The State of Black Houston
MAYOR TALKS ABOUT ISSUES CONFRONTING THE BLACK COMMUNITY.
NEWS
CHRIS HOLLINS
The Harris County District Clerk lays out the reasons why African Americans should head to the polls.
Volume 89, issue 50 October 8, 2020
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ENTERTAINMENT
AL SHARPTON
In a new book, the civil rights leader outlines his position on the biggest issues facing Black America.
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Message from the Associate Editor needy U.S. citizens, and focus on shoving More and more Blackfolk are recogtheir illegitimate Supreme Court nominee nizing that this election is not merely a down our throats. choice between Democrat and Republican, But with eyes wide open, we see “whasbut rather between choosing life or death. sup.” We see that no amount of drinking Surveys show that Blacks are more fired the “Blue Lives Matter” kool-aid will save up about voting Trump out than voting us from being murdered by racist cops. Biden in, but at this point, we’re cool with May Jonathan Price rest in peace. whatever works to move souls to the polls. We see international stars making stateBecause it seems we’re finally recognizments on the big stage to stand for Black ing the sighs of the times—that 45 is the lives and protect Black women, like Chris “pharaoh who knew not Joseph,” deadRock and Megan Thee Stallion did recently ASWAD WALKER set on stripping away our freedoms, and on SNL. We see sister Sen. Kamala Harris throwing us into bondage. handling her business as Mike Pence had the nerve to try And we can’t say we didn’t see it coming. We see mas- to come for her during the VP debate. sive, modern-day voter suppression that makes even the We see H-town receiving top national honors for its ghost of George Wallace blush. We see 45’s goon squads resilience. And we see hometown business hero Kim Roxie disappearing peaceful protestors off the street like a “s--- winning a $100,000 grant. And no, you can’t borrow $5. hole country” dictator. We see a no-tax paying, six bankMoreover, we see that the power to chart our own ruptcy-having, charlatan who squandered $400 million he course is in our hands—and our votes. So, as Shuri told her “ganked” from his papi. We see a Putin jock-riding pup- older brother King T’Challa, the Black Panther, “Let’s go!” pet who sells out American citizens and military to stay booed-up with Russia. IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER We see 45’s GOP willingly backing up everything 45 does • Check out the Early Voting transportation initiative going to dismantle whatever is left of democracy. And we certainly down in the Tre. see the white domestic terrorism and backing of police who • Romeo, oh Romeo, wherefore art thou? Taking over for don’t give a “care” about Black lives, who are ready to “Stand the fired Bill O’Brien. Back and Stand By” for orders from their fuhrer. • Defender’s State of Black Houston with Mayor Turner a More and more, we’re recognizing that not voting is not success. an option. And we’re ready to say it loud with our ballots, that this clown has got to go. ON THE WEB • Acres Homes has a much-needed “Food Farmacy.” EYES WIDE OPEN • 30,000 drivers’ license holds have been lifted. That’s a big While Trump has his personal dance with COVID-19, deal! he continues to wreak havoc, ordering his valet, Moscow • Our forever FLOTUS Michelle Obama reads Trump his Mitch, to stop working on getting COVID relief funds to last rites—was that a poor choice of words? SAY IT LOUD
Early Voting: October 13 - 30, 2020
Hundreds of people wait in line to early vote. - Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
YOUR VOICE. YOUR VOTE.
DN On the web
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News Harris Health, Food Bank open ‘Food Farmacy’ in Acres Home Defender News Service
Jonathan Price
Shaun Lucas
Another Black man killed by police Defender News Service
A Texas man called a pillar of his community was shot to death by police after trying to break up a fight between a man and woman at a gas station. Witnesses say that Jonathan Price tried to break up the disagreement inside the store, but it spilled outside, and when officers responded to the scene, Price was the one they shot. Price, 31, was a former athlete employed by Wolfe City, which is about an hour away from Dallas. He also worked as a fitness trainer. Ironically, Price had been a very vocal supporter of law enforcement on his social media pages. In June, he wrote a lengthy, emoji-filled post about “all the tension and animosity going on with race and 1-time.” He wrote that he grew up with friends who are white, who showed him support.
“They’re to blame for my country side and addiction to white women, not complaining one bit.” Former professional baseball player Will Middlebrooks, who is white, posted a video on Facebook saying that he grew up with Price. “This one hurts… for so many reasons,” he tweeted with the release of a statement. “There’s no excuses this time. This was purely an act of racism. Period. I’m sick. I’m heartbroken…and I’m furious,” he concluded. After a Texas Rangers investigation of the shooting, the officer, Shaun Lucas, was arrested and charged with murder. Civil rights lawyer Lee Merritt wrote that he had spoken to Price’s family and is working with the family to “get justice.” “When police arrived, I’m told, he raised his hands and attempted to explain what was going on,” Merritt wrote on Facebook.
“Police fired tasers at him and when his body convulsed from the electrical current, they ‘perceived a threat’ and shot him to death.” On social media, Price had expressed that he had been pulled over by police many times and was often let go, despite having outstanding citations: “I’ve passed a sobriety test after leaving a bar in Wylie, Texas by white cops and still let me drive to where I was headed, and by the way they consider Wylie, Texas to be VERY racist. “I’ve never got that kind of ENERGY from the po-po,” he wrote. “Not saying Black lives don’t matter, but don’t forget about your own, or your experiences through growth / ‘waking up.’” In another post, Price shared that he hadn’t ever experienced police profiling and opined that “aggressive rioting” is fanning the flames of Blacks’ brutality.
Harris Health System has opened a new food farmacy location in Acres Homes to help patients dealing with food insecurity and diabetes. The 850-square-foot minifood market is located inside Acres Home Health Center and exclusively serves Harris Health patients. Patients with a diagnosis of diabetes are particularly dependent on what they eat to manage and control their disease. Acres Homes joins Pasadena as the only two locations to house these unique food programs — both collaborations with the Houston Food Bank. “This effort demonstrates to patients our commitment to providing them with the best treatment and care,” says Dr. Glorimar Medina, executive vice president and administrator, Ambulatory Care Services, Harris Health. “With our collaboration with Houston Food Bank, we are providing an immediate intervention to a true patient need. We also wanted a solution that could sustain itself with an organization that shared our common goal of addressing the social determinants of health.”
Harris Health. - Percle, Stuart Joseph
Houston Police Reform task force report released Defender News Service
Mayor Sylvester Turner has released a full report on police reform in the city. The 150-page report recommends more than 100 reforms the city could take to improve the department and recommended reforms to the Independent Police Oversight Board, including expanded training for cadets, training for mental health interventions and a slew of other reforms. The 45-person task force was
set up by Turner after the death of Houston native George Floyd, who was killed by Minneapolis police — a death that was caught on video. The group was assigned with drafting ways to improve relationships between police officers and the communities they serve. “This is a transformational moment for our city as we seek to improve how policing is done in our community, in a time when people are calling for reform and demanding we address racial and
social injustices,” Turner said. The document includes 104 reforms divided into 6 categories: community policing, independent oversight, power dynamics, crisis intervention, field readiness and “clear expectations.” While Turner said he would likely agree to certain reforms — including reforms to the oversight board — he did not yet commit to adopting any of the recommendations, saying he had not yet had time to review them all.
KEY POINTS • Expand cadet training by three weeks • Assign individual HPD officers to neighborhoods on a long-term basis • Require officers to provide statements at the beginning of an investigation • Require officers to share all body-worn camera footage with prosecutors within 24 hours • Publish internal disciplinary reports to hold officers accountable amongst themselves. • Expand HPD’s partnership with the Harris Health Center to use clinicians and mental health professionals
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DN News
SURVEY: BLACK VOTERS FIRED UP TO VOTE TRUMP OUT Defender News Service
With less than a month before Election Day, organizations across the country are ramping up their efforts to get out the vote in what could be the most tumultuous election in modern history. Donald Trump has suggested that he will not concede the election if he loses, and it’s still unclear how the novel coronavirus could impact voter turnout, particularly when some early data has shown evidence of voter purging and substantial demographic divides in the ways mail-in ballots are counted. While Black people are more than familiar with the obstacles standing between them and the ballot box—both past and present—there is
BLACK VOTERS’ TOP CONCERNS
BLACKS
81%
• Racism and discrimination • COVID-19 • Economy
a clear eagerness to vote this election: three out of four voters saying they are “extremely” likely to vote over the next month. With voter registration closing soon in many states, the data offers a revealing glimpse of Black America’s current political consciousness. Black voters are more motivated to vote Trump out than they are to vote Biden in, plan to vote
plan to vote in general election
76%
disapprove of Trump’s job as president
2/3
in-person, and are most concerned about race and discrimination as a national issue, followed by COVID-19 and the economy.
plan to vote in person (early or election day) *Black Futures Lab
As Harris pitches to Black voters, some want to hear more Associated Press
Standing before Sen. Kamala Harris at a campaign event near a Raleigh barbershop, Marcus Bass asked the Democratic vice presidential nominee a pointed question: How would she and Joe Biden convince young Black voters their ticket isn’t simply the lesser of two evils? “I appreciate your question and the point,” Harris replied. “Nobody is supposed to vote for us — we need to earn it.” That’s what Harris, the first Black woman to appear on a major party’s presidential ticket, is trying to do in swing states like North Carolina, as the presidential contest enters its final weeks. In conversations at barbershops and historically Black colleges and universities, through ads on popular websites and live Instagram interviews, Harris is pitching herself and Biden as a team that can make meaningful progress on issues that matter to Black Americans, like police reform, ending the new coronavirus pandemic and creating a more equitable economy. She had the chance to pitch to her biggest audience yet on Wednesday, when she debated Vice President Mike Pence. Harris delivered a message that she hopes resonated with Black Americans, including the disproportionate toll the coronavirus has taken on their communities and the vital need for access to health care. The theme takes on a new significance after President Donald Trump was hospitalized with the virus, reviving criticism of the administration’s handling of the pandemic. The intensified focus on the vice presidential debate offered Harris an important chance to address doubts about the Democratic ticket. Biden’s history-making selection of Harris as his running mate has energized and excited many Black voters, particularly women, who are among the Democratic Party’s most reliable voters. Harris attended Howard University, an HBCU, and is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Members donning the sorority’s green and pink colors can often be spotted outside her events. On health care, Harris draws a direct connection between the pandemic and health care access for Black people, who are dying at disproportionate rates from the virus. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, is set to hear a
Democratic vice presidential candidate, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., visits the This Is the Place Monument, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Salt Lake City. The monument commemorates the end of the westward journey of Mormon pioneers to Utah as well as early explorers of the West. -AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
case just after the Nov. 3 election that could overturn the Affordable Care Act, which protects access to insurance for people with preexisting conditions. “The perspective that Joe and I share is to, one, acknowledge these racial disparities, and then address them,” she said. “By the way, Donald Trump has no plan.” Police reform, meanwhile, is heavy on the minds of many voters after a summer of several police shootings or killings of Black people. It’s an issue Harris is well-versed in as a former prosecutor, and she talks about it with more fluency and nuance than Biden, who largely glossed over the reform proposals in his first debate. Their proposals include a national registry for police misconduct and a national use-of-force standard that’s stricter than what most states use, as well as banning tactics like chokeholds and no-knock warrants. It was those policies that Harris turned to in response to Bass’ lesser-of-two-evils question. The community organizer said that he appreciated her detailed answer but that Democrats, including Harris, have more work to do to energize Black voters. “When I hear young people saying they’re not going to vote, I don’t think that is a static message,” he said. “I think that’s a challenge.”
VOLUME 89 - NUMBER 50 - OCTOBER 8, 2020 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Creative Director Michael Grant
Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
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DEFENDER NETWORK
Accelerating our commitment to affordable housing There’s a shortage of affordable housing in America, especially in communities of color. The impact of this health and humanitarian crisis has intensified the need for increased action. As part of our commitment to invest $1 billion over four years to advance racial equality and economic opportunity, Bank of America is accelerating our investment in development in neighborhoods of color — including right here in Houston. We’re working side by side with nonprofits and community leaders to help revitalize neighborhoods, expanding on work we’ve had underway for many years. My teammates and I remain committed to addressing Houston’s affordable housing gap and helping build the community in which we live and work.
Hong Ogle Houston Market President
Building together Here in Houston, we’re partnering with organizations that are expanding affordable housing options. They include: Avenue Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation Neighborhood Recovery Community Development Corporation New Hope Housing
To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender
© 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.
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DN Let the People Be Heard The complete story of Sunnyside has not been told. We are writing new chapters every day and defining for ourselves what Sunnyside is and will become.”
- Mayor Sylvester Turner
City of Houston priority: Sunnyside By Mayor Sylvester Turner
As a lifelong resident of Acres Home, I’ve watched good people struggle simply because our neighborhood was ignored or under-resourced for decades. Some policymakers recommend these folks – my neighbors – move out of their homes and into so-called “opportunity neighborhoods,” places with more middle-and upper-income residents and more access to jobs, schools and health care. But why? Why tell young people that its best for them to leave the communities where they grew up, made friends, went to school and worshipped in order to succeed in the world? Instead of telling them to move to neighborhoods with more opportunity, why not bring more opportunity to their neighborhoods? That’s why I created the Complete Communities initiative – to strengthen neighborhoods that have not reached their full potential. It’s about working closely with the residents and business owners of the communities to enhance access to quality affordable homes, jobs, good schools, well-maintained parks and quality retail stores. I see value and greatness in all 10 Complete Communities, but some in the media are trying to paint one—Sunnyside—as still being neglected. This does a disservice to the residents of Sunnyside who are hardworking and proud of this historic community and have labored to improve it over decades. The Complete Communities planning
Mayor Sylvester Turner
effort began in Sunnyside in October 2019 and ended in July 2020. Despite the pandemic, 262 people were engaged in this process, which you can read about and review Sunnyside’s draft Action Plan on the City’s website. In those planning sessions, Sunnyside stakeholders learned more about the City projects and programs completed, underway or planned for their community: • More than $8 million to preserve and rehabilitate 81 existing homes in the Sunnyside community. • $712,516 in direct assistance to help 34 low- and moderate-income families and individuals achieve the dream of homeownership. • 43 houses in Sunnyside repaired through the City of Houston Home Repair Program.
• 15 homes restored through the Houston Disaster Recovery program. • Nearly $200,000 in funding to boost capacity for 10 critical nonprofits in the Sunnyside area that provide essential services including transitional housing, job training, childcare and substance abuse recovery. • $4.2 million to rehabilitate Sunflower Terrace, a residential community of 160 affordable apartment homes and on-site educational services. • 5 COVID-19 mass testing sites in the Sunnyside area—Cullen Middle School, Houston Community College South, Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, Worthing High School and Caldwell Elementary School. • New Fire Station 55 replacement on a 3.987 acre newly acquired site for just south of Old Fire Station 55 on Cullen Boulevard that is equipped with five large apparatus bays, support areas for 16 firefighters, EMT’s, Fire Chief and Captain’s quarters. • $25 million committed to a new, bigger and better Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, a two-story, 60,000-square-foot building with its own health clinic and community. Construction at 4410 Reed Road is expected to begin in the summer of 2021 with completion at the end of 2022. • The redevelopment plan for the 240acre landfill bordered by Bellfort, Reed Road, Hwy 288 and Comal into the nation’s biggest urban solar farm. • $4.4 million street rehabilitation
projects for Bellfort, Airport and Jutland through the new Street Rehabilitation Initiative. More than $1.5 million to replace the pavement on Sunbeam Street east of Cullen. More than $1 million in other mobility enhancements including sidewalks, ADA ramps and traffic calming $4 million drainage system rehabilitation, including $2.3 million to restore roadside ditches and culverts between Sunnyside Park and Scott Street. More than $1 million to replace aging water lines along Holmes Road and the area south of Worthing High School. • Proposed $111 million drainage improvement project that will replace and improve existing storm sewers and construct larger storm sewer trunk lines throughout the neighborhood. The project could reduce ponding on 12 miles of street, reducing flood risk to approximately 3,460 properties. These projects are just some of the initiatives that my administration has worked on with input from residents of Sunnyside, but our work together is not finished. As mayor, I will not be satisfied until Sunnyside has a fair share of this city’s resources and projects to help it thrive. This community has faced challenges over the years and remains resilient despite those difficulties. The residents persevere and maintain their “Sunnyside Pride”- a vibrant culture built on modest homes, welcoming churches and committed businesses that succeed despite economic changes and demographic shifts.
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature Early voting OCT. 13 - 30
Get voting coverage at www.DefenderNetwork.com
WHY VOTE? HERE’S WHY ing] reforms to truancy court to help Houston stuWhile there are arguably more individuals and or- dents make it to school, and sending fewer people to ganizations seeking to maximize Black voter turnout prison.” this election season than ever before, there are still Brailey contends these new standards for Harris many Blacks rejecting voting as useless, and seeking County’s justice system influenced other counties naproof that voting matters. tionwide to rethink their own court systems. She also Recent local and national events—actions taken by believes Hollins provides a positive example of why Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins and Kentucky voting matters. Attorney General Daniel Cameron—have Though Hollins was appointed as interim provided, for some, proof positive of the Harris County Clerk, that office is an elected critical importance of casting our ballots position. Both Brailey and Watkins Jones for the candidates of our choice. view Hollins’ work as gold standard-level, “The injustice of charging the officers and evidence of why we should vote. that killed Breonna Taylor for nothing more “Chris Hollins is doing an excellent job. than shooting the walls of her apartment For too long, Republicans made it harder Sharon complex is weighing heavy on the hearts Watkins Jones for voters in Harris County to cast their and minds of Black Americans,” said Shaballot. The changes Chris has made were ron Watkins Jones, co-founder of Watkins long overdue: expanding early voting hours, Jones, LLC., a public affairs and community making it easier for people to track their relations firm and former director of politmail ballot, and making voting more conical strategies for ACLU Texas. “The lesson venient. We are the biggest county in Texas learned is that we hold the power to change and our voices deserve to be heard,” shared the narrative. We must vote out elected offiBrailey. cials who fail us and who fail to recognize Watkins Jones added, “I’m so pleased Chris Hollins our right to live without fear.” and impressed with County Clerk Hollins’ “It’s clear to me that the Kentucky AG is efforts to ensure that no eligible voter is unable putting loyalty to the president over the to cast a ballot. Drive-thru voting is one exrule of law and over justice for Ms. Tayample of the multiple methods and venues lor,” said Hollins. “But this is a prime exavailable in Harris County. Voting shouldn’t ample of how elections matter. The Kenbe hard or inaccessible. It’s a fundamental tucky AG was elected, but more than two American right that so many of our people million Kentuckians sat out that election. Dr. Carla Brailey have shed blood and tears to obtain.” Is it any wonder that his actions don’t For his part, Hollins believes he is merely represent the will of the people?” doing his job. Watkins Jones believes voting from top to bottom “I’m doing what every elections administrator of the ballot in every election cycle is crucial because should be doing—fighting to protect the right to vote of the incredible power district attorneys, judges, and provide every opportunity for eligible voters to state attorneys general and city/county clerks, like be able to exercise their constitutional right to vote Hollins, have in determining how justice is dispensed safely, conveniently and with the peace of mind that or denied. their vote will be counted. The fact that steps I’m takTo Watkins Jones’ point, Dr. Carla Brailey, vice ing make it much easier for Harris County residents chair of the Texas Democratic Party, pointed to the to vote is considered ‘above and beyond’ is part of the 2018 election as one of the biggest victories for Harris problem. In my view, I’m just doing my job.” County residents. That election saw 17 Black females Hollins hopes all eligible voters learn lessons from elected to judgeships, and the seating of Lina Hidalgo the last presidential election. as Harris County Judge. “In 2016, the presidency was decided by roughly “Because of their election, we were able to end the 80,000 votes in three states. But 100 million Americash bail system that kept Texans who couldn’t afford cans didn’t bother to vote at all. We as voters decide bail locked up,” stated Brailey. “In addition to that, the course of history, for good or for bad. And in the new judges fundamentally changed our justice recent history, our apathy has been our own worst system by ending the shackling of juveniles, [initiat- enemy.” By Aswad Walker
Early voting transportation provided in 3rd Ward Dr. Grace Butler
By Aswad Walker
Juanita Jackson
With all eyes on what’s considered by some to be the most important election in U.S. history, a Third Ward collaborative, Project Voter Turnout 2020 (PVT), seeks to provide traditional transportation to the polls in an untraditional way. Instead of operating on Nov. 3 (election day), PVT will transport souls to the polls on seven days during early voting. Dr. Grace Butler, a retired UH professor, founded PVT because her research showed that though local voter registration efforts have been positive, voter education and turnout were “woefully unaddressed.” Butler said, when faced with a problematic circumstance (i.e. registered voters not voting), she “will moan and groan for a minute, but then try to do something other than lament.” PVT’s several voter-related initiatives, particularly their early voting transportation initiative, is Butler’s way of moving from merely complaining to taking action. “In the 2016 Texas Presidential Primary only 15% of Republicans and 8% of Democrats of voting age turned out to vote,” said Butler. “Thus, increase in turnout is vital to our work.” Juanita Jackson, a member of the Emancipation Economic Development Council’s Faith in Action Workgroup, joined PVT early on. She credits fellow PVT member Rodney Fluker with suggesting their group establish HUBs in different areas of Third Ward where residents lacking transportation could gather and get a needed ride. “It was like a light bulb went off in my head and I immediately said, ‘I will work in the Third Ward area with the five United Methodist churches and the United Methodist Wesley Foundations at Texas Southern University and the University of Houston,” shared Jackson. Butler credits Jackson’s tenacity for successfully recruiting the effort’s primary partners: Boynton Chapel UMC, St. John’s UMC, St. Paul’s UMC, Trinity East UMC, Trinity UMC and the TSU and UH Wesley Foundations. Project Voter Turnout 2020 will provide transportation to early voting sites from 9am – 3pm on Oct. 19, 21, 23, 24, 27, 29 and 31. The five transportation HUBs (pickup and drop off locations) are Boynton (2812 Milby), St. John’s (2019 Crawford), Trinity East (2418 McGowen), Trinity (2600 Holman) and the TSU Wesley Foundation (3811 Sampson). For more information about registering for transportation or to sign up as a volunteer, visit PVT2020.com, email jjckson3014@sbcglobal.net or call 713-523-6392. All participants are required to wear masks.
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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL
The State of Black Houston MAYOR TALKS ABOUT ISSUES CONFRONTING THE BLACK COMMUNITY
By Aswad Walker
T
he Defender recently kicked off its State of Black series, three virtual public conversations with lawmakers on the city, county and state level, with the State of Black Houston featuring Mayor Sylvester Turner. State of Black Houston moderator, Defender CEO Sonceria Messiah Jiles, posed questions to Turner from participants via a real-time chat room. Additionally, several State of Black community partners offered pre-recorded video questions. These included hard-hitting questions from Belinda Everette (NAACP Houston), Sharifat Lawal Price (Greater Houston Black Chamber), Wanda Anderson (National Pan-Hellenic Council Inc. Houston), Jackie Pope (Top Ladies of Distinction), Steven Wright (Houston Area Urban League) and Bishop James Dixon (Houston Metropolitan Baptist Ministerial Alliance.) Major sponsors for this virtual event series are Title Sponsor H-E-B, Presenting Sponsor Chevron, and VIP Sponsors Amegy Bank and Cadence Bank. Listed here are some of the topics covered, and excerpts from Mayor Turner’s responses. COVID-19’s Impact on Black Business COVID-19 has had a horrific impact on businesses and particularly businesses of color. Currently, right now, the city of Houston has approved and put forward a $20 million small business economic development package that is currently out there and available. And I believe over 8,000 small businesses in the city of Houston have signed up. They can get a grant up to $50,000… At the same time the city of Houston is important for us to continue to do business through our procurement process, with small businesses and Black businesses and others, in particular. And I will tell you, in the last four years, the amount of business that the city of Houston is doing with Black businesses, that number has increased. In 2017, it was over $41 million. In 2018, it was a $101 million. In 2019, it was $123 million. And just recently in 2020, that number to Black business, doing business with Black businesses, that number is now up above $162 million. And so whatever technical assistance, support services, all of the measures that we can do that can assist Black businesses as well as others, we want to do our very best to keep them open.
Removing Bad Cops From HPD
Accountability and transparency are critically important. And then what often happens is that the mistakes done by one or two can oftentimes impact everybody else. We have roughly 5,300 police officers. And by and large, they do an incredible job for the city of Houston, covering 640 square miles. But at the same time, when things happen, when they do things, when individuals, others do things that are wrong, we have to call those things and bring attention to it and make sure that we have
accountability for those transgressions. I’ve also signed an executive order already that says that it calls for de-escalation when practical. It says it calls for detailed reporting, whenever deadly force is used. It bans the use of chokeholds, for example. It requires officers to intervene when they see another officer doing something wrong or violating policy or law. Those things by executive order are already put in place. But the recommendations that have been made by the task force when taken as a whole, I think can be very transformational. It can be a plus for the police department, city of Houston and the police officers, a plus for the people in the city of Houston, and build that sort of trust that has to exist between both police and the community. But the key is accountability, transparency, clarity, so everybody understands what the governing moves are.
Evictions
With respect to the task force between the county and the city, the focus has been on yes, keeping people in their homes. Rental assistance in both the county and the city for example, is that we have taken federal CARES dollars that we have received, and we’ve put those CARES dollars together in providing cash rental assistance to people who run the risk of being evicted… We have said to landlords who want to participate in this cash rental assistance, if one of your tenants gets cash rental assistance… you can’t evict anybody at that apartment complex. So, for example, if there’s an apartment complex of 100 tenants. And if one of those tenants receive rental assistance, the landlord agrees not to evict anyone there. And we have had thousands of landlords who’ve entered into that agreement with Baker Ripley. The city and
Mayor Sylvester Turner
the county combined have put forth a cash rental program of about $60 million… We are asking people now to sign up for the program because all of the dollars have not been expended. At the same time, for those tenants where the landlords did not agree to sign up for this program, we have asked those tenants to also sign up through a separate portal at Baker Ripley, and then we’re working to provide cash rental assistance for them, as well.
Complete Communities & Social Justice
Complete Communities is a very ambitious initiative. And for the first few years, it took us a great deal of time to convince other nonprofits, non-endowments, the corporate, the business community exactly what it means. I will tell you since the death of George Floyd, it has become clearer to individuals and companies and endowments, what it means. And that is when people are saying “defund police,” what I’ve said to businesses and others, what I am hearing people saying is, “Don’t just invest in law enforcement to police and incarcerate people in these communities that have been underserved and where there is high poverty and people don’t have access to affordable healthcare or decent housing or decent parks and green space, and there are food deserts.” What people are saying, “Invest in these communities that have been underserved.” And if you want to talk about racial equity and social justice, it starts with investing in people in these communities that have been systematically overlooked for decades, way before I became mayor… You can’t tell people to eat healthy and they don’t have healthy options. And so, we need quality food stores in these communities, economic business, job opportunities, quality neighborhood schools, good sound infrastructure… where every community is a community of promise and inspiration and hope. Those are the things that I believe people are asking for.
Update on Hurricane Harvey Repairs
The federal government, through HUD,
authorized about $1.1 billion to be coming to the city of Houston for Harvey repair and reconstruction… Now, contrary to what many people may believe, the money was not placed in our banking account. They authorized us to get it, but the money was placed with the state. We have to spend the money and then get a reimbursement. But before we can even start building or repairing somebody’s home, the state General Land Office has to sign off on the file… And I will tell you, the program did not start for us until January of 2019. That’s last year. Now, bear in mind, Harvey was in August of 2017. But the city was not available to even start this program until January of 2019… Where we are today, in total 311 families have been assisted through reconstruction. Of that number, 53 through construction, 35 through rehab, 93 for reimbursements, home buyer assistance—148. Another 375 families are in the process of receiving the above assistance. And an additional 1,000 families are going through what we call the environmental and inspection process right now. So, we are moving forward with this program. The money is still available, but it’s on the state level. But I will tell you… unfortunately, there is a great deal of tension between the state and the city.
Voting The best way to protect your rights is to go and vote in this upcoming election. Your vote is your voice. And there’s an election coming up… And then early voting will be from October the 13 through October 30. I would encourage people to either vote by mail or to vote early in person. You can go to the Toyota Center, BBVA Stadium, NRG, Rice, Texas Southern. It doesn’t matter. Wherever there’s a polling place in Harris County, you can vote regardless of where you live. Visit defendernetwork.com for more of the Mayor’s comments.
10 | October 8, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
Inaccurate credit scores unfairly impact minorities Defender News Service
It’s the determining factor for anyone wanting to buy a new home, a car or start a business – your credit score. Our credit scoring system has issues not merely concerning the accuracy and reliability of the system, but also in terms of justice, equity, and fundamental fairness. “It is time to stop relying on outdated credit scores and time to start using the data at hand for ‘cash scores’ that would evaluate the creditworthiness of millions of consumers who don’t have a credit score or have a score that is inaccurate or outdated
— disproportionately young, Black and Hispanic, immigrant and low-to-moderate-income consumers,” says Jason Gross. CEO of Petal. According to the Wall Street Journal, banks are “flying blind into a credit storm” and are drastically cutting back on loans to U.S. consumers for the express reason that banks can no longer determine who is worthy of credit. During the pandemic, credit scores have continued to rise despite the real economy suffering the worst quarterly decline in modern times. Due to the swiftness of the crisis
and the many extensions banks have granted consumers, delinquent payments aren’t showing up on credit reports and most likely won’t show up for many months down the road. Since lenders can’t ascertain which consumers are unable to pay, they are forced to slow down the lending process, which reduces available credit for everyone, especially people with less than excellent scores, at a time when consumers need it most. And credit scores are not just falling short in their accuracies due to coronavirus. The reality is that our current credit system has long disadvantaged Black people and other
people of color. This goes back to the practice of redlining in the 1930s. Redlining was the systematic denial of credit in Black neighborhoods and other areas where people of color resided. The effects of this practice are still felt today. The consequences of lacking a good credit score can cost consumers hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime. With the tools available today, the credit industry could look beyond credit scores and conduct a more holistic approach to evaluating a consumer’s financial picture, according to Gross.
17713-PIPC-EN-PN_HP_Houston_TheDefender_Size-4.79x13-F.pdf
October 8, 2020 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
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between 1877 and 1950. Plans to transform the entire downtown These four Harris County lynchings are Houston block that contains Quebedeaux part of EJI’s well-researched investigation, Park into a space that will allow visitors to Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy recognize the racial terror of the past, realize of Racial Terror, which documents more than the continued effects of discrimination on 4,000 racial terror lynchings in 12 southern inequities and opportunity, honor those who states between the end of Reconstruction in have pushed to advance racial and social jus- 1877 and 1950. According to the report, Texas tice to create a more equitable and just society, was one of the 12 most active lynching and create a place for people to come together states in America. in the spirit of moving the cause and carrying “Lynching shaped the geographic, political, the torch forward, is moving forward at the social and economic state of African AmerHarris County Commissioners Court. icans in ways that haunt and effect race relaPrecinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis tions and our criminal justice system today,” is proposing a $7M design that will reimag- Commissioner Ellis said. “In partnership with ine the block into a place of reflection where EJI, the Harris County Remembrance Project Harris County residents will be free to comrecognizes victims of lynching by collecting memorate and honor the actions and soil from lynching sites, erecting historstruggles of all people as the fight for ical markers and placing memorials social justice and human rights for all to acknowledge the horrors of racial continues. injustice.” “As the divides between us appear to On one side, the markers will grow wider due to many foundational Rodney Elllis describe the lynchings of John Walton, biases -- including structural racism, systemic Bert Smith, John White and Robert Powell, discrimination and political polarization -- who were murdered in Harris County between creating a healing place that is dedicated to 1890 and 1928. The other side will designate recognizing our shared past while finding the location that the racial terror occurred. paths to unity and community is needed to The proposed Harris County site is located build a stronger future for Harris County,” in downtown Houston and is bounded by explains Commissioner Ellis. Franklin Street to the north, San Jacinto Street A major focal point of the site design will to the east, Congress Street to the south and bring greater awareness and understanding Fannin Street on the west. about the racial terror that swept the Southern Quebedeaux Park is named for Dr. Walter United States in the late 1800s and mid-1900s. A. Quebedeaux (1915- 1976), who served as Through a partnership with the nonprofit the Harris County Director of Air and Water organization, Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), Pollution Control for 22 years. He was a scifour markers, which will recognize four indi- entist, lawyer and pioneer in the field of envividuals who were lynched in Harris County ronmental protection. Defender News Service
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12 | October 8, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Entertainment
Sharpton talks about his place in the movement By Allison Kugel
say it. Ben Crump (attorney for the Floyd For many Black Americans, he is next to family) and the families have said it. In fact, a Messiah. For many non-Black Americans, Breonna Taylor’s mother’s first interview he is thought to be an agitator, riling up al- was on my show (MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation”). ready uncomfortable societal quagmires They couldn’t get a national show before my show. Sybrina Fulton (Trayvon that are better left swept under Martin’s mother) wrote about it the rug. Media image aside, in her book on Trayvon. Crump Reverend Al Sharpton is neibrought them to New York to ther of these things. ask me to blow up Trayvon [in The boy raised by a sinthe media]. Trayvon had been gle mother in working class buried for 2 weeks. I didn’t even Queens, New York, developed a know about Trayvon until they passion for civil rights activism came and met with me in my as a pre-teen. He began marchoffice. We made it an issue and ing alongside Reverend Jesse called the first rally and had Jackson and other prominent about 10,000 people out there. It civil rights activists at the tenABOUT THE ended up being the day my mothder age of 13, seeking to prog- AUTHOR er died, and I went ahead with ress the legacy of Dr. Martin Rise Up: Confronting the rally anyway. I said in the euLuther King Jr.’s message of civil a Country at the logy to George Floyd that people disobedience and taking the Crossroads call me to blow things up, and I high road to equal rights under alsharptonbooks.com have an infrastructure with NAN the law for Black Americans. IG: @real_sharpton where we support the family, we Now, with his new book, Rise Twitter: @thereval help them get legal advice and Up: Confronting a Country at the media advice, and we stay with Crossroads, Sharpton outlines Allison Kugel is a his unrelenting position on the syndicated columnist them. Sometimes people can’t cover their expenses if they need weightiest political and socie- and author. Visit her at AllisonKugel.com. to do a rally. Some of them need tal issues of our time, recounts to pay their rent, and NAN helps with that. some hard lessons learned, and outlines his Th ey call us because they know we’ll come. plan for an America at the crossroads.
Allison Kugel: Many people believe Kugel: Who is your heir apparent that you just show up wherever the once you reach a certain age and you action and media attention is. It’s im- are no longer able to do this work? portant for people to know that you Sharpton: That would come up through and your National Action Network the ranks of NAN. We have a lot of young (NAN) are the ones who work to bring people in our youth and college division, national attention to these cases in the and some of them have a lot of potential. It first place. Without your hard work, the is not up to me to choose who it will be, but world wouldn’t know the names Tray- I think it will come up from the ranks of the von Martin or George Floyd. Why isn’t movement. That is why I built an organizathis common knowledge? tion. I could have just resigned from NAN Sharpton: A lot of the media just doesn’tT:4.79"several years ago, not worried about raising
LEGAL NOTICE
five to ten million dollars a year, and just done radio and TV and been a personality. I built a structure because I wanted to go way beyond my viability. I came out of that kind of structure, but nobody anointed me. The point person before me was Reverend Jesse Jackson who was one of my mentors, but he didn’t choose me. Cream rises to the top. You’re going to take a lot of scrutiny. You’re going to take a lot of attacks. I’ve been stabbed and done time in jail for marching. There is a downside to this, and not everybody is built for that.
Kugel: With the worldwide protests that erupted after the murder of George Floyd, what do you ultimately see resulting from all the protesting? Sharpton: The legislation is one, as I said,
but the overall result should be how we as a culture redefine policing and move past police being above the law while questioning the actions of some police is thought to be anti-police. I think legislation can enforce this, or we need a cultural shift. One of the reasons the Floyd case caught on the way it did is that it happened in the middle of a pandemic and everyone was in lockdown.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT DOWNTOWN LANDSCAPE INFILL The Houston Downtown Management District (the “Downtown District”) will receive sealed bids for Downtown Landscape Infill project located in Downtown Houston, Texas. Bids will be received until 11:00 AM, local time on Thursday, November 12, 2020, by the Construction Manager of the Downtown District. Bids received after this time will not be accepted. Bids are to be delivered to 1313 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002. Beginning October 13, 2020 documents will be available at www.civcastusa.com. An ONLINE MANDATORY Pre-proposal Conference will be held at 2:00 PM on October 20, 2020. All bidders are invited to attend. Due to COVID-19 and the District’s safety protocol, all potential bidders who intend to participate in the pre-proposal conference and submit bids are required to register their intention by 2:00 PM on October 19, 2020 by email to Dusty McCartney, Construction Manager at dusty@downtowndistrict.org. Potential bidders are to provide Company Name, Address, and Phone plus two (maximum) Representative Names, Titles, Email Addresses and Cell Phone Numbers. All bidders who register in advance of the pre-proposal conference will receive a calendar invitation providing access to the online meeting venue. Bids will be ruled non-responsive if received from a company who did not have a representative attend the pre-proposal conference.
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HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 •
Project 21-09-03 Full-Service Beverage Vending – with a deadline of 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 22, 2020. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be held Online Via Zoom on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. Please email andre.porter@houstonisd.org for further information.
•
Project 21-09-05 Professional Services for Athletic UIL Events – with a deadline of 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 22, 2020. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be held Online Via Zoom on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. Please email andre.porter@houstonisd.org for further information.
•
Project 20-04-12 - RFP/Broad Line Warehousing and Distribution Services – with a deadline of 10 a.m. CST on December 1, 2020. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be held virtually on October 13, 2020 at 3 p.m. CST. Email cgiacama@houstonisd.org by 3:00 p.m. CST on October 12, 2020 to request a meeting link.
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Al Sharpton
The solicitation for bids is available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org. To access, go to Directory, Purchasing Services, Solicitation of Bids. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.
October 8, 2020 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Events UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS By Aswad Walker
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The coronavirus pandemic has made virtual meetings, online learning and working from home the new normal. It has also forced Houston’s once non-stop public events scene to go virtual. Moving forward, the Defender will provide a weekly list of upcoming virtual events. If your organization has an online class, workshop, conference or fundraising on the horizon, forward to news@defendernetwork.com for consideration of being featured here. Listed below are a few upcoming virtual happenings. #CBCFSunday, Oct 11, 9am (Day of Healing); 7pm (Phoenix Awards) The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) announced a partnership with BET to broadcast “CBCF Sunday.” The broadcast will feature two signature events, the Phoenix Awards and Day of Healing, for CBCF’s first-ever Virtual Annual Legislative Conference (ALC).
HISD Virtual Community Meeting, Oct. 15, 5pm – 6:30pm The HISD Board of Education will host the second of two community meetings on October 15 and a literacy summit ahead of a board vote on Oct. 22 to set new district goals for student outcomes. The meeting will take place on Zoom (Meeting link: https://bit.ly/340isPX; Passcode: hYT3qT)
Shown on BET and BET Her. For more info: cbcfinc.org. Virtual Chat and Fundraiser with Beto O’Rourke, Oct. 13,
6 – 7pm The Texas Coalition of Black
Beto O’Rourke
Democrats presents a Virtual Chat and Fundraiser with Beto O’Rourke with the contributions going towards efforts to turn Texas Blue. Register at https://us02web.zoom. us/webinar/register/WN_
They don’t want us to vote. Because they know our votes are powerful. Republicans are trying to stop us from voting. They're spreading misinformation to make us feel powerless. Because one vote per neighborhood can literally decide who represents us in Congress, and whether the change we're marching for actually happens. We know our power. Too much is at stake to stay home. A police reform bill that is currently being blocked by Republicans. Our ability to raise the minimum wage, invest in Black owned businesses, and expand job training. It's all on the ballot - change is only possible with our votes.
Early voting in-person starts October 13 and ends October 30. Go to iwillvote.com to make your plan. Paid for by DCCC. Dccc.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
14 | October 8, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports LEGACY DUO SMITH AND MYLES
ABOVE THE RIM
By Jodie B. Jiles
It would appear all basketball roads lead to The Legacy School of Sports and Science for the 2020-21 season. With the Titans’ additions of 6’9 power forward Ashton Smith from Nimitz and slashing guard Jaylin Gipson (the 9th ranked player from Illinois) from Chicago, Coach PJ Cousy is setting Legacy basketball up with a strong onetwo punch. But if that wasn’t enough, Legacy’s program got richer after they welcomed HISD’s top-tier talent that started with Heights’ lettermen guard Patrick “PJ” Neal and Madison’s 6’7 power forward Brian Myles. And this past September Legacy picked up 6’8 power forward Sir Issac Herron from Lamar. After watching Legacy go undefeated at their fieldhouse in the On The Radar Fall Shootout hosted by Marcus Sloan, it was pretty obvious that this was a team that played above the rim. Witnessing the dominant play of Legacy’s big men duo of Ashton Smith and Brian Myles made it difficult for opponents to make or stop plays on either side of the court. The Defender spoke with Smith and Myles after the OTR Fall Shootout to discuss their styles of play, impact on the court and reasoning for coming to Legacy. Defender: How would you describe your style of play? Smith: I am versatile. I can do both back to the basket and facing up. Defender: Talk to us about how you two are able to play off each other so well in the paint? Smith: Me and Brian play off each other. I feed off his energy just like he feeds off of mine. So, we’re like brothers and we are locked in every single time we step on the court. Myles: It is just all about stopping the ball and being a big force with Ashton. We have to keep it going with the interior defense especially when everything comes down on us. On offense, it is just whoever is hot, get them the ball so that everyone is together as a team. Defender: Where does your intense approach to the game come from? Smith: With my intensity it is that I am not coming to play, I am coming to work because that is what I need on the floor. ABOUT Defender: What attracted ASHTON you to come to Legacy? Myles: Just the opportunity I have SMITH Class: 2021 and the better things I think I can Instagram: get over here. @theashtonsm1th Smith: The culture here is just NBA Players He great and the schedule we play here Studies: is big-time. So, I wanted to come on Giannis and KD the big stage. Favorite Defender: What are some Artists: of the obstacles you think Lil Baby and ya’ll need to work on after Youngboy NBA Shout-outs: the Fall Shootout? My mom for Myles: Not being selfish. We have making all to play as one. this possible
Photos: Jimmie Aggison
ABOUT BRIAN MYLES
Class: 2021 Twitter: @iiambrian1 NBA Players He Studies: Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce Favorite Food: Hamburgers Shout-outs: Legacy, Coach PJ Cousy and my momma
October 8, 2020 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports Texans receiver Will Fuller V has caught 16 touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in the 26 games they’ve played together.
Sports Briefs
COACH PRIME EFFECT LANDS AT JSU AND SWAC
Watson optimistic The Texans began the season with legit Super Bowl aspirations but now find themselves Deshaun 0-4 and with Watson far more questions than answers. But Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson seems undeterred. “At the end of the day it is what it is,” Watson said. “We’ve just go to keep fighting, keep pushing forward, and that’s it.” Ex UH and WNBA star passes away Margo Graham, who was the first University of Houston women’s basketball player to make it to the WNBA, Margo has passed Graham away. She was 49. Graham, a forward/ center, starred for the Cougars from 1991-93. Her cause of death was not immediately known. Players veto Thomas According to CBS Sports, the reason the Texans did not sign All Pro safety Earl Thomas is because the players did not want him Earl in the locker Thomas III room. Thomas was unceremoniously cut from the Ravens in August after getting into a fight with a teammate during practice.
The Oakland A’s made it known that they wanted to face the Astros in the playoffs and manager Dusty Baker warned them to be careful what they ask for.
Deion Sanders speaks to media during a news conference about his new position as Jackson State University’s head football coach at JSU’s Walter Payton Health and Recreation Center Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Jackson, Miss. -Eric Shelton/The Clarion-Ledger via AP By Terrance Harris
One of the worst kept secrets in Black college football became a reality a couple of weeks ago when Deion “Primetime” Sanders rolled – literally – into Jackson State as the Tigers new football coach. Without signing a recruit or winning his first game, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and easily one of the most flamboyant personalities the NFL has known still became the face of the SWAC and Black College Football. But now the question is what kind of impact can Sanders have not just on the Tigers program, but on the SWAC, as well? Super Bowl winning quarterback Doug Williams, who once upon a time made a similar walk when he returned to coach his alma mater, Grambling State, believes Sanders could be just the personality JSU and the SWAC need to return national attention back to Black college football. “He wanted to coach and I think for him it’s a great opportunity to come and it’s certainly a great thing for Jackson State and the SWAC and Historically Black Colleges, to be honest with you,” said Williams, who did two coaching stints at Grambling, from 1998-2003 and 20112013. “That impacts not only Jackson, but it impacts HBCUs.” His presence since being introduced as the Tigers head coach has already been enormous.
Sanders, who has quickly become known as Coach Prime, is turning the page in recruiting by going after five-star level recruits and there has been a steady line of fans buying season tickets five months before the Tigers open their season this spring. Sanders, a former first-round pick out of Florida State, starred with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys and was a two-time Super Bowl champion in a pro career that spanned from 1989-2005. He has since become best known to this current generation as a colorful and outspoken football analyst on television. “We definitely believe Deion adds value to our conference as a coach and as a person,” said SWAC senior associate commissioner Jason Cable. “If you look at his social media following, it’s over a million, you look at Then newly-signed San Francisco 49ers Deion Sanders jogs to practice at the team’s Santa Clara, Calif., facility, Sept. 15, 1994. -AP Photo/Joseph R. Villarin
the impact he could have financially, not only for the institution but for the community itself. So those things were very attractive. And from a conference perspective we feel like he definitely adds value, not to negate the fact that we do have nine other very creative and innovative coaches that have been in our league who are valuable as well.” But none of the current SWAC coaches have the resume of Sanders, who is still known as the game’s best pure cornerback, or his national presence. Williams, the Super Bowl MVP and the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, was the closest thing the SWAC has seen to an NFL star joining the ranks. But even Williams believes there is a next level distinction with Coach Prime. “How many guys like a Deion Sanders come to an HBCU to coach?” Williams said in an exclusive interview with The Defender. “I went back to Grambling, but I went home. It wasn’t a big thing. If I had of went somewhere else it probably would have got more of an impact from a media standpoint than going to Grambling. So it’s two different dynamics.”
16 | October 8, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
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