vol. 43 no. 32 phone: 512-476-0082 email: [email protected] ... · miss universe pageant and host...
TRANSCRIPT
TPATEXASPUBLISHERSASSOCIATION
Presorted StandardU.S. Postage PaidAustin, Texas
Permit No. 01949
INSIDEVol. 43 No. 32 Phone: 512-476-0082 Email: [email protected] December 25, 2015
RAPPIN’Tommy Wyatt
www.TheAustinVillager.com
This paper canbe recycled
UT AUSTIN HOST COMMUNITYLEADERSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY
AT CARVER MUSEUM
Pictured left to right are; Bernadette Phifer - Carver Museum Director, Sergeant Richard Overton, LavonneMason, Councilwoman Ora Houston, Geraldine Tucker and Dr. Gregory Vincent. Photo by T. L. Wyatt.
The University of Texas at Austin President Gre-gory L. Fenves and Vice President for Diversity andCommunity Engagement Gregory J. Vincent hosted theannual Community Leadership Awards Ceremony atthe George Washington Carver museum and CulturalCenter on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015. The annualawards ceremony honors individuals and organizationsfor their service to the Greater Austin community. Anear capacity crowd attended the event to honor therecipients.
The COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD waspresented to the George Washington Carver Museumand Cultural Center. The award was accepted byBernadette Phifer, the center director.
The history of the Carver dates back to the city’sfirst library built in 1926 at the corner of Ninth andGuadalupe streets. It was soon overwhelmed by the de-mands of its patrons, and would be rebuilt in 1933. Itwas that original structure that would become theAngelina Street Library after it was relocated to EastAustin. Known simply as the “Colored Branch,” the li-brary was christened the George Washington CarverBranch Library in 1947.
Through the efforts of the Central East AustinCitizens for a New Carver Branch, a new facility wascompleted adjacent to the original Carver library in 1979to meet growing demands.
by T.L. Wyatt Editor and Chief
See HONOREES, Page 2
HUD Awards $2.7Mto HACA to HelpPublic Housing
Residents SecureHigher Paying Jobs
Tammye H. Treviño
The U.S. Departmentof Housing and Urban De-velopment (HUD) today(Dec. 17) awarded theHousing Authority of theCity of Austin (HACA) a$2.7 million grant to estab-lish a Jobs Plus Pilot Pro-gram to help the agencyaddress high rates of indi-vidual and household un-employment in Austin.This is the largest competi-tive grant HACA has everreceived for resident ser-vices. The program willalso leverage $4.5 millionfrom HACA and its part-ners, including in-kindcontributions.
“Jobs Plus is not just
an initiative, it’s a pathwayto greater prosperity forfolks right here in Austin,”said HUD Regional Admin-istrator Tammye H.Treviño. “With today’sfunding, the Austin Hous-ing Authority will be ableto help its residents findemployment in today’s jobmarket so they can build abetter tomorrow for them-selves and their families.”
The funds will beused to establish an evi-dence-based program forresidents living at BookerT. Washington Terracesand Chalmers Courts, pub-lic housing properties lo-See FIND JOBS, Page 2
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings
CummingsCriticizesCFTC forFailing to
Impose StrongRegulations
on Wall Street
Washington, D.C. (Dec. 16, 2015)—Today, Rep.Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the HouseCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform, is-sued the following statement criticizing a rule finalizedby the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC),which failed to impose strong initial margin require-ments on the overwhelming majority of transactionsamong affiliates, allowing big Wall Street banks to con-tinue insuring risky trades with taxpayer dollars:
“Today, the CFTC had an opportunity to mitigatethe financial risks to the American taxpayers, but itfailed. As a result, banks will continue to move their
See Allowing Big Banks to Fund Risky Bets, page 2
Say ItIsn’t So,Steve!
Steve Harvey[Image Source: Getty / Ethan
Miller]
by: David BauderAP Television Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - TheMiss Universe pageant andhost Steve Harvey doubleddown on the apologiesMonday after an excruci-ating live television mo-ment — announcing incor-rectly that Miss Colombiahad won and then takingthe crown from her headto give to a rival from thePhilippines.
The fallout fromSunday’s show madeHarvey an online symbolof “oops” moments, drewa reaction from Colombia’spresident and even agloating tweet fromDonald Trump, thepageant’s former owner.
As televised on Fox,the contest was down toAriadna Gutierrez Arevaloof Colombia and PiaAlonzo Wurtzbach of thePhilippines when Harvey, afirst-time Miss Universe
See “I APOLOGIZE”, pg3
What aDifference a Year
Makes. In this technology,computer age, things seem tobe moving at a faster pacethan we can keep up with.New computer apps arebeing created daily and weare making every effort tokeep up with the changes.And it seems to be achallenge for most of us,except for the youngchildren. The children are notaffected as much as we olderpeople, because that is allthat they know. I am amazedto see children, who havejust learned to walk, alreadyworking on the hand helddevices that seem to be anextension of their bodies.And they get very excitedwhen they are asked to givethem up, even for a shortperiod of time. One of the things thatchanged for this year’sChristmas buying season isthe way shoppers are buyingtheir gifts. We all are awareof the crowds that assembleon “Black Friday,” the dayafter Thanksgiving, to be thefirst to get into the stores tobuy their gifts. But this yearwas a little different. One thing that wasdifferent was the additionof Cyber Monday. This iswhere shoppers wereencouraged to by theirgifts online, with aguarantee that they wouldbe delivered in time forChristmas. This newmethod caught on instantlyand clogged up the deliverysystem and msde it verydifficult to keep the deliverypromises. Packages thatwere mailed in the city tookas long as five or six days toreach their destination. But, nothing can takeaway the excitement ofChristmas. We will dowhatever we have to do tomake sure that our love oneshave an enjoyable holiday. Itwill be a while before weknow the effect of CyberMonday. But, I am sure thatall of the kinks will beworked out by nextChristmas season. In the meantime, here’shoping that your gifts madeit to their destination on time.
Have aMerry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!
Mentors discussissues surroundingminority athletes.
See FOCUSPage 2
Passport Americabreaks vital groundin fashion agency.
See RICHARDSONPage 4
Invocation results inremoval of Prominent
monuments.See VOTE
Page 5
MERRY CHRISTMAS
THE COMMUNIQUÉPage 2 ~ December 25, 2015/THE VILLAGER www.theaustinvillager.com
The community
imagined a museum and
community center that
would promote African-
American history, com-
munity history and
achievements in Austin,
Travis County, and be-
yond. On October 24,
1980, their vision became
reality when the George
Washington Carver Mu-
seum and Cultural Center
opened its doors.
In a 1998 Bond elec-
tion, the citizens of Austin
voted to further expand
both the Carver Museum
and the Library.
The Dr. James L. Hill
Leadership Circle Award
was presented to
Geraldine Tucker of the
Town Lake Chapter of The
Links, Inc. She is vice presi-
dent of Human Resources
at Austin Community Col-
lege. She earned her law
degree from UT Austin,
Capacity Crowd Attends 2015 Leadership Award Ceremony at the George Washington Carver Museum. Photo by T. L. Wyatt
Honorees Include Community Activists, Educator,Politician and World War II Veteran Continued from page 1
her master’s degree in Stu-
dent Personnel Adminis-
tration from Howard Uni-
versity, and her bachelor’s
degree in English from
Fisk University. Prior to
holding vice president at
ACC, Tucker had a private
law practice with a focus
on family and probate law.
She is extremely active in
the community.
She has served as
chair of Austin First Step,
Inc. and as secretary for
Austin Community Foun-
dation. She is also a mem-
ber of Leadership Austin,
Leadership Texas, Top La-
dies of Distinction, The
Links and Mt. Sinai Mis-
sionary Baptist Church.
Lavonne Pierce Ma-
son, Austin Area Urban
League Guild, was also
honored in this category.
She is a former Texas
Woman’s University re-
gent. She is a retired Texas
Education Agency pro-
gram specialist, Austin
Area Urban League co-
founder and creator of the
Etiquette Authority; a con-
sulting company based in
Austin.
Mason is a certified
etiquette consultant and
graduate of the presti-
gious American School of
Protocol. She holds a
Bachelor of Science de-
gree from Howard Univer-
sity, and a degree in Guid-
ance and Counseling from
Prairie View A&M Univer-
sity.
The third honoree in
this category is City of
Austin Council Member
Ora Houston. She is the
representative for Austin’s
District one. Her long pro-
fessional history of ser-
vice oriented work includes
27 years with the Texas
Department of Mental
Health and Mental Retar-
dation. She also worked
as a caseworker with Child
Protective Services and
Austin Travis County
MHMR. After retirement,
Houston worked in the of-
fice of Texas Senator
Gonzalo Barrientos from
1999 to 2003.
She has participated
in many local organiza-
tions and commissions.
These include member of
the Citizens Advisory Task
Force of the Imagine Aus-
tin Comprehensive Plan, a
member of the collabora-
tive council of the Travis
County Middle Court for
Children and Families, and
Vice-chair of the Upper
Boggy Creek Neighbor-
hood Planning Team, to
name a few. She is an ac-
tive member of St. James
Episcopal Church. She has
received awards for her
community involvement,
among them Outstanding
Alumna, Huston-Tillotson
International Alumni Asso-
ciation.
The Dr. June Brewer
Legacy Award was pre-
sented to Mr. Richard
Arvine Overton, the
nation’s oldest living vet-
eran. Born in Bastrop
County 1906, he enlisted
in the military on Septem-
ber 3, 1942 at Fort Sam
Houston, Texas. He served
in the South Pacific from
1942 through 1945, includ-
ing in Hawaii, Guam, Palau
and two Iwo Jima stints as
part of the all-Black
1887th Engineer Aviation
Battalion. He left the U. S.
Army in October 1945 as
a sergeant.
Overton worked at
local furniture stores be-
fore taking a position with
the Texas Department of
Treasury in Austin. He
gained some attention on
the internet during Memo-
rial Day weekend in 2013
when he told Fox News he
would spend his Memorial
Day “smoking cigars and
drinking
Whiskey-stiffened
coffee.” On that same day,
he met with Texas Gover-
nor Rick Perry. He was also
invited to the White
House, where he met with
President Barack Obama,
and to the Veterans’ Day
ceremony at Arlington Na-
tional Cemetery, where he
was singled out by name
for praise by the president.
Governor Greg Abbott vis-
ited him recently on his
109th birthday.
Overton has served
as the Grand Master of
Austin’s Veterans Day pa-
rade and more recently
received an honorary de-
gree from Austin Commu-
nity College for his sacri-
fice and service to the
Country.
cated in east Austin.
HACA and its community
partners will deliver col-
laborative programming
based on employment-re-
lated services, financial in-
centives – Jobs Plus Earned
Income Disregard, and
Community Supports for
Work.
“There is no better
gift this holiday season
than helping people in
need find good jobs,” said
Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “I
am proud of HACA and our
local workforce partners for
securing these federal
funds to help Austin deal
with our affordability crisis
by helping some of our low-
est-income residents take
advantage of the thou-
sands of good jobs created
Jobs Plus Pilot Program to help Booker T.Washington and Chalmers Courts residents findjobs, increase income and achieve self-sufficiency
Continued from page 1in Austin every month.”
Of the 338 non-eld-
erly households in HACA’s
combined public housing
community, 54 percent
have no members show-
ing earned income. Simi-
larly, about 66 percent of
residents between the
ages of 18 and 64 are un-
employed and have no re-
ported earned income.
“Our highest priority
at HACA is helping our
residents to achieve self-
sufficiency,” said HACA
President and CEO
Michael Gerber. “The Jobs
Plus Pilot grant will make
a tremendous difference
in helping our residents at
Booker T. Washington
Apartments and Chalmers
Courts obtain the educa-
tion and job skills neces-
sary for today’s workforce,
and to remain successful
once they become em-
ployed. We are proud to
be joined in this effort by
more than 10 workforce
partners who will invest in
our residents’ success.”
Community organiza-
tions working with HACA
on this program are:
Workforce Solutions, Capi-
tal Idea, Goodwill Indus-
tries of Central Texas, Lit-
eracy Coalition of Central
Texas, Austin Area Urban
League, Skillpoint Alliance,
Economic Growth Busi-
ness Incubator, BiG Austin,
Austin Community Col-
lege, Austin Pathways, Af-
rican American Youth Har-
vest Foundation, and Aus-
tin Affordable Housing
Corporation.
risky trades onto the
books of their subsidiar-
ies—which are insured
Finalized RuleContinues
Allowing BigBanks to
Fund Risky BetsWith Taxpayer-Backed Dollars
Continued from page 1
with federal tax dollars—
and the American people
may have to bail them out
if their trades go south.
Given the vacancies on
the Commission, I urge
President Obama to nomi-
nate individuals who will
protect the American
economy by standing up
against the risky actions
of the financial industry.”
In November,
Cummings and Senator
Elizabeth Warren sent a
letter urging the CFTC and
the Securities and Ex-
change Commission to put
in place strong rules to
protect taxpayers and the
financial system from
these risky trades.
The CFTC is a five-
member Commission, but
there are currently only
three Commissioners, and
the rule was passed by a
margin of 2 to 1.
Cummings urged President
Obama to appoint a strong
progressive who will stand
up to Wall Street abuses.
Putting a Focus on BlackStudent-Athletes
Ricky Williams
by Dr. Gregory J. Vincent
This January 6-8, The
University of Texas at Aus-
tin will host the second
annual Black Student-Ath-
lete Summit. The summit
is a three-day gathering to
openly examine and can-
didly discuss the numer-
ous and complex issues
surrounding our black stu-
dent-athletes.
When the topic of the
Summit arises, I’m regu-
larly asked why we con-
vene such an event.
People see our student-
athletes performances on
their fields of play and as-
sume that amid the cheers
and adulation, all is well.
Unfortunately, while
our Black student-athletes
excel athletically, they
also face widespread dis-
parities, when compared
to their non-Black team-
mates and undergraduate
peers, in the classroom.
A recent study out of
the Graduate School of
Education at the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania found
that only 50% of Black
male student-athletes
graduated within six
years, compared to 73% of
undergraduate students
overall. More sobering,
less than 4% of NCAA Di-
vision I schools graduate
Black male student-ath-
letes at rates equal to their
non-Black teammates.
While these figures
are surely eye-opening to
some, there are steps al-
ready being taken to shine
a light on the disparities
our Black student-athletes
face. At UT Austin, one
See AAMRI, page 5
CHURCH & TOWN BULLETIN
St. Peter’s United Methodist Church 4509 Springdale Road Austin, Tx 78723
Office 512- 926-1686 Fax 512-929-7281Christian Web Site-
THE PLACE WHERE WE STEP OUT ON FAITH.COME AND STEP OUT ON FAITH WITH US
Sunday School 8:45 a.m. Praise and Worship 10:15 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study 12:00 p.m.and Praise /Bible Study 6:30 p.m.
(to include Children’s Choir Rehersaland Bible Study with age appropiate Activities)
Rev. Jack C. Gause Pastor
Agape Baptist ChurchIn “The Centre” Bldg. F-15 7801 N. Lamar Blvd. (SE Corner of N Lamar and 183)
AGAPE is a chuch for all people. “Where Jesus Christ is Magnified and the love Heexhibited is Exemplified.” Come, receive God’s unconditional lovefor you.
For there is no greater love!
Church ServicesSunday School 9:30 AMSunday Worship 11:00 AM
Mid-Week Service Thursday: Praise,Prayer and Bible Study 7:00 PMCall 454-1547 for Transporation
Website www.agapebcaustintx.comRev. H. Ed Calahan
Pastor
Imani Community ChurchDavis Elementray Auditorium 5214 West Duval Road
Sunday School 9:00 A.M.Worship Service 10:00 A.M.•Power Hour Bible Life Group 6:00 P.M.
Imani Complex & Office,11800 Mustang at Duval Austin, Texas 78727
Visit:imanichurch.comOffice: 512-343-9300Rev. Dr. Jacquelyn Donald-Mims
7801 N. Lamar Blvd,Suite D 102,
Austin, Texas 78752
Worship: Sunday--10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Tuesday Bible Studies--7:30pm - 9:00 pmFriday Prayers--7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
The Church of Pentecost, USA Inc,Austin offers a wide variety of opportuni-ties for children, youth, adults, and olderadults to be involved in worship, spiritualgrowth, education, community outreach,and making a tangible difference to thosein need in our community. You too, canmake a positive difference in our commu-nity through your prayers, your presence,your gifts, your service, and your witness.Tel: 512 302-1270
Leading People to Experience God’s Love, Know Jesus Christ & Grow in His Image
The Church of Pentecost
Olive Branch Fellowship of Austin / All Faith Chapel4110 Guadalupe St Bldg #639 Austin, TX 78751
Sunday MorningWorship @ 11: am
Romans 5:1 Therefore,having beenjustified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
This life, therefore, is not righteous-ness, but growth in righteousness; not health,but healing; not being, but becoming; not rest,but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be,but we are growing toward it. The process isnot yet finished, but it is going on. This is notthe end, but it is the road. All does not yetgleam in glory, but all is being purified.
--- Martin Luther
Kenneth Hill, Pastor
1179 San Bernard Street,Austin, TX 78702, 512-478-7023
Sunday Morning Bible Study, 9:00 A.M.Sunday Morning Worship, 10:15 A.M.
Visit our website @ www.obcaus.org
Globalizing the Gospel
A Ministry That Ministers
Edward M. Fleming,Sr. Pastor
OLIVET BAPTISTCHURCH
Felix Bamirin, PastorGRACEWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Experience Grace For Life
(By Parmer Lane Baptist Church building, behind Wells Fargo)
Call: 682.472.9073 l Email: [email protected] lVisit: www.gracewaycca.org
JOIN US This SUNDAY / THURSDAY@ 12424 Scofield Farms Drive, Austin, TX 78758
SUNDAYS 10:30 A.M., THURSDAYS 7:30 P.M.
Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church 5900 Cameron Road Austin, Texas 78723-1843
(512) 451-0808 (512) 302-4575 Fax Web Site - www.themount.net
WORSHIP SERVICESSunday Worship - 7:45 a.m. & 11 a.m.Church School - 9:45 a.m.Bible Studies - Mon, 6:30 p.m. & Wed., 12 noonWednesday Night Worship - 7 p.m.
“Ministries For Mankind” Luke 4:18
A.W.. Anthony Mays, Senior Pastor
www.theaustinvillager.com THE VILLAGER/December 25, 2015 ~ Page 3
Ebenezer Baptist Church1010 East 10th Street 512-478-1875 Fax 512-478-1892
WednesdayMidweek Prayer Service 7:00 P.M.Child Development CenterAges 0-5 years (Daily) 512-478-6709
Bus Ministry Call 512-478-1875
Worship Service 8:00 A.M.Sunday School 9:00 A.M.Discipleship Training 10:00 A.M.Worship Service 11:00 A.M.
Dr. Ricky Freeman,Pastor
We Want YOU!Advertise With The
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Sunday Services
Do you have church news? Would you like topurchase a monthly ad for your church?
Inquire TODAY!Send your information to [email protected]
or call 512-476-0082
ProphetessStephanie N’ChoAssociate Pastor
469-226-4679 | www.vainqueurs.org805 S. Sherman St. Richardson, TX 75081
La Génération des VainqueursMinistry Church
Tuesday - Friday: 3pm -10pmWalking and Appointment
Wednesday Bible Study | 7:45pmFriday Prayer |7:45pm
Sunday Service | 10:00am
Villager Youth Brigade will be taking sponsorshipsstarting summer of 2015.Your support has beenmuch appreciated over the years. Please continueto invest in Austin’s youth. We look forward toanother successful year with some promisingstudents. FMI Call 512-476-0082
DAVID CHAPEL Missionary Baptist ChurchSUNDAY | Christian Education 9:15a.m.Worship 10:30 a.m. (MLK)Nursery AvailableTUESDAY | TNT Bible Study(Pflugerville) 6:45p.m.WEDNESDAY | Prayer & Praise 7:00p.m.Bible Study 7:30p.m.
Dr. Joseph C. Parker, Jr.Senior Pastor
512-472-9748 www.davidchapel.org
2211 E.MLK @ Chestnut St. Austin, TX 78702
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host, proclaimed Gutierrez the winner after a long
dramatic pause.
Music swelled, Gutierrez was fitted for a sash,
given flowers and a crown was placed on her head. That
made it two straight Miss Universe winners for Colom-
bia, where the pageants are taken seriously. She bathed
in applause for nearly two minutes before Harvey slowly
made his way back onto the stage.
“I have to apologize,” he said. “The first runner-up
is Colombia.”
The camera switched to a bewildered-looking
Wurtzbach, who came back on the stage to get the
crown as the same celebratory music repeated. Harvey
said she’d be taking her first walk as Miss Universe, but
mostly she stood immobile. A woman stood in between
the two contestants, trying to comfort Arevalo by rub-
bing her back.
Two minutes later, the comedian who hosts his
own daytime talk show as well as the game show “Fam-
ily Feud” returned, saying “let me just take control of
this.”
Harvey explained on the air that he misread the
card he was given with the names of the winners. Co-
lombia was listed as the first runner-up, and he’d been
confused with how it was written. He held up the card
for the camera.
“It is my mistake,” he said. “Still, it’s a great night.
Please don’t hold it against the ladies. We feel very
badly, but it’s still a great night.”
Harvey later tweeted an apology to the women
and viewers. “I feel terrible,” he wrote. The Miss Uni-
verse organization also issued an apology on Monday.
Wurtzbach later said she was happy to win, but
confused and concerned for her rival. She said she tried
to approach her backstage, but the Colombian contes-
tant was crying and surrounded by a crowd of women.
“I did not take the crown from her,” Wurtzbach
said.
Celebrations quickly turned to anger in Colombia,
where the hashtag “Respect the Crown” was the
country’s top trending topic on Twitter. Even the presi-
dent was upset.
“They put the crown on her head,” President Juan
Manuel Santos said Monday. “The photos are there to
prove it. To me, as a Colombian, she is still Miss Uni-
verse.”
It was the pageant’s first time on Fox, and the
Nielsen company said the contest was seen in the
United States by 6.2 million people — strong numbers
for the network. The previous Miss Universe on NBC, in
January, reached 7.7 million people.
NBC dumped the pageant after Trump, its then-
owner, angered many Latinos with comments about
immigration. Trump subsequently sold the pageant and
tweeted after the flub that it “would never have hap-
pened” on his watch. He retweeted someone else’s
comment that Trump must be happy that the pageant
had gone “off the rails” after he sold it.
He softened his tone in an interview on NBC’s To-
day Show, calling Harvey a “great guy” who handled it
well. Trump said if he were still in charge of the show,
he would make the women share the title.
“Things happen,” he said. “It’s live television.”
Harvey, the comedian, found himself the butt of
Internet jokes Monday. One prominent post showed his
smiling face under the headline: “Happy Friday!” fol-
lowed by “Wait, sorry, it’s Monday.”
Last year, the winner of the Miss Florida pageant
had to give back her crown following a vote-tabulation
error that was noticed days later. And a transcribing
error caused the wrong author’s name to be announced
for a National Book Award in 2011. Neither event hap-
pened on live television, however.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
IT WAS ON THE CARD, STEVE - Steve Harvey
apologizing for crowning the wrong Miss Universe.
HARVEY: “I haveto apologize...Thefirst runner-up is
Colombia”
Prosecutor: No Indictment in Bland Jail Deathby: Michael GraczykThe Associated Press
HEMPSTEAD,Texas (AP) - A grandjury has decided nofelony crime was com-mitted by the sheriff’soffice or jailers in thetreatment of a blackwoman who died in aSoutheast Texascounty jail last summer.
But prosecutorDarrell Jordan saysthe Waller Countygrand jury on Mondayreached no decisionon whether the trooper
that arrested 28-year-old Sandra Blandshould face charges.The grand jury will re-turn in January to con-sider that.
The Chicago-areawoman was pulledover July 10 by aTexas state trooper formaking an improperlane change.Dashcam videoshowed their interac-tion quickly becameconfrontational andshe was arrested for
Sandra Blandassault.
Three days later,unable to raise about$500 bail, she was dis-
covered dead in hercell. Relatives ques-tion the finding thatshe killed herself.
CITY ~ STATE ~ NATIONAL ~ WORLDPage 4 ~ December 25, 2015/THE VILLAGER www.theaustinvillager.com
Fashion Model T RichardsonSeeking to Break Into the
Modeling World
Tina Richardson
by Tsoke(Chuch) Adjavon |Villager Columnist
For numerous Afri-
can Americans, there
seems to be a “glass ceil-
ing” in various fields in-
cluding in the modeling
world. According to Tina,
“Most of the jobs or gigs
are usually oriented to
non-minorities. Moreover,
Tina Richardson is a model
and African who has been
able to circumvent the lim-
ited amount of work. In
other words, she has
found ways to go around
the fact that a model
should be perceived as a
non-minority field.
In Austin, she has
been able to find various
gigs such as the upcom-
ing “Passport to Africa”.
According to T ina
Richards, this show will
allow her to further her
career. At this event she
will be showcasing her
work while also pushing
some fashions made by
African designers. As
more African American
or African American get
involve in Austin’s fash-
ion world, the easier for
African American mod-
els.
Moreover, this show
will be one of the numer-
ous cultural event that is
being organized in the
area. An event like Pass-
port to Africa will allow
for more models of color
to network and make vi-
tal contact for future
events. Furthermore the
fashion industry has
slowly been opened up
for people of color. Fur-
thermore the event Pass-
port to Africa is slated for
April and it will feature
numerous fashion model
of color.
Ivory Coast Association ofCentral Texas Celebrate
by Tsoke(Chuch) Adjavon |Villager Columnist
William Jefferson Assamoi
As the 2015 is coming
to a close, numerous Afri-
can Diaspora groups are
holding end of year cel-
ebrations. For numerous
associations, the end of
year celebration is an op-
portunity to meet new
members and to meet
other Africans. Just like
any other African Associa-
tion, the Ivorian American
Association held their
event on December 19 in
Pflugerville. Moreover, for
the Ivorian American Com-
munity this event marked
both the Christmas break
and the New Year Eves.
During this event the
members of the Ivorian
American association had
the opportunity to serve
as host to the African com-
munity. At this event,
other African Diaspora
countries such as Benin,
Togo, and Burkina Faso
were present. According
to Sam, “It is great to have
the other members of the
African Community come
to this event.” Further-
more, at this event the at-
tendees had the opportu-
nity to eat some great
Ivorian and African cui-
sines.
The Ivorian Commu-
nity in Central Texas has
over 200 members. The
Ivorian Association meets
every 2nd Saturday of the
Month. The members are
from different parts of the
Ivory Coast. According to
Diaspora Vote,” the Ivorian
Community is another ex-
ample that Central Texas
has a growing African
population. In addition,
Ivorian and other African
Communities are choosing
to live in Central Texas due
the good economic cli-
mate.
TravisCountyPrecinct
Constable1 Race
GetHeated
by Tsoke(Chuch) Adjavon |Villager Columnist
As the filing dead-
line closed, two commu-
nity leaders have decided
to challenge the current
incumbent Constable
Danny Thomas. Both Rick
Schumacher and Jamie
Serna have decided that Rick Schumacher
they can “better man-
age” the office of Pre-
cinct 1 Constable. More-
over, it will be an “uphill”
battle to defeat the in-
cumbent; however, both
feel l ike they have a
chance of winning. Over
the next two month all
three candidates will be
campaigning to become
the next constable.
Rick Schumacher
served in the army. In
2003, Rick deployed to
Iraq with the U.S. Army as
a cross-cultural commu-
nicator and special op-
erations leader. Accord-
ing, to Rick, “I helped in-
ter-cultural communities
develop governmental
systems to improve the
lives of many diverse
population groups in the
local communities. Rick
increased dialog and
helped to limit miscom-
munication between the
community members
and the U.S. military.” On
the other hand Janie
Serna worked as Travis
County Constable
Deputy. Consequently,
she believes that she can
take her previous experi-
ence as a Depute to be-
come the next Constable.
On the other hand Con-
stable Danny Thomas has
served for a longtime.
All these three candi-
dates have different vi-
sions for the Travis County
Precinct 1 area. Constable
Danny Thomas wants to
“stay the course”. While
both Rick Shumacher and
Janie Serna believe that
there is a need of change.
According to Rick
Schumacher, the
“Constable’s Office can
maintain a strong service
footprint without dimin-
ishing the level of service
or community focus that
is essential for our com-
munity.”
Danny Thomas
The City of Austin in-
vites you to join us Dec. 31
for Austin’s New Year cel-
ebration.
This is a family-
friendly, alcohol-free way
to celebrate the coming of
2016 with fireworks, food
trucks, art, and live music
on three stages. Perform-
ers include Grupo
Fantasma, Golden Dawn
Arkestra, Carolyn Wonder-
land, The Statesboro Re-
vue, Big Cat, Vallejo, KP
and the Boom Boom,
Shawn Nelson, and Kalu
James.
The FREE event runs
4-10 p.m. at Auditorium
Shores, 700 W. Riverside
Drive.
For More Informa-
tion Call 512.974.2000
CLASSIFIEDS ~ PUBLIC INFORMATION
City of AustinPurchasing Office
EMPLOYMENTPROPOSALS
PUBLICINFORMATION
FOR SALEFOR RENT
BIDSMISCELLANEOUS
The City of Austin Purchasing Office invitesyou to view current bid solicitations at https://www.c i . aus t i n . t x . u s / f i nanceon l ine /vendor_connection/solicitation/solicitations.cfm.Vendors are encouraged to register on-line in theCity’s Vendor Self Service System. Once yourcompany is registered, you will receive notifica-tions about new bid opportunities. For additionalinformation regarding current bid opportunitiesor Vendor Registration, please call the Purchas-ing Office at 512-974-2500.
For information on the City of Austin’s Mi-nority Owned and Women-Owned ProcurementProgram and the certification process, pleasecontact the Small & Minority Business ResourcesDepartment at 512-974-7600 or visit their websiteat http://www.austintexas.gov/smbr.
City of Austin Featured JobOpportunities
www.theaustinvillager.com THE VILLAGER/December 25, 2015 ~ Page 5
Apply at HRMiddle Fiskville Rd.
6th Floor, Austin, TX 78752Job Line (512 223-5621hhtp://www./austincc.ed
EEOC/AA/M/F/D/V
The City of Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Please visit the City of Austin employmentwebsite at www.austincityjobs.org to view
requirements and apply for these and other jobopportunities. We encourage you to check the
employment website often as new jobopportunities are posted daily.
If you have any questions or need assistance,please call 512-974-3210 or email us [email protected].
The City of Austin is currently seeking qualifiedapplicants for the following positions:
We want YOU!AdvertiseWith The
VILLAGER
• Associate Judge• Assistant Director, Public Works Engr andProject Delivery• 911 Call Taker/Dispatch Trainee• Athletic Officials I-IV (30 Part Time Openings)
• Dispatcher II (Night Shift: 9:30 p.m. - 5:30 a.m.)
• Project Manager
• Street & Bridge Operations Technician I
• Compensation Consultant (Two Positions)
• Dispatcher II (Night Shift: 9:30 p.m. - 5:30 a.m.)
• Graduate Engineer A or Graduate Engineer B
• Case Manager
• Administrative Specialist
Please visit the City of Austin employment website at
www.austincityjobs.org to view requirements and apply for these
and other job opportunities. We encourage you to check the
employment website often as new job opportunities are posted
daily. If you have any questions or need assistance, please call
512-974-3210 or email us at
[email protected]. The City of Austin is an
Equal Opportunity Employer
Austin Community CollegeDistrict is requesting bids fromqualified firms for the purpose ofselecting providers for Armored CarServices (District-wide).
Invitation for Bid(IFB) No. 990-16008RL
All bids must be submitted to ACCPurchasing by no later than January21, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., Central Time.Bid packages are available on theACC Purchasing website at http://www.austincc.edu/purchase/. Inaddition, the bid documents will beavailable in the ACC PurchasingOffice between the hours of 9 amand 4 pm (with advance notice),Monday through Friday (512) 223-1044.All bids must be sealed and returnedto the ACC Purchasing Office, ACCService Center, 9101 Tuscany Way,Austin, Texas 78754, by the dateand time indicated above.Electronically transmitted bids willNOT be accepted unless otherwisestated in the documents.A mandatory Pre-Bid Conferencewill be held at ACC Service Center,RM 133 on Thursday, January, 6th,2016; 9:00 am; 9101 Tuscany Way,Austin, Texas 78754.***Notice of Closure: ACC will beclosed for the Winter Break from12/23/15 thru 1/3/16***The ACC Board of Trusteesreserves the right to reject any and/or all responses and waive allformalities in the solicitationprocess.
Austin Community CollegeDistrict is soliciting bids to providefor Special Event Room Rental andCatering for the ACC GeneralAssembly for 2016.
Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 971-16010CC
All bids must be submitted to ACCPurchasing by no later than January21, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., Central Time.Bid packages are available on theACC Purchasing website at http://www.austincc.edu/purchase/. Inaddition, the bid documents will beavailable in the ACC PurchasingOffice between the hours of 9 amand 4 pm (with advance notice),Monday through Friday (512) 223-1044.All bids must be sealed and returnedto the ACC Purchasing Office, ACCService Center, 9101 Tuscany Way,Austin, Texas 78754, by the dateand time indicated above.Electronically transmitted bids willNOT be accepted unless otherwisestated in the documents.***Notice of Closure: ACC will beclosed for the Winter Break from12/23/15 thru 1/3/16***The ACC Board of Trusteesreserves the right to reject any and/or all responses and waive allformalities in the solicitationprocess.
New Jobs for theWeek of 12/18/2015
Technician, Science LabLocation is as assigned
Job# 1512033Assistant, Lab
Riverside CampusJob# 1512031
Specialist, Financial AidHighland Business Center
Job# 1512029Assistant, Student Services
Highland CampusJob# 1512026
Faculty, Visual Communication(User Experience Design)
Location is as assignedJob# 1512032
Manager, Student Retention andIntervention
South Austin CampusJob# 1512009
Assistant, Senior AdministrativeSouth Austin Campus
Job# 1512001Assistant, Student Services
Round Rock CampusJob# 1512036
such step was the
creation of the Center for
Sports Leadership and In-
novation. Launched last
year and led by former UT
Austin student govern-
ment president and NFL
assistant coach, Daron
Roberts, the Center is
helping our student-ath-
letes succeed on and off
the field by providing fel-
lowship opportunities and
additional career training.
The aforementioned
Black Athlete Summit,
which is hosted by the Di-
vision of Diversity and
Community Engagement’s
African American Male
Research Initiative
(AAMRI), is another ex-
ample of what the Univer-
sity is doing to generate
further discussion and re-
search on the topic.
Last year, the Summit
featured a keynote by re-
nowned UC-Berkeley soci-
ologist, Dr. Harry Edwards,
a Q&A session with
Heisman Trophy winner
AAMRI Looking to Generatefurther research into Black
Student Athlete Affairs
Dr. Harry Edwards
Continued from page 2 and former Longhorn
Ricky Williams and panel
discussions on integrating
the 40 acres and
mentoring black athletes,
among many others.
This year’s speakers
and presenters promise to
be just as captivating. The
athletic directors at both
the University of Maryland
and Vanderbilt University
will be delivering keynote
addresses and panel dis-
cussions will be held on
post-athletic career
transitioning and how
black female student ath-
letes content with race,
gender, and stereotypes.
In all there will be more
than 20 sessions.
The Black Athlete
Summit has quickly be-
come one of UT Austin’s
signature events. I encour-
age all with interest to con-
sider attending or partici-
pating. Further informa-
tion can be found at: http:/
/ d d c e . u t e x a s . e d u /
b l a c k s t u d e n t
athleteconference.
New Orleans Council Votes to Remove Confederate Monumentsby: Cain Burdeau Associated Press (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -
The New Orleans City
Council has voted in favor
of removing prominent
Confederate monuments
along some of its busiest
streets — a sweeping
move by a city seeking to
break with its Confederate
past.
The council’s 6-1 vote
on Thursday afternoon al-
lows the city to remove
four monuments, includ-
ing a towering statue of
Confederate Gen. Robert
E. Lee that has stood at the
center of a traffic circle for
131 years.
The decision came
after months of impas-
sioned debate. Now, the
city faces possible lawsuits
seeking to keep the monu-
ments where they are.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu
first proposed taking down
these monuments after po-
lice said a white suprema-
cist killed nine parishioners
inside the African-American
Emanuel AME Church in
Charleston, South Carolina
in June.
Ant i -Confederate
sentiment has grown since
then around the country,
along with protests against
police mistreatment, as
embodied by the Black
Lives Matter movement.
Before Thursday’s
vote, Mayor Mitch
Landrieu told the council
and residents who gath-
ered on both sides of the
issue that for New Orleans
to move forward, “we
must reckon with our
past.”
Landrieu said the
monuments reinforce the
Confederate ideology of
slavery, limit city progress
and divide the city. He
used President Abraham
Lincoln’s famous quote: “A
house divided against it-
self cannot stand.”
The meeting was
lively and sometimes dis-
orderly.
The Rev. Shawn
Anglim, a Methodist pas-
tor, is among clergy who
have spoken out in favor of
taking down the monu-
ments. Anglim told those
gathered Thursday to “Do
the right thing. Do it for
our children, and our
children’s children.”
Activist Malcolm
Suber called the monu-
ments “products of the
Jim Crow era, an era when
blacks were hunted and
persecuted.” Others said
they want the council to
go even further and
change street names asso-
ciated with “white su-
premacy.”
The most imposing of
the monuments the coun-
cil has voted to strike from
the cityscape has had a
commanding position
over St. Charles Avenue
since 1884: A 16-foot-tall
bronze statue of Lee
stands atop a 60-foot-high
Doric marble column,
which itself rises over
granite slabs on an
earthen mound. Four sets
of stone staircases, aligned
with the major compass
points, ascend the mound.
Above it all, the Vir-
ginian stands in his mili-
tary uniform, with his
arms folded and his gaze
set firmly on the North —
the embodiment of the
“Cult of the Lost Cause”
southerners invoked to
justify continued white
power after the Civil War.
The council also
voted to remove a bronze
figure of the Confederate
president that now stands
at Canal Street and
Jefferson Davis Parkway,
and a more local hero,
Pierre Gustave Toutant
Beauregard, who
straddles a prancing horse
at the entrance to City
Park. Gen. P.G.T.
Beauregard was born in St.
Bernard Parish, and com-
manded Confederate
forces at the war’s first
battle.
The most controver-
sial is an 1891 obelisk hon-
oring the Crescent City
White League. An inscrip-
tion added in 1932 said
the Yankees withdrew fed-
eral troops and “recog-
nized white supremacy in
the South” after the group
challenged Louisiana’s bi-
racial government after
the Civil War. In 1993,
these words were covered
by a granite slab with a
new inscription, saying the
obelisk honors “Americans
on both sides” who died
and that the conflict
“should teach us lessons
for the future.”
Before the cote,
council member at-large
Stacy Head asked to keep
the large monuments to
Lee and Beauregard in
place. But her motion re-
ceived no support from
the seven-person council.
In this Sept. 2, 2015
photo, the Robert E. Lee
Monument is seen in Lee
Circle in New Orleans. On
Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, the
City Council is set to vote on
an ordinance to remove four
monuments. A majority of
council members and the
mayor support the move,
which would be one of the
strongest gestures yet by
American city to sever ties
with Confederate history.
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert,
File)
Page 6 ~ December 25, 2015/THE VILLAGER www.theaustinvillager.com
THE COURIERTHE “GROOVERS’’ PERFORM AT THE
ANDERSON ALUMNI DANCE
The Original L. C. Anderson Alumni Association Austin Chapter (OLCAAAAC) held their annual Holiday Gala Danceon December 18, 2015, at Doris Miller Auditorium. This fundraiser makes it possible for the chapter to award scholarships tograduating high school seniors each year. The ‘’GROOVERS’’ dance group performed before a capacity crowd. OLCAAAACVice President La Verne Bell and President Albert J. Walker recognized the ladies for their service to the community.
Only One HBCU Performing in the 2016 Rose Parade“Rams in the Roses and Beyond” Campaign Surpasses Goal
Albany State University performing in Honda Battle of the Bands 2013.Photo courtesy of Albany state University/flickr
ALBANY, Ga. - Al-
bany State University
Marching Band headed to
Pasadena on December
28th. Albany State Univer-
sity has exceeded its goal
to raise $270,000 for the
“Rams in the Roses and
Beyond” campaign. The
campaign raised over
$300K; thanks to support-
ers, the Albany State Uni-
versity Marching Band will
head to the 2016 Tourna-
ment of Roses Parade in
Pasadena, Calif. The re-
maining funds will be used
to support need-based
scholarships.
“This is an outstand-
ing accomplishment for
the university and the
hundreds of supporters
who donated, not only
funds, but time and effort
to help us send this tal-
ented group of scholar
musicians to Pasadena,”
said Chanta Haywood, vice
president of Institutional
Advancement and Execu-
tive Director of the ASU
Foundation.
The ASU Marching
Band is the only Georgia
band, the only university
band from the southeast-
ern United States, and the
only historically black uni-
versity band in the nation
to participate in the event
that serves as a prelude to
the nation’s oldest bowl
game. “We really can’t
thank everyone enough
who donated to help us
get to Pasadena”, said
Band Director Michael
Decuir. “All of the alumni,
students, and supporters
in Albany and around the
nation, on behalf of the
band, I want to let you
know that we couldn’t
have done this without
you. We’re ready to show
the world what it means to
be a Golden Ram.
“Funds raised are be-
ing used for travel and ex-
penses associated with
sending the band to Cali-
fornia. Band members will
leave for the Golden State
on Dec. 28 for a weeklong
stay that includes band
performances, television
interviews, community
service projects, and visits
to top California tourist at-
tractions such as the
Grammy Museum and
Museum of Tolerance.
“These students will
have cultural and educa-
tional experiences and
memories that will last
them a lifetime,” said ASU
President Arthur Dunning,
who contributed to the
fundraising campaign with
his wife Karen Baynes-
Dunning. The Dunnings’
also matched donated
gifts in the month of Octo-
ber, dollar for dollar, for up
to $25,000. “For many of
our students, this will be
their first time in
California and we want to
provide them with enrich-
ing experiences that will
benefit them, academi-
cally and culturally.
“Student buses will
depart from Reese Hall at
Albany State University
promptly at 6 a.m. and the
Walmart Supercenter at
6020 Harrison Road in
Macon, Ga., at 7 a.m.
Community members and
supporters are invited to
attend the send-off. Event
participants will depart
from Hartsfield–Jackson
Atlanta International Air-
port and arrive in Los An-
geles International Air-
port. Soon after the band
returns from Pasadena,
Calif., Albany State will of-
ficially launch the second
phase of its fundraising
campaign, which includes
the Tom Joyner Founda-
tion School of the Month.
As the School of the
Month, the TJF will pro-
mote raising funds for the
university and highlight its
programs for the entire
year, although ASU
will be featured daily dur-
ing its designated month
of November. “The TJF
designation allows us to
expand our fundraising to
the millions of listeners
and website visitors of Mr.
Joyner’s show. We can’t
put a price tag on this level
of exposure. The fact that
very single dollar
given to ASU via Mr.
Joyner’s Foundation flows
directly back to the univer-
sity shows his commit-
ment to the success of
HBCUs,” Haywood said.
“The Rams in the
Roses campaign was a tes-
tament to what we as a
community are capable of
doing for our students and
the university. I anticipate
an even higher level of en-
thusiasm and support for
this institution through
the ‘Tom Joyner Founda-
tion School of the Month
designation’. “
The university also
received $47,000 in in
pledges, which are not in-
cluded in the fundraising
total. Those funds, when
received, will support stu-
dent scholarships.
Donors can start do-
nating to ASU through
the Tom Joyner Founda-
tion today by going to
h t t p : / / i g f n . u s / v f /
Albanyrams.The Albany
State University March-
ing Band will appear as
number 25 of 93 partici-
pants in the New Year’s
Day, two-hour live special
that will air at 8 a.m. PST
(11 a.m., EST).
TEXAS LOTTERY ACHIEVESRECORD FIRST QUARTER SALES
(AUSTIN) – The
Texas Lottery wrapped up
its first quarter of fiscal
year 2016 with sales of
$1.102 billion, the high-
est first quarter sales in
the Lottery’s history. This
represented an increase
in 3.6 percent over the
previous record in fiscal
year 2015.
“This has been an
incredibly successful first
quarter for the Texas Lot-
tery,” said Gary Grief, ex-
ecutive director of the
Texas Lottery. “Record
lottery sales mean more
revenue for the impor-
tant causes we support
including public educa-
tion and Texas veterans.”
The f i rst quarte r
saw $274.0 mil l ion in
accrued revenue trans-
fers, up 4.7 percent or
$12.4 million, from fis-
cal year 2015.
Scratch ticket sales
saw record growth with
sales totaling $844.6 mil-
l ion, the highest f irst
quarter scratch ticket
sales in Texas Lottery his-
tory and a 4.5 percent in-
crease over 2015.
Draw game sales for
the first quarter started
strong with $257.8 mil-
lion in total sales, an in-
crease of $2.3 mill ion
over FY 2015. The Texas
Lottery’s newest draw
game, Texas Triple
Chance™,generated $6.6
million in sales during the
first quarter since the
game was launched on
Sept. 27. The game has
also been a success for
players with eleven play-
ers winning $100,000
prizes so far.
“I am very proud of
the strong start to fiscal
year 2016 and I want to
commend our employees
for their hard work and
commitment to generat-
ing revenue for Texas
education and veterans,”
said J. Winston Krause,
chairman of the Texas
Lottery Commission.
100X the Cash $40,537,740
$10 Set for Life $37,039,370
$1,000,000 Instant Cashout $36,966,940
Cashword Multiplier $35,124,120
$5 Set for Life $32,305,600
Diamond Dollars $31,700,250
$500,000,000 Cash $31,649,840
$250,000 Cash $28,530,850
Holiday Game Book $28,049,480
Bonus Cashword $27,605,025
Sales totals for the top 10 scratchticket games for the first quarter:
GAMEFY 2016
First Quarter Sales