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Exclusive Interview: TSU Police Chief Mary Young

NNPA NEWSWIRE — TSU Police Chief Mary Young came to TSU in 2017, at the height of her career with the Houston Police Department (HPD) and was excited about being given the opportunity to manage and lead a full police department, mentor young men and women, and create an environment where HBCU’s were seen as impactful. The Forward Times highlighted her history-making achievement in March 2017, with an article entitled, “HAIL TO THE CHIEF: Veteran HPD Officer Mary Young Named TSU’s Acting Police Chief,” and she has served with distinction since that time with no incident until now with this anonymous complaint.
The post Exclusive Interview: TSU Police Chief Mary Young first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

December 24, 2022

Jeffrey L. Boney NNPA Newswire contributor

Lawsuit filed by Attorney Ben Hall, who says TSU has broken Texas state law with the handling of first female police chief at the University

By Jeffrey L. Boney | Houston Forward Times

Just when we thought the public issues surrounding Texas Southern University (TSU) had become a thing of the past, here comes another unnecessary situation that has negatively thrust the only HBCU in the city of Houston into the public spotlight.

For those that may have been following the story involving veteran officer, community leader, public servant, and current TSU Police Chief Mary Young, you are probably aware that she filed a lawsuit against TSU on November 30th in response to claims she was set to be terminated by the TSU Board of Regents based off an anonymous complaint that was filed against her.

The complaint mysteriously came after Chief Young beseeched her officers to “maintain professionalism” and to avoid giving the appearance of serving as “chauffeurs, errand-runners, and personal assistants” while working for TSU President Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young.

Crumpton-Young took the helm at TSU in July of last year after the controversial termination of former TSU President Dr. Austin Lane by the TSU Board of Regents, which unfortunately played out in the public and unceremoniously cast a negative light on the University.

According to Chief Young, she didn’t even know her job was in jeopardy until she was made aware of the anonymous tip in July from the Interim Internal Auditor at TSU.

“In August, the President (Crumpton-Young) called and asked to meet me off campus and relay the news to me that the TSU Board had just had a board meeting, and that they had concluded that I was going to be terminated based on the findings from an audit investigation,” Chief Young tells the Forward Times. “President Crumpton-Young proceeded to inform me that my Deputy Chief and I were going to be let go and provided me with no other information. I was floored.”

Chief Young states she was never given an opportunity to give her side of the story or present any evidence to refute the allegations from the anonymous complainant, which is why she hired an attorney to file her initial lawsuit against TSU.

Attorney Ben Hall, who has taken on this case, is extremely concerned about the actions taken by TSU and believes the University has violated Texas state law every step of the way.

Hall states, however, this case is deeper and should concern everyone in the community regarding anonymous complaints against community-oriented police officers like Chief Young.

“TSU didn’t give Chief Young an opportunity to disprove this lie by an anonymous complainant to protect her own stellar reputation,” said Hall. “What we have here is a coward who was too scared to add their name to the anonymous complaint. This is someone who would rather throw rocks and hide their hands by making false charges and claims, and this is a lie that the leadership at TSU has chosen to align themselves with.”

According to Hall, Texas state law requires that any written complaint against a police officer must be signed by the complainant, given to the police officer, and then the police officer must be given an opportunity to respond the complaint.

Hall states that Chief Young never received a signed complaint that complies with state law, which is why no adverse or disciplinary action should be taken against her.

On top of that, Hall states that Chief Young had a strong system of checks and balances to prevent any arbitrary decision to approve overtime as alleged in the complaint from ever occurring, in that two other supervisors must sign off on overtime before it even gets to her.

First, the immediate supervisor of the police officer seeking to get approval for overtime must sign off on the submittal, and then a captain would have to sign off on the overtime submission for approval before it even gets to the desk of Chief Young, according to Hall.

“I am confident that we will be able to prove all of this false, because even when you look at the lie, Chief (Young) doesn’t even make the initial approval of overtime,” says Hall. “I am just shocked that the TSU Board of Regents and the administration would violate state law, without giving Chief Young, or any officer, the opportunity to defend themselves, which is required by state law in Texas.”

And then there is the false narrative that Chief Young has officially been placed on administrative leave.

According to Hall, TSU sent a letter to Chief Young informing her of their decision to place her on administrative leave, which prompted them to file a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on behalf of Chief Young on December 7th prohibiting TSU from taking any further disciplinary or adverse employment action against Young pending a temporary injunction hearing scheduled for December 20, 2022. The designated ancillary judge granted that request and the courts have stopped TSU from taking any action.

Chief Young is still at her job, contrary to media reports stating otherwise, and she is still working at her office focusing on protecting the TSU campus and leading her department.

TSU has appealed the TRO, but Hall has filed an emergency motion to require the case to be returned to the district court, because no final judgments have been made by the district courts, and the district courts are where the judges have listened to and heard the evidence relative to the case.

“Administrative leave is a violation of state law,” says Hall.

Chief Young came to TSU in 2017, at the height of her career with the Houston Police Department (HPD) and was excited about being given the opportunity to manage and lead a full police department, mentor young men and women, and create an environment where HBCU’s were seen as impactful. The Forward Times highlighted her history-making achievement in March 2017, with an article entitled, “HAIL TO THE CHIEF: Veteran HPD Officer Mary Young Named TSU’s Acting Police Chief,” and she has served with distinction since that time with no incident until now with this anonymous complaint.

Now, Chief Young just wants the truth to be told regarding what she and her attorney are deeming an improper investigation. She believes that a wrong report was presented to the TSU Board of Regents and that she was not afforded the opportunity to present her series of facts and important information, and states that she looks forward to that day.

“This is more than my reputation that I’m fighting for, this is about my character,” states Chief Young. “Without character, you cannot be trusted and if you cannot be trusted, you cannot lead. Your character is your mark on the world, and how you lead, how people see you, and how you follow, describes your character. I have worked extremely hard to become a person of honesty and decency. To present me any other way is absurd.”

The Forward Times will continue to follow this case and keep our readers informed of the latest happenings surrounding Chief Young and TSU.

The post EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: TSU POLICE CHIEF MARY YOUNG appeared first on Houston Forward Times.

The post Exclusive Interview: TSU Police Chief Mary Young first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Jeffrey L. Boney NNPA Newswire contributor

Posts by Jeffrey L. Boney NNPA Newswire contributor

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#NNPA BlackPress

Target Takes a Hit: $12.4 Billion Wiped Out as Boycotts Grow

Target Corporation’s stock plummeted by approximately $27.27 per share by the end of February, erasing about $12.4 billion in market value. The drop came on February 28, the designated economic blackout day, and coincided with mounting backlash over the retailer’s decision to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. The National Newspaper Publishers Association […]

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2025

Stacy Brown

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has taken action through its Public Education and Selective Buying Campaign. NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. said, “Black consumers helped build Target into a retail giant, and now they are making their voices heard. If corporations believe they can roll back diversity commitments without consequence, they are mistaken.”

Reverend Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia, has led calls for a “40-Day Target Fast,” urging Black consumers to withhold their spending at the retailer. “Black people spend $12 million a day at Target,” Bryant said. “If we withhold our dollars, we can make a statement that cannot be ignored.”

The NAACP also issued a Black Consumer Advisory in response to Target’s DEI rollback, warning Black consumers about corporate retreat from diversity initiatives. The advisory urges them to support businesses that remain committed to investing in Black communities.

Target is also facing legal battles. Shareholders have filed lawsuits challenging the company’s DEI policies, arguing that the commitments hurt financial performance. Meanwhile, conservative groups have sued over Target’s diversity efforts, claiming they discriminated against white employees and other groups.

“Consumers have the power to demand change, and Target is learning that lesson the hard way,” Chavis said.

Stacy Brown

Posts by Stacy Brown

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BREAKING Groundbreaking Singer Angie Stone Dies in Car Accident at 63

By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia The music and entertainment world reacted in shock and sorrow after the tragic death of Angie Stone, the pioneering singer-songwriter and hip-hop trailblazer who was killed in a car accident early Saturday morning in Montgomery, Alabama. She was 63. Stone’s publicist, Deborah R. Champagne, confirmed the […]

Published

3 days ago

March 1, 2025

Stacy Brown

By Stacy M. Brown

BlackPressUSA Senior National Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

The music and entertainment world reacted in shock and sorrow after the tragic death of Angie Stone, the pioneering singer-songwriter and hip-hop trailblazer who was killed in a car accident early Saturday morning in Montgomery, Alabama. She was 63.

Stone’s publicist, Deborah R. Champagne, confirmed the devastating news, stating that her family is heartbroken. “A number of her loved ones had just spoken to her last night,” Champagne told TMZ.

Born Angela Brown, Stone first rose to prominence as a member of The Sequence, hip-hop’s first all-female rap group. Their 1979 hit Funk You Up became one of the earliest rap records to break into the mainstream, later sampled in Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk and Dr. Dre’s Keep Their Heads Ringin’. After her years with The Sequence, Stone launched a solo career in the late 1990s, earning Grammy nominations and releasing celebrated R&B hits like Brotha, No More Rain, and Wish I Didn’t Miss You.

Stone’s career spanned decades, seamlessly blending hip-hop, soul, and R&B. Her debut solo album, Black Diamond, achieved gold status. She earned multiple Grammy nominations, including Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for U-Haul and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Joe for More Than a Woman and with Betty Wright for Baby.

Several of Stone’s peers offered tributes following the devastating news.

Chuck D, the legendary Public Enemy frontman and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, called Stone a foundational figure. “Angie Stone [was] a powerful pioneer whenever I thought of her,” he told Black Press USA. “A foundation of modern soul and hip-hop and women empowerment that she’s still uncredited for. A terrible loss.”

Rocky Bucano, executive director of the Hip Hop Museum, described Stone as a groundbreaking force. “As a member of The Sequence, Angie B helped pave the way for generations of women in hip-hop,” Bucano said in an email to Black Press USA. “Her impact on hip-hop culture is immeasurable, and her presence will be deeply missed. Rest in power, Angie Stone. Your voice and influence will never fade.”

DJ Ralph McDaniels also told Black Press USA that Stone’s artistry mainly was unmatched. “Peaceful journey to our sister Angie Stone,” he said. “Her voice was unique and direct from hip-hop’s female group Sequence to her solo soul songs.”

Dr. Mario Dickens of Mario Dickens Ministries also offered condolences. “We are saddened to hear of the passing of one of this era’s greatest memorable voices,” he said. “We pray for her loved ones and fans,” said Dickens, who extended his company’s memorial printing services to Stone’s family at no cost.

Stacy Brown

Posts by Stacy Brown

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NAACP Legend and Freedom Fighter Hazel Dukes Passes

“She was a warrior in the truest sense of the word and activist extraordinaire.” Those words are from Reverend Al Sharpton who is celebrating the life and activism of the iconic Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes, civil rights activist and leader within the ranks of the New York and National Board of the NAACP. Dukes 92 […]

Published

4 days ago

March 1, 2025

Oakland Post

Just two weeks ago, Dukes was wheelchair bound and present to perform her duty as NAACP Election Supervisory Chair certifying the elections of the rights groups’ board members.

Dr. Ben Chavis, elected in 1993, was the 7th Executive Director and CEO of the NAACP and spoke on the life of Dukes saying, “The transformative leadership legacy of freedom fighter Hazel Dukes will now be enshrined with the greatest honor and respect as a leader of the NAACP in America and throughout the world.”

This morning the Chair of the Board of the NAACP Leon W. Russell told Black Press USA that Dr. Dukes led the NAACP New York Conference for 50 years acknowledging, “Her work has helped ensure that the 116-year-old NAACP could remain relevant and continue its work throughout the years. She has been consistent in her work and her support as a member and a leader.”

Sharpton says she has known her for almost 50 years since he was a teen. “There never was an issue that she was not out front. We’ve gone to jail together and the White House together.”

Sharpton expects to offer comments at Duke’s funeral service. He recalls she was “authentic, committed, and concerned,” The rights leader and TV host also says, “We will never have another Hazel Dukes. But thank God we had this one.”

The NAACP Board was notified of the passing of Dr. Dukes through the following correspondence this morning:

Passing of a Loved One. To God Be The Glory!

Colleagues, it is with a heavy heart and a profound sense of sadness that I inform you of that our sister, Momma Dukes, went to be with the ancestors at 6:20 AM today. Her transition was officially recorded and announced at 6:38 AM. Please lift her up in prayer and continue to pray for her son Ronald and all of her extended family.

It is always hard to send a message like this but as Hazel would say, she is in God’s hands now.

Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference and Member of the NAACP National Board of Directors was bold and courageous. She was a true warrior for civil rights and social justice. Her voice and her influence at our table will be missed, but we will all continue to be influenced by that same voice as we continue to fight for that same cause. Hazel was one of the giants on whose shoulders we will continue to stand as we continue to do God’s work here on Earth.

I will keep you informed as arrangements are announced and finalized. Please know that Hazel passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people who loved her and clergy who knew and pastored to her.

May our sister Hazel rest in power.

With a heavy heart.

Leon W. Russell

Chairman

NAACP National Board of Directors