INSIDE

RAPPIN’Tommy Wyatt

TPATPATPATPATPATEXASPUBLISHERSASSOCIATION

www.TheAustinVillager.com This paper canbe recycled

Vol. 47 No. 23 Phone: 512-476-0082 Email: vil3202@aol.com December 27, 2019

Adams’ new-foundconfidence is

elevating his game.See WESTLAKE

Page 2

Nearly 1.1 millionTexans enroll in

Obamacare.See FUTURE

Page 4

2018 blockbusterfaces backlash

from Terry GilliamSEE PANTHER

Page 5

HAPPYHOLIDAYS!!

If you are looking forthe YOUTH BRIGADEsection in our paper thisweek, you will be happyto know that they have afew days off. These out-standing students are onhiatus from school andwriting. They will beback next week alongwith the rest of us. To our readers, here’swishing each and everyone of you a HappyHoliday Season in whichever way you celebrate;whether it’s Christmas,Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa,it’s all good. We want to send aspecial shout-out to ourYouth Brigade Sponsors.While they support ourpaper throughout theyear, they play a specialrole in supporting ourstudents. HEB GroceryCompany, Huston-Tillotson University,Austin CommunityCollege, The Universityof Texas DDCEDepartment, CapitolMetro, and Frost Bankhave gone the extra mileto support and encourageour youth. As we draw near theend of another year, welook forward to reportingon the activities that takeplace in our community.We appreciate thesupport of thecommunity and inviteyou to keep us informedof the positive activitiesthat are taking placeevery day. More of us need to getinvolved with theorganizations that areworking hard toestablishing and preser-ving the monuments thatshow our contributionsto this community whilecreating new ones. It is important that ouroffspring learn about thepeople who have pavedthe way for them. Andthey must preserve thishistory for the onescoming behind them. As we celebrate thisholiday season, we needto acknowledge thosewho paved the way for us.

MERRYCHRISTMAS!

(TEXAS TRIBUNE)- More than 25,000Texans are experienc-ing homelessness.Their struggles to livewithout homes havereceived increased at-tention amid severalrecent debates overhow best to addresshomelessness — andhelp people experienc-ing it.

Gov. Greg Abbottand Austin MayorSteve Adler havefeuded over that city’sresponse tohomelessness, and cityofficials are dealingwith how to addresshomeless populationsin their own regions.Meanwhile, PresidentDonald Trump tappedthe founding presidentof a shelter in San An-tonio to lead the entitythat coordinates withfederal and local agen-cies to addresshomelessness on a na-tional level.

Local homelessexperts from aroundTexas cite a variety ofreasons for why thou-sands of people con-tinue to find them-selves homeless everyyear, including mentalillness, drug or alcoholaddiction, and a lack ofhousing affordability.

Nan Roman is thepresident and CEO ofthe National Alliance toEnd Homelessness, anonpartisan organiza-tion that analyzes datato find solutions forhomelessness. She saidthe state lacks nearly9,000 beds for home-less individuals.

“In Texas, youhave a big deficit onthe number of beds forindividuals,” Roman

Homelessness in TexasBY MEGAN MENCHACA | TEXAS TRIBUNE

Tents were pitched in front of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless in October.(Photo: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune)

said. “Unshelteredhomelessness really is acrisis. … People who areunsheltered have verypoor health outcomesand much, much worsehealth than shelteredpeople.”

The Texas Legisla-ture has dedicated $25million to addresshomelessness, mentalillness and substanceabuse. But many citieshave also adopted theirown strategies, includingcamping bans, largeshelters and citywidedatabases to trackpeople experiencinghomelessness.

Who is homeless inTexas?

According to theU.S. Department ofHousing and UrbanDevelopment’s 2018Point in Time Count, anationwide census ofhomelessness con-ducted on one night inJanuary, Texas’ overallhomelessness rate isnearly half the nationalaverage. Nine per10,000 people in Texasare homeless, comparedwith 17 per 10,000people nationwide, ac-cording to HUD.

Top of FormBottom of FormThe same data also

shows a slight increasein the number of peoplee x p e r i e n c i n ghomelessness in Texas inthe past three years. Ac-cording to HUD’s 2019Point in T ime Count,there are an estimated25,848 homeless peoplein the state, comparedwith 23,122 in 2016.

According to ananalysis of the HUD databy The Texas Tribune,more men than womenin Texas and nationwide

e x p e r i e n c ehomelessness. BlackTexans disproportion-ately experiencehomelessness, com-pared with Hispanic andwhite residents.

What causeshomelessness?

Advocates say themain cause ofhomelessness is a lack ofaffordable housing inTexas, which is especiallypronounced in Austin,Dallas-Fort Worth, Hous-ton and San Antonio, theurban areas drivingTexas’ populationgrowth. But low-incomefamilies are also strug-gling in smaller cities.

“That’s an issueacross the state andacross the nation,” saidBrenda Mascorro, ex-ecutive director of theSouth Alamo RegionalAlliance for the Home-less, which coordinatesefforts in Bexar County.“The deficiency rightnow is that we just don’thave enough affordablehousing for individualsthat are becominghomeless.”

But experts also sayhomelessness is oftenthe byproduct of failuresof societal institutions,such as the criminal jus-tice system and healthcare providers.

“We need to look athow other systems maybe increasinghomelessness,” said CarlFalconer, president andCEO of the Metro DallasHomeless Alliance. “If youarrest people for quality-of-life crimes, there’s agood likelihood that theyare going to becomehomeless or stay home-less for longer.”

An unexpectedhealth emergency can

create financial prob-lems and lead tohomelessness, but livingwithout shelter can ex-acerbate existing medi-cal conditions and addic-tions.

“Access to mentalhealth services, sub-stance treatment ser-vices and quality, afford-able healthcare forpeople experiencinghomelessness is reallydifficult,” said MatthewMollica, executive direc-tor of Austin’s EndingC o m m u n i t yHomelessness Coalition.

What’s happeningin Austin?

In Austin, the CityCouncil rolled back ordi-nances in June prohibit-ing camping, sitting andlying in public spaces.Since then, Abbott andAdler have publiclyclashed about public re-sources dedicated to ad-dressing homelessness.In two letters sent toAdler in October, Abbottexpressed his concernsabout unsanitary condi-tions on Austin’s streetsand urged city officials toreinstate the campingban by Nov. 1, or thestate would intervene.

“Reinstating thecamping ban is not a to-tal solution, but it is anessential part of demon-strating consequentialimprovement in the Aus-tin homelessness crisisand the danger it posesto public health andsafety,” Abbott said inthe second letter.

On Oct. 17, thecouncil approved an or-dinance that reinstated acamping ban on citysidewalks, near home-less shelters and in highwildfire risk areas. Lessthan two weeks later,

Abbott announced thatthe Texas Department ofTransportation would beforcing people experi-encing homelessness inAustin out of encamp-ments under state over-passes so the city couldclean the areas. In manyinstances, homeless resi-dents returned afterstate crews were done.Abbott also had a 5-acreplot of state-owned landturned into a homelessencampment.

If I want to helppeople experiencinghomelessness, what canI do?

To help people expe-riencing homelessness inTexas, advocates fromaround the state saypeople should look for or-ganizations in their neigh-borhoods focused on ad-dressing the issue. Theyalso say Texans shouldhome in on trying to fixone problem and haveconversations within theircommunities about test-ing different solutionscloser to their homes.

“We need peoplethat are willing to say,‘Yeah, I’m willing to givethis a shot in my back-yard,” said BlakeFetterman, executive di-rector for the SalvationArmy’s Carr P. CollinsCenter in Dallas.“Whether that’s the de-velopment of affordablehousing in their commu-nity, whether that’s thedevelopment of a shel-ter in their community,but we need morepeople saying yes.”

Juan PabloGarnham contributed tothis story.

Page 2 ~ THE VILLAGER/December 27, 2019 THE COMMUNIQUÉ www.theaustinvillager.com

Barbara’s Book Bag

by Barbara Williams

(VILLAGER NEWS) -Michael Eric Dyson, awell-known GeorgetownUniversity Professor, hastaken the time to writea book about ShawnCarter, who is betterknown as JAY Z. Afterteaching a course aboutJay Z for almost a de-cade, Dyson eloquentlywrites about his art andcareer.

Dyson believes thatJay Z is an extraordinarygenius. He believes thetime is right to

Michael Eric Dyson

The rap legend and mogul Jay-Z turned 50 this month. PhotoIllustration by Kristen Hazzard/The Daily Beast/Getty

deliver a book about JayZ as the artist enters hisfifties. Although Jay Zhas been given world-wide recognition for hisability as a hip-hop art-ist, Dyson feels he de-

serves much more be-cause has been consis-tently productive in therecord industry for thirtyyears.

Dyson presentsmajor themes about JayZ’s life beginning with

him hustling and livingby his wits, selling drugsas a youngster, how hehas addressed politics inhis music, making impor-tant statements aboutrace, criminal justice,black wealth and socialjustice.

Dyson claims thatJay Z is an extraordinarylyrical genius. Jay Z isknown to produce hismusic without writing itdown. It’s all in his head.It is clear that Dyson is agreat admirer of his sub-ject.

In the foreword ofthe book Pharrell writes,“JAY-Z Made in America,is a profound reckoningwith the extraordinarymusical, social and po-litical contributions ofone of the world’s great-est artist written by oneof the world’s greatest

public intellectuals.Dyson not only takesmeasures of Jay’s un-precedented artisticachievements, but heuses Jay’s life, lyrics,loves and losses—and ofcourse his spectacular

triumphs—to say someimportant things aboutus as a people and acountry. It is the bookthat hip and the nationneed, penned by theman who can best un-derstand what our con-tributions to the worldmean.” I totally agree. Dyson’s brilliant bookgives us tremendous in-sight about the artistryand career of the iconicJay Z, a brief history ofhip hop’s place in Ameri-can culture, and a betterunderstanding of our-selves and the world welive in.

The book is smallerin size than traditionalbooks. It is slightly morethan 200 pages.The title of the book isboldly printed in gold, su-per imposed over lyrics ofJAY-Z. Very interesting.

I love this insightfulbook. I feel it is an impor-tant work and praiseMichael Eric Dyson, abrilliant Icon himself, forwriting it.

5 Stars out of 5 forthis book.

Westlake’s KJ AdamsIs The One To Watch

By John Harris Jr. | Villager Sports Columnist(VILLAGER NEWS) -

Westlake junior basket-ball standout KJ Adamshas no difficulty han-dling the constantdouble teams and otherassorted defenses de-signed to prevent himfrom scoring. Yet, the 6-6 phenom with the un-stoppable offensivegame admits to feelingself-conscious upon en-tering a gymnasium re-alizing that collegescouts are there towatch him perform.

“It definitely ishard,” said Adams, thetop player in CentralTexas and among thebest in the state. “I neverexpected to be in thisposition. I’m grateful forit.”

Adams will have hispick of colleges to selectfrom when the time ar-rives for him to sign nextyear. He’s already re-ceived offers from Texas,Texas Tech, Oklahoma,Baylor, Texas A&M, LSU,TCU, SMU, Houston,Iowa, Miami, and Or-egon, to name only afew. During a recent winagainst arch-rival LakeTravis, a game in whichAdams scored 33 pointsin only three quarters,Oregon State assistantcoach and former Syra-cuse great Stephen Th-ompson inquired aboutAdams’ point total.

No longer having tolook over his shoulder atformer teammates WillBaker and DariusMcBride, who now at-tend Texas and SMU, re-spectively, Adams hasthe freedom to look forhis shot as well as seek-ing out teammates foropen looks at the basket.

The result: Adams’new-found confidence iselevating his game tonew levels.

“I had to strugglewith that last year; youhad to try to get yourown buckets,” Adamssaid. “This team, every-body shares the ball. Youdon’t have to worryabout points. I couldhave zero points and 20assists and be happy

with how I played.”That’s because the

powerfully built Adamscan get his shot when-ever he wants. And be-cause his teammates areadept perimeter shoot-ers poised for him topass them the ball,Adams feels no need toforce shots.

“More than any-thing, teams are dou-bling, trying to see if I’ma passer,” Adams said.“What they don’t knowis my coaches made mea pass-first guy. Teamsthink if they can stop me(from shooting), I’mdone. They try to packme in the paint, stretchme out. Most of the timeit doesn’t work becauseI pass to my shooters.”

KJ Adams

Pay for parking? Surgepricing? That’s so 2019.

Stay safe on New Year's Eve and let CapMetro drive you home.Catch a FREE ride on December 31 from 5 p.m. until the end ofservice.+MetroRail - Late-Night service until 2:30 a.m.+MetroRapid - Special Late-Night service until 2:30 a.m.+MetroExpress – Routes 980 and 985 with extended, Late-Night

service until 2:30 a.m.+MetroBus - Regular weekday service schedule

Note: The South 1st Street bridge will be closed beginning at 8p.m., and CapMetro New Year's Eve detours will be in effect fromthen until about midnight. The last MetroRapid buses depart downtown at 2:30. Catch the bus at stops along Congress Avenue orplan your travel with our online Trip Planner or the CapMetro App.

With the closure of the South 1st Street Bridge, don’t forget thatour New Year's Eve route detours begin at 8 p.m. and will lastuntil the fireworks show is over. And follow us on Facebook andTwitter to receive important updates that might affect your travelplans.

We Want YOU!Advertise With

TheVILLAGER

www.theaustinvillager.com THE BULLETIN THE VILLAGER/December 27, 2019 ~ Page 3

Felix Bamirin, PastorGRACEWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Experience Grace For LifeCall: 682.472.9073 l Email: gracewayaustin@aol.com l

Visit: 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.

New Lincoln Missionary Baptist Church2215 E. 8th St.,

Austin, TX 78702Going to Higher Heights,

Trusting God along the way.Sunday School 9:00am

BTU: 10:00amMorning Worship - 11:00 amChurch Phone (512) 477-2714

Cell Phont (512) 585-0744Email: newlincolnmbc@att.net

www.newlincolnmbc.orgRev. Darron E. Patterson

Pastor

(By Parmer Lane Baptist Church building,behind Wells Fargo)

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having beenjustified by faith, we have peace

with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

“This life, therefore, is notrighteousness, but growth in righteousness;not health, but healing; not being, butbecoming; not rest, but exercise. We are notyet what we shall be, but we are growingtoward it. The process is not yet finished,but it is going on. This is not the end, but itis the road. All does not yet gleam in glory,but all is being purified.” --- Martin Luther

Olive Branch Fellowship of Austin / All Faith Chapel4110 Guadalupe St. Bldg #639 Austin, TX 78751

Sunday MorningWorship @ 11: am

Kenneth Hill,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: 512-343-9300

Rev. Dr. JacquelynDonald-Mims

Globalizing the Gospel

A Ministry That Ministers

Edward M. Fleming,Sr. Pastor

OLIVET BAPTISTCHURCH

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

DOUBLE

GROCERY“R”

450l East Martin Luther King Blvd.*We cash ALL Tax Refund*Checks *Check Out

Country Boyz Fixin’s4140 E. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78721

Featuring Fish, Poboys, Hot Wings, Pork Chops,Homemade Gumbo, Shrimp and Alligator

DINE IN ORORDER TO GO

Mon - Fri: 11 am - 8 p.m.Saturday: 12 noon - 5 p.m.

Closed SundayCall (512) 928-5555

DAVID CHAPEL Missionary Baptist ChurchSUNDAY

Christian Education 9:15a.m. | Worship 10:30 a.m.Nursery Available

WEDNESDAY |Worship 1st Wed. monthly 7:00p.m. | Bible Study 7:30p.m.

Dr. Joseph C.Parker, Jr.

Senior Pastor

2211 East Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.Austin, TX 78702

Office: 512-472-9748 Fax: 512-472-5399Website: www.davidchapel.orgEmail: info@davidchapel.org“A Church with a Heart

for The Community”

Pastor J. R. Roberson& First lady

Lillian Robertson

BETHEL-ST. PAUL UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH877 W. Hempstead, Giddings, Texas 78942

Weekly ScheduleSunday School 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:45 a.m.Wednesday Night Bible

Study 6:00p.m.(979) 542-2784 Church(979) 540-6352 Home

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

Do you have church news?Would you like to purchase

a monthly ad for yourchurch?

Inquire TODAY!Send your information to vil3202@aol.com

or call 512-476-0082

Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church690 TX-21 West, Cedar Creek, TX 78612

Sunday School9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship10:30 a.m.

Elder Carl E SheltonPastor Ph: (512) 626-3660

Hope thou in God -Psalm 42:11

Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church 8500 Cameron Road - Austin, Texas 78754

(512) 451-0808 (512) 302-4575 Fax Web Site - www.themount.net

WEBBERVILLEEBENEZER MISSIONARY

BAPTIST CHURCH

Give thanks to the Lord for heis good. -Psalms 136:1

Sunday Morning Worship11 AM

Sunday School 10 AM

1314 Weber St,Webberville, Tx 78653

(512) 276-7917

Pastor W. B. Routt, Jr.Cell # (512) 694-1877

MUSICIAN WANTEDDecember 1 through December 31,

First Baptist Church at 4805 Heflin Lanewill be accepting resumes for

a church pianist/organist.Resumes can be mailed to:

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 4805 HEFLIN LANEAUSTIN, TX 78721

ATTN: Deacon Johnnie Eppright OR

Emailed to:firstbaptistchurchheflin@gmail.com

Attn: Deacon Johnnie Eppright

Central Texas Food BankReceives Special Christmas Gift

On Sunday, December 15, 2019 - Wesley United Methodist Church presented a gift of$1,500 to the Central Texas Food Bank. Presenter Pastor Sylvester E. Chase, Jr., CTFBSecretary Mrs. Sheldy Starkes, and recipient CTFB President/CEO Derrick Chubbs. Thisgift will be matched by another contributor to help feed needy families in the CentralTexas area.. (Photo taken by Mrs. Shenea Wade Edison)

T. L. Wyatt Damita Shanklin

ListenLive)))

Every Friday | 8AM - 9AM

www.KAZIFM.orgKAZI 88.7 FM

The BreakfastClub

2019 Valero Alamo BowlUtah vs. Texas

December 31, 2019 | 6:30 PMTV: ESPN

Sunday | 3:25 PM | FOXRedskins at Cowboys

Sunday | 3:25 PM | CBSTitans at Texans

NFL

Page 4 ~ THE VILLAGER/December 27, 2019 DIASPORA www.theaustinvillager.com

BlackMarkersMarket

V I L L A G E RNEWS - On Decem-ber 21, 2019, the BlackMakers Market held ajoint event with BalletAfrique Contempo-rary Dance. Accord-ing to the organizers,"Black Makers Marketpartnered with BalletAfrique Contempo-rary Dance to bringyou the Black MakersHoliday Market!Over 20 local BlackMakers like Bling Sa-lon & Retail or JazzyChica, were on dis-play at the CarverMuseum during theencore performanceof the Austin Nut-cracker."

Moreover, the or-ganizers of this event

called it the BlackMarker Market due tothe fact it is the merg-ing of two creativegroups in the Austinarea. According toSam, who attendedthe event, "it is alwaysgood to see AfricanAmericans joiningforces, to increasetheir influence." Fur-thermore, these mar-

kets will help themserve or get more ven-dors.”

According tosome vendors, "this isan opportunity to selland increase expo-sure." Also, it was avery family-friendlyevent, in which, chil-dren had the opportu-nity to take some pic-tures with Santa Claus.

AustinCity

CouncilRacesGet

Heated

Black Markers Market: Vendor Ms. HelenPhoto by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon

by Tsoke (Chuch)Adjavon

VILLAGERColumnist

by Tsoke (Chuch)Adjavon

VILLAGERColumnist

Pooja Sethi files for office.Photo by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon

VILLAGER NEWS -In November of 2020,there will be a few Aus-tin City Council seats onthe ballot. Although theelection is ten monthsaway, people have al-ready filed their candi-dacy, districts rangingfrom South Austin toNorth West Austin.Pooja Sethi has officiallyfiled her paperwork tochallenge the incum-bent in District 10.

According to PoojaSethi, "I will bring a voiceof equity, innovativethinking, and passion-ately champion for thecommunity, and makesure no group of peoplegoes ignored. As an at-torney, a small businessowner, and a nonprofitfounder fighting for sur-vivors of abuse and as-sault and their child. Ihave worked fervently

for the community foryears."

Over the years,Sethi has been involvedin the local democraticparty scene and the citygovernment. Sethi is as-sociated with the City ofAustin Steering Commit-

tee for Climate Change,policy committee for theGreater Austin AsianChamber of Commerceadvocating for our localeconomy, and a trusteeappointed Austin Com-munity College RegionalAdvisory Member.

Ballet AfriqueContemporary Dance

VILLAGER NEWS - On December 21, 2019, Ballet Afrique Contem-porary Dance performed the Duke Ellington's The Nutcracker, in frontof a standing-room audience of children and adults. For instance, Prin-cess, who is a child, mentioned, "I enjoyed seeing other kids like meperform, the play inspired me to also one day perform on stage."

Moreover, Ballet Afrique is a professional contemporary dance com-pany comprised of dedicated, passionate, and gifted artists on a questfor technical growth and artistic nourishment. The company employs asynthesis of ballet and modern blended with Afrocentric undertonesto articulate the human condition and spirit through the unboundedart form of dance.“

Finally, China Smith founded Ballet Afrique in 2008. According toSmith, "I felt there was a void in East Austin’s arts community. Being anEast Austin native, I wanted to give back, expose children to the arts,and give students the tools they need to succeed in life." Working againststereotypes and misconceptions of African-American culture, the con-cept of Ballet Afrique was born in 2008 to offer East Austin youth anopportunity to experience the richness of their own culture throughthe arts alongside other beautiful cultures represented in Austin.

Ballet Afrique members. Photo by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon

by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon | VILLAGER Columnist

Obamacare Sign-ups Steady asDebate Persists Over its FutureBy RICARDO

ALONSO-ZALDIVARAssociated Press

W A S H I N G T O N(AP) — More than 8 mil-lion people have signedup for coverage nextyear under former Presi-dent Barack Obama’shealth care law, the gov-ernment said Friday, asign of continued de-mand for the programamid persistent uncer-tainty over its future.

Preliminary num-bers from the Centersfor Medicare and Med-icaid Services showedthat 8.3 million peopleenrolled from Nov. 1-Dec. 17, about two per-cent fewer than last year.The final number will behigher after states thatrun their own sign-updrives report their re-sults. National totals areusually released inMarch.

The enrollment re-port follows a federalappeals court decisionthis week that declaredpart of the AffordableCare Act unconstitu-tional, casting a shadowover other key parts ofthe statute.

Medicare agencyadministrator SeemaVerma said Friday’s pre-liminary report shows“stable” enrollment, andbelies what she called“hysterical and inaccu-rate” claims by Demo-crats that the Trump ad-ministration is trying tosabotage the health in-

surance markets.New customers to-

taled more than 2 mil-lion people — an in-crease of 36,000 fromlast year. That’s consid-ered a positive sign be-cause it reflects con-sumer interest.

The number of newcustomers had beenslipping for several yearsafter the Trump admin-istration slashed theprogram’s ad budget,said Joshua Peck, aformer Obama official.This year’s uptick “is areally clear sign that themarketplace is more re-silient,” he added.

Two big states thatPresident Donald Trumpcarried in 2016 in-creased their“Obamacare” enroll-ment. Florida sign-upstopped 1.9 million, ac-cording to the report, anincrease of more than100,000 customers. InTexas, about 1.1 million

enrolled, nearly 30,000more than last year.

Yet more than adecade after its signing,Obama’s health law re-mains in jeopardy.Trump and congres-sional Republicans havenever given up their vowto repeal it, guarantee-ing that “Obamacare”will be part of the 2020political debate.

A panel of the 5thU.S. Circuit Court of Ap-peals in New Orleansagreed with GOP-ledstates that the Afford-able Care Act’s now-toothless requirementfor most Americans tocarry health insurance isunconstitutional. Butthe appeals courtstopped short of sayingthe rest of the law mustfall as a result, sendingthe case back to a lowercourt judge, who alreadyruled once the healthlaw should be com-pletely tossed out.

This screen grab from the websiteHealthCare.gov shows the extended deadlinefor signing up for health care coverage for2020. More than 8 million people have signedup for coverage next year under former Presi-dent Barack Obama’s health care law, the gov-ernment said Friday, showing continued de-mand for the program amid ongoing uncer-tainty over its future. (Centers for Medicareand Medicaid Services via AP)

EMPLOYMENT | PROPOSALS | PUBLIC INFORMATIONFOR SALE | FOR RENT | BIDS | MISCELLANEOUS

www.theaustinvillager.com CLASSIFIEDS THE VILLAGER/December 27, 2019 ~ 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

Are you interested in doingbusiness with the City of Austin?

We are here for you!City of Austin

Purchasing OfficeVendor Registration

512-974-2018VendorReg@austintexas.gov

www.austintexas.gov/department/purchasingFor information on the City of Austin’s Minority/

Women-Owned Procurement Program please contact theSmall & Minority Business Resources at 512-974-7600or visit www.austintexas.gov/smbr.

New Jobs for theWeek of 12/22/2019

Success CoachNorthridge Campus

Job# 1902023Clerk, Accounting

Round Rock CampusJob# 1912024

Coordinator, District ClinicalCounseling-Part-Time (75%)

San Gabriel CampusJob# 1912033

Administrator, ContractService CenterJob# 1912027

AccountantService CenterJob# 1912032

Director, HLC RegionalSimulation CenterHighland Campus

Job# 1912030Dean, Liberal Arts-Social and

Behavioral SciencesRio Grande Campus

Job# 1912025Department Chair,

Occupational Therapy AssistantEastview Campus

Job# 1912026Faculty, Diagnostic Medical

Imaging-RadiologyEastview Campus

Job# 1912029Executive Chef

Eastview CampusJob# 1912039

Technician, Temporary TheaterProductions

Highland CampusJob# 1912035

Manager, Lifelong LearningPrograms

Highland Business CenterJob# 1912036

Manager, Skilled TradesPrograms

Highland Business CenterJob# 1912037

Assistant, Senior Lab-CulinaryArts

Eastview CampusJob# 1912038

Travis County Healthcare District d/b/a CentralHealth

1111 E. Cesar Chavez StreetAustin, TX 78702

RFP 2010-002 Public Relations Consulting ServicesDue Date: 01/23/2020 by 2:00 PM CTTravis County Healthcare District d/b/a Central Health (“CentralHealth”) seeks strategic communications and external affairsconsulting, including public relations, and media relations/socialmedia support, to increase awareness among patients and non-patients about the Enterprise, educate residents about how theaffiliates are connected and work together to deliver health carein Travis County as described in the Proposal SubmittalInstructions and Scope of Work.https://prod.bidsync.com/central-health, ORhttp://www.centralhealth.net/finance/purchasing ORhttp://www.txsmartbuy.com/sp

INTERMOUNTAIN SLURRY SEAL INC IS SEEKINGMBE/WBE PARTICIPATION

We are seeking MBE/WBE participation for the City of Austin2020 Street Slurry Seal and Fog Seal IDIQ Project. Subcontractingopportunities include: Thermoplastic Striping and PavementMarkers, Fog Seal, Aggregate Hauling, Crack Sealing, StreetSweeping, Loader Rental, Traffic Control, Public Notifications,Dumpster Service, Portable Toilets, and Door-to-DoorNotifications. Plans and Specifications are available at: https://www.austintexas.gov/financeonline/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=132618Project bids January 16, 2020 at 10:30 am. Please contact NateNiemann at (469)416-0242 or nate.niemann@gcinc.com withfurther questions. Bids are due by January 13, 2020.

The PiOmega

ZetaChapter

HostsRoaring

20sCommunity

AwardsCeremony

(AUSTIN, TX) - ThePi Omega Zeta Chapterwill join thousands ofchapters around theworld, celebrating the100th anniversary of ZetaPhi Beta Sorority, Incor-porated. The chapterwill recognize the cen-tennial with a Roaring20s themed communityawards ceremony andcelebration, recognizingorganizations and indi-viduals for their leader-ship and service inWilliamson County. ThePi Omega Zeta Roaring20 Centennial Celebra-

tion, open to the public,will be held on Saturday,Jan. 4, 2020, from 7 p.m.to 11 p.m. at the RabbHouse and featureMz.Dre & 2OneSoul.

Zeta Phi Beta Soror-ity, Incorporated wasfounded on the campusof Howard University onJan. 16, 1920, by coedsArizona CleaverStemons, Pearl Anna

Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faith-ful, Viola Tyler Goingsand Fannie Pettie Watts.The five trailblazersplanted an idea thattook root and has beencarried forth around theworld by over 150,000strong, for a century.

The Pi Omega ZetaChapter is a nonprofitorganization, which op-erates many community,

cultural, and educationalprojects in WilliamsonCounty. Chartered inRound Rock in 1998, thisaward-winning chapterand its members arecommitted to the idealsof the organizationthrough leadership anddevelopment programsfor area youth; a BlackHistory Month art con-test, endorsed by the

Round Rock Indepen-dent School District;scholarships for stu-dents pursuing highereducation; food andclothing drives to sup-port needy families; andthe Zeta Helping OtherPeople Excel (Z-Hope)initiative.

The celebration, andcommunity thank you,will feature entertain-

ment, and generous horsd’oeuvres in addition tothe awards ceremony.The Rabb House is locatedat 151 N A.W. GrimesBlvd., Round Rock, Texas78664. For more informa-tion, call 512.784.7568 orvisit http://piomegazeta.weebly.com/. A RSVPto https://piomegazeta.eventbrite.com is re-quired for the free event.

Director blasts ‘Black Panther’, calls film’s message ‘Bulls**t’ by Ny Magee | EURweb.com

Terry Gilliam (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP/Shutterstock)

(EURweb.com) -Acclaimed director TerryGilliam has slammed thefilmmakers behind the2018 blockbuster “BlackPanther,” saying the filmmade him “crazy.”

“I hated Black Pan-ther. It makes me crazy.It gives young black kidsthe idea that this issomething to believe in.Bullshit. It ’s utterbullshit,” Gilliam said inan interview withIndieWire. “I think thepeople who made ithave never been to Af-rica. They went and gotsome stylist for someAfrican pattern fabricsand things. But I just Ihated that movie, partlybecause the media weregoing on about the im-portance of bullshit.”

A word to Gilliam….director Ryan Cooglerand his Black Pantherteam actually took a tripto Africa to find inspira-tion. As noted by Com-plex, the majority of thefilm was shot in Atlanta,but some aerial shotswere filmed in Argen-tina, South Africa, Zam-bia, and Uganda.

“Black Panther”was both commerciallyand critically successful,earning over $1 billionworldwide. When askedif he believes the hypearound the movie wassimply “ identity poli-tics,” Gilliam replied “itmakes my blood boil.”But his hate extends tosuperhero movies over-all.

“There isn’t room

or money for a greaterrange of films. You makea film for over $150 mil-lion or less than $10 [mil-lion]. Where’s all thisother stuff? It doesn’texist anymore,” the di-rector said, referencingthe Marvel CinematicUniverse. “I make filmswhere I’m trying tomake people think. Imean, I try to entertainthem enough that theydon’t fall asleep on me,and they’re there tomake you think and lookat the world in a differ-ent way, hopefully, andconsider possibilities.Those films don’t dothat.”

Back in 2010, the “12Monkeys” director alsovoiced his hatred for JamesCameron’s “Avatar.”

“There are so manysmall, beautiful film-makers and actors anddirectors with so muchpotential that just can’tget a look in because thestudios are pumping all

their money into thesehuge projects,” he said.“There are such incred-ible lower-budget filmsthat are magical, butwe’ve got our work cutout with things like Ava-

tar coming out. How arethese young talents sup-posed to get a look inwithout the budget?That’s the sad thing, be-cause they are just asgood.”

Page 6 ~ THE VILLAGER/December 27, 2019 THE DISPATCH www.theaustinvillager.com

Trump Signs Future Act to HelpHBCUs, Minority-Serving Institutions

The Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources forEducation – or Future Act – means that, under the President’s

administration, investment in HBCU programs has significantlyincreased under Title III of the Higher Education Action of 1965.

By Stacy M. Brown,NNPA Newswire Senior

Correspondent

(NNPA) - One dayafter the House im-peached him, PresidentDonald Trump took de-cisive action to supportand empower Histori-cally Black Colleges andUniversities (HBCUs)across the country.

The President puthis signature on the Fu-ture Act, legislation thatfor the time includesHBCUs in the federal 5-year STEM EducationPlan and the NationalResearch and Develop-ment Budget Priorities.

“When I took of-fice, I promised to fightfor HBCUs, and my Ad-ministration continuesto deliver,” Trumpstated.

“A few months ago,funding for HBCUs wasin jeopardy. But theWhite House and Con-gress came together andreached a historic agree-ment. For the first timeever, I signed legislationto permanently fundHBCUs and other institu-tions that primarilyserve first-generationand minority students.This action guaranteesmore than $2.5 billionover the next 10 years,including $850 millionspecifically for HBCUs,”the President stated.

He continued:“Today’s achieve-

ment continues my un-precedented commit-ment to HBCUs. Duringmy first weeks in office,I moved the HBCU initia-tive, led by JohnathanHolifield, to the WhiteHouse and worked withCongress to increase

funding for HBCUs bymore than $100 million.HBCUs have never hadbetter champions in theWhite House.

“The bill I signed to-day also reforms the FreeApplication for FederalStudent Aid, or FAFSA.The Internal Revenue Ser-vice will now seamlesslytransfer applicants’records to the Depart-ment of Education, sothat families can use asimpler, shorter applica-tion for financial aid andthose with student loansdo not have to completea cumbersome incomecertification process yearafter year.

“This is a transfor-mative change that hasbeen talked about inWashington for morethan a decade, but ev-eryone always said itcould not be done. Wegot it done.”

HBCUs will nowplay an essential part infederal planning to ad-

vance bold, transforma-tional leaps in scienceand technology to en-sure America remainsthe global leader in sci-ence and technology forgenerations to come,White House officialssaid in a release.

With the bill’s sign-ing, Trump also estab-lished the inaugural HBCUColors Day, which encour-ages HBCU supportersfrom across the countryto wear HBCU apparel toshow their support forHBCU institutions.

The Fostering Un-dergraduate Talent byUnlocking Resources forEducation – or FutureAct – means that, underthe President’s adminis-tration, investment inHBCU programs has sig-nificantly increased un-der Title III of the HigherEducation Action of1965.

This includes:A $35 million in-

crease in the Strength-

ening Historically BlackColleges and UniversitiesProgram ($279.6 mil-lion);

A $9 million in-crease in the Strength-ening Historically BlackGraduate Institutions($72.3 million);

A $1 million in-crease in the Strength-ening HBCU MastersPrograms ($8.6 million);

Meaningful in-creases investments instudent support like PellGrants, Federal Work-Study, and Supplemen-tal Educational Opportu-nity Grant (SEOG); and

Increases inHoward University’s an-nual appropriation bynearly $11 million,bringing its fiscal year2018 investment level to$232.5 million.

The bill also in-creased by $30 million ininvestments in the HBCUCapital Financing Pro-gram, helping eightschools experiencing fi-

nancial difficulty in rede-signing and restructur-ing to better meet stu-dent and communityneeds and fulfill loanobligations.

Trump also has ap-pointed both the Chair-man of the President’sBoard of Advisors onHBCUs and Executive Di-rector of the WhiteHouse Initiatives onHBCUs.

“What we’re talk-ing about is permanentfunding for HBCUs, aswell as minority-servinginstitutions, to the tuneof $255 million in theannual formula andcompetitive funding,”said Ja’Ron Smith, theDeputy Assistant to thePresident for the WhiteHouse Office of Ameri-can Innovation.

“That’s over tenyears, so you’re talkingabout $2.5 billion, andwe didn’t just stop there.With the FAFSA (FreeApplication for Federal

Student Aid) simplifica-tion that only allows stu-dents to answer up to 22questions on a currentbasis, we eliminated theburdensome processthat will allow low-in-come students like my-self, who had to navigatea FAFSA form withouthaving parents who everwent to college,” Smithstated.

Smith added thatthe legislation wouldhelp put more studentsin the pipeline, andmore resources intoHBCUs and minority-serving institutions.

“It’s going to helpthem with programminginfrastructure and helpthe students that go tothese institutions,” hestated.

The President andhis administration areaggressively working onother strategies to assistHBCUs and other minor-ity-serving institutions,Smith stated.

“During our lasttwo presidential boardof advisors meetings,the subject came up,and we’re also taking alook at the money thatcan be leveraged intothese institutions as wellas community colleges,”Smith said. “I think thatwe just need to besmarter as a govern-ment and harness ourinstitutions. Many ofthese schools are lo-cated in areas wherepeople depend on thoseinstitutions to get accessto opportunity. Ourcommitment has alwaysbeen to figure out astrategy to help theseinstitutions throughoutthe 21st century.”

Monument Proposed for BlackSoldiers who Fought in Civil War

RICHMOND, Va.(AP) — An effort is be-ing made in Virginia tohonor unheralded Blacksoldiers who fought inthe Civil War.

The RichmondTimes-Dispatch re-ported Saturday that agroup called the Honorthe 14 Foundation is be-hind the push. It aims tomemorialize 14 Medal

By The Associated Press

Two pickets defend their station near Dutch Gap canal, Virginia,November 1864. (Image Courtesy Library of Congress)

of Honor recipients froma Black regiment of theUnion Army.

Donald E. King ini-tiated the push. He is asenior partner at theMcGuireWoods lawfirm and board mem-ber of the AmericanCivil War Museum.

King said the foun-dation plans to pri-vately raise millions to

erect the statue in thecity of Richmond.

Black troops in theUnion army defeatedConfederate forces atthe Battle of New Mar-ket Heights in 1864. Itfollowed two previousattempts that failed.

Fourteen of theBlack soldiers whofought received theMedal of Honor.

Doggett Statement on ACA Ruling:While We Impeach, Republican

Appellate Judges Impede(Washington,

D.C.) – Today, U.S.R e p r e s e n t a t i v eLloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of theHouse Ways andMeans Health Sub-committee, releasedthe following state-ment regarding theFifth Circuit Court’sdecision in Texas v.United States:

“Hardly coinci-dental that, as theNation’s attention isfocused on the im-peachment ofDonald Trump, Re-publican appellateappointees impedeaccess to healthcare for millions ofAmericans. Thecourt is returningsome issues for fur-

U.S. Representative(D-TX 35th District)

Since 2013

Lloyd Doggett

ther considerationby a trial court thathas already madeobvious its hostilityto the AffordableCare Act. It is just amatter of time be-fore that Fort Worthtrial court will againinvalidate the entireAct, including itsprotections for pa-tients with pre-ex-isting conditions.

Trump and hisRepublican enablerscontinue their as-sault on the patientswho depend on theACA. Colluding withindicted Texas Re-publican AttorneyGeneral Paxton,Trump turned to thecourts to continuehis sabotage afterfailing legislatively.Hopefully, there willbe no ultimate Su-preme Court rulingon this vital case un-til we have a new,humane presidentin 2021. Health careis on the ballot inNovember. Wemust prevail andmake health carethe first priority of anew Congress.”