Houston Defender: November 15, 2018

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INCIDENTS PROMPT QUESTION: WHY ARE WHITE MEN SO ANGRY? P4

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NEWSTALK HOUSTON NAACP divided over generational differences

SPECIAL EDITION

WEIGHT LOSS ‘Secrets of Success’

P2 NATIONAL JEMEL ROBERSON killed by police while working security

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HS SPORTS

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DEMOND DEMAS using his talent at North Forest

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David & Tamela Mann

Carmelo Anthony

The superstar couple is paying tribute to their 30-year love story with the release of their first joint album and memoir. Find out what the duo is hoping to achieve with their latest endeavor.

Last year, the Rockets had the NBA’s best record, won 65 games and were a game away from the NBA Finals. Now they’re floundering in mediocrity and some say Anthony is to blame.

celebrate their love

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TOP EVENTS

bearing the blame?

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Deborah Hutchinson, Bryce Kennard and Tracey Ferguson at the Links Art of the Grande Tea.

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Generational divide impacts local NAACP The NAACP Houston Branch is celebrating 100 years, but instead of coming together, the chapter is in the midst of a bitter battle over who will take control. At issue – three millennials – all who have been branch members for one to two years and who are seeking to replace longtime members as top officers. They say the chapter has become out of touch and that they want to make it more relevant by prioritizing the Black community’s economic health. Lloyd Ford, 30, joined James Douglas Lloyd Ford the group two years ago and is challenging 74-year-old chapter already has vibrant youth involvement. James Douglas for president. Ford decided to “Several other young members are on run because he felt the NAACP was becoming a the board and involved,” said Jones, who has figurehead inf Houston’s Black community. He worked with the NAACP since college in 1999. then recruited three others – Ciara Suesberry, “There is going to be a disconnect when you Eddison Titus and Richard Bonton – to join the have different generations working together. chapter a year ago and seek officer positions as That’s in every organization. But I don’t think well. we should throw our conventional wisdom to “I can’t say they’ve done anything to really say ‘we have a better way.’ We are young people affect real, sustainable change,” he said. “The that are involved and working collaboratively to fight has changed on civil rights, and I feel like move about the same agenda.” they haven’t changed with it. I see the NAACP In addition to Douglas, other officers vying at the forefront of [addressing] the new Black for new terms are Claude Cummings, Carroll economic plight. It’s already got that gold star Robinson and Belinda Everette. for civil rights. Now, the fight has changed to Despite their differences, the current ofeconomic development. The only way you reficers and their challengers agree on the needs ceive justice is to be economically sound.” for criminal justice, bail reform, Black home Board member Dallas Jones, who is under ownership, civic engagement and education. The 40 and serves as first vice-president of the Hous- chapter was expected to vote on new officers on ton NAACP, disputes those claims and says the Nov. 15.

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Dallas DA wants to stay on Jean shooting case Defender News Services

Dallas District Attorney Faith Johnson was voted out by a landslide, but she wants to stay on board for the Botham Jean police shooting case. “We are still proceeding with that case,” the Republican DA. said. “That case is going to the grand jury very soon. I want the opportunity to bring the indictment. It happened under my watch, and I think that’s very significant that I take this case to the grand jury.” Johnson staying on the case will be difficult since she will no longer be the DA and the newly-elected DA, Democrat John Creuzot, said he will be pushing for murder, not manslaughter, for 30-year-old police officer Amber Guyger who fatally shot Jean in his own apartment over two months ago. Guyger lived in the same complex as Jean and claimed she mistakenly thought he had broken into her apartment. “I don’t know of any police reports. I don’t know of any Faith Johnson forensic reports, but based on what I have seen, manslaughter is an inappropriate charge, based on the circumstances as I understand them,” Creuzot said. “Once I get in there and I get everything in front of me and it appears the most appropriate charge is murder, then that’s the charge we will go forward with.” He added that, “anything less than murder deviates from Dallas County precedent.” There have been countless “mistakes” made in the case against Guyger, from never searching her apartment to claiming Botham Jean was a pothead to protesters being in jail longer than Guyger was. Johnson, who was appointed DA, lost to Creuzot by over 20 points and was only in office for 22 months.

localbriefs MISSOURI CITY VOTERS RETURN TO THE POLLS Saturday, Dec. 8 to decide runoffs for mayor and at-large position 2 council member. Allen Owen, who has served as mayor since 1994, will compete in the runoff against Yolanda Ford, who had served as District A council member. Ford’s running for mayor vacated her District A position.Chris Preston and Susan Soto will also face off in a runoff for the council member at large, Position 2 seat. The city set a Nov. 9 deadline to accept nominations to fill the position. The appointee would serve until the next regular city election in November 2019……. THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS SET to vote on final changes to curriculum standards, which

some say are historically inaccurate. The updated standards still include states’ rights and sectionalism, now relegated to “contributing factors” in Texas’ participation in the Civil War, while slavery has been elevated to a “central role.” There has been a fierce battle between the board’s liberal, moderate Republican and social conservative factions. The agency has been under fire for what critics call a “whitewashing” of history…….FIVE HISD CAMPUSES WILL BECOME COMMUNITY SCHOOLS to meet the needs of students and families. About 4,000 students and their families in high-poverty areas will benefit from a $2.5 million grant that will provide wraparound services, including social, medical, financial, and emotional support. Five campuses (Thomas

Middle School and Lockhart, Benavidez, Marshall, and Robinson elementary schools) will receive the grant. The schools demonstrated need for wraparound services and support…….FORT BEND ISD’S SMALL BUSINESS Enterprise Program is teaming up with Texas Southern University to host its next workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the FBISD Triplex, 550 Julie Rivers in Sugar Land. The meeting is for small business owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers and others interested in networking and possibly collaborating with the district on upcoming bond projects. Learn more at www. fortbendisd.com/sbep or call 281-327-7195.

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Democrats won House, fell short elsewhere

ran on different messages. Gillum, the 39-year-old mayor of Florida’s capital city, openly called for President Donald Trump’s impeachment. And For much of the country, the 2018 midterm season is he accused his Republican opponent, forover. But unresolved races for mer Rep. Ron DeSantis, of blatant racism. governor in Georgia and Florida are Abrams, the 44-year-old former raising major strategic questions for minority leader in Georgia’s House of Democrats as they turn their attenRepresentative, highlighted her bipartion to the upcoming battle for the tisan credentials throughout her bid for White House. governor. While she and Gillum embraced As in other states, Democrats liberal policy priorities, such as “Medicare in Florida and Georgia drew record for All,” she promoted her work with turnout in the Nov. 6 election. The Republicans in the state legislature. coalition of suburban women, Still, both were viewed as rising stars young people and minorities delivwithin the evolving Democratic Party, ered the House to Democrats for a new generation of Democratic leaderthe first time in nearly a decade. ship that could expand the party’s appeal But it wasn’t enough to score among all voters. decisive victories in the closely Racial divisions appear to have watched races for governor in Georlimited their appeal, however. gia and Florida, where fresh-faced The results “absolutely” demonAfrican-American Democratic strated Black candidates like Gillum and candidates trailed their older, white Abrams have a harder time winning in Republican competitors. In Georgia, the Trump era, NAACP President Derrick Stacey Abrams hasn’t conceded her Johnson said. race while Andrew Gillum’s contest “What the president has done is in Florida is undergoing a recount. played to the lowest common denominaHouse Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was joined by her grandsons and Congressional Democrats on election night. For some Democrats, the tor and created a culture of intolerance and lesson emerging from the 2018 midracial hatred,” Johnson said. “You build terms is that massive turnout can win suburban House races led former President Barack Obama’s efforts in Florida. “We up negative energy based on fear to a point where there are segacross New Jersey, Pennsylvania and California. But the coalihave a national issue we have to deal with.” ments of the population who are reacting to fear and not pure tion that produced some success elsewhere may not be enough While Gillum and Abrams have much in common, they policy considerations.” T:9.75” in Florida, the nation’s premier presidential battleground state, Associated Press

and Georgia, a state Democrats view with increasing optimism. “It’s not a viable long-term plan to constantly rely on record turnout,” said Democratic strategist Steve Schale, who

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• This limited-time offer expires November 16, 2018. Visit a participating* Wells Fargo branch and talk to a banker today! Your bonus will be deposited into your new consumer checking account within 45 days after eligibility and qualifications are met. Find a branch near you: wellsfargo.com/locator *Important things to know about this offer: Checking and Savings Bonus Eligibility: Only certain consumer checking accounts are eligible for this offer, including non-interest bearing checking accounts. Ask a personal banker for details. Teen Checking,SM Greenhouse by Wells Fargo, and the prepaid Wells Fargo EasyPay® Card are not eligible for this offer. All consumer savings accounts are eligible for this offer, excluding Time Accounts (CDs). This is an exclusive, non-transferable offer. A valid bonus offer code will be provided to each customer while meeting with a banker. You cannot be: a current owner on a Wells Fargo consumer checking or savings account, a Wells Fargo team member, or a recipient of a consumer checking or savings bonus in the past 12 months (limit one bonus per customer). Offer is only available to customers in the following states: AK, DC, ID, MN, NJ, NE, TX, WY. Bonus Qualifications: To receive a $500 bonus: 1. Open a new, eligible consumer checking account with a minimum opening deposit of $25 by November 16, 2018. Within 150 days of account opening, set up and receive at least three consecutive monthly qualifying direct deposits of at least $500 each month. During this time, your account balance must be at least $1.00 or more. A qualifying direct deposit is the customer’s salary, pension, Social Security, or other regular monthly income of an accumulated $500 or more, electronically deposited through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network to this checking account by your employer, or an outside agency. A non-qualifying direct deposit is a transfer from one account to another, or deposits made at a Wells Fargo branch or ATM. AND 2. Open a new, eligible savings account with a minimum opening deposit of $25 by November 16, 2018 and within 10 days of account opening, deposit at least $25,000 in new money into either the new checking or new savings account, and maintain at least a $25,000 cumulative account(s) balance for 90 days. New money is defined as at least $25,000 in new deposits from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or its affiliates. Due to the new money requirement, accounts may only be opened at your local branch. Offer subject to change and may be discontinued at any time. Offer cannot be: paid without a valid U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number (W-9); combined with any other consumer deposit offer. Minimum new money deposit requirement of at least $25,000 is for this offer only and cannot be transferred to another account to qualify for any other consumer deposit offer. If you wish to take advantage of another consumer deposit offer requiring a minimum new money deposit, you will be required to do so with another new money deposit as stated in that offer’s requirements and qualifications. Those who take advantage of this Savings bonus offer cannot also take advantage of any New Dollar promotional interest rate offer during the same promotional period. Offer cannot be reproduced, purchased, sold, transferred, or traded. Bonus Payment: We will deposit the $500 bonus into your new consumer checking account within 45 days after eligibility and qualifications have been met. Checking account must remain open in order to receive the bonus payment. You are responsible for any federal, state, or local taxes due on your bonus, and we will report as income to the tax authorities if required by applicable law. Consult your tax advisor. New account open subject to approval. Checking and savings accounts are subject to monthly service fees; please refer to the Consumer Account Fee and Information Schedule (available at www.wellsfargo.com/online-banking/ consumer-account-fees) or speak to a banker for more details. The consumer savings accounts eligible for this offer are interest-bearing accounts with variable interest rates. For example, Wells Fargo Way2Save® Savings pays an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 0.01% on all balances and requires a minimum opening deposit of $25. The APY is accurate as of 9/13/2018 and may change at any time without notice. Fees may reduce earnings. © 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 15 | 2018

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U.S.briefs From left, the men accused of the Kroger shooting, Gregory A. Bush; the Tallahassee yoga shooting, Scott Paul Beierle; and the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, Robert Bowers.

Why are white men angry? Incidents prompt question Defender News Service

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham once delivered an odd warning. “We’re not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term,” he said, while attending a Republican National Convention. No one is making that complaint anymore. Lately, the news seems filled with grim mug shots of angry white guys. A white man allegedly kills two Black people at a supermarket after failing minutes earlier to enter a Black church. Another opens fire at a yoga studio, killing two people and injuring five more before turning the gun on himself. A third is accused of massacring 11 worshippers at a synagogue, afterward yelling, “I just want to kill Jews.” Prior to the midterm elections, President Donald Trump warned Americans of another threat: a caravan of Latino migrants headed toward the United States to seek asylum. No one is saying the recent spate of shootings can be

blamed on the GOP. But the contrast between the terror that many Americans actually experience and the specter of violence that Trump invoked is a classic example of an insidious form of racism that some say is pervasive. Some white men, such as white nationalists who rallied last year in Charlottesville, Va., say they are in danger of being replaced by nonwhites, even though they still make up the vast majority of the country’s CEOs, billionaires and political leaders. Psychologists have a name for this kind of pattern. It’s called projection and happens when people project hidden or repressed elements of themselves onto others. If you’re a member of a group that’s been deemed “the other,” like Ijeoma Oluo, this pattern is business as usual. She wrote about the problem in an essay that went viral called, “The Anger of the White Male Lie.” Oluo wrote that she constantly lives with the fear that the anger of white men can turn violent toward her and “countless other Black people, brown people, disabled people, queer people, trans people, and women of every demographic.”

SOCIAL MEDIA IS COMING TO THE DEFENSE of Black female reporters after they were insulted by the president. During a press conference, President Donald Trump called April Ryan, a 21-year veteran White House reporter, a “loser.” He later blasted CNN White House correspondent and Harvard grad Abby Phillip for asking a “stupid question.” Trump also accused Yamiche Alcindor, “PBS NewsHour” White House correspondent, of asking a “racist question” when she inquired about the public perception that he was “emboldening white nationalists” on the campaign trail. In addition to public support, several journalist organizations came to the reporters’ defense………A NEWLY RELEASED VIDEO SHOWS A WHITE Republican U.S. senator in Mississippi praising someone by saying, “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row.” Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who faces a Black Democratic challenger in a Nov. 27 runoff, said her remark was “an exaggerated expression of regard” for a friend who invited her to speak, and “any attempt to turn this into a negative connotation is ridiculous.” Mississippi has a bitter history of racially motivated lynchings of Black people. The NAACP website says that between 1882 and 1968, there were 4,743 lynchings in the United States, and nearly 73 percent of the victims were Black. HydeSmith is challenged by former congressman and former U.S. agriculture secretary Mike Espy………A WISCONSIN SCHOOL DISTRICT IS INVESTIGATING a photo of a group of high school boys giving what appears to be a Nazi salute. The photo of more than 60 male students dressed in suits, some wearing boutonnieres, shows many with their right arm extended upward while posed on the steps of the Sauk County Courthouse. The photo appears to have been taken last spring and wasn’t taken on school grounds or at a schoolsponsored event. The district is investigating and said it will take appropriate action.

Black security guard killed by Illinois police Defender News Services

Gun advocates have suggested that businesses that have a “good guy with a gun” would curtail violence. That theory doesn’t account for the chaotic unknowns when police arrive and can’t tell a “good guy” with a gun from a “bad guy” with a gun. That’s what happened at Manny’s Blue Room Bar in Robbins, Ill., outside Chicago, where a gunman opened fire, striking several people. Twenty-six-year-old Jemel Roberson Jemel Roberson was working security. He returned fire, apprehended the suspect and was later fatally wounded. It is unclear how the killing unfolded

from there. “The security guard that got killed, he caught somebody and had his knee on him the whole time,” witness Adam Harris told a local TV station. “Just waiting on the police to get there. I guess when the police got there, they probably thought he was one of the bad guys ‘cause he had his gun on the guy and they shot him.” Harris said that “everybody” tried to warn the responding officers that Roberson was a security guard who was trying to subdue a suspect and not a threat. The shooting is being investigated and the officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.

VOLUME 88 • NUMBER 4 NOVEMBER 15, 2018 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Strategic Alliance Manager

Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Photographers

Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Sports Max Edison Jodie B. Jiles Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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NOVEMBER 15 | 2018 | DEFENDER

entertainment

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David and Tamela Mann

Couple celebrates new book, new music

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Defender News Services

wo-time NAACP Image Award-winning actor and comedian David Mann and his wife, Grammy and Image-Award winner Tamela Mann, are celebrating their 30-year love story with the release of their first joint album, “Us Against the World: The Love Project.” David admits he was nervous heading into the studio with his Dove Award-winning wife. “I was intimidated to sing with the Tamela Mann. She’s one of the best singers,” said David, known for his role as Leroy Brown in Tyler Perry’s Madea films and the television show “Meet the Browns.” “The title track was one of the first songs that we recorded, and with me not being in the studio for so many years, I was really nervous. I was shaking in my boots.” His wife says he needn’t have worried. “I’m just so proud of him,” Tamela Mann said. “It all turned out so amazing.” Inspired by the couple’s new memoir, “Us Against the World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage, and Family,” the soulful 10-song musical collaboration about resilient and enduring love is brimming with the couple’s vocal chemistry. The project is produced by David, Tamela and their son, David Mann Jr. The album is a candidly honest chronicle of defining moments in David and Tamela’s relationship. The two recreate an epic revelation from early on in their marriage that could have undone them on the heart-wrenching yet resolutely hopeful track by David, “I Love You.”

The Manns have been married for 30 years. They are both from Fort Worth.

On “Mason Jar” Tamela’s tender vocals pay tribute to her grandmother, mother and love of her life, David. The first single, now impacting Urban AC radio, is “Good Love,” a timeless romantic duet in the vein of a Motown classic featuring David and Tamela’s soulfully smooth harmonies. The album reconstructs other ‘big reveals’ in the couple’s relationship, ultimately leading to “Signs,” a love letter to each other. “We made ‘Us Against the World’ because we want people to be uplifted, spiritually encouraged, and feel hopeful about love, life, relationships, and family,” said David. “This is our first joint project and it’s been a dream come true to record together. We hope these songs will inspire a renewed commitment to marriage and family,” Tamela added. “The whole album is an inside look at our love story and the journey we’ve been on together. So, recording this project has been really special for both of us.” With the book, the superstar couple, who have entertained audiences through music, plays, movies, and the television series “The Manns,” and “Mann & Wife,” candidly share a funny, and up-close look at their lives while offering hope and practical advice for building a strong relationship, marriage and family. The book covers: Tips to help couples grow in love and commitment to each other; no holds-barred honesty about how to experience true unity, intimacy, and fulfillment in marriage; insight into how two successful people built careers and a family together; and encouragement that though blending a family has challenges, it is definitely possible.

what’sup Twenty-two years after his death, Temple University is paying homage to rapper TUPAC SHAKUR by adding some of his belongings to its Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, one of the most extensive collections of items that captures the essence of the Black experience in America and beyond. Among Tupac’s items that will be added include handwritten lyrics from some of his most popular songs, track listings and jewelry. The Philadelphia-based university offers a course that explores the legacy of Shakur…….BILL COSBY’S lawyers are demanding he be released from prison, or at the very least, have his three to 10-year prison

stint reduced. In a new court filing, a former district attorney confirmed that the civil depositions used to convict Cosby should never have been used. The comedian had agreed to waive his Fifth Amendment rights and sit for queries knowing that the documents would always be kept private, the report states. With the new information, Cosby’s lawyers immediately filed a petition demanding that their client is released from prison.…….Basketball star MATT BARNES scored a victory in his custody case against ex-wife, reality star GLORIA GOVAN. Barnes was awarded sole physical and legal custody of their 10-yearold twins. He also got a restraining order against

Govan that will extend through May 2020. The order doesn’t include the children. Govan was also ordered to complete 26 anger management sessions, as well as 10 parenting classes.……Comedian KATT WILLIAMS has been hit with a tax lien by the Georgia Department of Revenue over unpaid taxes he allegedly owes for 2015 and 2016. The lien claims he owes $189,043 (2015) and $119,002 (2016) for a total of $308,045 in back taxes. This includes $29k for interest, $42k for penalties and $39k in collection fees. If Williams doesn’t pay up quick, his property and assets will be seized to satisfy the debt.

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NOVEMBER 15 | 2018 | DEFENDER

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Defender Special Edition

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WEIGHT LOSS By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

f you’re trying to shed unwanted pounds, you are not alone. It’s estimated that in any given year, 56 percent of women and 41 percent of men attempt to lose weight. For many African-Americans, especially women and girls, the need to maintain a healthy weight is even greater. African-American women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese compared to other groups in the U.S. and four out of five AfricanAmerican women are overweight or obese. African-American girls are 50 percent more likely to be overweight than white girls and excess pounds can continue to be a problem as they mature. Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. America in general has a weight problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost 40 percent of American adults and nearly 20 percent of adolescents are obese, the highest rates ever recorded for the U.S. The problem is a concern of the American Medical Association (AMA), which last year adopted a policy to equip more doctors and medical students to prevent, diagnose and manage obesity. “Obesity continues to impact the health of a great number of people across the country, contributing to an increase in associated conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes,” said AMA Board Member Dr. Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D. In addition to heart disease and diabetes, obese people are at increased risk for high blood pressure, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and breathing problems and cancers such as endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder and liver. Ehrenfeld described the health consequences and financial burden of obesity as “devastating.” “We must ensure that all physicians and physicians-in-training have the tools and information they need to better understand obesity so they can provide their patients with the best care possible,” he said. Here are 10 things to know about weight loss:

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10 things to know No matter what your goal is, even a modest weight loss, such as 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight, is likely to produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars. Among adults who try to lose weight, the most commonly reported methods are exercising (62 percent) eating less food (62 percent) and consuming more fruits, vegetables and salads (50 percent). Millennials are now the largest population group, and their weight loss efforts are likely to focus on clean eating, exercise, convenience and avoiding artificial sweeteners and highly processed foods.

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A survey of Americans’ New Year’s resolutions for 2018 found that 45 percent wanted to lose weight or get in shape. Trying to slim down is big business. The U.S. weight loss market was estimated to be worth $68.2 billion in 2017, a 2.7 percent gain from the previous year. Health and fitness apps have become widely popular recently, with usage growing by over 330 percent in the last three years. An estimated 20 percent of Americans have a fitness club membership.

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More and more Americans are undergoing surgical procedures to induce weight loss. Bariatric surgery numbers have steadily increased in recent years, from 158,000 in 2011 to 228,000 in 2017. Online dieting is worth an estimated $990 million in revenue. Weight loss vitamins, minerals and supplements sales generated nearly $629 million in the U.S. in 2017. Additional Sources: Defender News Services, U.S. Department of Human Health & Services Office of Minority Health

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health

Top-ranked diets revealed

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Defender News Services

here are dozens of plans available for Americans trying to lose weight, and some of the most popular were ranked by U.S. News & World Report in its annual assessment of the best diets released earlier this year. For the first time, the Mediterranean Diet ranks as a Best Diet Overall, tying for the No. 1 spot with the DASH Diet. Research suggests the Mediterranean Diet, a well-balanced eating plan, boosts longevity and helps prevent a number of chronic diseases. To calculate the rankings, U.S. News convened an expert panel of the country’s top nutritionists, dietary consultants and physicians specializing in diabetes, heart health and weight loss. Through an in-depth survey, each panelist scored the 40 diets in nine categories, including ease of compliance, likelihood of losing significant weight in the short and long term, and effectiveness against cardiovascular disease and diabetes. “There is an established theme of what is considered healthy eating, but no single diet is the best for all of us,” said panelist Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center. “Ultimately, a ‘best’ diet is one that can be adopted, managed and sustained over time.”

Sample diets DASH Diet – Developed to lower blood pressure without medication & sponsored by U.S. National Institutes of Health. High in fiber; rich in fruits, vegetables, low fat or nonfat dairy. Includes mostly whole grains, lean meats, fish, poultry, nuts & beans. Limits foods high in saturated fat, sugary beverages & sweets. Mediterranean Diet – Includes small amounts of lean meat & chicken; more servings of whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts & legumes; plenty of fish and other seafood; olive oil as the main source of fat for preparing food; simple seasonings without sauces & gravies. Foods eaten in small amounts or not at all include red meats, sweets, eggs, butter.

Sample rankings BEST DIETS OVERALL • DASH Diet (tie) • Mediterranean Diet (tie) • Flexitarian Diet BEST COMMERCIAL DIETS • Weight Watchers • Jenny Craig • Flat Belly Diet (tie) • Nutritarian Diet (tie) BEST DIETS FOR HEALTHY EATING • DASH Diet (tie) • Mediterranean Diet (tie) • Flexitarian Diet (tie) • TLC Diet (tie)

Message from the Publisher

Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Weight loss is a national obsession and there’s a good reason why. Obesity in the U.S. is at an all-time high and is a pressing health issue. The list of ailments associated with being overweight or obese is frightening. While reaching and maintaining a healthy weight has the added benefit of smaller waistlines and better abs, the way we look is secondary to our quality of life. Heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes – just three of the health issues linked to obesity – are far too prevalent in the Black community. The Defender is pleased to present this special edition on weight loss as a service to our readers of all sizes.

We begin with a look at facts and figures that shed light on losing weight. Our article on the top-rated diets tells what plans work best. We look at weight loss and children in another article. Our centerfold focuses on how to drop pounds the healthy way. For those curious about weight loss surgery, we offer frequently asked questions and the answers. In addition, we would like to thank our partners – Community Health, Harris Health, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, Legacy Health, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children’s Hospital – for their valuable medical expertise. Whether you need to lose 10 pounds or 100, it pays to know the facts and take steps toward better health.

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What parents should know about kids, weight

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Defender Exclusive

he number of children who are overweight or obese continues to rise. A new study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows that 15.8 percent of American children ages 10 to 17 have obesity, and in Texas the rate is 18.5 percent. Black youth had nearly double the rate (22.5 percent) as white youth (12.5). Here, two health professionals with Texas Children’s Health Plan the Center for Children and Women tell what parents should know: Juliana Baird, a registered and licensed dietician and Dr. Neel Naik, associate medical director. Defender: What are the most important “do’s and don’ts” for parents with obese or overweight children when it comes to helping them lose weight? Baird: Many times, parents or family members point out a patient’s weight or size in an effort to be helpful, but that ultimately harms a child’s self-esteem. A parent may think this will motivate a child, but it can actually cause a child to feel their worth or ability to be loved depends on their appearance. This can lead to disordered eating behaviors, such as feeling shame when eating treats, or a fixation on “exercising off” the day’s food. Frequent negative comments from a role model can permanently damage that relationship as well. Something many parents don’t realize is their own self-esteem or food behaviors influences their Learn more from Juliana Baird and Dr. Neel Naik as children. If a parthey discuss… ent is constantly * Causes of obesity in kids going on a diet, * Why diets might not work talking about * Determining if a child is overweight their own weight work with the child to make * How treating kids differs from adults or body, or placadjustments to be successful ing value primarin the future. ily in appearance, Naik: As a pediatrician, the child absorbs those beliefs as well. I am more concerned about a child with poor eating and The best way a parent can help is to promote a exercise habits with a slightly elevated BMI (body max index) focus on overall health for everyone in the family. A than a child with good eating and exercise habits and elevated child should not be singled out and have to eat differBMI. If you can guarantee your child mostly drinks water, ently or exercise more than anyone else. Any changes rarely eats junk food and exercises frequently the health will should apply to everyone in the household and follow; don’t focus on the weight. Weight loss is a marathon, should not be viewed as an inconvenience. Goals don’t expect changes in weeks to a month. Most of our chilshould be for behavior change, rather than a specific dren who are overweight will need to lose weight or keep the weight. For example, setting a number of cups of same weight for years in order to return to a normal BMI. So, water to drink per day, walking outside three days parents need to be the foundation and support as the child conper week, or adding a vegetable to dinner. When tinues health nutrition and exercise for the rest of their lives. these goals are achieved, they should be recognized Defender: How do health professionals decide which as progress towards a healthier lifestyle. If there are weight loss program is best for a child? setbacks, or a goal is not achieved, the parent should Naik: Doctors try to keep our advice simple and address

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low-hanging fruit, which could make significant impact on a patient’s nutrition: w Reduce sugary beverages like soda and juice. These beverages contain lots of sugar and calories. w Increase fruit and vegetable intake. Fifty percent of your diet should come from fruit and vegetables. This is tough, but is a goal that we should always have in mind. So, grab a banana with your breakfast; if having pizza for dinner, pair it with a salad. w Try to have physical activity at least five days a week. Enough exertion that it causes you to sweat. w Everything in moderation. There is no perfect diet. Have carbs – but in moderation. Have red meat – but in moderation. Have a dessert – but again, you guessed it, in moderation. Check out the My Plate picture developed by the USDA and you will get an idea of what a serving should look like. (Visit www.choosemyplate.gov)

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When toddlers will eat dirt, but not vegetables

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By DR. SAMIRA ARMIN Texas Children’s Pediatrics

t’s common for toddlers to switch up their eating habits, so don’t be shocked if they refuse a particular food one day and accept it the next. If you’re trying to get your toddler to accept particular foods, form good eating habits and avoid carrying picky eating into adolescence, consider the tips below: • Serve meals regularly and limit grazing or excessive snacking throughout the day. Meals should be served at the table with other family members, promoting routine and predictability. • Don’t let toddlers drink their calories. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends approximately 2.5 servings of dairy per day if your toddler can drink milk, and also discourages juice and soda consumption due to their lack of nutritional value and relationship with childhood obesity. • Offer new foods alongside familiar food your toddler favors. Promoting food diversity and introducing new foods can open up a range of options for your picky eater. • Let toddlers explore their foods, even if they make a mess. Encourage playing, touching, smelling, licking and

even taking small bites. • Don’t bribe your child to eat healthy food using unhealthy food. The goal is to get your child to enjoy and crave healthy foods instead of simply tolerating them. • Their meals should be well-balanced, offering plenty of fruits and vegetables. You decide what your toddler eats, but let them decide how much they want to eat. Your

pediatrician will review growth charts to ensure your toddler is getting the right amount of calories. • Set a good example by eating a nutritious, diverse diet. You are your toddler’s most important influence. • Don’t stock junk food in your home. If this isn’t an option, make sure this food is hard to access for your toddler. • Discuss benefits of healthy, nutritious eating. Talk about making healthy choices and eating fresh food instead of processed snacks. • Use toddler-sized portions. A serving size for a toddler is about ¼ of a single adult portion. It’s normal for your toddler to take a few bites and feel full. Set a timer for five minutes and slowly extend meal time up to 15 minutes. • Minimize distractions at the table while eating. There are many negative effects that can come from eating while watching television. Despite negative initial reactions, your child will likely learn to accept the food with time and repeated exposure. Getting a toddler to eat a balanced diet is a long process requiring patience and perseverance. When your children mature into healthy adults, they will learn to appreciate your efforts. Dr. Samira Armin is a pediatrician with Texas Children’s Pediatrics Humble Fall Creek.

Being a parent is hard. Parents, we know you’ve got an awful lot on your plate. That’s why we make it easy to find trusted, high-quality health care for your child, close to home. From routine check-ups to same-day sick visits to expert after-hours care, we’ve got your back, no matter what. • Health care for children ages 0-18 • Prenatal counseling • Newborn and infant care • Immunizations • Hearing and vision screenings • School, sports and camp physicals

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Emotional hide and seek Recognizing traumatic stress in kids • Depression: Irritability, social withdrawal, fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite • Poor conduct: Aggression, anger, vocal outbursts • Physical illness: Aches, pains, random vomiting, difficulty eating or sleeping

By DR. JULIE KAPLOW and MARISA B. NOWITZ Texas Children’s Hospital

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hen your child is faced with distressing experiences, recognizing the impact of these circumstances can be complicated. If a child’s emotional and/or physical well-being are harmed or threatened by an incident, we consider this a trauma. There are certain traumatic stress reactions considered normal and adaptive in the aftermath of the trauma. However, some reactions can be long-lasting and/or might interfere with a child’s daily functioning, alongside their physical and mental health. It’s critical for caregivers to accurately recognize the characteristics of traumatic stress in order to ensure the most appropriate and effective methods of intervention.

COMMON TRAUMATIC EVENTS FOR CHILDREN

Traumas can be acute (one-time) or chronic (ongoing) and might include: • Death of a loved one • Car accidents • Natural disasters • Witnessing domestic and/or community violence • Suffering from child abuse, neglect

HOW CAREGIVERS CAN HELP

• Living in poverty • Incidents of racial discrimination • Hospitalization

HIDDEN TRAUMATIC STRESS REACTIONS

Children express traumatic stress through a variety of reactions. However, some stress reactions can look similar to other common psychological and behavioral issues, including: • Anxiety: Fear/worry about safety of self, family and friends • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Hyperactivity, limited attention, poor academic performance

Caregivers can do many things to support their children in the aftermath of trauma, including: • Be calm and reassuring (offer comfort through body language, actions and words). • Be patient. • Encourage children to openly talk about their emotions. • Express an open-door policy, allowing children to talk when they’re ready and comfortable. • Take care of yourself. • Reach out for additional support, if needed. It’s important for parents/caregivers to “listen to [their] gut[s]” if concerns are raised regarding a child’s behavior in the aftermath of trauma, even if it means seeking support from a traumainformed therapist. Dr. Julie Kaplow is director of the Trauma and Grief Center at Texas Children’s Hospital. Marisa B. Nowitz, is project manager and clinical social worker with the hospital’s Trauma and Grief Center

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Can the keto diet cure

cancer?

By MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER

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he ketogenic (keto) diet is the latest weightloss trend, and it is rumored to help fight cancer. Some studies have credited the keto diet in helping slow the progression of cancer, but much more research is needed. Maria Petzel, a senior clinical dietitian at MD Anderson Cancer Center, explains what this trendy diet is about and what cancer patients considering the diet should know.

What is the keto diet?

The keto diet has very strict guidelines and is similar to Atkins and other low-carb diets. Keto dieters maintain a very low-carb, high-fat, and moderate- to low-protein diet. When the body doesn’t have a sufficient amount of carbohydrates from food for cells to burn for energy, it burns fat instead and makes ketones (a type of acid made by the liver and sent into the bloodstream) as part of a process called ketosis.

Pros and cons of the keto diet

The keto diet will result in weight loss for most people, but it might not be the healthiest approach. Ketosis can become dangerous when too many ketones accumulate, which can lead to dehydration and a change in your blood’s chemical balance. Diets high in fat, like the keto diet, are associated with heart disease and obesity. Red meat is suggested for the keto diet, but eating too much red meat can increase your cancer risk. Also, avoiding entire food groups is extremely hard to sustain long-term. Most keto dieters regain some or all of the weight they lost when they stop the diet.

The keto diet does not cure cancer

While no single food or diet can cure cancer, some studies have shown a connection between the keto diet and slowed growth of some types of tumors in mice. And the keto diet has shown promise in a few research studies of humans with certain types of brain tumors. Conversely, a very low-fat diet has been found to reduce the risk of recurrence for certain types of breast cancer. Researchers are conducting clinical trials with cancer patients to see how diet affects them, in combination with chemotherapy and radiation. MD Anderson is hopeful that this research, and future research, will provide a better understanding of the impact of diet on cancer – especially the keto diet.

Talk to your doctor or dietitian before starting a new diet

The keto diet isn’t for everyone. It may help

some cancer patients, but it could also harm others. Your body may not be able to break down proteins and fats, depending on your type of cancer or treatment, which could lead to other digestive problems. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian before beginning the keto or any diet. Your doctor or dietitian can help determine the right diet to help you reach your health goals. A dietitian can determine your nutrition goals and recommend adjustments based on each stage and change of your cancer treatment. A dietitian also can help you regulate your diet to minimize side effects, cope with new food sensitivities, and keep you feeling your best. If you’re a patient at MD Anderson, your doctor can refer you to a clinical dietitian. Each clinic at MD Anderson has an assigned dietitian available to help patients at all stages of cancer treatment. To learn more, visit mdanderson.org.

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“We are stronger than you, cancer” Dr. Terri Woodard | Cancer Physician At MD Anderson Cancer Center, highly specialized cancer experts from multiple disciplines collaborate to develop personalized care plans based on each patient’s unique needs. This integrated approach, pioneered here, ensures that every patient receives the best treatment plan from the very start. Choose MD Anderson first. Call 1-855-894-0145 or visit MakingCancerHistory.com.

Ranked one of the top cancer centers in the nation for 29 years by U.S. News & World Report.

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By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

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Lose weight th

here are no easy answers to losing weight. It can be frustrating and discouraging and a plan that works for someone else might not work for you. Finding what works often requires persistence and patience. Evidence shows that people who lose weight gradually and steadily – about one to two pounds a week – are more successful at keeping it off. Dr. Ann Barnes, chief medical officer of Legacy Community Health, said choosing a plan you can live with and setting realistic goals are two keys to losing weight. Barnes is a native of Fifth Ward and a graduate of Harvard Medical School. Prior to her current role, she was medical director of weight management services and disease prevention for Harris Health System. In a Q&A with the Defender, she discussed losing weight the healthy way, especially in light of the obesity problem impacting Black women. Defender: What is the number one mistake people make when trying to lose weight? Dr. Ann Barnes: There are two important mistakes that people make. First, most people try to do too much at one time. They may take on a drastic diet or commit to walking three miles a day or both. When the desire to lead a healthy life results in setting unrealistic goals that don’t easily fit into someone’s life, the likelihood of success is low. The person can usually stick with the changes for a short while, but then may fall off the wagon and feel disappointed and depressed about failing. The other mistake people make is that they don’t realize how much exercise is needed to offset the food they eat. A 30-minute walk each day is a great way to get regular exercise and has fantastic effects on your health and reduces risk for heart disease Defender: What, in your experience, is the most effective way to lose weight? Barnes: Start by setting realistic goals. Something simple that may be challenging, but doable. If you drink soft drinks consider switching to a non-sugary option. Water is best, but even a diet drink will limit the amount of sugar and the unhealthy calories consumed. Use a salad plate instead of a regular plate to control portion size. We often feel compelled to fill and then clean our plates. If the plate is smaller, the amount we eat is smaller as are the number of calories. Try to make half your plate vegetables and fruits.

On the exercise front which is more for maintaining weight and increasing lean muscle/toned muscle, start with walking which you can do outside or inside. Marching in place in front of your favorite show or while listening to your favorite music can be an inexpensive easy way to include physical activity in your life. Start with 15 minutes and then work up to 30 minutes over the course of a couple of months. Defender: There are so many different weight loss plans and products advertised. How can people determine which ones might work for them? Barnes: It is hard to know for sure and maybe one day we’ll have an easy, reliable way to know what diet works for every individual. Until then, women should choose the diet they believe they can stick to. If they can stay on a low-fat diet, that can work. If they can stay on a low-carb diet, that can work. If they want to eat more fish, fruits, and vegetables, then a Mediterranean diet might be best. Weight Watchers is also a really good option. They key is fewer calories. Defender: How can people who like soul food enjoy it without it contributing to weight gain or health problems? Barnes: I have two recommendations. First, enjoy a couple of bites of favorite foods, but keep the portions small. The second option is to find a healthy soul food cookbook or website that teaches you how to make substitutions to reduce fat and calories in favorite dishes. Diet is most important for weight loss, so reducing the calories is the goal. Defender: What advice do you have for people who hate exercise? Barnes: Substitute the word “exercise” for “movement” or “activity!” If dancing is something you like to do, that can be the movement you choose to do to burn calories, tone muscles, and improve your risk for heart disease. Take a line dancing class, Zumba, or turn on your own music at home and dance. Another option is to pick a place you want to go and walk there. If you decide you want to reach a destination and don’t think about the walking itself, you may find more motivation to reach your favorite store, neighbor’s home or restaurant.

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healthy way

Legacy provides access, solutions

Addressing issues such as obesity is just one way that Legacy Community Health strives to uphold its mission of “driving healthy change in our communities.” Legacy is a full-service, not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides comprehensive care to over 150,000 patients, regardless of their ability to pay, at more than 30 clinics in Southeast Texas. It works with a wide range of health insurance providers and also offers a sliding fee scale. A United Way-affiliated agency since 1990, it provides adult primary care, pediatrics, dental care, vision services, behavioral health services, OB/GYN and maternity, vaccinations and immuni- Dr. Ann Barnes zations, health promotion and community outreach, wellness and nutrition and comprehensive HIV/AIDS care. To help combat obesity, Dr. Ann Barnes said Legacy has staff members at its clinics who are

A look at the c

Dr. Ann Barnes sa id there are various reasons why obesity problem in the Afri can-American com is such a munity, especially girls. among women and “The primary caus es are eating more calories than your burning fewer calo body needs and ries than you consum e,” she said. “Some community , economic, and en vironmental factors the types of food ea also affect ten and the amount of physical activity A disproportionate someone does. number of AfricanAmericans live in communities and do low-resourced not have access to reasonably priced tions.” healthy food opBarnes said that in order to feed them selves and their fam African-Americans ilies, some may buy tasty, chea per foods that are hi gh in fat and

ng the Houston area for over 85 years

passionate about supporting patients as they make choices to lead healthier lives. “We have patient educators and community outreach workers who meet with patients about both engaging in healthy ‘movement’ and healthy eating,” she said. “We have dieticians who are specially trained to talk about food and food choices and how they impact certain medical conditions. “We are connecting with community partners to ensure individuals who are struggling to get food for the month have access to community resources that provide healthy food. We partner with organizations like the YMCA that has a Healthy Weight Program and Camp for kids,” Barnes said. “We participate in community-wide efforts like Healthy Living Matters to promote policies and programs that promote healthy lifestyle choices for all children in the community. We are always looking for ways to promote health both inside and outside of our clinical walls.”

a u s es

calories. “They help someo ne feel full, but do not promote health lead to negative he and often can alth problems inclu ding extra weight,” weight then leads to sh e sa id. “The extra high blood pressure , diabetes, high chol risk for heart diseas esterol, and increase e.” d She said some of tho se same financial an d environmental chall fect engaging in phys enges may afical activity as well. “If a neighborhood do es not have sidewalk lem with stray dogs s, adequate lighting, and safety, the reside or has a probnts in the community access to easy, inexp may not have regula ensive opportunities r for physical activity,” “Again, low-resour she said. ced and poor comm unities are often lim to the resources they ited by access need to live a healt hy life and maintai n a healthy weight.”

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Harris County Hospital District Foundation

improves lives

service needs. The HCHD Foundation also solicits funding through grants, capital campaigns, individual donation, and he Harris County Hospital endowments to support the aforementioned District Foundation (HCHD fundraising initiatives. Foundation), a charitable Harris Health’s many worthwhile 501(c) (3) organization, programs and services supported by the HCHD was founded in 1992 to Foundation grants over the years include: support the Harris Health System. TroubleShooters. Mobile Immunization The HCHD Foundation makes Program, Mobile Mammography Program, grants to Harris Health that focus on Mobile Dental Program, Professional improving the lives of Harris County Advancement for Nurses, LBJ and Ben Taub patients through the incredible work Hospital Playground, Smith Clinic Capital Harris Health does every day through Campaign, to name a few. three Harris Health Hospitals: Ben The HCHD Foundation was able to Taub Hospital, Lyndon B. Johnson expand their philanthropic efforts after Hospital and Quentin Mease Hospital, receiving a number of generous donations to 18 community health centers, five same the HCHD Foundation Harris Health Employee day clinics, five school-based clinics and Disaster Relief Fund. Those generous donations other facilities and activities. allowed the HCHD Foundation to grant funds Since 1992, the HCHD Foundation to Harris Health System employees who has raised and granted in excess of experienced devastation caused by Hurricane $47 million to Harris Health System Harvey. programs and services with a small The HCHD Foundation’s efforts and support amount awarded to other Harris County of Harris Health System has been possible due entities for children related programs. to the countless volunteer hours and vision of the of the Board of Trustees of Harris County Hospital District Foundation (pictured Mrs. In collaboration, HCHD Foundation and Members amazing past and present Board of Trustees. Karen Tso (2016), Mr. Henry J.N. Taub II, Dr. Matthew Plummer Jr., Mr. Theodore Franklin, & Harris Health System have shared some Mrs. Wanda LeBlanc (current members)) toured Harris Health System’s new Mobile Dental unit The Board of Trustees and staff of the which has upgraded features such as wireless internet capabilities and digital X-ray units – both impressive successes. HCHD Foundation look forward to continuing of which communicate with the EPIC patient records system, an integrated electronic medical To achieve these successes since to work towards the mission of supporting Harris record system allowing for off-site medical providers and team members to have instant access inception, the HCHD Foundation created to progress notes, test results, referrals, and messaging. The Mobile Dental Clinic also has new Health’s program and services. computers, sinks and refrigeration. and sponsored over the years a number There are a number of ways to donate to and/ of annual events in the community: gala or volunteer with the HCHD Foundation, as there These events raised community awareness about dinners (Jubilee of Caring), silver teas, Mallets and are many worthwhile programs that we are able to fund and the Harris County Hospital District Foundation, the Medicine (polo), lecture series, Hank Cole luncheon, support. Harris Health System, the patients served, and raised golf tournaments, and the TexasMedRun. Please visit www.hchdfoundation.org for details. funds for a specific Harris Health System program and By HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT FOUNDATION

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HCHD Foundation Annual TexasMedRun supports Harris Health System programs and services. Since its inception, the HCHD Foundation, through the TexasMedRun, has raised in excess of $1,191,575.00 for programs benefitting the residents of Harris County and patients of Harris Health System.

Sign up for our 17th Annual TexasMedRun, held February 2, 2019, as proceeds will support the Harris Health System LBJ Hospital Neonatal Program. www.hchdfoundation.org/2019texasmedrun

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Four doctors fighting for

better health care

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By COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE

our income level shouldn’t determine whether you have access to quality health care. But for many people, a lack of insurance means health conditions often go undiagnosed – and untreated. Even those with health insurance can fall through the cracks. Four dynamic doctors are out to change that reality. Together, they lead the Medical Affairs team at Community Health Choice, a Houston-based non-profit health plan that opens doors to affordable, high-quality, coordinated health care for underserved people. Drs. Valerie T. Bahar, Karen J. Gray, Lisa R. Fuller, and Karen E. Hill were drawn to Community because they are passionate about improving the way health care works. Joining forces on Community’s Medical Affairs team, they can accomplish even more.

A guiding hand

collaborating with the March of Dimes to reduce pre-term births to mentoring disadvantaged high school girls at Rare Pearls, Inc. to empowering women through the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, as well as Metamorphosis Global Missions, Dr. Bahar is helping make the world safer and healthier for women of all ages.

All about access and impact

Dr. Gray joined Community earlier this year. With a primary focus on internal medicine, she works tirelessly to promote health and wellness and to ensure access to high-quality, comprehensive healthcare services for all.

The Medical Affairs team builds strong relationships with community members and helps them navigate the healthcare system. This team of doctors provides extra support to people with chronic conditions, offers case management, addresses complaints, and makes sure members are getting the care they need from the right Left to right: Dr. Karen J. Gray, Dr. Lisa R. Fuller, Dr. Karen E. Hill, Dr. Valerie T. Bahar resource at the right time. The team’s commitment to improving community health “By working in managed care,” Dr. Gray said, “I am extends beyond the doors of Community Health better able to affect population health through devising and Choice to local non-profits on a similar mission. implementing policies that can make a profound impact on the health of the members of this community.” The chance to do more She believes in treating patients like family and Board certified in obstetrics and gynecology with views each day at Community as a new opportunity an MBA in healthcare management, Dr. Bahar said to provide the best, most cost-effective services. she joined Community because, “It affords me the Dr. Gray is an active volunteer for a number of opportunity to impact the health of individuals on a professional organizations and non-profits, including larger scale than private practice.” the Houston Medical Forum, Mary Susan Moore Dr. Bahar, who was born and raised in Houston, Medical Society, the Twelve Days of Christmas, Inc., appreciates being able to give residents a voice through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Junior the relationships Community has with non-profit League of The Woodlands. She has been recognized organizations and her own volunteer work. From as a 2018 Role Model by the Greater Houston

Women’s Chamber of Commerce “Women in the Fast Lane of S.T.E.A.M.”

An early calling

When Dr. Hill was in kindergarten, she already knew she wanted to be a doctor –even though many people at the time thought women who wanted to enter the health profession should become nurses. She followed through on her childhood dream and now practices internal medicine and pediatrics at Community. She also earned her MBA. Dr. Hill said she joined Community because, “I have a real sense of pride fighting for good health care for those who need it most.” She also believes in giving back to the community. She’s chairperson of the scholarship committee for the Houston chapter of The Links, Inc., a volunteer service organization for women who are dedicated to ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans.

Driven to help others

“Community’s mission of caring for the underserved in our community is in line with the driving mission of my career in medicine,” said Dr. Fuller, who specializes in pediatrics. A native of New Orleans and the daughter of public school educators, she joined Community three years ago and is already deeply invested in the local community. “As a part of Community’s family, I am blessed and honored to use my medical training and passion for improving health care to impact our entire membership.” Dr. Fuller volunteers at her church and with her daughters at the Christian Community Service Center’s Sunshine Resale Shop, where their work helps to raise much-needed funds for the faith-based non-profit.

Together, one dynamic foursome

These phenomenal doctors are passionate about improving the health, wellness, and well-being of underserved communities across Southeast Texas. Through their work on the Medical Affairs team at Community Health Choice, they are making the world a healthier, happier place.

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Weight loss surgery questions & answers

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Your appetite is much weaker, and easier to satisfy than before. This does not mean that you can eat whatever and whenever you want. Healthier food choices are important to best results, but most patients still enjoy tasty food, and even “treats.” Work with your surgeon’s program to find a variety of activities that can work for you. There is no “one-size-fits-all” plan. Expect to learn and change as you go. For many patients (and normal weight people, too) exercise is more important for regular stress control, and for appetite control, than simply burning off calories. Healthy bones and avoiding muscle loss partly depend on doing weekly weight bearing (including walking) or muscle resistance (weights or similar) exercise. For more information visit www.asmbs.org

Defender News Services

or people who are extremely obese, can’t seem to lose weight through diet and exercise or have serious health problems due to obesity, weight loss surgery – also known as metabolic and bariatric surgery – could be an option. Here are some frequently asked questions and the answers from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), an organization of nearly 4,000 members, including general surgeons and integrated healthcare professionals, practicing in the field. Q: How does surgery work? A: Bariatric surgical procedures cause weight loss by restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold, causing malabsorption of nutrients, or by a combination of both gastric restriction and malabsorption. Bariatric procedures also often cause hormonal changes. Most weight loss surgeries today are performed using minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic surgery). The most common bariatric surgery procedures are gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric band and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Each surgery has its own advantages and disadvantages. Q: Who is a candidate for bariatric surgery? A: Qualifications for bariatric surgery in most areas include: 1. BMI greater than or equal to 40, or more than 100 pounds overweight. For example, an adult who is 5-feet-11 and weighs 290 pounds would have a BMI over 40. 2. BMI greater than or equal to 35 and at least one or more obesity-related co-morbidities such as type II diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders or heart disease. 3. Inability to achieve a healthy weight loss sustained for a period of time with prior weight loss efforts. The ASMBS and other medical organizations recommend that surgery be performed by a board-certified surgeon with specialized experience/training in

Paying for surgery

bariatric and metabolic surgery, and at a center that has a multidisciplinary team of experts for follow-up care. This may include a nutritionist, an exercise physiologist or specialist and a mental health professional. Q: Do most people who have metabolic and bariatric surgery regain their weight? A: As many as 50 percent of patients may regain a small amount of weight (approximately 5 percent) two years or more following their surgery. However, longitudinal studies find that most bariatric surgery patients maintain successful weight-loss long-term. Often, successful results are determined by the patient, by their perceived improvement in quality of life. Q: Will I have to diet or exercise after the procedure? A: No and yes. Most people think of a “diet” as a plan that leaves you hungry. That is not the way people feel after surgery. Eventually, most patients get some form of appetite back six to 18 months after surgery.

• According to ASMBS, metabolic and bariatric surgery usually costs between $11,500 and $26,000. • Working with your insurance provider for coverage of surgery can be a difficult task. Your insurance policy may or may not cover bariatric surgery and such coverage varies widely depending on your location and employer. • Most bariatric practices have a staff to help you navigate your insurance policy; however, in the event they do not, there are resources available. • There are loan programs to cover the cost of health expenses such as metabolic and bariatric surgery. • If you are not able to qualify for a loan, the non-profit Obesity Action Coalition produces a guide titled “Working with Your Insurance Provider – A Guide to Seeking Weight-loss Surgery.” The guide can help you work with your provider and advocate for your surgery to be covered. Visit www.obesityaction.org.

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Staying proactive from pregnancy to pediatrics:

Focusing on the best health for your child By: DRS. TAMISHA JONES AND VIAN NGUYEN Legacy Community Health

Throughout pregnancy, expectant mothers are inundated with information from every angle. For mothers who are navigating their first pregnancy, the stress over whether you’re “doing it right” is even higher. Once the baby arrives, there’s an “expert” on every corner—Facebook mommy groups, coworkers, or even a stranger on the Metro train— to critique your parenting style. With the torrent of unsolicited suggestions and assessments of your capabilities, how do you know that what you’re doing really is best for your baby? Legacy Community Health’s “OB2Pedi” program is exactly what it sounds like: Top-notch, comforting, and informative developmental care

from your OB the moment you know you’re pregnant, through term, and in partnership with your pediatrician through the first years of your baby’s life. During pregnancy, your OB/GYN will walk you through nutrition, morning sickness, and discerning symptoms that could indicate a high risk pregnancy, like high blood pressure or elevated sugar levels. Many problems that pregnant women face are preventable—it’s important to ask questions, keep your scheduled appointments, and consider seeing a doctor before trying to get pregnant. We ensure that patients choose a pediatrician in their 3rd trimester, allowing expectant mothers to take their time to find a pediatrician they trust and with whom they feel comfortable. A trusting relationship with a pediatrician is essential and

emphasizes the importance of consistent care for their newborn after birth. Once your baby arrives, it’s time to schedule your first visit with the pediatrician that you’ve selected here at Legacy. We walk you through your new post-partum life—new parents are often tired and we hope to copilot you through those first weeks. Then, we’ll continue to partner with you to determine what’s best for your baby as they grow. Our Ob2Pedi program is unique, emphasizing the collaboration between our OB and Pediatric providers. New moms often have questions about their babies, but also about their own care. Our program allows our providers to provide continuous care and helps to ease families into the new chapter of their lives. Dr. Tamisha Jones is the Medical Director of Pediatrics at Legacy Community Health. Dr. Vian Nguyen is the Medical Director of OB/GYN practice. Dr Jones practices at Legacy Fifth Ward-Lyons. Dr Nguyen practices at Legacy Mapleridge.

Bringing Healthy Change to our Communities – and the Families in Them. We believe that good health is one of life’s greatest necessities – and that makes it one of our greatest priorities. With locations across Houston, Baytown, Beaumont and Deer Park, we make it easy to find a Legacy health care provider near you.

To learn more about our quality care for the entire family, visit LegacyCommunityHealth.org or call (832) 548 5000 to make an appointment today. • Pediatrics • • Behavioral Health • • • School & Sports Physicals • • Vaccinations & Immunizations

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 15 | 2018

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health

Ways to reduce your diabetes risk BY DONYALE HARRIS, M.D. Kelsey-Seybold Clinic

D

id you know that, according to the American Diabetes Association, the rate of diagnosed diabetes among African-Americans is 12.7 percent compared to 7.4 percent of whites? AfricanAmericans have a 77 percent higher risk of developing Donyale Harris, M.D. diabetes compared to Caucasian Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And yet, diabetes doesn’t have to be your destiny. There are ways to reduce your risk.

A chronic condition

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), an important source of fuel for your body. With Type 2 diabetes, your body either resists the effects of insulin – a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells – or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level.

Type 2 diabetes has become so prevalent that 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases are Type 2, according to the CDC. Not only are African-Americans at high risk for diabetes, but also data suggests that African-Americans tend to experience more complications, making the disease that much more devastating. Signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes often develop slowly. It’s even possible to have Type 2 diabetes and not know it. Untreated, diabetic patients are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke and have a higher risk for developing kidney disease, high blood pressure, eye troubles, and nerve damage. African-Americans with diabetes often fare worse, developing blindness or needing amputations. Researchers don’t fully understand why some people develop Type 2 diabetes and others don’t, although certain factors increase the risk, including: • Being overweight. • Storing fat primarily in the abdomen. • Family history. • Race. • Advancing age. • Prediabetes.

4 ways to lower your risk

The good news is that healthy lifestyle choices can help you lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes: 1. Get screened. During your annual doctor’s visit, ask to be screened for prediabetes and diabetes. 2. Break with unhealthy traditions. Instead of frying food, bake, broil, and grill fish and lean meats. Use peanut, olive, or canola oil instead of shortening, and cut back on your salt and sugar intake. 3. Get moving. You can help prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight. Increase your chances of weight loss by following a low-fat diet and exercising for 150 minutes a week. 4. Seek preventive care. Regular checkups with your primary care physician can help reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Dr. Donyale Harris is a board-certified Family Medicine physician at Kelsey-Seybold’s Fort Bend Medical and Diagnostic Center. She’s nationally recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for excellence in diabetes care. To schedule an appointment, call 713-442-0000.

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Healthcare that Revolves Around You. KelseyConnected is a smarter approach to your healthcare – because it revolves around you. As a Kelsey-Seybold patient, you have an entire healthcare team that can share your medical history through one electronic medical record and collaborate on medical care that’s right for you. Being KelseyConnected makes your experience with us easy and convenient with: n

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NOVEMBER 15 | 2018 | DEFENDER

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Michelle Obama had miscarriage, used IVF Defender News Services

Michelle Obama said she felt alone after a miscarriage 20 years ago and she and former President Barack Obama underwent fertility treatments to conceive their two daughters, according to her new memoir. In some of her most extensive public comments on her White House years, the former first lady also let her fury fly over President Donald Trump’s “bigotry and xenophobia” – dangerous, deliberate rhetoric, she writes, that risked her family’s safety. “For this,” she writes, “I’d never forgive him.” But it’s her deeply personal account of her marriage to the future president that shed new light on the Ivy League-educated couple’s early struggle with issues of family, ambition and public life. “We were trying to get pregnant and it wasn’t going well,” Mrs. Obama, 54, writes in “Becoming.” “We had one pregnancy test come back positive, which caused us both to forget every worry and swoon with joy, but a couple of weeks later I had a miscarriage, which left me physically uncomfortable and cratered any optimism we felt.” The Obamas opted for IVF, one form of assisted reproduction that typically involves removing eggs from a woman, fertilizing them

with sperm in a lab, and implanting the resulting embryo. It costs thousands of dollars for every “cycle,” and many couples require more than one attempt. She writes of being alone to administer herself shots to help hasten the process. Her “sweet, attentive husband” was at the state legislature, “leaving me largely on my own to manipulate my reproductive system into peak efficiency,” she said. “Becoming” was one of the most anticipated political books in memory, ranking at the top of Amazon’s best-sellers before its release. Until now, she hasn’t extensively shared so many details. Some family struggles, such as losing a baby, are known by millions of women. “I felt like I failed because I didn’t know how common miscarriages were because we don’t talk about them,” she said in an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” ‘’We sit in our own pain, thinking that somehow we’re broken.” She also writes about falling in love. The Obamas met at the Chicago law firm Sidley Austin LLP, and she was skeptical at first. But she was then impressed by his “rich, even sexy baritone” and by his “strange, stirring combination” of serenity and power. Their first kiss set off a “toppling blast of lust, gratitude, fulfillment, wonder,” she writes.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama relied on fertility treatments to conceive their daughters Malia and Sasha.

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 15 | 2018

HMAAC premieres ‘A Burning House’

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The Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) will premiere its new collection, “A Burning House,” curated by Dominic Clay and John Guess Jr. The work by activist artist Ti Rock Moore will be on display Nov. 17 through Jan. 12 at 4807 Caroline. “A Burning House” takes as its point of departure a historic conversation between Harry Belafonte and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., during which King expresses his fears: “We have fought hard and long for integration, as I believe we should have, and I know that we will win. But I’ve come to believe we’re integrating into a burning house.” “This exhibition continues HMAAC’s emphasis on conversations about race during this time of racial animosities,” said Guess, the museum’s CEO. “I am so pleased that our exhibitions this year during our Museums Are Not Neutral campaign have brought so many into the museum – schools, seniors and church groups – to talk through the current climate, and I continue to marvel at our multicultural audience’s attempt to build a common future.” Moore is known for the racial consciousness content of her art. “We featured Ti Rock’s work a couple of years ago with our Abolitionist exhibit, and as she has continued to make art that speaks to the racial challenges we face, we wanted to bring her and this dynamic group of works back to the museum,” Guess said. For information visit www.hmaac.org

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NOVEMBER 15 | 2018 | DEFENDER

9

Racism lingers for NHL players after 60 years Associated Press

Devante Smith-Pelly got up from his seat. The Washington Capitals forward had heard the unmistakably racist taunts from fans from inside the penalty box. As a Black hockey player, he knew exactly what they meant by yelling, “Basketball, basketball, basketball!” “It’s just ignorant people being ignorant,” Smith-Pelly said. That scene unfolded in Chicago in February, 60 years after Willie O’Ree broke the NHL’s color barrier and paved the way for more minorities to play the sport and reach its highest level. O’Ree was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame for his pioneering career, and yet incidents like the one Smith-Pelly went through show how much more progress needs to be made, in a league that’s 97 percent white and beyond. “It’s come a long way, but there’s still a lot of things that still need to change,” Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse said. “That just comes through minorities as a group working together to try to eliminate those things from this game.” Those things just keep happening. In 2011, Philadelphia forward Wayne Simmonds had a banana thrown at him during a preseason game in London, Ontario. In 2012, then-Washington forward Joel Ward was the subject of racist social media posts after he scored a game-winning playoff goal. In 2014, then-Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban was the subject of racist social media posts after he scored a game-winning playoff goal. In April, Detroit prospect Givani Smith was subjected to threats and racial taunts and messages after a junior game in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. His team had a police escort the next time they went to the rink. “[O’Ree] had to go through a lot, and the same thing has been happening now, which obviously means there’s still a long way to go,” Smith-Pelly said. “If you had pulled a quote from him back then and us now, they’re saying the same thing, so obviously there’s still a long way to go in hockey and in the world if we’re being serious.” Through his work as an NHL diversity ambassador over the past 20 years, O’Ree has tried to work toward more inclusion and better minority representation. He is eager to tell kids at YMCAs, Boys

National Hockey League pioneer Willie O’Ree was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Black players still face racial jeers and remarks by fans.

& Girls Clubs and schools that hockey is another sport they can play. USA Hockey and Hockey Canada don’t keep participation statistics by race, though there are fewer than two dozen Black players currently on NHL rosters. The NHL celebrates “Hockey is for Everyone” month each season and quickly condemns racist behavior. O’Ree, 83, still remembers how he was treated in the ‘50s as hockey’s Jackie Robinson. He did his best to drown out the noise by listening to his brother Richard. “I heard the jeers and some of the racial remarks, but it kind of went in one ear and out the other,” O’Ree said. “He told me, ‘Willie, names will never hurt you unless you let them.’ He said, ‘If they can’t accept you for the individual that you are, just forget about it and just go out and do what you do best and don’t worry about anything else.’” Nurse said Black players still have to worry about racist jeers and remarks. Like Smith-Pelly, Simmonds is quick to say racism isn’t an issue unique to hockey or sports in general. His solution is a zero-tolerance policy, which is what happened to the four fans in Chicago who were thrown out and banned from all home games by the Blackhawks.

MARCUS USED TO STAY LATE AT SCHOOL TO WORK ON HIS HISTORY REPORT. NOW HE DOES HIS RESEARCH FROM HIS BEDROOM.

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 15 | 2018

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sports

What’s wrong with the Rockets?

R

By MAX EDISON Defender

aise your hand if you can honestly say you saw this coming. A month into the NBA season and the Rockets are playing sub-.500 basketball and are next to last (fourth) in the Southwest Division. The team that last year had the NBA’s best record, won 65 games and was a game away from the NBA Finals is now floundering in mediocrity. Strangely enough we have seen this from the Rockets before. The team advanced to the Western Conference Finals in the 2014-2015 season. Then with expectations running high in 2015, the team staggered out the gate 4-7 and coach Kevin McHale was fired 11 games into the season. The Rockets in recent years have consistently gotten off to a fast start. This year, no such luck. So, what’s happening this year? Let’s take a look. For starters, the Rockets did a total roster makeover for this season. The familiar faces are there, but eight of the 16 players on the roster are new. Clearly with that many new pieces to the puzzle it takes some time to put everything together and certainly it’s a work in progress. Offensively, the Rockets have been simply horrible. The team that lives by the 3-point shot has all too often this season died by the 3-pointer. At this point in the season the Rockets are 25th among 30 NBA teams in 3-point shooting.

Coach Mike D’Antoni said the Rockets’ offense isn’t very good.

The defense has been so bad this season that former associate head coach Jeff Bzdelik, who retired in September, has agreed to return to the team after Thanksgiving. Bzdelik designed the team’s defensive scheme that brought them success last year. “We’ve got to make some adjustments,” D’Antoni said. “We were switching, and obviously this team is different than last year, and they were busting us. We don’t have any continuity. We’re not figuring it out, and then the dam breaks and everybody struggles.”

ANTHONY THE SCAPEGOAT?

If poor offense and defense was not enough to worry about, there is the saga of Carmelo Anthony. The Rockets acquired the 10-time AllStar in the offseason and all appeared to be well until the season started. D’Antoni is playing Anthony has a backup power forward which seems odd since ‘Melo has always ANEMIC OFFENSE made his mark as a small forward. Is Head coach Mike Anthony being played out of posiD’Antoni offered a blunt tion? Have his skills deteriorated that assessment of the Rockets’ much since preseason that there’s no Chris Paul said the Rockets must go back to the drawing board. offense. place for him? Is he being made the “Our offense is “The first thing is, we’ve scapegoat for the team’s slow start? anemic,” D’Antoni said. got to start imposing our Dwyane Wade, a fellow member of the 2003 draft class “I mean, it’s bad…I don’t will and get our swagger,” that featured Anthony, feels the latter is the case. He recently know if we’re just sagging D’Antoni continued. “A lot of tweeted as much. because we’re not believit is mental energy. We’ve got “Trying to make my guy @carmeloanthony the fall guy ing in what we’re [doing]. to find a happy spot and then huh!? Man y’all need to stop. That’s the easy way out instead I don’t know. We’ve got go compete.” of addressing what the real problem,” Wade tweeted. to find the answers. I can’t Defense last season was a We’re all left to ponder what the real problem is. Chris tell you today, ‘Oh yeah, strength for the Rockets. They Paul offered a suggestion. it’s this,’ and we’ll solve it ranked seventh in defensive Some fans wonder if Carmelo Anthony is being unfairly blamed. “We’ve got to go back to the drawing board and figure tomorrow. No, we’ve got efficiency. This season the out what’s going to be the best solution for this team,” Paul to work through this and figure Rockets’ defense has been atrocious. So far, they rank 25th in said. “Comparing last year and this year, you can’t do it. This out what we need to do. But our offense right now is not very defensive efficiency, allowing 114.7 points per 100 possesis its own team and we’ve got to figure out its identity. But good. sions. starting with me, we’ve just got to be better.”

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NOVEMBER 15 | 2018 | DEFENDER

sports

11

North Forest WR

Demond Demas says talent God-given By Jodie B. Jiles Defender

North Forest High School five-star junior wide receiver Demond Demas is making his presence felt on the gridiron, basketball court and the track. In his most recent football game, Demas helped take the Bulldogs into the playoffs after North Forest defeated Yates 47-22 in their regular season finale. As a sophomore, Demas led the district in receiving touchdowns with 10. In the playoffclinching victory against Yates, Demas reeled in three TDs. The Defender spoke with Demas after the Yates game about his performance, personal goals and his reasons for committing to Texas A&M University. Defender: Walk us through the three touchdowns you scored against Yates? Demas: The first touchdown I scored was on a slant route. That was the hardest one because I had to fight off at least six Jack Yates defenders into the endzone. The second touchdown I had to hurdle over a Jack Yates defender to score and the last one I had to jump ball over two Jack Yates defenders to score. Defender: At times the opposing defense was triple-teaming you. How were you able to still score points when it is three against one? Demas: I am used to that. Once you adapt to it, it becomes like practice. I am used to being triple-teamed and even quadruple-teamed in practice. So, on gameday I am still able to make plays and open things up for my team to make plays too. Defender: What goes through your head once the ball is in your hands? Demas: Score. Find the open slot and score. Defender: Are you doing basketball and track this season too? If so, what are your upcoming goals? Demas: Yes sir. I will be doing that. Hopefully I would like to win another state championship in the long jump and hopefully make my new PR [personal record]. I am hoping that we can go far into the playoffs in basketball as well as football now that we are in the football playoffs.

Demas is used to being covered by multiple defenders. (Photos by Jimmie Aggison)

Demas scored three touchdowns against Yates High School.

Defender: How are you able to consistently improve your football skills while participating in other sports? Demas: I just keep working with footwork king, Rashad, my personal coach, who I have been working with lately. I just keep working with him, try to perfect my craft, get faster, get stronger, run my routes with more finesse and get more physical in blocking for my other teammates.” Defender: What inspired your decision to take your talents to Texas A&M? Demas: It feels like home. You can’t get any better than A&M. It’s close to your family. It’s an SEC school. Coach Jimbo Fisher and coach Damian Curly are all doing their jobs. I love them man, “dem” my peoples. A&M baby. Gig ‘em. Defender: Any final shout-outs? Demas: “Rashad, my momma, my fans, my team, coaches, everybody that’s behind me and everybody that has looked over me. I want to give a warm shout-out to God and thanks to him for giving me this God-given talent and me being grateful and eligible to play on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.”

For game & crowd photos visit Instagram

@DefenderHighSchoolSports

About Demas

Position: Wide receiver/safety Instagram: @deemus_1 Twitter: @DemondDemas1 Favorite subject: Math Favorite food: Spaghetti World problem he would solve: Anything. You come to me with a problem and I will help you solve it.

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12 DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 15 | 2018

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

topevents

LINKS’ THE ART OF A GRANDE TEA……..The Fort Bend County Chapter of Principles to Build a Multimillion-Dollar Business,” welcomed participants to the The Links, Inc. recently hosted its special biennial Signature Tea, “The Art of a Grande host venue, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, for the open discussion and book-signing. Tea.” Proceeds from the tea, held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, will support scholarships Attendees included Warren Winston, Holly Charles, Mleeka Wright, Leona Baker, for high school seniors and other service initiatives in Fort Bend County. Mistress and Terri Abraham, Dr. Robert Bostic, Juan Wyms, Adraon Greene, Kayla Johnson, master of ceremonies, Tracey Ferguson and Bryce Kennard respectively, welcomed Tristen Sutton, Cortez and Charisse Carter and many more……..STILETTOS & a wide array of participants donning spectacular headwear and hearts for community CHAMPAGNE THIS WOMAN’S WORK FUNDRAISING RECEPTION…….. empowerment. Attendees included Elaine Mosley, Nicole This Woman’s Work welcomed back its Stilettos & Champagne McZeal Walters, Dr. Kidada Gilbert-Lewis, Dr. Lecresha Fundraising Reception which proved to be an evening of empowerment, Defender TOP EVENTS Peters, Roxann Chargois, Lorna Hankins, Myrtle Jones, celebration and inspiration. The event, which supports This Woman’s More photos on defendernetwork.com Adrienne Konigar, Kheli Willetts, Keri Carmouche Work’s service initiatives, featured a “live” red carpet, music, an auction/raffle, and the Iron Woman Awards presentation recognizing and others……..CARTER BROTHERS POWER OF IMPACT & INFLUENCE NETWORKING DIALOGUE……..Forbes authors and outstanding people who are helping women in the Houston region. And as advertised, the stilettos were on point and featured during the Shoe Fashion Show. Attendees included twin brothers Dr. Sterling Carter and Stephen Carter hosted the Power of Impact This Woman’s Work founder Carla Lane, Dr. Rhea Lawson, Lloyd Gite, Vanessa & Influence, a networking event featuring a panel discussion between renowned and Kevin Reed, Nettie Jones, Fredrick Goodall, Cora and Judson Robinson III, influencers on the three most important principles that lead to success – community, Hannah Carter, Lily Rawls, Tori Vincent and countless others. education and economics. The Carter brothers, authors of “Double Your Success:

Deborah Hutchinson, Bryce Kennard, Tracey Ferguson

Dr. Stephen Carter, Sterling Carter

Elaine Mosley, Nicole McZeal Walters

Leona Baker, Tristen Sutton

Dr. Rhea Lawson, Lloyd Gite, Carla Lane

Nettie Jones, Frederick Goodall

Adrienne Konigar and Hat

Byron King, Nona King, Dewan Clayborn

Cora Robinson, Judson Robinson III, Catherine Flowers

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