02.12.2026_Defender-e-FULL

Where can Houstonians go to learn about

Black History?

NEWS

FEATURE

AMANDA EDWARDS

JEROME LOVE

The former Dist. 18 candidate is stepping out of the March primary.

The Houston entrepreneur is breaking new ground with his podcast, “What is Rich?”

Volume 95, issue 17 February 12, 2026

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2 | February 12, 2026 |

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DN To the POINT Bad Bunny led a cultural moment during Super Bowl LX while GOP protesters are blocking the building of new ICE prisons, and people debate whether Trump’s derogatory post of the Obamas is newsworthy or not.

Credit: Kevin C. Cox/ Getty Images.

Community Reporter’s Message madness. It’s the realization that ICE is killWhile the “Alt Wrong” alternative halfing whitefolk (Renee Good and Alex Pretti) time show played somewhere else, Bad as if they’re Blackfolk. So, in Red states like Bunny recreated his homeland, Puerto Rico, Oklahoma, Utah, Mississippi, Arizona, in his Super Bowl halftime show. In doing Georgia, and others, they’re blocking ICE so, he celebrated his “cultura,” gave a global from buying new prisoner space. In Red roll call, and declared, “Mi Patria Puerto city, Roxbury Township in New Jersey, Rico, seguimos aquí” (translation: “My Republican protesters forced their all-Rehomeland Puerto Rico, we are still here”). publican town council to block ICE from He also brought out all the “gente” (people): securing a half-million square-foot wareCelebrities, nieces & nephews, homies, tios house. In the Red city (Hutchins) of the Aswad Walker y tias (uncles and aunts), abuelos y abuelas Red state (Texas), the mayor publicly said (grandparents), street vendors, sugar cane field workers, and ICE won’t be allowed to build there. Same thing in Orange more. And all while jamming. The recent Grammy winner County, NY, which is just as all-white as Roxbury Township for album of the year also featured a young boy watching and Hutchins. Does this mean these die-hard GOP members the Grammy telecast on TV as Bad Bunny handed him a will vote with the majority of U.S. voters on issues come Grammy statuette. Some said that was a shout-out to Liam November? I doubt it. But on this issue of law enforcement Ramos, the five-year-old who was detained by ICE in Texas killing them like they’re us, white Republicans are not having with his father. And yes, the wedding depicted during the it. The majority of Black GOP members, however, are still show was real. The unnamed husband and wife had invited down for whatever Trump says and does.

Bad Bunny to their wedding, but he invited them to his “little show” instead. His show ended with Bad Bunny holding up Is Trump’s racist post news? the football with a message: “The only thing more powerful Folks are losing their minds over the fact that a sitting than hate is love.” And almost on cue, y’all’s president posted U.S. president made a social media post depicting former on Lie Anti-Social that the show was “absolutely terrible, one President Barack Obama and our forever First Lady Michelle of the worst, EVER!” Good Bunny.

Obama as monkeys. And, yes, that’s a pretty foul move. Still, why on God’s red, black, and green earth are we surprised? As ICE hot red rage Grits & Eggs podcast host Deante Kyle recently posted, “Who You know those ugly, huge, pre-fab warehouse building gives a (care) about this ni@@a being racist? This ni@@a put complexes that are popping up everywhere? The federal a hit out on five boys in the 90s. The Central Park Five; he put government is trying to buy them up left and right to use as a hit out on them ni@@as in the newspaper. So, Trump being immigrant detention facilities today, and for who knows what racist is not shocking or newsworthy. Him being a 34-time tomorrow. In the existing prison camps, Trump is already convicted felon who is also allegedly a part of a sex-trafficking incarcerating over 73,000 people—a national record. The ring [and] a pedophile... that’s news ni@@a!”

Trump administration wants to build 23 more, with space to incarcerate between 5,000 – 10,000 people each. But in On the web states across the country, Republican voters are saying hell • Should Black Americans consider dual citizenship? no to these mini concentration camps. Even though Red • Being single over 30 isn’t a death sentence. communities have a long history of celebrating the build• Maturity changed Worthing’s Jacardeon Terrell’s basing of prisons in their towns because of the jobs they bring, ketball trajectory. these die-hard Republicans are refusing to be home to this Good Bunny

February 12, 2026 |

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| 3

DN News Amanda Edwards suspends March 3 campaign, remains on the ballot

By Tannistha Sinha

Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards has announced she is suspending her campaign for the March 3 primary, even though her name will remain on the ballot.

In a social media p o s t o n F e b. 9 , Edwards said she is stepping back from active campaigning but reaffirmed her commitment to community advocacy and Edwards voter registration.

She has not formally endorsed another candidate in the race and did not detail future electoral plans.

“Although my name will appear on the March 2026 Primary ballot, I have decided to suspend my campaign for Congress,” Edwards wrote. “My commitment to serving and advocating for the community remains unchanged…As we all know, too much is at stake to disengage from the fight

for healthcare, economic stability, and our democracy. That is why I hope you will join me as I relaunch our Do Something Houston Voter Registration Initiative, so we can win the midterm elections and deliver for our community again.”

Edwards had positioned her campaign on expanding health care access and economic opportunities for Houstonians.

In her post, she reiterated that these priorities remain at the core of her public work, even if she is not actively campaigning for the 18th Congressional District seat.

March 3 ballot In the March 3 primaries, Edwards’ name will be placed alongside Congressmen Al Green and Christian Menefee, and Gretchen Brown on the Democratic side. On the Republican side, voters will see Elizabeth Vences and Ronald Dwayne Whitfield on the ballot.

These candidates are seeking a full twoyear term starting in January 2027.

They will be running for the 18th Congressional District redrawn by House Bill 4 during the 89th legislative session.

Texas’ mid-decade redistricting plans were signed into law in August 2025. The new maps were challenged in court and upheld for use in the 2026 elections.

Early voting for the March 3 elections begins Feb. 17.

What happened before this?

The 18th Congressional District had gone nearly a year without representation since the deaths of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and then Congressman Sylvester Turner.

Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott did not schedule the first round of voting until November 2025.

In the November 2025 special elections, Menefee, a former Harris County Attorney, and Edwards were the top two finishers among 16 candidates.

Both fell short of the 50% threshold.

Edwards came in second in the special

election to Menefee, garnering 25.6% of the vote, while Menefee received 28.9%.

Both candidates then headed to a runoff.

Menefee won the runoff in January, receiving 68.4% of the vote compared to Edwards, who received 31.6% of the vote.

He was sworn in on Feb. 2.

Since winning the Houston City Council At-large Position 4 in 2015, where she served from 2016 to 2020, Edwards ran for the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas in 2020 but lost.

She ran again in the 2024 Congressional District 18 March primaries, but lost to Sheila Jackson Lee. Edwards also briefly ran in the 2023 Houston mayoral election but withdrew her candidacy.

Now, a new campaign round begins for the March 3 primaries under the new maps.

As the March 3 primary approaches, Edwards’ decision adds another unexpected turn to a race already reshaped by redistricting and a year of political upheaval in the 18th Congressional District.

Low voter turnout plagues District 18 runoff

By Tannistha Sinha

While former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee won the special runoff election for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, the story of the election was its extraordinarily low turnout, in a district with a 31.5% Black and 44% Hispanic voter population.

With 423,945 registered voters in CD-18, only 23,732 ballots were cast, meaning Hudspeth fewer than 6% of voters participated in choosing their next congressman.

Per Fair Vote, a nonpartisan organization working on elections, this is normal for runoff elections, with a 69% decline in the TX-18 runoffs.

“Both election winners received fewer votes in the runoff than the general election – effectively defeating the purpose of the runoff,” a Fair Vote reports says.

Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth warned voters of the low turnout before Election Day. “About 800,000 residents live in District 18.

Of that 800,000, more than 400,000 are registered, and less than 20,000 have actually cast a ballot during early voting,” Hudspeth said. “So this is an alert to wake up and cast your ballot because tomorrow is the last opportunity to

do so in the congressional district 18 runoff election.”

A Rice University study calls low voter turnout a “perennial concern” in Harris County, noting that 20 ZIP codes have fewer than 80% of their eligible voters registered.

Why the apathy?

Election officials and political observers point to several factors contributing to voter disengagement, including weather conditions that led to early-voting closures, lawsuits seeking extended voting days, redistricting confusion, and the timing of the election.

Special election runoffs may have particularly low turnout, according to Fair Vote, because they are scheduled on days without other elections, with low turnout and high costs being a staple of runoffs, whether they are special elections or regularly scheduled.

For Felisa Wilson, a retired military veteran, the election timing has had a huge impact.

“The district that you were in for decades, grew up in, that represents you and your people, your friends, your family, your church, all of a sudden…you’re out of your district, or you don’t know,” said Wilson. “It throws everyone into confusion. It angers people because it was unnecessary.”

See the Voter Turnout numbers

Houston’s congressional seat is filled, but the real headline is how few voters showed up. Credit: Getty Images

4 | February 12, 2026 |

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DN News THE QUESTION

Is Trump’s administration racist?

By ReShonda Tate

The question of whether Donald Trump’s actions are motivated by racism has moved from the fringes of political commentary to the center of a national firestorm. In early February 2026, a series of events - ranging from the snubbing of the nation’s only Black governor to a dehumanizing social media post - has left both critics and allies grappling with a familiar, yet increasingly sharp, controversy.

The snub of Wes Moore The latest friction began when Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the nation’s only current Black governor and the Vice Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), revealed he had been “uninvited” from the traditional bipartisan dinner at the White House.

While the event has historically served as a bridge between the federal government and state leaders of both parties, this year’s guest list appeared to undergo a partisan scrub.

Governor Moore did not mince words, calling the exclusion a “blatant disrespect and a snub to the spirit of bipartisan federal-state partnership.”

“As the nation’s only Black governor, I can’t ignore that being singled out for exclusion from this bipartisan tradition carries an added weight—whether that was the intent or not,” Moore said in a statement.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the criticism with a direct assertion of executive privilege.

“These are White House events and the president can invite whomever he wants,” Leavitt stated.

She later suggested that the decision was not personal or racial, noting that Moore “did not show up” to the previous year’s dinner. However, the move prompted a historic boycott: All 18 Democratic governors announced they would skip the dinner in solidarity with Moore and Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who was also excluded.

The “Ape” meme and the staffer defense The Moore controversy arrived on the heels of an even more explosive incident. On Feb. 6, President Trump’s social media account shared a video that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The video, set to the tune of “The Lion

Credit: Getty

Sleeps Tonight,” was viewed by millions and stayed up for 12 hours before being removed.

“Most of us already know who Donald Trump is,” said Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. “We already know there are no bounds to how low he’s willing to go. We know that he has no moral compass. We know that he is a disgrace. So while his behavior is not shocking, it is certainly disgusting and disturbing. But when will it be enough for those who continue to stand beside him? When will Republicans in Congress condemn his behavior? Your silence is complicity — and it is very loud.”

While the NAACP called the video “blatantly racist, disgusting, and utterly despicable,” the internal reaction from Republicans was notably different from past episodes. The imagery, a historic racist trope used to dehumanize Black Americans, triggered a rare public condemnation from Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), a staunch Trump ally. “Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” Scott wrote on X. “The President should remove it.”

While maintaining support for Trump’s

policies, The Black Conservative Federation issued a rare rebuke, calling the imagery “unacceptable, offensive, and indefensible.”

The White House blamed the post on an unnamed staffer, a defense the President himself echoed. Trump told reporters he “didn’t see the entire video” and only watched the first part, which focused on his claims of voter fraud. “No, I didn’t make a mistake,” Trump said when asked for an apology. “I looked at the beginning of it. It was fine.”

A history of confrontation For many, these incidents are not isolated “lapses” but part of a long-standing pattern.

Critics point back to the very start of his political rise: 1973: The Justice Department sued Trump and his father, Fred Trump, for housing discrimination against Black tenants.

1989: Trump took out full-page ads calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five, five teenagers of color who were later exonerated.

2015: He launched his campaign by claiming Mexico was sending “criminals” and “rapists.”

2017: The implementation of a travel ban targeting several majority-Muslim countries.

2024: Called African nations sh*thole countries.

Trump also maintains a lack of interest in racial diversity when staffing his administration and the judiciary, as about 90 percent of his nominees for each have been white. Not one of Trump’s judges this term has been an African American woman.

The political scaffolding Political analysts suggest that as Trump’s poll numbers fluctuate on policy issues like the economy or immigration, these flashpoints serve to energize his core base. By framing the backlash as “fake outrage,” a phrase frequently used by Karoline Leavitt, the administration pivots the conversation away from racial sensitivity toward a battle against “political correctness.”

While allies like CJ Pearson argue there is “not a racist bone in President Trump’s body” and point to the First Step Act and HBCU funding as proof of his commitment to the Black community, the cumulative weight of his rhetoric continues to define his presidency.

Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Content Manager Terrance Harris

Special Assignments Reporter Tannistha Sinha

VOLUME 95, NUMBER 17 - FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Community Reporter Aswad Walker

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender News- paper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2025 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher.

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Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Culture/Lifestyle Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Sports Terrance Harris Jimmie Aggison Video Editor Bryan Erdy

February 12, 2026 |

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| 5

DN Feature Houston Black History: Where to go

By Aswad Walker

Where can Houstonians go to learn about Black history is a relevant and pressing question. This is especially true when realizing that the teaching of Black history is under attack in Texas and across the United States.

Texas has enacted laws and policies designed to restrict how racism and Black history are taught in schools, including efforts aimed at banning so-called “critical race theory” and limiting discussions of slavery and systemic racism.

At the federal level, similar moves have included reduced funding for schools inaccurately accused of teaching CRT (a subject only taught in a minority of law schools), banning books by Black authors, and removing or editing historical displays at institutions such as the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, national parks, and military cemeteries.

Yet long before Black history was formally included in K-12 or college curricula, it was being recorded, shared, and taught by communities determined to preserve “our story.”

Our ancestors made a way.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month (originally Negro History Week), founded by Carter G. Woodson in 1926, and the 50th anniversary of President Gerald Ford’s formal national recognition of Black History Month in 1976. Even before that, formally and self-trained Black scholars were documenting Pan-African struggles during eras marked by lynchings and sharecropping.

Today, many Houstonians refuse to let present-day challenges stop them from learning, teaching, and honoring Black history. Across the city, there are multiple spaces—formal and informal—where Black history is alive and accessible.

discovering the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in its original location in the Third Ward in 1991.

“I’d been in the Army three years but never knew the legacy and history of Black troops,” Sparks said. “This museum opened my eyes, and I steadfastly learned more about our history in defending this nation.”

Stacey Allen is all about celebrating Black history through the arts.

“Dance and music have always been ancestral forms of communication for Black communities,” said Allen, founder of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective. “We create opportunities for audiences across the Gulf Coast to learn Black history by centering Texas Freedom Colonies, performance, education, and my children’s book D is for Museums and art Dance: Dancing Through the exhibits Diaspora as critical interventions Houston-based artist Regagainst erasure.” inald Adams teaches Black This year, Allen’s organization history through murals and is preparing for the 2nd Annual READ ABOUT artistic renderings that have Official Juneteenth Return, a MORE PLACES. gained international attention. pilgrimage to Galveston rooted One of his most notable works in land, memory, and liberais the Juneteenth mural, Absotion. Allen also choreographed lute Equality, in Galveston.

Suite Ms. Jewel for Houston Contemporary Reflecting on its meaning, Adams said, Dance, honoring the life and music of Hous“For enslaved Blacks in Texas, you couldn’t ton legend Jewel Brown. have told them that at some point they Naomi Carrier founded the Emancipawould be on the side of a wall… It told tion Historic Trail Association for teaching me we have come a long way since 1865, purposes. and yet we have so much more work to be “People love the way we re-enact stories done because of the social and racial ineq- in costume, with music,” said Carrier. “We uities that are a direct result of institutional re-live the Underground Railroad, a wedslavery.” ding, or a Pullman Porter.

Museums also provide powerful entry “We also prefer action to lecture, but we points. Veteran Donald Sparks recalls do both.”

Community centers

SHAPE Community Center has earned the nickname “the United Nations of the Hood” for its wide-ranging programming that serves youth, parents, elders, and activists. The center spotlights Black history yearround, not just during February.

“The first thing we’re doing is living progressively and positively to move forward in our struggle for liberation,” said SHAPE executive director and co-founder Deloyd Parker. “But we cannot do that unless we understand that a people without the knowledge of their past history… is like a tree without roots.”

Through after-school programs and weekly elder gatherings, SHAPE creates intergenerational learning spaces.

“The elders are helping the children to understand it,” Parker said. “And the children are grasping it.”

The Freedom Tour

One of SHAPE’s most impactful efforts is its long-running Freedom Tour. For more than 30 years, the center has taken youth on a journey retracing the Civil Rights Movement across the South. Participants travel from Houston to cities such as Jackson, Montgomery, and Selma, walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where Bloody Sunday took place on March 7, 1965.

“We don’t just march across the bridge,” Parker explained. “We tell our children about what happened… They were able to march in the footsteps of those who came before them.”

Festivals

Festivals also play a key role in teaching

Black history. Juneteenth celebrations— from Emancipation Park to neighborhood parades—are filled with learning moments.

“My family participates in those every year,” said retired educator Sylvia Bradshaw.

Bradshaw, who also attends MLK Day events, believes there is room for deeper education.

“There is little educating going on about Dr. King beyond his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,” she said. “But there was so much more to him than that.”

SHAPE’s annual Pan-African Cultural Festival intentionally broadens the lens.

“Our history didn’t start here in Babylon, I mean, America,” Parker said. “Our history started in the motherland.”

Classes and field trips

For those seeking structured learning, community-based classes and field trips offer valuable options. Karen Hickman recommends history discussions at the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center.

National director Nailah Nelson noted that the Shrine hosts Enter the Black Whole every first and third Saturday, a class examining Black history and current global realities affecting Black people.

Field trips also leave lasting impressions.

Janey Udoewah Brown recalled visiting the Eldorado Ballroom through the Houston Black Leadership Institute.

“It showcased the sophistication and success of the Black community during segregation,” she said.

For some, history began at home.

“My father was into Black history and our roots,” said Vannessa Wade. “I learned so much at home.”

6 | February 12, 2026 |

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| 7

DN InFocus

F

By Jimmie Aggison

or more than two decades, Jack Yates basketball has been synonymous with speed, swagger, and scoreboards that can barely keep up.

At the center of it all stands legendary coach Greg Wise, the architect of a dynasty. On Jan. 29, Wise earned his 1,000th career win with a 92–55 victory over Kashmere High School at Barnett Stadium, a milestone that represents far more than a number. It marks the latest chapter in a career defined by championships, record-setting offenses, and a deep bond with Houston’s Third Ward.

As the final buzzer sounded, the stands reflected the reach of Wise’s influence. Former players and longtime supporters Brandon “Snap” Peters, Lanny Smith, and Darius “PeeWee” Gardner were among those in attendance, celebrating the coach who shaped their high school years.

“When the final buzzer sounded on win number 1,000, I was just happy to see all of my former players in attendance,” said Wise.

The moment also brought Wise back to the beginning of his coaching journey.

“I was one of the few who went from middle school to a head coaching job in high school, which allowed me to start winning early,” said Wise.

Wise’s career began at Marian Christian, where he coached for two years before an opportunity opened at Paul Revere Middle School.

“My middle school coach, Robert Capers, became the athletic director and head coach at Paul Revere, so he hired me on the spot,” said Wise.

After two years at Paul Revere, Wise moved on to Lee High School and then Davis High School, where he coached future MLB AllStar Carl Crawford for one season. Two years later, Wise earned another opportunity when Hightower High School opened in 1998.

Familiarity with his work, along with support from assistant principal Thomas McDougal, who had previously coached Wise, helped secure the position.

Following his tenure at Hightower, Wise stepped away from coaching for two years to watch his son, Nic Wise, play at the University of Arizona. Once that chapter ended, Wise was ready to return.

In 2008, Houston ISD had five head coaching vacancies.

“They wanted everybody to interview for all the positions, but I only interviewed for one because I didn’t want to be offered anything else,” said Wise. “I told them that if I didn’t get this, I was good, but I was able to get the head coaching position, and I’ve been at Yates ever since.”

Third Ward roots Wise’s connection to Yates runs deeper than basketball. He grew up in the Third Ward, attended Frederick Douglass Elementary and Ryan Middle School, and enrolled at Yates before his family moved to Hiram Clarke, forcing him to attend Madison High School.

“When I was growing up, my brother and his best friends were my mentors, and there were great players at Yates that I always looked up to, like Jimmy Blacklock, George ‘Stretch’ Campbell, and George Walker,” said Wise. “To get to this point and see my idols send me messages about how much they love me and how much I’m doing for the school and the neighborhood means everything to me.”

Yates assistant coach Eddy Barlow remembers the atmosphere surrounding win No. 1,000.

“A lot of excitement from me and the players,” said Barlow. “We were locked in and very excited to go out and get his thousandth win.

Coach Wise has a mamba mentality. He’s big on being disciplined, consistent, and prepared to win.”

That discipline forms the backbone of the Yates identity. Wise’s system, full-court pressure, relentless tempo, and waves of scoring, was inspired by Rick Pitino at Providence and Billy Donovan at Florida. Over time, it became a national calling card.

“It begins with the discipline I put in place before we even start playing games,” said Wise.

Jack Yates’ Head Basketball Coach

Greg Wise Reaches 1,000 career wins

“You have to practice one way, and you have to do what you’re supposed to do academically. It doesn’t matter how good you are. If you don’t do it the way I want you to, you can’t play here.”

Intensity is non-negotiable.

Jack Yates High School varsity basketball coach Greg Wise poses with family, friends, and team at midcourt after his 1,000th win. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender

“With the way we play and the talent we have, if you’re trying to compete and earn playing time, you stand out if you’re not playing hard,” said Wise. “The system doesn’t allow you to not play hard the whole time. If you’re not sprinting or trapping where you’re supposed to be, it’s easy to notice that person, and you won’t be playing.”

Former Yates guard Darius “PeeWee” Gardner felt that demand daily from 2008 to 2010.

“The style of play was perfectly suited for the players we had on those teams,” said Gardner.

“It prepared us to compete at an all-time level, with practices much harder than any game we played.”

For opponents, preparing for Yates was an entirely different challenge.

“Scouting Yates was difficult because they forced you out of your comfort zone,” said Lancaster High School head coach Ferrin Douglas.

“You pretty much had to start preparing for their style of play months in advance. One week of preparation wasn’t enough. The press made teams play faster than they would have liked, and many times we broke their press with ease, but that backfired because they had players who could score in bunches. They didn’t give you a chance to run any half-court sets because they doubled wherever the ball was passed.”

The blueprint perfected The 2008–09 season ended with a 34–1 record and a state championship victory over Dallas Kimball.

“After we beat Kimball 94–78 for the 2008–09 state basketball championship, I was sitting in church at Wheeler Avenue, listening to a sermon by Rev. Marcus D. Cosby,” said Wise. “He talked about how God put everyone here, no matter where they’re from, to be not just great but extraordinary. After that sermon, I started thinking about doing things nobody had ever done before, not just winning another state championship, but a national championship.”

That vision became reality in 2009–10.

Yates finished 34–0, defeated Lancaster to win another state title, and set a Texas high school basketball attendance record with 16,755 fans at the Erwin Center before claiming a national championship.

“I knew how good we were, and I knew the guys were having fun,” said Wise. “I was having fun coaching them, and I never even thought about the expectations. I just knew the way we were playing and the talent we had. I felt like nobody could beat us.”

Chemistry defined that team.

“They were so close and well knit,” said

Jack Yates High School varsity basketball coach Greg Wise strategizes in the huddle during a time out.

Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender

Wise. “They grew up together, and nobody cared who scored. The system fit them perfectly.”

“Practices were more legendary than games because of the daily competition,” said Gardner. “There wasn’t any pressure because we all grew up in pressure-filled households.”

That season included 26 games of 100 points or more, and the impact extended beyond basketball.

“When you’re winning like that in the community, it’s almost a de facto crime stopper,” said RCS Sports owner Jim Hicks.

“Those kids’ self-esteem grew, attendance spiked, and as a result, more kids wanted to [come] to Yates.”

“That team is still talked about today because they didn’t just become state champions; they were national champions,” Hicks added.

Beyond the hardwood Wise’s influence is perhaps most evident in the players who carried his lessons forward.

Former Yates guard Damyean Dotson now plays professionally in Japan, while Joseph Young competes in China.

“Coach Wise taught me how to be a professional before I ever became one,” said Dotson.

It begins with the discipline I put in place before we even start playing games.”

GREG WISE

“He emphasized preparation, accountability, and attention to detail every day.”

“There were no shortcuts,” Dotson added.

“He coached every possession with purpose.”

After college stints at Oregon and Houston and time in the NBA, Dotson still credits Wise as unique among his coaches.

“Coach Wise held you accountable while also giving you the sense that he truly trusted you to be great,” said Dotson.

Dotson’s mother, Lorie, saw that impact early.

“Coach Wise doesn’t just stand there; he talks to his players and tells them where they went wrong while also building their confidence,” she said.

Wise’s commitment to Yates has never been about climbing the coaching ladder.

“When I look back at how I got the job, I don’t think it was by accident,” said Wise. “I think I was put here for a reason.”

Yates principal Stephanie Square sees that daily.

“When our students feel successful, it shows in how they carry themselves,” said Square.

Longtime fan Rodney Wells believes Wise’s legacy reaches even further.

“Coach Wise has been there for his student athletes through good and turbulent times,” said Wells. “The coaching job description might say basketball coach, but he goes beyond his coaching duties with life lessons.”

8 | February 12, 2026 |

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DN Feature

GEN Z

Remains at center of growing literacy crisis

By Laura Onyeneho

When Dr. Margaret Hale questions her University of Houston students about their reading habits, the responses are alarming.

In her fall undergraduate course on adolescent literature for future teachers, about half reported that they don’t really read and don’t enjoy reading.

“That is up from past years,” said Hale, a professor in UH’s College of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Her observation reflects a national trend that’s hitting Houston’s Black communities particularly hard: Gen Z students are arriving at college unable to meet basic reading expectations.

Recent reports found that nearly half of all Americans didn’t read a single book in 2025, and Gen Z’s reading habits lagged behind those of other generations. College professors nationwide report that students can’t comprehend complete sentences.

Houston education advocates are warning that without intervention, it threatens the economic future of the city’s Black community.

“Students can recognize words but struggle with the comprehension part of it, critical thinking, and just the reading stamina,” said Jacklyn Minimah-Wilson, CEO of Houston-based Literacy Now. “In the Black community in Houston, where systematic inequities have long impacted educational access, the lack of reading preparedness becomes a significant barrier to longterm success if we’re not able to address it earlier on.”

The consequences extend far beyond the classroom.

“If we don’t do that, it’s going to impact the workforce in the long haul,” Minimah-Wilson warned, noting that literacy challenges create barriers to career advancement and economic mobility for Black professionals.

Hale traces the problem to Texas’s highstakes testing environment, which has fundamentally changed how students learn to read.

“We have seen over the years a decrease in the amount of time that we invest in students reading for enjoyment and more time focused on reading test preparation material,” she explained. “Teachers often fall prey to teaching to the test instead of teaching students how to become a critical

College professors report that students struggle with long texts, leading to reliance on AI-generated summaries and a decline in critical thinking. Credit: Getty Images

thinker, a critical reader, somebody who reads to become a better person and to learn new things.”

The issue is compounded by a lack of culturally relevant reading material.

“If we’re not putting books in front of them that they can see themselves in, then we are providing a disparity of resources,” Hale said. “If I’m a Black child and I only ever read books with white protagonists, I don’t see myself.”

That disparity may worsen. The Texas State Board of Education will hold a first reading this month on a proposed list of required titles for kindergarten through 12th grade, a list Hale describes as dominated by “dead white men” and classic literature from the 1970s and 80s, with little diversity.

“How is having Black students read some of these classic texts going to allow Black students to see themselves? Hispanic students to see themselves, Muslim students to see themselves?” Hale asked. “It is not.”

Literacy Now’s flagship reading intervention program focuses on small-group instruction with evidence-based, culturally responsive curriculum.

“I just received an email from a principal who was like, ‘We just did our mid-year assessment and almost 75 or 85% of the students you guys are touching have shown so much growth,’” Minimah-Wilson said. “And we still have 13 weeks left with them for the spring semester.”

The key is to start early and make reading culturally relevant and enjoyable rather than test-focused.

“Ten to 15 minutes a day, whether it be parents, your uncles and aunts, and grandmas, just the exposure to different types of texts will be very helpful,” Minimah-Wilson said. “That includes newspapers, magazines, short articles, and conversations during car rides or grocery shopping. The exposure and different types of texts will be very helpful for young children as they move up in life.”

Ten to 15 minutes a day, whether it be parents, your uncles and aunts, and grandmas, just the exposure to different types of texts will be very helpful. That includes newspapers, magazines, short articles, and conversations during car rides or grocery shopping.

The exposure and different types of texts will be very helpful for young children as they move up in life.”

JACKLYN MINIMAH-WILSON CEO of Houston-based Literacy Now

February 12, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 9

DN Profile

Christa Stoneham Builds homes, communities, legacies

By Aswad Walker

As president and CEO of the Houston Land Bank (HLB), Christa Stoneham leads with vision and conviction, transforming more than $100 million worth of vacant and underutilized land into affordable housing and vibrant community spaces across Houston.

Her mission is clear: To make land serve the people, especially those long shut out of opportunity.

Receipts

With over 15 years of experience in architecture, urban planning, and community development, Stoneham has become a trailblazer in equitable land use. While with the City of Houston, she helped advance $30 million across 600 projects that benefited more than 20,000 residents in 10 neighborhoods.

Now at HLB, she’s expanded that impact, securing over $5.5 million in federal grants to address environmental challenges and create opportunities for historically marginalized communities.

But transformation, she says, begins within. Before reshaping neighborhoods, she had to design a space for herself, where authenticity, culture, and purpose could coexist.

Safe space

Originally from Dublin, California, a suburb outside Oakland/ San Francisco, Stoneham remembers standing out.

“We were probably one of the first Black families in that neighborhood,” she recalls. “I didn’t necessarily feel racism, but I did feel different… me trying to find my way ended with me going to Prairie View A&M University.”

At Prairie View, surrounded by her people, she found her calling.

“I ended up in architecture just off a hunch,” she says.

“But walking the grounds of a former slave plantation gave me a different level of honor and responsibility when I’m stepping

Christa Stoneham (third from right) seeks to bring humanity back to real estate. Credit: Medley Inc.

Pastor Rudy Rasmus (right) testifies to the impact Christa Stoneham has had on the Greater Houston area. Credit: Medley Inc.

LEARN MORE ABOUT STONEHAM’S JOURNEY AND IMPACT.

into spaces.”

That awareness has allowed Stoneham to walk into white male–dominated real estate rooms and “own them.”

Architect skills meet community commitment

Stoneham’s architecture training gave her both technical mastery and visionary range.

“I’m a trained architect,” she explains. “That means I can draw and create solutions for people who may not even know who’s behind those decisions. I call that the power of the pen.”

Christa Stoneham transforms Houston by building affordable housing and vibrant community spaces through the Houston Land Bank.

Credit: Aswad Walker.

At HLB, she designs both systems and spaces.

“I don’t consider myself an architect in the traditional sense,” says Stoneham. “I design systems change, leveraging assets, resources, and partnerships to build a strong foundation that can sustain generations.”

Real estate roots expand family legacy

Stoneham’s connection to land runs deep.

“My grandfather was born in Third Ward on Alabama Street,” she shares. “He migrated to San Francisco, became the first Black dentist there, and began purchasing real estate so our family could have generational wealth.”

That legacy of self-determination shapes her approach today.

“As I learned more about how decisions were made to exclude us, I realized the best way to combat hate is with love,” she says.

“You can still be empathetic while being a businessperson. I want to bring human elements back into real estate.”

Proudest HLB accomplishments

Under her leadership, HLB evolved from a city department to a “governmental nonprofit,” a rare hybrid.

“Becoming a 501(c)(3) is a major milestone,” she notes. “We’re the only organization in Houston that’s both governmental and nonprofit and that serves the entire city.

And now Harris County.”

Her team also secured the largest EPA cleanup grant in the region’s history: $5 million to remediate land and restore communities.

“We’ve accelerated how we do our work,” she says. “Now we’re master planning communities and creating catalogs of energy-efficient, resilient floor plans.”

Yet her proudest accomplishment is personal.

“Being brave enough to go for this role, being the youngest CEO in the country to lead a land bank, and betting on myself,” she says. “Leading with humility, knowing I’m making decisions for people who may never even know my name.”

Inspiring impact

Pastor Rudy Rasmus, CEO of Bread of Life, Inc., is among those who celebrate Stoneham’s impact.

“I’ve watched Christa lead the Houston Land Bank with courage, clarity, and compassion,” said Rasmus. “She’s building a future where every neighborhood has a place to call home.”

Future vision

Stoneham’s next chapter is as bold as her beginnings.

“My vision is for HLB to serve as a regional land bank,” she says. “Affordable housing shouldn’t stop at county lines. We’re partnering with cities, counties, and school districts to bring the best solutions to neighborhoods.”

10 | February 12, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports PRAIRIE VIEW A&M'S

TAI’REON JOSEPH Makes the best of PVAMU stop

By Terrance Harris

PRAIRIE VIEW -- From the moment Tai’Reon Joseph decided college basketball was the next step in his career, the Baton Rouge native was fully expecting it to be a journey.

He just had no idea how much of a journey it would be. Five years and five different colleges.

Prairie View is the latest and final stop in Joseph’s college career, and it’s looking like his best move yet.

“I put everything in God’s hands and let it happen,” said Joseph, who came to PV after entering the transfer portal following one season at UTSA. “My first year …

When your coaches leave, you never know what’s going to happen. That was a couple of my situations, just new coaching staffs, and they bring their own guys in.

“But it’s been a journey. Every place that I stopped at, I learned something. Everything is a learning step, so I just take it as that. I don’t take it as nothing bad. With the portal, that’s kind of the world that we live in today.”

Joseph’s college journey began at Radford in 2021, and then he transferred to Austin Peay. Next he stayed close to home at Southern before landing at UTSA in 2024. For sure, he has played a lot of basketball, filled many different roles, and gained a great deal of experience along the way.

Joseph, known as Scootah, has brought all that he has endured and learned over the years with him to Prairie View. And finally, it all seems to be clicking for the dynamic scoring guard who ranks second in the SWAC and 20th in the nation in scoring

Some people might think it’s all about just scoring and stuff. I score because my coaches and players put me in position to, but it’s all bout winning. If you win, the whole team is happy. That’s what we are here to do, win.”

TAI’REON JOSEPH

ABOUT TAI’REON JOSEPH

Position: Guard Height: 6-3 Weight: 180 Class: Graduate Student The Numbers: Ranks second in the SWAC and fourth in the nation in scoring with a 21 points per game average.

Fifth-year senior guard Tai’Reon Joseph has been the instant offense Prairie View needed this season while also being the consummate teammate: Credit: Taneal Coleman, courtesy of Prairie View

this season, averaging 21.0 points per game.

Prairie View coach Byron Smith was in the market for a versatile scorer when he saw Joseph’s name in the transfer portal last spring. Smith had tried to recruit Joseph before, so he was familiar with his story and abilities on the basketball court.

“Obviously, he has been around a few places, and I think he would be the first to admit he has not always handled adverse situations as well as he should,” said Smith, who also has another dynamic scorer in Dontae Horne. “But I think he has grown so much as a young man. He is a joy to be around. His teammates love him. He is very pleasant.

“I just think God’s grace and mercy gave us an opportunity because we desperately needed someone like him.”

In a lot of ways, the Panthers have been exactly what Joseph needed, as well. He

has found a team and a coaching staff that allows him to be himself.

“The team is good. We have all gelled together,” said Joseph, who earned his bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies at UTSA and is pursuing a graduate degree in Physical Education at Prairie View. “We might bump heads, but at the end of the day, it’s still one team, and we’ve still got to go out and get the win together.”

Joseph’s ability to create instant offense has given the Panthers the confidence that they can be successful when he is on the floor. During last weekend’s rivalry game against Texas Southern at the Baby Dome, Joseph broke open what had been a close game with some big 3-pointers and drives to the basket down the stretch to deliver the Panthers an 85-78 home win. Joseph finished with a game-high 31 points, which included 11-of-23 shooting from the floor,

5-of-12 from the 3-point range, to go along with four rebounds and two assists in 40 minutes.

Joseph was still battling an injury against the Tigers, but his effort was good enough to break a four-game losing skid in which he missed one game and scored well below his average in the other three losses.

“These are the games he came to Prairie View for, hearing about the Prairie ViewTexas Southern is obviously really big,” said Smith, who has expressed some concerns about how Joseph’s injury has been dealt with by the school. “It was the biggest crowd we’ve had this year. It was big for him to knock down shots. We needed him to win this game.”

His teammates have not just enjoyed Joseph but also seem genuinely to appreciate what he brings to the table. During a three-week stretch from Dec. 23 to Jan. 6, Joseph was recognized as the SWAC Player of the Week for three consecutive weeks after having big games against Texas A&M, along with Grambling and Southern.

“Seeing him doing it the first time, you’re like `Wow, he is really good.’ Then he did it again and again and again,” said Prairie View forward Joey Madimba. “This guy is the best player in the SWAC. I think he should be the player of the year. He is elite.”

But as prolific of a scorer as Joseph is, he is an even better teammate.

“He’s a great teammate,” Madimba said.

“He is always getting us energized, he’s always talking to us, he’s always laughing and talking to the quiet players on the team.

He’s a really good dude, and he is one of my closest friends on the team.”

February 12, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports FURR HIGH SCHOOL FORWARD

LUTHER RAGSTON Draws Dennis Rodman comparisons

By Jimmie Aggison

At first, Luther Ragston didn’t know who Dennis Rodman was.

The 6-foot-2 junior at Furr High School, known for his electrifying blue hair and relentless energy, had only recently begun drawing comparisons to the Hall of Fame rebounder. Curious about the connection, Ragston started watching Rodman’s games, studying his hustle, speed, and instinctive rebounding.

What he discovered began to transform his approach, shaping him into a hybrid athlete: A defensive force with a growing offensive edge, carving his own path while honoring the legend who inspired him.

“When people began comparing me to Dennis Rodman, I wondered who this person was, what they were known for, and what effect he had on people until I looked him up and saw the comparisons for myself,” said Ragston.

Rodman, a seven-time consecutive NBA rebounding champion and a five-time NBA champion, played with relentless energy.

That motor was what first sparked comparisons between Rodman and Ragston.

“Early on, Luther stood out for his relentless energy and motor, physical, disruptive defense, ability to crash the boards while fighting for loose balls, and for doing whatever the team needed without needing plays called for him,” said Furr head basketball coach Rodney Lewis.

That willingness to defend multiple positions, rebound aggressively, and embrace a grind-it-out role didn’t go unnoticed. While the comparisons initially felt strange, curiosity soon turned into inspiration.

“When I first saw Rodman play, I noticed he played at his own pace and let the game come to him,” said Ragston. “On the defensive end, he didn’t let the offense set up easily. He fought for loose balls, rebounds, and steals. That made him a reliable threat at both ends.”

Ragston continued studying Rodman’s game, focusing on his defensive instincts and rebounding.

“I believe defense is a key cornerstone for any all-around player, so I started working with my cousin, coach Sugar Ray Lark, to become a better rebounder and defensive player,” said Ragston.

As the work intensified, teammates began to notice the difference.

“His game changed completely,” said junior point guard Jayvion Wolfe. “He hustled more on both ends of the court, diving for loose balls and grabbing big rebounds.”

As Ragston began mimicking Rodman’s techniques, his game evolved, combining defense with quick bounces, floor running, hustle plays, shot blocking, and eventually scoring.

“I adapted Rodman’s defensive skills and incorporated them into my offensive strategy while focusing on key aspects that could help take my game to the next level,” said Ragston.

“On the offensive end, his ability to rebound and find the instant kickout helps extend possessions,” said Lewis. “His ability to guard everyone as he switches on defense, followed by a recovery contest, disrupts offensive rhythms. Tracking down loose balls, boxing out, and playing physical defense without fouling are things that don’t show up as points in a quarter but are definitely influences in the game.”

While Rodman made his name as a defensive specialist, Ragston added scoring to his repertoire, developing a hybrid style rarely seen in the region.

That balance has allowed him to lead his team in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 15 points and six rebounds per game.

However, the Rodman comparisons extend beyond the court. Ebonee Ragston, a former cosmetology student at Furr High School and Ragston’s older sister, boldly dyed his hair blue.

“I loved it,” said Ebonee.

“Luther likes to show his confidence and differentiation from others in creative ways. Just as Rodman did when he was playing with various hair colors and designs. I believe if you look different, you play differently.”

With his blue hair and a deep understanding of Rodman’s defensive approach blended into his own offensive growth,

Ragston’s development has been fully supported by his family, especially his mother.

“I would drive 45 minutes two or three times a week for training during the off-season,” said Daphne Jackson.

“When we lacked transportation, I had to pivot

and find him a trainer closer to where we stayed. The endless fundraising, out-oftown tournaments, and money for training were nothing compared to the time we got to watch him play the sport he loved. That was priceless. The entire family is proud of his basketball accolades, but even more so of the man he has become. We will always be his #1 fans.”

With that encouragement and a growing sense of identity, Ragston’s confidence on and off the court began to flourish.

“Effort became the baseline, not a bonus,” said Lewis. “It reset expectations, and teammates understood that coasting wasn’t acceptable because someone was always going full speed. His habits carried into practice. When one player treats practice like a game, it forces others to match that intensity or stand out for the wrong reasons. By embracing the dirty work, accepting roles, and celebrating teammates’ success, he reinforced the idea that impact isn’t tied to scoring, and younger players began valuing winning plays over individual stats.”

From a curious junior unfamiliar with Dennis Rodman to a blue-haired force blending defense and offense, Luther Ragston has crafted a style uniquely his own, proving that inspiration can ignite innovation, one hustle play at a time.

“I want to be the best,” said Ragston. “I’ve worked my way up to being among the best 2-way players in the district.”

“Luther’s potential at the collegiate level is real, especially because his game is built on traits that translate upward rather than disappear in tougher competition,” said Lewis.

ABOUT LUTHER RAGSTON

Class: 2027 IG: @2xclusive_.lj Twitter: @l_ragston Position: Small forward Height & weight: 6-feet-2, 160 pounds Favorite artist: SZA Status: Uncommitted Favorite subject: AP Precalculus

12 | February 12, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

What is rich?

Measuring wealth beyond money

By Aswad Walker

When Houston entrepreneur Jerome D. Love appeared recently on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” he wasn’t there to promote a new app, book, or investment product.

He was there to ask a deceptively simple question—one that sits at the heart of American ambition and anxiety alike: What is rich?

That question anchors Love’s new YouTube docuseries, “What Is Rich?”, which explores how Americans define wealth beyond money through candid conversations about purpose, health, faith, family, and community.

Executive produced by Emmy Award– winning producer Rushion McDonald— best known for his long-running role on “The Steve Harvey Show”—the series is co-created by Love, an NAACP Image Award winner as host of “The Black Money Tree” podcast. In the process, Love and the city of Houston continue to help shape a national conversation about entrepreneurship and modern success.

The timing is telling. According to Charles Schwab’s 2025 Modern Wealth Survey, Americans believe it takes about $2.3 million in net worth to be considered rich.

Financial advisors often define “high-networth” as $1 million in liquid assets, with higher tiers beginning at $5–10 million and $30 million-plus. Perception varies widely: Boomers set the bar at around $2.8 million, while Gen Z is closer to $1.7 million. In high-cost cities like San Francisco, residents believe it takes more than $4 million to be wealthy, while Houston and Dallas hover near the national average.

Yet, Love’s docuseries suggests that even those numbers miss the point.

A moment that changed the question

The genesis of “What Is Rich?” traces back to a deeply personal experience. In 2014, Love’s father was diagnosed with cancer and called his son one morning, asking for help getting to a medical procedure. Love left work immediately and was able to be there.

“Later on, I thought about it, and I just couldn’t stop thinking,” Love recalled. “I said, ‘Man, what if I had a traditional job and I asked my boss and he told me no?’”

That realization stayed with him.

“A lot of times, people say that they want to be rich or they want money, but really, what they want is what money brings— security, freedom, and the ability to choose

Jerome D. Love. Courtesy What Is Rich.

your own destiny,” Love said. “So Southern University), richness is many people don’t have that rooted in service and human God-given right because they connection. don’t have the resources.”

“Rich is not just about money,” That insight pushed him to she said. “It’s about giving back, create something educational, accepting people where they are. designed to help people underThere are people with no money stand money not as an end in who are just as rich as a billionaire.” itself, but as a tool for building lives, Bria Fuller Washington sees that richness every businesses, and communities. time she volunteers at the Manna House.

“People drive up to our Manna House and Redefining ‘rich’ thank us just for being there, and they conFor Love, the defining moment came later sider themselves rich,” she said. that same day, over a dinner conversation Marcus Davis, owner of the breakfast klub with his father about their views on what and tbk Holdings, expands the definition to constitutes success. collective power.

“You needed me, and I was able to be there “When a community can sustain itself— for you,” he said. “With that, I think this right investing in our businesses, banks, HBCUs, here is success. Everyone wants to create bet- and institutions—that’s what’s rich,” he said. ter lives for their families, and you can’t do “When a community can depend on itself.” that without the financial means.”

Even NBA star C.J. McCollum draws a But the series argues that financial means distinction. are only one layer.

“Rich is more short-term,” he said. “Wealth Carol Guess, chair of the Texas Association is a long-term strategy.” of African American Chambers, defines rich as something far more profound.

Myths about money “I define rich as being at peace with yourSeveral voices in the series and within self and with God,” she said. “Shalom peace— the Houston community caution against fullness in every area of your life.” confusing money with fulfillment. Fuller Bria Fuller, a personal trainer and health- notes that in later years, what matters most is care professional, views richness through the health. Guess, who works closely with highlens of health. net-worth individuals, is even more direct.

“I’m going to define rich as the care we “Things cannot bring fullness,” said give our bodies and the benefits we receive Guess. “There are people with money who from that care,” she said, noting that longevity, still feel insecure, unsettled, or emotionally mobility, and freedom matter more with time unstable.” than material possessions.

Guess points to public examples—wealthy For Jene Washington, Ph.D., a retiree and influencers, entertainers, and executives board member of Manna House (a food undone by pressure or despair. pantry located across the street from Texas “Mo’ money, mo’ problems,” she said,

quoting Biggie Smalls. “Unless it’s obtained through purpose.”

Without spiritual and emotional grounding, she argues, money can amplify paranoia and mistrust instead of peace.

Road to real riches

Across the series, a common truth emerges.

“You’re not rich because of what you have,” Love said. “You’re rich because of the choices you can make.”

He emphasizes systems over windfalls.

“If I give you $10 million without a framework, it’ll be gone,” he said. His own wealth-building philosophy—“Attitude, Action, and Achievement”—focuses on mindset, movement, and maintenance.

For others, the path includes faith, service, and discipline. Washington credits her church community (Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ) for reinforcing a life of giving. Fuller advocates consistency over extremes—30 to 45 minutes of daily movement, paired with proper nutrition and hydration.

Where to watch

“What Is Rich?” premiered on YouTube on Jan. 12 and is available via The Black Money Tree channel by searching “What Is Rich.” Love says larger distribution deals are in progress, with the potential to reach nearly 100 million households.

In the meantime, the series offers something more valuable than a dollar figure.

It reframes success as freedom, purpose, health, peace, and community—measures of wealth that compound over time and can’t be lost in a market downturn.