Houston Defender: October 6, 2022

Rising Houston homicides Officials work to combat growing crime.

NEWS

FEATURE

RODERICK BROOKS

NEPHEW TOMMY

The comedian shares how he was diagnosed and beat- thyroid cancer.

Local family demands accountability after 47-year old was fatally shot.

Volume 91, issue 46 October 6, 2022

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DN To the POINT

The “Soul Train” Line, circa 1980. Soul Train Holdings LLC

Associate Editor Message ‘Soul Train’ anniversary

LOVE, PEACE & SOUL

few.” But in the real-life, nuts-and-bolts of Fifty-one years ago this week the iconic, America, the Oath Keepers are absolutely game-changing show “Soul Train” made its the “real Americans.”

TV debut. Not only was it a major moment I mean, what is more “American” than for the culture because it showcased us inflicting violence on people of color for us to see on a weekly basis, it helped or blaming Blacks or any other scapegoat promote our artists, our dances and our of the moment (i.e. immigrants, Muslins, style. Whether other folk watched or not, LGBTQ, women, scientists, etc.) for all the we were watching. “Soul Train” literally country’s ills? What is more “American” felt like the original FUBU — for us by us. than ignoring facts and promoting some Now, were there other folk who served as whitewashed version of “history”? What’s Aswad Walker investors, funders and execs giving the okay more “American” than being more comto put it on the air? Sure. But if it hadn’t been the phenom- mitted to the symbols of democracy (i.e. the flag) than the enon that it was, the show would have been canceled after actual practice of democracy (i.e. standing against voter season one. suppression)?

It was the strength of Black support that kept “Soul Train” alive for so long. It was the magic of Black support that had DON’T GET IT TWISTED our artists clamoring to be showcased. It was the beauty of The Jan. 6 hearings are proving to the nation what Black support that made “Soul Train” more than a show, but Blackfolk knew all along; that the conspiracy to overthrow in the words of the late host Don Cornelius, “the hippest democracy went from the lowest, three-teeth-having, trailer trip in America.” “Soul Train” is gone but the power of Black park-living, white supremacists, to the highest levels of lowsupport need not be. Let’s channel that energy toward Black life U.S. lawmakers and captains of capitalist industry. So, businesses, Blackfolk who stand against the powers that be, you can be forgiven for thinking justice is about to “roll Black children in the education system, Black elders and down like a river, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Black communities in general. Because truth be told, we all Spoiler alert: it’s not. could stand a little more “love, peace and soul.”

We’ll get some symbolic justice crumbs, i.e. a few folk getting sentences to create the illusion that justice is actually ARE OATH KEEPERS THE REAL AMERICANS? blind. But if justice were truly blind, Brett Favre would have On a recent edition of the “Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” been under the jail long ago for stealing $5 million in federal Jeff Johnson talked about the nerve of the Oath Keepers, a funds designated by law to go toward Mississippi’s poorest of para-military organization that worships the myth of white the poor. Donald Trump too. But let Nook-Nook, RayQuon supremacy and that openly seeks to unleash mass violence or LaTeesha get caught borrowing someone’s EBT card, and on Black people, claiming to be the “real Americans.” “These they’re behind bars, no questions asked. guys aren’t real Americans. They represent the exact opposite of what America stands for,” said Johnson. And to that ON THE WEB statement I say, “WTH?” • Texas teachers spend more out-of-pocket.

The Oath Keepers certainly don’t represent America on • Why is R. Kelly back in the news? paper: “We the people,” “unalienable rights,” “democracy” • See National Night Out at Emancipation Park pics and and “equality.” They’re all about “we the privileged white male videos.

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DN News

PAMELA TURNER Trial begins for cop accused of killing Black grandmother

By Raquel Rogers

Roderick Brooks Credit: Family

RODERICK BROOKS

Houston family sues over fatal cop shooting

By Aswad Walker

The family of Roderick Brooks, a Black man fatally shot by Sgt. Garrett Hardin, a Harris County Sheriff ’s Office (HCSO) deputy, recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Hardin.

The suit seeks to make the case that Brooks’ death was avoidable in part because of misconduct Hardin was guilty of that went unpunished.

Hardin critically injured a man just one week before shooting and killing Brooks, yet Hardin remained fully employed and faced no disciplinary action.

The lawsuit asserts that one week before killing Brooks, Hardin approached a man who was under the influence and used his stun gun on him, causing the man to fall over an overpass and fall 35 feet, thus becoming “critically injured.”

Earlier this year, shortly after Hardin shot and killed the unarmed Brooks on July 8, the Defender reported that local community leaders and activists Deric Muhammad, Dr. Abdul Muhammad and Sadiyah Evangelista Karriem held a press conference that brought Brooks’ killing to the public’s attention.

According to reports, after a call was placed to Harris County law enforcement, the officer that shot Brooks was said to have jumped out of his vehicle, pursued Brooks on foot, and after catching him, shot Brooks with a taser, pummeled him with

his fists and then fatally shot him in one point before the shooting, Brooks the neck. grabbed Hardin’s stun gun when it fell One of the main questions asked but never pointed it in Hardin’s direcat that press conference centered on tion. Moreover, Brooks never gained why a reported shoplifting incident real control of the stun gun while had to serve as a literal death sentence pinned on his stomach. for Brooks, who has been described “I will f*cking shoot you,” said Harby those who knew him as a gentle, din to Brooks while tussling for the harmless spirit. stun gun.

“It is the officer’s job to de-escaThis local tragedy has now become late situations like these,” said Deric national news after Brooks’ family Muhammad. “The problem with this filed the lawsuit. case is, there is really no situation to Family attorney and local activde-escalate. The situation was esca- ist Karriem told HuffPost, “Harris lated by the deputy.”

County is harboring a criminal; we The press conference was also will use every tool of justice that we attended by family memcan to get justice for Rodbers of Brooks, as well erick Brooks.” as Warren Randle, the An August HuffPost father of Jalen Randle, report seems to validate another Houston-area Karriem’s claim. According unarmed Black man to that report, since 2004 shot and killed by police the HCSO suspended Harin April. din without pay on eight READ THE “This was not a violent separate occasions. The reaFULL STORY human being. He was sons? Infractions including unarmed. He was not a crashing his patrol car into threat to anybody. He was another vehicle, giving false so-called shoplifting from the Dollar statements to his supervisors and General. What could be valued high making lewd and sexual remarks to enough in a damn Dollar General to officers working under him. where it was worth taking somebody’s Moreover, according to HCSO life? Everybody in this room knows policy, deputies are not supposed to that if that had been a German shep- use electric shock devices on people herd, they would have treated it better who are on an “elevated or unstable than they treated Roderick Brooks,” surface,” the lawsuit says. said Muhammad.

Hardin was never placed on HPD released body camera foot- administrative leave in the case, and age of the incident showing that at one week later he shot Brooks.

as a security officer for the It’s been more than three complex, claims he attempted years since Baytown Police to execute a warrant over Officer Juan Manuel Delaa prior confrontation cruz gunned down Turner reportedly Pamela Turner, in had with building a parking lot in management.

Baytown. Now, An indepenher family is dent autopsy hoping the y found that can finally get Tu r n e r w a s justice. shot three times, This week, the Pamela Turner including one fatal trial began against shot to her chest Delacruz, who is charged and another to her abdomen. with first-degree aggravated Another shot penetrated assault by a public servant. Turner’s cheek.

Delacruz killed Turner in The B aytown Police a shooting that was caught Department went on to on video after the officer describe Turner as the approached the 45-year-old aggressor in the Brixton grandmother in the parking Apartments complex parklot at her apartment complex ing lot and said Delacruz in May, 2019. Ever since that was justified in using excesfateful date, the police narra- sive force after Turner seized tive has conflicted with what a Taser and attempted to use attorneys and Turner’s family it on the officer. In addition to say actually happened. the felony charge, Delacruz is Delacruz was reportedly facing a wrongful death lawp at ro l l i n g t h e suit filed on what parking lot when would have been he saw Turner, who Tu r n e r’s 4 6 t h police said he had birthday last year. “prior dealings” “I should be with. According calling my mother He did not have to police, Turner and singing happy had outstanding to use deadly birthday this warrants, prompt- force while morning,” Turner’s ing Delacruz to she was laying daughter, Chelsie approach and try on her back.

Rubin, said on the to arrest her. A He absolutely day the suit was bystander began knew that filed. “But instead recording video I’m standing in Taser could on his phone and front of all of you not be fired filmed Delacruz fighting once again using his Taser on again without to try to bring her before pulling her changing recognition and out his gun and the cartridge.” demand the jusshooting Turner tice that my mom multiple times at BEN CRUMP deser ved and close range. Police should have been said Turner tried to grab his offered a long time ago.”

Taser despite video evidence Civil rights attorney Ben suggesting the contrary.

Crump, who is representing Turner and Delacruz lived Turner’s family, said in a tweet in the same apartment com- that a guilty verdict would plex and she reportedly told mark “the 1st time a jury has her family that she felt tar- found an officer guilty for a geted by the officer on more Black woman’s death.” than one occasion. Turner’s Crump said the video family maintains that she shows Delacruz never gave was in the midst of a men- Turner any verbal commands tal health crisis after battling and proves his life was not paranoid schizophrenia. being threatened when he Delacruz, who also served fired the fatal shots.

4 | October 6, 2022 |

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DN News HOUSTON HOMICIDES

Officials work overtime to fight crime

By ReShonda Tate

When Rev. Ed Young of Second Baptist Church called Houston “the most dangerous city in America,” Mayor Sylvester Turner was quick to come to his city’s defense. Young’s claim may have been a stretch, but the reality is that crime has spiked in Houston, just as it has in every other major city across the country. And officials are working overtime to address the escalating problem.

Contrary to Young’s claim, Houston is far from the most dangerous city in the country.

Criminologists say Houston’s murder rate is actually in the “middle of the pack” for major American cities. In 2020, the first year of the homicide surge, Houston tallied about 17 murders per 100,000 people, less than half the rates recorded by several other large cities, including St. Louis, Baltimore, New Orleans, Detroit, Memphis and Cleveland.

Still, Houston has seen a sharp rise in homicides each of the last two years, starting with a 43% surge from 2019 to 2020 — similar to the increase measured across all of Harris County, including Houston and the other incorporated cities. Murders across the country spiked by 29% that year, as a number of large cities — including Chicago and New York — recorded increases north of 50%.

Counts of assault also rose about 30% across Harris County in 2020, while property crimes saw a slight decline, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s “index crimes report,” which collects data from local law enforcement. Homicides climbed last year, from 400 to 469. 2021 marked one of the city’s deadliest years over the last three decades. Houston also surpassed Dallas for the highest murder rate among Texas’ large cities — though still well behind other big cities around the country.

Overall, Harris County law enforcement agencies tallied 632 homicides last year, a

Houston Police chief Troy Finner speaks about the DOJ grant.

12% increase from the previous grant program to help commuyear, according to DPS data. nities reduce gun crime and HOMICIDES The uptick was driven almost other serious violence. entirely by murders in Houston, Assistant Attorney General however, with the homicide Kenneth A. Polite and U.S. rate in unincorporated Harris Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery County staying flat at about 5 joined leaders from federal and 2019-2020 killings per 100,000 people. local law enforcement agencies Following back-to-back years to announce a first-of-its-kind of sharp increases, the murder initiative targeting violent rate has begun to recede in crimes in the Houston area.

2020 Houston and the county as a “We will employ a data whole. And each major catedriven approach to first idengory of violent crime — murtify and then prosecute the 2021 der, rape, robbery and assault worst of the worst gangs and — has declined countywide through the gang members who are disproportionately first half of 2022 compared to the same responsible for the violent crime gripping point last year, according to DPS data this community,” Polite said. “Everyone Officials are working to combat the should feel safe in their homes, in their escalating problem, and in fact, recently neighborhoods. Unfortunately, violent received help from the Department of crime deprives too many of our commuJustice. Houston and Harris County will nities of that fundamental security.” receive $2 million as part of a nationwide The new initiative will include

Up 43 % 400 469

prosecutors from the Criminal Division’s organized Crime and Gang section, investigative agents, analyst, forensic experts from the FBI, HPD, HCSO and more.

The Department of Justice is awarding $100 million worth of similar grants across the United States.

“Together we will work coordinated, targeted, intelligence driven efforts with our law enforcement partners,” Lowery said.

“As a team, we will develop strong cases where the defendants who possess the greatest danger to threats to the community will be arrested, will not be released, and will receive significant prison sentences.

But second, we’re going to educate, train and support the citizen.”

Programs include the Chance program, reentry programs, community policing and de-escalation training, as well as safeguarding communities and mentoring programs.

There are also initiatives to help prevent school violence.

Domestic violence homicides rise in 2022 Houston Public Media

in Texas grew by nearly 80%, and October is Domestic Violence more than half involved a gun.

Awareness Month, and in the first Houston police said strangulation eight months of 2022, the calls increased 130% as Houston Police Departwell. ment has resp onde d “I think that we need to 5 1 d omest i c v i o to recognize that we’re lence-related homicides facing a phenomenon in Houston. that is going to take a “Domestic violence is massive community colbigger than life. It takes lective effort,” Jackson your life away,” U.S. Rep. Lee said.

Sheila Jackson Lee said. U.S. Rep. Sheila In 2021 Harris County Jackson Lee Harris County saw a Health and Relationships 40% increase in domesstudy found that of their tic violence homicides from 2019 survey participants impacted by to 2020. Family violence homicides domestic violence, almost 52%

reported an increase since the COVID 19 pandemic. Texas has long seen three times the number of family violence deaths since 2017, with rates of family violence increasing across all three counties.

“Take any sheriff, any deputy, any constable, any police officer, anyone involved in protecting our community,” Jackson-Lee said.

“Ask firefighter and they will tell you the number of calls that they have to go to dealing with domestic violence. The police will tell you many frightening situations where the woman is involved.”

VOLUME 91, NUMBER 46 - OCTOBER 6, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Social Media Manager Tia Alphonse Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper 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 2022 copyright.

No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288

October 6, 2022 |

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DN Newsbriefs Initiative to address District B’s lack of opportunities, resources

Health studies needed for Kashmere Gardens, 5th Ward

The Texas Health and Environmental Alliance (THEA) is calling on the state to conduct in-depth studies on the health of residents living in Kashmere Gardens and Fifth Ward. Several residents recently joined THEA at a press conference requesting the Texas Department of State Health Services to do more studies on the community’s health. On Sept. 21, the department confirmed dioxin was found in every one of the 47 soil samples they collected around the Union Pacific Railroad, and in more than a quarter of the samples the dioxin levels exceeded the EPA’s non-carcinogenic riskbased treatment levels for children. Dioxin is a toxic carcinogen that’s been linked to cancer. Earlier this year test samples found traces of creosote near the railyard, which used to be a creosote treatment facility.

Union Pacific has said it is working to clean up the site, but residents say progress isn’t happening swiftly enough.

Education Dept. excluding millions from student loan relief

The Biden administration has quietly changed its guidance to disqualify borrowers who have privately-held FFEL and Perkins loans. In a remarkable reversal that will affect the fortunes of millions of student loan borrowers, the U.S. Department of Education has quietly changed its guidance around

Fifth Ward residents gather on Lavender Street near a collage of residents who’ve died or have been hospitalized due to cancer-related illness.

who qualifies for President Biden’s sweeping student debt relief plan. Until recently, borrowers who took out federal student loans many years ago, both Perkins loans and Federal Family Education Loans, qualified for debt forgiveness. The guidance now says those borrowers cannot obtain one-time debt relief. It’s unclear why the department reversed its decision.

Harris County leaders locked in standoff over 2023 budget

Harris County’s 2023 fiscal budget went into effect on Oct. 1. Yet, the county hasn’t been able to pass its budget because two

Republican commissioners have refused to show up for the vote. Commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey say they don’t agree with the budget and therefore have not shown up for a quorum. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said several vital programs are in jeopardy of being cut. “It puts our hospital system at a $45 million dollar deficit. That means 10,000 jobs at risk. It means 3,000 people that can’t get colonoscopies and it means longer wait times for everybody in the community.” Under state law, the county has until Oct. 28 to pass the 2023 budget. If that doesn’t happen, the budget from last year will stay in place.

Houston City Councilmember Tarsha Jackson announced the BeSuccessful Community Capacity Building Initiative that addresses poverty and public safety within District B. The initiative will offer job training and wraparound services to residents in her district to help improve their quality of life.

BeSuccessful is focusing on five challenges within District B: workforce development, public safety, community capacity building, economic development and the quality of life. One way the initiative will provide residents with job opportunities is by hiring and training 25 community resources navigators that will connect residents to job training, education opportunities and other resources.

Each organization will host two readiness workshops per month and host 10 Besuccessful job fairs with rotating locations. District B covers North Houston which includes neighborhoods like Kashmere Gardens, Acres Homes, Fifth Ward, Greenspoint and many others. District B consists of 195,000 residents, mostly Black and Hispanic, who on average earn less than $25,000 a year. The five-year initiative will require $27 million in funding, and will have to be raised through grants or private funds and partnerships.

Read more details on Newsbriefs.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM TODAY. CAP AND GOWN TOMORROW. GROW WITH THE Y. Help your child excel beyond the classroom with after school programs at the Y. Housed in local schools, students engage in a variety of structured activities that promote positive social interactions and reinforces academic concepts, as well as lessons in empathy, inclusion and service learning.

Let your child discover their full potential at ymcahouston.org/after-school.

YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Everyone is welcome.

YMCA-0186_defender_print_ad_mech.indd 1

7/25/22 8:02 AM

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB PollyTick • You can vote anywhere in Harris County if you are registered to vote in the county.

• 17 million registered to vote in Texas | 7 million registered voters did not vote in the last election.

• More than 2 out of 10 mail ballots were rejected in Harris County due to Senate Bill 1 in the last election • Jason Lee, the son of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, is deputy campaign chair for Beto O’Rourke campaign.

• 35 family members of Uvalde school victims throw their support behind O’Rourke.

• Gov. Greg Abbott’s migrant busing has cost Texas $14 million.

APPLAUDING LONE STAR COLLEGE

HARRIS COUNTY RACES

What’s wrong with the other community colleges?

Out of all the community colleges in the Houston area, Lone Star College is the ONLY ONE to agree to participate in the full disparity study underwritten

by Harris County. We applaud this institution. A disparity study looks at spending with minority and womenowned businesses.

Originally, Houston Community College agreed to conduct a study but recently went back on its word. Now they are unwilling to provide multiple years of data needed for the study, offering only a few months for review.

COUNTY JUDGE RACE

What do you have to hide?

Considering we have six community colleges in the Houston area, and they all claim to do business with people of color, why is it so difficult to show what you are doing, especially since Harris County is paying for it? Let the numbers speak for themselves. They cannot do any worse than Harris Health which had “0” amount of business with people of color after their disparity study.

Democrat incumbent County Judge Lina Hidalgo and her opponent Alexandra del Moral Mealer are in a tight race with Mealer leading by four points. Neither one of them has a lot of personality. In the Black community, those for Hidalgo talk about how she has managed the many crises over the last years from COVID-19, flooding, Texas power grid crisis, and more; while others say she failed to hire Blacks on her staff and has failed in community outreach.

Although we are over a month from election day, neither candidate is pursuing the Black vote.

Let’s see if it gets better in the coming weeks.

Judge Lina Hidalgo

SOULS TO THE POLLS OCT. 29 & 30

Churches are gearing up to get folks to the polls as they kick off a GOTV campaign during the weekend of Oct. 29 and 30. It will involve preachers going to the pulpit and special messages for the congregations. “We intend to inspire, inform, and ignite every pulpit and person in the pew,” says Dr. James Dixon, Community of Faith Church pastor and president of the Houston NAACP. For more details go to: www.naacphouston.org

VOTING VITALS Last Day to Register to vote is Tuesday, Oct 11 Go to: https://vrapp.sos.state.tx.us/index.asp

Want to know WHO is on the ballot?

Get the League of Women’s Voters Guide bit.ly/2022_LWV_VotersGuide Early voting runs from Oct 24. - Nov. 4 https://www.harrisvotes.com/PollingLocations Last day for mail ballots is Friday, Oct. 28 https://www.harrisvotes.com/Voter/Voteby-Mail/Mail-Ballot-Application-FAQ Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8 Harris County Elections Administrator.

For questions, email voters@harrisvotes. com or call (713) 755-6965.

Adrian Garcia

Alexandra del Moral Mealer

Jack Morman

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 2 Democratic incumbent Adrian Garcia is facing a familiar opponent in former County Commissioner Jack Morman.

Not hearing much about this race.

Jack Cagle

Lesley Briones

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 4 Republican incumbent Jack Cagle is also in a tight race with Democrat Lesley Briones considering the precinct lines were redrawn creating a district that is comprised of 53% Democrats.

Of course, Democrats think they will get this seat. But election day will soon reveal the make-up of the court.

DID YOU KNOW? In June 2021, Republican lawmakers and officials from the National Rifle Association joined Gov. Abbott when he signed a state law that protects firearm makers, retailers and industry groups. Note that companies that have anti-gun policies are considered to “discriminate”

against the industry and are unable to do business with Texas.

Senate Bill 19: Prohibits government entities from contracting with businesses that “discriminate against the firearm or ammunition industries.” This hurts companies that are anti-

guns or don’t support pro-gun companies. There is a rumor that the next legislative session may use this same type of law to block pro-choice supportive companies from doing business with the state.

WOW… this is going to a whole new level.

8 | October 6, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature COMEDIAN NEPHEW TOMMY RECOVERS FROM THYROID CANCER

By ReShonda Tate

Popular comedian, radio personality and Ready to Love host Nephew Tommy recently shared the news that he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in May of this year with his social media fans. The good news is, it has since been completely removed and he’s on the road to recovery.

The Houston native, whose real name is Thomas Miles, told his more than 424,000 followers that he beat the disease and is on the mend.

“May 18th, 2022, I got the call that I had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer,” he said.

“August 24, 2022, surgery was performed.

All cancer is 100% gone. No chemotherapy The comedian recently posted his necessary.”

The media personality also urged fans to diagnosis on his Facebook page. get regular checkups. will grab that Mic once again.”

He said a personal trainer discovered a This is a timely message and one that lump on his neck while they were working has been echoed by various celebrities out. Miles went to his primary care physi- who have experienced cancer scares firstcian and was referred to two hand or through the ordeals different specialists. On May of loved ones. Cynthia Bai18, he received a phone call ley recently urged people telling him he had cancer. to get their health checks as He thanked his wife, Jacher mother, Barbara Ford queline, for being by his side.

Morris, was diagnosed with “Thank you to my wife If I can be an breast cancer earlier this year. for her support. I am truly example for Chicago Med star Marlyne blessed,” he said in a cap- anyone. Stay Barrett just shared that she’s tion accompanied by a on top of your battling uterine and ovarian photo of him in a hospital health. Get cancer presently. bed with his Jacqueline by As for Miles, in a follow-up check ups on a his side. ALL CANCER IS post, he thanked all of those regular basis.”

100% GONE.” who supported him through Jacqueline and Thomas NEPHEW TOMMY prayers, visits and more. have been married since “I am humble and grateful 2016 but met in 1986. They share two sons to have you in my life,” he said in a caption. and a daughter together – Thomas Wesley “To those going through difficult times or Miles III, Sydnei Miles, and Jhordyn Miles. a major storm in your life…the best thing He continued in his post, “GOD IS IN I can tell you. DON’T GET CAUGHT THE BLESSING BUSINESS. My voice is OUT THERE WITHOUT GOD ON slowly coming back around. Get ready…IT:4.79"YOUR SIDE.”

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Texaslottery.com is the official source for all pertinent game information. Game closing procedures may be initiated for documented business reasons. These games may have prizes unclaimed, including top prizes. In addition, game closing procedures will be initiated when all top prizes have been claimed. During closing, games may be sold even after all top prizes have been claimed. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. For help with a gambling problem, ncpgambling.org. © 2022 Texas Lottery Commission. PLAY RESPONSIBLY.

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Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles T:3.25"

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CLASSIFIED BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

Sicarria Goodman of Houston, Texas has announced the birth of her daughter, Xahra Aset Swan.

Xahra was born at 6:03 AM, June 1, 2016, at Magnolia Birth Center in Cypress, Texas. Xahra weighed 8 lbs. 3 ounces and was 20 inches long.

The maternal grandparents are Sidney Goodman of Richmond, Texas and Carleen Webb of Alexandria, Louisiana. The paternal grandparents are Donna Swan of Spring, Texas and Roosevelt Swan of Houston, Texas.

October 6, 2022 |

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DN Entertainment

‘WE OUTSIDE’ ALL-STAR COMEDY SHOW COMES TO HOUSTON

By ReShonda Tate

Johnson, who made a name for Some of the country’s hottest himself with national touring stage comedians are coming to town for plays, says he’s ventured into bringthe “We Outside Comedy Tour.” ing comedy to the masses because The star-studded line-up includes laughter “truly is the best medicine.”

Tony Rock (“Think Like A Man,” “We’re coming off a trying few “Mann and Wife,” “Everybody Hates years, from being stuck inside from Chris,” “All of Us”), Michael Black- COVID, to adjusting to the new norson (“Next Friday,” mal. I wanted to offer “Meet the Blacks”), people the opportuRyan Davis (HBO’s INFO nity to get out with “Insecure” and “Curb Saturday, October 8 family, friends or Your Enthusiasm”), 8 p.m. loved ones and just Karlous Miller and NRG Arena have a good time,” Kelly Kelz. https://jecaryous.com/ Johnson said.

The “We Outside” comedy/we-outside/ Houston is one of Comedy Tour is a nod 22 cities the comedy “You never know who will be to the cultural expression that we’re show is touring. Attendees have taken roasted on any given night, includin the hottest place to be and doing to social media to praise the impro- ing the audience,” Johnson said. “You the hottest things,” said producer and visations, real-life scenarios and the will not get a line-up of laughs anynative Houstonian JeCaryous Johnson. multiple non-stop laughs per minute. where like this.”

“It’s about enjoying life, getting lit, letting your hair down and truly experiLike this story on social media for a encing entertainment with no limits chance to win two tickets to the show! and no pressure – just pure funny.”

| 9

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

George Floyd biography nominated Defender News Service

A biography of the late George Floyd is among the works included on lists of nominees for the National Book Awards.

“His Name Is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice,” by Washington Post reporters Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa, is a nonfiction nominee, The Associated Press reports.

The tome “reveals how systemic racism shaped George Floyd’s life and legacy—from his family’s roots in the tobacco fields of North Carolina, to ongoing inequality in housing, education, health care, criminal justice, and policing—telling the story of how one man’s tragic experience brought about a global movement for change,” per Penguin Random House.

The Floyd biography is longlisted for the 2022 National Book Award in the nonfiction category along with “John A. Farrell’s “Ted Kennedy: A Life,” New Yorker writer Kathryn Schulz’s “Lost & Found: A Memoir” and Anna Badkhen’s “Bright Unbearable Reality: Essays.”

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10 | October 6, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Texans running back Dameon Pierce had 131 rushing yards against San Diego to become just the third rookie to rush for more than 130 yards in a single game in team history.

Sports Briefs ROCKETS SWAP PLAYERS WITH OKC

The Rockets are already making moves this preseason. They Derrick have traded Favors Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, Marquese Chris, and David Nwaba to OKC for Derrick Favors, Maurice Harkless, Ty Jerome, Théo Maledon, a 2026 second-round pick, and cash considerations.

Rockets rookie forward Tari Eason had 21 points and 10 rebounds off the bench during his NBA debut in the preseason opener against San Antonio.

Houston running back Ta’Zhawn Henry rushes during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/ Eric Christian Smith)

ERIC DOOLEY RETURNS TO FACE PVAMU

Former Prairie View A&M football coach Eric Dooley Eric Dooley returns to The Hill this weekend to face his former team after he left last season to coach Southern.

Dooley led the Panthers to the SWAC West title and a berth in the conference championship game before announcing his decision to leave. The Panthers, who are 3-2 overall and 3-0 in the SWAC, come into the game with No. 4 power ranking in HBCU football while the Jaguars (2-2, 1-1) are ranked sixth.

PVAMU HIRES NEW GOLF COACH

The PVAMU golf program is under new leadership after Jameshia Jameshia Levister was Levister hired recently to replace Michael Rice as the head coach of the Panthers’ men’s and women’s programs. Levister, a one-time LPGA player, comes to PV after serving as the director of golf at Lincoln University, where she became the first African American woman in MIAA history to lead both the men’s and women’s programs.

Ta’Zhawn Henry ready to hit stride with UH

By Terrance Harris

It might have been easy for University of Houston senior running back Ta’Zhawn Henry to question his journey, but he never did.

Henry just stayed the course as his stellar high school career took him from Lamar High School to Texas Tech and now UH. Henry had moments where his talent shined but he had never been the primary back until this season.

His faith kept him focused and determined.

“I always prayed on it. I just knew one of these years I was going to be a starter and God did it,” Henry said recently to The Defender. “I prayed and God just put it in front of me. I just have to execute and make plays.

“Everything is in God’s hands right now.”

But it has been quite the journey getting to this point. Henry, who is 5-foot-7 and 180 pounds, began his career at Texas Tech playing for two seasons under Kliff Kingsbury, who is now the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Henry then landed at UH where he thrived last season as a backup in Dana Holgorsen’s system.

Kingsbury and Holgorsen are both products of the Mike Leach (former Texas Tech coach) system which made Henry’s move to the Cougars make sense.

“I learned so much playing for Coach Kliff in his offense, so when I transferred here to

Houston I knew Coach Dana and Cliff knew each other so that’s how I got here honestly,” Henry said. “I guess Coach Kliff called Coach Dana and they had a little conversation and that’s how I transferred to UH, back to my city.”

Now it’s all in front of him.

First-year UH running backs coach Mike Jinks has been impressed with what he has seen so far from Henry since spring ball through fall camp and through the first five games of the season.

Henry had been slowed by a nagging ankle injury since the end of fall camp but had a career game in the 34-27 win over Rice with 112 yards and a touchdown rushing to lead the way for the Coogs.

“It looks like the game has kind of slowed down for him a little bit,” Jinks said.

“His vision is kind of at another level. He is probably, pound for pound, one of the toughest running backs in the [American Athletic Conference].”

Henry, who had just 25 yards on eight carries in last week’s loss to Tulane, said he is back to feeling normal again.

“The first two games I was banged up with an ankle injury type deal so I’ve been very limited in reps and limited in playing how I wanted to play because I couldn’t really make the right cuts, the cuts I normally make during

practice because I was banged up and hurt a lot,” he said. “But now I’m feeling good, 100 percent healthy so I’m ready to go play and continue playing good.”

With Henry back healthy, it’s expected that the Cougars will have one of the best running back tandems in the AAC with Pearland product and USC transfer Brandon Campbell sharing the load in the backfield. Campbell currently leads UH in rushing with 243 yards and three touchdowns on 55 carries while Henry is right there with him with 51 carries for 220 yards and two touchdowns.

“If we can get them both healthy they could be pretty fun to watch. I think right now if they are both healthy it would be a 1A and 1B situation,” Jinks said of Henry and Campbell.

“I think they play off of each other extremely well so I’m looking forward to getting them both back to full speed and getting those guys back out there.”

In the meantime, Henry is enjoying and appreciating the opportunity his college football journey has presented him.

“I was just telling my family, starting my senior year and starting in my city, it’s just crazy,” said Henry, who will also graduate this semester. “I couldn’t script this any better, it just fell into my hands.

“I just prayed on it and I just stayed the course and never gave up.”

October 6, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports WORTHING TE/DE

JACORY THURMAN

By Jodie B. Jiles

A two-way thriller

Worthing High School sophomore defensive end and wide receiver Jacory Thurman is a 6-foot-2 highlight mixtape on the football field. Whether it is batting passes down or turning heads in jump ball scenarios, Thurman will make you look in his direction anytime he is playing. “[Thurman] will be the top tight end in the country in 2025,” said the Bayou City Preps Foundation. “He will have every college in the country knocking on his door in Sunnyside.”

As an admirer of NFL star Julio Jones, Thurman wears the number 11 in honor of the Tampa Bay receiver. Thurman’s game is reminiscent of Jones with his raw playmaking abilities to be more physical than his opponent.

On the defensive side of the ball, Thurman is a ball-swatting

machine who can get to the quarterback on occasion. And as Thurman muscles up and tightens up his pass-rusher skills, watch for him off the blind side edge because he is coming with bad intentions.

Worthing’s head coach Brandon Ellis described what Thurman brings to the gridiron on the offensive and defensive side.

“He gives us everything,” Ellis said. “He’s a young guy that is talented on the offensive side. He can really go up and get the ball. And on the defensive side, he is long-armed, he gets off the ball and can get to that quarterback.”

The Defender spoke with Thurman about his style of play, playmaking abilities and more.

Style of play “I did the best I can on defense, I helped my team make plays, and took on blocks and double teams to help my team make the plays.”

Playmaking “It’s just having long legs, being athletic and making plays the best way I can.”

Being a featured underclassman “I will just be myself for my team. I respect them and know them all very well.”

Keeping the winning streak alive “ Doing my assignments...while controlling my anger and emotion…”

ABOUT JACORY THURMAN Twitter: JacoryThurman Dream school: Louisiana State University Favorite layer: Julio Jones Favorite artist: Michael Jackson Hobbies: Sleeping and chilling Shout-outs: “Davion Edwards, Vashawn Smith and the rest of my team.”

NORTH SHORE RB RASHAAD JOHNSON CARRIES MUSTANGS

By Jodie B. Jiles

With star North Shore quarterback phenom Kaleb Bailey going down, the one thing that remained consistent in a 38-3 victory over cross-town rival C.E. King was the Mustangs running game. And a big reason why is North Shore senior running back Rashaad Johnson.

At 5-feet-9 200 pounds, Johnson is a load running the ball north and south with reckless abandonment.

In the win over C.E. King, Johnson had a 24-yard run to start the game and is clutch for big moment collisions on the goal line.

The Defender spoke with Johnson to discuss his approach to the game and more.

Visit www.defendernetwork.com for article clips and pics

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DEFENDER NETWORK

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