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Volume 85 | Number 41 AUGUST 11, 2016 | FREE

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FEATURE ALADRIAN MIMS continues Hank’s Ice Cream legacy

P6 SPORTS GREG WARD JR. quarterbacks UH Cougars

WILL SMITH

P12 LOCAL

‘SUICIDE SQUAD’

MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER launches youth project

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Shawn Thierry

Ensemble Theatre

Houston attorney Shawn Thierry won support from Democratic precinct chairs to replace State Rep. Borris Miles on the November ballot, and is all but guaranteed the job. See other ways Houston’s Black political leadership is changing.

Houston’s Ensemble Theatre is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Find out which celebrities will join in the festivities at the Black Tie Gala. Learn 10 facts about the theater. Read about four decades of entertainment and outreach.

wins nomination

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marks 40 years

TOP EVENTS

Melinda Spaulding and LaToya Smith at a Woman’s Worth Seminar

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Thierry win completes leadership puzzle By PATRICK SVITEK Texas Tribune

Attorney Shawn Thierry clinched the Democratic nomination to replace State Rep. Borris Miles, D-Houston, a move that completes the puzzle of Black leadership changes brought on by the death of County Commissioner El Franco Lee. State Sen. Rodney Ellis won the Democratic Party nomination to run for the Precinct 1 County Commissioner seat vacated by Lee’s passing. Miles then secured the Democratic Party’s nod to run for Ellis’ seat. Both Ellis and Miles are running unopposed in November, and will assume their new roles in January 2017. Thierry, a former judicial candidate, narrowly won support from a majority of precinct chairs in House District 146, where Miles is stepping down amid a likely promotion to the state Senate, according to the Texas Tribune. The election that gave Thierry the nod was not without some drama. No candidate captured a majority in the first round of voting, with 12 votes going to Thierry, 11 to Harris County schools official Erica Lee Carter and one to former Houston City Council candidate Larry Blackmon. In an

Sen. Rodney Ellis will be county commissioner

Rep. Borris Miles will be state senator

immediate runoff, the sole Blackmon supporter switched allegiance to Thierry, giving her the edge she needed to win. Heading into the election, the frontrunners were considered to be Thierry and Carter, the daughter of U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Five candidates were confirmed to be running, though only three received votes from precinct chairs.

Rep. Jarvis Johnson replaces Turner as state rep

Shawn Thierry will replace Miles as state rep.

Thierry's nomination completes the local and statewide Black leadership transformation which included the election of former Councilmember Jarvis Johnson to fill Mayor Sylvester Turner’s seat as District 139 state representative. Johnson won a special election on May 24 to replace Turner. Thierry, like Ellis and Miles, will assume her new post in January.

Harris County reports state’s first Zika death Defender News Services

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is urging residents to use an EPA-registered insect (mosquito) repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, in the wake of the area’s first confirmed Zikaassociated death. HCPH received a positive Zika test result on a newborn female with birth defects, including microcephaly. The child died shortly after being born, making it the first Zika-related death in the state of Texas. “The saddest outcome of Zika’s health effects

often impact the most vulnerable,” said HCPH Executive Director Umair A. Shah, M.D. “We are devastated to report our first case of Zikaassociated death and our hearts go out to the family.” Authorities believe the child’s mother became infected with the virus while travelling to Latin America during her pregnancy. “While this is a travel-associated case, we know that prevention is key to reducing the risk of Zika virus infection. Harris County Public Health continues to actively work on protecting the community from mosquito-related diseases, but individuals must also protect themselves from

getting bitten by mosquitoes locally and abroad,” Shah said. “Despite the horrible news regarding the recent Zika-related death, the residents of Harris County should be reassured that their county and state officials are continuing to monitor Zikarelated developments worldwide and have plans in place to respond to any potential risks to public health,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett amid rising concerns. Emmett is a member of the state Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. Zika virus is spread primarily through the bite of the Aedes species mosquito.

localbriefs A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER is under fire after accusations that he abused a Black woman who called 911 on him. Earledreka White was stopped for crossing the double white line. She called 911 to ask for police backup because she was afraid of the cop who stopped her. White, 28, was placed in handcuffs and charged with resisting arrest and then was thrown in jail for two days, where she feared she might end up dead like Sandra Bland, another Black woman arrested in Texas following a routine traffic stop. White said she remained calm throughout the encounter, and she has accused the officer of unnecessarily escalating

the situation. Authorities investigated the incident in April and determined the officer had done nothing wrong. But surveillance video released by White’s attorneys appears to back her account……..LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS announced they will work to revamp state laws on the jailing of material witnesses to provide access to lawyers and advocates. The announcement comes on the heels of a firestorm after a mentally ill rape victim filed a lawsuit last month over being jailed in general population for almost a month while waiting to testify against her attacker. The rapist was ultimately sentenced to two

life sentences, but the victim was beaten by another inmate and a Harris County jailer gave her a black eye during her stay at the jail. The woman had been held because she had a mental breakdown on the witness stand and prosecutors feared she wouldn’t return to court……..A NEW STATE-BY-STATE ANALYSIS shows that few states have expanded upon the FMLA’s unpaid leave protections or adopted other supports to assist expecting and new parents who are employed. Texas earned a grade of “D-” for its policies. The analysis grades all 50 states. California is the only state to receive an “A.”

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AUGUST 11 | 2016 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs PRESIDENT OBAMA COMMUTED the sentences of 214 federal inmates, including 67 life sentences, in what the White House called the largest batch of commutations on a single day in more than a century. Almost all the prisoners were men serving time for nonviolent crimes related to drugs, although a few were charged with firearms violations related to their drug activities.……AN ARREST HAS BEEN MADE in the case of Black firefighter Kenneth Walker, whose New York state house was burned to the ground two days after receiving a racist and threatening letter saying “N------ are not allowed to be firefighters.” Matthew Jurado, a former firefighter who lived across the street from Walker, was arrested for setting the fire. Jurado, who police said knew Walker personally, was charged with arson in the second degree. He admitted to police that he started the fire but said another firefighter wrote the racist letter……..BLACK LIVES MATTER ACTIVIST Deray McKesson is suing the city of Baton Rouge, saying officers responded in a “militarized and aggressive manner” in arresting him and other people protesting a police shooting death. McKesson was among nearly 200 protesters arrested following the July 5 shooting of Alton Sterling, a Black man shot during a struggle with two white officers. The federal class-action lawsuit, which names two other arrested protesters as plaintiffs, accuses police of using excessive force and violating the protesters’ constitutional rights……..DYLANN ROOF, THE WHITE MAN accused of killing nine members of a historic Black church in Charleston, S.C., last year, was attacked by a Black inmate in the Charleston County Detention Center, where the two were housed in the protective custody unit, authorities said. Roof was on his way to the shower when a fellow inmate, 25-year-old Dwayne Stafford, accosted him and beat him with his fists. Roof is not pressing charges.

VOLUME 85 • NUMBER 41 AUGUST 11, 2016 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Digital Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Proofer Maia Shelby

Editors Aswad Walker Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers ReShonda Billingsley Jasemine Knowles Amber Vernon 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).

Chicagoans protest killing, police shown celebrating Defender News Services

While demonstrators continue to protest, the city of Chicago and the nation await the fate of officers placed on paid administrative leave after video footage showed them shooting and killing unarmed 18-year-old Paul O’Neal, then celebrating afterward. During one demonstration, protesters marched through Chicago’s Loop and shut down several streets while calling for justice. Chicago police officers were caught doublechecking to make sure their Demonstrators in Chicago protest another police shooting. body cameras were off and reportedly giving each other the wounded O’Neal, “Get down! Hands behind “high-fives” after O’Neal was fatally shot in video your back! You shot at us, mother------!” However, released by Chicago’s Independent Police Review it was later proven O’Neal was unarmed. In Authority. fact, before it was proven the teen did not have “We just came from watching Chicago police a weapon, the video shows officers questioning officers execute Paul O’Neal,” said Michael whether O’Neal actually opened fire on them. Oppenheimer, an attorney for the O’Neal family. “It The critically injured O’Neal later died at a is one of the most horrific things that I have seen, local hospital. aside from being in a movie. These police officers The three officers involved in the shooting, decided to play judge, jury and executioner. and the celebration afterward, were found to have O’Neal was shot and killed by Chicago police violated police policy in the shooting and have officers on July 28 after allegedly crashing a stolen been stripped of their power and placed on paid Jaguar into two police officers and then attempting administrative leave. to flee. Officers pursued O’Neal and stated they None of the video footage shows O’Neal shot at him at least “five times.” However, the video getting shot in the back. Moments after the shots are reveals that at least 15 shots were fired. fired, however, O’Neal can be seen lying face-down An officer on the video could be heard telling on the ground, in a bloodied T-shirt.

Baltimore protesters sentenced, not police Defender News Services

The Baltimore judicial system is fast convicting participants involved in the protests that followed the death of Freddie Gray, in the wake of all six police defendants charged with Gray’s murder getting off scot free. Darius Raymond Stewart, 22, was sentenced to five years in prison for setting fire to a liquor store. U.S. District Judge Marvin Garbis also ordered Stewart to pick up the $378,526 tab for repairing and restoring the building. Stewart is one of several Baltimoreans charged with arson and other crimes that occurred during last

year’s unrest. Raymon Carter, 25, has already been sentenced to a four-year prison term and $500,000 in restitution for his role in the riots, including arson of the CVS Pharmacy. “It’s amazing how easily and how fast they can convict one of us, but when they do something outside the bounds of law, they walk,” said Krishna Lowe, a student-activist in the D.C. area. Three of the six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray were found not guilty. The Baltimore state’s attorney chose to drop the charges on the remaining three, citing barriers to seeking a just verdict.

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Ensure that your business is social enough Building a social media following for your small business can feel like an uphill battle. What’s the use of wracking your brain to create engaging content when you have just a few dozen followers? If you create a social media post, and there’s no one to read it, does it even matter? It is worth your time to build and nurture your social media presence even if your businesses – and your online audience – are small. Here are ways to maximize your social media effectiveness from the SBA. 1. Build an emotional connection – Take some of the drudgery out of creating social media content by remembering what sort of content you enjoy seeing online. By thinking about why you appreciate the social media accounts you follow personally, you might be inspired to mimic that successful content on your own social media profiles. Not every post needs to actively sell a product. Your Instagram feed, for instance, might feature neighborhood scenes or behind the scenes of your latest project.

2. Use your audience as a test market – Have an idea for a business promotion, sale or special event? Test it on social media. It costs nothing but your time to post a spur-of-the-moment special on your Facebook page and see how your fans react. After observing the results of your social media promotions, you can determine how best to incorporate them to your overall marketing strategy.

3. Make it easy for people to find you – How easy it is for a potential follower to discover your social media profiles? Do you have your handles listed on your receipts, menus or a truck? Do you have them listed on your front door or on your business cards? You can create a social media presence, but people won’t join you there unless you make them aware you’re active on their favorite platforms. It’s particularly true for platforms that are still gaining popularity, like Snapchat. 4. Be ready to respond – Social media is a fantastic customer service tool, helping you connect with customers oneon-one without having to wade through your email inbox or track them down in person. But if you’re not ready to respond to their questions, comments or concerns online, you’re missing an opportunity to stand out. Use notifications on your desktop computer or phone, so you know when a follower has mentioned you on social media or sent a private message. By responding quickly, you’ll show the follower you care about their thoughts.

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AUGUST 11 | 2016 | DEFENDER

entertainment

‘Suicide Squad’ parades Black stars

Defender News Services

ill Smith and Viola Davis are the heart and soul of the latest global phenomenon, “Suicide Squad.” The comic book movie played no kid’s games as it set an August box office record on its opening weekend, raking in $135.1 million in North American ticket sales, and a staggering $267 million globally. Adewale AkinnuoyeAgbaje, who starred with Smith in “Concussion,” does work in a Will Smith and Viola Davis are among the stars in “Suicide Squad.” supporting role as Killer Croc, a Intelligence Officer Amanda Waller, played by Davis. ruthless criminal/cannibal. But the Asked how she got into the character to play the movie gets its pulse from Smith’s portrayal of the world’s deadliest assassin, Deadshot, whose only weakness is also puppet master with no conscience, Davis explained that reading the book “Confessions of a Sociopath” and his greatest strength – his love for his daughter. reflecting on her childhood helped her reach that dark “We were dealing with manipulation, torture, and domination,” Smith said of director David Ayer’s process place. “I tapped into Viola at eight because I can’t tap into for getting his ensemble crew of actors, who included Viola at 51,” she said. “At eight, I could beat somebody’s Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Joel Kinnaman, and a quick ass. I was just always angry because people were appearance by rapper/actor Common, into the mindset always teasing me. I was bullied. With me, I’m always needed to play the world’s most ruthless villains. apologizing. I’m shy, and I’m always retreating. I never “We all got in a room and it was more like therapy tap into my power and Amanda Waller is not that. She is than it was a character creation,” Smith said. “We sat unapologetically brutal.” and we talked about our lives. We got really close, talked Smith found the physical training for the role to be about our triumphs, trials and tribulations. And then, at brutal and intense. the most opportune moment, [Ayer] would completely “When you’re 47, no injury is a mild injury betray us, and betray that trust.” anymore,” he said. “I tore my calf a couple of weeks in. The film counters any possible sentiment with the What’s terrible is you do it doing nothing. I wasn’t doing sociopathic mastermind of the Suicide Squad, U.S.

anything. We’re sparring and I stepped back, the door shut and my calf popped. You could hear it; people could hear it and everybody was like, ‘Ooh. That’s not good. Whatever that sound was, is not a good sound.’ Then the doctor told me I was down for six weeks.” For Killer Croc to come alive, Akinnuoye-Agbaje said Ayer wanted him to get big, physically and performance-wise. “This man made me push in so many ways to get big,” Akinnuoye-Agbaje recalled. “And when I got to the size that he desired for Killer Croc, and I’m thinking I was ready, he said, ‘Now you’ve got to fight Karen [Fukuhara],’ ” the smallest actress on the set, who plays the deadly sword-wielding Tatsu Yamashiro. Akinnuoye-Agbaje also faced the challenge of having his face almost totally hidden behind the character’s makeup and machinery. “When David and I first had discussions, he presented Killer Croc with the prosthetics because they were very extensive. My first question to him was, ‘Is anybody actually going to know I’m in there?’ He said, ‘Absolutely,’ because he really wanted an actor that would bring the soul of the creature to life. “He took it very seriously,” Smith said. “He was watching crocodile videos of things and cannibalism. I think that as a cast we have a question I think Adewale should answer honestly once and for all. Did you eat any of your assistants?”

what’sup Starz has extended CURTIS “50 CENT” JACKSON’S exclusive premium overall deal, and is currently in development on a new superherothemed series from the rapper in addition to his current Starz drama “Power.” Jackson’s deal has been extended for another year into September 2018 to develop new projects for the network with G-Unit Film & Television, Inc. The company’s first project in development is “Tomorrow, Today.” Based on a screenplay penned by Jackson, the series follows a veteran from the South side of Chicago who, after being falsely imprisoned, becomes the personal experiment of a mad prison doctor trying to create an unstoppable killing machine. Set free,

but on the run, the veteran must reconcile with the world that has turned against him…….MARIAH CAREY will portray a mega-star named Kitty on the new season of “Empire,” the hit series from LEE DANIELS. Carey previously acted in Daniels’ films “The Butler” and “Precious.” Other celebrities who have been tapped for the show’s third season include TAYE DIGGS, SIERRA MCCLAIN and rappers BIRDMAN and FRENCH MONTANA ……..ABC Entertainment’s president CHANNING DUNGEY said she’s striving for further diversity. Among her immediate targets: “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” reality shows which have consistently featured whites in the title roles….…

Celebrities are speaking out in a powerful public service announcement produced by Campaign Zero called, #SOMEDAYISTODAY. The campaign is meant to bring awareness to the racial hate and injustices of police brutality. The two-part visual campaign features a dozen of celebrities of color like MICHAEL EALY, KEISHA EPPS, RUTINA WESLEY, BORIS KODJOE, MEAGAN GOOD and MARLON WAYANS, who all come together in a video to recite the words of the famous civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.” Epps and Good were so overcome with emotions that they shed tears. “When is someday?” actress AJA NAOMI KING asks.

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Hank’s Ice Cream offers scoops and smiles By JASEMINE KNOWLES Defender

With Texas’ unbearable heat, ice cream makes for a much more delicious way to cool down. And Hank’s Ice Cream, a family-owned Black business, is the place of choice for many Houstonians. For 30-plus years, Hank’s has served up smiles and scoops of homemade frozen treats like banana pudding and Texas Oreo from a recipe list of more than 100 rotating flavors, with butter pecan consistently being the No. 1 bestseller. Located on 9291 South Main, Hank’s has been a favorite among locals from all backgrounds, including celebrities such as Beyoncé and family and former Texans running back Arian Foster. “We have a special cream that we use to make our ice cream that is very rich, high in butter fat, and it’s got a really good taste to it,” said Aladrian Mims, daughter of late founder Hank Wiggins. “It is appealing to the customers because it’s creamy. Also because we have a wide variety of over 100 original flavors, but we only sell 16 at a time.” come to fruition until years later (1985) with his Happy customer Ariel Holmes agrees. wife, Okema at his side. “I’ve yet to find better ice cream and better Though Wiggins died in 2012, Mims and her service in the city,” Holmes mother carry on said. “The banana pudding is her father’s legacy to die for. It’s definitely better of incredible than Blue Bell.” What Hank's Ice Cream flavor matches your customer service Growing up as a tastePERSONALITY? and even better ice tester for a local ice cream Go to facebook.com/defendernetwork cream. parlor in his hometown of “I make sure Caldwell, Texas, Wiggins [customers] always leave pleased with a smile and always knew he wanted to open his own business good treat to relax for the day,” she said. one day, according to Mims. Wiggins’ dream didn’t

Customers enjoy a cold, sweet treat at Hank’s Ice Cream.

QUIZ:

Aladrian Mims

Fountain of Praise mission trip uplifts souls Defender News Services

The Fountain of Praise is working globally to help people of African descent grow spiritually and socially. It was to such ends that the church led a global mission to San Andres, Colombia, marking the fifth year of making an impact there. “We take our mission work very seriously,” said Pastor Remus E. Wright. “San Andres is a beautiful island that faces many challenges. We are committed to enhancing the spiritual and physical quality of life for the people.” Partnering with the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in San Andres, missionaries from The Fountain of Praise, led by Wright and Co-Pastor Mia K. Wright, ventured to do both spiritual and community work as part of the island city’s annual Emancipation Celebration. During the week-long effort, Fountain of Praise members developed programs for youth, married couples, singles, men, and

women, facilitated workshops in dance and music, and established the church’s first drill team outside of the continental U.S. Moreover, members conducted trainings on asset-based community development with local church and community leaders. San Andres is located off the coast of Nicaragua but is a member state of the Republic of Colombia. Its sovereignty has long been a debate in international courts as both Colombia and Nicaragua have fought for the island. The people of San Andres are primarily of African descent, but have seen a drastic increase in population as people from the mainland have moved to the island creating an issue of over-population. “We decided on San Andres because mission work is often focused only on Africa,” Remus Wright said. “But we believe there are people of African descent in need not only in Houston or Africa, but other places around the world.”

Member of The Fountain of Praise traveled to San Andres, Colombia.

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AUGUST 11 | 2016 | DEFENDER

opinion Is there corporate leadership on racial justice?

By JULIANNE MALVEAUX

hen North Carolina passed laws eliminating anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, along with its “bathroom bill” mandating that transgender people use the bathroom of their birth gender, the state experienced almost immediate backlash. Several artists cancelled concerts, and at least two corporations that had planned to locate corporate headquarters in North Carolina decided to move them elsewhere. Now, the National Basketball Association says it will not play the NBA All-Star game in Charlotte, as planned. They threw the Queen City a bone by saying they “hope” they will play the games there in 2019, implying that they will play in Charlotte if the state changes its discriminatory laws by then. Moving the All-Star game away from Charlotte is an economic blow to that city, and to the entire state. The three-day activity-filled and starstudded event draws tens of thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to the city. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league has a long record of speaking out against discrimination. North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory said in an angry statement the sports and entertainment industries have “maligned” the people of North Carolina and “misrepresented its laws.” He said “American families should be on notice that the selective corporate elite are imposing their political will on the communities in which they do business, thus bypassing the democratic and legal process.” I say that the NBA has offered corporate

leadership on discrimination against GBLTQ people, and I applaud it. I am wondering, though, what it would take to get NBA and corporate leadership involved in the unnecessary shootings of African-Americans by “law enforcement” officials. What if a few leaders of Fortune 50 companies took a position on the number of unarmed AfricanAmericans killed by “law enforcement” officers? What if they said that in response to the killing of Philando Castille in Falcoln Heights, Minn., they

would reconsider their monetary commitment to this city or that? To be sure, police organizations would push back, and hard, just as they have every time President Obama says something about the ways people have been slaughtered at the hands of police officers. Still, if corporate leadership even lifted up these shootings as a matter of concern it might make a difference. Or, perhaps corporate leadership could use a carrot instead of a stick, making contributions to police training and arbitration in the name of corporate social responsibility. What if corporate leaders offered to support a few diversity leaders in developing training

for police officers? What if corporate leaders convened some kind of gathering that talked about the correlation between police community relations and corporate profits? Unfortunately, corporate leadership has been mostly missing in action on racial justice matters because some corporations profit from racial and economic injustice. Those who manufacture the tanks that bulldoze through our city streets are making money from police aggression. Those who own the private prisons that profit from mass incarceration have no interest in minimizing arrests. And those who shilly-shally around economic justice find there is no down side to taking no position, a tepid one, or an ambivalent one. The NBA felt there was a downside in condoning North Carolina’s discrimination against GBLTQ people, such a downside that they would offer a crushing economic blow to that state. They don’t seem to care about the “collateral damage,” those folks who don’t discriminate but will still suffer because the All-Star game is going elsewhere. Few feel strongly enough about racial and economic justice to strike a similar blow against it. Instead, there is head-shaking and hand-wringing but no action. What would be the outcome if even one corporate leader said, “We don’t like doing business in this environment.” What if just one corporation surveyed their African-American employees about their police interactions, including unjustified stops, “misidentification” and the burden of WWB and BWB (walking while Black and breathing while Black)? What if just one corporation said “enough” about this nonsense? I think corporate leadership on racial economic justice could make a difference. Where is the corporate leader bold enough to try?

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Theater focuses on entertainment, outreach

he iconic Houston institution the Ensemble Theatre is fast approaching the celebration of its 40th anniversary. The 2016-2017 season, which begins in September, marks a full four decades that the Ensemble has offered innovative programs to bring AfricanAmerican theater to audiences. But the Ensemble’s impact reaches far beyond the stage. The Ensemble’s Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris believes one aspect of that impact comes from the theater “providing an institution that brings the stories of African-Americans to life on a consistent basis.” But Morris sees so many more positives, including its ability to serve as a talent incubator. “Our institution, since the days of our founder George Hawkins, serves as a vehicle where Black artists can perfect their craft.” With six major productions offered annually, the Ensemble has employed writers, actors, directors, and production crew for up Eileen Morris to 240 plays. Morris also believes the Ensemble’s ownership of its space is no small thing. “When our founder had the foresight to move us from 1010 Tuam to 3535 Main, that had to be one of the most important moments in our history because it served as the catalyst for Janette Cosley where we are today in our growth,” Morris said. “The fact that we owns our own building can’t be taken away. There are not that many Black theaters in the country that own their own space,” Morris said. “Had we not made that move, who knows where our heads would be laying now?” Yet, even with a well-deserved pride in past accomplishments, Morris and other Ensemble family members are using this anniversary to focus on the future, hence, the celebration’s theme: “Dawn of a New Decade.” “Our goal is to see the Ensemble Theatre build a stronger presence among local, regional, and national arts patrons,” said Janette Cosley, the Ensemble’s

executive director. “We hope to see more next generation supporters getting involved in our variety of programming.” These include the Young Performers Program, a performing arts education program for youth ages 6-17, and the Act One Young Professionals group that hosts pre-show mixers and an annual poetry event aimed at Millennials, among others. Morris believes continued growth for the theater depends not only on engaging younger audiences, but also celebrating Black history while welcoming more diverse audiences. “One of the Ensemble’s slogans states ‘Where the E is for everyone.’ People need to understand that for institutions like the Ensemble to exist we must diversify our audience,” Morris said. “So much written by us are stories that need to be told. And even though written from a Black perspective, they speak to every man and woman. We have so much we can learn from each other.” That sentiment keeps the Ensemble focused on being a hub for Black artistic expression. “The Ensemble adds to the diversity of Houston cultural arts,” said Cosley, who like Morris is an ardent believer in the power of the arts. “Live theater allows us to bring stories to life in a way that gives audiences a direct connection to the characters and their situations. Sometimes the connection is so strong audiences tend to react more than they would if they were watching a movie,” Cosley said. Morris’ favorite Ensemble story reflects Cosley’s observation. “When we did the play Cinderella, one little girl looked at the program, started crying and said, ‘Mommy, she looks like me!’ She’s seen the other Cinderellas, but seeing our version, she found a connection,” Morris said. Cosley’s fondest memory, the Ensemble’s mortgage burning ceremony, speaks to ownership and empowerment. “It was the first major achievement following the death of our founder [Hawkins], and it set an example of how community involvement helped sustain and propel the institution forward,”

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Cosley said. “That was nearly 15 years ago and we already see multi-generational support developing where two to three generations of families are engaged with the theater.” Cosley is most looking forward to Pearl Cleage’s “Nacirema Society,” the production chosen by audience members, while Morris anticipates the world premiere of “Front Porch Society.” Both, however, agree that there are many ways the public can show support for the Ensemble. “Tell somebody about us, and bring groups out to our productions,” Morris said. “Volunteer support and donations are a great way for the community to participate, along with supporting our many educational programs,” Cosley added.

Black T

The Ensemble The Tie Gala celebrating its is Saturday, Aug. 20, a Hilton Americas-Houst Honorees include: • Louis Gossett Jr., Osc “An Officer and a Gen Achievement • Angela Robinson, “T Have Nots,” Actress of • Harry Lennix, “The B the Year • Anna Maria Horsford

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EMBLE

ES 40 YEARS

WAD WALKER Defender

The late George Hawkins founded the Ensemble in 1976.

About the Ensemble 1 Founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African-American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community.

One of a few professional theater in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African-American experience.

car-winner for tleman,” Lifetime

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The oldest and largest professional African-American theater in the Southwest. One of the nation’s largest African-American theaters owning and operating its facility. The oldest art house in Midtown, which was designated as a cultural arts district by the State of Texas.

Originally located at 1010 Tuam, the Ensemble moved to its current location, 3535 Main St., in 1985.

Tie Gala celebration weekend

eatre’s 2016 Black s 40th anniversary at 6:30 p.m. at the ton, 1600 Lamar.

3 4 5 6 7

President’s Award • C.J. Emmons, “Dancing with the Stars” singer and Ensemble Young Performers alumnus, Rising Star Corporate and individual honorees are Houston First Corporation, Metro and Mildred and Willie Bright. Other events include a Community Subscriber’s Celebration on Sunday, Aug. 21. Visit ensemblehouston.com for more anniversary events and upcoming productions.

he Houston area for over 85 years

Produces six contemporary and classical works on their main stage every season by local and national playwrights and artists.

The Performing Arts Education program provides educational workshops, artist-in-residence experiences, and live performances for students both on- and off-site, and the Young Performers Program offers intensive spring and summer theater arts training for youth ages 6 to 17.

The Act One Young Professionals group hosts pre-show mixers and an annual poetry event to cultivate the next generation of young adult theatre supporters.

Louis Gossett Jr.

Reaches over 60,000 people annually through its programs.

DEFENDER | AUGUST 11 | 2016

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Farmers continue to seek justice from USDA TriceEdneyWire.com

For more than two decades, Black farmers have driven tractors to Capitol Hill and walked the halls of Congress, coaxing, cajoling and confronting lawmakers. They have also filed lawsuits, protested and demonstrated, all of this in an effort to correct a legacy of racism and discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Despite high-profiled settlements several years ago, just last month, three dozen farmers and their supporters descended on the steps of the United States Supreme Court. At the rally, protesters promised to fight until they’re heard and one of their members, Bernice Atchison, filed a writ with the Supreme Court. “[Former USDA Secretary Dan] Glickman acknowledged that the agency had discriminated against Black farmers. We have dealt with bias, discrimination and double standards,” said Georgia farmer Eddie Slaughter in front of the court. Eddie Slaughter is president of the American Agriculturalist “They have persecuted Association. us and now, 35-40 percent of Black farmers have Southern Black farmers. been run out of the business. They Between 1990 and 1995, were supposed to return one and a researchers found that “minorities half million acres of land to Black received less than their fair share of farmers but didn’t.” USDA money for crop payments, “It’s been 20 years that farmers disaster payments, and loans.” have been saying that they’ve The final report noted that the been mistreated and we’re still USDA gave corporations 65 percent losing land,” said Gary R. Grant, of loans, while 25 percent of the president of the Black Farmers & largest payments went to white Agriculturists Association & the male farmers. Further, 97 percent Land Loss Fund. of disaster payments went to white “Where we had one million farmers, with less than 1 percent farmers, that number is down to reaching Black farmers. 20,000. Many farmers feel a sense The farmers have received two of helplessness, a number are settlements, Pigford I and II, class suffering from disease and health action lawsuits which together have issues we’ve never dealt with such allocated about $2.25 billion to tens as diabetes and high blood pressure. of thousands of Black farmers. They’re wiping us out. The land While some see the settlement isn’t disappearing. It’s been stolen as a victory, for most Black from us.” farmers it’s bittersweet because the A 1994 USDA study examined settlement payments aren’t enough the treatment of racial minorities to buy farm equipment or give and women as the agency weathered farmers long-term comfort, and in allegations of pervasive racial no way makes up for the destruction discrimination in the way its of rural Black communities and employees handled applications for the theft of land by government farm loans and grants to primarily officials.

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DEFENDER | AUGUST 11 | 2016

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health

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AUGUST 11 | 2016 | DEFENDER

A Defender and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Alliance A Defender and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Alliance

health

Why prenatal care is so important See your doctor regularly

By PAUL ITAM, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

espite all of our medical advances, premature births – the birth of a child before 37 weeks – continues to rise. Since the late 1980s, premature birth rates have increased more than 36 percent. In fact, preterm birth is the most frequent cause of infant mortality in the United States. This is largely due to preterm labor. While not all preterm births can be predicted, careful monitoring during pregnancy may help keep women from delivering early in some Dr. Paul Itam instances. Prenatal care is especially important for the African-American woman. Black women have the highest incidence of preterm labor, low-birth-weight babies and some other pregnancy-related complications. Additionally, certain diseases common in the African-American community (diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell) can cause significant problems in pregnancy. For this reason, early and frequent prenatal visits are essential to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and, ultimately, a healthy baby.

M O R E

W A Y S

T O

As soon as you think you might be pregnant, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Not only can he or she verify whether or not you’re pregnant, they can check that you’re healthy and that your body is able to sustain a full-term pregnancy. See your doctor as recommended throughout your pregnancy so he or she can monitor your health and the health of your baby and discuss any complications or risk factors you might have or medications you may currently be taking. Some medications aren’t safe while you’re pregnant and your doctor may recommend

other options. Prenatal tests can provide valuable information about your baby’s health. Your doctor may order ultrasound, blood tests or other screening tests to detect fetal abnormalities.

Take your vitamins

Research has determined that taking a good prena-

C O N Q U E R

tal vitamin with folic acid daily can help with important things like brain development in your baby. These can be prescribed or over-the-counter, but ask your doctor what he or she recommends. Not only will the folic acid help your baby, but the other vitamins in the multivitamin will help you as your body works hard to help your baby develop.

Take care of your body

You’re sharing your body now and good prenatal health means taking care of your body so it’s a healthy place for your baby to grow. This means resting when tired. It also means exercising and eating healthy, well-balanced meals with foods and nutrients recommended by your doctor. Since everything you put into your body will be shared by your baby, avoiding alcohol, tobacco and drugs is imperative. You should also avoid raw or undercooked meat or unpasteurized milk. If you have a question or concern, talk with your doctor immediately. Your doctor can evaluate things and either reassure you or help you get back on track so your little one gets a head start on a healthy life. Dr. Paul Itam is a board-certified Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist at Kelsey-Seybold’s The Vintage Clinic and Cypress Clinic. To schedule an appointment with him, call 713-442-0000.

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DEFENDER | AUGUST 11 | 2016

sports

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UH Cougars football ready to roll in 2016 Greg Ward Jr. pounds, Catalon is a punishing, physical running back who can help take the pressure off Ward. Expect Josh Burrell and Mulbah Car to compete for he University of Houston Cougars time behind Catalon. were the Cinderella story of college Senior Chance Allen will lead football in 2015. a talented, but untested group of In his first year as UH wideouts. Isaiah Johnson, Ra’shaad head coach, Tom Herman led Samples, Marquez Stevenson and the Cougars to a 13-1 record, including an John LeLeday will all be expected American Athletic Conference championship to quickly step up and become and a victory over perennial power Florida playmakers. State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. This Injuries in the offensive line in season the Cougars will be out to show 2015 caused a lot of young Cougar that 2015 was a preview of the new offensive linemen to grow up in a normal, where winning and winning big hurry. Sophomores Will Nobles, is the standard. Mason Denley, and Kameron Herman embraces and conveys a Eloph will join Josh Jones and very simple philosophy for the Cougars: Na’Ty Rodgers on a unit that should 2015 is over and it’s time to get ready for only get stronger as the season 2016. progresses. “We have not done anything yet,” On defense expect the Herman said. “[With] what happened Cougar defensive front to be last year, can we learn from those examples of great the strength of the team. Herman individual sacrifices, hard work and dedication? speaks in glowing terms of his Absolutely. We will call on those examples, but other than d-line’s potential. learning from those examples, that season is not going to help “There’s not a doubt in my us do anything this year.” mind that B.J. Singleton, Cameron Herman is aware of the buzz his Cougars have created Malveaux, Nick Thurman and Jerard around the city. The No. 13 ranked Cougars face No. 3 Carter will all play in the National ranked Oklahoma to open the season in the Advocare Football League if they stay healthy Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium on Sept. 3. As the team throughout college,” Herman said. Chance Alle n begins fall workouts, he refuses to allow his Expect high school All-American Ed players to get caught up in the hype. Oliver to simply add quality depth to that “Our internal expectations have never group. changed. It is to go 1-0 every day, and win our The loss of senior conference championship, period. That’s it,” linebacker Elandon Herman continued. “If we happen to beat Roberts to graduation Ward passes and rushes. Oklahoma great, but the last time I checked will leave a void at our conference commissioner isn’t going that position. Look for walk down on the field and hand us the Steven Taylor, Emeke American Conference trophy.” Egbule, Matthew How well the Cougars perform in 2016, Herman’s Adams and Davonte sophomore season as head coach, will be largely dependent on Thomas to be difference-makers. the play of All-Conference quarterback Greg Ward Jr. Ward was In the secondary the Cougars will nothing short of spectacular in his first full season under center have to replace the voids left by the in 2015. departure of Will Jackson and Trevon Ward and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson were the only two Stewart to the NFL. Khalil Williams, players in the nation to rush for at least 1,000 yards and pass for Garrett Davis and Joeal Williams will be at least 2,000 yards. He became the first UH quarterback to rush counted on at safety, while Brandon Wilson, for 1,000 yards in a season, finishing the year with 1,108 rushing Howard Wilson, Jeremey Winchester and yards and 21 touchdowns to go along with 2,828 passing yards Terrell Williams will have to grow up in a with 17 touchdowns. hurry at the corners. Ward will be joined in the backfield by University of Texas ) y of Houston by Universit transfer and Aldine Eisenhower standout Duke Catalon. At 220 aux (Photos

By MAX EDISON Defender

al Cameron M

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AUGUST 11 | 2016 | DEFENDER

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sportsbriefs RG3 Cleveland starter One thing you can say about Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson is he’s a man of his word. Jackson said earlier he would name a starting QB before the Brown’s first preseason game. To no one’s surprise that starter is Robert Griffin III. “It’s time,” Jackson said. “Robert has earned the right to be named starting quarterback…Since he was signed back in March, Robert has made it clear through his actions that he is willing to do everything that has been asked of him to earn this role.” RG3 is grateful to once again be a starting QB in the NFL. “It’s an honor to be one of the 32 [starters] that are in this league,” Griffin said. “You take that and you respect that and you continue to go out and work and try to get better.”

Gurriel gets closer Dawson High School football players use the weight room.

Dawson sets sights on new horizon “Sometimes when they put these districts together, it’s like when you’re building something,” Wells said. “You get finished with it and it looks pretty good, but you still t didn’t take the Pearland Dawson High School have four or five parts left over. So you get a box and throw football program long to develop into one of the everything into it and call it District 23-6A. Houston area’s elite. “You go from Freeport to just shy of Katy [Alief] and The school opened in 2007 with a junior varsity then to Rosharon and down to Pearland,” Wells said. “Our squad that finished 9-1. The following year was district is all over the place.” Dawson’s first year of varsity competition and the Eagles Dawson returns a legitimate playmaker in senior narrowly missed the playoffs. quarterback Zach Smith. Dawson has qualified for the postseason every season “Zach played every snap for us last year and some since, including two regional crowns and a berth in the state as a sophomore,” Wells said. “He’s a super smart kid that semifinals in both 2009 and 2011. The 2015 season marked knows the offense and we can give him the green light to the first time Dawson failed to advance beyond the second make decisions on the field. round of the playoffs. “It’s almost like me being out on the field because “A big part of our program is teaching the kids a we’ve already talked about tradition of competing certain situations and he every year for a state knows what to do when defendernetwork.com title,” said Dawson head he sees them,” Wells said. Find out results of football coach Eric Wells, who has “He’s got a live arm and coaches school guided the program from can run a 4.5-second 40its inception. “The kids yard dash. Zach is very work so much harder when they buy into that mindset.” good at extending plays until the coverage breaks down. The Eagles will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the He’s a good learner and very coachable,” Wells said. school opening this fall with a nearly completely revamped Spencer Wells, the coach’s son, will return at tight District 23-6A. Dawson and rival Pearland High School end. Yet a bevy of new faces will take over the remaining are still connected at the hip. However, Manvel, Alvin and positions on Dawson’s offense. the Pasadena ISD schools have been re-assigned to other The Dawson defense should be one of the team’s districts. strengths with the return of linebackers Patrick Howell Dawson and Pearland are now joined by three and Michael Williams, defensive lineman Desmond Alief ISD schools (Elsik, Hastings and Taylor) along Clifton, and Bryce Victorian and Bryce Stevenson in the with Brazoswood and one of last season’s Class 5A state secondary. champions George Ranch out of Rosharon. “We should have as much speed on the defensive “It’s a tough district and we’ll have to approach each side of the ball as we’ve ever had at Dawson High league game as a playoff game,” Wells said. School,” Wells said. “This should be a fun season.”

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

The Astros recently signed Cuban superstar Yulieski Gurriel, who is slowly moving closer to joining the team’s major league ball club. Gurriel recently joined the Astros Double A team in Corpus Christi, the Hooks. Gurriel arrived after a four-game stint in Class A Lancaster. During those four games Gurriel hit .429 with a homerun and nine RBI. Prior to Lancaster, Gurriel played two games in the Gulf Coast League. His combined average as an Astros minor leaguer is .381. It is hoped he can get to Houston as soon as possible. The Astros bats have been anemic over the past two weeks.

Longtime coach retires Bellaire High School head baseball coach Rocky Manuel recently announced his retirement following 35 years of coaching the sport in HISD. Manuel coached at Bellaire for 25 years and guided the Cardinals to the state baseball tournament three times and to state championships in 1994 and 1999. The 1999 Bellaire team was declared national prep champions by USA Today and Manuel was named National Coach of the Year. “Any success I had at Bellaire could never have been achieved without the tireless and enthusiastic support of the parents in the program as well as the school administration,” Manuel said. More than 200 Bellaire players moved up to play Division I baseball at colleges and universities throughout the country. Manuel also coached at Davis, Milby and Lamar. He coached teams to the playoffs 26 times and his 998 career wins ranks first all-time for any HISD baseball coach. Former assistant coach Nick Ozuna, who played on the 1994 Bellaire state title team, will succeed Manuel as head coach.

Lamar loaded for season Lamar High School head football coach Tom Nolen is known fondly as “The Godfather” in the Houston high school coaching fraternity. The Godfather will likely field one of his better teams this fall with 22 returning players who earned all-district honors during the 2015 season. The Texans’ defensive line should be one of the state’s best with the return of Jefferson Collins, Troy Porche, Brandon Forward, Devon Tibbs and Joshua Landry. Quarterback Owen Holt and running back Ta’Zhawn Henry will lead the offense.

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Local youth participate in opportunity project Mayor Sylvester Turner, Volunteer Houston and Points of Light announced the launch of the ServiceWorks SkillBuilding Bootcamp, a White House Opportunity Project. The high-energy, immersive experience will feature workshops, interactive discussions and a service project benefitting the Houston community. Participants will be 150 area youth between the ages of 1624 who have successfully completed summer employment through the Hire Houston Youth Program. Approximately Mayor Sylvester Turner 500 young adults were employed this summer at some of the city’s leading companies through the Hire Houston Youth program. Hire Houston Youth provides young people with an eightweek summer job or internship experience. Students work between 32-40 hours a week for

seven weeks, earning at least $8 an hour. “There is a strong link between volunteerism and employability,” Turner said. “By volunteering, young job seekers gain experience, develop new skills and strengthen their own networks. Employers are increasingly placing value on job candidates who demonstrate civic commitment. It can often be the deciding factor in a competition between two candidates of equal experience.” Turner and Points of Light Chair Neil Bush kicked off the boot camp with a news conference. The event will serve as the official Houston launch of ServiceWorks, a national partnership between Points of Light, AmeriCorps and the Citi Foundation. Starting this month, ServiceWorks will be hosted at two local organizations, Volunteer Houston and World Youth Foundation, and will provide hundreds of underserved 16-24 year-

olds a pathway to college and career success through volunteering and service during the 2016-17 school year. For 41 years, Volunteer Houston has been the city's sole referral service connecting volunteers to a broad spectrum of diverse nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations rely on Volunteer Houston to acquire over 50,000 volunteers per year. Points of Light helps millions of volunteers change the world by mobilizing people to take action on the causes they care about through innovative programs, events and campaigns.

classified Houston Independent School District

Will receive Competitive Sealed Proposals from contractors for Scarborough High School. Project Number: 16-07-02 on Thursday, August, 25, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services #1C, Houston, TX 77092. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at 10:00am, Tuesday, August, 16, 2016 at Scarborough High School, 4141 Costa Rica Rd., Houston, TX 77092. For additional information regarding this project, access the HISD website: http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/68148 or contact Mr. Raymond Hooks, rhooks@houstonisd.org. Drawings and Specifications for the RFCSP may be reviewed at the following Houston locations: HISD Construction Services Office (Bond), 3200 Center, Houston, TX 77007, (713) 556-9250 McGraw Hill Construction/Dodge / www.construction.co m Virtual Builders Exchange, 7035 West Tidwell, Suite #J112, Houston, T X. 77092

Met with a contractor. Picked out new cabinets. Renovate the kitchen, so we can finally host our big family dinners.

Let’s Make It Happen For a limited time, eligible Wells Fargo customers can get special interest rate discounts on select new loans and lines of credit. Don’t miss out on the Great Rate Event! For more information stop by Wells Fargo, call 1-866-578-5671 or visit wellsfargo.com/GreatRate

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The Great Rate Event promotion provides special interest rate discounts on select products for new credit applications submitted July 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016 with a qualifying Wells Fargo relationship. Additional restrictions, limitations, and exclusions may apply; please contact a Wells Fargo banker for further details. Terms and conditions of accounts, products, programs, and services are subject to change. Subject to credit qualification. Deposit Products offered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. © 2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801 (2944706_18622)

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AUGUST 11 | 2016 | DEFENDER

Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

topevents

A WOMAN’S WORTH SEMINAR………Love. Work. Repeat. hosted an community and encourage people to spend money with Black-owned businesses, empowerment seminar for women at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. especially for the upcoming holidays. Vendors representing over 30 Black-owned Love. Work. Repeat. (LWR) is a life and style website featuring articles that businesses attended the event. The vendors included everyone from jewelry makers, promote healthy marriages and families. The seminar was organized to open honest to artists, to authors, to clothing designers and many more. In attendance were conversation about the value of women and discovering their worth. Event topics Enitra Ward, Bryanal Davis, Michael Bell, Aneesah Kuntz, Scherry Fletcher, included toxic relationships, social media and self-image, and single, divorced and Christy Sylvester, Chisa Sallah, Eryin Thomas, Lilith Shakti, and a host of married super women. Guests were treated to lunch and community members and their families……..POETRY LOUNGE received free giveaways from the LWR team. Panelists Da Kidd hosted Poetry Lounge Sunday Defender TOP EVENTS SUNDAY……..Nikki were Jene Cash, CC Sutton, Rev. Tamla Groce, Dr. at Sugarhill Bar and Lounge. The event was an open mic night More photos on defendernetwork.com Melanie Wilson-Lawson, Rhonnika Clifton, Jessica welcoming new poets and seasoned artists. Poetry Lounge Sunday Varner, Shante Solomonson and La Toya Pace. Fox 26 is a popular weekly event in the Third Ward community that attracts anchor Melinda Spaulding was the moderator. Family and relationship contributor over 40 guests, completely taking over the lounge. Guests were treated to free food Clarence White was another speaker providing the male perspective on the value on the patio and in addition to the performing artists, rocked out to tunes spun by DJ Supastar. Performing artists included Lady B, Dona, Maurice, DJ Style, Ebony, of women…….. BUY BLACK MARKETPLACE……..The monthly Buy Black Marketplace event was held at the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural and Event Joe P and several others. In attendance were Tameika Jenkins, Lawana Brown, Center. The marketplace was organized by Cynthia “Nailah” Nelson to unite the Chanise Catley, Bridgette Black and a host of regular attendees.

Melinda Spaulding, LaToya Smith

Shante Solomonson, Dr. Melanie Wilson-Lawson, Jene Guess Cash, CC Sutton

Shay Blashe, Jackie Tingvold

Menkah Readus, Felix Readus

Lawana Brown, Tameika Jenkins

Nikki Da Kidd, Joe P

Stephanie Hay, Patrice Smith

Christina Roberts, Lewis Moses

Chanise Catley, Bridgette Black

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DEFENDER | AUGUST 11 | 2016

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our score and…page will not load?”

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