September 22, 2011

Houston’s Leading Black Information Sourcewww.defendernetwork.com WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 | FREE Volume 80 | Number 46

NATIONAL ARE SCHOOLS PREPARING BLACK BOYS FOR PRISON? P4

CHAG’S PLACE

P16

NEWSTALK

NATIONALP3

ENTERTAINMENT

TOURE’Multi-talented & growing

Carl Richie, Kelli Rod and LaRence Snowden at the U.S. Rep.Barbara Jordan stamp unveiling.

P6

PAGE 3

hosts meetingsThe Houston Independent School District wants to know what residents think,and is holding a series of meetings with Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier. The six“Community Conversations” take place in October in different parts of the city.Topics of discussion include the district’s Strategic Direction, a set of goalsadopted last year.

P4

TROY DAVISdies despite doubt

BUFFALO SOLDIERS on Wheels

TOURE’Multi-talented & growing

State of PAGE 7

Deion Sandersstarts schoolsFormer NFL and Major League Baseball star Deion Sanders is not content to workas a sports analyst and star in commercials. He was recently given the go-ahead to open two charter schools in the Metroplex area. Sanders plans to locate both in traditionally underserved areas. The schools will serve at least 650 students each.

PAGE 14

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Food

Is America in a Class War?

In The Book Corner

Question of the Week

Sister Citizen:Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America

by Melissa V. Harris-Perry

“This book is concerned with understanding the emotional realities

of black women’s lives in order to answer a political, not a personal,

question: What doesit mean to be a black woman and an

American citizen?”

ontheweb

SMART DECISION

At HCC, our faculty knows the theory

yet applies the practice of real-world

experience in the very same classroom.

We are preparing students to be the next

generation of thinkers and doers.

HCCfacultyfacts.org

hccs.edu

At HCC, our faculty knows the theory

yet applies the practice of real-world

experience in the very same classroom.

We are preparing students to be the next

generation of thinkers

Dept. Chair for Health Information Distinguished Author

&Dr. Carla Tyson-Howard

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3defendernetwork.com WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22 | 2011 | DEFENDER

localbriefs

newstalk

with superintendent D.A. says no charges for Jolanda JonesAfter reviewing ethic complaints against Houston City Councilwoman Jolanda Jones, Harris County prosecu-tors concluded that criminal prosecu-tion is not warranted. City Attorney David Feldman and the O! ce of Inspector General had accused Jones of using city resources to promote her private law practice. Jones, who maintained her innocence, said she never used her role to benefi t anything or anyone other than her constituents. “From the start, I have maintained that when the facts came to light, I would have acted within the acceptable standards of conduct and was always confi dent that the District Attorney would come to the same conclusion,” she said.

Texas Tea Party members want another special sessionMembers of the Texas Tea Party want Gov. Rick Perry to call another special legislative session to ban sanctuary cities that protect illegant immigrants. “Gov. Perry needs to clarify his position on illegal immigration, and he needs to come back to Texas and to fi nish the people’s unfi nished business,” said JoAnn Fleming, chair of the Tea Party Caucus Advisory Committee of the Texas Legislature. “The ball is in Gov. Perry’s court.” Legislation to ban sanc-tuary cities failed during the regular session and special session. A spokes-person for Perry said, “The governor already made this a priority, and the Legislature didn’t pick it up.”

Houston Independent School District resi-dents are invited to attend a series of “Community Con-versations” with Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier during October.

The meet-ings will address the district’s progress toward accomplishing the goals established last year when the Board of Education adopted its Strategic Direction.

The town hall format will allow for an unscripted two-way conversation in which community members can ask questions (in person or via e-mail) and participate in the discussion.

Developed over a six-month period

in partnership with the community, HISD’s Strategic Direc-

core initiatives designed to help make it the best public school system in America. Those initiatives are:1 Effective teacher in every

classroom2 Effective principal in

every school3 Data-driven accountability

4 Rigorous instructional standards and supports5 Culture of trust through actionGrier is asking HISD residents to begin the dialogue about the district’s direc-tion by submitting questions via e-mail to [email protected].

Justice Dept. rules redistricting plan illegalDefender News Services

The U.S. Department of Justice recently ruled that a redistricting plan passed by the Texas legislature is illegal. The ruling sets the stage for a legal showdown to determine how Texas will select its representatives to Congress.

The Justice Department said that the proposed map does not “maintain or increase the ability of minority voters to elect their candidate of choice.”

Attorneys for the state had defended the

new election districts drawn by the Republi-can-led legislature, saying they were designed within the law.

lawsuit over the redistricting maps, alleging new voting district lines are illegally discrimi-

Hispanic growth during the past decade. The plan approved by the legislature

does not contain a single majority Hispanic district in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, despite the fact that the area has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the country.

Houston U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Gene Green, both Democrats, were among those who were critical of the plan, especially with its lack of representation for Hispanics.

Prior to the ruling, lawyers wrapped up a two-week trial over the plan, which was argued before a three-judge federal panel in San Antonio.

The judges indicated before adjourning that they would wait for a Justice Department decision on the redistricting maps before issu-ing a ruling.

An exhibit highlighting the untold story of the history and culture of African Americans and motorcycles was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Shown at the event are (l. to r.) Kenneth “Dream Maker” Thomas, national president, Buffalo Soldiers Motor Cycle Club;; Captain Paul Matthew, founder, Buffalo Soldier National Museum, and Burl

Washington, artist. The exhibit featured the

watercolor painting by Washington. He is known for capturing the history of Black sol-diers, cowboys and cowgirls, and aviators. Washington is a native of Somerville and an art graduate of the University of Texas at Ar-lington and Texas State Technical Institute.

Howard

Bissonnet

Scott

Photo credit: NewsWireHouston

4national

U.S.briefs

DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22 | 2011 defendernetwork.com

ColumnistYvette Chargois

Max EdisonDarrell K. ArdisonContributing WriterAswad WalkerWebmasterCorneleon Block

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender audited By Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2011 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

NAACP says there was too much doubt

Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Art Director

Cornel West joins group looking for Obama challengerAfter accompanying Tavis Smiley on a poverty tour across the country, scholar Cornel West has turned his attention elsewhere. West has joined forces with consumer advocate Ralph Nader and the New Progressive Alliance. It is described as a grassroots campaign conceptualized to oppose President Barack Obama by endorsing an independent or third-party candidate. The group faults Obama for his actions during the recent debt ceiling negotiations, the mili-tary escalation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and for extending tax cuts first enacted by former President George W. Bush. The group said it is seeking “rec-ognizable, articulate” candidates to debate Obama’s policies.

First Lady and restaurant chain promote good healthMichelle Obama recently visited a restaurant in Maryland for an announcement in the quest for healthier food choices. Mrs. Obama unveiled a Partnership for Healthier America with Darden Restaurants, the company that operates Red Lobster, Olive Garden and other establishments. Darden has committed to a variety of changes designed to increase healthy meal content and decrease calories and sodium. Fruits or vegetables, for example, will become the default side dishes on children’s meals. “This is a breakthrough moment in the restaurant industry,” Obama said. “The changes [made] could impact the health and well-being of the entire gen-eration of young people.”

Reports vary on alleged tryst between Palin and RiceDid former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin really have a fling with former NBA player Glen Rice? A book by author Joe McGinniss claims the ex-Alaska governor had a one-night stand with Rice when she covered him as a sports reporter 25 years ago. McGinniss also said Palin had a “fetish” for Black men. Rice refused to comment on the situation when reporters reached him at his Florida home, but he allegedly confirmed the relationship to McGinniss in the book. Palin’s husband Todd, however, said it isn’t so. “His book is full of disgusting lies, innuendo, and smears,” Palin said.

Defender News Services

The NAACP continued to insist there were too many holes in the Troy Davis case to proceed with his execution.

The civil rights organization con-demned the Georgia State Board of Pa-roles and Pardons for its decision to deny clemency to Davis and to move forward with the execution on Sept. 21.

“We are appalled and outraged by the Parole Board’s erroneous deci-sion to uphold the state’s death sentence to murder an innocent man,” said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous.

“There is too much doubt to proceed with an execution. No amount of delib-eration will change the fact that the case against Mr. Davis has too many holes.”

Jealous added that the case does not

bode well for the justice system.“In moments of immense sadness,

moments that shake the foundation of our faith in the justice system and in mankind, there are often no words that can adequately express one’s grief and outrage,” said Jealous.

In a case that garnered national attention, seven of the nine witnesses against Davis have since recanted their statements incriminating him, several citing police pressure to fabricate state-ments.

At least three of the jurors from Davis’s trial called for Davis to be granted clem-ency, one saying that if she knew at trial what she knows now, Troy Davis would have been found not guilty.

The NAACP Georgia State Confer-ence had been at the

forefront of calling for justice on behalf of Davis, and also condemned the scheduled execution, citing major weak-nesses in the case.

unconscionable that the Board would allow this execution given its prior ruling and despite the nearly 1,000,000 voices calling for justice – including 40,000 from Georgia and over 10,000 from Savannah, 3,300 members of the clergy and 1,500 legal professionals – in support of Mr. Davis,” said Edward O. Dubose, president, Georgia State Conference, NAACP.

“To allow this execution to go forward without a re-examination of the facts and the alternate suspect is an injustice to both families, to the jurors who sentenced Davis to death and to the people of Chatham County.”

On the evening of Aug. 19, 1989,

MacPhail was gunned down while he worked as a part-time security guard. To date, there is no physical evidence connecting Davis to the crime and some individuals pointed to an alter-nate suspect as the real killer.

“Troy’s family has been moved by the efforts of the NAACP and supporters around the world, and our thoughts and prayers are with them now as they turn to look into the face of the cruelest kind of injus-tice,” he said.

Are schools preparing Black boys for prison?By STARLA MUHAMMAD

Special to NNPA-

suit against the Chicago Board of Education alleging a public school security guard handcuffed her young son while he was a student at George Washington Carver Primary School on the city’s far south side.

The attorney representing LaShanda Smith says the youngster was among sev-eral six and seven-year-olds handcuffed by the guard for allegedly “talking in class.”

In New Orleans, Sebastian and Robin Weston were plaintiffs in a 2010 class- action lawsuit alleging their then six-year-old son was handcuffed and shackled to a chair by an armed security guard after the boy argued with another student over a chair.

Are these incidents, in which young Black boys are treated like common crimi-

nals in America’s schools, subconsciously preparing them instead for life behind bars in the criminal justice system?

“The school system has been trans-formed into nothing more than a prison preparation industry,” says Umar Abdullah Johnson, president of National Movement to Save Black Boys.

“The job of the school district is to prep the children for prison just like a chef preps his food before he actually cooks it,”

-gist, told the Final Call.

“Yes We Can: The 2010 Schott 50 State Report on Black Males in Public Education,” states that Black male students are punished more severely for similar infractions than their white peers.

Johnson says a false image has been created that suggests Black boys are not interested in being educated.

The emotional and psychological effects on children from unfair and out-of-control disciplinary action like handcuff-ing is setting them up for criminality he explains.

does is it socializes the boy at a very young age into criminal consciousness,” Johnson said. “He is nurtured by the school into an understanding that his role in society is that of a criminal.”

Schools are the number one referral source to jail and juvenile hall for Black children and teens. Therefore, Johnson urges parents to meet and establish a rela-tionship with their child’s teacher.

“Once you meet with a teacher, just the vibration from that teacher [will] let you know whether they’re there to get a paycheck or whether they’re there to teach your child,” he said.

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entertainment

what’sup

Forbes names Tyler Perry richest man in entertainment industry with $130 milTyler Perry, creator of the popular “Madea” franchise and TBS shows “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns,” recently topped Forbes Magazine’s list of Entertainment’s Highest Paid Men. “Thanks to fi ve movies he has cranked out over the past two years and two TV series, Perry earned $130 million between May 2010 and May 2011, which ranks him as the highest-earning man in entertainment for that time period,” the magazine wrote. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer came in second on the list with $113 million. Perry is set to appear as detective Alex Cross in author James Patterson’s “I, Alex Cross” fi lm. Cross was originally portrayed by Morgan Freeman in the fi lms “Along Came a Spider” and “Kiss the Girls.” Perry also has plans to launch his own television network tentatively titled Tyler TV.

Houston legend Archie Bell suing record companies over royaltiesLocal music legend Archie Bell has fi led suit against Philadelphia International Records and its sister company Gamble-Hu" Productions for money he claims they owe him. The court fi ling alleges the companies breached their contract with Bell by not paying him royalties and other fees. He and his group, Archie Bell and the Drells, had a huge hit in the 1960s with the dance single, “Tighten Up.” Members included Archie’s brother Lee Bell, along with James Wise, Joe Cross, Billy Butler, Lucious Larkins and Willie Pernell. The group left Atlantic Records and recorded for TSOP, a subsidiary of Gamble and Hu" ’s Philadelphia International Records. Their fi rst hit was “I Could Dance All Night,” followed by “The Soul City Walk” and “Let’s Groove.” Archie Bell and the Drells last performed together in 1979.

R. Kelly opens up about next album ‘Black Panties’ and ‘scary’ throat surgeryAfter undergoing throat surgery in July, R. Kelly is getting back on track with his next album. Kelly stopped by WGCI’s Morning Riot radio show in Chicago for a rare interview. “It was really scary,” Kelly said of his surgery. “At the end of the Love Letter Tour, towards the end, I started feeling it. I thought I had a cold, but, man, I had like a cyst as big as a golf ball on my tonsils. The doctor’s though, they cut it out, they took care of me really good.” Kelly revealed his 11th album will be titled “Black Panties,” and the title says it all. “I just did the whole Love Letter joint and everybody thinking, ‘Oh that’s the direction he’s goin’ now,’ “ Kelly said. “Nah, that was a moment in time…”

Multi-talented Touré talksBy KAM WILLIAMS

Defender

Born in Boston on March 20, 1971, Touré is a cultural critic for MSNBC, as well as the host of a couple of shows on Fuse-TV: “Hip Hop Shop” and “On the Record.” A contributing editor at Rolling Stone, his articles appear regularly in publications rang-ing from the New York Times to the Village Voice to the New Yorker.

Touré is also the author of a collection of essays called “Never Drank the Kool-Aid,” a collection of short stories called “The Portable Promised Land,” and a novel titled “Soul City.” Furthermore, he serves on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, and is a member of the Adjunct Faculty of the City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism.

A devoted father, Touré lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Rita, and their two children, Hendrix and Fairuz. Here, he talks about his new book, “Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness?”

KW: What inspired you to write the

book? Let me guess, the incident in college

where somebody embarrassed you by saying,

“Shut up, Touré! You ain’t Black!”

T:

incident. I had already been thinking very actively about what it means to be Black since I was very young. But that got me thinking about it with a different intensity on an extremely deep, personal level.

So, that sort of got the ball rolling, but

Barack Obama which was an indication to me that something had changed in terms of race and what it meant to be Black in America. We are not post-racial, but some things have changed. For instance, I think the younger generation has a more progressive attitude,

KW: How can so many in the

period you describe as post-

Blackness give up being

boxed in by race if they

have neither the educa-

tional nor economic

opportunities to leave

the ghetto locality?

T: What I’m say-ing is that you have the ability to embody black-ness however you wish. I believe [it’s] right that you see greater opportunity for education and advancement as you go up the class scale, but America is the land of rapid class ascension within a generation, within a decade,

even within a year. So, I don’t think this only applies to middle-class Black people. If you go into the ‘hood, you’ll encounter a huge variety in terms of blackness.”

KW: Do you see any value in the

government census trying to keep track of

people by race – Black, white, etcetera? If

so, how can we truly become post-

racial?

T: I don’t think the goal is to become post-racial. I don’t want a world in which we’re not think-ing about race. I want a world where people are proud to be who they are, and where everybody feels comfort-able imposing the beauty of their culture on America. The goal is that prejudice based around those differ-ences ends. Post-racialism is not the goal, because it’s not

even possible. KW: What key quality do you believe all

successful people share?

T: The ability to take a “no,” because in order to become successful at anything, you’re going to experience a lot of setbacks and a lot of doors closing.

KW: What message do you want the

public to take away from your book?

T: Two things: First, I want the Black people made to feel like outsiders because they like opera or sushi or scuba diving to know that they’re not weird and that they are Black. You can do Black and be Black in any way you choose. And secondly, I want the self-appointed, volunteer identity cops to be frozen in their tracks, because they’re not really doing the race a service. It’ time for them to take off their badges and let people be

KW: What advice do you have for

young people who are interested in entering

T: Think about something else that might make you happy. I’m serious. I don’t think the opportunities are there to make a comfortable living in journalism anymore.

KW: What was the best business deci-

sion you ever made?

T: I bought some shares of Google and Apple a few years ago. It’s going good so far.

KW: What advice do you have for any-

one who wants to follow in your footsteps?

T: Read a lot, write a lot, try to experi-ence a lot, and take a big bite from the buffet of life.


diversityThe state of Minority Business

By ASWAD WALKERDefender

Has the global economic downturn negatively affected Houston’s minority businesses? If so, what can be done to

breathe new life into these entrepre-neurial efforts?

Richard Huebner, president of the Houston Minority Supplier Develop-ment Council, recently spoke to the Defender about the state of minority business in Houston.

He also discussed the recently held HMSDC Expo 2011 that sought to provide minority business owners with the information and contacts needed to take their businesses to the next level.

Huebner said that despite the economy, not everyone is suffering, and minority businesses that are members of the HMSDC tend to be plugged into larger contracts.

“In 2011 some minority-owned small businesses are doing quite well, but it depends on the industry you’re in,” Huebner said. “Retail is doing poorly because no one’s

spending money. The IT industry became overcrowded;; so some businesses are washing out.

“Still, we’re actually seeing some spending again, especially with suppli-ers to oil, gas and transportation. Private industry has rebounded a little bit, but government contracting fell off big-time. Government agencies are really having a tough time. But this year private industry is spending a little more.”

Huebner offered additional insight into minority entrepreneurship.

Defender: What hurdles besides the

general economic downturn provide the

greatest challenges moving forward for

minority Businesses?

Huebner: Two things in particular: capacity and capital. We are living in a global marketplace;; it’s no longer a local, community or even a national marketplace. Businesses have to meet the needs of contractors on a global scale.

Many small, minority-owned businesses lack that capacity. Contractors want to know, “Are you large enough to perform on my contract?” Accessing capital is another challenge. Trying to get any capital to grow your business

in today’s market is almost impossible. And as lending criteria has increased it has impeded access to capital, particularly growth capital.

involves what industry we’re in. The U.S. moved from an agrarian society to an industrial society to a knowledge-based one. Jobs and opportunities changed as well. We have to ask ourselves, “Are we in the right industry?” Part

the right industry for your talents. In IT, for example, though the competition is crowded

over here you may have more of a market overseas. A very

ucts]. Just the opposite exists in upstream business [pulling the oil out of the ground. Minority businesses should set their] sights on where the business is instead of competing

doing much better overseas. So, is our opportunity here or overseas? Major corporations would love to see more minority-owned drilling companies, or even one. But capi-

Defender: What is minority supplier development

and how does it relate to the overall success of minority

businesses?

Huebner: The majority of our minority suppliers are

Continued on Page 9

Richard Huebner

8 DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22 | 2011

9

diversitydefendernetwork.com WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22 | 2011 | DEFENDER

African American (43%), compared to Latinos (38%), Asians (17%), and Native Americans (2%). That means African American businesses should be winning about 43% of the supplier contracts—and they are. That tells me what we’re doing is working.

However, even though Black businesses are winning 43% of the contracts they’re only obtaining 27% of the dollar volume compared to Native American businesses getting 20%. Does that mean contractors prefer Native American companies over Black companies? No. It means [some] Black companies are in the wrong industries. Native Ameri-cans are in the right industries, such as oil country tubular bids, that generate large amounts of capital, and also require access to big capital to get in.

Generally, African Americans, because of the historic lack of capital, tend to be in industries that don’t require a lot

are really down right now. [HMSDC has] done a good job of growing companies to qualify for contracts. Now we need to help them with getting in the right industries, gaining capital, turning the dollar over many more times in our community, forming strategic alliances, and developing strategies for growing wealth.

Defender: Why do you think supplier diversity is often

overlooked during discussions on equality and diversity?

Huebner: Most people think employment when talking about diversity, not realizing minority businesses create way

their hiring. Supplier diversity helps small businesses grow and succeed. Small businesses create way more jobs. We

really need to be committed to growing small businesses if we are really committed to creating more jobs. Or are we doing this because we have to?

If we’re serious about creating jobs, a committed dia-logue around minority business development will become a priority beyond EEOC requirements. The question is “Are we about employment or compliance?” Minority business devel-opment is as important today as it’s ever been. For example,

Exxon Mobil increased spending with HMSDC businesses by 33%, while other companies reduced their spending.

That says Exxon Mobil made a concerted effort to

tight economic times, and they found them in the minor-ity community. That’s a huge victory. So to the ques-tion, “Can minority companies perform [with these major contracts]?”Absolutely.

Defender: What was the HMSDC Expo 2011 and why

should owners and supporters of minority businesses look

to attend next year?

Huebner: It was a combination of incredible events and opportunities including 20/20 Insight Forums. We broke down the Houston economy into seven sectors and brought in top business leaders from each sector to tell us what’s happening next in their sector, what opportunities do they see coming, and how do we best approach them. The luncheon was a huge networking opportunity to meet with corporations, contractors, government agencies, and other businesses.

The Early Bird Breakfast allowed small business own-ers to get their game plan and strategy together for the Trade Fair & Marketplace. At that event, corporations rotated in over 1,200 decision-makers through 200 booths, with the 900 minority business owners present asking questions, gain-

So often we don’t have the opportunity to ask the ques-tions. At the EXPO attendees had the opportunity to ask the questions and explore the opportunities, so they can hit the nail on the head when writing up business proposals.

Continued from page 7

Houston Minority Supplier Development Council

Blacks wield considerable consumer power

Defender News Services

A report released by Nielsen and the National Newspaper Publishers Association reveals that African Americans’ buying power is expected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2015.

This growing economic potential presents an opportunity for Fortune 500 companies to examine and further understand

Likewise, when consumers are more aware of their buy-ing power it can help them make informed decisions about the companies they want to support.

So says “The State of the African-American Consumer Report.”

“Too often, companies don’t realize the inherent differenc-es of our community, are not aware of the market size impact and have not optimized efforts to develop messages beyond those that coincide with Black History Month,” said Cloves Campbell, NNPA chairman.

“It is our hope that by collaborating with Nielsen, we’ll be able to tell the African-American consumer story in a manner in which businesses will understand. And that this understand-ing will propel those in the C-Suite to develop stronger, more inclusive strategies that optimize their market growth in Black communities, which would be a win-win for all of us.”

three-year alliance between Nielsen and NNPA, showcases the buying and media habits and consumer trends of African Americans.

The 41st Annual Legislative Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Conference recent activities set the backdrop for the announcement.

Flanked by civic, business and legislative leaders, Nielsen

and NNPA executives spoke about the relevance and impor-tance of the information shared in the report and the fact that it will be distributed in NNPA’s 200-plus publications, reaching millions of readers.

“We see this alliance with NNPA as an opportunity to share valuable insights, unique consumer behavior patterns and purchasing trends with millions of readers,” said Susan Whit-

Continued on Page 11


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With you when you,re prepared for the unexpected

ing, vice chair, Nielsen. “By sharing, for example, that African Americans over-

index in several key areas, including television viewing and mobile phone usage, we’ve provided a better picture of where the African-American community can leverage that buying power to help their communities.

Likewise the information literally points businesses in the right direction for growing market share and developing long range strategies for reaching this important demographic group.”

Consumer trends included in the report include eye-opening facts such as:

Americans were a country, they’d be the 16th largest country in the world.

in July 2011 – 76% of whom visited a social networking/blog site.

phone voice minutes compared to whites – 1,298 minutes a month vs. 606.

groups, but spend less money per trip.

or higher grew by almost 64%, a rate close to 12% greater than the change in the overall population’s earning between 2000

and household income will continue to impact the community’s economic power.

Consumer power..Continued from page 9


Merger praised for helping close digital divide

A wireless service from the proposed merger of AT&T with T-Mobile are too good to pass up.

including 26 state governors and scores of federal legislators, say the transaction would boost the economy and create jobs.

The merger also has won the backing of most of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations, as well as advocates for rural organizations, educational groups and business organizations.

The merger “stands to bring much needed relief to the African-American community by helping close the digital divide and increasing access to vital services in urban and rural communities,” NAACP senior vice president Hilary Shelton told the FCC in a recent letter.

By making the new service available to over 97 percent of the U.S. population, the merger would also bring the country to the edge of President Obama’s goal of nearly universal high-speed wireless broadband.

Announced by the companies in March, the merger must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department.

“For consumers, combining the two companies’ infrastructure and spectrum holdings promises clear

greater coverage will help address network congestion and should result in fewer dropped calls,” Connecticut Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a letter to the FCC.

Last month, 76 Democratic members of Congress

would “create thousands of jobs, including many good

The letter, whose signers represent 31 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and includes 19 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, noted that “the potential for ubiquitous, wireless broadband

millions of Americans that may not otherwise see those

underserved communities.”

diversity


PUBLIC HEARING NOTICEMetropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO)

Public Hearing for FY2012 Operating & Capital Budgets

The Public Hearing for METRO’s FY2012 Operating & Capital Budgets will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2011, at 9:00 am in the METRO Board Room on the 2nd Floor at 1900 Main Street in Houston, TX.

METRO’s FY2012 Operating & Capital Budgets will be available for public review beginning September 15, 2011 at METRO headquarters at 1900 Main Street on the 14th Floor by contacting Rosa Diaz at 713-739-4918. Also, you are urged to visit METRO’s website www.ridemetro.org to view the document and make comments.

Student loan default rates increaseDefender News Services

Figures recently released by the De-partment of Education reveal that the number of bor-rowers default-ing on federal student loans has jumped sharply.

are the latest indication that rising college tuition costs, low graduation rates and poor job prospects are causing more students to be-come overwhelmed by debt.

The national two-year cohort default rate rose to 8.8 percent last

Driving the overall increase was the number of students who borrow from the government to attend for-

At public institutions, the default rate increased from 6 percent to 7.2 percent, and from 4 percent to 4.6 percent among

colleges.Students borrowers

are being hit by two sides – cash-strapped institutions raising tuition and high un-employment making it harder for graduates to

“These hard economic times have made it even more

borrowers to repay their loans, and that’s why implementing

education reforms and protecting the maximum Pell grant is more impor-tant than ever,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

“We need to ensure that all stu-dents are able to access and enroll in quality programs that prepare them for well-paying jobs so they can enter the workforce and compete in

our global marketplace.”Steps are being taken to help

students.The Obama Administration has

-rowers through the income-based repayment plan, which makes loan payments more affordable by cap-ping the montly payment at an amount based on income and family

size.Through a series of regulations

-partment of Education has tightened loopholes to protect students from misleading recruiting practices, and established rules that require colleges to better prepare students for gainful employment or risk losing access to federal student aid.

“We need to ensure that all students

are able to access and enroll in quality

programs that prepare them for well-paying jobs so they can enter the workforce and

compete in our global marketplace.”

Goldman Sachs is pleased to announce open enrollment for the next10,000 Small Businesses program in Houston. The program, led by HoustonCommunity College, is designed to give local small business owners theresources to grow.

Participants in the 10,000 Small Businesses program will gain practical business knowledge, skills and insight that can be put to work immediately. The program also o!ers participants access to capital, experienced mentoring and unique networking opportunities.

10,000 Small Businesses is committed to supporting small businesses across the country to drive job creation and growth. Learn about the application process and apply today at www.hccs.edu/10KSB.

THE GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES PROGRAM IS IN HOUSTON. APPLY TODAY.

E VERY THING YOURSMALL BUSINESSNEEDS TO GROWIS HERE.

10KSB_Defender 4.79 x 6.5

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

opinionpointofview

George E. Curry

nextweekonlineopinions

Harry C. Alford

Blacks is beautiful all Over the World

Marian Wright Edelman

Discouraging News on Child Poverty

Silver Lining in Obama Poll Numbers

Marc Morial

defendernetwork.com WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22 | 2011 DEFENDER

A few pointers for

13

By JULIANNE MALVEAUX NNPA Columnist

The fall of the Roman Em-pire is best captured in the

while Rome burned.” Set on pursuing his own plea-

sures and indulgences, Nero could not see the walls crumbling around him. Similarly, our leaders seem oblivious to the walls crashing in on us, bicker-ing about the way that relief on our employment situation should be struc-tured, while poverty rates are soaring. The data that came out last Tuesday included no surprises, but in some ways, it was a stunning indict-ment of the economic gridlock that has plagued us for the past year. While Congress has been yammering on about debt ceilings, more and more Americans are without work;; more and more have experienced poverty. The poverty rate rose from 14.3 percent to 15.1 percent between 2009 and 2010. That means that the number of poor Americans grew by 2.6 mil-

lion people, from 43.6 million to 46.2 million. For the past three years the poverty rate has continued to rise, and income has continue to decline. In the past year, the average income has dropped by 2.3 percent to $49,445. Of course, the African-American level of income saw a steeper decline, from $33,122 to $32,068, or by 3.2 percent. While median Black income dropped by more than a thousand dollars a year, white income, from a higher perch, saw a lesser decline of about $900, or from $52,717 to $51,846, about 1.7 percent. With much less, African Americans are hit much harder. Thus, while the overall poverty rate is 15.1 percent, it is 27.4 percent for African Americans, 26.6 percent for Hispanics, and 9.9 percent for whites. More than 40 percent of African-American children live in poverty. There are further indications of increased poverty and dire news for years to come.

There are 2 million more “doubled up” households, meaning that more than one family is living in the same home. Yes, we used to do this “back in the day,” but today entire families are moving in together because of economic exigencies. Nearly a third of those families headed by women are in poverty, and women are still earning 77 percent of what men earn. Those who are poor are victims of a corroded economy. While many would like to blame the 46.2 million Americans who are experiencing poverty, the real culprit is our nation’s economic failure. This does not mean that we should give up. It means that we should organize and galvanize ourselves to take our economy back. Dozens of congressional representa-tives have ignored the poverty data, but they wouldn’t be able to ignore it if we grabbed their attention. More than 40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. planned a Poor People’s Campaign. Who will plan it now?

Park

er, F

lorid

a To

day

President Obama’s American Jobs Act a Good Start

Debilitating poverty

nextweekonline

Times are hard and things are not what they used to be. But you can look at the glass as half full or half empty. Thank God there is something in the glass.

We recommend you take a proactive approach and understand that you are in a unique position – a

ity business owner. And here are a few pointers. Point One: Review and Cut Your Expenses.

Seriously review your expenses and determine what you are spending money on – every dime. Then ask

tives that are less expensive. Ask yourself the hard question about every product and service you use: Do I really need this? Can I do it another way? Re-

you will lose in the end. Consider outsourcing. The big boys are doing it – why not you.

Point Two: Use Technology. Explore the op-portunities and ease that technology has to offer from accounting and payroll services, to postage, rental space, presentations and more. The savings are unbelievable but you have to be willing to take the challenge.

Yes, it is a learning curve and for some it is harder than others. But in today’s business arena it is about meeting the customer’s needs and mak-ing money at the same time. If you are not making money, you need to make a change.

Point Three: Look at Your Business Model and see if it is still the best way for you to make money. There may be other revenue opportunities you can in-corporate into your arsenal of products and services.

Point Four: Establish Strategic Alliances and Partnerships. There are those who share a common goal and mission that together you can create a win-win relationship. Important: Make sure everyone knows the rules and guidelines.

Finally, Point Five: Be true to Yourself. When it is all said and done you have to be happy with what you have created because it is your company and a

Go for it.


sports

Deion Sanders turns his attention to education

By MAX EDISONDefender

To say that Deion Sanders was a great athlete is an understatement. An outstanding Major League baseball player, he once played in an NFL game and baseball playoff game on the same day.

As an NFL cornerback/wide receiver/return specialist he was one of the greatest cover corners of all time and was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. Sanders’ appeal off the field has been equally as impressive.

As a sports analyst with the NFL Network he is insightful, witty and of course very well dressed.

As a pitch man for Direct TV he is comical, yet amusingly on point for his product, the NFL Sunday Ticket.

Now the multi-talented Sanders has decided to enter into an arena where the stakes are decidedly higher, education. Sanders was recently granted a charter to open a charter school in the Metroplex area by the Texas Board of Education.

Sanders plans to open two schools in 2012 for kindergarten-12 students. Both will be located in traditionally underserved areas. One of the schools

will be located in Fort Worth at Charity Church and the other located in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. The schools will serve between 650-1000 students each.

Sanders, who has been active in area youth league

sports, said his interest in education began to take shape while watching over 1200 kids try out for youth football.

“I sat up in the top of the bleachers and said, ‘This would be wonderful if we would educate these kids,” the Hall of Famer recalled. “We could marry the two. Why can’t we do such a thing?”

The good news from the board of education was music to “Prime Time’s” ears, as evidence by his joyful tweet.

“GOD IS GOOD! WE GOT IT WE GOT IT WE GOT IT! IM IN TEARS LORD I THANK U LORD I THANK U! PRIMEU PREP ACADEMY WILL OPEN

IN 2012 K-12 FREE FREE” In the midst of his

jubilation Sanders never lost site of his main focus, the education of underserved youth.

“[The notification] was pretty much one of the best moments of my life because it’s not about you,” Sanders said. “It’s about the countless number of kids that will be blessed from this school.”

Of course the move was not without its detractors. There were some who thought Sanders’ celebrity status unfairly influenced the education board’s decision.

Board member Mavis Knight (D-Dallas) reconciled her vote thusly.

“I had to wrestle with myself to keep from penalizing opportunities for students because of the

celebrity involved. There are probably more resources coming to the students because of it.”

Long-time Dallas resident and former Cowboy and NFL executive John Wooten admires the Sanders group’s involvement in education.

“I have a great deal of admiration for Deion and what he’s attempting to do in the field of education,” Wooten said. “Deion lives on the far north side of town, yet he is one of the few guys that regularly travels south of the Trinity River [inner city] to spend time and resources with those kids.

“My grandchildren also attend a charter school that Deion’s group has an affiliation with and I’ve been very impressed with the quality of their education.”

The schools will be called, appropriately enough, Prime U Prep Academy. In typical “Prime Time” persona, Sanders will seek to provide nothing but a first-class environment for students to matriculate.

“We plan on marrying the best of teachers academically, some of the best students academically, some of the best athletes together – the best attitudes, the best passion and desire all intertwined to educate these guys to raise company CEOs, and not employees,” Sanders said.

Somehow, based on his past list of accomplishments, you just get the feeling Sanders and his future students will be very successful.

Hall of Famer Deion Sanders will open Prime U Prep Academy in 2012. Photo Credit NFL.com

A noted pitch man, Sanders will sell the

concept of quality education to inner

city youth

sportsbriefs

15defendernetwork.com DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22 | 2011

is the start of games that count

classified

Top-ranked College Park girls spank KingwoodCollege Park is the Houston area’s top-rated girls’ high school volleyball team. Trailing 18-14 in the first set against area-rankedKingwood, Michelle Griffith helped reverse the momentum by delivering 10 consecutive serving points for the Cavaliers. Griffith had four aces in that run and ended the match with seven. Kingwood was never able to recover as Kingwood prevailed 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-13). Katie Mitchell and Taylor Erwin were also instrumental in the Col-lege Park victory. Each finished with nine kills apiece, as the Cavaliers had 37 kills to just 15 for the Mustangs.

Fort Bend Bush makes history by beating KempnerBush had never beaten Kempner in football. Trailing by a point in the fourth quarter, Bush called on its field-goal kicker to rally for a vic-tory. Alex Gomez booted field goals of 22 and 38 yards in the final stanza to improve Bush to 3-1 on the season. Despite being limited to 154 yards total offense in the contest, Bush recorded its first win over Kempner in football. After missing the Chavez game due to injury, Bush running back Jalynn McCain returned to action and rushed for a game-high 103 yards on 22 carries and scored on a nine-yard run in the second quarter.

Elkins suddenly on a roll with three straight winsAfter opening the season with a heartbreak-ing one-point loss to Dayton, Fort Bend Elkins has rebounded with three consecu-tive victories. Following wins over Lamar and Clear Brook, the Knights opened their District 23-5A ledger with a 28-17 victory over rival Dulles. The game was tied 14-14 at intermission and the teams played a scoreless third quarter. However, Elkins quarterback Jake Burkhalter tossed two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to seal the win. Burkhalter finished with four TD passes in the contest on 19-of-32 passing for 247 yards and no inter-ceptions. Elkins faces Clements this week.

Jason Bourgeois selected by Astros for ClementeThe Houston Astros have selected Jason Bourgeois as the team nominee for the pres-tigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. The award goes to the player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and com-munity involvement. Bourgeois, a Houston native, is honored to be the team’s nominee. “Growing up, baseball was big part of my youth. I loved playing the game and much of what I learned about myself and life is be-cause my family and other adults took time to teach me and make me a better player and a better person,” he said. “I am grateful to be in a position, right here in my hometown, to do for kids today what others did for me. Clemente was a tremendous player and his commitment to helping others is a great example of giving back. I am honored to be the Astros nominee for the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award.”

By DARRELL K. ARDISONDefender

The dress rehearsal is over and the formalities have been concluded.

Houston area high school football teams have been pointing to this moment since two-a-day practices in the searing August heat. Now the season gets more interesting as most area teams begin district play with a goal of qualifying for the postseason.

Six of the toughest district races include 13-5A, 24-4A, 22-4A, 20-5A, 21-5A and 19-5A.

Here’s a look at some intriguing match-ups this week that could help determine who secures a playoff berth come November.

KLEIN COLLINS vs. KLEIN OAK, Sept. 23, Klein Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.

These two District 13-5A powerhouses were preseason

Both schools are coming off a bye week.

Klein Collins, the Houston area’s top-ranked Class 5A school, improved to 3-0 a week earlier with a dominating 49-23 victory over Willowridge. Five different Tigers scored touchdowns in the fracas, including two short TD runs from Shane Rhodes. Rhett

26 and 38 yards out.Quarterback Tyler Stehlig

completed 17-of-25 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown.

Klein Oak had the misfortune of running up against North Shore, which was still smarting from an opening-game beatdown by Katy. The Mustangs utilized their quick-scoring ability to sting the Klein Oak defense for three long scoring plays. Larry McDuffey caught TD passes of 78 and 30 yards from quarterback Micah Thomas. Davonte Milton added a 67-yard TD run.

The Klein Oak defense

of Klein Collins to have a chance to win this game.

LA MARQUE vs. MANVEL, Sept. 23, Alvin Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.

Manvel tuned up for this week’s showdown by pounding Sharpstown 42-0. The Cowboys’ two-headed tandem at quarterback of Julian Walker and Shane McCarley were both

4-0 on the season.Walker completed 10-of-

12 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown. McCarley was 5-of-8 for 132 yards and two TDs.

La Marque running back Tim Wright rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns in the Cougars’ 68-3 win over Brazosport at Hopper Stadium. Wright averaged over 16 yards per carry for La Marque.

Manvel, La Marque, Dawson, Friendswood, Santa Fe and Texas City are all capable of winning games in this district. La Marque and Friendswood each won regional titles last season.

high-scoring affair with the team owning the football last in position to secure a victory.

LAMAR vs. CHAVEZ, Sept. 22, Barnett Stadium, 7 p.m.

Chavez is 2-1 on the season with victories over Clear Lake and MacArthur. Lamar opened with a win over Clear Brook and followed that with close losses to Elkins and Brenham.

Every victory in this district puts you a step closer to the playoffs. Bellaire, Westside, Westbury and Lamar will be

in the district standings with Chavez and Madison in hot pursuit.

Demun Mercer can make plays with his arm or his feet for the Lobos at quarterback. He threw for 20 touchdowns last season and ran for 12 more scores.

Lamar is led by defensive

all-district selection last year.The Redskins must be able

to match the Chavez scoring power.

SEVEN LAKES vs. KATY, Sept. 23, Rhodes Stadium, 7 p.m.

Katy proved it could still dominate a good opponent last week without standout running back Adam Taylor, who will miss the remainder of the 2011 season with a torn ACL in his left knee.

The tandem of senior Cody Gomez and freshman Rodney Anderson replaced Taylor and shredded the Beaumont West Brook in a 42-7 rout at Rhodes Stadium.

Seven Lakes has playmakers in quarterback Kaleb Morton and running back Denzel Guillard.

The Spartans will need

to win.WORTHING vs. JONES,

Sept. 24, Barnett Stadium, 6 p.m.

The winner of this annual grudge match will likely secure a playoff berth in District 22-4A.

Wheatley, Kashmere and Booker T. Washington appear to be virtual locks for the postseason, which adds to the importance of this game.

DEER PARK vs. LA PORTE, Sept. 23, Bulldog Stadium, 7 p.m.

Although these two schools are no longer in the same district, these two neighboring communities look forward to owning bragging rights after winning this contest.

16

placeFor Event Coverage...visit defendernetwork.com

Events of the Week More photos on defendernetwork.com

Join Yvette Chargois

See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroadswith Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m.

DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22 | 2011 defendernetwork.com

Carl Richie, Kelli Rod and LaRence Snowden Dr. John Rudley and Algenita Scott Davis Dr. Thomas Freeman, The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, Dr. John Rudley, Luci Baines Johnson and Myrlie Evers-Williams

Artist Coline Creuzot and Percy Creuzot IV Byronne Hearn and Cheryl Creuzot Wayne McConnell and Designer Judy McConnell

Breylon Reed, Reagan Dennis and Janiya Alexander with Joe Carmouche

Front Row, Sharisse Beavers, Edgar Lopez and Josiah Marti-nez...Back Row, Fayette Allen, Dehner Franks, Jr. and Kenneth Onigbinde Lily Ubani-Ukoma, Janella Alfred, Mahdi Bey and Farhan Ahmed with Fayette Allen

USPS COMMEMORATIVE STAMP UNVEILED………The late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan was remembered during a “Women for Barbara Breakfast” at the Hilton Americas

unveiling of her Black Heritage Stamp at Texas Southern University. Along with the over 300 folks that attended the breakfast, special guests included Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who introduced legislation that requested that Barbara be honored with a commemorative stamp, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Dr. John Rudley, Luci Baines Johnson, Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, Rev. Gwen Pierre, Mae Frances Rowlett, Algenita Scott Davis, LaRence Snowden, Rose Mary McGowan, Georgia Provost, Carl Richie,

Willie Jordan, Eddie Henry, Lillian Poats, Merline Pitre and Roscette Holman, to name a few. A deserving honor!...........

ART SHOW…….An original abstract art exhibit and jewelry show was hosted by artist Coline Creuzot and jewelry designer Judy McConnell at Mockingbird Bistro. These beautiful works of art were captivating. In the mix enjoying it all were the Creuzot family, Cheryl, Percy III and IV, Wayne McConnell, Byronne Hearn, Bryce

Kennard, Sharmagne Taylor and Merele Yarborough. Great show!........................KALEIDOSCOPE OF MUSIC…….The Young Harmonies of Houston hosted its 2nd Annual Kaleidoscope of Music at Sherman Clay Piano. Founded by Fayetta Allen

developing and nurturing the musical talents of youth ages nine-16 and emphasizes the relationships between the study of music and academic achievement while bringing the

jazz, classical, spirituals, disco and reggae music performed by the children, Farhan Ahmed, Janella Alfred, Dehner Franks, Edgar Lopez, Sharisse Beavers, Mahdi Bey, Kenneth Onigbinde, Josiah Wade and Lily Ubani-Ukoma, and accompanied by pianist Dehner Franks Sr., bass player Eric Elder and drummer Kyle Turner Jr. Special guest performers included Kyle Turner Sr., Joe Carmouche and Mickey Moseley. Sheldon Nunn, KTSU music director, served as master of ceremonies and the event was sponsored by the Houston League of Business and Professional Women, Inc. Continued success!.........From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

Documents

September 22, 2011