SunPhoto/ Kenya Chavis Groundbreaking of the Delux Theater.
Fifth Ward’s Historical Delux Theater gets its third makeover.This time around it is being renovated for Texas Southern University classes and theater productions.
Roughly it will cost between $4 to 5 million to make this project into a reality, with the help of federal grant money and TSU.
TSU President John Rudley said, “classes and stage plays will be held here in the future. With the development of this project it could drive economics back into the Fifth Ward community located near downtown.”
Milton McClelland who grew up in Fifth Ward said, “I was happy to see something being done with The Delux Theater and it was at this theater I saw James Brown for the first time live in concert.” The theater will seat 125 people when it is completed. The theater first opened in 1941.
SunPhoto/Myra Griffin Wendy Davis surrounded by supporters as she visits Texas Southern University“
State Senator Wendy Davis (D-Texas), has thrown her hat in the race for Governor of Texas and has begun her campaign tour in preparation for the 2014 elections. Upon visiting Houston, one of her stops brought her to Texas Southern University, where she spoke to a overflowing auditorium of Wendy fans in the Barbara Jordan- Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs.
Davis increasing popularity stems from her poignant stand for women’s rights in June 2013 which she filibustered for close to 12 hours in order to block passage of a bill that would deny women the right to have abortions. Her unabashed protest garnered the respect of colleagues and people around nation. Wendy Davis became a household name and now she is ready to become the governor of Texas.
“I can’t wait to see a woman and a democrat as governor of this state. If Texas goes blue that’s it for the country. We can do it. We have the people and if we get the corruption out and get the young people registered to vote we can do this,” said Nan Toole, a Davis supporter. “She has created so much excitement I’m just thrilled. I think Wendy is awesome, she has great integrity and intelligence, I think she’s a great leader and such a contrast to what we have now.”
Many supporters that populated the room were there to see Davis, but many came in order to get tips on how to become a deputy registrar for the next election cycle. The Davis campaign is aware that it will be a fight to win an election in a republican red Texas. Constituents like Toole, have been on the move in respects to registering voters as she alone signed up over 2,000 voters since the last presidential election in 2012. Toole is excited to get going again for Wendy Davis and so are so many others.
State Senator Davis’s affinity for equal pay for equal work, ending workplace discrimination and women’s health is giving her a leg to stand on and numerous kudos that’s building momentum for the upcoming election cycle. Her colleagues, State Representatives Harold Dutton and Ron Reynolds joined her at TSU showing a support system from within the State Senate.
As she slid behind the podium to speak the auditorium erupted in applause. Davis beamed a wide smile as she started her speech reflecting the same amount of excitement as the crowd before her.
“I’m so excited about this race,” said Davis. “With your help I can be the 48th governor of Texas.”
Her speech was more than the average vote for me rhetoric. Davis reminded the crowd about the importance of giving and having a voice. She urged voter registrars to remember that their work is powerful and they help others get their voices heard.
“Use your voice in a very important way especially in the election cycle,” said Davis.
Davis told her story and the journey she took from being a single mom living in poverty and facing the challenges of how to care for a young daughter as a single parent.
The opportunity to care for her (Davis daughter) came from being able to get an education at a community college and my community opened that door for me,” said the State Senator. “It landed me at Harvard Law School and ultimately put me right here in front of you and able to serve you in the Texas Senate.”
Her priorities lie with family, education and jobs. She touched her supporters by letting them know that she would make family important, education a priority, and that every Texas family will be able to play a role in the economy by making sure they have a good job and take care of their families.
“That will be the most important work for the next 13 months, making sure people embrace the power that they have and they believe that they can play a role in what happens to their future and their families future,” said Davis. “Our people are staying home in our state and I think they are staying home because they don’t think their voices matter. They are accustomed to failed leadership and they have stopped listening to the things that matter to them and we will invite them to believe. I believe 100 percent that we are going to change the face of leadership in Texas.”
Davis encouraged those present to get deputized to register voters. She professed that she will need all of their help to win.
“They are already counting us out and I’ve had people count me out before, but the Senate seat I represent wasn’t drawn out for a democrat and some people may say the state of Texas isn’t ready for a democrat to lead the state but they are wrong,” said Davis.
Supporters present are ready to see the change in leadership and political parties as many talked about the state of Texas turning purple then eventually blue which will drastically change the demographics politically in the Lone Star State.
“As a member of Battleground Texas, I’m very supportive of Wendy Davis and I’m excited,” said Earnest Goodrich, Sr., supporter of Davis. “When she stood up for those 11 hours and filibustered fighting for women she was fighting for everybody. I like the fact she is a person that is willing to take on the republican dinosaur that still in power and she can be the next democratic governor of Texas .She can turn Texas purple and eventually blue, she wants to lead and I’ll follow in that effort.”
Davis said her belief in the promise of Texas is why she is running for Texas. She wants to renew and restore a commitment to the state and that every Texan can have an opportunity regardless of where they come from. Amongst her high hopes, she is aware that there is much work to be done for the fight to become the next governor of Texas.
There have only been two women to be elected as governor of Texas in the past. Miriam A. Ferguson served twice from 1925-1927 and again 1933-1935 and Ann Richards from 1991-1995.
When Dr. Eugene Barrington retired from Texas Southern University, he took the saying, ‘it’s better to give than to receive’ to heart. On August 31, 2012 he bid his adieu to his position as a professor of Public Affairs and Public Administration but his impact on his students continues to reach a year after his departure.
The good news of Sanford, Florida is Dr. Barrington. College graduate, a US Air Force veteran, an employee for the federal government, career developer for the AFL/CIO, educator and a worker inside of his church, Wheeler Avenue Baptist, he has accomplished much during his years working. Now that he has retired he is helping others in their career so they may be as successful as he.
“They gave me $8500 for my retirement and I gave it all away,” said Dr. Barrington. “Don’t ask me how or why but I just felt honored.”
His giving started immediately as he accepted donations for the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum at his retirement party. He also gave to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, in which he is a charter member, Sound Doctrine Ministry received a donation as well as three of Barrington’s former students at Texas Southern University, Angela Cohen of Children’s Health Academics and Safety, Inc. in Arlington, TX, Dana Smith of Texas Area Health Education (AHEC) East- Greater Houston Region and Dr. Reagan Flowers of C-STEM, Inc. in Third Ward.
“Reagan came to teach in my class a couple of times and Dana Smith as well,” said Barrington. “But I gave to the Buffalo Soldiers because I believe the story of the US military should be told, and particularly the Black US Military.”
The works of his students aligned with his passions in the public policy sector so he didn’t hesitate to help his former students in their work. The work Dana Smith does with Health Services in Arlington is important to Barrington as he volunteers at the Veteran Hospital and knows the struggle people have with health care.
“Dr. Barrington gave us a $1,000 and we are very grateful for it,” said Smith. “It’s difficult in the non-profit sector to get the funding you need to really make the impact you want to make in the community.”
Barrington had no problem donating the money as he saw it as a little seed money to help them make improvements in the things they have already started.
“C-STEM produces an excitement for learning and you know Dr. Flowers has implemented the C for communications in the program which is needed because it is something that is sorely lacking in the community, the ability and willingness to communicate effectively amongst ourselves and others,” said Dr. Barrington.
After a year of retirement Dr. Barrington is still on the go. He is traveling, while volunteering his time still at the V.A., with the church and with those older than he. He is a lifetime educator as his students still seek him out for advice and clout. He is as sharp and witty as a twenty year old but admired as the elder he is. After 35 years teaching at Texas Southern University he gave his parting gifts to the legacy he helped build so they too may be able to have a story like his someday.
Mayor Annise Parker and Texas Southern University have entered into a partnership with the Barbara Jordan Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs to allow city employees the opportunity to earn a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. The program will be a reduced course load offered at the E.B. Cape Center. The center serves as the city’s corporate university that provides a learning atmosphere for employees to enhance their job skills and performance. Mayor Parker has entered the city into this agreement as an investment in the employees so they can serve the citizens better. “If they complete designated courses at the E.B. Cape Center they will have the opportunity to receive credit and enroll at TSU with a reduced course load. Once enrolled at TSU’s MPA program, up to 6 hours of classes taken at the E.B. Cape Center may be credited towards the 48 hours required,” said Mayor Parker. “The University will also wave the required internship because our employees are actively working every day hands on with the citizens of Houston. This is an offering that will enhance our employees to serve better and also a wonderful new partnership with TSU which turns out degree many people who work for the city of Houston.” City employees can take up to 12 hours that they don’t have to pay for as long as they are classes that are inline with the E.B. Cape and MPA program. Dr. Sonny Ohia, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research at TSU extended greetings from the university and on behalf of President Dr. John Rudley. He expressed his pleasure and excitement at the opportunity that TSU will be partnering the city of Houston. “With the purpose of the university to be engaged in the community and to contribute to the community, what better way can we do that than by offering education to the city employees and to join with us and earn the academic credentials that will help create a better workforce for the city of Houston,” said Ohia. Mayor Parker called up Dr. Michael Adams the Interim Chair of the Political Science department to the podium attributing him as a person who played a pivotal role in the collaboration. Adams came forward all smiles as he too is happy about the partnership between TSU and the city. “We are indeed happy about this historic occasion to enter into a MOU with the city of Houston to provide an expanded education and professional training to city employees,” said Adams. “We are the only NASPAA, (National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration), accredited public administration program in the city of Houston so it means a lot to the city of Houston.” Omar Reed, the Human Resources Director for the city of Houston and a graduate of Texas Southern spoke as a representative of the city and the E.B. Cape Center. Reed noted that the E.B. Cape Center offers a variety of courses for employees and that it’s a great opportunity to partner with TSU. “We’re very excited about the opportunity to partner with TSU and continuing the services we offer at the E.B. Cape and give employees at the city and opportunity to continue to expand their educational endeavors and we look at it as an important partnership.” This opportunity is only for those pursuing a Masters in Public Administration. Any city employee can partake in this opportunity but any other endeavors outside of the MPA will be an out of pocket expense and the city will not reimburse city employees for classes taken , they must be in accordance to the plan and agreement between E.B. Cape and Texas Southern University.
