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Volume 96, issue 3 November 5, 2026
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DN To the POINT WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream dribbles against the Golden State Valkyries during the 2026 WNBA Finals. Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images.
Message from the Associate Editor in science. By September, 84 finalists from The WNBA’s 30th season was magical across Burkina Faso had gathered in Ouafor several reasons. The level of straight gadougou to compete in mathematics, physballin’ won the league hundreds of thouics, and chemistry. On Sept. 19, the country’s sands of new fans. Superstars emerged top young female scientific talents were celefrom each team and represented. brated at an awards ceremony. The three firstGame-changing role players often stole place winners each received two million CFA the spotlight on any given night. The francs, a laptop, and a motorcycle. Additionrace to the playoffs was almost as excitally, all 84 finalists were promised educational ing as the playoffs themselves, which is support, including university scholarships, saying something. This year’s playoffs were as well as assistance with accommodation, Aswad Walker insane, with the emergence of “sleeper” meals, and healthcare. The government’s aim teams taking out the favored “Goliaths” is to encourage more girls to pursue careers in and a 7-game WNBA Finals for the ages. Shout-out to the science and challenge the belief that subjects such as physics champions, the Golden State Valkyries. Shout-out to the and mathematics are mainly for boys. Trump called African Atlanta Dream (Angel Reese, Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, nations like Burkina Faso backward, “sh*thole” countries. Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, etc., including their Black But Burkina Faso is investing in its girls and women, while woman team owner and former WNBA star, Rachel DeMita). Trump and crew are moving to strip women of the right to And WNBA players, unlike professional athletes from other vote (it’s in Project 2025), like they took away their agency pro leagues, didn’t shy away from the racist smoke. They over their own bodies regarding healthcare decisions. So, confronted the Indiana Fever’s fanbase for adopting Caitlin which nation is pro-humanity, and which is backward? Clark and her teammate Sophie Cunningham as MAGA mascots. Several WNBA players called out the state of Indi- Now what? ana, the team (the Fever), and players for quietly accepting Now that the November 2026 midterm elections are over, their roles as avatars for Aryan so-called supremacy. Repub- now what? Now that the insane, lyin’-ass commercials no lican Congressmen even pushed for legislation to criminalize longer beat us upside the head every 10 seconds, now what? fouls committed against Clark. One of those soul sisters who Now that these politicians no longer need our votes immedicalled out the racist BS was the best player on the Fever, ately, now what? The what is, we’ve got even more work to do. Clark’s backcourt mate Kelsey Mitchell, who said, “Showing This year’s voter turnout, both locally and nationally, showed up every day to compete for fans that may or may not like the level of concern Blackfolk have about the direction this you is hard.” Damn sis. And still Mitchell was “ballin’ outta country is headed. But if we’re going to right the ship, voting control” all season, as was the entire WNBA. Still, the icing on is just step one. Being civically engaged means voting, yes. But the cake may have been the announcement that the Houston it also means holding elected officials accountable, meeting Comets are back! Go ‘head WNBA. with them on the regular, and attending those boring meetings where decisions are made about how the money and Be more like Burkina Faso resources are allocated. Win or lose, GOP voters regularly The West African nation of Burkina Faso has suspended show up at their elected officials’ offices, events, and more beauty pageants and launched a competition where young with a list of demands and non-negotiables. And because women are rewarded for their intelligence and scientific abil- they show up, even though their candidate lost the election, ities. And the winners aren’t just receiving trophies. They’re they get what they want out of the winner because they stay getting money, scholarships, laptops, and even motorcycles. engaged. We’ve got to do the same. This political fight isn’t In June 2026, Burkina Faso’s government temporarily sus- over. It’s 24/7/365. pended beauty competitions while developing new regulations intended to reflect its cultural values and standards of On the web human dignity. Two months later, President Ibrahim Traoré’s • Black TV couples we couldn’t stop rooting for. administration announced HAKILI Mousso, a national • Houston Medical Forum celebrates 100 years of service. competition designed to celebrate talented young women • Family Akili turns hard work into HISD production. Shout-out to the WNBA
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SOCIAL THE WEB DN ON Vote 2026 6 ELECTION WRAP
TEXAS TURNS BLUE
Hinojosa, Talarico deliver historic Democratic victories By ReShonda Tate
Texas is entering a new political era after voters delivered two stunning Democratic victories electing Gina Hinojosa governor and James Talarico to the U.S. Senate. Their wins ended decades-long Republican streaks and raised a bigger question: How much will change in a state where conservatives still hold significant power? Hinojosa defeated three-term Republican G ov. Greg Abbott, becoming Texas’ first Latina governor and the first Democrat elected to the office since Ann Richards won in 1990. Talarico defeated Republican Attorney Hinojosa General Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate election in Texas since 1988. Together, the victories transformed what had long been considered reliably Republican territory into one of the nation’s most closely watched political battlegrounds. Hinojosa’s unlikely upset Hinojosa, a state representative from Austin, entered the race as an underdog against an incumbent with a formidable fundraising operation and a history of double-digit victories. Abbott sought a record fourth term, but a campaign built around economic frustration, public schools and concerns about the influence of wealthy donors helped Hinojosa reach voters beyond the Democratic base. “We did it. Everything is bigger, including the shock of this win. We shocked the world tonight,” Hinojosa told supporters during her victory speech. She added: “It never bothered me that they doubted me. It bothered me that they doubted us.”
It never bothered me that they doubted me. It bothered me that they doubted us.” GINA HINOJOSA
Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico delivered historic victories in the 2026 midterm elections, breaking decades of Republican dominance in Texas and signaling a major shift in the state’s political landscape. Credit: Getty Images
The outcome carries immediate consequences for Austin. As governor, Hinojosa will be able to sign or veto legislation, appoint officials, and help set state priorities. She says one of her first orders of business will be to fire Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. But her victory does not give Democrats control of the Legislature. With Republicans retaining legislative majorities, her proposals will face negotiations and potential resistance. Talarico ends a Senate drought Talarico’s victory was no less striking. The Democratic state lawmaker defeated Paxton in a race that drew national attention and heavy outside spending. His win ends a 38-year stretch without a Democratic U.S. Senate victory in Texas and gives the party a new voice in Washington. Talarico built his appeal around faith, political inclusion and economic concerns, while Paxton campaigned as a conservative ally of President Donald Trump. The result suggests that a coalition of Democratic voters, independents, and disaffected Republicans may be competitive statewide, though
a single election alone cannot establish a lasting political realignment. Historic turnout helps reshape Texas politics The Democratic breakthroughs came amid extraordinary voter participation. More than 7.7 million Texans cast ballots during early voting, roughly 40.5% of registered voters, surpassing the state’s modern midterm early-voting record. That was before Election Day voters made their choices. In Harris County, voters set a new midterm record. By 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, more than 1.39 million ballots had been cast, surpassing the approximately 1.22 million recorded in 2018. More than 1.08 million Harris County voters had already cast ballots before Election Day. Fort Bend County also recorded unusually strong early participation, with roughly 277,000 ballots cast by the close of early voting, according to an analysis of county voter rosters. “These figures underscore the importance of investing in the mobilization of volunteers and voters, and in building lasting relationships with communities
throughout Texas,” the Texas Democratic Party said in a statement. The numbers reveal the intensity of an election that many Texans viewed as a referendum on affordability, public schools, state leadership, and national politics. But a record number of ballots is not the same as a record turnout percentage. Harris County has substantially more registered voters than it did in 2018, and final turnout rates will depend on certified results. For Black communities in Houston, including Third Ward, Fifth Ward, Sunnyside and Acres Homes, the next question is how participation translated into influence. Precinct-level returns and demographic analysis will be needed to determine whether Black voter participation increased and which communities helped drive the statewide shift. The overall turnout figures alone cannot answer that question. What is clear is that Hinojosa and Talarico benefited from an electorate larger and more engaged than in many previous midterms. Their challenge now is to turn that energy into governing results and keep those voters engaged beyond one election.
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SOCIAL THE WEB DN ON Vote 2026 6 Letitia Plummer: New Harris County Judge By Tannistha Sinha
Democrat Letitia Plummer, a former Houston City Council member, is set to take the helm of Harris County as county judge on Jan. 1, 2027, responsible for carrying out her campaign promises of strengthening public safety and disaster preparedness. She is the first African American to be elected in this role. In the midterm elections, Plummer’s victory against Republican opponent Orlando Sanchez puts her on course to lead the nation’s third-most-populous county, according to unofficial results from the Harris County Clerk’s Office. Plummer received 647,449 votes, or 62% of the total votes, to Sanchez’s 396,611votes, or roughly 38%, as of Nov. 3. Other candidates, Marianne “Yann” Hess and Vince Duncan, received less than 1% of the vote. The race was the first open contest for the office since 2018. Incumbent Democrat Lina Hidalgo did not seek a third term. Plummer’s reaction In an interview with the Defender on Election Night, Plummer said she will address the issue of transparent governance on Commissioners Court. “This was the biggest win ever,” Plummer
Letitia Plummer won the Harris County Judge race amid a record midterm turnout in the county. Credit: Harris County Clerk’s Office.
said. “I’m just excited to be able to do what we need to do to make sure that Harris County is taken care of. I want to establish a good level of governance. I think that a lot of things are happening within the county right now…It’s just a lot of chaos. I want to bring some good governance back, and I want to make sure that people in Harris County know that they can trust us.”
Plummer’s priorities in the Harris County judge race center on strengthening public safety and expanding disaster preparedness, she had said earlier. Pledging to make better use of taxpayer dollars by evaluating county operations and consolidating departments by using technology to streamline services without laying
off employees. Disaster preparedness was a major focus of Plummer’s campaign. Drawing on her experience responding to six natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, she had proposed establishing neighborhood resilience hubs equipped with generators, emergency supplies, food, and health care kits to support residents during crises. Plummer emphasized her health care background and advocated for protecting public schools, supporting underserved communities, and opposing immigration enforcement policies she argues would divide communities. “Every single person, every single immigrant in Harris County deserves an opportunity to live the same American dream that I do,” Plummer said during her campaign. “I’m the only candidate that does not support ICE [United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and wants ICE out of Harris County…I am not going to do anything that would support ICE being here. I want to protect our immigrant community, whatever that looks like.” Read more about Plummer’s plans.
Dexter McCoy victory: Big for Black Ft. Bend Co. By Aswad Walker
Fort Bend County Judge-elect Dexter McCoy could barely contain his joy at winning the election. Credit: Aswad Walker/Defender.
When Dexter McCoy stepped into history as the first African American elected to serve as Fort Bend County Judge, the victory resonated far beyond a single political campaign. In a county forged by the complex, painful history of the American South and transformed into one of the most diverse suburban landscapes in the nation, McCoy’s election represents a profound turning point. “I think tonight is about all the people in Fort Bend,” said McCoy, Fort Bend County Judge-elect. “We have dealt with, for the past couple of years, folks who have been more concerned about their own political power than the power of the residents of Fort Bend. And so, I think residents showed up tonight, sent a resounding message. “And what this means is a government
VOLUME 96, NUMBER 3 - NOVEMBER 5, 2026 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. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288
that’s actually going to move and work and fight for the people.” Black supporters speak For Black residents of Fort Bend County, McCoy’s victory is not merely a symbolic triumph—it’s a full-circle historical reclamation. “What you’re going to get with Dexter McCoy, above all things, when you see Dexter in office is character,” said Fort. Bend resident Robert Lewis. “He is going to stand and be as he’s supposed to be, not flipping and flopping and moving all over the place with any kind of issue. “He’s going to take care of the people in this district and make sure everybody is good no matter where they voted.” Lewis believes McCoy will provide opportunities for Black Fort Bend County residents, and others.
“I think he’s going to help continue to grow the entire community. For Black people in particular, I know the type of young man that he is. He’s going to make sure that he’s helping to build Black businesses,” Lewis said. “But he’s going to make sure that everybody is given opportunities in this county.” Among the many elected officials who were on hand at McCoy’s Election Night watch party, Houston City Council Member Tiffany Thomas summed up what many stated. “Fort Bend County, you did your damn job tonight,” declared Thomas, as she introduced McCoy to supporters for his victory speech.
Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Content Manager Terrance Harris
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate
Culture/Lifestyle Reporter Laura Onyeneho
Read more community reaction & his priorities.
Special Assignments Reporter Tannistha Sinha Sports Terrance Harris Jimmie Aggison Video Editor Bryan Erdy
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DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB Vote 2026 6 Black candidates make election history By ReShonda Tate
A new era of political leadership is taking shape across America following the 2026 midterm elections, as sweeping Democratic victories and historic wins by Black candidates promise to shift the balance of power in Washington and state capitals, potentially reshaping policies affecting millions of Americans. From Georgia, where former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in American history, to Florida, where Republican Byron Donalds became the state’s first Black governor, the election produced milestones that crossed party lines. Meanwhile, a Democratic surge in congressional races put House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on the verge of another historic first: Becoming the nation’s first Black Speaker of the House. The results represented a significant setback for President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans, as voters expressed frustration over the economy, rising costs, and the direction of the country. Democrats captured key Senate and House races, strengthening their position in Washington and raising the possibility of a major shift in congressional power during the final two years of Trump’s presidency. But beyond the partisan victories, Election Night 2026 will be remembered for the barriers broken by Black candidates and the changing face of political leadership in America. Keisha Lance Bottoms makes American history In one of the most significant victories, Bottoms defeated Republican businessman Rick Jackson to become Georgia’s next governor. The victory also made Bottoms Georgia’s first female governor and returned the governor’s office to Democratic control for the first time since 1998. Bottoms, who served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018 to 2022 and later held a senior position in President Joe Biden’s administration, campaigned on affordability, education, health care and economic opportunity. Her victory carries particular significance in Georgia, a state deeply connected to the civil rights movement and the struggle for Black political representation. For decades, Black women have served as the backbone of Democratic organizing, leading voter registration drives, mobilizing communities and helping elect candidates at every level of government. Yet until Tuesday, no Black woman had ever won a gubernatorial election in the United States. Bottoms shattered that barrier. Her victory also comes years after former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams helped bring national attention to voting rights and Black voter mobilization in the state. Abrams’ unsuccessful
Byron Donalds, Keisha Lance Bottom, and Hakeem Jeffries were all big winners in the Midterm election. Credit: Getty.
gubernatorial campaigns in 2018 and 2022 helped demonstrate both the political influence of Black women and the obstacles they have faced in seeking statewide office. Bottoms’ election marks a new chapter in that history, placing a Black woman in charge of one of the nation’s most politically competitive states. Byron Donalds breaks a barrier for Black Republicans While Democrats celebrated their victories, Republicans also made history in Florida, where Donalds, a U.S. Representative, defeated Democrat David Jolly to become the state’s first Black governor. Donalds, a staunch Trump ally and one of the Republican Party’s most prominent Black conservatives, will succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. His election marks a significant milestone for Black Republicans, who have historically held a small share of elected office nationwide. Donalds also becomes the first Black Republican elected governor in American history. A former Democrat who later embraced conservative politics, Donalds built his political career around limited government, economic opportunity, parental rights, and support for Trump’s agenda. His victory underscores the political diversity within Black America, where voters and elected officials hold a range of views on economic
America is back.” HAKEEM JEFFRIES
policy, education, criminal justice and the role of government. Hakeem Jeffries moves closer to historic speakership Perhaps the most consequential development in Washington was the Democratic surge in House races, which positioned Jeffries (D-N.Y.) to potentially become the first Black speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Jeffries, who became the first Black lawmaker to lead a major party in Congress when he was elected House Democratic leader in 2022, has spent the past several years working to unite Democrats and regain control of the chamber. “America is back….We’re going to fight for Black and Brown communities all across America. This is a change election, and we understand as House Democrats that we need to deliver dramatic change. We need a Congress that puts the American people first,” Jeffries said in a press conference following the victories. Now that Democrats have reclaimed the House, Jeffries is expected to be the party’s choice for speaker when the new Congress convenes in January. He would become the first Black person to hold one of the most powerful positions in the federal government. The speaker controls the House’s legislative agenda, plays a central role in negotiations with the White House and Senate, and stands second in the presidential line of succession after the vice president. For Black Americans, Jeffries’ potential elevation would represent another milestone in a political journey that has included the election of Barack Obama as the nation’s first Black President and Kamala Harris as its
first Black vice president. It would also place a Black lawmaker at the center of congressional efforts to challenge the Trump administration on federal spending, immigration, health care, voting rights and government accountability. Democrats deliver major victories nationwide The historic gubernatorial victories in Georgia and Florida unfolded alongside a broader Democratic surge that extended into congressional races across the country. But the 2026 midterms also marked a significant moment for Black political representation, with African American candidates competing for governor’s offices in an unprecedented Wes Moore number of states. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, Democratic Rep. Stacey Plaskett made history as the territory’s first Black female governor. Plaskett, who has represented the Virgin Islands in Congress since 2015, brought national recognition to a race that could place another Black woman in a top executive position. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who made history in 2022 as the state’s first Black governor and only the third Black person elected governor of a U.S. state, secured a second term. His reelection reinforced his standing as one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent rising leaders and a potential national contender in future elections. In Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Read about other Blacks elected.
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DN Veterans Salute
WATCH
VIDEO
Two Black Vietnam Aviators
Fighting for a country that fought them back
A
By Aswad Walker
t the Veterans Memorial Museum in Huntsville, Texas, Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Dr. Richard Watkins, who retired at the rank of Army Captain, reflected on a complicated chapter of American history: The Vietnam War and Black soldiers’ experiences in it. Watkins’ words, plus those of the late Brig. Gen. James T. Boddie Jr., offer a window into the courage, danger, racism, camaraderie, and complex homecoming experienced by Black Americans who served in Vietnam. Fighting an unpopular war By the time large numbers of American troops arrived in Vietnam, opposition to the war was growing, including prominent Black
voices. Muhammad Ali refused induction as a conscientious objector, while the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. publicly opposed the war, connecting military spending abroad with racial and economic injustice at home. In his 1967 “Beyond Vietnam” speech, King called the United States “the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today” and argued the war took Black men overseas to defend freedoms they had not fully experienced at home. In Where Do We Go From Here?, he described racism, economic exploitation, and militarism as interconnected. However, opposition did not prevent Black Americans from serving. A calling to fly For Watkins, military service was a family tradition. Inspired by his father, Lt. Col.
Watkins is awarded the Combat Air Medal in recognition of 23 combat missions flown through hostile enemy fire. Courtesy: Dr. Richard Watkins.
Ulysses Wesby Watkins Sr.—a World War II and Vietnam-era veteran—and other relatives, he set his sights on the sky. At five years old, after seeing a jet fly overhead, he told his Aunt Sugar he would fly one day. Her response reflected the era’s barriers: “Rich, there are no negro pilots.” Watkins replied, “Well, I’m going to fly.” Boddie connected flying and military service to Black excellence. Commissioned through his undergrad alma mater, Howard University, he entered Air Force pilot training and chose fighter aircraft, inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen. Graduating in the upper 10% of his class, Boddie chose fighters over bombers because of the influence and legacy of the “Red Tails,” the nickname of the world-famous Tuskegee Airmen.
Racism before combat Watkins entered Army aviation hoping to fly airplanes but was directed into helicopter training due to military needs in Vietnam. At Fort Walters, Texas, his class began with 315 students, only two of whom were Black. Just 95 graduated, including both Black students, despite instructors appearing determined to force Watkins out. To some of his instructors’ dismay, Watkins did what those in the helicopter pilot training world viewed as nearly impossible—he soloed after only nine hours of flight training. Challenges continued at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Arriving with his wife and newborn child, and all of their young family’s belongings in a U-Haul, the room reservation for Lieutenant Watkins mysteriously disappeared when hotel staff discovered the army leader they waited for was Black. So, Watkins did what so many other Black people of various professions did when faced with such white hostility: turn to the Black community. There, Watkins and family were able to find lodging and a supportive community. But that support couldn’t follow Watkins into classrooms led by instructors steeped in anti-Blackness. Watkins recalled receiving a “pink slip” after a check pilot failed him during instrument training—a training he knew backwards and forwards. That expertise shown through when he passed his next check ride “with flying colors” and remained in the program, determined to serve a country that seemed equally determined to stop him. Combat changes everything Boddie flew 201 combat missions with the 559th Squadron, noting, “You don’t really know the character and the quality of the people you’re working with until you get into combat... then, you really know who they are.”
The late Brig. Gen. James Boddie Jr. Credit: U.S. Air Force.
Watkins discovered that reality on Dec. 30, 1967. Leading a flight of 15 aircraft as enemy forces prepared for the Tet Offensive, enemy fire struck his helicopter, shooting out its hydraulics. Flaring out to land in a rice paddy, the aircraft landed on its tail, causing the rotor blade to come through the cockpit and cave in Watkins’ face. Knocked unconscious and initially presumed dead, Watkins lay stranded for hours while enemy forces fired on rescue attempts. He lost substantial blood before a Vietnamese lieutenant helped him reach a recovery helicopter. “Our squadron knew that if those of us who survived were not recovered by dark, we were dead,” said Watkins. “Plus, there was a bounty on helicopter pilots’ heads. So, they were certainly going to come in and kill the rest of us.”
Conversely, Boddie remembered strong interracial camaraderie in his squadron, recalling his squad as “solid citizens” you could count on. Both realities coexisted.
understand that we had no business being in Vietnam, but we served anyway... We didn’t deserve to come home and get treated like criminals.”
Integrated yet unequal The Vietnam War was the first major U.S. war fought by a fully integrated military, but integration didn’t erase racism. Black soldiers faced discrimination in training and were disproportionately represented among combat troops, disciplinary cases, and prisoners while receiving promotions at lower rates. Project 100,000, launched in 1966, brought hundreds of thousands of additional men into service. Black soldiers represented a greater share of combat troops than their share of the civilian population. In 1969, journalist Wallace Terry surveyed 400 Black soldiers, finding that 60% believed Black Americans should not be fighting in Vietnam due to inequality at home—experiences he later chronicled in Bloods.
Coming home to a different war Returning home brought new battles. Many Black Vietnam veterans struggled with employment and VA obtaining benefits. PTSD was not yet formally recognized, leaving veterans to carry traumatic memories alone. Divorce, drug addiction, and suicides have been all too common parts of Vietnam veterans’ story. “So many of us just didn’t have the ability to sustain those experiences, and even want to live. At one time, we were losing 21-22 Vietnam vets a day by death at their own hands,” said Watkins. “If it had not been for my family and my faith, I probably wouldn’t be here.” Veterans were met with hostility, often called “baby killers.” Watkins reflected, “I eventually came to
A legacy beyond Vietnam Watkins eventually earned an MBA from Texas Southern University (1975) and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University (1995), in addition to the bachelor’s degree he earned from Prairie View A&M University before the war in 1965. Boddie accumulated over 5,000 hours flying jet fighters, earned numerous military decorations, and served as interim president of Texas Southern University from 2006 to 2008. Their legacies extend beyond the battlefield, serving as a reminder of the realities of war. “War is a horrible thing under any condition,” Watkins said.
Watkin’s assessment of today’s military and its leadership (i.e. Trump and Hegseth), and his message for those considering entering the military.
Through the lens of Dr. Richard Watkins and the late Gen. James T. Boddie, explore the courage, racism, and resilience of Black Americans in Vietnam. Credit: Aswad Walker/Defender.
Dr. Richard Watkins stands in front of the same helicopter model he flew in Vietnam. Credit: Aswad Walker/Defender.
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DN News HARRIS COUNTY
ICE agent surrenders to court By Gregory Stevenson
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer Mario Alberto Morales surrendered in a Harris County court following his indictment for a second-degree felony offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Prosecutors allege Morales used his vehicle to strike Miguel Parra-Hernandez on Oct. 10, breaking his leg and ankle. During the hearing in the 488th District Court, prosecutors requested a $75,000 bond, citing the violent nature of the act and prior drug use admissions. Morales’ defense requested $25,000, arguing he posed no flight risk or public threat. Judge Matthew Peneguy set bond at $30,000 and ordered Morales to have no contact with victims or witnesses. If convicted, Morales faces up to 20 years in prison. Morales’ accounts vs. video evidence
ICE officials claimed Parra-Hernandez ran in front of the vehicle while fleeing a traffic stop, calling intentional assault allegations “reckless and false.” However,
released video footage shows Morales pursuing Parra-Hernandez, jumping a median in his unmarked car, and running him over from behind. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez emphasized that no official position places anyone beyond accountability. District Attorney Sean Teare noted the indictment sends a message that officers will be held accountable for unlawful actions. Defense arguments and agent background
Morales’ lead attorney, Michael Wynne, along with co-counsel and former District Attorney Kim Ogg, labeled the case a “political prosecution” driven by the timing of early voting. The defense team plans to request that the case be moved to federal court. Morales joined ICE in August 2025 during a hiring surge under the second Trump administration. Teare questioned his qualifications, though defense counsel highlighted his background, which includes two years as an Army military police officer, work as a state correctional officer, an ICE contract transportation officer, and service as a church pastor.
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DN Profile
WATCH
VIDEO
D’Andrea Virgil Finds her purpose in the conflict others avoid
By ReShonda Tate
For decades, D’Andrea Virgil’s life was measured in corporate milestones and executive human resources titles. Then came two hip replacements in less than twelve months, forcing a sudden, non-negotiable standstill at age 56. In the quiet space where work used to be, Virgil faced a choice: return to the security of corporate America or walk away from the only career path she had ever known. “I started really thinking about what is it that I really like?” Virgil said. “Who do I want to be? What do I want to do?” The answer led her toward the part of human resources that many people would happily spend their careers avoiding: conflict. Virgil is the founder and CEO of EDifeye Consulting LLC, a Houston-based mediation, conflict resolution and human resources consulting company that helps businesses and individuals navigate workplace disputes, e mpl oye e rel a tions, investigations and difficult conversations. While others may run from conflict, Virgil is fascinated by it. “The part of the job that excites me is the part that most
HR generalists hate,” she said. “That’s the employee relations piece. The piece where conflict is prevalent. And in that, that is where I shined.” Finding purpose in conflict
Virgil believes conflict itself isn’t necessarily the problem. It is inevitable in workplaces, families and everyday relationships. The real question, she said, is what people do once it arrives. “Conflict is a normal part of our lives,” Virgil said. “But the key is how you act, who you are in that conflict. Because who you are day-to-day versus who you are in the midst of conflict can be very different.” Through EDifeye, Virgil works with businesses and organizations on mediation, workplace investigations, employee relations, HR compliance and leadership development. She has found a particular need among small-business owners who have grown companies without developing a formal human resources infrastructure. Her goal is to help people identify where a conflict began, understand what each side needs and find common ground before a disagreement escalates. “You don’t need an attorney to work out your problems,” Virgil said. “Much of the issues that happen in corporate America or in the world are
Family played an important role in D’Andrea Virgil’s period of reflection as she transitioned from longtime corporate HR executive to founder and CEO of EDifeye Consulting LLC. Courtesy: D’Andrea Virgil
because we have conflict.” For Virgil, resolving those conflicts doesn’t necessarily mean determining a winner and a loser. “I want to deduce how we got here,” she said. “What are the key components that you’re focusing on? What are you focusing on? And where can we overlap those?” Finding that overlap, she said, can move people toward a solution in which neither side feels it has surrendered everything. Decades of experience
Virgil’s expertise was built over nearly three decades in human resources. Her career began in 1997 at Pennzoil-Quaker State, where she worked as a diversity coordinator after earning her master’s degree from what was then Houston Baptist University. She later worked with Wells Fargo and Charles Schwab before joining Chevron, where she spent 17 years in senior After nearly three decades in human resources, D’Andrea Virgil turned her expertise in employee relations and conflict resolution into a new chapter as an entrepreneur. Courtesy: D’Andrea Virgil.
human resources leadership roles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped lead a globally dispersed employee relations team as employees navigated remote work, uncertainty and enormous workplace change. Virgil left Chevron in 2023 for an opportunity with a Brazilian company. The position wasn’t the right fit, she said, and she eventually began building her own consulting practice. Then life interrupted the plan. Virgil underwent two hip replacements in less than a year. For someone accustomed to working and leading, recovery forced her to stop. But it also gave her something she hadn’t realized she needed: time. “I’m thankful that I had the financial ability to be able to be sick and to heal and to develop,” Virgil said. “It gave me time to spend time with my sons, but it gave me time to reflect and to really reflect on what parts of my life did I really love and what parts did I not.” She knew she could find another senior HR position. The harder question was whether it would fulfill her. “Would I be happy about getting up to go do that?” she recalled asking herself. Her answer became EDifeye. “That is where I felt like I was giving and receiving the most,” Virgil said. “And so that’s what I decided to do with the rest of my career.” A different definition of success
Virgil’s pivot hasn’t meant walking away from the experience she accumulated in corporate America. Instead, EDifeye allows her to use it differently. Beneath her work in mediation, employee relations, investigations, coaching and training is a broader mission: helping people communicate through disagreement without allowing conflict to destroy working relationships. It also gives Virgil control over what the next phase of her professional life will look like. Outside of work, Virgil is a past president of the South Belt Houston Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Houston Metropolitan Chapter of The Society, Inc. She is also the mother of two sons. After decades spent helping corporations and employees navigate change, Virgil has now navigated a major transition of her own. She didn’t discard nearly 30 years of experience to start over. She figured out which part of it she wanted to keep.
10 | November 5, 2026 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports Running back Re’Shaun Sanford II (6) has bounced back from two ACL injuries to be instrumental in the University of Houston Cougars’ rushing attack this season. Credit: Getty Images.
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON RB
RE’SHAUN SANFORD II Powers through multiple football ACL injuries
By David Hill
On first-and-10 in the second quarter of the Houston Cougars’ home opener against Oregon State, running back Re’Shaun Sanford II took a handoff to the left. Fifty-six yards later, he danced into the end zone for the longest touchdown of his career. “We repped that all week during practice; they told me that was going to be one of the biggest plays for us coming into the game,” Sanford said after a recent UH practice. “The O-line blocked it well; Coach called it at the right time. Kolby (White) was out there and got a meaningful block, so it wouldn’t have happened without them. All I had to do was make one guy miss; they made the job easy for me. And then once I saw all the green grass, I just took it and finished the play.” The touchdown meant more than just six points for Sanford. In last year’s season opener, he wasn’t on the field juking defenders and scoring touchdowns. Instead, he was recovering from another ACL tear in his left knee, an injury he sustained just one week before the season’s first game. Unfortunately, Sanford had been here before, having torn the ACL in his right knee as a freshman in 2023. Being sidelined by two significant injuries could dramatically impact a player’s production, especially a running back whose style relies heavily on quickness and agility. But the Harker Heights, TX product is defying the odds this season. He is the Cougars’ second-leading rusher in total rushing yards (447). Although he made no assumptions about how well he would perform upon
““You never know what to expect, but also I’m very confident in my preparation; preparation breeds confidence. RE’SHAUN SANFORD II
his return, his belief in the work he put in during rehabilitation makes his success less surprising. “You never know what to expect, but also I’m very confident in my preparation; preparation breeds confidence,” Sanford said. “The way I just prepared for my rehab, practice, to the game plan and everything that we’re doing. Me and my teammates believe in me, and all those things just instilled the confidence in me to know I can perform at my best. “God put me in this position, and I’m just very blessed to be in this position.” University of Houston quarterback Conner Weigman has enjoyed watching Sanford’s comeback this season. “It’s been awesome to watch,” Weigman said. “To see that guy come back from not one but two ACL injuries and to have the explosiveness and power he has that he’s showing right now is cool to watch. Just give him the ball and let me get out of the way and let him make plays.” As physically difficult as the road to recovery was, the mental hurdle proved just as
significant for Sanford. Returning to the field with confidence in his abilities after suffering multiple injuries required another level of preparation and perseverance. “I think most of it, while coming back, is the mental aspect of it,” Sanford said. “I did a really good job of taking care of myself mentally and again just preparing the right way, and it allowed me to go out there and play and not think about too much,” “At the end of the day, those types of injuries are freak accidents. It’s not like a guarantee that you will or won’t get hurt; you just got to go out there and play. When you play hesitant it just never goes well. It’s better to go out there and play and just believe in your preparation.” Sanford’s return has also helped spark a dynamic rushing attack alongside fellow RB Mahki Hughes, helping the Cougars rank fourth in the Big 12 in rushing yards. Hughes, a transfer from Oregon, was eager to share the backfield with Sanford after learning about his rehabilitation and witnessing his talent firsthand during fall camp. “I’m very excited to see him back. I heard
about his injury, and he told me his story about it. He rehabbed so hard seeing him in the fall practice hard, it’s just carried on into the game.” Hughes said after practice on Tuesday. Both running backs rank among the Big 12’s top 10 in rushing yards, leaving minimal drop-off from one ballcarrier to the next. Like Sanford, Hughes credits the team’s balanced rushing attack to its preparation and attention to detail. “We just practice hard and practice how we play, that’s what Coach always preach about, that’s what me and him (Sanford) preach about. Preparation really is just watching film, studying film together. That’s what leads to our success,” Hughes said. Two knee surgeries in three years could have taken away Sanford’s drive to return to the field, along with his desire to play football. But giving up was never an option. Instead, the setbacks pushed him to prove that his work ethic could carry him through adversity. If you, having overcome multiple setbacks, could go back and offer advice to his younger self, what would he say? “I would go back and tell myself just remain unbreakable,” Sanford said. “Tough times don’t ever last, and storms always pass. It’s just one of those things where you got to keep your head down and keep working and stay true to the preparation, and that will really help you in the long run. Coach (Willie) Fritz always says to go 1-0. It’s really more of a mental thing more than it is just winning a football game. It’s in everything we do, trying to win at everything and dominating it.”
November 5, 2026 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
| 11
DN Sports ALIEF HASTINGS LB
DAVID UMAH Demands action on the field
By Jimmie Aggison
During the 2025-2026 season, David Umah made his presence felt as a junior linebacker at Alief Hastings, earning second-team all-district honors after recording 61 tackles, three sacks, and 13 tackles for loss. Now a senior, Umah is proving that performance was no fluke. Through six games, the 6-foot-1, 215pound linebacker has recorded 60 tackles, four sacks, 2.5 forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and four quarterback hurries. As he continues to produce defensively, Umah is working toward another goal: earning an opportunity to play college football. “My coaches’ encouragement to keep putting in the work helped me maintain this level of production this season,” said Umah. “Since my junior season, I’ve improved my reaction time the most. The game of football is fast, but the more you play, the game begins to slow down.” Umah’s production reflects the work he put in before his senior season, when he made getting stronger his priority. He increased his bench press from 250 to 335 pounds and his squat from 405 to 550 pounds. “His physical development in the weight room vastly improved his physicality for getting off blocks and becoming one of the hardest hitters on the field,” said Alief Hastings defensive coordinator Fernando Mendoza. Umah said he trusted his coaches’ advice and committed to getting stronger to better fight through blocks. “I bought into what my coaches were saying about how getting stronger would make it easier for me to shed blockers,” said Umah. That offseason commitment has translated into another productive season. After recording three sacks as a junior, Umah has already increased that total to four through six games as a senior, continuing to make an impact against opposing offenses. “David knows he needs to continue working hard and improving his craft, and that is the only way schools will offer him,” said Mendoza. “His character is his character; he will work hard even if he has multiple offers. He not only leads the team in tackles and sacks because of his improved technique, but he is a positive voice, getting all of his teammates to play hard and hunt.” Despite missing time last season, Umah
Alief Hastings linebacker David Umah continues playing hard despite no offers. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/ Defender.
has turned his senior year into a season of growth, production, and renewed confidence. “I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished this year,” said Umah. “I had to miss five games last season because of an ankle injury, but senior year I made it all back.” Beyond his production, Umah has established himself as a leader for the Bears, earning his teammates’ respect through his work ethic and attention to detail. “His leadership on and off the field is what makes him effective at his position, beyond what his statistics show,” said Mendoza. “Other players respect his work ethic and attention to detail.” While Umah has continued to perform on the field, he is still pursuing an opportunity to showcase his abilities at the next level. He attended camps at Lamar University and the Rivals camp at C.E. King High School, where he was invited to join the elite group on the second day. However, the distance to other camps limited his ability to
attend additional events. Umah, who has a 76.7-inch wingspan and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds, also chose to train with Donnie Baggs, a prominent linebacker trainer in the Houston area, rather than focus primarily on summer camps. “Donnie Baggs further helped me understand what I have to do to become a D1 linebacker,” said Umah. “The biggest takeaways I learned from the Rivals and Lamar University camps were to always work hard, no matter what.” With his senior season underway, Umah is using his on-field production and game film to pursue a college opportunity. He has posted a midseason highlight reel and pinned his statistics to his Twitter profile, and has also sent film to various college programs, though he has yet to receive an offer. Umah believes his film demonstrates his ability to shed blocks, make the right reads, and get to the ball. He is focused on showcasing his production and hopes to finish
the season with 100 tackles and eight to 10 sacks. While Umah continues working to attract college coaches through his on-field performance, he is also preparing for life beyond football. The senior maintains a 3.7 GPA and hopes to attend a competitive university where he can continue playing football while studying cybersecurity or engineering. “I want college coaches to understand that I’m willing to do anything to help our team win,” said Umah. “Earning the opportunity to play college football would be a true blessing to me because not many people have that opportunity.” As Umah continues to pursue his first college offer, he remains focused on improving his game and making the most of his senior season. “To any college coach evaluating me as a potential recruit, I’d like to thank them for considering me and giving me an opportunity,” said Umah. “I’m committed to improving my craft and getting better every day.”
12 | November 5, 2026 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
WATCH
VIDEO
What happened to shared culture? By Laura Onyeneho
There was a time when a whole city tuned into the same radio station, rented from the same video store, and argued over the same album drop. That shared experience is disappearing, and Houston’s Black Millennials and Gen Z say they’re growing up in two different cultural worlds because of it. The death of monoculture is the shift from a shared, mass-media culture to fragmented microcultures. Millennials, born 1981-1996, are now 30 to 45, according to Pew Research Center. Gen Z, born 19972012, is 14 to 29. The generations are only a few years apart, but their formative technologies look nothing alike, and Houston creatives, media professionals, and community builders say the effects extend far beyond nostalgia. Times of simplicity
Before streaming fractured audiences into individual queues, many people built their calendars around shared broadcasts. Donna Franklin, program director and on-air host at KTSU 90.9 FM, Houston’s first African American-owned FM station and a Texas Southern University (TSU) fixture for more than 50 years, said appointment listening and viewing gave people a common reference point. “We had a communal experience where one major thing would be happening, and everybody would be on that one major thing,” Franklin said. “Now these days, everybody just compartmentalizes, and they have their own individual experiences.” Franklin, who also teaches at TSU, said she sees the disconnect firsthand with her students. “It’s not about connecting through technology, because you’re missing something,” she said. “The family dynamic is not what it used to be.” Shavonia Lewis, co-founder of the Houston-based content platform Black Friends Forever, said the loss traces back to how her generation built friendships. Lewis, a Millennial born in 1988, said she and her peers spent most of the 1990s outdoors, at church
From radio and TV to music, there is a cultural shift from shared, physical rituals to individualized digital feeds. Credit: Gemini.
functions, and at neighborhood cookouts, not behind a screen. “You had best friends, and I think that’s why our platform is called Black Friends Forever,” Lewis said. “It’s like, can you really say you have friends, true friends? We built that community from church, from school. Now it’s almost all digital.” Houston rapper Yung AL, who described his sound as caught between eras, said the shift reshaped how music spread. He recalled saving up as a middle schooler to buy hard copies of albums by 50 Cent and Lil’ Flip the day they dropped. Yung AL said artist development, the slower work of networking and building relationships in person, has fallen out of style as social media reach takes its place. “It doesn’t go like that,” he said of newer artists who think one viral clip makes them a rapper. “You actually have to get out there and network, rub shoulders with certain people. This is a 24-hour job.” His own breakout, sparked by a freestyle that went viral, happened too fast for him to build an online following the way artists do today. He called today’s nonstop connectivity “a gift and a curse,” a way to reach fans worldwide, but also a tool some misuse. “I wish we could go back to those times when albums dropped,” Yung AL said. “Because I remember being excited to actually go buy something.”
CLASSIFIED BID NOTICE The HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD will be accepting responses to a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the following service: ERP and Technology Modernization Initiative The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD ("The Harris Center") invites qualified vendors to submit proposals for enterprise technology modernization services, including the provision, implementation, configuration, integration, and long-term support of a modern enterprise resource planning (ERP). Specifications may be secured from The Harris Center website www.theharriscenter.org beginning Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The Harris Center utilizes Bonfire for their solicitations https:// theharriscenter.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities . Participants must register in Bonfire. A non-mandatory vendor conference meeting will be held via Lifesize at 11:00 a.m. CST, on Tuesday, December 8, 2026. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Tuesday, December 22, 2026 . Proposals must be submitted via Bonfire by 11:00 a.m., CST, Wednesday, January 27, 2027. The Harris Center reserves the rights to reject any and/or all responses to the Request for Proposal deemed to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and' reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and are not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.
The algorithm takeover
Streaming has now overtaken traditional television. It captured 48.2% of total U.S. TV viewing in the second quarter of 2026, more than broadcast and cable combined, according to Nielsen’s Ad Supported Gauge. BET’s “106 & Park,” once a daily gathering point for hip-hop and R&B fans after its 2000 launch, was canceled in 2014 after 14 years, as viewers stopped waiting for scheduled premieres. Blockbuster, which once operated more than 9,000 stores, has been reduced to a single
location in Bend, Oregon. Ja’Leah Davis, founder of Eyeconic Television and Eyeconic Studios, said she has watched younger audiences redefine fame itself. Davis, the youngest person in the country to own a television station, said she once burned CDs for classmates using LimeWire and misses the time when friendship carried its own social currency, similar to how MySpace’s “Top 8” feature once let users publicly rank their closest friends. “For you to matter now, you have to be Instagram famous or a streamer,” Davis said. “I’ve had movie stars and Disney Channel actors at my events that kids don’t recognize, because they’re not streamers.” Still, Davis said she believes technology has opened doors her generation didn’t have, especially for entrepreneurs. Rebuilding physical, communal spaces is just one example of the wishful thinking Franklin has for young people today. Simply getting people to unplug and get to know their neighbors again “could bring it back a little bit.” “Technology isn’t the enemy, but it can’t replace presence. It depends on how you use it,” Franklin said. “The first step is choosing to show up in the same room again.”
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