New BISD Sports Complex Opens

Things ended with a bang at the dedication ceremony for the new $47 million dollar Carrol A. Butch Thomas Educational Support Center in Beaumont. Hundreds of students, parents, staff, community leaders, friends and family looked on as the ceremonies ended with a huge fireworks display and ribbon cutting. The new complex will host football and soccer games for Beaumont Independent School District's three high schools--West Brook, Central Medical Magnet, and Ozen. It will also include a natatorium. The inaugural game was Friday night between West Brook and Ozen. The facility is named in honor of BISD's Superintendent Dr. Carrol Thomas. "I am grateful, grateful, grateful," said Dr. Thomas as his mother, wife, two daughters, his son-in-laws and granddaughter looked on. A reception was held at the administration building after the ceremony. The 10,000 seat, state-of-the-art complex is a beautiful addition to Southeast Texas. I had a chance to tour the facility along with other media and it really is a great place. I think it will be a great asset to this community. As part of the ceremonies, BISD administrators, board members, students and staff talked about how excited they were to have such a wonderful new home. The former Secretary of Education Dr. Rod Paige was also on hand to enjoy the festivities. It was a very special night!

More BISD Sports Complex

Lamar Celebrates Return of Football

A sea of red covered the Lamar University Montagne Center Sunday evening as players, coaches, adminstrators, family, and friends celebrated the return of football. Lamar will play its first football game in more than 20 years on Saturday at McNeese State University in Lake Charles. The banquet was held to honor past players, those responsible for bringing the program back to life, and to celebrate the future. "There's not a day that goes by that I haven't been asked 'when are you going to bring back football?," said Lamar University President Dr. Jimmy Simmons. "We wanted to wait until we could do it right." A silent and live auction was held. During the event, Walter Umphrey donated two Dallas Cowboy football tickets in his private suite and transportation to the game on his private jet to the auction. The item sold for $11,000. The auction generated more than $34,000. Tickets are still available for the season. Call (409)880-1715 or go to lamarcardinals.com.

Black Lawyers Luncheon

No courtroom drama here! Instead a group of Black lawyers in Southeast Texas gathered at Suga's Thursday to network and enjoy each other's company away from the pressures of trials and hearings. The group meets monthly. Their goal is to reach out to Black lawyers in the Golden Triangle and support each other. Those attending included Marcia Delarue, Rep. Joseph Deshotel, Melody Chappell, Anne Bradley, Mickey Washington, Langston Adams, Terrence Holmes, Audwin Samuel, Judge Donald Floyd, Cornelius Williams, Gaylyn Cooper, Marva Provo, and Kent Johns. If you want more information about the group, call Marva Provo at (409) 835-0005 or Gaylyn Cooper at (409) 832-6333.

Yum Yum Bean's Booksigning

Yum Yum Bean will sign a copy of her debut novel, "Jazzie's Love" on September 25 at Bistro Lemonde in Beaumont from 7 to 11 p.m. Come out and meet and greet the author. To reserve a copy of the book please visit www.yumyumbean.com

No Evidence of Hit List, LNVA Says

After investigating racial complaints brought on by African American employees who alleged their names were on a hit list, the Lower Neches Valley Authority Board found there was no evidence of such a list so no action was taken. The board meeting was held Tuesday at LNVA's office in Beaumont. However, the board is recommending several steps to improve the office environment including offering sensitivity training. Earlier this month, longtime employee Lionel Briggs brought his concerns to the board saying he and other Black employees had been passed over for promotions for decades in favor of their white colleagues. Briggs also said his name was on a hit list created by General Manager Scott Hall and two of three men on the list had already been fired for demoted. Hall denied the allegations. But Briggs says the matter isn't over. He's exploring all of his options.

Sebastian Young's Booksigning

Sebastian Young, a Beaumont native, recently penned his memoir entitled "I had Every Excuse to Fail, but I Chose None". Young signed copies of his book Tuesday night at D'Vine Winery in Beaumont while family and friends looked on. The inspirational book tells the story of how Young overcame various obstacles in his life (his mother was murdered when he was a toddler) to become a successful entrepreneur and gives strategies on how others can do it too. Congratulations Sebastian! To pick up a copy go to www.skybash.com

Andre Pitre Performing Wednesday in Lake Charles

NABJ Highlights

One of the many highlights of attending the National Association of Black Journalists convention in San Diego earlier this month was the opportunity to meet Neil on "Young and the Restless." The actor, Kristoff St. John is even more handsome in person. I also met his colleague Darius McCrary who used to play Eddie on "Family Matters." When I was a TV reporter people used to tell me that TV didn't do me justice meaning I looked better in person than on TV (they meant it as a compliment) and I tell you TV doesn't do either of these men justice. They are fine! I met the actors at the Arts and Entertainment awards reception to honor my former colleague Clarence Waldron, an editor at JET magazine. Clarence and I worked at the magazine in the early 90s. I'm very happy that his great feature-writing work has been recognized. Congrats Clarence or as I call him Henry Braselton!

"Sunday Best" Winner Performing at Cathedral

LeAndria Johnson who was recently crowned the winner of "Sunday Best," the gospel music competition on BET, will be performing in Beaumont on Saturday, Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Cathedral of Faith Church, 3755 Fannett Road. Johnson certainly has a testimony. She auditioned for the show the day after she lost her home to foreclosure and showed up at the audition with literally the clothes on her back. But she wowed the judges with her great voice and beat out the other contestants to win the competition. She also received more than two million votes from viewers. The 27-year-old single mother from Florida won a national recording contract so we'll be hearing a lot more from her. It should be a great show. Get your tickets now!

"Hit List" Charges at the LNVA

Things got a little heated at the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA) Board meeting in Beaumont Wednesday afternoon after a longtime employee accused the organization of retaliation and having a "hit list". Lionel Briggs who has worked for the LNVA for 33 years told the board that he is working under hostile conditions and fear of retaliation. He says he fears for his job because he's been told his name is on a "hit list" to be fired and two other employees on the list have already been fired or demoted.
Briggs spoke during a hearing before a standing-room only crowd. He also had three other witnesses who were also African American employees testify to their own fears for their job and racial discrimination by General Manager Scott Hall who is white and was also present at the meeting. Hall denied that there was any kind of hit list. Emotions ran high after the board told the group that they couldn't do anything about a hit list because there was no evidence of a hit list. "This is ridiculous," Attorney Anne Bradley said. "Do you want to wait until he gets fired to do something about this?," said Camille Briggs. After hearing those comments and others, the board decided to take some time to investigate the matter further to find out what's really going on. Those in attendance included Camille Briggs, Attorney Anne Bradley, NAACP President Judge Paul Brown, Paul Jones, Eric Brisco, and Rodney Bushnell.

100 Black Women's Back to School Drive

The 100 plus Black Women Coalition of Beaumont will host its annual back-to-school supply drive on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the L. L. Melton Community Center (formerly L.L. Melton YMCA). In order to serve more children and families, we will partner with the Pride of Beaumont Masonic Lodge #291 and others to coordinate our efforts.
For more information, call Lee Frank, Chairperson,842-9506; Dolores Fulton, Co-Chairperson,454-8918; Bobbie Patterson, President,842-9632.

Anchor's Wife Passes Away

Our condolences to KBMT Channel 12 Anchor Brian Burns whose wife Teresa Hanson Burns passed away last night. She died from ovarian cancer. Teresa always had a bright smile and a friendly hello. She worked as a news anchor at KSET 1300. Our prayers go out to Brian and little Abby.

Cultural Meet and Greet

The African American Cultural Society held a meet and greet to kickoff activities for the upcoming year. President Gail Pellum invited friends and supporters to celebrate last year's accomplishments and plan for the upcoming year. The reception was held at the Hampton Inn in Port Arthur. The cultural society sponsors Kwanza, Black History Month, and Juneteenth festivities. If you'd like to volunteer or need more information, call Gail at (409) 332-9105.

Morris Carter's Retirement Party

Hundreds gathered to celebrate Morris Carter's retirement from Valero. The party was held at the Pampona Club in Port Neches. It was a touching tribute to honor a great guy in our community. Congratulations Morris! Enjoy your retirement.

NABJ 2010 San Diego