I Don’t Want My Daughter to Commit Suicide Because She Is Homeless
|
Posted By: Brandalyn Gill on February 05, 2020 NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 13, 2020 Contact: Brandalyn Gill – 346.704.4431, mlkdaysummit@gmail.com, www.mlkdaysummit.com “I Don’t Want My Daughter to Commit Suicide Because She Is Homeless :: Texas Continues to Defy Senate Bill 1001, 86th Legislature ::” :: 2020 MLK JR MENTAL HEALTH AND LITERACY SUMMIT POSTPONED :: Did Martin Luther King Jr’s Dream Really Come True During one of the toughest periods of her young adult life, Brandalyn Gill, Houston Independent School District-endorsed self-published author, producing actress, writer, community activist and mother, skims through different publications across the internet seeking guidance. Her daughter, Sinai Gill, is the five year old kindergartener who was illegally suspended by Blackshear Elementary School over four times as a homeless student. Gill has been unable to work because she has removed the child from two schools and placed her back at Blackshear just so Sinai can receive testing for special education. Gill has been sitting in her class since November 10th, keeping four diaries – one for Sinai’s behavior at school, one for Sinai’s behavior at home, one for herself and one for Sinai’s psychology sessions. Drained, confused, hurt, and ready to take action, Gill stumbled across Senate Bill TX-1001 of the 86th Legislature which blatantly forbids schools for suspending homeless children. Gill reminisced on the day she reported the school to the Texas Education Agency for the suspensions; two days later, CPS was knocking at her door. “It slapped the wind out of me and actually made me laugh. I knew automatically that it was the school when I first sat with the case worker … It wasn’t so much that they did it; it was more of the fact that I knew that it had been done before … “ Gill states, astonished as she reads through the 2019 Appleseed report about the terrifying things that happen to homeless children who are suspended from school. “I found it hilarious that the report was called ‘Texas: The State of Discipline’ first and foremost but then I went on to read that Texas was actually looking at losing ADA funding for over 1 million schools because they are trying to make the so-called-poor poorer” Gill observes. Factually, “Exclusionary discipline has been shown to negatively impact even students who are not excluded.. Code requires that before any student is punished for any reason, school administrators must determine whether the student has a disability that impacted their ability to appreciate the wrongfulness of their conduct …” Appleseed’s document touts. “They knew we were homeless; they knew Sinai had been separated from me for months and that she suffered from trauma and anxiety. They chose to do it anyways … and then when I reported them, they chose to retaliate instead of fix the problem. They need to put administration and staff to work..” Gill observed. Research states that race is a key indicator if the child is suspended and students of color suffer most. Texas punishes students with disabilities at a higher rate than their non-disabled peers, compromising their ability to succeed academically and socially. “I have read articles that black teen girl suicide is on the rise and we don’t shine light on that either. So, because my daughter suffers from trauma and social anxiety, we are still punished. I’m not sure Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream fully manifested. Racism still exists and like I always say: ‘It’s beginning to cost us ALL way too much money …” Gill asks for anyone with a heart to refer to www.mlkdaysummit.com to contribute to her daughter’s Go Fund Me or to be a part of the event that has been moved to Summer of 2020 due to high demand and sponsors’ request. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Brandalyn Gill
From Houston, TX Member Since January 2020 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
In a Smarr Car in a Kia in a Youtube Nightcap video in a wedding reception ITS A FATHERS MONTH THINGLeave it to the fellas
Maybe
Ocho Cinco how about a live Auction of your Collectibles live from thee Tender Box cigar lounge
Grab a gift that brings vibes machismo cuban tradition
https://eigh ...more
Hija Chang • 88 Views • May 22nd, 2026 |
 |
Reviewing the 2026 Acura MDX Type S SH-AWD AdvanceThe 2026 Acura MDX Type S SH-AWD stands out in the three-row luxury SUV segment. While others in the class focus on luxury, the Acura MDX has become a practical family vehicle with great performance. ...more
Randi Payton • 125 Views • May 21st, 2026 |
 |
Dominican Republic: The Caribbean Island of rhythm, resilience, and beautyThe Dominican Republic is more than a Caribbean destination; it is a living heartbeat. It is a place where rhythm is not just heard but felt, where resilience is woven into the soul of the people, and ...more
Joel Savage • 123 Views • May 21st, 2026 |
 |
The Myth of LinkedIn: Why Most Creators Never Strike GoldPhoto: A journalist looking at a laptop screen showing a LinkedIn warning message about leaving the platform, symbolizing restricted traffic flow.
Many professionals, for years, believed that joi ...more
Joel Savage • 158 Views • May 20th, 2026 |
 |
African Pygmies: Ancient forest tribes fighting for survival todayPhoto: A small forest‑dwelling family in a Central African rainforest.
The Pygmy peoples of Central Africa, for thousands of years, have lived deep within the vast rainforests of the Congo Ba ...more
Joel Savage • 145 Views • May 20th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 71,391,562 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 119,734 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 78,269 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
Hija Chang • 62,971 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
