash (45.87 seconds) while anchoring the Longhorns’ come-from-behind win in the mile relay (3:11.19). The 20 points in the meet’s final event gave George Ranch 54 to finish second in the team totals. “Tonight was my last high school meet so I wanted to go out giving it everything I had,” Allison said. “I was nervous at the beginning of each race, but I eventually settled in and went to work.” Carter, a standout wide receiver on the Highlanders’ football team that advanced to the state championship game, won the 100-meter dash to claim gold and anchored the 4X200 relay to a gold medal in a school and Class 6A record time of one minute, 23.81 seconds. Pipieri won the shot put for The Woodlands and finished second in the discus. Baldridge took home the gold medal in the 300-meter hurdles (36.25) and ran the scratch leg (leadoff) on the Longhorns’ gold-medal winning mile relay. Other first-place area winners included Langham Creek’s Eric Edwards in the 110-meter hurdles, Channelview’s Dejah Carr in the discus, Mason Corbin of Tompkins in the high jump and Gabriel Oladipo of Hightower in the discuss.
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Cougar men dominant The University of Houston track team scored 181.5 points en route to winning its secondstraight American Outdoor title, and third in the last four seasons. The Cougars topped UConn, second with 136.5 points. With the win, the Cougars swept the indoor and outdoor titles for the second consecutive season and the 10th time in program history. The men have won 15 conference outdoor titles, including 12 under head coach Leroy Burrell, who has won 17 total outdoor championships and 33 conference championships overall. The Cougar men won gold in the 4x100-meter relay (38.70) for the fourth consecutive season. The Cougars scored a large number of points in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, where they swept the podium in each event.
Former PVAMU star dies
Kynnedy Flannel
Clarence Williams, a Prairie View A&M University Sports Hall of Famer and former NFL star, died on May 8 after a fight with cancer. He was 70. A native of Brazoria, Williams was a state champion at G.W. Carver in Sweeny in 1965. Williams played on “The Hill” from 1965-69. He was a two- time Pittsburgh Courier All-American at offensive right tackle and was converted to defensive end in the NFL. He was selected in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys and spent one year on the taxi squad. He was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1970 and played there eight seasons. Williams is survived by his wife, Icy, and children Clarence Jr., Marla and Cary.
Top-ranked Lamar falls
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Julia Heymach
Ridge Point eliminated the No. 1-ranked Class 6A high school baseball team in Texas with a 2-1 best-of-three series area-round matchup against Lamar. After splitting the first two games, Ridge Point erupted for eight fourth-inning runs and conquered the Texans 11-0 in a run-rule shortened game three. Matthew Scott (2-0) pitched five scoreless innings and allowed four singles to pick up the victory. Ron Washington had a solo home run while Panthers teammates Zach Johnson, Parker Wayne, Arron Allen and Kyle Croft each collected two hits apiece. “Our defense was really good,” said Scott, who added six strikeouts. “They’ve been good throughout the playoffs, but they were amazing today.” Ridge Point (22-13) advances to play Cypress Ranch in the Region III-6A quarterfinals. Other Houston area schools to advance to the third round of the state baseball playoffs include Klein Collins, The Woodlands, Oak Ridge, Travis, Katy, North Shore, La Porte, Deer Park and Clear Springs.
Deer Park girls rally Playoff-tested teams tend to play with confidence. That was the difference as former state softball champion Deer Park rallied from a one-game deficit to defeat perennial powerhouse Kingwood in a best-of-three Region III-6A quarterfinal matchup. After falling 2-1 on the road, Deer Park swept a doubleheader at home (4-3, 4-2) to advance to the regional semifinals. Erin Edmoundson was the winning pitcher in both Deer victories. Maddie Nelson was magnificient in relief. Alyssa Hernandez recorded all four Deer Park RBIs in the game three series-clinching win. Champion Allison
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DEFENDER | MAY 18 | 2017
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
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MUSIC DOING GOOD COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS……..The local non-profit to Ghana this summer, thanks to the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah International Study Abroad Music Doing Good (MDG) awarded its inaugural class of scholarship winners from the Scholarship, were announced at the event. The banquet was held at the Power Center. Music Doing Good College-Bound Fund. The fund, created to assist musically-gifted AAS Director Dr. James Conyers and staff welcomed attendees including event MC high school seniors in need of financial support to realize their college dreams, is a Khambrel Marshall of KPRC-TV, keynote speaker Trustee Wanda Adams, Dr. Malachi partnership between MDG and Texas Southern University, the University of Houston, the Crawford, Eronn Putman, Paul Scott, Dr. Billy Hawkins, Naomi Ellis, Cedvion University of St. Thomas and Houston Community College. MDG founder and president Harris, Jamesia King, Serwa Omowale and more…….COMICPALOOZA…….. Marie Bosarge hosted the event. Attendees included scholarship winner Breanna Texas’ largest pop culture festival, Comicpalooza, recently unleashed a whirlwind Lindsey, Tonya Lindsey, Darryl Lindsey, TSU President of entertainment, activities and artists on the George R. Brown Austin A. Lane, Councilmember Amanda Edwards, Dr. Defender TOP EVENTS Convention Center. Actors, writers and directors of some of the most Elwyn Lee, Deborah Chambers, Dr. Jason Oby, Gina Li, popular movies and TV series with a focus on comics, sci-fi, anime, More photos on defendernetwork.com Connie Cochran, LaRence Snowden, Rodney Bush and horror and more, were present for panel discussions and personal many more.……..UH AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES photos. There was also a film festival, gaming space, cosplay and SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET……..The UH African American Studies Program booths for both established and up-and-coming authors and artists to interact with fans. On hand for the festivities were filmmaker Jumai Yusuf, Shirley Williams, Cardell (AAS) hosted its annual Scholarship Banquet, honoring student and alumni excellence. Along with student scholarship recipients, Pastor Suzette Caldwell, Jeramaine Netherly, Williams, Steven King, Michele King, Jessica King, Brittany Brown, Salim Balbed, and Judson Robinson III received Distinguished Alumni awards. UH students headed Lue Trahan, Megan Freeman, Joshua Kemp and countless others.
Gina Li, Councilmember Amanda Edwards, Marie Bosarge, Anna Arispe
Dr. Malachi Crawford, Khambrel Marshall
Daniel Tesfaye, Lydia Tesfaye
Tonya Lindsey, Breanna Lindsey, Darryl Lindsey
Angela Williams-Phillips, Tanja Simmons, Dormese Senegal
Chandler Wimbish, Lisa Wimbish, Larry Wimbish
Rodney Bush, Dr. Elwyn Lee
Courtney Taylor, LaTreshia Carter
Toyin Yusuf, Jumai Yusuf, Tobi Yusuf
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