April 12, 2012

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

www.defendernetwork.com WEEK OF APRIL 12, 2012 | FREE

Volume 81 | Number 24

SPORTS HOUSTON ROCKETS SHOOTING FOR NBA PLAYOFFS P10

H PagE 8 H PagE 4

OPINION

protest unruly school kids

SPORTS BRIEFS

P3

NEWSTALK

JENNIFER HUDSON

P11

WHAT’S UP

will coach TSU

women

CYNTHIA COOPER-DYKE

twitter.com/DefenderNetwork

facebook.com/DefenderNetwork

P8

CHAG’S PLACE

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

HISD BUS DRIVERS

Lora and Dr. John Clemmons at UH Music Society celebration

P12

expected to attend

trial

Beverly Johnsontries reality TV Original supermodel Beverly Johnson has found success as a businesswoman, actress and author. She is also the mother of successful plus-size model, Anansa Sims Patterson. Their complex relationship

is explored in the new series “Beverly’s Full House,” which recently debuted on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

guy Rankin

Former County housing CEO

H PagE 6

g. Zimmermancharged with murder

Trayvon Martin’s killer is behind bars and charged with second-degree murder. George Zimmerman, who had not been seen since the Feb. 26 shooting, turned himself in to Florida police and was held without bond in an undisclosed location. Florida prosecutor Angela Corey made the anticipated announcement.

His side of the story

2 DEFENDER | WEEK OF APRIL 12 | 2012 defendernetwork.com

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• 5609 Uvalde Road• 3111 Woodridge Drive• 12035 Antoine• 2121 FM 2920• 24224 Northwest Freeway• 5225 A Buffalo Speedway• 6102 Scott Street• 1701 W. Alabama Street• 22618 Aldine Westfield Road• 10100 Beechnut Street• 11815 Westheimer Road• 14498 Bellaire Boulevard• 8900 Highway 6• 4724 Highway 6• 12680 West Lake Houston Pkwy.

Plan to attend one of the following Community Forums to be held throughout the HCC District:

communityforum 2012

Be part of an important dialogue on the higher education opportunities in our community. Houston Community College plays a vital role in providing access to quality education and in significantly impacting our region’s economy. HCC leadership will present its Long-Range Facilities and Finance Plan to enhance programs and services. The following HCC leaders will be in attendance: Trustees, Chancellor, Deputy Chancellor and COO, Presidents and Master Planner. We welcome your input on the plan for our community as we work together to fulfill our vision for the future.

Monday, April 16, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.Southeast Learning HUB6815 Rustic, Houston, TX 77087

Tuesday, April 17, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.Missouri City Campus5855 Sienna Springs Way, Missouri City, TX 77459

Wednesday, April 25, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.West Loop Campus5601 West Loop South, Houston, TX 7708

Thursday, April 26, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.South Campus1990 Airport Blvd., Houston, TX, 77051

Friday, April 27, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.Alief Campus2811 Hayes Rd., Houston, TX 77082

Tuesday, May 1, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.Central Learning HUB1300 Holman Street, Houston, TX 77004

Thursday, May 3, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.Northline Campus8001 Fulton, Houston, TX 77022

Tuesday, May 8, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.Midtown/Medical Center AreaThird Ward Multi-Service Center3611 Ennis, Houston, TX 77004

Join Us for a Discussion on the Future of Education

Visit hccs.edu/forums to learn about our Long-Range Plan and provide input.

Defender_Com.Forum.week.one.12th .indd 1 4/5/12 1:00 PM

Discover The defender

DefenderHouston’s Leading Black Information Source

She was sentenced to 24 years in prison for her role in a crack cocaine ring led by her abusive drug-

dealer boyfriend. Now, Kemba Smith shares the story of turning her ordeal into a positive message for others. Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story.

Pick up at these locations

3defendernetwork.com WEEK OF APRIL 12 | 2012 | DEFENDER

localbriefs


newstalk

A JUDGE IS IN TROUBLE because of inappropriate remarks he made in his chamber. Harris County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace J. Kent Adams received a public condemnation from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. In one incident, Adams asked an African-American mother “if she was on welfare and expected the government to pay her fine.” In another, he asked a Hispanic parent if she had “six or seven kids.” Local attorney Henry Nguyen, who filed a complaint against Adams, also had a bad experience. Nguyen asked to see school records for a client charged with disorderly conduct in Adams’ court. “[Adams] said, ‘Boy these records are none of your g------ business,”

Nguyen said.……..MORE THAN 1 MILLION TEXAS CHILDREN do not have private or public health insurance, which results in a serious wellness gap. A survey by the Center for Public Policy Priorities found that 90 percent of insured kids are healthy, while only 58 percent of kids without insurance are considered healthy. In addition, nearly 40 percent of Texas mothers receive little or no prenatal care………SOME TEXAS COUNTIES RECEIVED GOOD NEWS in the area of employment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment increased in 22 of the state’s largest counties from September 2010 to September 2011. Montgomery County was

No. 1 in the state with a 4.8 percent gain, and tied for the second fastest growth in the nation. Fort Bend County made the top 10 nationally as well……..FREE TAX PREPARATION HELP is available through April 17 at 15 local Neighborhood Tax Centers. The service, offered by Neighborhood Centers, is available to families with earnings up to $70,000 annually, and singles earning up to $40,000. Services include free e-filing and direct deposit for faster refunds. There is also help for those who are self-employed and those without Social Security numbers. For locations and hours, call the Texas/United Way Helpline at 2-1-1 or visit www.FreeTaxCenters.org.

HISD bus drivers protest unruly kids

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

School bus drivers rallied outside of the HISD administrative building recently and de-manded that district officials institute harsher punishments to student riders who are out of control.

According to drivers who participated in the pro-test, they are subjected to students who constantly fight, smoke marijuana, curse the drivers and each other, and even jump out of the rear exit of moving buses.

Though bus drivers requested stiffer penalties for unruly student riders, they are asking that the district start by enforcing rules already on the books.

“We want HISD to enforce the discipline policy on the school buses,” union president Wretha Thomas said. “We want our community to be aware of what’s going on and we want our students to be safe.”

The HISD Student Code of Conduct states that “students are expected to exhibit appropriate classroom conduct at all times when riding transportation.” A statement released by HISD reiterated its commitment to student and employee safety and listed steps the district has taken toward that end.

According to the statement, “Student and employ-ee safety is the top priority of the Houston Independent School District. HISD’s efforts to protect students and staff include a comprehensive school bus safety and student discipline strategy. HISD officials are aware of the student discipline concerns raised by the Houston Educational Support Personnel union and the district takes these concerns seriously.

“District officials are reviewing the Student Code of Conduct to determine whether revisions are neces-sary. This review will include an evaluation of the

union’s request to include a more specific mechanism for suspending bus riding privileges for students with ongoing disciplinary issues.”

The statement went on to specify that all bus driv-ers this year received four hours of student management training; every HISD bus is equipped with at least two security video cameras; and HISD transportation administrators conduct monthly roundtable discussions with employees at each bus terminal to hear employ-ees’ concerns and address them.

Drivers contend these steps are not deterring negative behavior from student riders.

“They’re not afraid of nobody doing anything to them because they know it’s not going to last long,” said bus driver Velma Allen. “We need help.”

HISD officials said Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier met with Thomas on the day of the rally, with the two agreeing to review the student code of conduct to determine if stronger language needs to be added to facilitate faster and more effective disciplin-ary action.

The current code of conduct allows drivers to restrict bus privileges to students with repeated violation of classroom or transportation rules. If the situation is escalated to a second level, students can have their bus privileges removed or other disciplin-ary action can be taken.

Persistent disruptive behavior on a school bus could result in placement in a disciplinary alternative education program.

“When you get on the buses and you tell the kids to stop, they are either going to give you the finger or curse you out,” said Deborah Powell, yet another bus driver seeking more accountability for misbehaving students. “The street language on the buses is worse than the streets.”

Jamail gives TSU law school $3M collection

Defender News Services

Renowned local lawyer Joe Jamail recently donated his law library to the Thur-good Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. The collection includes more than 1,000 volumes valued at approximately $3 million.

Jamail noted that his rela-tionship with TSU dates back to the days when he hired the city’s first African-American law graduate. “My relation-ship also includes having lectured at Texas Southern many times,” he said.

“Joe is known for break-ing down barriers,” said TSU President Dr. John Rudley.

On hand to accept the

generous gift were Rudley, State Sen. Rodney Ellis, law school Dean Dannye Holley, TSU Student Bar Association President Nana Asare and other students.

“Our Thurgood Marshall School of Law has long been recognized as the country’s most diverse law school, and as such, this gift will go far in helping to expand the diversity of the legal profes-sion in Texas and the nation,” Rudley said.

“This gift will further enhance the reputation of our highly regarded law library, and serve to greatly benefit our faculty, alumni, as well as current and future stu-dents…,” added Holley.

Attorney Joe Jamail (left) joins TSU President Dr. John Rudley and Dannye Holley, dean of TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

4


DEFENDER | WEEK OF APRIL 12 | 2012 defendernetwork.com

VOLUME 81 • NUMBER • 24WEEK OF APRIL 12, 2012

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 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

ColumnistYvette ChargoisSport EditorsMax EdisonDarrell K. ArdisonContributing WriterAswad WalkerPhotographer Bob Levey

PublisherSonceria Messiah-Jilesadvertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler associate EditorsReshonda BillingsleyMarilyn Marshall art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

national

george Zimmerman charged with Trayvon’s murder

Continued on Page 9

U.S.briefs

PRESIDENT OBAMA’S BATTLE with Mitt Romney for the presidency became closer to reality with the recent withdrawal of Rick Santorum from the Republican race. “We made a decision that while this presidential race is over for me, and we will suspend our campaign effective today, we are not done fighting,” Santorum said. He added that the GOP is committed to winning the White House. “We are going to continue to go out there and fight to make sure that we defeat President Barack Obama,” he said……..THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR announced the availability of $1.8 million in grants through the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations program. Eligible applicants include consortia that comprise a community-based organization, a local workforce investment area and a registered apprenticeship program sponsor. The grants will support innovative projects that improve the recruitment, hiring, training, employment and retention of women in industries such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and construction. Applicants must place at least 50 participants annually. More information is available by visiting http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm........ THE NAACP CONGRATULATED the Connecticut state Senate for voting to end the death penalty by a 20 to 16 vote. The heavily Democratic state House of Representatives is expected to follow with approval within weeks. Democratic Gov. Dan Malloy vowed to sign the same bill vetoed by his Republican predecessor. “This historic moment is a victory for Connecticut, a victory for justice, and a victory for Troy Davis,” said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “This bill allows Connecticut to abandon the misguided ‘tough-on-crime’ approach to justice, and adopt a ‘smart-on-crime’ approach that is moral, just, and cost-effective for its citizens. We are confident Connecticut will be the first of many states to bring an end to the death penalty.”


Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman is in custody and facing a

second-degree murder charge for shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin to death on Feb. 26.

During a televised news conference, special prosecutor Angela Corey outlined the charges in the case and said

Zimmerman was in custody of Florida police at an undisclosed location.

Trayvon’s death sparked an outcry in the African-American community. Protests were held across the country, as demonstrators demanded justice and an end to racial profiling. The killing also put Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law in the spotlight.

Corey said the uproar had

nothing to do with the decision to charge Zimmerman.

“I can tell you we did not come to this decision lightly,” she said. “We do not prosecute by public pressure.”

Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon’s mother, thanked the Lord for Zimmerman’s arrest.

“First of all, I want to say ‘Thank God.’ We simply wanted an arrest,” she told reporters in Washington, D.C. “We wanted

Tulsa tries to make sense of shootingsDefender News Services

Residents of Tulsa, Okla., continue to seek answers in the terrifying killing of three Black people during a random shooting spree by two white men on April 6.

Jake England, 19, and Alvin Watts, 33, were arrested after surrendering to police. Bond was later set at $9.1 million each.

England and Watts shot a total of five Black people. Three men and a woman were shot on the street within a mile of each other before dawn, and the body

of a fifth victim was discovered outside a nearby funeral home that same morning.

The shootings left residents on edge and prompted an inten-sive manhunt.

According to England’s Facebook posting, a Black man shot his father to death nearly two years to the day of the shootings by him and Watts.

There is no evidence the suspects knew any of the vic-tims. England told police that he shot three of the victims and Watts said he shot the other

two. Police identified the de-

ceased as Bobby Clark, William Allen and Dannaer Fields. A victim who survived the attack described the shooter as a white male in a white pick-up truck, a detail which helped lead to the suspects’ arrest.

They each face charges that include three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of shooting with intent to kill. A first-degree murder conviction in Oklahoma can result in the death penalty.

Special prosecutor Angela Corey announced that George Zimmerman was charged with second-degree

Benjamin Crump, the Martin family

attorney, said Zimmerman “had

to be arrested.”

5defendernetwork.com | WEEK OF APRIL 12 | 2012 | DEFENDER

we’re hard at work on what matters most in

texas.at Bank of america, we’re working every day to help support small businesses, homeowners and nonprofit organizations in texas. we’re lending, investing and giving to fuel the local economy and create stronger communities.

HERE’S WHAT WE’RE DOING:

to learn more about how Bank of america is hard at work in texas, please visit bankofamerica.com/facts

© 2012 Bank of America Corporation. Member FDIC. ARP2P4Z5

48,277worked with

texas homeowners facing financial difficulty since 2008, to modify their mortgages.

= 1,000 homeowners

$483.9 million

Loaned

in new credit to texas small businesses in 2011, to help them grow, hire and strengthen the area economy.

= $10 million

$10.1 million

Contributed

to texas nonprofits in 2011 to help support their work in the community.

= $250 thousand

CSRAD-04-12-0240_A1.indd 1 4/4/12 4:41 PM

6 DEFENDER | WEEK OF APRIL 12 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

coverpage


guy Rankin:

The last few months have been challenging for Guy Rankin. He was recently removed from his position as CEO of the Harris County

Housing Authority amid allegations of mismanagement.

A series of articles by the Houston Chronicle alleged that under Rankin’s leadership, HCHA doled out thousands of dollars in questionable spending, provided overblown salaries and bonuses, and authorized payments to friends and relatives of employees.

After buying out Rankin’s contract, HCHA declined to pay him $137,000 in severance pay, saying it did not have enough cash on hand to cut a check.

Rankin said the accusations leveled against him are not true.

“The financial management attacks are malicious and were meant to defame, cause doubt, pause and undermine my management and the organization as a whole,” he said. “A coordinated, political attack is the source of the attacks.”

In an exclusive interview with the Defender, Rankin gives his side of the story and tells what the future holds for him.

Defender: You have been accused of allegedly mismanaging money as the leader of the Harris County Housing Authority. What is your explanation regarding the specific accusations related to high salaries, questionable purchasing, etc.?

Rankin: The accusation is 100 percent false. We were awarded best practices in financial management at HCHA and received HUD’s highest rating during a 2009 confirmatory review that studied all of our financial policies and procedures. Our financial operations were considered a model for the region and the nation.

The following are the facts: HCHA experienced unprecedented growth from 2004 to 2011. Net assets went from $642,000 in 2004 to $45.2million in 2011 – constituting a 6,940 percent increase in net assets. HCHA has grown from 12 employees in 2004 to more than 35 full-time employees.

HCHA programs have gone from serving fewer than

2,500 people to now serving nearly 68,000 people —a 3,577 percent increase. The responsibilities and duties carried out by our employees in 2004 have increased about 36-fold. Today HCHA assists 4,089 families alone through the current HCV program in a time when congress were cutting budgets, we were able to help three times as many families and bring in an additional 300 million dollars for property owners over 20 years in Harris County through rental payments.

In response to the high salaries story, again this story was false. A comparison of salaries with the State of Texas shows that HCHA employees were paid less than state employees in 18 of 22 categories and the other salaries were within a 4 percent margin of prevailing wages.

In comparison to Harris County, HCHA employees were paid less than Harris County employees in 20 of 22 categories and the other two positions were paid within a 2 percent margin of prevailing wages.

All salaries were approved in public sessions by the Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners and in accordance with sound business principles.

Defender: How would you describe your work performance as head of the Harris County Housing Authority and what are some of your greatest accomplishments?

Rankin: I had the unique experience of training and developing some of the best in our field. I enjoyed being a part of the team. I gave everything I had; 18 hour days, Sundays, Mother’s Day and more to the Agency – but I wasn’t the only one; others have given that and more.

The Harris County Housing Authority received more than 50 different awards and accommodations for service during my eight years at HCHA. We were audited more than 28 times and received clean audits every time. We led America’s greatest emergency housing operation from the Houston Astrodome. We were selected by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to work in 41 states around the nation as the leader in disaster housing assistance. We built eight new affordable mixed-use developments

with more than 1,000 affordable housing units. We tripled the size of our Housing Choice Voucher program and completed an emergency triage and damage assessment program that brought millions of dollars to Harris County.

I would put my record up against anyone else in the field. I am proud of the accomplishments of my team at HCHA.

Defender: How do you explain the hiring of family members and other nepotism allegedly practiced at the agency?

Rankin: The accusation is misleading. There were four cases the other newspaper citied and they knew they were false. HCHA has the exact same employment policy as Harris County. Our policies and procedures were followed and nothing improper was done. The examples the other newspaper used involved four instances out of 1,600 people. • For example, we have a part-time deputy who has a second job at the front desk at HCHA and works a few hours on Thursdays and Fridays. He asked whether his son – 17 years old – could obtain some work experience as an intern and I agreed. • In the second case, we hired a retired person as a case manager, his wife worked with a contractor on the

His side of the story about guy RankinHometownDurham, N.C.EducationB.A., Political Science, North Carolina Central UniversityExperience• Community development manager, Harris County Community Development • Planning and development director, City of La Porte • Small business owner, Summer Plans Developments • CEO, Harris County Housing Authority

Defender Exclusive

coverpage


7

Rankin: Robbie Tolan (right) appears with his parents, Bobby and Marian Tolan

disaster program. The wife was brought on temporarily to close out the disaster housing assistance program that ended March 31 and performed admirably.• The third instance involved a retired HCHA employee who was brought back after a three-year hiatus to help transition more than 500 families into a program. Her brother was working in a completely different division in a different capacity.• Fourth and finally, there were questions about my father-in-law working as a contractor. The truth is my father-in-law was a 35-year Exxon accountant and worked for an outside accounting firm for 22 months before he worked on our disaster program. He was a tremendous worker with invaluable experience and skills.

Defender: Some have claimed that your firing stems less from job performance issues than it does with your inability or unwillingness to “play politics.” Do you agree or disagree?

Rankin: Politics were definitely at play here. I don’t do politics well. I thought my job was to help people – not bow to the political elite. The HCHA Board of Commissioners conscientiously set the vision for the agency and I carried out their mission. We delivered every single time for the community and the people who needed help. Unfortunately, an undercurrent of animosity,

jealousy, envy and old-fashioned politics started to present itself in very public ways to my detriment.

Defender: What would you like the community to know about your leadership of the agency and its accomplishments?

Rankin: We were the best in America! We provided superb housing to the needy. Some people in this community may not have liked our advocacy for the poor, disabled, seniors, veterans and minorities. Some occupy vaulted political stations. Their silence speaks volumes when it comes to truly caring for the most vulnerable among us. I encourage those who believe in equality, peace and justice to join together and resist the forces of silence.

Defender: How would you describe Guy Rankin (personally, professionally, spiritually) at this stage of your life?

Rankin: I feel a sense of balance and purpose like never before. I was in a position that we leveraged to help tens of thousands of people in need, it was truly the work of God that we were able to do so much with very little resources. Today, I am totally free to change the world and make it a better place for the poor, homeless, disenfranchised, seniors, veterans and the disabled.

Personally – I am at peace, professionally – I have a vision that is exciting, and spiritually – I am in Matthew 21:21(AMP) – “it will be done.” It is time for me to give all of my talents to make the world a better place and over the next 90 days I believe in extraordinary, supernatural

transformation into a great life of service in the support of those in need.

Defender: What is your next move—to fight to get your job back, work to repair what some may view as a damaged reputation, or simply move on to your next career move?

Rankin: I have no regrets. I have many fond memories of HCHA. We were the best in America! We helped hundreds of thousands of people and my heart is full of satisfaction. My reputation is the truth and I am secure in knowing that God has more for me to achieve for the poor, homeless and needy. I will be about my Father’s business. I am not looking back, for greater opportunities are ahead. I have already been offered jobs. I will take my time to be guided to the next position.

Guy Rankin was HCHA CEO when he and other housing officials received congressional honors from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee for building the nation’s first seniors’ LEED platinum development, the highest energy-efficient housing that can be built.

Rankin assessed New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward after Hurricane Katrina. HCHA assisted six different public housing authorities in the New Orleans area.


What’sup

Beverly Johnson turns to reality TV


entertainment

JENNIFER HUDSON is expected to attend the upcoming Chicago trial of William Balfour, who is accused of murdering her mother, brother and nephew. Hudson is on a 300-name list of potential witnesses, though it’s not certain if she will testify. Balfour was estranged from Hudson’s sister at the time of the 2008 killings. He is accused of fatally shooting the entertainer’s mother, Darnell Donerson; brother, Jason Hudson, and seven-year-old nephew, Julian King. The bodies of Donerson and Hudson were found in the family home. Julian’s body was found several days later in an SUV. If convicted, Balfour faces a maximum life sentence. Illinois abolished the death penalty earlier this year……..JOHN AMOS is joining the cast

of Martin Lawrence’s CBS comedy pilot. In the show, Lawrence portrays a widowed father of two who decides to become a rookie cop after losing his construction job. Amos will play Martin’s commanding officer. Amos, a former football player and amateur boxing champ, has acted for four decades. He is still remembered as no-nonsense husband and father James Evans in the 1970s sitcom “Good Times.” Dissatisfied with the show, Amos was fired after the third season……..BILL COSBY is speaking out on the Trayvon Martin case. The 74-year-old comedian told the Washington Times that neighborhood watch volunteers such as George Zimmerman shouldn’t be allowed to carry guns. “We’ve got to get the gun out of the hands of people

who are supposed to be on neighborhood watch,” Cosby said. “When you carry a gun, you mean to harm somebody, kill somebody,” he added. Cosby can sympathize with the Martin family on their loss. In 1997, his 27-year-old son Ennis was shot and killed on the side of a Los Angeles freeway while changing a tire. Mikhail Markhasev was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted robbery in the case and sentenced to life in prison……..KANYE WEST continues to be seen in the company of Kim Kardashian. Recently in New York, he had an entire floor of the toy store FAO Schwarz roped off so the two of them could get a private music lesson. They learned to play “Chopsticks” on the oversized piano made famous in the movie “Big.”

By KAm WILLIAmS Defender

Beverly Johnson is the first African-American supermodel, as well as an actress, author, activist, businesswoman and TV personality.

Johnson is also the mother of successful plus-size model, Anansa Sims Patterson. Her

complex relationship with Anansa is explored in the new docu-series, “Beverly’s Full House,” which debuted on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network) on March 31.

She has a niece with Down syndrome and is a spokesperson for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.

Recently, Johnson launched a new beauty line – Model Logic by Beverly Johnson – which includes hair care prod-ucts and Beverly Johnson Ponytails.

An avid golfer, Beverly can be found unwinding on the golf course when not working on or off camera. She lives in Rancho Mirage, Calif. with her two collies Flame and Hollywood. Here, she talks about all of the above.

KW: Tell me a little about your new TV series, “Beverly’s Full House.”

Beverly: I went up to Oprah and told her I had some shows I wanted to pitch to her. I had no idea she was going to like the reality series. It’s a constructive show about mother and daughter relationships. In addition, the cameras follow me around while I’m building my company. We’re not going to have any buffoonery. You’ve got the wrong family, if that’s what you’re looking for. Oprah has a certain integrity about herself and she knows what image she wants for her network. So, I felt very comfortable working with her. The show has lots of laughs and a few tears, and I do know that

people will take a lot away from the show KW: How do you manage to maintain your high level

of beauty as you mature? Beverly: I get that question a lot. Oprah did this show

in which these scientists shared the secrets of the world’s oldest living people, people still functioning past 100 years old. They found that they exercised every day, they ate in proportion, that they had a social network of family and friends, and that they had some sort of faith. So, that’s what

I’m doing now, very consciously. Instead of working out three times a week, I do something physical, like a one-hour walk every day.

KW: Do you think it is easier for young women of color to get ahead today?

Beverly: When I went to Fashion Week, I was very disappointed by how few women of color were in those shows. I do speak to the younger girls, and I hear them when they say they’re not getting the big contracts or into

the big shows. So, to sum it up, it seems that whenever we take a couple of steps forward, we take a few more backwards.

KW: You are wearing many hats: model, actress and entrepreneur. Which one fits you best?

Beverly: Business fits me best. The only reason I went into modeling originally was to help out my family, because I knew that money gave you freedom. I tried acting and all of the arts. I even put out a record album, but what I like the most

is business, which is where I am now. KW: How much responsibility

must fashion models and designers take for the body images they present – inspiring young girls to the point of eating disorders?

Beverly: There’s 100 percent responsibility for the images that go out, since we can know what happens at the opposite end of the world in three seconds. I most certainly think we are influencing the way women think about themselves.

KW: How can we begin present-ing more realistic and wholesome images?

Beverly: By promoting more plus-size models, like my daughter, who decided to embrace and celebrate who

she was. She was a size 2 at one time, but she decided she didn’t want to be hungry anymore. I think that’s how you turn it around. Today, more and more designers are recognizing how lucrative that market is.

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?Beverly: Candy.KW: What key quality do you believe all successful

people share? Beverly: Passion!

9defendernetwork.com | WEEK OF APRIL 12 | 2012 | DEFENDER Zimmerman... Continued from page 4

EVERY DAY

BECAUSE YOU ARE AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING WE DO

For more than 135 years, CenterPoint Energy has served communities throughout the Houston area by building relationships between our employees and our customers. As a public utility, we touch the lives of our customers each and every day by delivering safe, reliable electricity and natural gas. But, that’s not all we do. Through our education and community outreach efforts, we work to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Strengthening our neighborhoodsCommunity involvement is at the core of our corporate culture and is exemplifi ed by our employees and retirees who are committed volunteers in our service areas. Volunteering has long been central to CenterPoint Energy’s culture. We work to enhance the quality of life in our communities by reaching out as a caring neighbor to support education, community development and health and human services. Each year our employees, family members and retirees provide tens of thousands of hours in our schools – making them better places to learn, and in our neighborhoods – making them safer places to live.

Investing in educationIn addition to volunteer activities, we promote specifi c company-sponsored activities, including natural gas and electric safety education programs designed to keep students safe and to inspire them to learn. Education opens doors and provides young people options, and our employees are eager to share their personal experiences with students.

Encouraging employees to make a differenceCenterPoint Energy is a company of people who care about our businesses, our customers and our communities, and we understand that we can’t be successful if our communities are not healthy and strong. Our goal is to make a difference every day by helping to make our communities better places to live, to work and to conduct business.

For more information, log on to CenterPointEnergy.com/community.

©2012 CenterPoint Energy 120545

2011 Volunteer Participation

2011 total volunteer hours: 235,847

Volunteer participation rate: 41.26%

Total value of volunteer hours:* $5,037,692* Based on the Independent Sector’s $21.36 estimate of the value of

a volunteer hour. For 2010, the national average for volunteer-ing in America was 26.5 percent.

Walgreens, NUL provide free health tests


Walgreens is sponsoring its Way to Well Health Tour in conjunction with the National Urban League. The tour provides free health resources to urban and minority residents who experience disproportionately higher rates of preventable disease.

The health tour bus will visit select Walgreens stores in Houston from April 20 through May 1. The program provides free tests, assessments, education and consulting services.

“The National Urban League is thrilled to partner with Walgreens for the Way to Well Health Tour for the sixth year in a row,” said Marc H. Morial, NUL president and CEO.

“As many urban and minority com-munities in the United States are strug-gling to afford rising health care costs in an uneasy economy, the free tests provided by the [tour] are vital to disease detection and

prevention. ” “Way to Well reflects our commitment

to disease prevention and to improving everyday health through education and early detection,” said John Gremer, Walgreens director of community affairs.

“With the NUL, the nationwide travel-ing health tour is one way we deliver on our pledge to improve lives by providing un-derserved communities greater access to the resources they need.”

Tests include total cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, body com-position, skeletal muscle, resting metabo-lism, visceral fat, real body age and body weight.

The tests are valued at more than $100 and are administered to those 18 years and older by certified wellness staff. Participants consult with a pharmacist or wellness staff member about their results.

For tour information visit www.wal-greens.com/waytowell.

nothing more and nothing less, and we got it. And I say thank you. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus.”

Trayvon’s parents were joined by Rev. Al Sharpton and family lawyer Benjamin Crump at their D.C. news conference. Crump said Zimmerman “had to be arrested, and this matter had to go before a judge and a jury.”

Sharpton said there should be no “high-fiving” over the charge.

“There are no winners here,” Sharpton said. “This is not about gloating. This is about pursuing justice. We have not won anything. All we have established is we have the right to redress.”

Corey revealed that she had spoken with Trayvon’s parents when she took over the case, and said “we told those sweet parents” that they would receive answers.

Earlier, Corey announced that she would not take Trayvon’s shooting death before a grand jury. Under Florida law, only first-degree murder cases require the use of grand juries.

The unarmed youth was killed by a single bullet to the chest fired from Zimmerman’s handgun. Zimmerman claimed to be acting in self-defense. He was questioned by Sanford, Fla. police and released without being charged.

In another development, Zimmerman’s attorneys said they were dropping him as a client. Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner complained that they had lost contact with Zimmerman. They added that his emotional state was shaky and expressed concern for his mental and physical health.


sports


SBE/DBE Subcontractors Requested

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas Contract Operation of METRO’s Northwest Bus Operating Facility

Bid Submittal Date: May 16, 2012

MV Transportation, Inc. is seeking proposals from SBE/DBE Subcon-tractors.

Submit proposals for the following:

Office Supplies, Printing Services, Drug Testing Services, Staffing Services, Security Services, Vehicle Parts, Vehicle Cleaning, Painting and Body Work, Consumable Fluids (Oil, Lubricants), Tires, Custodial Services, Facilities Maintenance, Bus Washing Chemicals and Uni-forms.

The RFP documents are available from our offices or from METRO directly. If you require additional advice and assistance in this process, obtaining necessary equipment, supplies, materials or related assistance or services; bonds, lines of credit, or insurance required by METRO or MV, please feel free to contact me at (707) 430-0368. Interested firms please fax a letter of interest (include SBE/DBE certifi-cation information) by April 27, 2012.

All proposals will be fairly evaluated.

Joe Escobedo Vice President, Business Development

MV Transportation, Inc. 4620 Westamerica Drive

Fairfield, CA 94534

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1

Project 12-03-01 – RFP – Supplemental Website Design and Hosting Services – with a deadline of 3 P.M. May 2, 2012. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in HMW Board Audito-rium at the above stated address on April 16, 2012 at 10 A.M.

Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org.

The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.

The District sells obsolete assets on-line at www.PublicSuprlus.com.

classified

By MAX EDISONDefender

In case you haven’t noticed, the Rockets are on track to make the NBA playoffs for the first time in three years. Rock-ets first-year head coach Kevin McHale proudly proclaimed at the beginning of training camp to anyone that would listen that the goal for this year’s squad was making the playoffs.

Without a legitimate superstar player, only die-hard Rockets fans felt they had a ghost of a chance. But give the players credit, the players believed.

With eight games left in a condensed, strike-shortened NBA season, the team is squarely in the hunt for a spot in the NBA playoff tourney. At press time the Rockets were the sixth seed in the NBA’s Western conference.

The amazing thing is the team has been able to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt despite the limited services of its two best players. Point guard Kyle Lowry and shooting guard Kevin Martin have both missed significant time due to injury, but a collection of young players have come off the bench and more than adequately filled the void.

The Rockets have received outstanding production from the replacement backcourt tandem of point guard Goran Dragic and 2 guard Courtney Lee. They have also gotten sizable contributions from rookie Chandler Parsons, Chase Budinger and Patrick Patterson.

The acquisition of center Marcus Camby at the trade deadline has also been valuable. Camby provides a consistent work ethic and much needed veteran playoff experience. Camby and veteran Samuel Dalembert provide an effective inside boost, offensively and defensively.

It has been a total team ef- fort on the court as well on the sidelines with the team’s coaches. Despite the injuries, GM Daryl Morey is not totally surprised at how his youthful bunch has stepped up.

“I think with Goran, Courtney, Chase, Chandler – I mean our whole set of 1s, 2s and 3s – we really felt like that was the strength and the depth of our team and its showing true,” Morey said.

“Feeling that way and having them actually do it is a totally different thing. Chase probably won a game for us recently and we’ve had games where

Courtney has won it, Chandler has won it, Goran has won it – so it’s been pretty exciting. And Kevin McHale doesn’t get nearly enough credit for the way he’s guided this team through what’s been a very unique season from day one.”

The Rockets are playing in a manner that one would expect from a team that’s played together for years, not one that has yet to finish a season together.

“We just go out there and we’re having fun,” rookie Parsons said. “We’re playing unselfish, we love playing with each other, we’re playing defense, we’re rebounding the ball. We’re just really having fun out there and its showing. We’re winning games, moving the ball and clicking on all cylinders right now.”

The stellar play of Dragic at the point, taking over for an injured Lowry (who was having his career best as a pro), has been the key to the team’s success. The fourth-year player, from Slovenia is averaging 18 points and eight assists over a 16-game stretch as a starter. Those games include impressive wins on the road against Oklahoma City, the Chicago Bulls

and the Lakers.“He’s playing great. He’s a very good player,”

veteran power forward Luis Scola said. “It’s not like he learned how to play in the last month. He had all of this. You don’t play like this if you don’t have it. You don’t develop this in a month. He

was already this type of player; he just needed a place to show it.”

“He’s been unbelievable. We haven’t missed a beat with him,” Parsons said. “He makes huge plays, he makes good passes, he makes good decisions and he

really runs our team. He’s been a leader on the floor for us and he’s been huge and he’s really coming into his own. I’m stoked for him right now.”

Dragic’s (six-foot-3, 190 pounds) play has not gone unnoticed around the league. He was named NBA Western Conference Player of the

Week for games played April 2-8. “I would say we’re playing different bas-

ketball than we played one month ago because the ball is going around, everybody touches it,”

Dragic explained. “We are not taking the first shot. If you’re

open you can take it sometimes, but we’d rather move the ball from one side of the floor to the other

and just put some pressure on the defense.” Baring an unlikely total team collapse, the Rock-

ets are poised to enter the playoffs. With Kyle Lowry returning, a young team playing relaxed, brimming with

confidence and a veteran inside presence, the Rockets will be a tough first-round matchup and could actually do some damage in the playoffs.

Rockets streaking toward the playoffs

Head coach Kevin McHale and staff molded a young Rocket team into a playoff con-tender.

Veteran center Marcus Camby provides veteran leadership and is a defensive presence in the middle.

h.s.zone11defendernetwork.com WEEK OF APRIL 12 | 2012 DEFENDER

sportsbriefs


girls’ softball going down to wire

Hempstead coach fired for leaving students behindHempstead school district officials fired head football coach and track coach Ricky Sargent this week after he decided to leave two student-athletes at a Giddings restaurant while teammates rode home on a school bus. Just a few months removed from guiding the Bobcats to the Class 2A Division I state championship game against Melissa, Sargent regrets making the decision that happened following a recent track meet. Sargent wasn’t with the team on the bus at the time when he received a phone call and was told that athletes were misbehaving and were told they would not be allowed to eat. Darius Battles and Ronnie Jones got off the bus to eat and the two seniors refused to get back on. The bus pulled away around 1 p.m. Sargent met the two and waited until one of their parents arrived. The next day Sargent met with Battles and Jones along with their parents to apologize. “Those students should have never been left alone,” Sargent said. “That was a mistake on my part and I feel extremely bad for that.”

State oversight might be solution for TAPPSThe Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) is still under fire for initially refusing to move a basketball game involving the Beren Academy to a time when it would not conflict with the Jewish Sabbath. State Sen. Rodney Ellis and an attorney who repre-sented the school suggested recently that state oversight of TAPPS might be a solution if the organization doesn’t institute adequate reforms.

Former Comet Cooper-Dyke coming to TSUHall of Fame basketball star Cynthia Cooper-Dyke is slated to become the next head coach of the Texas Southern women’s basketball program. “Cynthia Coo-per-Dyke is the sole finalist for our women’s basketball position and she will be our next head coach pending final approval,” TSU AD Dr. Charles McClelland said in a statement. Cooper-Dyke was in her second season at University of North Carolina Wilmington with a record of 20-13 (11-7 conference). She was named Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year in her first season (2010-2011). She served as head coach at Prairie View A&M from 2005-2010, where she led the Lady Panthers to a SWAC tournament victory and their first ever NCAA tournament invite in her second year. She will succeed Yolanda Wells-Broughton who recently resigned.

HBU names football coach for new teamHouston Baptist University recently named Vic Shealy as their new head football coach. Shealy won a national championship while head coach at Azusa Pacific and most recently served as defensive coordinator and secondary coach the past two seasons at Kansas. “We are really excited to be starting our football program under the direction of someone as experienced and successful as coach Shealy,” AD Steve Moniaci said. “It is very special to be part of building a football program from the ground up, and we are confident we have the right guy for the job.” The Huskies will begin play in the Southland Conference in 2014.

By Darrell K. ArdisonDefender

The girls’ high school softball regular season is winding

down to its final stages with many schools still in playoff contention.

Wheatley rallied from a 5-3 deficit to defeat Worthing 15-5 and set up a showdown with District 22-4A rival Furr this week for the top spot in the district standings.

Earlier in the week, Wheatley crushed Kashmere 34-3 to remain within the district’s top two playoff slots.

In one of the most competitive districts top-to-bottom in the state of Texas, Pearland forged a three-way tie for first place in District 24-5A by disposing of Alvin 6-1 behind pitcher Haley Beam’s six-hitter.

Beam pitched a complete game while picking up two hits at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored.

“[Beam] kept her composure like a great team leader does,” said Pearland head coach Laneigh Clark, who has guided her team to the state softball tournament for the past two years, including a state title in 2010. “Her presence means so much to us and she hit the ball as well.”

Pearland, 21-3 overall and 7-2 in league play, scored all the runs the Lady Oilers would need in the first inning. After Alvin scored its only run of the game in the top of the first, Beam knocked in leadoff hitter Kristen Cuyos before coming around to score herself for a 2-1 advantage.

The Lady Oilers added two runs in the fourth and sixth innings to provide the final margin.

Yet it was Pearland’s sterling defense that made a statement throughout the contest. Cuyos made a diving stop at shortstop to record the final out of the third inning. Catcher

Sydney McKay caught the Yellow Jackets’ lead runner in a rundown for the final out of the second inning after fielding a bunt and faking a throw to first base.

“That’s one thing we strive to do well is play good defense,” Clark said. “We take a lot of pride in our defense and we practice it a lot.

“The two kids that made those plays are in my opinion, two of the best defensive players around,” Clark said. “Kristen is one of the most selfless kids I know in the game of softball.”

Clark and Beam were both pleased to avenge a 7-3 loss to Alvin on March 9.

“Alvin came out and they beat us pretty bad the first game,” Clark said. “It just shows that individu-ally, we’ve grown and as a team we’ve grown.

“I think we’ve still got some growing to do as the regular season comes to an end,” Clark said. “There are three teams in this district that could end up at the state tournament. We play in such a great district that it prepares all of us for the playoffs.”

Meanwhile, Westside im-proved its playoff chances by de-feating District 20-5A rival Lamar 5-2 at Butler Field.

The Lady Wolves took the lead

for good in the first inning on a two-run home run by catcher Tatiana Cortez. Westside was at it again in the second inning, adding an insurance run on an RBI single by Han-nah Vossen.

“Usually when we get the bats cracking and we’re able to put some runs on the board, our defense falls into place after that,” said Westside

head coach Naomi McNeely-Cooper.

“It allowed my pitcher some breathing room and be able to relax in the first inning when she came out to the mound,” McNeely-Coo-per said. “Once she was able to go through the lineup, that gave her the confidence to pitch the distance.”

Westside starting pitcher Sydney Mannen earned the win by retiring 10 of the first 11 batters she faced and allowing just three base runners.

“Sydney’s needed some confidence and being able to throw a complete game is giving her the confidence we need for her to carry us through the rest of our season,” McNeely-Cooper said.

The only time Mannen was challenged came during the bottom of the fifth inning when three West-side errors enabled Lamar to post its only two runs.

“We’re still young, so it seems like we had that half-inning brain cramp that we need to overcome. But these girls are really coming around,” McNeely-Cooper said.

Westside improved to 14-8 on the season and 7-3 in District 20-5A.

Lamar (7-8-1 and 5-3) starter Dani Allen struck out 10 in seven innings, but three costly errors hurt the Lady Redskins.

Wheatley’s Lady Wildcats set up a showdown with district rival Furr.

12

chag’splaceFor 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 APRIL 12 | 2012 defendernetwork.com

MASQUERADE MIXER…..The Katy-Prairie View Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. hosted their 2nd Annual Masquerade Mixer at Safari Texas Ranch. This elegant evening featured a buffet dinner, a silent auction, mixing and mingling with friends and entertainment. Funds raised will benefit the Jack and Jill of America National Foundation and the Fort Bend Women’s Center. About 300 guests attended, many of them wearing beautiful masks. They included Macqueline Woods, Jacqueline Newton-Green, Everard and Ebony Taylor, Brunette and Henry Robertson, April Fontenot, Teno Fontenot, Jennifer Daniels, Vicki Byrd, Lucy Summerlin, Wondy and Bernard Weston and Kandi Eastman and Motion, to name a few. Kudos to Senora Webster-Sims, chapter president, Pamela Levine, event chair and the entire

committee and membership for a fabulous evening. Continued success!....... EASTER CELEBRATION…..To celebrate Easter, Sarah Villery and Daryl Thomas opened their beautiful home to over 100 family members and friends for an Easter celebration that included a

crawfish boil and Easter egg hunt. Friends Tamara Johnson, Jackie Shepard, Natalie Beaudion, Cindy Moody, Warda Omar, Lisa Chargois and Raquel Wheeler prepared a variety of other delicious dishes while Keith King and Acynthia Villery were the master chefs for the crawfish boil.

Yummy! The children were entertained with a moon walk, face painting and a surprise visit from the Easter bunny. Everyone had a great time and look forward to next year. Thanks!…….PUTTIN’ ON THE GLITZ…..The 25th anniversary celebration for the University of Houston Moores School of Music Society was held at

the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts and the affair was truly glitzy. Attendees were treated to a cocktail reception, concert, dinner and dancing to the sounds of Grammy nominated singing sensation Mary Griffin. In the mix of all the excitement were Dr. Renu and Surush Khator, Attorney Cornell Williams, Lora and Dr. John Clemmons, Merele Yarborough, Erika and Michael McClure, Sharon and Doug Owens, Eric Andell and Diana and Chase Untermeyer. Chairs Phyllis Williams and Helen Shaffer did an outstanding job making this one of the most successful events. Congratulations!......CONDOLENCES…..Our prayers are with the family of John S. Chase who recently celebrated his homegoing. Think of it this way, John has a new position. He’s now your guardian angel appointed by God to look after you. He saw that the road was getting rough, the hills were hard to climb, so He gently closed his loving eyes and whispered, “Peace Be Thine.” God Bless!..... From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

Brunette and Henry Robertson Chapter President Senora Webster-Sims and Pamela Levine Jennifer Daniels, Vicki Byrd and April Fontenot

Daryl Thomas, Keith King and Kenneth HenrySarah Villery, Tamara Johnson, Jackie Shepard, Natalie Beaudion and Cindy Moody

Lisa Chargois, Warda Omar, Acynthia Villery and Raquel Wheeler

Erika and Michael McClure Lora and Dr. John Clemmons Attorney Cornel Williams and Event Chair Phyllis Williams

April 12, 2012

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