Houston Defender: December 22, 2011 by Defender Media Group |DefenderNetwork

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011 | defendernetwork.com EUPHORIA CALVIN KLEIN, ONLY $87

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Deaths in 2011 Dr. James “Jimmy” Watson , died on May 23 after a lengthy illness. He was the first AfricanAmerican medical director for the City of Houston and also served as medical director for the Harris County Sheriff’s Department.

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Gil Scott Heron , pioneering poet and musician, died May 27 at age 62. He became ill after returning from Europe. One of his most famous compositions was 1970’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.”

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Rev. Dr. Howard Creecy, who led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as president for just seven months, died July 28 of an apparent heart attack. He was 57. Creecy

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WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011 | DEFENDER

newstalk

Top 20

local stories of 2011 By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

There was never a dull moment in 2011. Each week, Defender readers were kept abreast of issues that impacted their lives, in areas ranging from civil rights to education to crime. Here, we revisit the top 20 stories of 2011 in the order in which they occurred. NAACP Houston leaders suspended

The local branch of the Houston NAACP began the new year with a new president, Pastor D.Z. Cofield of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. “I seek to build upon the history and work that’s already been done,” Cofield said. Six months later, however, the organization had a new leader in the person of Rev. Reginald Lillie, associate minister at Greater True Faith Missionary Baptist Church. Cofield, along with NAACP Houston board members, was suspended from acting on behalf of the NAACP’s local or national office. The internal contention included the reported firing and subsequent reinstatement of the branch’s long-time executive director, Yolanda Smith.

82nd legislative session convenes

The 82nd Texas Legislature convened on Jan. 11 in Austin. Issues confronting lawmakers included the budget, redistricting, education, health care and criminal justice reform. The regular session adjourned on May 30 with more than 1,400 bills passed and 24 vetoed. The legislature immediately went into a special session, which adjourned on June 29. Minority lawmakers were disappointed by decreased financial aid, a lack of funding for Medicaid services and cuts to nursing home funding. Legislation that passed benefitting the minority community included pay-day lending reform, a crackdown on human trafficking, better access to post-conviction DNA

testing and protection of sanctuary cities.

HISD trustees in the news

Paula Harris made local history by becoming the first Black female president of the Houston Independent School District board. “I’m very honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with this huge responsibility,” Harris said. Harris and trustee Larry Marshall later made news when controversy arose over HISD’s bidding procedures,

Rev. Reginald Lillie (top) took charge of the Houston NAACP. Paula Harris (right) became HISD board president.

Continued on Page 4

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011

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Cleveland, TX (left) made national headlines because of the alleged gang rape of an 11-year-old girl. Redistricting maps (below) were drawn and debated. The videotaped beating of Chad Holley (bottom) by HPD officers also made national news.

Top 20 Local Stories... Continued from page 3 following revelations of their ties with certain district vendors. At issue was the relationship between Harris and a friend and former business partner. Marshall received coverage for approaching district officials about hiring a doctor as a consultant who he had known for years.

Police brutality caught on tape

The Houston Police Department came under fire after video was released of HPD officers brutally beating burglary suspect Chad Holley, who was 15 at the time. (Holley was later convicted in the case). The video, captured by a surveillance camera in Southwest Houston, made national news, and showed Holley lying motionless on the ground while police kicked and punched him. Houston community and political leaders called for swift justice in the case. Seven police officers were terminated in connection with the incident. Four officers were also charged in connection with the incident.

Day care operator charged in ﬁre

A Feb. 24 day care fire killed four young children and injured three. The day care operator, Jessica Tata, initially told police she was in the bathroom when the fire started. Investigators later determined that she left the seven children unattended to go shopping. A pot of oil left on a burning stove sparked the blaze. Tata fled to Nigeria and became the object of an international manhunt. She was captured, returned to Houston and jailed. She is charged with four counts of felony murder, four counts of abandoning a child and one count of reckless injury to a child. The first of her trials begins in January, 2012.

Redistricting maps cause ﬂaps

The issue of redistricting on the state and county level had legislators scrambling to draw preliminary maps soon after the State Legislature convened. The drawn maps were later criticized by minorities who viewed them as attempts to dilute the Black and Latino vote. The case of Texas redistricting took another dramatic turn in December when the U.S. Supreme Court granted state Attorney General Greg Abbott’s request to temporarily block interim redistricting maps drawn by a San Antonio lower court. The stay could delay primaries currently scheduled for March. The groups involved in the redistricting battle are scheduled to make oral arguments before the court in January.

Gang rape divides Cleveland

The alleged gang rape of an 11-year-old Hispanic girl by a group of Black suspects put an unwanted national spotlight on Cleveland, a Texas town 40 miles northeast of Houston. The first suspects in the 2010 incident were arrested in February. By March, 18 men and teens ages 14 to 27 had been arrested in the case. The case prompted questions about the issue of race, whether the sexual act was consensual and whether the suspects knew the girl was only 11. Trials could begin in January for more than a dozen of the men accused of the sexual assaults.

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Continued on Page 16

WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011 | DEFENDER

national

National events

that dominated the news By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

The year 2011 was one marked with controversy and frustrations. Whether it was battles between the political parties, scandals in the church, economic stress, or destroying terroristic leaders, 2011 was a year full of events to be remembered. Following is a recap of the top national stories you read about in 2011. January

improving student responsibility.

n Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele

dropped out of the re-election race after it became apparent he did not have enough votes to win another stint at the forefront of the GOP. n Students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities may soon face higher tuition and no grant money. Alumni from across Texas visited the capital to request elected officials avoid deep budget cuts.

February

n After months of conflict, Bernice A. King decided to step

down from the presidency of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. n Still reeling after the controversy that led to her forced resignation from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Shirley Sherrod filed suit against the man responsible for the video that caused her firing. n Amid hardships in America’s northern cities, Blacks are continuing to pack up and migrate to find better conditions down South, according a new U.S. Census data.

March

n The New Orleans Police Dept. came under fire for a Dept.

of Justice report describing the department wracked by a culture of incompetence and corruption that is “serious, systemic, wide-ranging and deeply rooted and in need of complete reform.” n A bill banning sagging pants in state schools was being considered by the Florida legislature. The bill was aimed at

n As joblessness and poverty continue to hit Americans hard,

nearly 8.4 million families across the country are hungry, according to a report by Feeding America.

April

n President Barack Obama announced he is running for

re-election with a campaign that is “more focused, and more innovative than anything we’ve built before.” n Democrats and Republicans agree on a budget deal to keep the federal government open for business. Lawmakers reached an agreement to create a five-day stop gap-funding bill, with a longer-term budget deal to be worked out later. n A report by the Nielsen Media Research found that African Americans spend more time in front of the TV than any other ethnic group. n The Obama administration reached out to African Americans in a campaign to tell what Obama is doing for them. Obama sent Black senior White House advisors into Black communities across the U.S. to explain how the administration is working to enhance their quality of life.

to improve both schools’ educational conditions.

n The Congressional Black Caucus held its first full meeting

with President Obama at the White House. The CBC emphasized the importance of innovative job and wealth creation. n Black Republican Herman Cain, a Tea Party candidate, officially tossed his hat in the ring to run for president. n An Army study of Afghanistan found that U.S. soldiers and Marines assigned there reported plunging

May

n In what was deemed President Barack Obama’s greatest

foreign accomplishment, Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the most devastating attack on American soil in modern times and the most hunted man in the world, was killed in a firefight with U.S. forces in Pakistan. n Debate heated up in New Orleans as Louisiana’s governor sought to merge predominantly Black Southern University of New Orleans with the University of New Orleans in an effort Continued on Page 6

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Herman Cain

DEFENDER | WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011

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Top National Events... Continued from page 5 House to coincide with the release of his African-American agenda. n A federal judge gave final approval to a $1.2 billion government settlement with Black farmers. n Groups representing a coalition of more than 100 colleges and universities are fighting to persuade Congress not to cut $85 million or more in federal funding for the colleges or students. n Dr. Conrad Murray was sentenced to four years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. Murray is expected to only be in jail for two years due to overcrowding.

morale and the highest rates of mental health problems in five years.

June

n Prominent Atlanta pastor Eddie Long, facing four civil law-

suits accusing him of sexual coercion, settled the cases out of court. Long admitted nothing and the agreement still left many questions unanswered. n New research from several Black college economists finds graduates of HBCUS do better in the labor market long term than non-HBCU graduates. n About 100 presidents of historically Black institutions met in Atlanta and discussed their role in Obama’s call for America to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.

December

n The death of Florida A&M University band member Robert

July

n Disparaging comments by journalist Mark Halperin about

Obama prompted radio host Tom Joyner to lash out at author/ commentator Tavis Smiley and activist Cornel West. n Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is releasing a book titled, “Surrendered: The Rise, Fall and Revelation of Kwame Malik Kilpatrick.” A judge, however, ordered all proceeds from the book to go toward a restitution he has to pay the city. n Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal disclosed evidence of cheating on state standardized exams in 80 percent of Atlanta’s public schools. n The NAACP blasted the lack of African-American prime time news anchors or hosts on the major television networks. n The Black population of Washington, D.C. dropped below 50 percent, making African Americans no longer the majority. Experts theorize that rising rents and soaring property taxes forced Blacks to head to the suburbs for more affordable housing. There has also been an increase in white professionals moving to predominantly Black D.C. neighborhoods.

August

n Houstonian Harry Johnson

spearheaded the effort to bring the long awaited MLK Memorial in the nation’s capitol to life. Johnson is CEO of the Washington DC Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation. n Smiley and West caused mixed emotions with their 18-city poverty

tour. The tour was designed to bring Obama’s attention to the plight of America’s poor. n The U.S. Postal Service decided to feature legendary businessman John H. Johnson, founder of Johnson Publishing Company, on its 2012 Black Heritage Stamp. n In an effort to increase safety and repopulate the city, Detroit began Project 14, a program that gives police officers a home inside the city.

September

Champion brought attention to the problem of hazing. Band director Julian White was fired for the incident. Florida’s governor called for the suspension of the university president, a move students protested. n After yet another sexual harassment allegation, one-time GOP frontrunner Herman Cain announces he is suspending his campaign for president of the United States. n Two days after his wife Vanessa announced she would seek a divorce, Bishop Eddie Long of Atlanta announced that he would be taking a leave of absence from New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. n The Iraq war ended after almost nine years as the last U.S. troops left the country. The withdrawal ended a conflict that cost billions of dollars and nearly 4,500 American lives.

n The Occupy movement, an international protest movement

primarily directed against economic and social inequality, begins. The movement later spreads to over 95 cities across 82 countries, and over 600 communities in the United States. n The state of Georgia executed Troy Davis despite serious doubts about his guilt. The case against Davis consisted entirely of witness testimony, which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. All but two of the state’s non-police witnesses from the trial recanted or contradicted their testimony. The Supreme Court denied last-minute appeals. n President Barack Obama proposed a bold American Jobs Act designed to get the unemployed back to work and the economy moving. The plan included extending unemployment insurance, extending and expanding the payroll tax cut and preventing numerous teacher layoffs. n Cornel West joined forces with consumer advocate Ralph Nader and the New Progressive Alliance to find an independent or third party candidate to run against Obama. n Black Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain won a Florida straw poll of GOP delegates, resulting in a major upset.

Dr. Conrad Murray (top center) found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in death of Michael Jackson. President Barack Obama (far left) made news throughout 2011. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (below) opened in Washington, D.C.

October

n Thousands descended upon Washington,

D.C. to demand jobs, full voting representation for the District of Columbia and an end to partisan bickering on Capitol Hill to kick off the Martin Luther King Jr. March for Jobs and Justice. n Obama announced he was sending about 10 U.S. troops to Africa to help hunt down leaders of the Lord’s Resistance Army. n Muammar Gaddafi, the deposed leader of Libya, was captured alive after his convoy was attacked by NATO warplanes. He was then beaten and killed by National Transitional Council forces.

November

n President Obama held the first ever African-American Policy in Action Leadership Conference at the White

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WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011 | DEFENDER

entertainment

Top 10

entertainment stories of the year By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

Turn on any television and pick up any newspaper or magazine and chances are, you saw one of our top 10 entertainment stories dominating the news. The Defender looks back over those stories that had us talking for days.

The year of Beyoncé The top honors for entertainment story of the year would have to go Houston’s homegirl, Ms. Beyoncé Knowles. This was definitely “the year of Beyoncé” as the R&B superstar found herself in the news on a regular basis – for things other than her music. Besides announcing her pregnancy (and being besieged by rumors that she was faking the whole thing), the Houston native also announced that her father would no longer be her manager and she was departing Music World Entertainment. Jay Z’s wife was also slapped with a $100 million lawsuit by video game company Gate Five, which teamed up with her for a dance game called “Starpower: Beyoncé.” The suit alleged Beyoncé backed out of the deal at the last minute, destroying the company and sending 70 people into unemployment right before last Christmas. The singer was also tapped by First Lady Michelle Obama to help promote healthy habits in children.

The love/hate relationship with Tyler Perry No list would be complete without the most loved – and some say despised – Black man in entertainment. Yet, Tyler Perry continues to ride his controversy all the way to the bank. Despite a heated feud with fellow filmmaker Spike Lee, Perry saw a banner year as Lionsgate extended its first-look movie and home entertainment deal with him for at least another two years. Perry’s ten films for Lionsgate have grossed more than $520 million while his DVDs have sold more than 40 million units. Perry also made news after topping Forbes Magazine’s list of Entertainment’s highest paid men. Perry earned $130 million

between May 2010 and May 2011. But it wasn’t all good news. Perry fans used his website to express their extreme dissatisfaction with his selection of Kim Kardashian as a cast member in his upcoming movie “The Marriage Counselor.” Perry later defended his decision.

Continued on Page 8

Tyler Perry (above) was named the highest paid man in entertainment. Beyoncé (right) was no longer managed by her dad. She also became pregnant.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011

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Top 10 Entertainment... Continued from page 7

The queen bids goodbye Also topping our list would be the queen of daytime talk, Oprah Winfrey, retiring her crown. After 25 years, Oprah bid goodbye in a finale that earned the show’s highest audience in 17 years, with a 13.3 household rating. The final original episode brought an end to what has been television’s top-rated talk show for more than two decades. It aired in 145 countries worldwide. Winfrey also launched cable’s Oprah Winfrey Network, where viewers launched a petition drive to get her to carry long-running soap operas that had been canceled by ABC. She declined, saying she didn’t have the power to save the soaps from sinking ratings. Winfrey later had to revamp her network amid sagging ratings.

The ‘King of Pop’ lives on Michael Jackson may be gone, but he definitely wasn’t forgotten. The trial of the man many believed was responsible for his death kept Michael at the forefront of entertainment news. Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Jackson, who died in 2009 from an overdose of the surgical anesthetic Propofol. Jackson’s kids, who are being raised by Katherine Jackson, also struggled to move on, making news with tributes to their father and the announcement that they might be getting their own reality show. Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket, along with their grandmother, are said to seriously be considering the show.

“The Help” starring Viola Davis (above) stirred up controversy. Oprah Winfrey (left) departed her talk show and focused on her network. Samuel L. Jackson (below left) found additional success on Broadway.

The takeover of reality TV They’re the shows you love to hate, and they draw controversy from their depiction of Black women, yet the popularity of reality TV continues to soar. From “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” to “What Chilli Wants,” reality TV remained fixated on Black women acting the fool. VH1 dominated the list of top 25 cable shows in Black households for reality original programming, returning with the all new “Basketball Wives” ranked at No. 5. (Like “Housewives” and “Tiny & Toya,” the show features ex-girlfriends and wives trying to make names for themselves on the heels of relationships with famous men.) “What Chili Wants” followed in popularity at No. 7, and “Brandy & Ray J” came in at No. 11.

Chris Tucker (below) returned to the scene amid financial problems.

Executives say that their channel has had a nine percent increase in black women prime-time viewers ages 18-49 in this past year alone with the success of their reality shows. TV One also made its first showing on the top 25 list for original programming with “LisaRaye: The Real McCoy,” which came in at No. 16 and delivered the biggest audience in the network’s six-year history.

‘The Help’ No entertainment list would be complete in 2011 without including one of the most controversial movies of the year. “The Help” is based on the 2009 best-selling novel written by Kathryn Stockett, and features a fictional character, a Black maid named Aibileen Clark. Kathryn Stockett’s brother, Robert Stockett III, has employed a nanny — who is Black — for years. Her name? Ablene Cooper. She calls the portrayal of Aibileen “embarrassing,” and filed a lawsuit against the author. And some Black people were not interested in “The Help” because they took issue with a contemporary white writer and director telling the stories of Black women in the 1960s. Two of the shows Black stars, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, say they knew there would be backlash surrounding the film. Despite the controversy, the film made over $100 million in its first three weeks and has already been nominated for several awards. Continued on Page 9

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WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011 | DEFENDER

Mr. and Mrs. Smith Entertainment power couple Will and Jada Pinkett Smith made plenty of news in 2011 as rumors of divorce ran rampant on the web. The Smiths issued a statement denying a report suggesting that they were separated. The “Men in Black” star Smith, 43, and his actress wife, 40, never commented upon the rumors of a rift, other than to deny that they were splitting. But at the same time, it was said that the couple’s 14-year marriage was heading to the divorce courts. The cancellation of Jada’s TV Series, “HawthoRNe,” also made entertainment news in 2011.

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Samuel L. Jackson dominates Samuel L. Jackson stunned Hollywood when it was announced that he would make the “Guinness Book of World Records” for earning the most money ever with his films. His films have made $7.42 billion. He also received rave reviews for a play on Broadway called “The Mountaintop” with Angela Bassett, based on the unseen life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Scholarship Gala

Chris Tucker returns After a long hiatus, popular comedian Chris Tucker returned to the scene, touring around the country and announcing plans to star in a sequel to the hit movie “Friday.” Tucker made no secret about his IRS liens having something to do with his return. Tucker owed the IRS more than $11 million in federal taxes for multiple years. The IRS put a lien on his Florida mansion.

Gospel gone Houston gospel music station Praise 92.1 FM shocked listeners when management announced the station would be changing formats, going to a 24 hour news station. Station officials say it was a decision that did not come easy, but one that was dictated by declining ratings and falling revenue. The station ranked 21st in the market in the most recent monthly Arbitron ratings for persons 12-plus with a weekly cumulative audience of 368,400. And quite frankly, station executives said, Praise was handicapping their growth with Majic 102.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS From The Defender

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” exemplified reality TV.

chag’s

DEFENDER | WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011

For Event Coverage...visit

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Honorees Fred Hoyer, Carol Mims Galloway and Rep. Ron Reynolds.... (GO WESTERN GALA)

Honorees Dr. Frazier Wilson, Reginald Adams, David Moore and Christopher Barbic....(IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN)

Ball Chairs Gerald and Anita Smith.....(THE

Michelle Martin, Terrell Jenkins and Oyfmem Mendez..... (CELEBRATING TWENTY-FIVE YEARS)

Herbert Sam, Diedra Sam and DeAndre Sam.....(A MOVING LEGEND)

JCHH Executive Director Jennifer Holmes and (Great Past, Bright Future)

YEAR IN REVIEW.....2011 was an exciting year for many individuals, businesses and organizations. Here are the 10 events that were featured online at defendernetwork.com for your viewing pleasure..... LIFT EVERY VOICE....The Houston Association of Black Journalists (HABJ) celebrated its 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner and chose the theme “Lift Every Voice,” because of a small, but inspired group of AfricanAmerican journalists who assembled in Houston 25 years ago to do just that and speak for those who were discriminated against, ignored and misrepresented. HABJ also lifted all of our spirits by honoring several outstanding and dedicated Black journalists. The honorees included Sonceria Messiah-Jiles, CEO and publisher, Defender Media Group, D’Artagnan Bebel, vice president, general manager, Fox26 KRIV-TV, MY 20 KTXH-TV, Deborah Duncan, KHOU-TV Channel 11, host/senior producer, “Great Day Houston” and Charles Scott, KPRC-TV news photographer and editor........ IT’S ALL ABOUT THE YOUTH…….The Ivy Educational and Charitable Foundation (IEACF) of

Houston, Inc. has a mission to empower, encourage and children and match them with a mentor who will help educate youth to elevate their quality of life in Houston them realize the masterpiece in each of them. Comcast and beyond. The organization celebrated their 30th and public artist and community developer Reginald Adams were honored for their outstanding service Anniversary Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show and dedication to our youth........ROSE PETALS and honored several individuals. The 2011 honorees OF PERFECTION……..The Alpha Kappa Omega included public artist and community developer, Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Reginald Adams, founder and Inc. hosted a mother/daughter reception head of schools of YES Prep Join Yvette Chargois for 23 young ladies who were presented Public Schools, Christopher to society at the 13th Biennial Debutante Barbic, former president of Events of the Week Ball. Judge Vanessa Gilmore was the Sunnyside Up, Maggi Blocker, More photos on defendernetwork.com keynote speaker. We salute Gwendolyn founder and president of Elves See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. Brinkley, South Central Regional director, & More, David Moore, vice president of Shell Oil Company Tamara Cubit, chapter president, and Foundation, Dr. Frazier Wilson all chapter members for a beautiful and the founder and director of Let the Fashion Beginafternoon..... 43 YEARS AND COUNTING…….The Men of Style, Clarease Rankin Yates......THE BIG Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) celebrated 43 BALL…….The Big Black Tie Ball: An Evening of years of service to this great community by “Changing Masterpieces benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters was Lives and Creating Bright Futures” for thousands of chaired by Anita and Gerald Smith and raised a record- people. During its Equal Opportunity Day Gala, awards breaking amount of money that will benefit hundreds of were presented to Fleishman Hillard, ConocoPhillips

defendernetwork.com • Serving th

splace

E BIG BALL)

d Heavyweight Champ George Foreman

.Chapter President Tamara Cubit and Regional Director Gwendolyn Brinkley..... (ROSE PETALS OF PERFECTION)

Josie Daniels, Karen Hauser and Regina Drake.....(JAZZ SOIREE)

Black Employee Network, BP America, Occidental Petroleum, and Comcast for their outstanding corporate support of the organization. Many thanks to David L. Mendez, honorary gala chair, Sherman Lewis and Genora Boykins, co-chairs and Judson Robinson III, president and CEO of HAUL.....CELEBRATING 25 YEARS…….The Harris County Precinct One Street Olympics program, celebrated its 25th Annual Summer Games Final Event at Reliant Arena. Founded in 1986 by Commissioner El Franco Lee, the free summer games program takes activities traditionally played on the street and turns them into an Olympic-style competition. These activities give children the opportunity to develop new skills while competing in a fun-filled environment. The ceremonial torch was lit by Michelle Martin, Terrell Jenkins and Oyfmem Mendez.....A MOVING LEGEND……..A-Rocket Moving and Storage has been in the relocation business for over 50 years. To celebrate this milestone, the A-Rocket team chose to honor several corporate and small business partners that collaborated with them over the years. Since its

he Houston area for over 80 years

Gala Co-Chairs Genoria Boykins and Sherman Lewis..... (FORTY-THREE YEARS AND COUNTING)

Defender Publisher Sonceria Messiah Jiles, Scholarship Recipient Kerry Melonson, TSU School of Communication Dean Dr. James Ward, KTSU-FM General manager George Thomas, Scholarship Recipients Samatha Vallejo and Scharriziod “Sharay Edwards. (TWELVE TASTES OF CHRISTMAS)

inception, the company has become a Houston institution and will certainly enjoy the continued growth of its reputation during the next 50 years. We salute the founders, Irlene and Herbert Sams, president and CEO DeAndre Sam and the entire A-Rocket team..... GREAT PAST, BRIGHT FUTURE……..Former heavyweight champion, businessman and minister George Foreman returned to the home that he credits for making him the man that he is today. He was honored by the Julia C. Hester House at their annual luncheon whose mission is to enhance the quality of lives in Fifth Ward and surrounding communities through programs and services promoting self-empowerment. Congratulations to executive director, Jennifer Holmes, the board of directors and staff.....JAZZ SOIREE.....Delta Sigma Theta Sorority/Houston Alumnae Chapter hosted their 10th Annual Jazz Soiree and took the estimated crowd of 1,500 on an Egyptian experience. The chapter continues implementing programs and initiatives of the sorority’s national Five-Point Programmatic Thrust, including Educational Development, International

Awareness and Involvement, Political Awareness, and Physical and Mental Health, as their platform to forge the national challenge to “Transform Lives and Impact Communities.” The recipient of the Thelma Patton Law Award was presented to Jackye Alton, president and CEO of Almeda Travel. Kudos to chapter president, Karan Hauser, event chair, Josie Daniels and cochair, Regina Drake.....SCHOLARSHIP GALA...... The Defender and KTSU-FM welcomed guests to the 15th annual ‘Twelve Tastes of Christmas’ Scholarship Gala. Five deserving students from the TSU School of Communication received $2,000.00 scholarships thanks to BUICK and other sponsors of the event. Scholarship recipients included Samatha Vallejo, Brandon Benson, Scharriziod Edwards, Kerry Melonson and Robert Clary. Guests tasted food provided by 12 local Houston eateries, enjoyed a Jazz concert featuring the legendary Joe Sample, shopped with local small businesses in the Holiday marketplace and kicked up their heels on the dance floor. Fabulous holiday event!.....etc. .......From Chag’s Place to your place, Happy Holidays!

DEFENDER | WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011

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sports

Top 10

college & pro sports stories By MAX EDISON Defender

Well it’s that time again. Wow, where did the year go? Here is a look at the top 10 sports stories in the college and professional ranks, starting in reverse order.

Texans win the AFC South and make the playoffs. Who cares if it took them 10 years to do it? The top story by far is the Houston Texans winning the AFC South and making the playoffs for the first time in their history. Not only did the team win the division, but clinched it in week 14 of the season. Texanmania has hit the city and it’s a beautiful thing! For the longsuffering fans of the franchise it’s the perfect Christmas gift.

and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith did a masterful job of posturing and legal positioning to prove each side’s point of view. It was truly an epic heavyweight display by two titans in their respective fields. In the end they reached a compromise that both sides could live with and the regular season began on time without a hitch.

Sumlin goes to A&M. Hey, Kevin Sumlin after going 12-1 at UH, where you going? Well if you were expecting him to say Disney World guess again. Like Art Briles before him coach Sumlin is cashing in his chips while he’s way ahead and taking his coaching talents to College Station. Sumlin will double his salary and have access to the seemingly endless resources that A&M enjoys.

The team has persevered despite injuries, some season-ending, to key players including a pair of quarterbacks. Running back Arian Foster has shown that last year was no fluke, as he continues to prove that he is one of the NFL’s elite backs. By the way, he has shown a new dimension, catching the ball. The defense has quietly emerged from the outhouse to the penthouse under defensive guru Wade Phillips as one of the best units. Antonio Smith, Conner Barwin, Brian Cushing and Johnathan Joseph are all having Pro-Bowl seasons. J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed are both All-Rookie team performers. Some have called the Texans this year’s NFL team of destiny. Who knows if that’s true, but they are without question this year’s top sports story.

The UH Cougars run the table. Well, they ran the table through the C-USA regular season finishing 12-0 for the first time in school history. At one point in the season the team was ranked

The Houston Texans made the playoffs for the first time.

as high as No. 6 in the nation. The Cougars were a virtual offensive explosion waiting to happen. They led the nation in scoring, averaging 50.8 points per game. QB Case Keenum broke every career passing record on the face of the earth, as the Coogs led the nation in passing offense (443.8 yds per game). Keenum was named C-USA MVP. Head coach Kevin Sumlin was named C-USA Coach of the Year and wide receiver Patrick Edwards and defensive end Sammy Brown were both named All-Americans.

The NFL lockout. You might be asking, “Why is the NFL lockout No. 3and the NBA lockout No. 9?” Easy, because the NFL is infinitely more important than the NBA. In a true sign of which sport is America’s top activity, fans were actually on the verge of becoming physically ill if the season had not begun on time. For the record, the lockout lasted 136 days and was the longest work stoppage in league history. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

Will there be added pressure? Oh yes. Will there be tougher competition going to the SEC? No question about it. But these are the challenges that drive all successful business executives, and football head coaches on this level are essentially CEOs of football. Sumlin is extremely smart on and off the field and has a solid grasp of the culture at A&M, having been an assistant coach there in the past under R.C. Slocum. Expect Sumlin to be successful and if he can find a quarterback, it could be sooner than we think.

RG III wins the Heisman Trophy. Defender readers were asked in September to keep an eye on the talented QB from Baylor. Sure

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WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011 | DEFENDER

enough, Robert Griffin III became the first Baylor player to ever win the prestigious Heisman. Griffin put the nation’s spotlight on Baylor all year. The Bears finished 9-3, their first nine-win season in 25 years. RG III completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,998 yards with 36 touchdown passes and a nationleading 192.3 efficiency rating. Expect Griffin, who has already completed his undergrad degree, to forgo his final year at Baylor and enter the 2012 NFL Draft.

NBA Finals upset. A funny thing happened on the way to the pending coronation and parade to celebrate the best team NBA money can buy, the Miami Heat. They were upset by the Dallas Mavericks, four games to two. The much publicized big three of Wade, James and Bosh were no match for Dirk Nowitzki and company. It was the Mavericks first NBA title. Nowitzki was named the series MVP.

Final Four comes to Houston. Reliant Stadium was the host venue for the 2011 Final Four and did so in grand style. Butler, Kentucky, Virginia Commonwealth and Connecticut were all in town for the weekend. UConn ultimately defeated Butler in the finals 53-41. UConn guard Kemba Walker was voted the Most Outstanding Player. An attendance record was set with 145,747 total fans taking in the three games.

Astros sale final. Jim Crane officially bought the Astros from Drayton McLane on Nov. 17. McLane had owned the franchise for 20 years. Crane hired former Rockets president and CEO George Postolos for the same position with the Astros. He also hired former St. Louis Cardinal VP Jeff Luhnow as his new general manager.

The NBA lockout. The NBA owners and its players union were involved in a contentious labor disagreement that lasted 149 days. The lockout caused the league to scrap the first two months of the season and postpone training camp openings. With the lockout over the NBA announced an amended 66-game schedule beginning on Christmas Day.

Sammy Brown (top) had a great year with the Cougars. Robert Griffin III (right) won the Heisman Trophy. The NFL lockout (above right) ended and fans rejoiced. Jeff Luhnow (far right) became the new Astros GM.

Coaches involved in sex scandals on college campuses. It’s the sort of story that makes you sick to the stomach – college coaches sexually assaulting minors, some allegedly as young as 10 years old. Former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was charged with 52 criminal counts for what a grand jury called a series of sexual assaults and abuse of 10 boys dating back to the 1990s. The incidents took place in hotel swimming pools, the basement of his home in State College and in the locker room showers at Penn State, where he coached football until his retirement in 1999. In addition, Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine was accused of molesting two former Orangemen ball boys

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011

h.s.zone

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

High school athletes from the greater Houston area produced more than their share of memorable moments during the 2011 calendar year. Yet there are only a handful of times during a lifetime that fans can witness a truly special talent. Ten years ago, Vince Young led Houston Madison to its only berth in a state title game. Young would later guide the University of Texas to an NCAA national championship and go on to earn NFL Rookie of the Year honors and become an All-Pro. Not since the days of Young has the Houston area been able to watch an athlete of similar magnitude. That was until the arrival of Hightower quarterback Bralon Addison the past two seasons. The Hightower senior signal caller is a smaller version of Young with similar instincts and an uncanny feel for the game. His junior season was spectacular. This season Addison has slipped into the stratosphere. Addison accounted for six touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ 54-35 victory over San Antonio Madison that vaulted Hightower into the Class 5A Division I state championship game against unbeaten Southlake Carroll. After opening the 2011 season with losses to Eisenhower and The Woodlands, Hightower won 13 consecutive games to reach the state’s elite with Addison running the show.

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Bralon Addison and Hightower earned the right to be the Houston Defender’s No. 1 high school story for 2011. Addison was selected the Touchdown Club of Houston’s Offensive Player of the Year recently after rushing for 1,172 yards and 12 touchdowns while throwing for 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns with just three interceptions this season. A defining moment for Addison came in the regional semifinals against undefeated Cy-Fair when the Hurricanes were protecting a seven-point lead and facing a fourthand three on their own 21-yard line with just under three minutes to play. Hightower head coach Barry Abercrombie called a timeout and told his quarterback to line up in punt formation and read how the Cy-Fair punt-return team was reacting. Addison, who has committed to Texas A&M, took three steps to his right and scampered 14 yards for the gameclinching first down. “Bralon is my best player and I trust him to make the right decision out there,” Abercrombie said. “You put your best players in position to win games.”

The North Shore boys varsity track and field team was supposed to be in a rebuild mode following the school’s first state track title in 2010. Despite losing four Division I athletes to graduation, first-year head coach Garrett Cross realized he had the building blocks to make another run to the state’s biggest stage in Austin. “When we hit the weight room, we could see their stride patterns opening up and increasing from what it was last year,” Cross said. “The kids really developed and were able to step in for the kids we lost.” Junior Jermaine Authorlee won the boys state 200-meter dash crown and Jaylon Hicks captured the 100-meter dash. Devante Davis repeated as the 5A triple-jump champion and North Shore won the 4X100 and 4X200 relays to amass 73 points and easily outdistance runner-up Copperas Cove (51).

ished Mansfield Timberview 56-19 in the state semifinals to advance to play Cibolo Steele in the Class 5A Division II state title game. Williams rushed for 227 yards and six TDs in the rout of Timberview.

Four Houston area high schools earned a berth in “Championship Week” at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. In 2011, Hempstead advanced to the Class 2A Division I championship game against Melissa. Fort Bend Hightower faced Southlake Carroll in the Class 5A Division I finals. Spring Dekaney took on Cibolo Steele in the 5A Division II championship game while Manvel squared off against defending Class 4A Division II state champion Aledo. All four schools were trying to win a state football title for the first time. Hempstead (14-0) took its first undefeated season since 1955, when the Bobcats lost in the second

Hightower’s Bralon Addison excelled at the QB position.

Dekaney running back Trey Williams was on a mission in 2011. Despite setting all kinds of personal records in his sophomore and juniors seasons, Williams was committed to getting the wildcats into the postseason and making a bid for a state championship. After disposing of District 13-5A rival Westfield in the regional final, Williams and his teammates pun-

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WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011 DEFENDER

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round of the playoffs and finished 11-1, into the season’s final week. Former NFL running back Harvey Williams led the 1984 team to the state semifinals and they finished 13-2. Even with North Shore, Katy, La Marque and Pearland winning state titles over the past decade, at no time during that time span has the Greater Houston area had four schools make a title-game appearance in the same calendar year.

The Woodlands came into the girls’ Class 5A state softball tournament ranked No. 1 nationally by ESPN Rise Magazine. The Lady Highlanders’ only loss of the season came in the regional finals against longtime rival Tomball in game one of a best-ofthree series. They had to win two consecutive elimination games just to reach the state tournament. Once there, the Lady Highlanders defeated defending state champion Pearland (6-0) in the state semifinals and held of Northside O’Connor 7-5 in the 5A title game. Junior left-handed pitcher Paige McDuffee went the distance in both games and was named the championship game Most Valuable Player. McDuffee struck out the final hitter with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh to secure the victory. She also had two hits in the game while celebrating her 17th birthday. Two other Houston area schools brought home state softball titles in 2011, including Santa Fe in Class 4A and Danbury in Class 2A.

4 5

How’s this for finishing in a grand fashion? Brazoswood lost two of its final three regular-season games in Class 5A baseball action before reeling off a 13-game winning streak in the playoffs to claim the 5A state championship. The Bucs were underdogs in every one of their playoff matchups, including Fort Bend Kempner, South Houston, Deer Park, Houston Lamar and Spring Branch Memorial. In the state semifinals against Klein, William Easter rallied his team from behind with a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to highlight a 4-3 victory. The Bucs made it easy in the title game with a 10-3 win over Lubbock Coronado.

Perhaps the biggest upset of the year took place on Nov. 26th when La Porte ended Katy’s unbeaten season in the regional semifinals. The last time Katy didn’t make it to the regional championship was in 2001, when Vince Young and Houston Madison ousted the Tigers in the second round. La Porte’s 9-7 victory was by no means a fluke. The Bulldogs’ defense held Katy’s vaunted rushing game to 56 yards and 144 overall. Katy’s lone touchdown came on a 52-yard pass from quarterback Brooks Haack to wide receiver Jordan Thompson. La Porte countered with a six-yard TD run by quarterback Joshua Vidales and a 30-yard field goal by Eric Medina. Reliant Stadium was so sure that Katy and its monstrous following would advance to the regional title game that it booked the game a week in advance with the winner guaranteed a return game at Reliant the following week for the state semifinals. La Porte also dealt Katy its first playoff loss at Tully Stadium.

District 24-4A certainly made a case for the strongest Class 4A district in the Lone Star State. Manvel advanced to the 4A Division II state title game. Pearland Dawson earned a berth in the 4A

The Brazoswood Bucs (above) celebrated the 5A state championship. The Woodlands Lady Highlanders (far left) took home a softball title. Four playmakers included (left, top to bottom) Tommy Armstrong of Cibolo Steele, Jordan Thompson of Katy, Justin Stockton of Cibolo Steel and Trey Williams of DeKaney.

Division I state semifinals opposite defending state champ Lake Travis while La Marque advanced to the regional finals against Manvel. It took some late-game magic for the Manvel Mavericks to make the school’s first appearance in a state-championship game after only four years of varsity competition. A personal foul penalty on Corpus Christi Calallen with no time remaining in regulation and the score tied allowed Josh Martinez the opportunity to kick a game-winning 25-yard field goal, giving Manvel a 31-28 win and a trip to Arlington to face Aledo.

Worthing All-American Jenzel Nash concluded her prep career in spectacular fashion. She was the nation’s leading scorer in girls’ basketball with a whopping 37.7 points per game average, including a 64-point outburst against Booker T. Washington. Nash won her third consecutive District 22-4A cross country title earlier in the 2010-2011 school year before qualifying in five events for the regional track meet. She’s currently playing basketball at UTEP.

Although it technically happened in mid December of 2010, it had a carry-over affect that set the tone for Houston area high school athletes in 2011. Pearland’s upset victory (28-24) over No. 1 nationally-ranked Euless Trinity at Cowboys Stadium in the Class 5A Division I state title game was so memorable that the Pearland faithful celebrated again with a parade in January.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011

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Top 20 Local Stories... Continued from page 4

that Jones used her city position to solicit clients for her private law practice. The activities, according to the probe, involved the improper use of city resources and personnel as well as Jones’ lack of cooperation and truthfulness with the OIG. Jones, however, insisted she was innocent of the charges. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office agreed, and concluded there was not enough evidence to prove Jones committed a crime. In the December runoff election, however, Jones lost her At-Large Position 5 seat to challenger Jack Christie.

School safety questioned after shooting

HISD worked overtime to calm parental fears after a shooting at Betsy Ross Elementary School. A kindergartener brought a loaded gun to school, and he and two other students were injured when the gun fired after falling from his pocket as he sat down for lunch. Forty-two kindergarteners were having lunch in the cafeteria when the gun discharged. The boy who brought the gun was injured in his foot and another boy was grazed in his leg. A girl was injured in her knee. A warrant was later issued over the gun, as police sought 30-year-old Wrolandrea Hensley on a misdemeanor charge of making a handgun accessible to a child.

Red light cameras on and off

Drivers who were relieved when Houston shut off the red light cameras had reason to be concerned again. Mayor Annise Parker announced in July that the controversial cameras were going to be turned back on. (They had been turned off in 2010 after voters said they didn’t want them, yet a legal battle continued to be waged). In August, the City Council put an end to the cameras by ordering their immediate shutdown and then prohibiting the use of cameras to catch those who run red lights. The company that owned the cameras indicated it would take the matter to court and sue the city for breach of contract.

City of Houston begins layoffs

The City of Houston began downsizing its workforce in an attempt to compensate for the city’s $80 million budget shortfall projected for 2012. Mayor Annise Parker forwarded memorandum to City Council members as well as department heads stating that “non-public safety” department workers would be the first targeted for layoffs. The layoffs went into effect in May and more than 600 city employees received notices. Those affected by the layoff remained on the city’s payroll until July 1. News about city workers being laid off was bad news for Houstonians in general, but specifically for African Americans because of the large percentage of Blacks in government jobs.

Drainage fees up and down

The implementation of drainage fees became a sore spot for some Houstonians. Voters for and against Proposition I, which established the fees, were told they would average $5 per month or $60 per year. However, Houston residents began receiving drainage fee notices well in excess of campaign estimates. Mayor Parker then proposed lowering the drainage fee by exempting 1,000 square feet of hard surface at each home or business. The move was expected to lower the median bill from $8.25 a month to between $5 and $6. “We want to make it right for the voters,” Parker said.

Voter ID law passed, put on hold

Senate Bill 14, which requires Texas voters to present photo identification at a polling place, was signed into law in May. The law was supported by Republicans but opposed by minority and voting rights groups, who thought the law made it harder to go to the polls. A November ruling, however, put the controversial

legislation on hold. The U.S. Justice Department notified the Texas Secretary of State’s office that information it provided regarding the ID law is insufficient to determine whether it violates the Voting Rights Act. The Justice Department asked the state for demographic information about voters that Texas election officials say is almost impossible to provide.

Bill cuts 8.1% of state’s budget

Also in May, lawmakers voted in support of a budget viewed by opponents as a disappointment to Texans. The bill cut $15.2 billion or 8.1 percent from the state’s budget. The final deal was reached after House and Senate Republicans negotiated behind closed doors, and came back with a proposal that among other things, slashed billions from public education, decreased funding for higher education and reduced financial aid. Lawmakers voted mostly along party lines for the two-year spending plan, which had been debated since February. The Senate voted 20-11 and the House 97-53.

Jolanda Jones wins and loses

It was an eventful year for Houston City Councilmember Jolanda Jones. First an investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) found

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Mayor Annise Parker (top) and outgoing Councilmember Jolanda Jones (left) both had an eventful year.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011 DEFENDER

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Community ﬁghts for North Forest

Supporters of North Forest ISD were upset when in July 2011, the Texas Education Agency ordered the district to close, effective July 2012. The order came after yet another academically unacceptable school rating. TEA said HISD would annex North Forest ISD and take over its 7,500 students. In November, TEA Commissioner Robert Scott notified the school’s administration that he was officially revoking the district’s accreditation. North Forest school board members remained determined to keep the district operating and accredited, and planned to use legal means to battle TEA’s decision. They also outlined a plan to revitalize the district by making it academically acceptable within a year, and financially solvent within two years.

Houston area impacted by drought

A historic drought devastated crops and forced millions of Texans to abide by mandatory water restrictions Locally, the city mandated the implementation of water conservation measures, in which residents followed a schedule for outdoor irrigation. In September, the combination of drought and gusty winds caused wildfires to rage across the state. In Grimes County northwest of Houston, a fire destroyed nearly two dozen homes and threatened hundreds more. Some 5,000 acres burned in Montgomery County and thousands of residents were evacuated from their homes. At least 2,500 acres burned in Waller County. The drought also took a toll on Houston’s vegetation, and the city received approval to spend $4.5 million to remove dead trees from city parks and esplanades.

Metro moves forward with rail

Metro officials celebrated in August as workers poured concrete for a new section of light-rail track for the first time in 10 years. In November, Metro and federal officials signed the longawaited $900 million full-funding grants for the North and Southeast rail lines. The two grants total $450 million each. The Southeast Line will primarily serve the Black community. It begins in downtown Houston and runs along Capitol and Rusk southeast to the vicinity of Palm Center at MLK and Griggs. The approximately six-mile rail line connects downtown with Texas Southern University and the University of Houston.

Confederate ﬂag license plate debated

Blacks across Texas opposed a state license plate that would have included the Confederate flag. The specialty plate was proposed by Sons of Confederate Veterans. Opponents argued that the flag epitomized slavery, oppression and brutality, and aired their feelings during a November Texas Department of Motor Vehicles board meeting to vote on the proposal.

Metro (above) moved forward with more rail. Andrew Burks (left) and Jerry Davis (right) won election to City Council. Gospel station Praise 92.1 FM went off the air in 2011.

The DMV Board voted unanimously to reject license plates featuring the flag, and approved a proposal for a Buffalo Soldiers license plate. A Native American group later announced it was offended by license plates honoring the Buffalo Soldiers, who fought against them in the 1800s.

Elections change City Council

In addition to the defeat of Jolanda Jones, other changes occurred on Houston’s City Council. In the Nov. 8 election, Larry Green won the newly formed District K seat with 67% of the vote. (Incumbents Wanda Adams and C.O. Bradford held on to their seats). In the District B race to replace Jarvis Johnson, Alvin Byrd and Jerry Davis were forced into the Dec. 10 runoff. Meanwhile, At-Large Position 2 candidate Andrew Burks faced Kristi Thibaut in the runoff. Davis narrowly won his seat in the runoff, receiving 3,127 votes (51 percent) compared to 3,029 (49 percent) for Byrd.

Burks took advantage of a strong showing in Fort Bend County to defeat Thibaut in the runoff. Newcomers Green, Davis and Burks join four other new Council members – Helena Brown, Jack Christie, Ellen Cohen and Mike Laster.

Black Houston radio transformed

Houston’s gospel music station, Praise 92.1FM, went off the air in November, and was replaced by an all-news format, News 92FM. Station officials said the decision was dictated by declining ratings and falling revenue. Many radio listeners were also disappointed to learn of the cancellation of talk shows “Sunday Morning Live” on Majic 102 FM and “Dialogue with Ada Edwards” on what was formerly Praise 92.1. Houston Black community leaders in turn called a meeting with the executive management of the stations’ owner, Radio One, to address concerns. One of the results of the meeting was the return of “Sunday Morning Live” to Majic on Jan. 8. during its previous time slot of 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF DECEMBER 22 | 2011 | defendernetwork.com

In Memorial... Continued from page 2 was a longtime civil rights activist.

Nick Ashford, who along with his wife

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Valerie Simpson wrote a bevy of classic hits, died of throat cancer on Aug. 22. He was 70. Their compositions included “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “You’re All I Need to Get By” and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.”

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known for his Houston community activism, died Sept. 1 at the age of 68. He spent more than four decades on the front lines of protests and progressive organizing and was a founder of the National Black United Front. Troy Davis was executed on Sept. 21 for the murder of an off-duty policeman after the U.S. Supreme Court denied a last-minute stay of execution amid widespread public doubts about his guilt. Davis, 42, died by lethal injection. Vesta Williams, a big-voiced songstress, was found dead in her El Segundo, Calif., hotel room on Sept. 23 at age 53. The singer was known for her hits “Special,” “Sweet Sweet Love” and her signature ballad, “Congratulations.”

Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, a civil rights

pioneer, died Oct. 5 at age 89. In 1957, Shuttlesworth formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy and Bayard Rustin.

Joe Frazier,

former heavyweight champion, succumbed to liver cancer on Nov. 7 at the age of 67. He won an Olympic gold medal in 1964 and won the title in 1970. Three epic fights will forever link him with Muhammad Ali.

Heavy D , died Nov. 8 after collapsing in his home. He was 44. The rapper was born Dwight Arrington Myers. He came to prominence in the late ‘80s with his group The Boyz. His career transformed to the business side of the industry and then on to TV and film.

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