February 10, 2011

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INTERVIEW

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Marc MorialIs America Marching in Two Different Directions?

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FamilyRaising Eager Readers

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Julianne MalveauxRon Walters - A Scholar and a Gentleman

By Kam WilliamsCONTRIBUTING WRITER00

Somalia. The name alone conjures up images ofunbridled destruction, merciless warlords and ruthlessterror. A place where nobody is safe from the atrocitiesof war, and where eight year olds handle AK-47s liketoys. When Forbes magazine recently unveiled their“Most Dangerous Destinations,” Somalia, above Iraqand Afghanistan, topped the list. But it’s also “TheNation of Poets,” where a poem can both inspire peaceand end wars.

Growing up, it was both of these Somalias thatinformed musician/emcee K’naan Warsame, who isforging his own musical path via a unique blend of reg-gae, funk, pop, soul and, above all, hip-hop. Recordedprimarily in Kingston, Jamaica at Bob Marley’s homestudio, his second album, “Troubadour,” includes contri-

butions by the likes of Damian Marley, Mos Def, Chali2na, Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Adam Levine ofMaroon 5.

During his early childhood, the Western music, whichreached K’naan’s ears was pretty much limited to “BobMarley and Tracy Chapman,” until at 10, he becamefascinated by the hip-hop being emitting from a tiny carspeaker. “I had heard a rap verse, but I had no idea whatit was back then,” he recalls.

At 14, K’naan and his three best friends were attackedby warlords, just one of countless indelible images forthe impressionable teenager. Having chased themthrough the streets of Mogadishu, eventually corneringthe boys in an alley, the men began shooting. K’naanavoided injury, but his three friends were brutallygunned down.

Certain that it was only a matter of time before her

Kickin’ back with K’Naan

By Odochi IbeNNPA SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - The Congressional Black Caucus istackling the current debilitating joblessness in the Black communityhead-on with several sessions on the connection between educationand employment at its 40th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC).The conference will be September 15-18 at the Walter E. WashingtonConvention Center.

Sen. Ronald W. Burris (D- Ill) recently hosted a panel on “ExploringMinority Business Opportunities with the Federal Government.” Sen.Burris, a strong advocate of looking toward the future when it comesto employment, believes Americans should devote time into learningnew technologies and becoming aware of new jobs in the emerging

DEFENDER NEWS SERVICE

The director of financialservices for Harris County hasbeen indicted for theft andfraud. The indictments recentlyhanded down against EdwinHarrison come from allega-tions that he stole from an eld-erly relative, Cecile Harrison

Harrison is responsible for alot of money-related issues inthe county, but his indictmentsstem solely from the allega-

tions against his relative, who’solder than the age of 65.Harrison faces charges of FalseStatement to Obtain Credit,Tampering with aGovernmental Record, Theft,and Misapplication ofFiduciary Property. Three ofthe charges are first degreefelonies that expose Harrisonup to 99 years or life in prison.The fourth is a state jail felony

★INDICTED, Page 3

★CBC Page 3

★K’NAAN, Page 2

★@ defendernetwork.comLet us know what you think adout the Mural Preservationon Friday @ defendernetwork.com. We want to hear from you!

By ReShonda Tate BillingsleyDEFENDER

Texas Southern University’s president has come upwith a plan he hopes will put an end to a contro-versy surrounding the painting over of some his-

toric murals on the campus of the historically Black uni-versity. But some students and community memberswonder if his contribution of $50,000 for a Preservationplan is enough to undo the damage. University officialssay they know it’s not enough, but it’s a first step.

“We know $50,000 isn’t enough for the whole project.It’s just enough to bring in a conservator to analyze the

★MURALS, Page 7

By Imani EvansSPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM

THE DALLAS EXAMINER

DALLAS (NNPA) - The arcane world ofairport concessions contracts has been laidbare, and for some, what they see isn’t pretty.

After hours of sometimes heated discussion,a racially divided city council voted 8-7against a proposal that would have given morethan half of the concession space in a renovat-ed Love Field terminal to the airport’s currentvendors - without a competitive bid - for aterm of up to 18 years.

To the surprise of some long-time councilobservers, the council overruled a recommen-

dation by city staff to extendthe contracts of StarConcessions and HudsonRetail Sales - two firms withties to prominentDemocrats, including StateRep. Helen Giddings andU.S. Congresswoman EddieBernice Johnson - without acompetitive bid.

The essence of the citystaff recommendation that the no-bid contractswould be appropriate given the incumbents’experience, the desirability of minimizing dis-ruptions during the renovation and the busi-ness risks taken by the incumbents, which

included significant capitalinvestments, during a peri-od of uncertainty followingthe 9/11 terror attacks ulti-mately failed to carry theargument.

In the three years sincethe council first embarkedon its Love Field modern-ization plan, the conces-sions contracts have

emerged as by far the most contentious issue,and have led to accusations of politicalfavoritism on both sides.

★AIRPORT CONTRACTS, Page 4

Airport contracts divide DallasCity Council in Race debate

County financialdirector indicted

CBC tacklesunemployment

The Houston community is rememberinga longtime politicalactivist who died Sept. 11,2010. Beulah Shepard,89, made her mark bothlocally and nationally as atireless fighter for civilrights and political jus-tice.

Funeral services will beheld at 10am at GalileeMBC, 6616 D.S. BaileyLane. Pastor EdwinDavis, officiating. Interment: Houston

★SHEPARD, Page 4

REMEMBERING

Beulah Shepard

BeaulahShepard

Save the TSU Muralswww.tsu.edu/givingor contact Wendy Adair

University Advancement [email protected]

Eddie BerniceJohnson

HelenGiddings

Weekend Weekend Monday

Benjamin Chavis:Black Philanthopy:Judge Greg Mathis:Educate Military Recruits

Quality Time with Nia

H LONG, Page 11

H HPD BRUTALITY, Page 8

H OBESITY, Page 6

OUTRAGEDInvestigating HPD Police Brutality

By ReShonda Tate BillingsleyDefender

The investigation into alleged police brutal-

ity by the Houston Police Department is heating up as community and political leaders call for swift justice, and one congressional leader is go-ing so far as seeking federal intervention.

The Houston Chapter of the NAACP is among those civic and community leaders ask-ing for stiffer penalties for the accused officers, more transparency in the justice system. and a civilian review board to investigate claims of police brutality.

“There is a problem with police brutality and use of excessive force that will no longer be tolerated,” said Rev. D.Z. Cofield, president of the Houston chapter of the NAACP.

Cofield was among hundreds of people who recently attended a rally speaking out

Obesity Epidemic in TexasObesity, a major risk fac-

tor for many chronic diseases, has reached epidemic propor-tions globally.13 A third of the world’s adult population was obese or overweight in 2005, and if current trends continue the share could reach 57.8 per-cent by 2030.14

The U.S. has already passed that mile¬stone. The U.S. Cen-ters for Disease Con¬trol and Prevention (CDC) reports that 63.2 percent of U.S. adults were obese or overweight in 2009.

And Texas is in even worse shape — fully two-thirds of Texans (66.7 percent) are over-weight or clinically obese.15

According to the CDC, U.S. adult obesity rates rose from 11.6 percent in 1990 to 27.1 per-cent in 2009. In Texas, our share of adults who are obese more than doubled from 12.3 percent to 29.5 percent (Exhibit 1). Over the same period, the share of Texas adults at normal weight fell sharply, from 57.1 percent to just 33.1 percent, a drop of 42

NAACP defends Voting Rights case

Special to the NNPA from thedefendersonline.com

(New York, NY) – The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) recently presented oral argument in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder, a case challeng-ing a core provision of the Voting Rights Act known as Section 5. The provision requires jurisdictions with

HNAACP, Page 10

Nitara Carlynn Long was born in Brooklyn on October 30, 1970, but was reared mostly in South Cen-tral Los Angeles in the wake of her parents’ divorce.

The accomplished actress first found fame on TV on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and enjoyed recurring roles on such series as Judging Amy (2001-2002), Third Watch (2003-2005), Boston Legal (2007), Big Shots (2007-2008) and, most recently, The Cleveland Show (2009-present).

Her breakout performance on the silver screen was in 1997 when she starred opposite Larenz Tate in Love Jones. And her resume includes roles in such films as Are We There Yet, Are We Done Yet, The Best Man, Boiler Room, Boyz ‘n the Hood, Friday, Alfie, Soul Food, In Too Deep and Big Momma’s House 1 & 2.

In 2000, People Magazine named her one

of the World’s 50 Most Beautiful People, and she also landed the No. 3 spot on Black Men Magazine’s 10 Sexiest Women list. Later that same year, Nia had a son, Massai Doresy Jr. who she is currently raising in L.A.

Here, she talks about her new movie, Mooz-Lum, a dysfunctional family drama where she plays Safiyah, the long-suffering wife of an overbearing, religious zealot.

KW: You’ve done an impressive body of work covering comedic and dramatic roles. What attracted you to the script about this mother conflicted between her son and her husband?

NL: I just thought the film had so many wonderful layers of the journey that women take with mother-hood. There’s no book out there that tells you how to be a good parent. So much of

parenting is following your instincts, and taking the time to actually know your child. I’m raising a 10-year-old boy, and my son in the film, Tariq [Evan Ross] goes through the traditional growing pains associated with transitioning from a boy to a young man. When I read the script, I immediately thought to myself, “Wow! This is a really special movie. It’s entertaining, it deals with a lot of social issues, and it addresses practical parenting concerns that everyone can relate to.”

KW: Did having a son yourself help in portraying the mother in the movie?

NL: Absolutely! The minute your child is born, your life is changed forever. I think I’ve become so aware of how important balance is in life. I have to constantly make sure that it stays that way for myself and for my son, because if I’m not emotionally avail-

By Kam William

Quanell X, released a second videotape of a young African-American man being assaulted while in handcuffs by a Houston Police officer. Describing the events that took place, Quanell X explained that while his young son was having his appendix removed, Henry Madge, 26, sat in the hospital lobby listening to a church sermon on his laptop. A police officer got angry about how loud the sermon was and proceeded to handcuff the

Second police abuse videotape released

H VIDEOTAPE, Page 8

Houston Police officers were captured on videotape kicking and punching Chad Holley. The tape was aired first on KTRK-TV for public viewing.

Top: Cindy Paxton, an ex-employee of the storage company which recorded the incident, was praised by Quanell X as the Rosa Parks in the Chad Holley assault. Bottom: Mayor Annise Parker apologized to Quanell X at the townhall meeting.

Still Working to Uplift the Underprivileged

2012 Hip-Hop Vote

Community leaders speak out ... page 8

2 SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010 | DEFENDER

family met the same fate, K’naan’s motherwould travel daily through the firefight tothe U.S. embassy in the hopes of securingvisas for her and her loved ones. Despitedaily denials, she persisted, and on the lastday the U.S. embassy was in Somalia,received visas to leave for America.

“You can’t even describe it,” saysK’naan. “It is the most sensational, liberat-ing feeling. There was the weight of a worldof hope on your shoulder that has suddenlylanded. It was only then that I started to getthis certain value of life that I never hadbefore.” With little possessions and noknowledge of English, K’naan and his fami-ly boarded the last commercial flight out ofMogadishu for New York before settling inToronto.

The tunes on Troubadour reflect the sumof K’Nasan’s life experiences. Having spentthe better part of the last two years on theroad, visiting over 50 countries fromSlovenia to Peru to Vietnam to Uganda, thealbum is the sonic document of an artistwith much to share, and disproves rapmusic’s detractors who say that hip-hop hasnothing new left to say.

The CD’s first single, “Wavin’ Flag,” hasbecome an international sensation, and wasthe official anthem of the World CupChampionship hosted this summer by SouthAfrica. Reaching over 150 countries, thesignature song was featured on K’Naan’sFIFA-sponsored Trophy Tour, which saw theemerging rap star spreading his message tosoccer fans in concerts staged all around theworld.

K’naan has also re-recorded new versionsof the track with Will.i.Am and Frenchdance producer David Guetta and a bilin-gual versions with Spanish pop singerDavid Bisbal, French MC Fefe, AI Otsukafrom Japan, Jackie Cheung and Jane Zhangfrom China, Tattoo Colour from Thailand,Nancy Arjam from Egypt, HHP from SouthAfrica, and other artists in Greece, Turkeyand elsewhere.

Kam Williams: Hi K’naan, thanks so muchfor the time.

K: My pleasure.KW: What was the inspiration for Wavin’

Flag?

K: I can’t remember specifically, it wasjust one of those moments when I had amelody in my head and a discontented,melancholy feeling. I just wrote that.

KW: Did it emanate at all from your child-hood?

K: I think everything kinda’ does.Everything is kind of shaped by life in gen-eral, so I guess it does feel like my child-hood might have been an influence. Butthose things are pretty subconscious.

KW: Do you still feel a strong connectionto Somalia?

K: Yes, I have many, many memories,which have impacted my life.

KW: Were you listening to a lot ofAmerican music while growing up?

K: You could live in Somalia forever andnever need music from outside Somalia.There are a lot of different styles and a vari-ety of musical ideas developing right there.

KW: What did it mean for you to haveWavin’ Flag become the anthem of theWorld Cup?

K: I used to get very excited watching theWorld Cup on TV as a child. So, to haveany kind of involvement with the WorldCup is a big, big honor.

KW: Are you a soccer fan and did you play

soccer in your youth?K: Yes I am, and I did play, like most

other children. KW: How have you been received by the

American hip-hop community? K: Great! You can tell from what’s been

happening for me. They’ve all been verysupportive and showing love for what I do.

KW: Where do you think hip-hop is head-ed?

K: I think it will always go through phas-es, like how philosophy in ancient timeswould celebrate the body and the physicalfor a while, then focus on the mind and thespiritual. I think that those phases happen tous as well, and hip-hop is one of the bestbarometers of what is happening, because itreflects the feeling of young people. I seemy music as following the feeling.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what doyou see?

K: [Chuckles] Interesting… I often try tofind the face of my teenage years. I don’tknow whether it’s like this for everybody,but I can’t find it.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?K: It probably would be good if I cooked

more, but I just don’t do it very often. WhenI do, I find it very enjoyable. I made a dish

about a year ago. It was stir-fried vegetableswith Szechuan sauce. I made it a little toospicy, I admit, but I think everybodyenjoyed it, aside from all the sweating.

KW: How do you think African music willinfluence the rest of the world in the com-ing years?

K: I think it’s actually already affectingthe world in a big way now. People justaren’t aware of it. For instance, there’s agreat tune by Coldplay called “StrawberrySwing.” It’s essentially Afro-Pop music.And most of Vampire Weekend’s music isAfro-Pop. Africa has influenced many of thebiggest bands. So, I believe Africa hasalready crept in and changed music in theWest. People just don’t know to call itAfrican.

KW: If you could have one wish instantlygranted, what would that be?

K: Wow! That would be for a sudden shiftin my country from war, distrust and deathto peace, love and harmony.

KW: Are you ever afraid?K: Yes I am, but not of what people ordi-

narily fear, fortunately. My fears are allinternal. I’m afraid of my own self morethan of anything external.

KW: Are you happy?K: Happiness, I think, is one of the most

elusive things on the planet. I believe thathappiness is only appreciated in retrospect.So, I’m always happy, given that I later findout that I was.

KW: How can your fans help you?K: By being understanding of the fact that

I don’t make music for them, but that Imake music that’s about my past and aboutmy most honest internal instincts. Theyneed to understand that more than anythingelse. Wherever I go, it’s not about them, butwhere the music takes me.

KW: What has been the happiest momentof your life?

K: The birth of my first son.KW: Do you have any regrets?K: I guess I do have some regrets, but

none big enough to obsess about.KW: How do you want to be remembered? K: As someone who was always interested

in walking through life in a positive wayand in affecting people in a positive way.

KW: Thanks again for the interview,K’Naan, and best of luck on your world tour.

K: Thank you so much, Kam.

K’Naancontinued from page 1

Musician/emcee K’Naan Warsame is forging his own musical path via a unique blendof reggae, funk, pop, soul and, above all, hip-hop.

FEBRUARY 10-16, 2011 | DEFENDER

SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010 | DEFENDER 3

green industry.The Congressional Black Caucus

Foundation, which funds the legislative con-ference, wants to ensure that the Black com-munity is aware of the changing job market,new jobs and how to prepare for them.

“So many people will never return to thejobs they lost,” said Rep. Elijah E.Cummings (D-Md.), honorary co-chair ofthis year’s events. “It’s our responsibility toincrease their ability to do the jobs that areavailable to them.”

They will be holding several town hallmeetings throughout the week to discussjobs and education, said Cummings.

Elsie Scott, president of the CBCFoundation, said that people need to knowthat federal jobs are available, but it’s nolonger a matter of taking a civic exam andhaving an application read by a supervisor.

“There’re technological advances in thehiring process” Scott said. “A computernow scans each application looking for keywords and phrases and we want the commu-nity to be cognizant of these changes toincrease their chances.”

This year’s conference will also attempt tobreak down the complex new healthcare lawthrough a Cliff-notes-type guidebook. Freehealthcare screenings, panel discussions,and forums on serious medical issues in theBlack community will befeatured. But there will beparticular focus onHIV/AIDS and bone mar-

row donation.The sessions will include “Beyond a

National AIDS Strategy: Next Steps in theFight Against HIV/AIDS in Black America”and “Sister Speak: Reducing HIV/AIDS inthe Black Community” and “Beyond Blood:Bone Marrow Donation Among AfricanAmericans - A Health and WellnessLuncheon.”

“CBC Foundation has an ongoing projectto increase AIDs awareness with fulltimeresearch on how to prevent the spread of thisdisease,” Scott said. “We have a grant fromthe Centers for Disease Control and are par-ticipating with other Black organizations toget out more attention to the public.”

This year the conference will have at leastone workshop focusing on Black women.“But we want all aspects of the communityespecially those at a higher risk to be

informed,” Scott added.Also, for the first time in its history, the

conference is partnering with the NationalBlack Justice Coalition to hold an LGBTleadership summit. The coalition is the onlynation-wide Black gay civil rights organiza-tion.

The goal of this summit is to bring atten-tion to issues pertaining to gays and lesbians;including their fight for equality. The ulti-mate goal is for people to be able to cometogether and have open and honest discus-sions.

Said Sharon Lettman-Hicks, executivedirector of the coalition, “Black communi-ties are in crisis. It’s critical that we supportthe empowerment of anyone who desires tocontribute something positive to rebuildingour families, including LGBT people.”

CBCcontinued from page 1

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VOLUME 79 • NUMBER 47 SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010

PublisherSonceria Messiah-Jiles

EditorVon Jiles

Associate EditorReShonda Billingsley

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that carries a punishmentof up to two years in stateprison.

Harrison, 54, has notbeen charged in his offi-cial capacity, and the alle-gations do not involveany loss to Harris County.Still, Harris County JudgeEd Emmett said he wantsHarrison removed fromthe job.

“Looking at the impor-tance of that position forthis county, at this time,bond ratings and all thosethings, I think it’s veryimportant that he eitherbe suspended or stepdown in some form orfashion,” Emmett said.

Harrison denies thecharges, saying he is con-fident his innocence willbe proven.

Emmett said if Harrisonwon’t step down willing-ly, he says he plans tomake sure Harrison issuspended until thecharges work their waythrough the court system.

Harrison wife has alsobeen charged.

Indictedcontinued from page 1

The CBC wants to ensure that the Black community is aware of the chang-ing job market, new jobs and how to prepare for them.

Gaddafi Remarkson ‘Blackening’Europe stirs concerns, anger

By Shantella Y. ShermanSPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

(NNPA) - In what appears to be a racially incendiarymove, Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi,recently offered to stem the steady influx of Africansinto various European nations in an effort to keepEurope white and civilized. Gaddafi told Italian PrimeMinister Silvio Berlusconi on a recent trip to Rome thatthe European Union (EU) should pay him at least 5bneuros ($6.3 billion) a year to stop illegal African immi-gration and avoid a “Black Europe.”

Massaging old racial wounds and growing concerns,Gaddafi hoped to capitalize on fears that millions ofAfricans, who once lived under the subjugation ofEuropean colonial rule and who were made citizens ofthose nations, would continue to migrate to their“Mother Country” impoverished, and without clearmeans of employment.

★GADDAFI, Page 6

FEBRUARY 10-16, 2011 | DEFENDER 3

Celebrating Black History Month

Former student has fond memories of Fidelity Manor

By James FordSpecial to the Defender

Let’s play “what if” for a minute. What if Fidelity Manor High School still existed? What if an even larger number of African-American students had the chance to walk through its doors? What if more Houstonians in general knew about the special place it holds in local history?

If it still existed, Fidelity and its antecedent school (Clinton Colored School) would be older than Wheatley (founded in 1927), Yates (1926), Worth-ing (1958), Kashmere (1958) and the historic Booker T. Washington (1893). Only the Gregory Institute (1872) and Central High School (1885) are or would have been older.

Fidelity’s records are linked to Clinton Colored School, whose known records date back to 1886. For years, the little one-room school on E Street in Galena Park, Texas, then known as Clinton, Texas, educated the black student population on the east end of Clinton Drive and the north bank of Buffalo Bayou.

In 1931, the city’s fathers had the white elementary school in Galena Park picked up and moved to Bolden Street and Fidelity Road. And as favor would have it, the Clinton Colored School began to be called The Fidelity School by the 2.7 mile, two-block wide com-munity of Fidelity Road.

Ms. Freddie Sandle was the princi-pal and Laura Bailey was the only other instructor from about 1922 until around 1945. The year 1947 saw the addition of three additional instructors, including Arthur C. Lilly, a football standout from Prairie View College, as well as a vet-eran and an instructor from one of the

surrounding counties. Fidelity was still a commuter school then as the eighth grade graduates would attend Wheatley High School located about five miles west of Galena Park.

By 1949, Fidelity had obtained permission to offer one new grade each year until it became a 12th grade high school. In 1954, Fidelity saw its first graduating class matriculate from it halls. One standout emerged from that class. Calvin O. White, after graduating from Prairie View

College, returned to Fidelity and led the Panthers to several basketball champi-onships. He recently retired from Texas Southern University as athletic director.

In 1955, Arthur C. Lilly became the first and only principal of Fidelity High School. Both the elementary and the high school moved to a new location on 16th Street in Galena Manor. And for the first time, the names of Fidelity Manor Elementary and Fidelity Manor High School became official.

I remember the last days at the old Fidelity Elementary School, the early days at the new one and a number of years at the new junior and senior high

school, which closed four years after I graduated. By the time I arrived at the old facility on Bolden Street from Atherton Elementary School, the one-room school had been expanded to three additional classrooms, a cafeteria and gymnasium.

The long wall behind the teacher’s desk doubled as a cloakroom on one side and a

blackboard on the other. The classroom was a long rectangular space where the girls sat on one side and the boys on the other. Now when I think of those girls sitting uncomfortably in swollen, bunched up petticoats and dresses with shoulder pads, I snicker. The boys on the other hand, were not expected to be as dressed up as blue jeans with the cuffs rolled up and t-shirts were our daily attire.

It only took me two weeks on the new campus to know the first names of all my classmates. Unlike Atherton Elementary, the school I left, where the only student name I knew and remem-

bered was the kid who “slung” his bat after hitting a ball during recess. That bat careened into my forehead and opened a gash big enough to gain me six stitches over my left eye.

At Fidelity I knew Shirley, Edward, Joel, John, Gloria, and Rosie. By the time we all graduated from high school, I had learned their middle names if they had one: Shirley Mae, John Archie, Joel Wayne, Gloria Max-ine, and Rosie Marie. We all eventually knew a lot about each other and with the exception of my wife, whom I have been married to for 41 years, I spent more time with those guys than I spent with my mother and father. I remember running track, playing football, singing in the choir, playing in the band and all those long bus rides out of town to compete against rivals like Brenham, Conroe, Baytown Carver, Rosenburg, Liberty and Lamar.

Fidelity was a small school, but when they flipped the lights on in the morning, our rivals watched out. The statistics are logged in Prairie View

Interscholastic League records – cham-pionships in football, basketball, track (girls and boys), band and forensics. But there are some things you won’t find there.

Like Isaac “DD” Willis dragging three to four football defenders from rival schools for ten to fifteen yards until he finally reached the end zone. Or Robert “Cocky” Nelams, the small-est player on the court, shooting the “lights out” shot to win a game. There was also the time B. C. Elmore High School beat us one week in basketball and the next week we beat them in the final seconds of the game. I surely don’t want to leave out the times when that little school in east Harris County beat E. E. Worthing High School, which was on its way to the district championship, not once, but twice.

“What if” is a good game to play. Maybe if Fidelity still existed, our illus-trious graduates would have included more than one former congressman (Craig Washington), more than one professional football player (James Todd) and more than three military standouts (Harvey Player, James H. Ford Jr. and Nelson Jones).

Fidelity Manor was an outstand-ing school that produced outstanding students, as demonstrated by its rich history and legacy of excellence.

James H. Ford Jr. is an award-winning storyteller who blends both pathos and humor into his personal and family narratives. James, a native Houstonian, graduated from Fidel-ity Manor High School in 1965 and received a BS Degree in Psychology at Tennessee State University in 1969. Presently, he an English professor at Houston Community College.

Mayor Louie Welch, Fidelity Principal Arthur Lilly and Rev. Battles pose together for the yearbook.

James Ford and Shirley Reescano were selected the Most Talented in the Class of ‘65 yearbook.

4 FEBRUARY 10-16, 2011 | DEFENDER

Houston’s top high schoolvolleyball teams continuedtheir winning ways recently.

In the Class 5A division,top-ranked Cypress Woodsswept District 17-5A foesCy-Fair and Cypress Falls toimprove to 26-1 on the sea-son.

No. two Klein Oak, 22-2,defeated Cy-Fair to win theKingwood Tournament cham-pionship.

Cy Woods is currentlyranked No. three in thecoaches’ state 5A poll whileKlein Oak jumped to No.five. Other Houston-arearanked schools include Katyat No. 11 and No. 15 TheWoodlands.

Magnolia is the top areaschool in the Class 4A statepoll at No. three withFriendswood, Brenham andBarbers Hill falling in line atfour through six. Stratford isranked No. nine and upstartPearland Dawson is No. 11.

Dawson is 21-6 after regis-tering a dramatic comebackwin over Deer Park lastweek. The Eagles prevailed19-25, 27-25, 20-25, 25-10,15-12 as outside hitterYewande Akanbi led the wayin the match with 22 kills.

After finishing in the top10 at the prestigious PearlandTournament last month,Dawson is serving notice thataccomplishment was nofluke.

Magnolia earned its 20thwin of the season with a 21-25, 25-10, 25-16, 25-15 vic-

Beall is the ManWhat happens when you

blister an opponent for acareer high 195 yards rushingon just 19 carries. You’renamed C-USA OffensivePlayer of the Week and thathonor was bestowed on tal-ented Cougar Jr. runningback Bryce Beall.

Beall scored three touch-downs tying a career best andrattled off runs of 43, 35 and31 yards in helping Houstonto a 54-24 win over UTEP inthe conference opener.Texas Bowl Announces Class

The Texas BowlCommittee recentlyannounced the 2010 class ofTexas Bowl GridironLegends presented byWrangler and Cavender’sBoot City, which includesPro Football Hall of FamersRaymond Berry and JoeGreene, former University ofTexas defensive stars BillBradley and Bob Moses, andAldine native, Texas A&Mstar and former HoustonTexan Aaron Glenn.

Texas Bowl GridironLegends presented byWrangler and Cavender’sBoot City are all individualswho made a significant con-tribution to the game of foot-ball in the state of Texas,either at the high school, col-legiate or professional level.

“This is arguably the deep-est and most star-studdedclass of Gridiron Legends,”said Texas Bowl executivedirector Heather Houston.“Each of these five men leftan indelible mark on thegame in Texas and we areextremely proud to be associ-ated with each of them. Iwant to thank the GridironLegends selection committeefor the wonderful job they’ve

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SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010 | DEFENDER 5SPORTS

Max Edisonon

Sports

Darrell Ardison

on H.S.Sports

By Max EdisonDEFENDER

Well, it’s only the first game of the season, butyou have to be excited about the way the fight-in’Texans dismissed their old nemesis, the Indy

Colts, last weekend at Reliant. Of course, there was a sell-out crowd that was more than amped up for the kick-off ofthe NFL regular season, which longsuffering Texan fanshope will be their first visit to the playoffs.

You also have to be enthused at the intensity level theteam displayed, which quite frankly has been somewhatunderwhelming on far too many occasions when the teamtakes the field. Normally, the outcome is very predictable,a big fat loss.

No, this was a different group of fightin’ Texans. Ondefense, they came out with a surly attitude, led by his“royal highness of surliness,” safety Bernard Pollard.Even potential All-World defensive end Mario Williamscame ready to dominate, and did just that.

The real key for the squad, that made yours truly simplygiddy with joy, was the way the vaunted Texan offenseperformed. Now we all know that Andre Johnson is one ofthe world’s truly dominant receivers and Matt Schaub is aPro-Bowl QB, who can pass with the best of them. Whatwe were unsure of was if the revamped offensive linecould move folks around in the trenches and provideSchaub with enough time to pass and create running lanesfor running back Arian Foster. Well, I’m pleased to reportthe O-line passed the test with flying colors, for at leastweek one.

Now we know the Texans can score points in bunches,but it traditionally has been an air based attack. Againstthe Colts, they introduced the balanced offense, which fea-tured the running of Arian Foster and the outcome was arecord-setting afternoon.

Consider this: RB Arian Foster’s 231 rushing yards on33 carries (three TD’s) were the second-most on KickoffWeekend in NFL history. He recorded the first 200-yardrushing performance in franchise history. Foster rushedfor 191 yards in the second half and 125 yards in thefourth quarter. Houston’s 257 rushing yards representedjust the second 200-yard rushing performance in team his-tory.

It’s been said over and over again that in order for theTexans to achieve their goals this season, they must fea-ture a more balanced offensive attack. In other words,improve a rushing game that was simply abysmal in 2009.Big back Arian Foster says the team heard the comments,especially his offensive line.

“We’ve heard this whole offseason about how our rungame wasn’t as efficient last year and how if we had a rungame, we could have done this and could have done that,”

By Darrell K. ArdisonDEFENDER

Several Houston area highschools projected to earn a spotin the playoffs went into theirthird game of the season stillseeking that first victory.

After advancing to the Class4A state semifinals last year,Pearland Dawson was one ofthose schools after losing toClass 5A stalwarts Clear Springsand Conroe Oak Ridge.DAWSON (1-2) vs. NIMITZ (1-2)

Dawson broke into the win-ning column with a 28-0 victoryon the road at perennial 4A pow-erhouse Dayton. The Eagles led21-0 at halftime behind SteveOrisakwe’s three-yard TD run,Tre Oliver’s 11-yard scoring runand an eight-yard TD run byPayton Jones. A 40-yard TD passfrom Garry Kimble to RandallWeeks in the third quarter wasthe only scoring in the secondhalf.DAWSON VS. NIMITZ

The Eagles look to continuetheir winning ways this weekwhen they take on AldineNimitz. The Cougars notchedtheir first win last week by rally-ing from behind on the road todefeat Conroe 13-9. Nimitztrailed 9-6 with less than twominutes remaining in the fourthquarter when Torian Amoshauled in a 65-yard touchdownpass from Flavies Heffner at the1:58 mark to provide the game-winner.

Dawson coach Eric Wells said

he purposefully set up a toughnon-district schedule to help pre-pare for district games down theline. “You have to get throughsome tough games to get better,”Wells said. “There isn’t an easyweek for us.”AUSTIN (2-0) vs MILBY (0-2)

This is an old-fashioned rival-ry game so you can throw therecords out the window.

SFA has a chance to improveto 3-0 after demolishingScarborough 50-0 at BarnettStadium. Mustangs’ quarterbackCasey Davis tossed three touch-down passes and ran for twomore while running back Tavares

Garner rushed for 164 yards andadded two additional scores togive SFA an advantage theywould never relinguish.

Milby will be trying to get intothe win column at the expense oftheir long-time rivals. Buffs’quarterback Lawrence Putmanand dimunitive wide receiverSergio Bautista will have theirteam primed for confrontation.ANGLETON (2-1) vs. ALIEF ELSIK (2-1)

The Wildcats played possum inthe first quarter against Dayton.

In the opening 12 minutes, theBroncos dictated the game’stempo and jumped out to an early10-0 advantage. After a tough 8-

3 loss to Elkins in the 2010 sea-son opener, Dayton couldn’tovercome four first-halfturnovers despite rushing for 178yards in the game’s first 24 min-utes.

Angleton turned the tables inthe second half. Senior quarter-back Quandre Diggs (91 yards on30 carries) scored on a one-yardsneak to cap a 53-yard, 15-playdrive in the third quarter to givehis team a 17-10 edge.

The Wildcats were at it againin the fourth quarter.

Ryan Jackson, who rushed for

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Austin (dark uniforms) hopes to improve to 3-0 this week against rival Milby. Here they facedScarborough last week in a 50-0 victory.

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H.S. Football Games of the Week

New AttitudeTexans Offense Yields Results

Photos courtesy of the Texans

#1 Right guard Antoine Caldwell, above, (college photo) and left tackle #76Duane Brown, below are key components of the Texan new rushing attack.

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Bellaire girls point guard A.J. Alix

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Houston High School Basketball profile:

By MaxEdison

DyNAMO/TSU BREAk GROUND

The Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer broke ground recently on their 22,000- seat soccer/football stadium in down-town Houston’s east end.

Excavation of the site and construction of the stadium is expected to be-gin shortly, and the Dyna-mo hopes to play their first game in the new stadium by mid-2012. The stadium is located within walk-ing distance of Minute Maid Park, the George R. Brown Convention Center, and the Toyota Center. In addition to soccer games, the new stadium will host Texas Southern University football, concerts, boxing matches, and more.

The stadium will be operated by the Dynamo and leased from the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority. It is located closer to downtown than any other American sta-dium built for soccer and will be easily accessible to fans from the entire Houston area.

Renowned archi-tectural firm Populous designed the stadium, which will be constructed by Houston-based Man-hattan Construction and overseen by the ICON Venue Group. Additional companies working on the site are landscape architect Clark Condon, structural engineer Walter P. Moore, and civil engineer WGA, all companies based in

Gospel Celebration combines faith and football

Super BowlBy Max Edison

In the mid midst of the glitz, glamour and business that is at the core of the Super Bowl week experience, one of the hottest tickets in town is not to one of the hundreds of secular celebrity affairs. The toughest ticket to come across is to the star-studded Super Bowl Gospel Celebration.

This year in the Dallas, some of gospel music’s top stars came together the first week in February for a concert that puts the Christian faith at the top of the agenda and celebrates the unique union of faith and football. The list of celebrity performers read like a gospel Pro Bowl roster: Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Israel Houghton, Mary Mary, James Fortune and Marvin Sapp.

The event, in its 12th year, is the brainchild of Atlanta based Melanie Few-Harrison, presi-dent of Results Marketing and Media.

Few-Harrison recognized that many play-ers and fans desired a safe, entertaining venue to celebrate the big game, not only to show their love for football, but also to be inspired by the uplifting sounds and the rich culture of gospel music. Teaming up with founding part-ner, the NFL Players Association, the event started out as a gospel brunch, quickly evolv-ing into the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration.

A major highlight of the concert is the NFL Player’s All-Star Gospel Choir, which features more than 40 past and current NFL stars.

Atlanta Falcon Pro-Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli participated for the fourth year in the choir and shared exactly why.

“The Super Bowl is the biggest stage for our league,” Mughelli explained. “The best and the brightest come here to play. Some-where amongst all these parties and all this fun there should be a celebration of God.

Atlanta Falcon Pro-Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli

Grammy award winner Donnie McClurkin and director Myron Butler perform with NFL All-Star Choir.

The “Clash of the Cause-way” Part II is set for Sat-urday (Feb. 12) at Hofheinz Pavilion. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Galveston Ball (26-2) and La Marque (25-2), two state-ranked boys high school basketball teams, will meet for the second time in District 24-4A action. Ball is cur-rently ranked No. 3 among 4A schools and La Marque is No. 4.

In their first encounter, a standing-room-only crowd of more than 3,000 fans witnessed Ball winning 81-76 at Phillips Arena in Pasadena. Hundreds of fans were turned away at the entrance.

Ball coach Jerald Temple said the last game was a lot of fun for both Galveston County communities and that both schools are looking forward to the challenge of playing a great game again.

Hofheinz has a seating capacity of 8,500 fans. The facility will host a men’s collegiate basketball game between the University of Houston and Tulane earlier that day at 4 p.m.

GETTING HOT AT THE RIGHT TIME

The Fort Bend Elkins girl’s basketball team is only 14-15 on the season. Howev-er, the Lady Knights are 10-1 in District 23-5A and tied with rival Hightower for first place.

Leading scorer Donielle Breaux missed the first few weeks of the season due to

By Darrell Ardison It stands to reason that A.J.

Alix would like math more than any other subject in school.

As a freshman, she scored 45 points in the regional final against state-bound Hightower, when her undersized team stood the test at the Campbell Center with a berth in the state basketball tournament in Austin at stake.

Head coach Michael Kramer took it all in perspective.

“Everybody knew that we returned most of our players from last year, and we’re all small kids with our guard play dictat-ing what we want to do,” Kramer said. “When we penetrate, it would help to have a big post presence, but we don’t have that. So we have to upgrade the tempo and get a little rhythm going with our guards.”

Alix possesses a silky smooth jump shot from the perimeter and the handles to beat defenders and score in the paint. She’s only a sophomore.

In addition to an all-state presence in Alix, she’s surrounded by teammates that can shoot the ball from distance.

“That’s what is so much fun for us this season,” Kramer said. “If we get going, we can cause some damage because you never know who is on that night. That’s been an added dimension this sea-son.

“A.J. was an unknown commodity last season and had 145 points in the playoffs alone,” Kramer said. “I told the team that we

had to do things a little different this season. She can pull up, and she has a little floater to give the defense something else to think about.”

Kramer says that during his tenure at

Bellaire, Alix has to rate right up there at the top with the best guards he’s ever had.”

Alix understands that she has to improve every year to continue improving.

A.J. remembers playing or-ganized basketball for the first time when she was five or six years old. She attended Persh-ing Middle School, and was headed for another high school before deciding on Bellaire.

“As a freshman point guard last year, I was a little nervous,” Alix said. “Nobody thought we could make it as far as we did and coach sat me down and told me that playing in the playoffs was just like playing any other game and that’s just what I did.”

Alix said the pain of losing to Hightower in the regional final has served to ignite her team’s play to repeat this sea-son.

Some people think that because we have a young team, that we can’t do it again,” she said. “I’m going to do every-thing I can to get us to state.”

Alix wants to be a business major in college, even though she’s still not sure what her eventual career path might be.

Her favorite color is pink and her favorite movie is

“Love and Basketball.”She was born May 9th, 1995 and her

birth sign is Tauras.If she could change one thing about

herself, it would be her attitude and person-

Alix possesses a silky smooth jump shot from the perimeter.















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CLASSIFIEDS

Super BowlContinued from page 5

ObesityContinued from page 1

EdisonContinued from page 5

Houston.The stadium will com-

plete a trio of state-of-the-art athletic facilities all within a stone’s throw of each other downtown. That fact makes Mayor Annise Parker beam with pride.

“We believe the sta-dium is going to be good for the citizens of Houston, excellent for that end of downtown and it will spur economic growth around it,” Parker said. “It will make a really dynamic triangle with the Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park, and now the new Dynamo stadium – with the George R. Brown Conven-tion Center right in the middle of the action.”

TSU President Dr. John M. Rudley was all smiles as well.

“One of our major initia-tives was to bring a state-of-the-art stadium to Texas Southern University athlet-ics,” Rudley said. “This new stadium has helped us reach that goal. It also gives us one of the best facilities in the Southwestern Athletic Con-ference. It’s a huge boost to the overall athletic program.”PANTHERS RElOAD

A total of 20 student-athletes recently signed national letters of intent to play football for Prairie View A & M University.

“Recruiting has gone well as we’ve met our critical needs,” said first-year head coach Heishma North-ern. “I’m happy with our as-sistant coaches for going out and doing their due diligence as they did a fine job of keeping our class intact after the coaching change.”WINNING WHIlE lOSING

Much has been said dur-ing this portion of the NFL season about the relevance of the Rooney Rule as it relates to truly promoting diver-sity in the coaching ranks of the NFL. The Rooney Rule simply states that an NFL franchise must interview at least one minority candi-date for all vacant executive positions within an organiza-tion. Positions such as: Team president, General Manager, Head Coach, etc.

The Fritz Pollard Alli-ance, an advocacy group for diversity, has been entrusted by the NFL as the “watch-dog” agency to insure fran-

chises adhere to the Rooney Rule stipulations. The FPA provides the NFL with the “Ready List” annually. The “Ready List” is a carefully compiled list of qualified minority candidates for all executive positions. Many in the media have been critical of the Rooney Rule process without a true understanding of how the process works.

The Rule can’t force an NFL owner to hire a qualified minority, just make sure they interview one. Let’s face it if you paid close to a billion dollars for a franchise no one should tie your hands when making key decisions. Smart, successful teams use the Rule to their advantage (Mike Tomlin & Pittsburgh Steel-ers), bad teams continue to stumble in mediocrity (guess of a local example).

Even though a minor-ity candidate doesn’t get a head coaching job after the interview there is opportunity for the case of diversity. Take the recent case of the Tennes-see Titans.

The Titans recently let coach Jeff Fisher go and immediately the heir ap-parent for the vacant posi-tion was said to be Hall of Fame player and long time offensive line coach Mike Munchak. It seems Titan owner Bud Adams has always had a passion for Munchak, a high character guy coached by the venerable Joe Paterno at Penn State. Of course the Titans interviewed a quality minority for the position, but clearly Munchak was the true object of their affection.

Now comes the good part, the winning by losing part. My sources tell me that the FPA has used their influ-ence and recommended that Ray Sherman, an African-American assistant coach formerly of the Cowboys (interviewed for the Cowboy job), has been recommended for the Titan position of as-sistant head coach/offense. Also sources tell me that former Oiler/UT standout will be offered the position of defensive coordinator for the Titans.

The possibility now ex-ists for a win/win in Nash-ville. The Titans get their man in Munchak and diver-sity is served by 2 African-Americans obtaining quality coaching positions that move them 1 step closer to being head coaches at some point in the future.

A celebration of who God is, His might, His power, His glory and Him allowing us to participate in this little game called football.”

“The road to the NFL is not easy,” Ovie continued. “Fighting through injuries, trying to make the team, dealing with teammates, fight-ing for playing time, so many things that can keep you from getting to the NFL, so I just thank God daily for the privilege to play in the NFL.”

Like many players, Mughelli’s feels his Christian foundation has benefited in his personal and profes-

sional life. “Church from an early age

always gave me a great foundation to move forward on, not just in football, but in life. Building that relationship with God early in my life was so very, very key and instrumental in me get-ting to the NFL.”

Former University of Houston standout and retired Dallas Cowboy linebacker Eugene Lockhart is a proud member of the choir and fur-ther explains the role of Super Bowl Gospel and the choir.

“Most of the guys in the NFL love the Lord. You see it so often when guys score touchdowns or make a big hit they do a gesture that acknowledges their faith,” Lockhart

said. “All the guys here are singing to the glory of God, that’s the most important thing. We are able to give inspiration to kids, to fan, for people to see us in a different light. We want to portray something positive, not the stuff about drugs or alcohol that often people see in the media. We want folks to see that we are singing Zion songs to praise and glorify the Lord.”

Of course Lockhart and his fellow NFL choir members enjoy the opportunity to rub shoulders and interface with some of the biggest stars in the gospel industry.

“We appreciate the gospel stars being apart of the program. They are just as big in their business as many of our current or past players. It says a

lot about them that they are here mix-ing and working with us. It is a tre-mendous experience. In this program the stars are the quarterbacks and we follow their lead and work with them. We are all on the stage together. The bottom line is that God gets the glory in all we do.”

Since its inception in 1999, the celebration has partnered with a char-ity in each Super Bowl host city, and has donated more than $400,000 and more than 5,000 tickets.

This year Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities was named the official North Texas charitable partner for the 2011 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration.

Founded by retired Cowboys superstar Emmitt Smith and his wife,

Pat, the 501 (c) (3) public charity cre-ates unique experience and educa-tional enrichment opportunities for underserved children. These opportu-nities give children the chance to de-velop a strong cultural identity, solid foundation for success and a vehicle for transforming their communities.

“We are truly honored to have Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities as our North Texas charitable partner for the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration,” said Melanie Few-Harrison. “This is a natural match, a charity founded by one of the most celebrated NFL players and the only NFL sanctioned gospel concert during Super Bowl Weekend. That’s a win-win for us and the Dallas community.”

personal reasons. Since her re-turn, the Knights have picked up their level of play and won nine consecutive games.

Head coach Willie Yar-ber says his group has played together for awhile and once all the pieces were back in place, a comfort zone led to better team chemistry.

Another big key for Elkins has been the play of post Breanna Barnett, who is averaging more than 17 points per game.

DAVIS A NATIONAl POyStephen F. Austin quarter-

back Casey Davis is one of 50 national winners of the Old Spice Player of the Year Award.

The award recognizes high school football players who elevate their play and that of their teammates.

The USA Today newspaper made the full-page announce-ment last week.

ETC.The Texas High School

Coaches Association recently recognized West Orange-Stark head coach Dan Ray Hooks and his staff with its Courage in Ac-tion award.

The West Orange-Stark coaching staff was selected because of how they handled

the death of quarterback Reggie Garrett.Ardison

Continued from page 5

ality.“I always want to be there for

my teammates, and at times, I find myself searching for answers when I need to lean more on them as op-posed to trying to figure out things for myself.”

Kramer says the season has pro-gressed nicely thus far, and Bellaire’s 78-47 victory over District 20-5A

rival Madison recently was no excep-tion. Facing a taller team that had battled the Lady Cardinals for most of the game in the first round, Bel-laire took an early edge and fought off the Lady Marlins during a tough third quarter before winning going away.

When Kramer took over as head coach at Bellaire during the 1990s, Madison was the king of girls’ bas-ketball not only in District 20-5A, but also in the greater Houston area.

In the interim, Bellaire and

Westside have risen to the forefront. Kramer covets another talented big girl to add to the arsenal. Yet he’s do-ing the best he can with the hand he’s been dealt.

Bellaire lost some disappointing games in the early season, particu-larly in out-of-town tournaments, and dropped a game to district rival Westside in the HISD Tournament.

“We were able to beat Westside in the first round of district play and I always say that is when it is the most important,” Kramer said. “We’ll

face them one more time and then get ready for the playoffs.”

Kramer says that a number of teams could eventually rise to the Region III-5A throne, but that Cy-Falls is probably the favorite with North Shore, Alief Elsik, West-side and a few others in close pursuit.

“You never know what can hap-pen,” Kramer said. “I remember one year when I thought we had the best team and we came up short. It just depends on who is playing well on a given night.”

BellaireContinued from page 5

two-thirds of Texans (66.7 percent) are overweight or clinically obese.15

According to the CDC, U.S. adult obesity rates rose from 11.6 percent in 1990 to 27.1 percent in 2009. In Texas, our share of adults who are obese more than doubled from 12.3 percent to 29.5 percent (Exhibit 1). Over the same period, the share of Texas adults at normal weight fell sharply, from 57.1 percent to just 33.1 percent, a drop of 42 percent.16 IT STARTS IN CHIlDHOOD

Obesity has risen even faster in children than adults. According to CDC, the rate of obesity among U.S. children aged six to 11 tripled from 1980 to 2008, from 6.5 percent to 19.6 percent. Among adoles¬cents aged 12 to 19, obesity rates rose even faster, from 5.0 percent to 18.1 percent.17

Excessive weight puts children at risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, gall¬bladder disease, depression, anxiety and lower self-esteem, while increasing their risk of chronic disease in adult-hood.18

The 2007 National Survey of Chil-dren’s Health (NSCH) found that 20.4

percent of Texas children aged 10 to 17 were obese, compared to 16.4 percent for all U.S. children.19

Comparing the 2007 NSCH with its 2003 predecessor yields more alarm-ing results. The number of states with child¬hood obesity rates at or above 18 percent doubled, from six states in 2003 to 12 in 2007 (Exhibit 4).THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF OBESITy

The incidence of obesity has increased across the board, but is more pronounced among some groups. By AGE

Obesity rates have risen for all age groups, but the older you are, the more likely you are to be obese.

Texans aged 55 to 64 had the state’s highest obesity rate in 2009, at about 33.7 percent. The 45-to-54 age group was sec¬ond, at 33.6 percent. Texans aged 35 to 44 came in third-heaviest, at 31.4 percent.21 By RACE/ETHNICITy

In Texas, Hispanic and black adults had the highest obesity rates in 2009, at 36.4 percent and 35.7 percent, respectively. By contrast, 25.7 percent of Texas white adults were obese (Exhibit 5).22 Child obesity is more common among blacks and Hispanics as well.23 And Hispanics, which

are Texas’ fastest-growing popula¬tion group, are expected to drive obesity rates higher in future years.24 By EDUCATION AND INCOME

Socioeconomic factors such as lower educational attainment and income can be correlated to obesity in adults, and to some extent in children as well.25

Studies have found that obesity is less common among people with more

education, and Texas is no exception. In 2009, Texas’ college graduates were the least likely to be obese, at 22.2 percent. Texans without a high school diploma were the most likely to be obese, at 37.4 percent (Exhibit 6).26

The relationship between income and obesity in adults is well-established.27 In 2009, Texans earning between $15,000 and $24,999 annually were the most likely to be obese (38.1 percent); those earning $50,000 or more per year were least likely, at 26.3 percent.28 URBAN VS. RURAl

Texans living in rural counties are more likely to be obese. In 2009, Texans in rural areas — those lying outside the state’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) —had much higher obesity rates than city dwellers, at 34.3 percent versus 28.8 percent.
























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Charles S. Dutton did prison time for manslaughter. Dur-ing those seven years, he fell in love with playwriting, acting and theater. He started a drama group while incar-cerated and, after his release, won a scholarship to Yale School of Drama and gradu-ated.The story of how he defied low expectations and pur-sued his dream to become a Broadway luminary and Emmy Award-winning actor and director is the basis of Dutton’s one-man show From Jail to Yale: Serving Time on Stage.The African-American Stud-ies program and U.S. Dream Academy have partnered to bring Dutton to Cullen Performance Hall for a one-

night-only perfor-mance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26. Dutton will also participate

in a moderated conversation with students from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 in the Honors College lounge in the M.D. Anderson Library.“This program will provide a structural analysis of culture, race, class, and gender,” said Dr. James Conyers, chair of the African American Studies program. “Charles Dutton has a history of develop-ing committed art with an emphasis on Africana life and customs.”The theater event is a fund-raiser benefitting U.S. Dream Academy, a national after-school and mentoring pro-gram that motivates children with relatives in prison to break the cycle of incarcera-tion in their families. Tickets are $45.“We are very pleased for this

opportunity to partner with the University of Houston’s Department of African American Studies to bring this riveting stage presen-tation to campus,” said

Wintley Phipps, founder and chief executive officer of the U.S. Dream Academy. “Charles Dutton is a con-summate master of acting and we are grateful for his

willingness to share his time and talent to raise much needed funds for our after school program in Hous-ton.”The Houston Dream Acad-

emy Learning Center is located at Foster Elementary School at the intersection of Yellowstone and Scott streets. It serves more than 60 students daily between

the ages of 8-13 through skill building, character build-ing and dream building activities, including cultivat-ing their appreciation for the arts.

Broadway, TV and film star Charles Dutton comes to UH

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VOLUME 80 • NUMBER • 15FEB 10-16, 2011

Tony Fernandez-Davila

2011

8 FEBRUARY 10-16, 2011 | DEFENDER

against the videotaped beating of 16-year-old burglary suspect Chad Holley.

Caught on TapeAuthorities said police

suspected several young men of breaking and entering, and then fleeing the scene in a pickup truck. After a short chase, police caught Holley, then an Elsik High School sophomore, near a self-storage facility on Cook Road and allegedly handcuffed him on the ground and began hitting and kicking him.

The controversial tape shows several Houston Police Department officers punching and kicking Holley, who was later convicted. The video showed one officer delivering at least seven kicks to Holley while another officer punched Holley five times, Holley is not seen on tape strug-gling with the officers or resisting arrest.

Defense attorney Dick DeGuerin, who represents one of four officers indicted, said the release of the tape has him consid-ering whether to request a change of venue for the trial.

Seven police officers were terminated in connection with the incident. Four officers were also charged in connection with the incident

Former officers Andrew T. Blomberg and Drew Ryser were indicted on official oppression. Former officer Phillip Bryan and Raad M. Hassan were indicted on official oppression and violation of the civil rights of a prisoner.

A Community enraged

For months, rumors swirled as to exactly what was on that vid-eo, which had been recorded on a surveillance camera at a nearby storage facility. An employee of that facility, Cindy Paxton, gave the video to activist Quanell X. Paxton was later fired.

“You had a right to see that tape,” Quanell X, the leader of the New Black Panther Party in Houston. Quanell decided to release the tape after he obtained a copy as part of a defamation lawsuit filed against him by one of the officers.

Initially, Mayor Parker didn’t want the tape released. She, District Attorney Pat Lykos and Police Chief Charles McClelland said they wanted to keep the tape from airing before the trials of the charged officers to ensure fair trails. A federal judge also banned the tape from being released to the public.

“There is no explanation for what in fact, is criminal behavior,” Mayor Anise Parker said.

Since the release of the tape, community leaders have taken their complaints about police brutality to Houston City Hall.

“After the event, not one single officer filed a report of excessive force upon any other of-ficer,” said Randal Kallinen with the Greater Houston Coalition for Justice.

Many of those protesting want the officers involved to face charges of aggravated assault instead of the official oppression charge some have received.

Seeking JusticeU.S. Rep. Al Green said he

wants the U.S. Department of Justice to review the incident to ensure fairness and transparency.

“We are shocked and we are dismayed,” Green said. “We are outraged at what occurred. That video speaks for itself, and be-cause it speaks for itself, we want the Justice Department to review it and make a determination as to whether or not charges should be brought. There may be civil rights violations.

But now, some are calling for a federal investigation by the U.S. Dept. of Justice.

The FBI is monitoring the state prosecution of the case, but said if they were to launch their own investigation, they wouldn’t do so until the officers were tried in state court. That is standard procedure.

Parker said, while she apologized for trying to keep the video from being made public, she does think the city is properly investigating.

“The city acted swiftly and appropriately throughout. We no-tified the appropriate investigative agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, nine months ago. The FBI is the entity responsible for gathering informa-tion related to possible civil rights violations and forwarding that information to the U.S. Depart-ment of Justice.”

District Attorney Pat Lykos added, “The Police Integrity Divi-sion of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office conducted an independent and thorough investigation into the allegations. The investigation included trips to the crime scene, interviews with witnesses (including Chad Holley, his mother and another relative), and careful examination and reviews of surveillance videos and medical records. As part of the in-vestigation, medical records were subpoenaed and obtained from West Houston Medical Center, the Juvenile Justice Center and Ben Taub Hospital. District Attorney Pat Lykos stated that the investi-gators and prosecutors conducted a meticulous investigation, includ-ing a frame-by-frame analysis of the surveillance video.”

That evidence was presented to a Harris County Grand Jury to determine which charges, if any, should be filed against the offi-cers. Grand jury proceedings are secret by their very nature, and the law does not allow public discussion of them. However, in order to indict the officers for a felony offense, there would have to be a finding that a deadly weapon was used in the com-mission of the offense, or that the assault caused serious bodily injury.

“It should be noted that the Texas Penal Code restricts the legal definition of what is consid-ered serious bodily injury. That Code defines serious bodily in-jury as ‘bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.”

On June 23, 2010, the Grand Jury indicted the four officers for Official Oppression. Two of them were also indicted for Violating the Civil Rights of a Prisoner. On each charge, the officers face up to one year in the Harris County Jail and up to a $4,000 fine. Trial is pending in each case.

young man and punch him. Pointing out that Madge

had ‘no criminal history and had never been in trouble a day of his life,' Quanell X stated, “There is a systemic culture within the Houston Police Department that makes many officers believe that they themselves are above the law and that they are not subject to the very laws they are paid to enforce.”

The intent of releasing the second videotape is to expose the culture that exists in HPD

and to seek the indictment of the officer on assault charges.

When asked if the officer was employed by the hospital, Quanell X explained that he was still in uniform and operating as a HPD officer.

Considering the historical issues of police brutality and the repeated recommendation of establishing a stronger Civilian Review Board with enforce-ment power, Quanell X said, “I’m extremely disappointed Mayor Parker would not support a Civilian Review Board with subpoena power.” Adding that the current civilian review board is a “toothless tiger.”

VideotapeContinued from page 1

HPD BrutalityContinued from page 1

Community leaders speak out

Several community leaders are

speaking out about the

disturbing tape of Houston Police

Department officers viciously

beating a 16-year-old

burglary suspect, Chad Holley.

C.O Bradford - City Councilman“Having served 24 years as a Houston po-lice officer, including seven years as Chief of Police, I am extremely disappointed that the actions of a few police officers have tainted the uniform which is respected in the community, worn by so many, and which some have given their lives while wearing. I am hopeful that we will take this tragic incident and use it as a means to ensure that proper charges are filed in this incident, that police officers in the field report misconduct and those arbitra-tors assigned to police discipline cases have a specific nexus to the Houston community.”

Garnet Coleman - State Rep.“It is especially disturbing when those charged with keeping us safe so blatantly abuse their power and violate our trust. These individuals are not above the law and must be appropriately dealt with… individuals who have been trusted with power should be held to a higher standard. I will work with my colleagues to push legislation that reflects that standard into law… It is through cooperation, mutual respect, and appropriate sanctions on officers who violate the public’s trust that we can ensure that all our communi-ties are safe and that such actions never occur again.”

Rev. D. Z. CofieldPresident, NAACP Houston Branch“The dismantling of Jim Crow has left us weak and impotent as a community because we are still waiting for someone to negotiate our freedom. We haven’t fought and then (we) got mad when somebody didn’t give us what we were not willing to fight for. So tonight by any means necessary, I hope you will make a commitment to see change through…. There’s a problem of police brutality and the use of excessive force that will no longer be tolerated.

Chief Michael DirdenHPD Executive Assistant Chief“Know that it is not something that we as police officers that are sworn to protect want to see….but when those things happen we have an obligation to do what we can to ensure that even police officer who engage in conduct they should not engage in are brought to justice.”

Rev. James Dixon National Action Network“Official oppression is a joke. This should be classified as a “hate crime.” If any person is handcuffed and beaten by a police officer it is a “hate crime.”

Rodney EllisState Rep.“The actions of the HPD officers shown in the taped beating of Chad Holley were excessive, deplorable, and cannot be tolerated. These rogue officers not only brought unnecessary physical injury to Chad Holley, but have undermined the good work of the vast majority of HPD officers. They violated the trust of the community and must be dealt with accordingly. As a city, we need to take a serious look at our practices and review public policy to prevent such injustices from occurring in the future. It is essential that we protect the relationship between the police and the community that is integral to public safety.”

Al GreenU.S. Rep.“We are shocked and we are dismayed. We are outraged at what occurred. That video speaks for itself, and because it speaks for itself, we want the Justice Department to review it and make a determination as to whether or not charges should be brought. There may be civil rights violations.”

Howard JeffersonNational NAACP Board member “This is not a local thing, it is a national thing.”

Jolanda JonesCity Councilwoman“I am requesting a comprehensive review of our policies and procedures. Likewise, I am requesting a task force to look at best practices around the country so that we can take definitive action to prevent these kinds of incidents from occurring. Prior to my election, I started my efforts to improve our justice system by helping to shut down the Crime Lab because of its use of poor science and calling for an independent regional crime lab in Harris County. It’s important that we remove the bad actors from the police force so that we can improve communication between our community and the force.”

Jim Leitner Harris County First Assistant District Attorney“It was a crime against this communi-ty…. The law is such that if an individual strikes a public servant, and causes bodily injury, that it is a felony. If a public servant strikes an individual and causes bodily injury, it’s a misdemeanor.”community.”

Borris Miles State Rep.“I will be filing the legislation that will help us in dealing with the problem of police brutality in this state….As we move forward, let us continue to stand as one acting as the voice of Chad Holley and other citizens who have been brutalized by the hands of other rogue officers and work with the federal, state, and local authorities to insure that those rogue officers are punished and Mr. Chad Holley’s civil rights are properly addressed. The cancerous nature of these officers must be cut out of the ranks of the Houston Police Depart-ment….Let us remember that we do have good cops but the actions of these few taint the character and actions of the many.”

Annise ParkerMayor“I remain shocked and disgusted by the behavior of the police officers charged in this incident. That has not changed since I first viewed the tape. It is my desire they never again work at the Houston Police Department and that they be brought to justice. However, I do not have a say in what charges they face. That is under the control of the district attorney and the grand jury.”

Ron ReynoldsState Rep.“I have reviewed the video tape and find the actions of the HPD officers deplorable. The officers should be terminated from HPD and charged with a felony. I strongly believe that the actions of the police of-ficers should be subjected to a review that is equal to what would be expected of ev-ery citizen within the state of Texas. I truly believe that this has brought attention to a legislative loophole that I am committed to change. I am extremely disappointed that the actions of a few police officers may have contaminated the relationship with those that wear the uniform, and often make the ultimate sacrifice. I am encour-aged that we will take this terrible incident and use it as a means to ensure that proper charges are filed in this incident, that police officers in the field report mis-conduct and those arbitrators assigned to police discipline cases have a specific nexus to the Houston community.”

Brother Kofi TaharkaBlack United Front “We need a bona fide ‘no compromise, no sellout’ Social Justice Movement. The voice of outrage needs to be multi-faceted. We need to come out of the church and get in the streets.”

Quanell XCommunity Activist (Speaking to Mayor Parker) “In all due respect, I’m a real Black Man. You don’t have a city contract to give me. I don’t need a proclamation. I will never come asking you for nothing because GOD is sufficient…..Brothers and sisters you had a right to see that tape. They fired this lady for giving up the tape. She lost her job. They threatened this lady…They threatened me because I wanted you to see the tape.”

9FEBRUARY 10-16 | DEFENDER

National Cemetery. Shepard was an outspoken

Democrat who moved toHouston from Louisiana nearly60 years ago and lived fordecades in Acres Home, whereshe unofficially known as the“Mayor of Acres Homes.”

“Beulah was a woman ofguts, purpose and presence,”said state Rep. SylvesterTurner, D-Houston. “If shethought it, she said it. She wasdirect. That was BeulahShepard. You didn’t have toguess what she was thinking.She loved politics, she lovedthe process and she loved par-ticipating in the process. If yousought political office, yousought her out. She had thepower.”

Shepard enjoyed rare 24-hour access to Texas governorsand other state and local politi-cians, and was invited to theWhite House a few times,meeting at least a handful ofpresidents, including John F.Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson,Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Shepard, who worked as aconstituent liaison for formerHarris County CommissionerSquatty Lyons for some 20years and then Sen. JohnWhitmire, D-Houston for about10, was gifted at reading peopleand politics at play. In fact, itwas Shepard who convincedTurner to run for political officein the late 80s.

“I told her, ‘Ms. Shepard, Ihave no interest in running. Towhich she replied, ‘You haveno idea what you’re interestedin.’ She was literally the onewho put the idea in my head,’?”he said.

Shepard’s love of politicswas evident in her constantefforts to get people out to vote.

“She knew the value of thevote because she had beendenied the right to vote,”Turner said.

Shepard's survivors includeseven children, 30 grandchil-dren, 24 great-grandchildrenand 10 great-great children.


Shepardcontinued from page 1

“I think what happened is, we’ve been working onthis for three years, even before I came on the coun-cil,” said Councilwoman Carolyn Davis, who votedin favor of the no-bid contracts. “And so I went withstaff recommendation. I’ve always supported staffrecommendation, but we didn’t win. It takes eightvotes to win here at the Horseshoe, and the eighthvote won.”

Hudson is part-owned by Giddings and by a trustthat manages the assets of Johnson. Star is owned byprominent Democratic donor Gilbert Aranza.

To some, it was the direct - some say heavy-hand-ed - involvement of Mayor Tom Leppert that turnedthe tide. In April, Leppert began his campaign to stopthe deals from being approved, calling them toosweet for the incumbents and bad for Dallas’ imageas a fair place to do business.

“These contracts, lasting 19 years, would awardmajor portions of our new terminal to the two incum-bent concessionaires without having been vettedthrough the competitive process. This has short-cir-cuited new ideas and concepts and discouraged com-petitors, including firms owned by minorities,women and emerging entrepreneurs,” Leppert said inan opinion letter.

“I’m hoping that it [politics] did not play a role,”Davis said of Leppert’s involvement. “I want to beable to say that he did it for the city of Dallas.”

Davis, along with six of her council colleagues,was impressed by the incumbents’ track record astenants, their post-9/11 hardships and the unanimousrecommendation of the transportation committee thatthe deal go forward.

“They’ve been through thick and thin out there,”said former Councilman Ed Oakley in support of theincumbents. “They’ve been through the building of

the parking garage, they’ve been through 9/11,they’ve been through the remodeling of the terminal,[and] they’re now going through another remodel-ing.”

Davis expresses similar feelings.“We also felt that they had never missed a pay-

ment, they had paid on-time, and I asked the ques-tion, ‘How much money had these concessionairesgiven the city of Dallas?’” she said.

The answer to her question soon became evident.“They have given the city a lot of money. Lots of

money. If you own a building and you’ve got goodtenants, you just don’t say, ‘Well, I’m going to kickthem out because I think I want someone else who isgoing to give me more or pay me more,’ you tend tokeep the good paying tenant,” Davis said.

“What they were trying to accomplish is encourag-ing the incumbents to stay through the renovation,and then having space in the new terminal at a ratethat was more than what the consultants even recom-mended,” said Oakley. “The remaining space wouldbe bid out, and if [the new tenants’] rates were high-er than what [the incumbents] were paying, theincumbents’ rent would automatically escalate tomatch. How is that not fair?”

In another victory for the mayor, three councilmembers on the losing end of the vote eventuallycrossed over to side with the majority on an 11-4 vote

to put all of the concession space up for bid once theairport renovation is completed in 2014. This madethe final outcome appear less racially polarized.

Both Hudson and Star have been tight-lippedabout how they will respond. Through its public rela-tions firm, Hudson would only disclose, “At thispoint, the Dallas City Council has approved a planfor the allocation and process for awarding conces-sions at Love Field. Hudson will continue to workwith the city staff based on the plans approved by thecity council.”

Aranza of Star Concessions could not be reachedfor comment.

For Davis and others, what stands out about thecouncil’s decision is the second-guessing of citystaff, which Davis says is unprecedented during herthree years on the council.

“This has been the only time since I’ve been on thecouncil, that my colleagues have gone against citystaff,” said Davis. “Remember, coming out of thetransportation committee we voted 10 to 0. Being anewbie on the council, I looked to [the committeechair’s] leadership on what we should do, because Ijust hadn’t been briefed on the Love Field situation.”

Davis’ recollections also suggest that the council’sdeliberations weren’t always as contentious as theyeventually became. Indeed, before the August meet-ing there was literally no argument since the optionto grant the no-bid contracts was the only one then onthe table. It was at the urging of the mayor during theJune council meeting that voting on the proposal bepostponed so that other options could be added.

“There was never an argument. Most of the con-tracts were going out for bid anyway,” Davis said.“We just wanted the incumbents who [had] beenthere through 9/11 to stay there and recoup theirinvestment, with the amount of money they put intothat airport.

Airport contractscontinued from page 1

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2010 Dodge Caliber

By Kathy ChaneySpecial to the NNPA from the Chicago Defender

CHICAGO (NNPA) - Carol Moseley Braunmay put her hat in the ring to succeed outgoingChicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, sources said.

The former U.S. Senator was flooded withcalls on the day Daley made the surpriseannouncement that he would not seek a seventhterm in office –– encouraging her to mull a runfor the mayoral post.

Braun, who made history in 1993 as the firstAfrican-American female U.S. Senator said thatshe is “seriously considering it.”

Braun’s political career spans more than twodecades.

After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s office as a

federal prosecutor in Chicago in 1977, she waselected state representative the next year. In 1987she was elected Cook County Recorder of Deed.Five years later, history was made in the U.S.Senate. Braun held the post for one six-year term.She served a U.S. Ambassador to New Zealandand Samoa from 1999 to 2001 under the Clintonadministration.

During the 2004 U.S. presidential election,Braun was a candidate for the Democratic nomi-nation.

Braun currently runs her Chicago-based com-pany, Good Food Organics, the parent companyof Ambassador Organics, which manufacturesseveral products including coffee, food spices,olive oil and tea. She founded the company fiveyears ago.

Moseley Braun considering run for Chicago mayor

Carol Moseley Braun

“I’m hoping that it (politics) did not play a

role... I want to be able to say that he did it

for the city of Dallas.”– Dallas Councilwoman

Carolyn Davis


a history of discrimination to have voting changes reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for the District of Co-lumbia to ensure that they are nondiscriminatory.“Widely regarded as the heart of the Voting Rights Act, Section 5 remains a vital safeguard for an inclusive democracy,” said John Payton, LDF president and director-counsel.

In 2006, the City of Calera, which lies within Shelby County, enacted a discrimina-tory redistricting plan without complying with Section 5, leading to the loss of the city’s sole African-American councilman, Ernest Mont-gomery. The Department of Justice, however, subsequently required Calera to draw a non-discriminatory redistricting plan in compliance with Sec-tion 5 and to conduct another election, after which Mont-gomery regained his seat.Section 5 was reauthorized in 2006 by an overwhelming

majority of Congress, and, in a 2009 case argued by LDF, the Supreme Court issued an 8-to-1 ruling that left Section 5’s important protections intact.This case differs in that oppo-nents are challenging both the constitutionality of Section 5 on its face and challenging the Section 4(b) coverage provi-sion which determines where the law applies. Although Shelby County argued that Section 5 is no longer neces-sary, the recent hearing dem-onstrated that a compelling and detailed legislative record led Congress to conclude oth-

erwise – that although there have been improvements, Section 5 remains appropriate because of persistent and on-going voting discrimination.“Congress recognized the progress that the Voting Rights Act has helped to bring about, but also grappled with a sub-stantial degree of continuing and concentrated discrimina-tion. Partial progress is not synonymous with victory. The Voting Rights Act still mat-ters in our democracy,” said Kristen Clarke, co-director of LDF’s Political Participation Group, who argued the case.

NAACPContinued from page 1

Bernice king resigns SClC presidencyAims to form ‘army of young people’ committed to non-violence

By Hazel Trice EdneyEditor-in-Chief, Trice Edney News Wire

WASHINGTON (TEWire) – After months of conflict, which Elder Bernice A. King described last year as suffocating the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, she has selected to step down from the presi-dency of the organization before ever really taking the helm.

“After numerous attempts to connect with the official Board leaders on how to move forward under my leadership, unfortu-nately, our visions did not align. Therefore, after praying mightily and seeking wise counsel, I have decided not to assume the presidency of the Southern Christian Leader-ship Conference,” King said in a statement recently released.

In an exclusive interview she explained that she had made her decision after being offered a contract that appeared to be irrec-oncilably board-driven when she had – at the board’s request three months ago – submitted her vision of a more affable style of leader-ship between board and chief executive.

In a nutshell, King was elected as president and CEO in October 2009, but did

not assume the office during legal turmoil surrounding the 53-year-old organization co-founded by her father, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following a September 2010 court ruling, which determined SCLC’s legitimate board of directors, King reached out to the

court-recognized board leadership regarding her transition, but there was no agreement on how to move forward.

“When there was no consideration for talking about it, discussing a win-win situation,” she said, “I felt it was in my best interest as well as in the best interest of the organization if I declined the position and al-lowed them to move in the direction that they choose to move in.”

But, as the youngest King daughter, renown for her oratorical skills, she appears to be moving ahead with clarity of vision and purpose. She outlined three key roles that she will take on in coming years in her mission to continue her family’s legacy of progress for people of color.

She announced that she is shifting her fo-cus to further grow the legacy of her mother, Coretta Scott King, who maintained a vision for leadership development through the Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leader-ship Academy in Atlanta.

She spoke excitedly of how she just kicked off 100 days of non-violence on the day after the King Birthday Holiday “and will cul-minate on my mother’s birthday on April 27.”

Amid record youth violence and bul-lying, she said she anticipates carrying the message of non-violence further into other Atlanta schools, “particularly those named after my father” and then to other parts of the nation as well.

Her goal, she says, is to “have an army of young people who are committed to embrac-ing non-violence.”

King also spoke guardedly about a “ministry initiative” that she will be an-nouncing later this year. But, she declined to expound.

Finally, King announced that she has formed a partnership with Rev. Samuel Ro-driguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, which was inspired by the SCLC.

“We’ll be dealing with the black-Brown divide, addressing issues of education and health disparities” with 6-9th graders, she said.

Leaving behind the SCLC controversy, King indicates that she carries no bitter-ness or ill will: “I will continue to pray for SCLC’s growth and resurrection and wish the organization great success in its mission.”

Bernice King

Black Caucus confronts GOP on budget

By Charles D. Ellison Special to the NNPA from The Philadelphia Tribune

WASHINGTON — Political tensions on Capitol Hill are hot as a street fight with Democrats and Repub-licans poised for a bloody face-off over the nation’s finances. It’s the necessary, crucial time of year law-makers love to hate, pushing their staffers to sweat over bulky Power Points and black ink in a complicated cage dance over how the federal government spends taxpayer money.

“The budget is a bold declaration of a nation’s priorities,” argues Congres-sional Black Caucus Chair-man Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), the loquacious Methodist minister and former Kansas City Mayor

who barely squeaked past a Republican challenge in his district during the 2010 mid-term election. “I always tell my church that if you want to know who a person is, look at their checkbook and how they handle their finances.”

Back from what some observers described as near political death, Cleaver sounds revived and recharged in his new role as two-year chair of the Caucus, eager to tussle — and possibly deal — with conservative budget hawks circling over endless rows of line items.

Hill heads were turning and brows raised when the Caucus unveiled its budget recommendations for the year in a politico-studded event of the African-Ameri-can Who’s Who in Washing-ton, billing it as the first ever annual “Commission on the

Budget Deficit, Economic Crisis and Wealth Creation.” Indeed it was a “first,” keep-ing in fashion with the dusty classroom clamor of Black History Month firsts and patronizing accolades.

The Caucus, that tightly-knit and reliably Democratic voting bloc that acts as a noisy thorn in the side of House Republicans, had been clowned for years about “the budget no one ever knows about,” quipped one amused and longtime senior Congressional aide at a recent staffer gathering. Press conferences and CBC member statements were typically sporadic, with the CBC unable to coordinate an authoritative voice in annual budget swordfights.

Starting this year, Cleaver promises to change all that with an aggressive campaign waged on the Hill and beyond Washington. “You will find that, at least for the next two years, we will dramatize the CBC budget,” says Cleaver. “It is useless for us to present a budget that is virtually use-less beyond the Beltway.”

As important to Cleaver is ensuring that the CBC agenda on national spend-ing priorities resonates loud and clear with a core Black audience disproportionately crushed under the weight of a seemingly endless recession. While White House officials express cautious jubilance over the latest unemployment figures, with official rates dropping from 9.4 percent in December to an even 9 percent in January, attitudes in CBC offices are more reluctant.

Black unemployment, for a multitude of reasons, remains stuck near 20 percent — officially. Many econo-mists observing the situation are a bit more frank about the situation, and Caucus mem-bers seem less inclined to celebrate incremental drops in high unemployment when they head back to districts where countless constituents are underemployed, out of benefits or off the grid.

“In Black America we need to stop the bleeding,” warns Cleaver.

Emanuel Cleaver

11FEBRUARY 10-16 | DEFENDER

Nia LongContinued from page 1

and for my son, because if I’m not emotionally available for him it will impede his development. Yet, if I don’t work, we’ll be living in a cardboard box. So, that calls for a tremendous amount of balancing constantly. Therefore, working on this film, I understood Safiyah’s search to balance being a devout Muslim woman with allowing her child his natural curiosity and desire to explore in life.

KW: What were your feelings about Islam before tak-ing the role and after the film wrapped?

NL: When I was a young girl, my mother traveled to Abu Dhabi, which is a Muslim country. When she returned home, she taught me a lot about Islam. So, I was already familiar with the religion’s basic teachings. But in preparation for this role, I definitely got to experi-ence Islam on a much more intimate level. The one thing that stands out in my mind is the commitment Muslim women make to each other. They are so supportive and so loving, and they do everything together. It’s really all about family, and I like that, because I’m a family-oriented person. I believe that whatever your religious preference, there has to be a commitment to family because everything really does start there. Hopefully, this film will help to eliminate stereotypes, because Muslim women are misunderstood. They’re strong, beautiful, classic, contemporary and so much more

KW: What is your favorite scene in Mooz-Lum?NL: I’d say the pivotal scene where I notice the

scars on Tariq’s back. KW: Is there a novel that you would like to see turned

into a movie and also star in? And which African-American icon would you love to portray in a film?

NL: There’s a novel I just read called Queen Pin that I’ve been talking to the author about optioning. I encour-age everyone to read it. It’s a great story.

As for an African-American icon, I was very interested in portraying Nina Simone until I heard that Mary J. Blige is doing it. I’m sure she’ll do the role more justice, because I am not a singer. I just think Nina was a very mysterious woman, and a trailblazer who came along at such an important time in our history. She did it her way, and she has one of the most unique voices in jazz history.

KW:: Does being such an accomplished actress give you a different perspective when you direct a music video?

NL: Directing a music video is all about capturing images. I think my experiences in front of the camera have enhanced that because I know how to make other women look beautiful: from hair to makeup to wardrobe. So, I feel that I have a gift with imaging, and that’s kind of fundamental to the music video process.

KW: Were the scripts on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air written with a predominately white audience or an African-American audience in mind? Or was this not a factor?

NL: I don’t think it was a factor at all. Funny is

funny: black, white, yellow, purple. Funny is funny!KW: How do you feel about the number of black

actors who are often paired with white leading ladies in movies, such as Will Smith, Wesley Snipes and Denzel Washington?

NL: It is what it is. As long as the acting is good, I can appreciate it. It would certainly be great to see more films featuring the black family and showing that we are capable of having that unit strong and present and beautiful, because that’s so much of who we really are. For me, that’s missing sometimes when I watch films. But since Denzel and Will are superstars, studio execs don’t necessarily see them as black. They see them as superstars. I suspect they pair them with a white or a Latina star because that takes the pressure off their having to market the movie as a black film, which in my opinion is completely ridiculous.

But we still have a lot of growing and maturing to do in terms of how we view black people, the black fam-ily and black filmmaking, because we shouldn’t be nar-rowly pigeonholed. We are not just one thing. We have so many different voices and experiences. And on the flip side, there are black men who are madly in love with white women. God bless them, if that’s what works for them. I just hope that we can strike a balance that portrays black folks and the black family in a light that’s not extreme. Those are the types of characters that I find myself attracted to.

KW: Have you ever consid-ered creating a project like Single Ladies, the upcom-ing movie that Queen Latifah plans to turn into a series?

NL: I am in constant search for that project that speaks to me personally. And when all the pieces come together properly, it’ll hap-pen.

KW: Is there any truth to the rumor that there’s going to be a sequel to the classic film Love Jones, especially since there appears to be a demand for it from the fans?

NL: We’ve been trying to make that happen for a long time, and if it were my decision I would say “Yes.” But it’s out of my hands. Larenz and I have definitely discussed it, and we’re committed to doing it.

KW: How about The Best Man? I saw that you just had a cast reunion the other day. How was it seeing everybody together at the same time?

NL: Oh my goodness! That was the highlight of my new year so far. We were all so excited to get together.

We had such an amazing time! And Malcolm Lee’s a genius for pulling it all together. He’s so kind, so humble, and such a great director. We’re really going to try to do it again, because there was still that chemistry that had worked so well. It was a great night.

KW: What was it like to make People’s 50 Most Beau-tiful People in the world list?

NL: I was flattered. I was shocked. I was happy. I was like, “Really? Me? I’ll take that. That’s a blessing.” But it’s also pressure, because it means you gotta be beautiful on the inside, too. It’s something I can tell my grandbabies someday.

KW: Your folks are from Trinidad. Do you still eat any traditional Trinidadian dishes like callaloo, roti, bake and curried goat?

NL: I don’t eat goat, but I love roti. My friend Carol owns a fantastic restaurant in Englewood, called the Caribbean Treehouse which is one of the few places in L.A. that serves truly authentic Trini food.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

NL: I don’t know how to answer that. I guess the question would be: Are you happy? People

never ask that.KW: So, are you happy?

NL: I am! I am very happy. At this moment, I’m the

happiest I’ve been in a very long time. But it’s dif-

ferent from the surface happy, it’s the soul happy. That’s how I’m feeling right now. The last couple years have been difficult, not just financially, but for my 90-year-old grand-

mother suffering from Alzheimer’s and for my

mom who’s a retired school-teacher. So, it’s been difficult

seeing the cycle of life changing. Things that used to work a few years

ago don’t anymore. And that transition form the old to the new can be challenging.

I’ve spent a lot of time recently sorting out what’s important and what’s not so important. And after doing that spring cleaning of the self you end up with a streamlined life that’s simple, balanced and very clear. After working 20 years in the busi-ness, it’s been satisfying to take the time to do that for Nia. It’s a testimony to my personal growth. So, yes I am happy! I have a little bit of everything and a lot of God in my life. For me, that’s the most important thing. I feel really safe. I have my family and a handful of close friends, and a great man in my life who is very supportive and my best friend.

KW: Are you ever afraid?

NL: Oh, gosh, yes.KW: When was the last time you had a good

laugh?NL: I have a good laugh everyday. Yesterday,

my son and I and my mom were cracking up watch-ing YouTube bloopers in the kitchen.

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?NL: Chocolate.KW: What are you listening to on your iPod? NL: Lupe Fiasco.KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?NL: I love making breakfast: turkey bacon, fried

eggs over-medium, home fried potatoes, English muffins, oatmeal with berries and a great fruit smoothie. I love breakfast!

KW: Who is your favorite clothes designer?NL: Ooooooh! I’m going to have to say

Badgley Mischka’s beautiful gowns for women. I love Dolce for that classic sexy look. And Stella McCartney’s fantastic, because she takes a classic design and makes it really functional, but funky and edgy at the same time. And I love shoes. I am a shoe fanatic. I have a special closet in my home just for my shoes. I hope I have a little girl one day, because she is going to win the lottery in the shoe depart-ment.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

NL: I see a pretty, brown girl who was born in Brooklyn, grew up in South Central L.A. and did all right for herself.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

NL: A conversation with Michelle Obama. KW: What is your earliest childhood memory? NL: Waiting for a school bus in Iowa City when

I was five. We moved there so my mother could at-tend college at the University of Iowa. I was stand-ing on the corner in a red parka in front of a bakery. I could smell the aroma and I couldn’t understand why mother wouldn’t let me go inside and buy a donut. She was a health food nut.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

NL: Enjoy life, study hard, play hard, be kind to other people, set high standards, and don’t be afraid to say “No.”

KW: How do you want to be remembered? NL: As a great mother and a great friend, and as

truthful and fair. KW: Do you think that the success you’ve

achieved in your career is because of you, because of a higher power, or because of a mixture of both?

NL: I attribute my talent and my success to God, but I believe that the only way you can manifest what He has ordained for you is by being close to Him and by making it happen. But we have to stay close to Him in order to be an image of Him.

National Cemetery. Shepard was an outspoken

Democrat who moved toHouston from Louisiana nearly60 years ago and lived fordecades in Acres Home, whereshe unofficially known as the“Mayor of Acres Homes.”

“Beulah was a woman ofguts, purpose and presence,”said state Rep. SylvesterTurner, D-Houston. “If shethought it, she said it. She wasdirect. That was BeulahShepard. You didn’t have toguess what she was thinking.She loved politics, she lovedthe process and she loved par-ticipating in the process. If yousought political office, yousought her out. She had thepower.”

Shepard enjoyed rare 24-hour access to Texas governorsand other state and local politi-cians, and was invited to theWhite House a few times,meeting at least a handful ofpresidents, including John F.Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson,Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Shepard, who worked as aconstituent liaison for formerHarris County CommissionerSquatty Lyons for some 20years and then Sen. JohnWhitmire, D-Houston for about10, was gifted at reading peopleand politics at play. In fact, itwas Shepard who convincedTurner to run for political officein the late 80s.

“I told her, ‘Ms. Shepard, Ihave no interest in running. Towhich she replied, ‘You haveno idea what you’re interestedin.’ She was literally the onewho put the idea in my head,’?”he said.

Shepard’s love of politicswas evident in her constantefforts to get people out to vote.

“She knew the value of thevote because she had beendenied the right to vote,”Turner said.

Shepard's survivors includeseven children, 30 grandchil-dren, 24 great-grandchildrenand 10 great-great children.


Shepardcontinued from page 1

“I think what happened is, we’ve been working onthis for three years, even before I came on the coun-cil,” said Councilwoman Carolyn Davis, who votedin favor of the no-bid contracts. “And so I went withstaff recommendation. I’ve always supported staffrecommendation, but we didn’t win. It takes eightvotes to win here at the Horseshoe, and the eighthvote won.”

Hudson is part-owned by Giddings and by a trustthat manages the assets of Johnson. Star is owned byprominent Democratic donor Gilbert Aranza.

To some, it was the direct - some say heavy-hand-ed - involvement of Mayor Tom Leppert that turnedthe tide. In April, Leppert began his campaign to stopthe deals from being approved, calling them toosweet for the incumbents and bad for Dallas’ imageas a fair place to do business.

“These contracts, lasting 19 years, would awardmajor portions of our new terminal to the two incum-bent concessionaires without having been vettedthrough the competitive process. This has short-cir-cuited new ideas and concepts and discouraged com-petitors, including firms owned by minorities,women and emerging entrepreneurs,” Leppert said inan opinion letter.

“I’m hoping that it [politics] did not play a role,”Davis said of Leppert’s involvement. “I want to beable to say that he did it for the city of Dallas.”

Davis, along with six of her council colleagues,was impressed by the incumbents’ track record astenants, their post-9/11 hardships and the unanimousrecommendation of the transportation committee thatthe deal go forward.

“They’ve been through thick and thin out there,”said former Councilman Ed Oakley in support of theincumbents. “They’ve been through the building of

the parking garage, they’ve been through 9/11,they’ve been through the remodeling of the terminal,[and] they’re now going through another remodel-ing.”

Davis expresses similar feelings.“We also felt that they had never missed a pay-

ment, they had paid on-time, and I asked the ques-tion, ‘How much money had these concessionairesgiven the city of Dallas?’” she said.

The answer to her question soon became evident.“They have given the city a lot of money. Lots of

money. If you own a building and you’ve got goodtenants, you just don’t say, ‘Well, I’m going to kickthem out because I think I want someone else who isgoing to give me more or pay me more,’ you tend tokeep the good paying tenant,” Davis said.

“What they were trying to accomplish is encourag-ing the incumbents to stay through the renovation,and then having space in the new terminal at a ratethat was more than what the consultants even recom-mended,” said Oakley. “The remaining space wouldbe bid out, and if [the new tenants’] rates were high-er than what [the incumbents] were paying, theincumbents’ rent would automatically escalate tomatch. How is that not fair?”

In another victory for the mayor, three councilmembers on the losing end of the vote eventuallycrossed over to side with the majority on an 11-4 vote

to put all of the concession space up for bid once theairport renovation is completed in 2014. This madethe final outcome appear less racially polarized.

Both Hudson and Star have been tight-lippedabout how they will respond. Through its public rela-tions firm, Hudson would only disclose, “At thispoint, the Dallas City Council has approved a planfor the allocation and process for awarding conces-sions at Love Field. Hudson will continue to workwith the city staff based on the plans approved by thecity council.”

Aranza of Star Concessions could not be reachedfor comment.

For Davis and others, what stands out about thecouncil’s decision is the second-guessing of citystaff, which Davis says is unprecedented during herthree years on the council.

“This has been the only time since I’ve been on thecouncil, that my colleagues have gone against citystaff,” said Davis. “Remember, coming out of thetransportation committee we voted 10 to 0. Being anewbie on the council, I looked to [the committeechair’s] leadership on what we should do, because Ijust hadn’t been briefed on the Love Field situation.”

Davis’ recollections also suggest that the council’sdeliberations weren’t always as contentious as theyeventually became. Indeed, before the August meet-ing there was literally no argument since the optionto grant the no-bid contracts was the only one then onthe table. It was at the urging of the mayor during theJune council meeting that voting on the proposal bepostponed so that other options could be added.

“There was never an argument. Most of the con-tracts were going out for bid anyway,” Davis said.“We just wanted the incumbents who [had] beenthere through 9/11 to stay there and recoup theirinvestment, with the amount of money they put intothat airport.

Airport contractscontinued from page 1

This is the uptown version.The 2010 Dodge Caliber Uptown

small wagon is the answer for buyersseeking fuel economy, safety and ver-satility.

I remember two years ago when wewere heading for Niagara Falls,Canada and Buffalo, New York, theDodge Caliber was the vehicle ofchoice when it came to rent cars.

We test droved the Dodge Caliberfor a week prior to going on vacation.Then when we arrived in Buffalo, theCaliber was our first option as a rentalcar. It seemed like the Caliber was thevehicle of choice.

With a 2.o-liter, four-cylinder enginematched with a continuously-variabletransmission, the Dodge Caliber hadmore enough power to transport useverywhere we wanted to go.

The cargo space was more than ade-quate, and we travel large.

Between my wife and daughter, wetravel with everything except thekitchen sink.

Standard equipment includes airconditioning with automatic tempera-ture control, power windows with dri-ver’s one-touch feature and SIRIUSsatellite radio.

Other standard equipment includesheated front seats, leather-wrappedsteering wheel and tilt steering column.

We drove the 2010 Dodge CaliberUptown from Houston to Austin for theannual high school baseball state tour-nament without incident. In fact, weenjoyed our drive, with smooth ridingon I-10 leading up to Highway 71 intothe state capital.

My partner, Big John, mentioned thatthere was no road noise and the carhandled like a mid-sized sedan. This isa vehicle that lists for less than$20,000.

There is an information display thattells you what direction you’re heading,the temperature outside and how fastyou’re traveling. You can also see whatyou’re fuel economy is and what yourtire inflation-level is.

The 2010 Dodge Caliber Uptown is acrossover vehicle waiting to happen.

Exterior features include 17-inch alu-minum wheels, power-heated exteriormirrors, fog lamps and a bright frontgrille.

Optional equipment includes a powerexpress moonroof, media center and6.5-inch touch screen navigation win-

dow.The 2010 Dodge Caliber Uptown

gets five-star government safety ratingsin the frontal driver, crash passenger,side front seat and crash rear seat cate-gories. It also rates four stars in therollover division.

Warranty coverage includes a five-year or 100,000-mile powertrain limit-ed warranty and 24-hour towing assis-tance.

Big John told me this is a vehicle forcollege students starting out or newly-weds getting out of the starting gate.

I tend to agree

AUTO NEWS By Darrell K. Ardison

CALIBER: HIGHLIGHTS

MSRP base price$19,995 (as tested- $22,965)

Engine2.0-liter four-cylinder

Safety equipmentSpeed sensitive power locks

Fuel economy

23 miles per gallon (city), 27mpg (highway)

Estimated annual fuel cost$1,560

2010 Dodge Caliber

By Kathy ChaneySpecial to the NNPA from the Chicago Defender

CHICAGO (NNPA) - Carol Moseley Braunmay put her hat in the ring to succeed outgoingChicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, sources said.

The former U.S. Senator was flooded withcalls on the day Daley made the surpriseannouncement that he would not seek a seventhterm in office –– encouraging her to mull a runfor the mayoral post.

Braun, who made history in 1993 as the firstAfrican-American female U.S. Senator said thatshe is “seriously considering it.”

Braun’s political career spans more than twodecades.

After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s office as a

federal prosecutor in Chicago in 1977, she waselected state representative the next year. In 1987she was elected Cook County Recorder of Deed.Five years later, history was made in the U.S.Senate. Braun held the post for one six-year term.She served a U.S. Ambassador to New Zealandand Samoa from 1999 to 2001 under the Clintonadministration.

During the 2004 U.S. presidential election,Braun was a candidate for the Democratic nomi-nation.

Braun currently runs her Chicago-based com-pany, Good Food Organics, the parent companyof Ambassador Organics, which manufacturesseveral products including coffee, food spices,olive oil and tea. She founded the company fiveyears ago.

Moseley Braun considering run for Chicago mayor

Carol Moseley Braun

“I’m hoping that it (politics) did not play a

role... I want to be able to say that he did it

for the city of Dallas.”– Dallas Councilwoman

Carolyn Davis


Audrey, Rev. Bill and Roxanne Lawson John Guess, Jr., Playwright Sarah Jonesand Melanie Lawson

Lindsey, Lou and Linda Lorrell Gregory Ayesh Mutope and Calepha Johnson

Gail Smith, Rhonda Adams and Florence LoveMichael Helm and Roxanne Chargois

AN EVENING WITH ASTAR……..Tony Award winning play-wright and performer, Sarah Jones, treatedHoustonians with her multi-character soloshow “Bridge & Tunnel.” The show wasoriginally produced off-Broadway byOscar-winner Meryl Streep and went on tobecome a critically acclaimed, long-runninghit on-Broadway. In this stirring production,she examined Jewish and African Americanrelations in America that was developedespecially for the final event of a fabulousdebut season for the Houston Museum ofAfrican American Culture (HMAAC). Noone can reflect on that better than Sarah,who is a product of a Black father and aJewish mother. HMAAC has had anincredible first season and is quickly estab-lishing itself as a place that attracts nationaltalent and initiates thought-provoking dis-cussions about people, places and times.Spotted at the show included MelanieLawson, HMAAC Chairman of the Boardof Directors, John Guess, Jr.HMAAC/CEO, Rev. Bill and AudreyLawson, Roxanne Lawson, VanessaWilliams, Alyce Coffee, Vanessa Gilmore,Sharon Owens, Roxanne Chargois, LisaChargois, Janice Beal, Linda, Lindseyand Lou Gregory, Michael Helm, EllenRay, C. B. Claiborne, Carole Pinkett andCarol, Carolyn and John Guess, III.Fabulous Show!.......PUMP-A-LICIOUS…….Putting their best foot for-ward, about 200 ladies attended the 2010Kick Out Kidney Disease Luncheon bywearing their pump-a-licious shoes. Theevent was chaired by Merele Yarboroughwho knows first-hand about this terribledisease and the need to kick it out of exis-tence. On the scene were Terri Phillips,Board Chair/National Kidney FoundationServing Southeast Texas, Nicole Sonnier,Regional Vice President, Crystal Wright,Marion Johnson, Myra Rega, PhyllisWilliams, Clarease Yates, Keryl Douglas,Regina Carrington, Gail Smith, RhondaAdams, Florence Love, Ebele Iloanya,Stacy McIntosh and Elouise Jackson, toname a few. Adding a special touch to theluncheon included greetings from DeborahDuncan, KHOU Channel 11 Great DayHouston, HFD poster-boys Errick Presleyand Aaron Bond and a fabulous fashionpresentation by Neiman Marcus.Continued Success!.....MENTORINGMIXER………To kick-off the 2010 BlackExpo, the Houston Area Urban Leaguehosted a mentoring mixer welcomingSusan L. Taylor, Publisher Emeritus ofEssence Magazine to the city and honoringfive outstanding mentors. The honoreesincluded Charles Savage, ExecutiveDirector of the Fifth Ward EnrichmentProgram, Algenita Scott-Davis, ExecutiveDirector of Houston Habitat for Humanity,Lawrence Allen, Director/Special Projectsfor HISD, Dr. Jonita Reynolds, CEO /GulfCoast Community Services Association andDr. Frazier Wilson, Vice President/ShellOil Company Foundation.Congrats!......NEWEST CHAPTER…..The recently organized Cy-Fair Chapter ofthe National Women of Achievement host-ed their first event, “Sister II Sister” Health& Wellness Breakfast at Good HopeBaptist Church. In addition to a deliciousbreakfast, the guests were treated to a paneldiscussion presented by Venisha Shepard,nutritionist, Dornne Burnside, pharmacistand Officer Rachelle Holman. Althoughnew, the chapter has already surpassed theirexpectations in providing service to the eld-erly, veterans, youth and women. Shouldyou wish to join the chapter, contact HelenJohnson at 281-852-4405 or ChapterPresident Anne Harris at 713-937-3320.Congratulations and continued suc-cess!........ KUDOS…….Mt. Horem BaptistChurch family and Minister Thomas F.Freeman celebrated their 60th AnnualWomen’s Day Program…….Houston’s firstAfrican American Congregational Churchand Senior Pastor Rev. Myron E. Cloydcelebrated its 106th year of service with adedication and unveiling of the OfficialTexas State Historical Marker presented bythe Texas Historical Commission and theHarris County Historical Commission andMayor Anise Parker has been named oneof “The World’s Most Influential People”by Time magazine…….. Have a great weekand remember to watch CROSSROADS onChannel 13 Sunday morning with MelanieLawson for your event covered by Ms.Chag. Also check out our website atdefendernetwork.com to view the “Eventof the Week.”…..From Chag’s Place toyour place, Ciao Darling!

8 MAY 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

Ellen Ray and C. B. Claiborne

Ebele Iloanya and Stacy McIntosh

Chair Lady MereleYarborough and Honoree

Myra Rega

Terri Phillips and Deborah Duncan

Nicole Sonnier, Errick Presleyand Marion Johnson

John W. Johnson, Jr. and Linda Johnson

Arlener Poydras, Susan Taylor and Phyllis Bailey

Dr. Jonita Reynolds and Dr. Frazier Wilson

Kicking Out Kidney Disease

Yvette Pawnelland Deanna Santiago

Joe Arrington and Jerome Love

Charles Savageand Algenita Scott-Davis

EBONY FASHION FAIR COLLECTION………….As part of its Black History Month celebration, Macy’s Galleria hosted a cocktail reception showcasing the fabulous “Eunice Johnson Retrospective” featuring the best of the Ebony Fashion Fair collection from 1958 through today. The exhibit was on display February 3-8 and consisted of iconic images, fashion designs and memorabilia from the leader of the African American fashion and beauty industry. Eunice Johnson created, directed and produced the Ebony Fashion Fair, the world’s largest traveling fashion show, for more that 50 years and raised more than $55 million for charity. Working side by side with her husband, the late John H. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson helped build a media and cosmetic powerhouse, anchored by Jet and Ebony magazines along with Fashion Fair Cosmetics. Even though weather reports were predicting snow and icy roads, that didn’t keep about 150 Houstonians from attending the event. Some of the attendees included Liz Ambriz, regional VP of Macy’s Stores, Robert Beaupre, VP and general manager of Macy’s Galleria, and Larry Green, Saki Indakwa, Paul Charles, Judson Robinson, Michael Pearson, La Tarsha Mallard, Chanta Brown, Lloyd Gite, Mark Whitener, Cheryl Beausoliel, Franklyn Barnett and Henderson Smith, to name a few. Also, not letting weather prevent them from coming to Houston for this fabulous exhibit were Jeanine Collins, Johnson Publishing spokesperson, Ethan Foster, VP of sales for Fashion Fair Cosmetics, and Ralph Hughes, VP of Macy’s Communications, all from Chicago, and Kristyn Page, Macy’s executive from New York. Special thanks to photographer Lyn Sullivan for helping Ms. Chag this week. We salute Macy’s for bringing us some Black History memories!............ENJAY BOUTIQUE………The latest, exclusive street chic fashions were on display recently at the Michelle Y. Williams Art Gallery. Enjay Boutique is the result of a life-long dream of young entrepreneur Natalie Johnson. This is an online, high-end women’s apparel boutique featuring a variety of chic apparel from some of the best designers of our time. They also strive to stimulate the local community’s awareness of fashion and encourage their clients to maintain a strong fashion sense by conducting seminars geared toward promoting high-end couture and eco-friendly fashion design. While the boutique is exclusively online, you can host a trunk show and shop the latest styles and trends in the comfort of your own home. The mistress of ceremony for this event was 39 news anchor Katishia Cosley. Good luck!......... THE REACH CARD……..Tom Joyner, host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, has partnered with Houston-based PreCash to launch his REACH Card, a Visa prepaid card that offers African Americans and others without bank accounts a better way to manage their finances in a smart, fairly priced way. While in our city he placed a few customer service calls to the surprise of those at PreCash headquarters. The goal is to empower more folks looking for modern solutions to help manage their finances, and use the card as a stepping stone to take control of their money and bring greater financial stability to their lives. It’s also a good tool for parents to teach teens and college students money management skills at an early age because they can only spend the money that’s on the card. The card is issued by the Bancorp Bank and consumers can purchase one online at www.thereachcard.com. Photos for this event are courtesy of photographer Scott Kilgore…………KUDOS…….The Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s second oldest African American chamber, installed its 2011 board members and officers. Mayor Annise Parker was the featured speaker and presided over the ceremony. Officers installed include Carroll Robinson, chairman; William Taylor, 1st vice chair; LaTayne Bruce, 2nd vice chair; Francis Cook, treasurer; Vernita Harris, secretary, and Laolu Davies-Yemitian, parliamentarian. New board members joining the organization are Carla Lane, Catherine Flowers and Courtney Johnson-Rose. Congrats and continued success!.........Have a great week and remember to watch Crossroads on Channel 13 Sunday morning with Melanie Lawson for your event covered by Ms. Chag. Also check out our website at defendernetwork.com to view the “Event of the Week.”…..From Chag’s Place to your place, Ciao Darling!

Ethan Foster, Jeanine Collins and Robert Beaupre Judson Robinson and Michael Pearson

La Tarsha Mallard, Liz Ambriz and Chanta Brown Jeanine Collins, Ralph Hughes, Kristyn Page and Ethan Foster

Larry Green, Saki Indakwa and Paul Charles Mark Whitener and Cheryl Beausoliel

Jasmine Long

Models Brittany, Sharia, Owner Natalie Johnson and Models Jessika and Yossuana

Natalie Johnson and Katishia Cosley Sharia Roberts

Markel Darby and Tom Joyner

National Syndicated Radio Host Tom Joyner Yulaiza Rodriquez and Tom Joyner

Documents

February 10, 2011