Where is Kamala? The Vice-President is catching criticism for being MIA but is it warranted?
NEWS
SPOTLIGHT
BEN CRUMP
STACI CHILDS
The nationally-known attorney has filed more than 200 lawsuits on behalf of Astroworld victims. Volume 91, Issue 3 November 18, 2021
The Houston lawyer’s GirlsTalk University was recently awarded the coveted AT&T Dream in Black contest.
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Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith attend the 2021 AFI Fest Closing Night Premiere of Warner Bros. “King Richard.” Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
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Reporter’s message Why is everything so expensive? under the bus” type of energy that folks on Black Gas prices, grocery costs, energy bills have Twitter couldn’t help but to criticize. Now, Will gone all the way up lately. It was just last week Smith is on a book tour in support of his upcomI drove by a gas station with regular gas prices ing memoir “Will,” revealing a vulnerable side of starting at $3.89. I was honestly in shock at the his life on and off screen. Some might think he fact that I would be paying more than I usually is doing too much, but this is a new milestone in would to fill my tank and it would probably only his life that I’m sure his fans will appreciate. last me less than a week because driving around Laura Onyeneho Houston feels like a bi-coastal road trip. Cardi B’s natural hair journey Everything is supply and demand. As the Cardi B is back again to address her critics COVID-19 death rates wind down, more people are enticed on Instagram after she shared a photo of her natural hair to leave home, spend money and make up for the whole year journey. She asked, “Why every time I post my natural hair, we lost in 2020. I hear ‘you’re MIXED, you’re supposed to have long hair.’” But common sense will tell you that as the costs of goods Cardi B is half Trinidadian and half Dominican and if you’ve and services increase, suppliers and manufacturers are visited either of these countries, you will know that her peostruggling to produce goods at pre-pandemic levels, plus, ple are from the African diaspora. Since childhood, she’s alpeople will only be able to afford fewer things with the same ways had a hard time managing her hair. She’s tried different paycheck. methods and now has found what works for her. I underEarlier this month, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stand considering my journey with thick 4C hair. Cardi B’s said the feds expect inflation to subside once the pandemic texture might be different, but let’s not be ignorant to the is better controlled. The pandemic has been lingering for a fact that Black women can grow long hair with consistency while now, but in the meantime, people need to start think- and care. ing about their budgets. If your salary isn’t increasing to keep up with the additional costs, it’s going to be very hard IN THE DEFENDER to stretch that dollar for everyday items. • Hurricane Harvey Homeowner Assistance Program deadline extended to Dec. 31. Will Smith book tour gets personal • HISD Superintendent House shares report on key findGrowing up, Jada and Will Smith were the Hollywood ings on first 100 days. Black A-List ‘It’ couple (and still are). This family just oozed • Defender Sports reporter Terrance Harris profiles how talent and Black excellence, and until now, I’m always exMichael Badejo is the heart and soul of the TSU Tigers. cited to watch whatever upcoming projects they have up their sleeves. These days the Smith family is in the spotlight ON THE WEB for other reasons. Jada’s “Red Table Talk” show opened the • Rice University names Black man as President. doors to their intimate life as a couple. Sometimes there was • Spotlight: Houston attorney wins $10k for nonprofit in wisdom and then there was just that awkward “throw Will AT&T Dream in Black contest.
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Resident flee during Hurricane Harvey. Photo by David J. Phillip/AP
Deadline extended for Harvey homeowner assistance Defender News Service Reyna Iraheta, 25, talks about her experience attending the Astroworld music festival during a news conference with attorney Ben Crump. AP/Mark Mulligan
Ben Crump files lawsuits for over 200 Astroworld victims Defender News Service
day, [in] every part of the world. So if we want The tenth Astroworld Music Festival fatality the change to make sure people are going to be -- 9-year-old Ezra Blount - is among more than safe, we got to be talking to the person who is 200 people represented in lawsuits over the muthe parent corporation, the industry leader. sical tragedy. Noted personal-injury attorney Ben That’s the only way you get change.” Crump, an attorney for the Blount family, has filed A representative for Scott has declined to more than 90 suits, representing more than 200 comment on the lawsuits. The performer said people, who say they were harmed at the show. he will fully cooperate with the Houston Police The victims were killed when fans rushed the Department in the ongoing investigation. stage at NRG Stadium on Nov. 5 during the event A Live Nation spokesman said the company is Ezra Blount put on by rapper Travis Scott. also cooperating with investigators. Both Scott and promoter Live Nation are targets “We continue to support and assist local auof civil actions, Crump and Texas attorney Alex Hilliard said. thorities in their ongoing investigation so that both the fans “If Travis Scott is accountable, he absolutely should be held who attended and their families can get the answers they want accountable,” Crump told reporters in Houston. and deserve, and we will address all legal matters at the appro“But don’t forget that Live Nation does these every day, all priate time,” the spokesman said in a statement.
Housing for the homeless
BREAKING GROUND: Pastors Rudy and Juanita Rasmus recently held a groundbreaking for their fourth Temenos Housing project in Downtown Houston. The project will provide more housing opportunities for chronically homeless people. Rudy Rasmsus
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has extended the deadline to submit applications for the Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP) to 5 p.m. Dec. 31 for Houston and Harris County residents. All potential applicants must submit draft applications by the deadline to be considered for eligibility so long as funding is available. A statement from the GLO said, “We encourage the community to remember that applications do not need to be fully complete to be submitted. Once application intake concludes, additional program resources will be dedicated to processing applicants for eligibility, through the permitting process and into construction. Applications can be submitted even if documentation is missing as HAP applicant coordinators continue to help applicants who are missing documentation.” The HAP regional offices will remain open, and processing of applications will continue indefinitely until program funds are fully expended. According to the GLO, applications will be considered for award on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the priorities outlined in the Regional Housing Guidelines. Submitting a complete application does not guarantee eligibility nor funding availability, but applicants must submit a complete application by the deadline to be potentially considered for assistance. Those residing inside the Houston city limits seeking additional information or seeking to apply should visit recovery.texas.gov/hap/ houston, while non-Houston residents of Harris County should visit recovery.texas. gov/hap/harriscounty. New applicants can also call the toll-free intake center line at 1-866-317-1998. Harris County and the City of Houston received direct allocations of funding for residents in their jurisdictions. Applicants who previously applied and are receiving assistance from the county and city of Houston directly should continue to work with their program representatives.
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Democrat Beto O’Rourke speaks to Texas Organizing Project volunteers preparing to canvass a neighborhood. AP/LM Otero
RUN FOR GOVERNOR
Beto O’Rourke faces harder race Texas Tribune
Four years ago, a little-known Democratic congressman from El Paso named Beto O’Rourke announced he was running for U.S. Senate, challenging Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. O’Rourke got started early, launching more than a year and a half before the general election. At the time, a majority of voters told pollsters they were unfamiliar with him. And perhaps for that reason, the incumbent virtually ignored him for 11 months, as O’Rourke began to tour all 254 counties in Texas, built an electrifying campaign that captured the nation’s attention and ultimately came within 3 percentage points of Cruz. He had the wind at his back as the country delivered a blue wave in rebellion against President Donald Trump’s first two years in office. And in the process, O’Rourke became the new star of a Texas Democratic Party that desperately needed one, smashing fundraising records, energizing young people and attracting a healthy amount of GOP defectors. Even his defeat was treated as a kind of victory by Democrats as the “Beto wave” swept their other candidates into office down the ballot. This time, O’Rourke’s statewide campaign is starting in a completely different place. His run against Gov. Greg Abbott, which he recently announced, is starting 229 days later than his U.S. Senate campaign did in 2017. O’Rourke is now well known statewide — and polls show more Texas voters have a negative view of him than a positive one. And Abbott’s not giving him a pass, regularly rallying Republicans against him on the campaign trail and releasing videos attacking him.
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This time, national politics will not play in his favor. Trump is out of office, President Joe Biden is deeply unpopular in Texas and Democrats are expecting to take a beating in the midterm elections nationwide. Meanwhile, O’Rourke’s shine has dulled considerably after an unsuccessful presidential campaign during which he took positions that could be politically perilous in Texas. “The dynamics are just much more different, and the climate’s totally different,” said Nick Maddux, a Texas Republican strategist who worked on Cruz’s 2018 campaign. Of course, Abbott is also not in the same position he was the last time he was on the statewide ballot four years ago, when his race was an afterthought compared to Cruz’s. After navigating the coronavirus pandemic, February’s winter weather disaster and a series of contentious legislative sessions, the governor’s approval rating has sunk to the lowest it has been since he took office in 2014. Zack Malitz, a Texas Democratic consultant who was statewide field director for O’Rourke’s 2018 campaign, said the Senate race was “this runaway, totally unexpected, pretty joyous campaign.” While Cruz was a “real villain,” Malitz added, he was not an executive like Abbott, who, especially in the time of pandemic, is making decisions every day that affect many Texans. “This is just gonna feel different because it’s so vividly clear that lives are on the line,” Malitz said, acknowledging that both candidates are already “fairly well defined in the minds of Texas voters.” “On both sides, this is gonna be an angry and existential election,” he added.
HOW O’ROURKE PLANS TO RUN A DIFFERENT RACE THIS TIME
One of O’Rourke’s top goals, Democrats agree, should be to ensure the race is a referendum on Abbott, who this year ushered through some of the most conservative laws — on abortion, guns and voting — in recent Texas memory. Abbott’s campaign is already trying to make the contest about O’Rourke, branding him “Wrong Way O’Rourke” and spotlighting comments in which he has tacked to the left since the 2018 race. “He clearly keeps running more to the left and he stands at the extreme left wing of his party as of today,” Abbott campaign spokesperson Mark Miner said. “Now he’ll try to reinvent himself, but he can’t run from his past.”
VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 3 - NOVEMBER 18, 2021 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate
Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho
Creative Director Michael Grant
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Engagement Manager Alexandria Williams
Photographers Jimmie Aggison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
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News Is criticism of VP Kamala Harris warranted? By ReShonda Tate
When Kamala Harris ran as Joe Biden’s vice president, she rallied Greek organizations, HBCUs, and people all across the country to propel the Biden-Harris team to victory. Nearly a year into their administration, Harris has found herself on the receiving end of criticism that she’s Kamala Harris all but disappeared. But some are questioning whether the backlash is warranted. “Kamala Harris in the 2020 election was very convenient because she checked off on a lot of boxes in terms of being a woman of color, a Black person, an Indian, Asian descent and also the gender question, so that was of convenience,” said Texas Southern University political scientist Dr. Michael Adams. “I don’t know if people expected her to wave some magical Black wand and address all things Black, but that’s not how this works.” Harris, who recently returned from Paris where she met with allies, has been focused
on border issues and the infrastructure bill. Yet, she’s drawing complaints from some who expected more. “You have Republicans making ‘Where’s Waldo’ jokes, and media quoting anonymous sources about dysfunction in her office. But this is exactly what the opposition does to paint a narrative to discredit someone and then Black folks just buy right into it,” said political strategist Davis McClean. Since taking office, the White House has taken steps to highlight Harris’ role as Biden’s closest adviser, with aides often referring to the “Biden-Harris administration” in official documentation and public statements. Adams said many don’t realize the office of vice president is not a visible role. “There was a former governor of Texas who described the office as not being worth ‘a bucket of warm spit,’ that being other than sitting around, waiting on something to happen to the president,” Adams said. “It’s up to the president of United States to determine how that individual will be used.”
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Adams believes Harris would not be catching flak had the voting rights issue moved forward. “She cannot be blamed for not being able to get the Voting Rights bill through and also the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. However that doesn’t play well in terms of minority voters, Black people in particular. So that’s a formidable challenge,” Adams said. “But that blame has to be placed in the United States Senate in terms of its filibuster rule and the president, for whatever reasons he hadn’t seen fit to push the Senate to forego the filibuster. And we know if we didn’t have the filibuster with Kamala Harris being the tie-breaking vote, certainly we can get voting rights legislation passed,” Adams said. Adams points to the administration’s disastrous reaction to the Haitian migration as another factor that brought on criticism of Harris. “She was appointed the spokesperson to go to the border. And we saw what happened to the Haitian immigrants. That was an ugly look
when we saw Texas State Troopers looking like a throwback to the plantation days or what we see in the Texas penal system in terms of whipping those Haitian refugees,” Adams said. The White House, however, is continuing to rally around Harris after news reports of discord between her office and that of President Biden. “The president relies on the vice president for her advice, for her counsel,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said when asked if Biden has confidence in Harris’ leadership, adding that Harris is tackling “challenging” issues and “not looking for a cushy role” as vice president. Psaki added that Harris, as a confidante and top surrogate for the president, will also be “out in the country promoting the infrastructure bill,” Biden’s signature bipartisan achievement, alongside other senior administration officials in the coming weeks. “The bottom line is she serves at the leisure of the president and he has not placed her in a strategic position, and that may impact her being a formidable candidate if she chooses to run for president in 2024,” Adams added.
How Harris’ standing could affect her presidential aspirations and the op-ed, ‘Can a sista catch a break?’
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Astroworld Of course, one of the hottest topics on social media continues to be the investigation into the Astroworld tragedy. Calls for an independent investigation into what led to the 10 deaths from the music festival have gone unheeded, as Houston-area officials directed a county administrator to conduct a review with other governmental entities. A Harris County administrator instead will work with other city and county entities to review security, fire and other safety plans at the county-owned NRG Park, where the festival was held. Meanwhile, fire officials say incident logs depict a chaotic scene 12 hours before Travis Scott even took the stage. At one point, HFD logged an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people illegally got into the festival. It was estimated that more than 55,000 were in attendance by the end of the night. Far fewer tickets were actually scanned at the gates.
KAMALA CATCHING FLAK
What people are saying…. Yo Lo - I’m not sure what people were expecting from her. She’s doing exactly what’s she’s supposed to do...her job. As stated, the VP role is not a highly visible role it’s more behind the scenes. She was not hired in to be the poster child of Black America and change the world in 15 seconds!! Geez people!!
general, seemingly to advance her political career. That may be why she flamed out during the primaries. There’s a reason why she was the first to drop out.
Stacci Hamilton - I understand that traditionally the VP’s role is to support the POTUS from the background but Biden is fumbling the ball in so many areas. He Nakecia Bowers - I should be using assumed she was Kamala Harris to working so I wasn’t run point on some expecting to see her of the issues that all that much. Like are important to the is she supposed American people to live stream rather than having Harris job her day to prove her sit on the bench. approval rating she’s working? And to be clear, I’m *USA Today/Suffolk poll not just referring Heather Shepherd to issues that are - Most people only relevant to the are clueless to African-American community. We what role a VP actually does. can’t place our entire community on Kamala’s shoulders and expect Gwen Richardson - IMO Kamala her to right every wrong in her doesn’t wear well over time. role as VP. I think the real issue For some people, the more here is that politics has changed. you see them, the more you If the Dems don’t start playing like them. Not so in her case. chess instead of checkers, the And some people (especially country is going to be in serious Black men) are still upset retrouble because the ReTHUGligarding her record of locking cans are willing to do whatever it up thousands of black men in takes to advance their agenda. California when she was attorney
28%
Vice President Kamala Harris
Travis Scott
The scheduled release of Nike and Travis Scott’s latest shoe collaboration is being delayed indefinitely due to the Astroworld tragedy. The sports apparel maker’s Air Max 1 x Cactus Jack sneakers were set to go on sale at 7 a.m. on Dec. 16, but an update on Nike’s SNKRS app confirmed the company is hitting pause on the shoe drop for now. The retail giant has been collaborating with Scott on shoe releases since at least 2017, according to Harper’s Bazaar. The 30-year-old “Sicko Mode” rapper became the face of Nike’s Air Vapor Max “Day to Night” collection the same year and has since partnered with the company on a number of limited shoe releases. Before the Astroworld tragedy, Scott was easily one of the most bankable brand names in hip hop. Forbes has Scott ranked 82 on its list of the 100 highest-paid celebrities, with an estimated net worth of $39.5M. The business mag dubbed Scott “Corporate America’s Brand Whisperer” a year ago. The Houston native’s 2018 album Astroworld helped catapult his business dealings to another level.
There is a sadness that’s looming over the city of Houston. This is a tragedy of enormous proportions.”
- Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña
Vice President Kamala Harris’ latest poll numbers are bad. And as the first woman, Black American and South Asian American to serve as vice president, there’s also been extra scrutiny of how she handles the role. Vice presidential favorability and job approval ratings are overwhelmingly influenced by how the president is doing. And Biden’s number are not good.
I think there’s plenty of people who don’t know who she is, and even if they do, they have no idea what she’s doing or what she’s not doing. Vice presidents just don’t break through.” - Political Scientist Jody Baumgartner
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SEE MORE COMMENTS ON KAMALA.
HBO’s ‘Insecure’ shows Houston love
Nathan and Issa
To embody the essence of someone from my hometown, Houston, who deals with moving to a new city, mental health struggles, love etc is the greatest privilege. AND to have a platform/career built on THAT - THEN to use my platform to speak about the things Black people NEED and get paid to do it - AND have cast, crew and producers who share those values - the words don’t exist in the English language to express how grateful I am and how powerful that is.”
– Kendrick Sampson on IG
Kyle Rittenhouse awaits his fate
INFRASTUCTURE BILL Mayor Sylvester Turner acknowledged that here in Houston, the country’s fourth-largest city, and one with more than 16,000 miles of road, there is much upgrading that could be done. He was recently in Washington D.C., speaking on how President Biden’s national infrastructure bill will go a long way in helping with that. Turner says funds will also go toward addressing needs at the Port of Houston, fixing damaged roads, fighting climate change by installing electronic vehicle charging stations throughout the city, improving public transportation, as well as upgrading the city’s wastewater system. All projects, Turner says, will help boost the economy in the process. Right now, it’s still unclear how much of that one trillion dollars will come to Houston and when we can see the money being put to use here. Turner says those details are in the works.
These are definitive steps that will definitely impact the city of Houston. When it comes to lead pipes, people deserve clean water, especially for those communities that have been underserved and under-resourced. There are resources in this bill for that.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner
– Mayor Sylvester Turner
Did you catch the latest episode of “Insecure?” Missouri City native Kendrick Sampson, who plays Nathan on the hit show, gave his hometown a shout-out. In the Nov. 14 episode, Nathan and Issa (played by show creator Issa Rae) and their friends are hanging out at a bar when Mike Jones’ “Back Then” comes on. They then pay homage to Houston’s hip hop scene.
Kyle Rittenhouse
The jury began deliberating Nov. 16 after the murder trial of Kyle Rittenhouse after listening to dueling portrayals of him as a “wannabe soldier” who went looking for the trouble, or a concerned citizen who came under attack while trying to protect property. The case went to the anonymous, 12-member jury after Rittenhouse himself, in an unusual move, was allowed by Judge Bruce Schroeder to draw the numbered slips of paper from a raffle drum that determined which of the 18 people who sat in judgment during the trial would decide his fate and which ones would be dismissed as alternates. That task is usually done by a courtroom clerk, not the defendant. Rittenhouse, 18, faces life in prison if convicted as charged for using an AR-style semi-automatic rifle to kill two men and wound a third during a night of protests against racial injustice in Kenosha in the summer of 2020.
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DN Education
Rice University names school Provost Reginald DesRoches as next president Texas Tribune
Rice University’s board of trustees has selected Reginald DesRoches, who is now serving as school provost, to be the university’s next president. DesRoches, born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is the first immigrant, first Black man and first engineer to lead the private research university. An internationally recognized structural engineer and earthquake resilience expert, DesRoches will succeed President David Leebron, who previously announced his plan to step down next summer after the academic year ends. “I am deeply honored to be named the next president of Rice University,” DesRoches said in a written statement. “The past 4½ years at Rice have been among the most rewarding in my professional career and I look forward to building on the tradition of excellence established by President Leebron and those who served before him.” DesRoches will take over as the university’s eighth president on July 1. “When President Leebron told us he was stepping down, we knew we wanted to build upon what he has accomplished these last 18 years,” Robert Ladd, chair of the board of trustees, said in a written statement. “We
embarked on a search for a proven leader who will be transformational, who will lead Rice to even greater stature and national recognition. We have found a leader who is inspirational and universally respected, a leader who is visionary, strategic and kind. We are proud to welcome Reginald DesRoches as our university’s next president.” Rice, in Houston, was established after William “Willy” Rice set aside money before he died that helped start the school in 1912 with the stipulation that it only serve white Texans. Throughout the pandemic, Rice students demanded removal of a campus monument of Willy Rice, a slaveholder. The push from students was part of widespread protests across the state and nation condemning the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and students called for an end to racial injustice. At Rice, 7% of students are Black or African American. DesRoches has already begun addressing race issues at Rice. As chief academic officer, he established the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. DesRoches has also led the university’s academic, research, scholarly and creative activities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. DesRoches arrived at Rice in 2017 as dean of engineering at the George R. Brown School
Reginald DesRoches will be Rice University’s next president.
of Engineering. During DesRoches’ time as dean, the department underwent significant growth in research programs, including new efforts in the areas of neuroengineering and synthetic biology. He also led the establishment of the school’s first-of-its-kind collaborative research center in India with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Before joining Rice, DesRoches was chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Tech. His work there
stemmed from his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. As an undergraduate student, DesRoches witnessed the damage wrought by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. That experience led him to focus on earthquake resiliency as he pursued his master’s and doctoral degrees at Berkeley. Since then, DesRoches has become a nationally recognized expert on earthquake resilience who has testified before committees of the U.S. House and Senate. He chairs the National Construction Safety Team, an agency within the U.S. Commerce Department that is overseeing an investigation of the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominiums in Surfside, Florida. He previously served on the advisory committee for the engineering directorate for the National Science Foundation. “Reggie DesRoches is an outstanding choice as Rice’s next president,” Leebron said in a statement. “I have had the privilege of working closely with Reggie over the last 4½ years, first in his capacity of dean of engineering and then as provost, and observed firsthand his extraordinary leadership, values, thoughtfulness and ambition for Rice. I am confident he will fully achieve the aspirations of our ‘Be Bold’ campaign, and take Rice to new heights of achievement and impact.”
HISD Supt. Millard House II: 100-Day Report By Laura Onyeneho
HISD Superintendent Millard House II announced the release of a detailed report outlining his first 100 days in his position. Superintendent House spent a crucial part of his time engaging in candid conversations with students, parents, staff and community members, sharing their concerns and hopes for the largest school district in Texas. This includes the hundreds of community members who participated in 16 of HISD’s “Listen and Learn’ sessions, hearing the perspectives of those who shape the future of the school district. “Over the last three months, I have focused my efforts on understanding the current state of the district and what the community desires us to become through a wide range of listening and learning activities. In addition, I have also worked with my team to take immediate action on critical items such as student safety, learning loss and student engagement,” he said in a letter to the HISD community. Currently, Superintendent House is leading the district’s five-year strategic plan which will be shared publicly by March
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Learning - We will provide engaging and rigorous curriculum and instruction that bolsters academic performance. Ensuring Great Schools and Programs in Every Community - We will accelerate student performance through bold, innovative actions at persistently underperforming schools. Delivering Effective Services and Supports to Students with Exceptional Needs - We will implement high-quality systems and services HISD Superintendent Millard House III. Photo by Aswad Walker.
2022. It highlights his top five priorities which includes: Cultivating World Class Talent at all Levels We will implement an ambitious, comprehensive strategy to recruit, develop and retain effective and caring teachers, principals and support staff. Providing Equitable Opportunities and Resources at Every School - We will ensure that every school provides a quality family and student core experience that supports the development of the whole child. Promoting High-Quality Teaching and
Read Supt. House’s five key findings from his community listening sessions.
that increase achievement for students with specialized needs, including students with disabilities and English language learners. “My career has prepared me for leading this community right now, in this very challenging time. But I see these challenges as opportunities, and HISD certainly has so much potential to unlock through these opportunities,” said House. “Right now is the time for bold change and re-commitment.
CLASSIFIED LEGAL NOTICE
The Houston Independent School District is soliciting Request for Qualifications (RFQ) via the District’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may login to view specifications and submit their responses at the following link https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 2:00 p.m. (CST) Tuesday, December 14, 2021, for the following solicitation: • RFQ 22-11-05 Collection of Delinquent Property Taxes Pre-proposal conferences via Microsoft Teams will be held in conjunction with this RFQ. Information regarding dates, times, and instructions to receive a link to join the meeting can be located within the electronic bidding portal under the “Event Details” tab specific to this solicitation.
LEGAL NOTICE
The Houston Independent School District is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP) via the District’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may login to view specifications and submit their responses at the following link https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 10:00 a.m. (CST) Thursday, December 14, 2021, for the following solicitation: • RFP 21-04-01 E-Rate Consultant Services Pre-proposal conferences via Microsoft Teams will be held in conjunction with this RFP. Information regarding dates, times, and a link to join the meeting can be located within the electronic bidding portal under the “Event Details” tab specific to this solicitation.
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DN Health
A DEFENDER AND KELSEY-SEYBOLD CLINIC ALLIANCE
Early warning signs of diabetes you should never ignore all. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your pancreas may initially produce adequate amounts of insulin, but your body doesn’t use it properly. Type 2 usually presents in adulthood and is often called a “silent” disease because, in the early stages, symptoms may seem insignificant and be dismissed – until the disease progresses.
By JUSTIN JOSEPH, D.O.
Diabetes is a leading cause of disability in the United States. Unmanaged, it can lead to life-limiting conditions, including circulatory problems in the legs and feet, limb amputations, kidney disease, heart attacks, strokes, and diabetic blindness. This disease affects how your body uses glucose, a simple sugar that helps get fuel into your cells to provide energy for muscles and tissues; it’s also your brain’s main source of fuel. If you have diabetes, glucose can’t get into your cells the way it’s needed and floats around in your bloodstream. Too much glucose build-up can lead to those health complications I mentioned. MAIN TYPES OF DIABETES Once referred to as juvenile diabetes, Type 1 occurs when your pancreas produces too little insulin or none at
FROM THE DOC “Diabetes can lead to limb amputations, kidney disease, heart attacks, strokes, and blindness.” Dr. Joseph is a Family Medicine physician at Kelsey-Seybold. For an appointment, call 713-442-0000.
TYPE 2 EARLY-WARNING SYMPTOMS • Unusual thirst. • Overly frequent (often nighttime) urination. • Chronic fatigue. • Susceptibility to infections. • Sexual dysfunction. TYPE 2 RISK FACTORS • Being overweight. • Leading a sedentary lifestyle.
• Having unmanaged hypertension. • Being Hispanic, African American, Asian, or Native-American. • Having a family history of diabetes. TO HELP LOWER YOUR RISK • Eat healthy, high-fiber, portioncontrolled meals low in sugars. • Exercise for 30 minutes most days of the week. • Maintain a doctor-recommended weight. • Avoid tobacco and nicotine in any form. • Have regular medical checkups, cooperate with your doctor to develop lifestyle strategies, and, if necessary, take prescribed glucosecontrolling medication to help manage or, better yet, prevent this all-too-prevalent disease.
Now Scheduling VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON Appointments! Whether you’re new to the Kelsey-Seybold family or a longtime patient, you have a choice of where you can safely get care. Call our 24/7 Contact Center at 713-442-0000 to schedule a same-day or next-day virtual Video Visit or, for non-respiratory illnesses, an in-person appointment at a Kelsey-Seybold Clinic near you.
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU 24/7/365
Your health and safety are our top priority. We‘re screening patients upon arrival for COVID-19 symptoms, checking temperatures, and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Please remember to wear a mask or cloth face protection while visiting our clinics.
After-Hours Nurse Hotline 713-442-0000
24/7 Contact Center 713-442-0000
Learn More About Virtual Visits kelsey-seybold.com/virtual
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS and more than 50 HEALTH PLANS, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Also accepting two Medicare Advantage plans, KelseyCare Advantage and WellCare TexanPlus.
10 | November 18, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports Prairie View A&M sophomore Malia Viernes led the Panthers’ volleyball team to a dramatic comeback 3-2 win over Grambling State with a season-high 21 kills and a block.
Sports Briefs PVAMU missed opportunity
The Prairie View Panthers missed an opportunity to lock up the SWAC Western Division title over the weekEric Dooley end when they fell to Alcorn State, 31-29, to snap a six-game winning streak. The Panthers now have a must-win game against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 27 or a once-promising season could fall apart. But prior to facing the Delta Devils, the Panthers have the tough task of stepping out of conference play this week to take on Texas A&M of the SEC.
Cougars lock up division The University of Houston football team clinched its first American Athletic Conference Division title since 2015 by defeating Temple, 37-8, on the road. The 17th ranked Cougars (9-1 overall, 7-0 AAC), who have won nine straight since their season-opening loss to Texas Tech, will likely face undefeated No. 2 ranked Cincinnati in the AAC Championship Game.
Deion Sanders could be headed to TCU
Jackson State football coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who has brought great visibility to the SWAC since coming aboard last year, is a serious candidate for the Texas Christian University job. Sanders interviewed for the Horned Frogs openDeion ing last week, Sanders prior to leading the Tigers to a 21-17 win over Southern that clinched them the SWAC Eastern Division title last weekend. Sanders was asked about his interest in the TCU job recently and danced around the question without answering it directly.
University of Houston freshman running back and Conroe native Alton McCaskill ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns during the Cougars’ 37-8 win over Temple.
Michael Badejo Evolves into heart and soul of TSU Tigers By Terrance Harris
Michael Badejo’s career at Texas Southern is coming to an end Saturday when the Tigers travel to Alabama State for the season finale. It hasn’t been the career the 6-foot-2, 265-pound defensive end envisioned when he first transferred to TSU from SMU in 2018. He has endured a lot of losing. In fact, Badejo didn’t experience his first win as a Tiger until this season when they broke a 19-game losing streak with the win against North American University, a glorified club team, on Oct. 2. “My favorite quote is everything happens for a reason,” said Badejo, who is a fifth-year senior and graduate student at TSU this semester. “Everything is going literally how it’s supposed to be.” TSU coach Clarence McKinney, who inherited Badejo from the previous coaching staff, credits him for being an outstanding leader and the heart and soul of the team. “He is the heart of our team, the heart of our defense,” McKinney said. “Since the day I got here, he has stepped into the role of being a leader and he leads by example. He works extremely hard on the field, off the field, in the weight room and in the classroom. “The guys listen to him because they see that he does things the right way and we are going to miss him.” The Preseason All-SWAC Second-Team defensive lineman has 27 tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble for the Tigers, who are 2-7 overall and 2-5 in SWAC. Badejo recently sat down with The Defender to discuss his college career, this season and what motivates him. Q: What has this season been like? A: “It’s been a bumpy road, obviously,
from the grind this summer, to the fall camp and going into the season. Honestly, it’s not what we expected but even through the losses we’ve got, we are still improving each game. We finally won and you’ve seen a lot of improvement.”
TSU senior defensive lineman Michael Badejo (1) has been a huge presence for the Tigers on and off the football field.
ABOUT MICHAEL BADEJO People/person who inspired you: Pee Wee coach Derwin, Calvin, my mother Margaret Badejo Favorite athlete: Khalik Mack Favorite food: Shrimp fried rice with wings Favorite movie: “Black Panther” Favorite vacation spot: California If you played another sport, what would it be: Track
Q: [TSU] went three seasons without a win. What was it like playing well but not getting the results you wanted? A: “Obviously, it makes me upset from all
of the hard work we’ve put in throughout the week and not get the outcome you want at the end of the day, but somebody has to win, somebody has to lose. It’s the kind of mindset you have to go in there with. But what I take from that is you just watch the film after the mistakes you made and you do your best after that to not make them again. If everybody does their 1 in 11 at the end of the day you are going to come out with a victory.” Q: What was it like experiencing that first win? A: “That was probably the most amazing
feeling...For me, I like to put others before myself, so I was just happy for my coaches and my teammates because like I said, they had been here for the past three years and they had never won a game before. So getting that victory no matter who we went against was huge.” Q: How have you grown since arriving at TSU? A: “I think my main thing was to trust my
teammates. The one thing about me is it’s hard for me to trust. Once I started finally trusting my teammates, started trusting the man next to me, I started feeling more comfortable.” Q: Where did that lack of trust come from? A: “It kind of starts from, not even on the field, but off the field, in the meeting room, the weight room and stuff like that. You are going to have guys on the team who don’t finish a rep and stuff like that and it irks you. Sometimes you don’t say anything, you just want to see a reaction.” Q: How did you feel being named as a Preseason All-SWAC Second Team member? A: “Getting those preseason awards and
stuff like that, it’s really nothing because I’m never satisfied. So I’ve got my unit group, my teammates and my coaches to push me to show them who I really am. Those preseason awards, that’s not who I am because everyone knows I’m not a second team or whatever. It’s more of a motivation and push to get to where I need to be.”
November 18, 2021 |
| 11
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports
DANNY BAHENA GOES THE DISTANCE CY-FAIR KICKER
By Jodie B. Jiles
Cy-Fair senior kicker Danny Bahena was on his game for the Bobcats in their 16-14 first-round playoff victory over the Region III District 18 champion Lamar Texans. Though the leading scorer in a high-flying Texas high school playoff game is typically a running back, quarterback or receiver, this time it was the kicker. Bahena is a soccer player turned American footballer who can nail it from 50 yards under the right conditions. In the Lamar victory, he made clutch kick after kick, including a 46-yard bomber and another field goal that gave Cy-Fair the lead. Bahena finished the game going 3-for-3 on his kicks. The Defender spoke with Bahena after Cy-Fair’s playoff win to discuss his style of play, transition from “futbol” to football and more. Style of play “I play soccer so that helps a lot with my play and I am just thankful to be in this position.” Transition to Football “Coach [Jeff] Miller saw me kick as a goalkeeper and he saw me kick the ball 50 yards. From there we practiced kicking field goals, and since my junior year I started playing football for Cy-Fair.” Lamar “W” “The hustle. The other team [Lamar] was definitely bigger, but that didn’t stop us. We fought, we had heart and that is what it is all about.” 3-for-3 performance “I give it all to my parents. They put so much work into me and the least that I can do is show off on the field. I just do it for my parents because they have done so much for me.”
ABOUT DANNY BAHENA
Twitter: @danny39635969 Players he studies: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italian soccer), Christiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/Portuguese soccer) Favorite food: Pasta Favorite artists: Lil Baby, Lil Uvi Vert Shoutouts: “My teammates and coaches.”
Moving forward “ Just proud of the boys. We have been working hard all week preparing for this moment. We had a rough start of the season but it didn’t faze us because we fight through adversity. I love my brothers.”
Cy Fair Kicker Danny Behena Photo by Jimmie Aggison
HEIGHTS REMEMBERS BRIANNA RODRIGUEZ
Heights Band dedicates their halftime show to Brianna Rodriguez. Jimmie Agisson
By Jodie B. Jiles Heights High School dedicated its halftime to memorialize Brianna Rodriguez, a fallen junior who died tragically in Travis Scott’s Astroworld Fest. Rodriguez was a member of the Heights band drill team and was loved by many, including Heights standout senior wide receiver Xavier Neal who scored a touchdown in the game for his classmate and friend. Neal stood aside during the halftime ceremonies and was unavailable for comment. Despite Heights taking a 21-6 loss to Memorial in the game, both teams came together in prayer to commemorate their fallen classmates. Memorial High School freshman John Hilgert was also among those lost at the Astroworld Festival. Editor’s note: The Defender’s prayers go out to all the families of those who perished during the festival. For full article with video clips and photo gallery visit: www.defendernetwork.com
12 | November 18, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Spotlight
STACI CHILDS HOUSTON LAWYER
Wins AT&T Dream in Black Award
By Laura Onyeneho
When Staci Childs isn’t balancing the scales of justice as a criminal defense attorney in Houston, she is expanding her love for uplifting and promoting positive self-images in young women and girls through her non-profit GirlTalk University. She is also the author of “Hey Beautiful Day,” a children’s book written to encourage kids to be comfortable in their own skin. Before she practiced law, Childs worked as a fourth and fifth grade language arts teacher for Teach For America. Hailing from Atlanta, Childs brought her talents to Houston with the hope to find her purpose. Her passion and dedication to community service led her to become the 2021 AT&T Dream in Black Future Maker award-winner, and she doesn’t plan on taking her foot off the gas pedal any time soon. The Defender spoke with Childs to learn about what influenced her transition from education to the legal field and what she plans to do with her award winnings. Defender: You were an educator before you became an attorney. Why the change? Childs: When I moved to Houston eight
years ago. I was seeking a new job opportunity and taught for Teach for America. Throughout my experience I started to see the inequities and unfair treatment of children in the classroom. There wasn’t enough empathy for the children and how we can support them emotionally. I felt disempowered. Teaching is a way to empower kids, but I felt limited. That’s what prompted me to pursue a career in law. Defender: How did your experience as an educator shape your work with youth today? Childs: Houston often touts itself as
being one of the most diverse cities in the nation. We have all these cultures and languages. I find that to be great, but it’s also segregated, as well. People experience Houston differently depending on where they are located in the city or the opportunities that are afforded to them. When I first started teaching, I was in an area that was not heavily dominated by Black people. The educational experience for Black kids was not taken as serious. There wasn’t enough
GirlTalk University student (left) and Staci Childs, CEO/Founder of Girl Talk University (right). Photo: GirlTalk University
culturally-responsive teaching. A lot of the Black kids would get scolded and over-disciplined just for being regular kids. This comes from a lack of culturally-relevant professional development. Even through law school I continued to work with youth. I knew I could be a role model for them and show them what’s possible by living my life. That’s where the GirlTalk University idea came from.
Staci Childs, CEO/Founder of Girl Talk University (Left) and GirlTalk University student podcasting. Photo: GirlTalk University
Defender: What are some programs that are hosted through your non-profit? Childs: The basic premise of GirlTalk
University is to build confidence in young girls by having intimate conversations. Help them gain awareness of self so that they can make better informed decisions. Some of us go through life in silence, and if you can bounce off whatever you’re feeling with someone else, it will make a difference. We do one-on-one mentorship. We also go into the schools weekly where we have planned sessions on specific probing questions around various hot topics. We also have a podcast where we bring men, women, children, doctors, scientists, everybody who is invested in the lives of girls and women. Currently, we have 24 episodes and we will roll out season two soon. We host events across the city at different expos, pep rallies, churches. We have programs for adult women too.
LEARN ABOUT STACI CHILDS’ PARTNERSHIP WITH HOUSTON-BASED HIGH SCHOOL
Staci Childs, CEO/Founder of Girl Talk University. Photo: GirlTalk University