More Trouble for Houston Community College in Federal
Discrimination Lawsuit Brought By Attorney Ben Hall
HBC NEWSPAPER REPORTS©
A racial discrimination lawsuit against Houston Community
College working itself through federal court recently took a bad turn for the
College. The lawsuit, filed by a former Black executive at HCC named Zelia
Brown, alleges HCC systematically discriminates against Black employees and
replaces them with less-qualified Hispanics. The suit alleges the chancellor of
the College, Cesar Maldonado, a Hispanic, came to the College with a “Hispanic Preference
Agenda” which unfairly displaces qualified Black employees. Brown alleges she was
a victim of that discriminatory policy causing her to be constructively
discharged from her job.
Brown also asked for her suit to be certified as a class
action on behalf of other former and present Black HCC employees who have been
victimized by HCC’s alleged discriminatory practices. In response, HCC’s
lawyers filed motions asking the judge to deny the class certification and to
dismiss the lawsuit entirely. The federal judge—widely known for dispatching
unworthy lawsuits quickly— denied both of HCC’s motions and leaving the case active
on the court’s docket.
The recent rulings dashed any hopes HCC may have had for a
quick end to the embarrassing litigation. In addition to denying HCC’s motions,
the judge also ordered the College to present four (4) HCC witnesses for
deposition in the case. Plaintiffs had sought to take the depositions of
Maldonado and human resources captains Janet May and Tom Anderson, but the
judge denied that request for now. Plaintiff counsel Benjamin Hall said the first
four HCC witness depositions will likely be of persons believed to have direct
knowledge of facts alleged in the lawsuit.
HCC’s troubles did not stop there. After the judge denied a
motion that would have added more plaintiffs to the Brown suit, nearly 100 more
Black HCC employees filed a separate federal racial discrimination suit against
HCC alleging they were also victimized by HCC’s discriminatory practices. A copy of the new suit can be found here:
Hall stated it is probable up to 50 more Black HCC employees
will be filing discrimination suits against HCC soon. It was also disclosed
that the same plaintiff lawyers suing HCC on behalf of Black employees have
been asked to file suits against the College on behalf of Black students who
complain they have been discriminated against by HCC’s “separate, but unequal”
practice of underfunding campuses in predominately Black communities while
pouring large sums of money and resources into building up campuses in majority
Hispanic communities.
Some of the Plaintiffs in the various discrimination suits
are starting to ask out loud whether HCC’s Board of Trustees, like the Penn
State Board, were complicit in the College’s wrongdoing. They are questioning
whether the individual trustees should be added to the lawsuits because of
their knowing ratification of HCC’s racially discriminatory practices. If such suits
materialize, the HCC trustees will have to explain how they allowed such
discriminatory practices to continue for so long without corrective actions
being taken, Hall said.
The “Sisterhood Series” Features 70 Powerful Texas Women You Should Know Who Are Doing Their Own Thing
AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
I would like to take this moment to introduce our
“SISTERHOOD SERIES” to you. This empowerment movement is being launched to highlight a few powerful Texas women who are doing their own thing in legal, political, and public relations fields throughout the Lone Star State. Now, while this powerful group of women is being brought to you as a corporate body, our
“SISTERHOOD SERIES” should not be misconstrued as identity/gender politics in any way, shape, or form. Why? Well, all of the featured women in this series are (in their own unique way) some of the best and brightest women in America. So, recognizing these women as part of our
“SISTERHOOD SERIES” is our way of applauding each of them for their courage, tenacity, and ability to compete in what has traditionally been a man’s world.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033
TRUTH OF THE MATTER
If we’re honest with ourselves, we all know that women are still fighting an uphill battle in politics as well as inside boardrooms across America. So, let's not forget – it wasn’t long ago that women were guaranteed the right to vote. In case you don’t know, the
19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was only the beginning of a much longer fight that women are continuing to fight on the campaign trail, in board rooms, and while living their everyday lives.
A VERY UNIQUE BOND
Each segment of our “SISTERHOOD SERIES” will highlight a “FEATURED SPONSOR” on the cover, and sixty-nine sitting incumbent Democratic and Republican members of the judiciary inside. So, as a community of women, each of the sixty-nine women featured as the “BODY OF THE SERIES” are linked together by their common successes in the rough and tumble world of Texas politics. Now, you can bet your bottom dollar, that some of these women will be endorsed by Houston Business Connections Newspaper©, in 2022 and 2024 “ELECTION GUIDES” when they appear on the ballot. However, unfortunately, some of these women will not make the cut. So, please do not forget that the deadline to run for political office in the “2022 MIDTERM ELECTIONS” is on Monday, December 13, 2021, in Texas. And, if you are a woman or man who is planning to run for office in 2022, you must sign up by Monday, December 13, 2021, at 6:00 pm. So, if you are not sure, what position you should run for in the Democratic Party Primary or Republican Party Primary, please call (281)788-3033, and I will try to assist you in any way I can.
MINISTERS OF JUSTICE
Every judge in America takes an oath of office and solemnly swears that they will administer justice without respect to persons and that they will do equal right to the poor and to the rich alike. So, the “MINISTERS OF JUSTICE” you see listed below, have all promised to faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon them under the United States Constitution and the laws that govern us as a free nation when they were elected. And each of them did so before the LORD God Almighty. Now, that being said, nowhere in their promise was their political party affiliation, sorority, socio-economic status, or ethnicity mentioned. So, let’s do our best going forward, to elect the “BEST AND BRIGHTEST” women and men who are committed to handing out even-handed justice to every person who enters their courtroom.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033
"I would like to kindly thank Attorney Nyanza Moore for finding value in our "SISTERHOOD SERIES" and our mission to inform, and empower our readership. These are difficult times that we are living in right now, and we can only thrive by having more open-minded people like Attorney Nyanza Moore to find value in what we do."
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033
Texas Supreme Court, Place 3 – Justice Debra Lehrmann is a Republican currently serving on the Texas Supreme Court for Place 3. Registered Texas voters from all 254 counties are eligible to vote for this judicial bench whenever it appears on the ballot.
Texas Supreme Court, Place 5 – Justice Rebeca Aizpuru Huddle is a Republican currently serving on the Texas Supreme Court for Place 5. Registered Texas voters from all 254 counties are eligible to vote for this judicial bench whenever it appears on the ballot.
Texas Supreme Court, Place 6 – Justice Jane Bland is a Republican currently serving on the Texas Supreme Court for Place 6. Registered Texas voters from all 254 counties are eligible to vote for this judicial bench.
Texas Supreme Court, Place 9 – Justice Eva Guzman, is a Republican currently serving on the Texas Supreme Court for Place 9. Registered Texas voters from all 254 counties are eligible to vote for this judicial bench.
1st Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1 -- Presiding Judge Sharon Keller is a Republican currently serving on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for Place 1. The First Court of Appeals serves the Houston, Texas Area. The Court consists of nine justices who hear appeals and original proceedings from Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington counties.
1st Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2 -- Judge Mary Lou Keel is a Republican currently serving on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for Place 2. The First Court of Appeals serves the Houston, Texas Area. The Court consists of nine justices who hear appeals and original proceedings from Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington counties.
1st Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7 -- Judge Barbara Hervey is a Republican currently serving on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for Place 7. The First Court of Appeals serves the Houston, Texas Area. The Court consists of nine justices who hear appeals and original proceedings from Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington counties.
14th Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 -- Judge Michelle Slaughter is a Republican currently serving on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for Place 8. The First Court of Appeals serves the Houston, Texas Area. The Court consists of nine justices who hear appeals and original proceedings from Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington counties.
14th Texas Court of Criminal Appeals – Chief Justice Tracy Christopher is a Republican currently serving on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals as the Chief Justice. The Fourteenth Court of Appeals serves the Houston, Texas Area. The Court consists of nine justices who hear appeals and original proceedings from Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington counties.
14th Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5 – Justice Frances Bourliot is a Democrat currently serving on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for Place 5. The Fourteenth Court of Appeals serves the Houston, Texas Area. The Court consists of nine justices who hear appeals and original proceedings from Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington counties.
14th Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 6 – Justice Meagan Hassan is a Democrat currently serving on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for Place 6. The Fourteenth Court of Appeals serves the Houston, Texas Area. The Court consists of nine justices who hear appeals and original proceedings from Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington counties.
14th Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 – Justice Margaret “Meg” Poissant is a Democrat currently serving on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for Place 8. The Fourteenth Court of Appeals serves the Houston, Texas Area. The Court consists of nine justices who hear appeals and original proceedings from Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington counties.
11th Civil District Court – Judge Kristen Brauchle Hawkins is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
55th Civil District Court – Judge Latosha Lewis Payne is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
61st Civil District Court – Judge Fredericka Phillips is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
80th Civil District Court – Judge Jeralynn Manor is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
113th Civil District Court – Judge Rabeea Sultan Collier is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
133rd Civil District Court – Judge Jaclanel McFarland is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
157th Civil District Court – Judge Tanya Garrison is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
164th Civil District Court – Judge Cheryl Elliott Thornton is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
165th Civil District Court – Judge Ursula A. Hall is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
174th Criminal District Court – Judge Hazel B. Jones is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
176th Criminal District Court – Judge Nikita V. Harmon is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
178th Criminal District Court – Judge Kelli Johnson is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
179th Criminal District Court – Judge Ana Martinez is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
184th Criminal District Court – Judge Abigail Anastasio is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
215th Civil District Court – Judge Elaine H. Palmer is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
234th Civil District Court – Judge Lauren Reeder is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
246th Family District Court – Judge Angela L. Graves-Harrington is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
247th Family District Court – Judge Janice Berg is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
248th Criminal District Court – Judge Hilary Unger is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
257th Family District Court – Judge Sandra Peake is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
262nd Criminal District Court – Judge Lori Chambers Gray is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
263rd Criminal District Court – Judge Amy Martin is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
270th Civil District Court – Judge Dedra Davis is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
280th Family Protective Order Court – Judge Barbara J. Stalder is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
281st Civil District Court – Judge Christine Weems is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
295th Civil District Court – Judge Donna Roth is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
308th Family District Court – Judge Gloria E. López is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
309th Family District Court – Judge Linda Marie Dunson is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
310th Family District Court – Judge Sonya L. Heath is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
311th Family District Court – Judge Germaine J. Tanner is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
313th Juvenile Family District Court – Judge Natalia Oakes is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
314th Juvenile Family District Court – Judge Michelle Moore is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
315th Juvenile Family District Court – Judge Leah Shapiro is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
333rd Civil District Court – Judge Brittanye Morris is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
334th Civil District Court – Judge Dawn Rogers is a Democrat (Civil) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
337th Criminal District Court – Judge Colleen Gaido is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
338th Criminal District Court – Judge Ramona Franklin is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
339th Criminal District Court – Judge Te'iva J. Bell is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
351st Criminal District Court – Judge Natalia "Nata" Cornelio is a Democrat (Criminal) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
507th Family District Court – Judge Julia Maldonado is a Democrat (Family) District Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2024 Presidential Election in Harris County.
Harris County Judge – Judge Lina Hidalgo is the Democratic Harris County Judge. You do not have to be a lawyer to run for this position. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
County Criminal Court at Law No. 2 – Judge Ronnisha Bowman is a Democrat Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
County Criminal Court at Law No. 3 – Judge Erica Hughes is a Democrat Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
County Criminal Court at Law No. 4 – Judge Shannon Baldwin is a Democrat Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
County Criminal Court at Law No. 6 – Judge Kelley Andrews is a Democrat Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
County Criminal Court at Law No. 9 – Judge Toria J. Finch is a Democrat Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
County Criminal Court at Law No. 12 – Judge Genesis E. Draper is a Democrat Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
County Criminal Court at Law No. 15 – Judge Tonya Jones is a Democrat Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
County Civil Court at Law No. 3 – Judge LaShawn A. Williams is a Democrat Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.
County Civil Court at Law No. 4 – Judge Lesley Briones is a Democrat Judge in Harris County, Texas. This bench will be on the ballot in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.