REMEMBERING
Rod Paige
An advocate for education, sports, and community
PROFILE
SPORTS
ADRIAN CROOKS
JABARI SMITH, JR.
The KPRC photojournalist has a heart for storytelling.
Volume 95, issue 9 December 18, 2025
The Houston Rocket’s forward d talks about his inspiration from Kevin Durant.
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2 | December 18, 2025 |
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DN To the POINT
Beyoncé Knowles attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Credit: Getty Images
Message from the Reporter expectations of others isn’t worth the anxiety Beyhive fans get ready! that comes later. Pouring from an empty cup Queen Beyoncé will be co-leading the will always bite you in the butt, no matter 2026 Met Gala. I know many people who your intention. This season, I challenge aren’t familiar with the concept of the Met those who may find themselves in this preGala. It is an exclusive annual fundraising dicament to establish boundaries. Prioritize ball for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s what actually matters to protect both your Costume Institute in New York City, known wallet and mental health. There are so many as “fashion’s biggest night” for its elaborate ways to show appreciation for the ones you themes, celebrity guests, and extravagant love, and it doesn’t always equate to gift-givfashion, officially marking the opening of ing and money. Laura Onyeneho the Institute’s spring exhibition. It’s chaired by Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. Remembering Carl Carlton Beyoncé hasn’t attended the Met since 2016, so her return It saddens me to hear of another death in the music indusas a co-chair is major news. try, Funk and R&B legend Carl Carlton. Recently, his son, Being a co-chair means she helps guide the vision of the Carlton Hudgens II, announced his passing on social media at night, from how the event is promoted to how it represents the age of 73. His impact on music lies in his soulful, funk-infashion as an art form. Beyoncé has consistently utilized her fused voice, which defined 70s and 80s R&B, bridging genres platform to amplify Black designers and foster discussions with hits like “Everlasting Love” and “She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” about inclusion, so her involvement raises expectations in the which became cultural touchstones and remain one of the best way. I look forward to what she and her fellow co-leads most sampled R&B songs of its era. These songs solidified will be up to next year. his legacy as a blueprint for groove-driven soul and funk, influencing countless artists across decades. He leaves a legacy Easing financial pressure during the holidays that lasted six decades. His music will continue to live on. Currently, financial stress feels unavoidable for many people across the nation. The job market is shaky, and prices On the Web for goods still feel high across the board. The holidays can • Groceries are expensive: Stick to this food budget. subtly exacerbate that pressure if you’re not careful. I’ve had • Sky Houston inspires women to reach for the stars. to remind myself that spending money isn’t the same as show• Texas growth driven by migration, not births through ing love. Overextending myself financially just to meet the 2060. Beyoncé co-leads the Met Gala
December 18, 2025 |
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DN News FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PULLOUT
Trinity Gardens, Fifth Ward fear dumping backslide immediate. The city launched its One Clean Houston initiative, committing $18 million in resources, additional manpower, and a public data dashboard. “We saw real traction,” she said. “And then the attention dwindled to nothing.” Recent city cleanup sweeps have temporarily cleared some dumping sites, but German-Wilson believes the relief is short-lived. “Once people stop seeing the piles, they’ll ramp back up. Those historic dumping spots aren’t going anywhere.”
By Reshonda Tate
Residents in Trinity Gardens and Fifth Ward say they are bracing for setbacks after learning the U.S. Justice Department has quietly ended its federal monitoring agreement with the city of Houston — a move advocates fear will worsen illegal dumping in Houston’s Black and Latino neighborhoods. The monitoring began in 2022 after residents filed a civil rights complaint accusing the city of slower response times and neglect in communities of color. For many in Trinity Gardens, where trash piles, debris, and hazardous waste have long been part of daily life, the end of oversight feels like a step backward. “We have nothing to fight with anymore,” said Huey German-Wilson, president of the Trinity/Houston Gardens Super Neighborhood, who has spent years documenting illegal dumping. “We’ve got a watered-down EPA. We’ve got no assistance from the DOJ. The city has no reason to respond to us, and we’re finding that they are truly ignoring us.” Oversight quietly withdrawn The Justice Department ended the Houston agreement this year as part of the Trump administration’s broader rollback of environmental justice enforcement. Houston’s settlement, originally set to run until June 2026, required improvements in service timelines, public reporting, and community outreach. German-Wilson said the difference during the first year of federal oversight was unmistakable. “We could email everybody, and they were listening very intently to see what they could do differently,” she said. That attention, she added, lasted about 18 months. Then came a change in administration — and a series of natural disasters that compounded existing problems. “The most recent conversations we had with the mayor were very early last year, before Hurricane Beryl,” German-Wilson said. “The
Neighbors shouldn’t have to live like this. This is about dignity, safety, and health. And we deserve all three,” she said. “We’re going to keep fighting — with or without federal oversight.” HUEY GERMAN-WILSON
Huey German-Wilson, president of the Trinity/Houston Gardens Super Neighborhood, stands near an illegal dumping site in the community. Credit: ReShonda Tate
explanation was that there was tree waste and a lot happening around disasters, and it was hard to manage illegal dumping piles when disasters were happening.” She noted that for more than a decade, the neighborhood has endured at least two major weather events a year, leaving behind piles of debris that often linger. “We find tree waste on our curbs all the time, and we don’t even know where these trees came from,” she said. “The city has not really been concerned about any of this for us.” A longstanding problem Illegal dumping has been a flashpoint in Houston for years, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods like Trinity Gardens. Residents report mattresses, construction debris, medical waste, and dead animals dumped near homes, bus stops, and drainage systems. A DOJ investigation in 2023 concluded the area had been inundated with “trash, medical waste, mattresses and rotting carcasses,” a characterization city officials previously disputed. But residents say the conditions are undeniable — and dangerous. “It’s absolutely hazardous,” German-Wilson said. “We’ve found medical waste in some of these piles. You can’t have young people or community members picking that up, even with gloves and safety vests. It’s not safe. You
Piles of illegally dumped trash line streets in Trinity/Houston Gardens, a long-standing concern for residents. Credit: ReShonda Tate
don’t know what’s in those buckets. It poses an environmental hazard to our community.” The 52-page complaint was submitted to multiple federal agencies. The Biden DOJ’s decision to treat it as a civil rights case was unexpected — and historic. “It’s only the second time that law has been used like that,” she said. “We couldn’t see that coming. And it wasn’t even the office we thought would pick it up.” When it did, she said, the impact was
Fifth Ward also feels the burden Trinity Gardens is not alone. In the Fifth Ward, residents say the absence of federal accountability has left community organizations shouldering the cost of cleanup. “We spend thousands of dollars a month paying someone to pick up trash on lots we own,” said Kathy Payton, CEO of the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation. “It forces citizens, organizations, and businesses to pay for removal.” Payton said that limited city pickup schedules exacerbate the problem. “The city only picks up trash once a week in our neighborhood,” she said. “It’s already a challenge.” City outlines next steps In a statement, the City of Houston expressed disappointment that the DOJ withdrew from the agreement and emphasized that illegal dumping remains a priority for Mayor John Whitmire’s administration. “Tackling illegal dumping is one of Mayor Whitmire’s priorities and a major concern,” the statement said. “It is a difficult problem to solve because businesses and some residents take advantage of neighborhoods by disposing of waste instead of taking it to proper sites.” The city cited several efforts underway, including contracted cleanup teams in the Fifth Ward, increased enforcement against repeat dumpers, expanded video surveillance in dumping hotspots, and a new heavy-trash contractor expected to sweep areas of the city twice in the coming weeks. German-Wilson said enforcement remains the missing piece. “If people can dump here without a ticket, without a fine, without the risk of jail, they’ll continue to do it — and they’ll continue to do it in our communities,” she said.
See more of the challenges these neighborhoods face.
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DN News Trump 50-year mortgage plan threatens Black wealth By Laura Onyeneho
The Donald Trump administration is reportedly considering a plan to back 50-year mortgages as a new path to housing affordability. On paper, the idea sounds like a lifeline for struggling homebuyers, smaller monthly payments stretched over five decades. But Houston’s real estate experts warn the proposal is less a solution and more a setup for long-term debt that could slow wealth creation and repeat the same financial traps that devastated families during the 2008 housing crash. U.S. Army veteran and loan officer at Rate, Nico Bell, doesn’t hide her skepticism. “It makes me cringe,” she said. “A 50-year mortgage might lower the payment on a $400,000 home by about $200 a month, but it’ll cost about $300,000 more in interest over time. That’s money you’ll never see again.” Bell has spent more than 20 years helping Houstonians navigate the mortgage process. She said the plan sounds appealing to buyers desperate to get into the market. But she warns it will quietly strip them of equity, the very thing that makes homeownership the cornerstone of Black wealth. “It slows your ability to build equity because more of your payment goes to interest for decades,” she said. “If home prices rise due to demand and limited supply, you might
A financial fix or a debt diet pill?
Critics fear the new plan would keep minority communities in debt longer. Credit: Getty Images
even start out upside down, owing more than the house is worth.” That risk, Bell added, is especially high in a city where affordable inventory is already scarce. “If there aren’t enough homes, this could just push prices higher,” Bell said. “It’s like a band-aid on a broken leg. You’re not fixing the real issue, you’re just delaying the pain.” Many supporters of the idea online argue they’d only use a 50-year loan temporarily, then refinance or sell within a few years. Bell
said that logic is risky. “In order to refinance, you still have to qualify,” she said. “If someone barely qualifies now, what makes you think they’ll qualify later? Life happens. You could lose income, or the market could shift.” She draws parallels to the 2008 housing crisis, when many subprime borrowers were sold adjustable-rate mortgages on the promise that they could refinance before rates reset, only to lose everything when the market collapsed. “We’ve seen this before,” Bell said. “It’s just packaged differently.”
Michael G. Davis, CEO of Brooks & Davis Real Estate Firm, one of the nation’s largest Black-owned brokerages, shares Bell’s concern but from a broader economic lens. Davis distinguishes between what’s affordable and what’s attainable. “Affordability is relative,” he said. “If I make a million dollars a year, what’s affordable for me isn’t affordable for someone making $100,000. What we should focus on is attainability, `how to help more people actually achieve homeownership. A 50-year mortgage doesn’t do that. It just lets people buy homes they probably can’t afford.” Davis calls the proposal a “diet pill” approach. “If you want to lose weight, you have to change your habits,” he said. “You can’t just take a shortcut. A 50-year mortgage is that shortcut. It doesn’t deal with spending habits, financial management, or the lack of supply. It’s not sustainable.” Davis said that fixing this requires more than just new loan options. “From 1930 to 1968, Black people were locked out of the real estate market. That’s generations of lost opportunity. There’s no quick policy that erases that. What’s missing now is a mindset shift,” he said. “We need investment in coaching and counseling that helps our community believe we deserve to own homes, not just classes that teach numbers on paper.”
REPORT
Texas growth driven by migration By Tannistha Sinha
Texas will continue to grow through 2060, albeit at a slower pace, and it will become noticeably older as migration overtakes births as the primary driver of population change. That is what a new population projections report from the Texas Demographic Center says. Dr. Xiuhong “Helen” You, associate director and senior demographer at the TDC, has divided the state and all 254 counties into categories of low, mid and high migration scenarios. “We project that natural change will slow down, and at some point, maybe around 2050, we actually may see natural decline when we will have more deaths than births in Texas,” You said. “In terms of migration, we’ll see a slight increase in both the net domestic migration and net international migration. We also have learned from our calculations and these models that with the decline of births and increase of deaths, migration will be the main source of driving Texas’ growth.” 42.6 million Texans by 2060 Under the mid-scenario, Texas is projected to reach 42.6 million residents by 2060, an increase of more than 12 million from its 2020 population. The report projects Texas will grow
under all migration scenarios, but at a slower pace over time. All major racial and ethnic groups are projected to increase in size, except for white people, whose population is expected to decline. Hispanics gain the most people, and Asians grow at the fastest rate, reflecting long-standing fertility and migration patterns.
post the fastest percentage growth, while 139 counties, largely rural, are expected to lose population.
Texas shifts from “aging” to “ultra-aged” The population aged 65 and above is the fastest-growing group. Texas moves from 13.5% age 65+ in 2020 (“aging”) to 21.7% by 2060 (“ultra-aged”). The under-18 population grows slowly and then begins to decline, while the working-age share (18–64) remains relatively stable, which is critical for employers, planners, and schools calibrating long-term capacity. Texans can expect increased demand for geriatric care and age-friendly infrastructure in both urban and rural areas of Texas.
VOLUME 95, NUMBER 9 - DECEMBER 18, 2025
Where growth concentrates Metro areas will dominate. Current MSA counties account for nearly 99% of statewide growth through 2060. Within that, the Texas Triangle (DFW, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston) will expand its share from 67% to 74%. The suburban rings around these core counties
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December 18, 2025 |
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DN Health
A DEFENDER AND KELSEY-SEYBOLD CLINIC ALLIANCE
Putting Your Well-Being First This Season By YOLANDA AJALA, MD
The holiday season can be a time to reconnect and take a much-needed break. It can also bring demands that leave you feeling physically and emotionally drained. With so much happening, it’s easy to let your health become an afterthought. But the choices you make now still matter, so don’t put off caring for your well-being until January. What You Can Do To Put Your Health First: • Enjoy meals in a way that supports you: Holiday foods often carry personal and cultural meaning. A balanced approach makes space for the dishes you love. Including fiber-rich foods like vegetables can make meals
All your care. All connected.
more nourishing and support how you feel, without taking anything away from the experience. • Stay active in a way that works for you: Movement can ease stress and boost energy. Instead of viewing exercise as a chore, consider how a short walk or gentle activity might help you reset and find a second wind. • Make rest a priority: Sleep is essential to how we function and feel, so try to get the rest your body needs to recharge. A consistent evening routine and a calm sleep environment can help. • Set boundaries that support your health: Saying no isn’t a sign of weakness. Prioritize your own mental and
physical well-being. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out to someone you trust or speak with a healthcare provider who can help. Taking care of yourself isn’t an indulgence. It’s part of showing up for the people and priorities that matter most. Looking ahead to 2026? Now is the perfect time to prioritize your health. Scheduling early helps you secure the times that work best for you and keeps you on track with preventive care. Don’t wait—appointments fill up quickly. Book today and start 2026 with confidence.
Yolanda Ajala, MD, is a board-certified primary care physician who cares for patients at Kelsey-Seybold’s Pasadena Clinic. Scan to view her online profile.
Call 713-442-7001 or visit kelsey-seybold.com to schedule an appointment.
Same-day primary care appointments.
See specialists without a referral.
Experience the Kelsey difference for yourself. IfYouKelsey.com | 713.442.7001
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DN Obits
Remembering Rod Paige then the seventh-largest school dis- student development in struggling schools. I am Today,” Ellis said in a statement on X. Community Center noted that Paige always Rod Paige remained grounded oftrictHISD, in the nation. His tenure was marked by “Rod Paige left an indelible mark on this “His belief in young people was not abstract; remained grounded, regardless of his role. districtwide reforms that expanded the use of country and Houston. Introduced to him he lived it, and I am one of many whose lives “He was always easily accessible to the comto impact community standardized assessments to track student per- by Faye B. Bryant, I was given the opportu- were shaped by his generosity and vision.” munity. Oftentimes, elected officials or heads
By ReShonda Tate, Aswad Walker, Laura Onyeneho, Terrance Harris, and Tannistha Sinha
R
od Paige wasn’t born in Houston, but he made the city his home — and forever changed it. Paige, who died Dec. 9, 2025, at 92, is being remembered locally and around the world as a transformative leader whose influence stretched from classrooms and football fields to boardrooms, city halls, and the halls of Congress. An educator at heart, Paige believed deeply in the power of education, discipline and opportunity to transform lives. Though he rose to national prominence as U.S. secretary of education under President George W. Bush — becoming the first African American to hold the post — his most enduring legacy is rooted in Houston, where decades of leadership reshaped public education, civic engagement, youth development and community accountability. Rooted in education
Born in 1933 in Monticello, Mississippi,
A Sports innovator
Paige, who served as TSU’s football coach from 1971 to 1975 after coaching the Jackson State Tigers from 1964 to 1968, is remembered as a stern yet caring coach who consistently stressed the importance of education. “He was a first-class individual who was highly respected in the Houston area,” said longtime area radio personality and journalist Ralph Cooper, who covered Paige during his time at TSU. “The older people at that time would share with you that they didn’t think he was going to just be a football coach for long. They could see him being the president of a university, but they never mentioned being the Secretary of
and raised by parents who were both public school educators, Paige’s path was shaped early by service and scholarship. He earned his undergraduate degree from Jackson State University and completed graduate studies at Indiana University before beginning his career as a teacher and football coach. Paige’s Houston journey began at Texas Southern University, where he first served as a coach, then as a faculty member from 1980 to 1984. He later as dean of the College of Education from 1984 to 1994. While at TSU, was also a trustee and officer on the Houston Independent School District Board of Education from 1989 to 1994. Known as a stern but caring leader, Paige consistently emphasized discipline, accountability and preparation for life beyond the classroom or playing field. “Texas Southern University mourns the passing of a coach, a dean, a mentor, and a national leader whose impact can be felt in classrooms and communities across the country,” said TSU Board of Regents Chairman James Benham. “We also celebrate a life well-lived, defined by public service, courageous leadership, and a steadfast dedication to improving the lives of others.” In 1994, Paige was appointed superintendent
formance across campuses and demographic groups. Paige argued that disaggregated data was essential to identifying achievement gaps and directing targeted interventions. Those reforms became known as the “Houston Miracle,” drawing national attention — including from then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush. What happened next, both in Houston and later in Washington, D.C., would come to define Paige’s career and legacy. Bush tapped Paige for Secretary of Education in 2001 and charged him with scaling up what worked in Houston. Paige set out to end what Bush called “the soft bigotry of low expectations” for students. Paige served as a leading advocate for the No Child Left Behind Act, which expanded annual testing requirements and required states to publicly report student achievement data by race, income and disability status. The law also established federal consequences for schools that failed to meet performance benchmarks. As education secretary until 2005, Paige maintained that high expectations were essential for childhood development. State Rep. Jolanda Jones recalled how Paige encouraged programming that focused on
nity—then a young lawyer—to teach life skills focused on overcoming obstacles in HISD’s eight lowest-performing middle schools. He understood that learning is shaped by environment, and he invested accordingly. I will miss him,” Jones told the Defender. Houston City Council Member Tiffany Thomas described Paige as a quiet force whose encouragement left a lasting impression. “He pioneered a pathway that many of us probably wouldn’t have seen available,” Thomas said, recalling his support when she launched her political career in 2019. “The stoicness you see in the photos is him — but his presence mattered deeply. But his presence for so many people like me and my peers and the generation older than me, definitely, he pioneered a pathway that many of us probably wouldn’t have seen available for us.” Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis recalled how Paige helped him secure an undergraduate scholarship to attend TSU — an opportunity he credits with shaping his life’s trajectory. “I will always be grateful to Dr. Paige for his sage wisdom and for helping me secure an undergraduate scholarship to attend Texas Southern University—an opportunity that set me on the path to becoming the person
Education. They didn’t mention Superintendent of HISD.” At Jackson State and TSU, former players say he instilled pride, purpose, and a drive to be the best. Mike Holmes, who was drafted by the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers in the first round in 1973, recalls the conversations Paige had with him individually and the team back in the day. “He definitely had a big impact on everybody,” Holmes said. “Once you have an opportunity … He sits down, and he starts speaking, your eyes open. He is saying something that makes sense. Then from that particular conversation, everybody decides to start doing the right thing.” Paige wasn’t the football coach who recruited Holmes to TSU, but he sure made an impression on the young man who is still the Tigers’ most accomplished wide receiver to date. “The time I had with him was outstanding,”
Holmes said. “What you learned from him is it’s all about education, leadership, and a daddy figure. He kept us all on the right track. Any information we needed concerning life, we could go directly to him.” Paige recruited and coached some greats at Jackson State, including cornerback great Lem Barney, who was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also had some greats like Holmes when he arrived at TSU. However, his greatest accomplishments in sports may have come in his ahead-of-his-time vision regarding college sports. He was one of the first to have a coach’s TV show, he worked out a car dealership deal for him and his assistant coaches, and he was also part of starting the Double Bump games in Houston, which featured Prairie View and TSU in back-to-back football games at Rice Stadium. As athletic director at TSU from 1971 to
1980, Paige expanded programs across several sports, upgraded facilities, and strengthened the academic-athletic balance while HBCUs were fighting for resources and national visibility. Paige is also credited with hiring legendary TSU men’s basketball coach, Robert Moreland, from Utica Junior College in Mississippi after the two had crossed paths when Paige worked there as a football coach. Paige is an inductee into the Texas Southern University Sports Hall of Fame. “He was definitely a forward-thinking individual in his approach to what college athletics could be,” Cooper said. Ramon Manning played for TSU, but well after Paige’s tenure. However, the two later crossed paths, and Paige played a crucial role in helping Ramon enter the world of public relations advocacy, politics, and funding candidates running for school board positions, as well as
Community impact
During his time on HISD’s Board, Paige launched a municipal-style, accredited police department at HISD with police officers certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education. The HISD police department remains the only school district police department in the country to have earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Deloyd Parker, co-founder of SHAPE
of entities like school districts may as well be ‘missing in action’ when it comes to conversing with the people at the neighborhood level that they serve and are supposed to answer to,” stated Parker. “With Rod Paige, he was a brother of integrity when it came to being there to meet with the community. That’s really how it should be for all officials.” Reverend Carol Guess, former president of the Greater Houston Black Chamber, remembers Paige most fondly as a professor. “Students weren’t just a number for Dr. Paige,” said Guess, who currently serves as vice chair of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC). “He truly cared about students learning the subject matters taught and about their overall success in life. Such care and concern are what we need in educational leaders. He will be missed.”
As U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige worked to ensure that teachers are highly qualified under the No Child Left Behind act. Credit: Mark Wilson/ Getty Images
recruiting talent to the school board. “I never had the opportunity to have him as a coach, but he was always known in the Black student athlete community, especially at Texas Southern and across the SWAC as a giant. He was Coach Paige,” said Manning, who is the founder and chairman of Ridgegate Capital. “He was one of those figures who gave you some love, but he was a stern, no-nonsense type of brother. You couldn’t be around him and be bullshitting.” Cooper got to see first-hand the positive impressions Paige left on people, not just in the Black community but on all people in all walks of life. “It didn’t surprise me that he went to become who he became because he knew how to deal with people like George Bush the President, and then to run the school district in Houston with all the different personalities and the people
who ran the political people and ran things in Houston,” Cooper said. “Think about it, this man came from Mississippi and became the superintendent of the school district, and then parlayed that into becoming part of the George Bush cabinet as Secretary of E du c a tion. He was ahead of his time.”
No matter how high Rod Paige rose, he always remained grounded in his ability to make an impact on the local level.
8 | December 18, 2025 |
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DN Profile KPRC PHOTOJOURNALIST
Adrian Crooks Remains a storyteller at heart
By Aswad Walker
Adrian Crooks is known across Houston as an award-winning KPRC Channel 2 photojournalist and (by everyone who knows him) a jovial brother who laughs often – and loud. Although Crooks comes across as outgoing and quick with a joke, the movie that best represents who he truly is might surprise people: The Inkwell, starring Larenz Tate. “The movie reflected me, a person growing up, staying to myself and being by myself sometimes, reflecting on life, someday sitting on the beach,” said Crooks, a Galveston native. “Seeing life for what it is and striving to be the best man I can be.” Journey to photojournalism
Crooks’ path into journalism wasn’t direct. The 8-year-old Crooks wanted to become a firefighter or football player. But college opened a new door. After enrolling at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Crooks felt called to explore the world and meet people from different cultures. “The school that I attended had a broadcast program that I ended up getting in and learning a lot of different things,” he said. “You would have to go out and shoot your own videos and stuff like that. From there, I said, ‘You know, there’s something for me in this journalism.’” He tried radio first, but soon transitioned into television. “I worked at KFOR in Oklahoma, Channel 4. After that, I went to Vegas and worked at KSMV, News Channel 3. Eventually, I came down here to Houston in 2018, to work for KPRC News Channel 2,” shared Crooks. Favorite story covered
When asked to share his favorite story covered, Crooks first shared his experience witnessing the Houston Astros’ World Series victory. But after reflecting, he offered another favorite. “The most memorable one to me, really, is actually attending the Olympics. I got to travel to four Olympics: Brazil, PyeongChang in South Korea, Tokyo, and also this last one in Paris,” he said. “Covering those Olympics is my reward, because I got to do that and actually see different cultures, countries, you name it.” Surprising aspects of photojournalism
Crooks says many viewers don’t realize how much goes into producing a single TV news package.
Adrain Crooks (left) is with Roland Martin (right), and a fellow photojournalist (center), at the White House, where the Houston Astros were honored for being World Series champions. Courtesy Adrian Crooks.
“I think the most surprising thing is how we put the story together,” Crooks explained. “A lot of people think you come out and film the story, and then you maybe send it back to the station, and this magical editor puts it together. Well, no. “Actually, we go out, we interview people, we get all these beauty shots. After that, the reporter has to write it, and then they dump it back on us, and we have to put it all together.” And that’s not all. “You have to shoot, edit, and then if something breaks on the truck itself, you have to be your own engineer. It’s a lot… but you have to make it work,” Crooks added. Joy of the job
Despite its intensity, photojournalism fills Crooks with a sense of purpose. “One thing about this field is you get to learn about different people’s stories,” he said. “My thing was to get into this field to understand people’s mental state, people’s stories… and share those stories with other people who might be dealing with it.” He also cherishes the cultural experiences the job offers. Crooks shared, “I want to get to
understand other cultures and see how we can all actually come together and spread the love with each other.” Colleagues appreciate Crooks’ work
Carlos Spann, who worked with Crooks early in his career, still remembers his drive. “Adrian is one of the best guys I’ve ever worked with,” Spann said. “He was so eager… he absorbed all the knowledge that he could. Before you knew it, every reporter was requesting to work with Adrian. He becomes friends with nearly everyone that he meets.” KPRC News Anchor Keith Garvin agrees with Spann. “Crooks is not only great at what he does, he loves his job as a photojournalist,” said Garvin. “I have had the opportunity to not only work with him on a nightly basis covering news that matters to Houston, but also nationally and internationally for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo and Paris. “Crooks is always going to give his best effort because his craft and every story he works on matters to him.” Advice for aspiring photojournalists
Crooks’ advice comes with a laugh. “I would say run. I’m just joking,” he said.
Adrian Crooks (right) kicks it with the Today Show’s Hoda Kotb during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Courtesy Adrian Crooks.
“But seriously… if you’re a talented young lady or young man, I would say do it. Go out there, chase your dreams, chase your goals… Don’t let anybody discourage you or tell you you can’t do it, because you actually can. You’ve just got to go out there and put the effort in, put your skillset to use.”
December 18, 2025 |
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DN Feature
Black Joy as resistance
How families are reclaiming rest, ritual, celebration By ReShonda Tate
In a year marked by grief, racial inequity, political tension, and escalating costs, many Black Houstonians are choosing something radical this holiday season: Joy. Not the glossy, picture-perfect joy of holiday commercials. But the intentional, hard-earned, deeply rooted joy that Black families have created and protected for generations, a joy that functions as both cul- Melayne Price tural inheritance and defiant resistance. Families all across Houston are gathering around gumbo pots, slipping into matching pajamas, rehearsing church pageants, lighting Kwanzaa candles, and packing Joy Sewing toys into donation bins. These rituals, passed down like heirlooms, are helping families hold onto connection and hope in a moment when the world feels anything but peaceful. “Black joy has always been a refusal,” says Houston mother Naomi Smith. “A refusal to let the world tell us who we are or how we should feel. Celebrating together is how we breathe again.”
7 WAYS TO CREATE JOY • Hosting potluck-style gatherings to ease financial strain • Swapping gifts for experiences or shared service projects • Attending free events at churches, TSU, and community centers • Holding storytelling nights to remember ancestors • Organizing family pajama photos or game nights • Preparing traditional foods together as a multigenerational ritual • Practicing the principles of Kwanzaa as a weekly or family challenge
Joy as self-preservation Mental health experts say this season’s celebrations are not just feel-good moments; they’re acts of survival. Dr. Melayne Price, a PVAMU African American Studies professor, explains that in a year of compounding stressors, traditions ground families in something stable. The poet Toi Dericotte says, ‘Joy is an act of resistance.’ We have spent the last year watching lawmakers and institutions tell us that our civil rights are not worthy of protection, our history is not important enough to teach, and our government can go to any lengths to deport or detain our relatives. Finding time at the end of this year to be with people we love and who love us restores our souls and gives us fuel for the fight ahead,” Price said. After months of rising rents, job insecurity, and national political fights that disproportionately target Black communities, families are finding creative ways to keep traditions alive—some scaling back, some reinventing them, all refusing to let hardship define the holiday. In Acres Homes, one family turned its annual fish fry into a potluck. In Sunnyside, elders are teaching the grandkids how to lead the Karamu feast for Kwanzaa. In the 5th Ward, a grandmother is hosting her first Christmas Eve gumbo night without her husband—but she says her family urged her to keep it going “because this is how we honor him.” Scholars say these rituals are more than festive—they’re historical. “The first time Black people gathered for Watch Night on New Years Eve 1862 was to wait together for the Emancipation to take effect on January 1st. Many gathered in secret and others went to their churches and holy places. It would be the day they would finally see freedom in the land of their birth. Many of us are planning to participate in this longstanding act of resistance in a few weeks,” Price said. “We will come together to reflect on our blessings and pray for a better year. Given the repeal of so many civil rights protection in just this year alone, those gatherings will be focused anew on our ability as Black people to see and seek freedom for ourselves and others. Joy as resistance, not escapism For many, embracing joy this year is not an attempt to escape reality, but an intentional refusal to let trauma be the final word. Black families say they aren’t ignoring the constant news cycles filled with racial injustice, or the pain of empty chairs at dinner tables, or the economic pressures that have reshaped daily life. They’re simply choosing a different response. “I made it a point to start the month of
From game nights to shared laughter, everyday moments become acts of resistance—affirming that Black joy thrives even in a year marked by uncertainty. Credit: Getty
decorating my house while listening to Christmas Music. It brought me immense joy,” said Soryoua Rose. Houston journalist Joy Sewing, who hosts a holiday skating party says it’s joy that is keeping her going.
“This year is the 10th annual Year of Joy Holiday Ice Skating Party,” she said. “I was even thinking about ending it after this 10th year. Ten years is a good run. But some school groups have urged me not to because this is the only holiday joy that some of the kids get.”
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10 | December 18, 2025 |
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DN Sports Jabari Smith Jr. #10, Alperen Sengun #28 and Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets celebrate during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on November 19 in Cleveland, Ohio. Credit: Nick Cammett/Getty Images
HOUSTON ROCKETS
JABARI SMITH JR. Learns from colleague Kevin Durant
By Jodie Jiles
Despite the departure of Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, the Houston Rockets roster is loaded with Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and a five-year $122 million contract. The fourth-year Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. is a devoted student of Durant. Before the Houston Rockets landed superstar forward Durant this past summer, Jr. had been working out and bonding with Durant for the past few summers during the offseason in private workouts and scrimmages. Since his childhood, Smith Jr. has looked up to Durant and mimicked his game, causing many scouting experts to compare his gameplay to Durant’s. Smith Jr. even noted in an interview, “I wanted to be him (Durant)”. Now that Durant and Smith Jr. are on the same roster, one could only imagine the wisdom Smith will gain. While iron sharpens iron in games, practices, and in between times, being around a first-ballot Hall of Fame player of Kevin Durant’s caliber is a win-win. In a Yahoo Sports article, Smith Jr. expressed his excitement about learning from Durant, particularly in areas such as shooting efficiency, creating shots, and enhancing Smith’s offensive development. When Durant was asked about joining forces with Smith Jr. and pouring into him what he has learned over the years, Durant stated he is looking forward to being a resource whenever he (Smith Jr.) needs it. “I’m happy to see his journey up close and personal nownow,” Durant said.
“He is someone I have been following and watching since high school, and being on the same floor with him and going on this journey together will be fun. He is somebody who works extremely hard and wants to be great. He’s coachable, and I think he’ll continue to get better.” Seeing that Smith Jr. has noticeably added some needed size and muscle this past summer, I believe he should be able to average somewhere near 10 rebounds and shoot over 45% from the field each night. In addition, Smith Jr. should improve as a lockdown defender significantly this season under the tutelage of Kevin Durant and Coach Ime Udoka. Udoka said, “Jabari is like a sponge.” Working out with Durant. Throughout the first 13 games of the season, Smith averaged …. while shooting 36.7% from three-point range. The Defender spoke with Jabari Smith Jr. to discuss his reactions to Durant’s signing after working out with Durant this summer, Smith’s mentality going into the season, Smith’s lessons from the playoff series experience against Golden State, and more. How does it feel having Kevin Durant on the team to learn from? Jabari Smth: “It’s been great being able
to work out with him and see how hard he goes. Seeing his everyday routine is something that is going to help me in the long run. Spending the time I have with him, I have already learned a lot. I am excited to keep learning with him. I’m excited to play with him and push him.”
First reaction to seeing Durant at Rockets practice now?
“It’s funny seeing him work out because that fan comes out of you. It’s Kevin Durant. But you know he is your teammate, and it’s cool to see that he is no different from us. He is somebody who loves basketball. Somebody who is living their lifelong dream, and you kind of want to relate to that and learn from it. You know what he has seen in the league, you would be a fool not to try to learn from him.” Jabari Smith Jr.’s untapped potential?
“I think the team wants me to get into that untapped potential. It’s on me to bring it out. It’s on me to work on all facets of my game and maximize my summer …. I feel like I haven’t shown my best yet. I feel like I haven’t shown what I am going to be. So, it’s time to show up.” Tools you sharpened during offseason?
“I am a lot more comfortable handling the ball, I am a lot more aggressive going at the rim, being able to take bumps and change direction and change pace……I feel like you are going to see a more decisive Jabari. You know what you are going to get.” Lessons from your first playoff series vs. Warriors?
“I grew tremendously. It is something you can’t really describe until you get in it. The atmosphere, the environment, the importance of every possession. It’s something that
Seeing his everyday routine is something that is going to help me in the long run. Spending the time I have with him, I have already learned a lot. I am excited to keep learning with him. I’m excited to play with him and push him.” JABARI SMITH JR.
not like the regular season. It is similar to the regular season but is a totally different game. Everything ramps up, everything levels up, and all eyes are on you.”
December 18, 2025 |
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| 11
DN Sports Davis Running Back
Nicholas Tramble
Carries the standards as he departs By Jimmie Aggison
The final whistle at Thorne Stadium didn’t just signal the end of a playoff game; it marked the closing of a legacy. For four years, senior running back Nicholas Tramble led the Davis Falcons with the same grit he displayed on every snap. His final carry might not have secured a win, but the standard he set through discipline, humility, and heart will resonate within the program long after his cleats are hung up. “During those final moments, realizing this was it, I was just grateful I had the opportunity to play the game and be in the moment,” said Tramble.
“I wouldn’t change anything; it’s been nothing short of a blessing. I’ve built lifelong bonds and been able to experience the world through the sport.” As Tramble walked off the field, he and Davis, head football coach Kelvin Chatham, shared a final word. “I told him how proud I was of him, not just for the way he competed, but for the man he’s grown into,” said Chatham. “I reminded him that his best days are still ahead, and that everything he’s shown in this program proves he’s going to accomplish great things. He earned every bit of what he’s become.”
This moment was the result of four years of growth, dedication, and maturity. “I saw a young kid walk into our program, and I watched him walk off that field as a young man understanding discipline, accountability, and leadership,” said Chatham. Junior running back Bryderick Lydell-Robins saw that leadership on Tramble’s final carry. “He demonstrated strong perseverance in overcoming challenges and remained the best leader for achieving success,” said Lydell-Robins. As the scoreboard lights dimmed and the team huddled one last time, emotion filled the air not just for the loss, but for the legacy left behind. For Tramble, the game was never just about yards gained, but about lessons passed down. Tramble recalls the struggles he faced as a freshman on varsity and the doubt he faced from those who didn’t initially see him as a capable back. “I had to believe before anyone else did,” said Tramble. “I had a lot of responsibilities and weight on my back. I was expected to go out and make plays, but most people didn’t see when I was working late nights trying to be the best version of myself.” Ultimately, he had to rely on himself. Playing varsity early built his resilience. “I understood the speed of the game and adapted to defenses more quickly,” said Tramble. “From the moment Nick started playing, he stood out,” said Davis offensive coordinator George Penrice. “He has always been fast and competitive, but what set him apart was his leadership and character.” Penrice said it didn’t take long to identify Tramble as the key player in the offense. “It was clear from the moment Nick stepped on the field as a freshman that we could trust him to lead the offense,” said Penrice.
ABOUT NICHOLAS TRAMBLE Class: 2026 IG: @d1.n1ck Twitter: @__thereal15 Position: Running back Height & weight: 5-feet-9, 165 pounds Favorite artist: Rod Wave Status: Committed to Prairie View A&M University Favorite subjects: Math
Year after year, Tramble proved them right. He carried that responsibility each season, going all the way to his final game in the first round of the playoffs. Defenses crafted game plans around stopping him, and although it frustrated him at times, he kept working. That growth didn’t happen overnight. It was built through countless offseason workouts, long practices in the August heat, and quiet leadership that often spoke louder than any pregame speech. “Blocking for Nick was special because he made my job easy,” said senior offensive lineman Maximus Jackson. “When I made a mistake, he would have my back by making the guy miss or breaking a tackle.” “My offensive line is my rock; without them, I don’t have any of this success,” said Tramble. As a senior, Tramble led 6A Region II District 14 with 1,110 rushing yards, 1,500 all-purpose yards, 14 touchdowns, and one receiving touchdown. “Nicholas was our standard-bearer,” said Chatham. “Every practice, he showed up with purpose and set the pace for everyone else, demanding a lot from himself and raising the level of the entire offense.” While highlight reels showcase his speed and vision, teammates say it’s his humility and constant gratitude that defined him as the kind of leader who made everyone around him better. As a leader, Tramble knew he was fulfilling a higher purpose. “Leading after a loss is tough, but you use your losses as fuel to take out on your next opponent moving forward,” said Tramble. Tramble encourages underclassmen to confront adversity directly. “Embrace it,” said Tramble. “If you put yourself in uncomfortable situations early, you will be more comfortable in critical moments in the future.” “Nicholas embodied what we mean when we say ‘win the day.’ In the classroom, he handled his business as an A/B student,” said Chatham. “In the locker room, he was the voice and example others followed. At practice, he brought intensity, focus, and consistency. He showed what it looks like to represent this program the right way.” Even as the carries added up, what mattered most wasn’t the yardage; it was the message. For Tramble, leadership meant consistency, not speeches, example, not ego. The lessons he leaves behind provide next year’s Falcons with a blueprint for how to prepare, compete, and conduct themselves, encouraging the next group to raise their expectations.
12 | December 18, 2025 |
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