Houston Defender: June 18, 2020

Teaching Survival During Father’s Day, African-American dads reect on their conversation with their sons.

NEWS

FEATURE

JUNETEENTH June 19th is the state holiday when we celebrate receiving word of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Volume 89, issue 34 June 18, 2020

RAYSHARD BROOKS

This 27-year-old man was killed by police in Atlanta and questions still remain unanswered.

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DN On point

Tomika Miller, the widow of Rayshard Brooks, holds their daughter Memory, 2, during a family press conference in Atlanta. Brooks was killed by an APD officer on June 12. Curtis (AP Photo/Curtis Compton)

Message from the Associate Editor ANOTHER LIFE LOST

Just when we thought we couldn’t endure anymore heartache or anger caused by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, now comes the horrific death of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta.

Once again, the death of a Black man at the hands of a white police officer is being broadcast repeatedly from different angles. Once again, protesters take to the streets chanting “Black Lives Matter!” Once again, tearful relatives mourn their loved one in front of glaring lights.

Brooks’ family described him as the loving father of three daughters and a stepson.

“There’s no justice that can ever make me feel happy about what’s been done, said Brooks’ widow, Tomika. “I can never get my husband back…”

to allow violence and police brutality to fester must be The killing of Brooks comes addressed now before anothon the heels of another Georer Black life is snuffed out. gia case, the death of Ahmaud Law enforcement is supposed Arbery in Brunswick. There, to protect and serve us, not it took authorities more than shoot us in the back. two months – and three difFar too many of us are Marilyn Marshall ferent prosecutors – to arrest frustrated and exhausted. a white former police officer We’ve marched and made and his son for the crime. demands. We’ve supported and conThere are several questions we can ask: fronted the powers that be. Now it’s time If video of the Arbery shooting hadn’t sur- for them to take action. faced, would arrests even have been made?

If the two officers involved in the IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER Brooks incident had handled the situa- • Atlanta’s response to the death of tion differently, would he still be alive?

Rayshard Brooks has been swift. Read If Arbery and Brooks had been white, about the actions taken and view the would both still be alive? timeline.

• What happened to police officers and TIME FOR ACTION civilian perpetrators in previous deaths?

The systemic racism that continues See Aswad Walker’s article.

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

VOLUME 89 - NUMBER 34 - JUNE 18, 2020 The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright.

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

Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

• In observance of Father’s Day during a time of unrest, ReShonda Tate Billingsley asks dads to share messages to their sons.

• In sports, Terrance Harris reports on Texans safety Michael Thomas and his concern for the community.

ON THE WEB

• “Let the PEOPLE BE HEARD allows Defender readers to share their opinions and hear what others are saying via a 60 to 90-second video. Visit www.DefenderNetwork.com.

• Let us know what else you’re thinking on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

• African-Americans continue to be hit hard by the coronavirus. Learn the latest online.

• Also on the web, Margo Hubbard continues her update on CW39 news anchor Shannon LaNier, as he works on shedding pounds gained during the quarantine.

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley Creative Director Michael Grant Associate Editor Marilyn Marshall

People Editor Aswad Walker Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

June 18, 2020 |

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DN News Charles E. Butt

50 percent of households have answered the Census according to reports.

H-E-B president, donates $1 mil to Prairie View A&M.

Statue relocation generates debate Defender News Service

Mayor Sylvester Turner’s announcement that the City of Houston plans to relocate a Confederate statue to the Houston Museum of African American Culture drew opposition from NAACP Houston Branch President James Douglas.

Douglas said he found it hard to believe, “that the City of Houston and the Mayor [HMAAC] would even Sylvester Turner consider bestowing such an honor on individuals who created treasonous acts against this nation almost 160 years ago.”

NAACP Second Vice-President Bishop James Dixon, however, told Channel 2 News, “That statement reflects Dr. Douglas’ personal opinion to which he’s entitled,” and said he personally supported the relocation.

Turner announced that the Spirit of the Confederacy in Sam Houston Park would be moved to HMAAC and a statue of Richard W. “Dick” Dowling in Hermann Park is expected to be moved to a state historic site in Port Arthur.

In 2017, Turner appointed a task force to review the inventory of items related to the Confederacy and recommend appropriate action.

“This is a huge step forward in the museum’s history of hosting difficult conversations, underscoring our multicultural conversation on race geared toward a common future,” said John Guess, HMACC CEO emeritus.“We have an opportunity to learn from our history, the good and the bad, to truly forge one nation.”

Texas sets COVID-19 hospitalization record Defender News Service

The Spirit of the Confederacy in Sam Houston Park is being relocated to the Houston Museum of African American Culture.

NEWSBRIEFS HISD BOARD APPROVES $2 BIL BUDGET The HISD Board of Trustees voted 7-2 to pass a $2 billion 2020-2021 budget, which includes a $34.4 million salary and benefits package as well as an increase in employer contribution to health insurance premiums for employees. The salary and benefits package includes: For employees whose salaries are based on the teacher salary placement table, a step movement plus a 1.5% one-time retention stipend based on the employees’ new 2020-2021 annual salary; for employees on the master scale, a one-time $500 retention stipend adjusted for their work-time percentage; and for bus drivers, crossing guards and Nutrition Services food service attendants, a one-time $500 retention stipend adjusted for their work-time percentage. The tax rate in HISD’s 2020-2021 budget is slated to be a maximum of $1.1331 for every $100 of property valuation, down a fraction from last year’s $1.1367

COVID-19 FUND DISTRIBUTES $15 MIL IN AID The Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund is disbursing $15 million to 44 local, communitybased organizations that will provide vulnerable individuals and families support for housing, electricity, food, childcare and other essential needs. They will utilize funds to provide financial assistance to eligible individuals and families they are already engaged with.

VIRTUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION SET Emancipation Park Conservancy will host virtual Juneteenth acitvities on Friday, June 19. A Facebook Live Watch Party will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A Facebook Live Good Cookin’ for the Soul event starts at 6 p.m. Instagram Live Juneteenth Vibes with DJ Flash Gordon Parks begins at 7:30 p.m. For info visit epconservancy.org.

Coronavirus cases in Texas are experiencing record highs and there has been a 40% increase in hospitalizations.

Gov. Greg Abbott said he’s looking at specific hot spots and geographic areas of the spikes in hopes of putting the numbers in context.

Greg Abbott Abbott also urged people to stay home as much as possible and recommended only leaving home if necessary. He also recommended people use hand sanitizer, maintain social distancing and wear a mask. He particularly emphasized the importance of wearing a mask due to the risk of being an asymptomatic carrier. He added that people ages 30 and younger are testing positive at a higher rate than other age groups. Abbott said if standards are being followed in bar-type settings, the spread of COVID-19 should be slowed.

He also said the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission should be enforcing such standards.

“Businesses have learned safe strategies both for their employees as well as their customers to make sure that they’re preventing the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

TEXAS A&M SYSTEM PLEDGES $100 MIL FOR SCHOLARSHIPS Students struggling to pay for college may get some help from the Texas A&M University System. Regents approved a new $100 million scholarship fund with the goal of making campuses better reflect the state’s demographics. The scholarships are geared toward undergraduates who are first-generation students or are from lowincome families who attend school at one of the system’s 11 campuses, officials said. The system will provide $100 million over 10 years.

Regents fear that the financial crises resulting from shutdowns and cuts associated with the coronavirus will make it even more difficult for students to pursue higher education.

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DN News

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a primary election night rally.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Los Angeles.

(AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Protestors demand justice at Wendy’s on University Avenue in Atlanta. Earlier, a fire was set at the restaurant where Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by police during a struggle. (AP Photo/Steve Schaefer)

Swift moves in Atlanta police shooting hailed Defender News Service

Atlanta police quickly released body-camera and other footage that captured the shooting death of a Black man by a white officer who was swiftly fired — moves that policing experts said could help defuse anti-racism protests that were reignited by the shooting.

Atlanta police announced that an officer, Garrett Rolfe, had been fired after he fatally shot Rayshard Brooks, 27, on June 12, and another officer, Devin Brosnan, had been placed on administrative duty. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms had called for the immediate firing of the officer who opened fire on Brooks and announced that she had accepted the resignation of Police Chief Erika Shields.

“I do not believe that this was a justified use of deadly force,” Bottoms said.

The day after the shooting, roughly 150 protesters marched around the Wendy’s restaurant outside where Brooks was shot, reigniting demonstrations that had largely simmered in the Georgia capital nearly three weeks after George Floyd, another Black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his neck. Both Rolfe and Brosnan are white.

Here’s a man who took it upon himself to pull off the road to take a nap. Could they have given him a ride home, could they have called him an Uber, and let him sleep it off later, as opposed to arresting him?

Now that does not in any kind of way excuse Mr. Brooks for resisting arrest. But the question is: Are there other protocols that police could have taken? And people will ask the question, had he been white and pulled onto the side of the road to take a nap and sleep it off, would they have given him a ride home?”

- Cedric Alexander, the former public safety director of Dekalb County, Ga.

Voters say they think it’s more important for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to pick a person of color as his running mate than they did two months ago, according to a new Morning Consult/Politico poll.

It also found that voters have a much higher opinion of the Black Lives Matter movement than they did three years ago after the clashes in Charlottesville.

Biden has already pledged to pick a woman to be his vice presidential running mate and recently said that announcement will come

by Aug. 1. Among the women of color he is known or rumored to be considering are Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla. and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has also emerged as a possible choice.

The change in sentiment about Black Lives Matter comes amid nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

SOMEWHAT/VERY IMPORTANT FOR BIDEN TO PICK PERSON OF COLOR

RAYSHARD BROOKS TIMELINE Friday, June 13 • 12 pm - Rayshard Brooks celebrates his daughter’s birthday • 10:42 pm - Wendy’s manager calls cops because Brooks is asleep in the drive-thru • 11:10 pm - Officers have cordial conversation with Brooks • 11:22pm - Officers administer sobriety test, scuffle ensues • 11:24 pm - Brooks grabs the officer’s taser, takes off running and is shot in the back

Biden picking VP of color gains importance

Saturday, June 14 • Early am - Brooks dies at the hospital • Afternoon - Police chief resigns • 8:30 pm - Protests begin at the Wendy’s, restaurant burned

All voters June - 29% April - 22%

White voters June - 26% April - 19%

Black voters June – 39% April - 39%

BLACK LIVES MATTER VIEWS

Sunday, June 15 Officer Garrett Rolfe fired, Devin Bronson suspended

June 2020 61% view movement favorably 30% view it unfavorably

Rayshard Brooks

August 2017 37% view movement favorably 48% view it unfavorably

June 18, 2020 |

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DN Feature

NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE: What happened to accused police, civilians?

Aswad Walker

Though the tragedies of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd are the genesis for today’s global cries for justice system reform, they are far from the first Blacks killed by police or non-Black civilians.

The litany of such cases where perpetrators were charged and/or tried for the killing of unarmed Blacks have rarely produced guilty verdicts. What happened to the police in these cases? Listed below is a sampling of such cases, and their results.

VICTIMS | PERPETRATORS CHARGED AND ACQUITTED

VICTIMS | NO CHARGES FILED AGAINST OFFICERS

TERENCE CRUTCHER (SEPT. 16, 2016): Shot and killed by Tulsa, Oklahoma police officer Betty Jo Shelby while standing unarmed near his stalled vehicle in the middle of a street.

Shelby was found not guilty of manslaughter.

Breonna Taylor (March 13, 2020): Officers Brett Hankison, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove

FREDDIE GRAY (APRIL 12, 2015): Gray received catastrophic neck injuries while being transported in a police van after what was called a false arrest. The six Baltimore police officers involved, Caesar Goodson Jr., Garrett Miller, Edward Nero, William Porter, Brian Rice and Alicia White were charged and indicted for murder and manslaughter. After asking multiple times for medical assistance, and stating ‘I can’t breathe’, officers refused. Gray’s spine was 80 percent severed at the neck when he exited the van in a coma. He died seven days later. The officers were suspended with pay and later acquitted.

AIYANA JONES (MAY 16, 2010): The 7-yr-old Aiyana was shot in

the head and killed by Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment with a gun. After multiple trials, Weekley was cleared of all charges.

TRAYVON MARTIN (FEB. 26, 2012): Murdered in Sanford, Florida by George Zimmerman, who stalked Martin after being advised by police not to follow Martin. Zimmerman was acquitted.

PHILANDO CASTILE (JULY 6, 2016): Shot and killed during a traffic stop

by Minneapolis officer Jeronimo Yanez after Castile properly identified himself as a legal gun owner. His death was live-streamed by his wife.

Officer found not guilty.

REKIA BOYD (MARCH 12, 2012): Killed by white, off-duty Chicago officer Dante Servin. Servin was charged with involuntary manslaughter but was cleared of all charges.

Michael Brown (August 9, 2014): Officer Darren Wilson

Sandra Bland (Arrested July 10, 2015; Died July 13, 2015): Officer Brian Encinia

Stephon Clark (March 18, 2018): Officers Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet

Alton Sterling (July 5, 2016): Officers Howie Lake II and Blane Salamoni

Tamir Rice (November 22, 2014): Officer Timothy Loehmann

John Crawford III (August 5, 2014): Officer Sean Williams

Eric Garner (July 17, 2014): Officer Daniel Panatelo

VICTIMS | PERPETRATORS CHARGED OR CASES PENDING Ahmaud Arbery (Feb. 23, 2020): Three men, Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William Bryan, charged with felony murder, aggravated assault George Floyd (May 25, 2020):

Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin charged with second-degree murder.

Officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng charged with aiding and abetting. Officer Tou Thao is said to be cooperating with investigators.

VICTIMS | PERPETRATORS FOUND GUILTY Jordan Edwards (April 29, 2017): Balch Springs officer Roy Oliver found guilty of murder

Corey Jones (Oct. 18, 2015): Palm Beach Gardens officer Nouman Raja found guilty of murder

Botham Jean (Sept. 6, 2018): Dallas officer Amber Guyger found guilty of involuntary manslaughter

Jordan Davis (Nov. 23, 2012): Michael David Dunn found guilty of first-degree murder

June 18, 2020 |

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

TEACHING SURVIVAL

BLACK DADS TALK TO SONS ABOUT POLICE ENCOUNTERS ReShonda Tate Billingsley

As our nation faces profound anger and sorrow at the refusal to address police officers who kill innocent Black men and women, and procedures and policies rooted in systematic racism, many Black fathers are finding themselves at an impasse. Gone are the days when Black fathers simply had to tell their sons to “obey the law.”

Now, conversations must run much deeper.

In observance of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21, Black dads share the things they’re telling their sons in this time of unrest.

“If you ever have to address the police for any reason, greet the officer with respect using ‘Yes Sir/Ma’am, No Sir/Ma’am.’

Follow all directives, only speak when spoken to; yes or no officer responses, do not elaborate. Don’t be condescending, no demonstrative looks or hand gestures. Don’t reach for anything unless directed to. Even then ask permission & describe where you are reaching. Even if you believe you are right and have been unjustly stopped, don’t give the police any reason to use force. We as parents will deal with the law through the legal system or lawyer up.”

- Alvin Henry, A.J. Henry (17)

“While I would like to be the optimist and just say that ‘this too shall pass,’ I want my sons to understand that this -- America’s day of reckoning with racism -- is not something we can sit on the sidelines and simply watch get fixed.

We are now in an all-hands-on deck precipice that will require the best of all of us to solve together. This is not about the police. The police are both a creation and the manifestation of a white desire to maintain power over Blacks.

This is about the fight for the future culture of America, the fight that our ancestors waged and the one my parents waged and the one that I’ve been fighting. What feels different today is that instead of feeling like we’ve been collectively swinging and missing against this racial Goliath, we’ve now actually landed a punch…Now, we must rise to the occasion by actively pressing forward.”

- Timothy Caver, Timothy Justin Caver (31), Thomas Joseph Caver (25)

More thoughts from dads Read other dads' message on: facebook.com/defendernetwork

“Keep your distance from law enforcement and limit your contact. I do not feel that it’s safe for young Black men to be in the vicinity of cops, so I tell him to basically keep his distance...”

- Jay T. Carraway, Jay T. Carraway, Jr. (12)

“Comply with the officer.

Make sure you do everything to stay alive and we will fight it in court.

We live to fight another day!”

“I still tell him to survive the encounter. Don’t argue, don’t do anything that can be described as threatening. Let me do the fight with him. If he dies on a stop, the only witness is the police and they’re given the benefit of doubt. I tell him to respect the badge but don’t fear it. If you have done nothing, be quiet and survive the encounter. He’ll be 27 in October and I have given him the same instructions since was 15. It’s a sad commentary when Black parents have to give their sons a survival guide to dealing with police. Reminds me of the Green Book in the ‘50s.

- Eddie Brown, Myles Brown (26)

“With protests happening on almost every continent, we have to keep the foot on the gas until we reach our destination, and that’s equality.

I’m sorry you have to go through this. Just over 20 years ago, I was hoping that my kids wouldn’t have to go through this, but here we are. I’m sure my father thought the same for me over 40 years ago, and his father for him 80 years ago. But here we are.”

- Brent Warren, Brent Warren Jr. (17)

- Craig D. Gantt Sr., Caleb Gantt (10)

“I tell my 12-year-old son that people will judge him before he opens his mouth, so he has to learn to control his temper. Don’t be quick to react or respond because that gives others power over him. I remind him that no one outside of his family will take time to be patient with him, so he needs to think wisely before he speaks or moves.”

- Lydell Wilson and Lydell Wilson, Jr. (12)

“There are different sets of rules for you in the game of life. Be a game changer.”

- Mark Grafenreed “The main thing is to make it home. We can deal with everything else later. Speak clearly.

Don’t make any comments that could be looked at as derogatory. And do what is asked of you.”

- Clifford Hal

“This isn’t a conversation we just started having. But it applies more than ever – always have situational awareness. Be respectful. Posture yourself with confidence.

Remember your rights. Do the do’s and don’t do the don’t’s.”

- Jeffrey Caradine, Jabari Caradine (21) and Jordun Caradine (20)

“SURVIVE THE STOP!!!!!! Be polite. Be respectful – Yes sir/No sir; Yes ma’am/No ma’am. No arguing and comply. Ultimately, SURVIVE THE STOP!!! We can fight later.”

- Carl Tippen “White cops are looking for a reason to put you in the system to damage your background. Be smarter than the game and don’t ride dirty.”

- Ronald Scurry

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DN Feature

19 THINGS ABOUT JUNETEENTH

Defender News Service 1. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery and commemorates the day on June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston that African Americans were free.

2. There were more than 182,000 slaves in Texas according to the 1860 Census.

3. President Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862 and it became eective on January 1, 1863.

4. The proclamation was not enforceable in most areas until the end of the Civil War (April 9, 1865) and many slaves were freed at dierent times.

5. There are several theories as to why it took so long for Texas to receive the news. One says that slave owners deliberately withheld the news to maintain the labor force.

6. The order read by Granger said in part, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free‌â€?

Juneteenth is Friday, June 19, 2020.

7. As news of emancipation spread, some owners angrily told their slaves to leave immediately but most asked the freedmen to stay and work for wages.

8. The majority of adult slaves had been ďŹ eld hands, but a sizable minority worked as craftsmen, house servants and livestock handlers.

9. The ďŹ rst broader celebrations of Juneteenth were used as political rallies to teach about voting rights.

10. In time, African-American groups collected funds to purchase tracts of land for celebrations.

11. In Houston, Rev. Jack Yates, Rev. Elias Dibble, Richard Brock and Richard Allen raised $800 to purchase park land in 1872 and named it Emancipation Park to honor their freedom.

12. In Austin, an Emancipation Park was established in the early 1900s.

13. Juneteenth celebrations often

included prayer, inspirational messages, a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, stories from former slaves, food, red soda water and games.

14. Celebrations declined during World War II but were revived in 1950 at the Texas State Fair Grounds in Dallas.

15. Juneteenth declined in popularity again in the early 1960s as the Civil Rights Movement grew.

16. In the 1970s African Americans’ renewed interest in celebrating their heritage led to the revitalization of Juneteenth.

17. In 1979, legislation introduced by the late Houston State Rep. Al Edwards passed and Juneteenth became an oďŹƒcial state holiday in Texas in 1980.

18. What began as a Texas holiday is now celebrated nationally. Some celebrations were started by Black Texans who moved to other states.

19. Cities outside Texas that hold Juneteenth celebrations include Atlanta, Chicago, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New Orleans and Washington, D.C.

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Our Our doctors doctors and andclinical clinicalteams teamsare arehere herefor foryou younow nowand andininthe thefuture. future.

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU WE’RE HERE FOR YOU 24/7/365 24/7/365 Berthelsen Main Campus Berthelsen Main Campus 2727 West Holcombe Blvd.

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Houston, Texas 77025 Houston, Texas 77025 24/7 Contact Center 24/7 Contact Center 713-442-0000 713-442-0000 MyKelseyOnline (MKO) MyKelseyOnline (MKO) mykelseyonline.com mykelseyonline.com MKO Help Line MKO Help Line 713-442-6565 713-442-6565 (7 days a week, 7 a.m.

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After-Hours Nurse Hotline After-Hours Nurse Hotline 713-442-0000 713-442-0000 Learn More About Virtual Visits Learn More About Virtual Visits kelsey-seybold.com/virtual kelsey-seybold.com/virtual

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

UT players make Black student demands Texas Tribune

Several athletes at the University of Texas at Austin are refusing to participate in recruiting incoming players or show up at donor-related events if university and athletics officials fail to respond to a list of demands geared toward supporting Black students, according to a statement posted by dozens of the student athletes on Twitter.

Brennan Eagles, the school’s sophomore wide receiver, and Brandon Jones, a senior defensive back, were among the students who posted the statement, detailing a list of actions Longhorn athletes want the university’s athletics department to take. These include donating 0.5% of the department’s annual earnings to the Black Lives Matter movement and Black organizations, establishing a permanent Black athletic history exhibit in the Athletics Hall of Fame and renaming parts of the football stadium after Julius Whittier, the first Black football letterman at UT-Austin.

In addition to demands specific to the athletics department, athletes also want UT officials to rename campus buildings named after Texans who were proponents of segregation or held other racist views, remove a statue of prominent segregationist James Hogg and discontinue the school song, “The Eyes of Texas,” which has ties to minstrel shows and was created during segregation. Other calls to action include requiring a module on the history of racism at UT and increasing outreach efforts to inner-city schools in Austin, Dallas and Houston.

“We, as student athletes, and collectively as the University of Texas Longhorn football team, are aware that we are an athletic department made up of many Black athletes, and believe that it is time we become active on our campus,” the statement reads.

UT Athletics declined to comment, but Athletics Director Chris Del Conte responded to the statement on Twitter.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT Calling all SENIORS High school & College You did it! We want to celebrate YOU and the Class of 2020!

You deserve the recognition.

SIGN UP TODAY bit.ly/defenderseniorspotlight2020 Sponsored by

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Let the summer play. or celebrating out, catch music-themed movies, enjoy your favorite music networks, and stream top apps like Pandora, Music Choice and more right to your TV. This is what summer sounds like. And no matter what it brings, Xfinity Black Film & TV has your soundtrack. Simple. Easy. Awesome.

Visit xfinity.com/discovermore to learn more.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Xfinity TV service subscription required.

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summer with Xfinity. This Black Music Month, whether you’re summering in

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Celebrate all the legends and soon-to-be legendary music that heats up

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Westbrook: Black Wall Street series Rockets star guard Russell Westbrook will be executive producer of a docuseries marking the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.

Rivers urges support of Black Lives Matter Rockets reserve guard Austin Rivers went on Instagram to challenge NBA players to contribute time and money to the Black Lives Matter movement.

TEXAN MICHAEL THOMAS

IMPACTING COMMUNITY

Terrance Harris Veteran safety Michael Thomas is living his dream being back home in Houston after signing a one-year deal to join the Texans in April.

But the Ira D. Hall Award winner experienced another surreal moment last month when he was invited to deliver the commencement address during the Aldine ISD all schools graduation, which included his alma mater Nimitz High School.

Seizing on the moment that made the all-school graduation necessary, Thomas encouraged the 2020 class to use the adversity they have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen them as they move forward in life.

“I just let them know, look, y’all are facing something that nobody else has faced in our lifetime, but don’t feel discouraged, don’t feel like you’re missing out on something great because you’ll be remembered forever,” said Thomas, a graduate of Stanford. “This 2020 class, there will never be another graduating class like you, and use this.

“When you go on to your interviews and you’re writing your papers and stuff in college or you’re applying for jobs, speak on this experience, speak on the adversity that you’ve had, that you’ve faced even trying to finish your senior year, trying to graduate, trying to still create memories your last couple of months even though you couldn’t be face-to-face with your friends.”

Thomas spoke to the students from a place of experience, having recently dealt with his own adversity. Last September, his sister NnZinga Thomas died from breast cancer and on Mother’s Day he buried his mother, Bernadette, who passed away after struggling with post-stroke symptoms and early Alzheimer’s disease.

Thomas’ plan is to turn a tumultuous last year into something positive by dedicating this season to both his sister and mother.

Being home will not only help him heal but will hopefully strengthen his family as well.

“Everything that I can do to help my family cope with it,” Thomas said. “I know by playing in Houston that’s going to bring them joy, just to be around me, to be around everything. I’m going to use this season to uplift my family.”

Thomas, who won the Ira D. Hall Award this year for his work in the community with an emphasis on social justice, is also looking forward to helping Houston heal from the turmoil of the George Floyd murder that

A former NFC defensive back with the New York Giants, Michael Thomas ran onto the field during player introductions before the NFL Pro Bowl football game against the AFC Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

THOMAS AT A GLANCE Age: 30 Education: Stanford graduate; Master’s in Business, University of Miami Position: Safety & special teams player Seasons in NFL: 8 Accomplishments: 2018 Pro Bowl, special teams; 2020 Ira D. Hall Award winner

has caused protest and unrest in the city and around the nation.

“Being in the thick of it, being home, it’s being able to help with the grassroots level and saying hey, for everybody who is looking for something to do, how they can give back, I can help facilitate...where we need to go to try to actually have sustainable change and a sustainable impact in this community, and also understanding my personal family, we’re in the thick of it,” said Thomas, who signed with the Texans after spending the last two seasons with the Giants. “I have to explain to my kids this is what’s going on and this is why.”

Michael Thomas and Gloria Thomas arrived at the 8th Annual NFL Honors at the Fox Theatre in 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Peter Barreras)

Sports Notes: TEXANS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 Multiple Texans and Cowboys players have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a report from the NFL Network.

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was identified as a player who tested positive but no Texans players were named specifically in the report. None of the players are believed to come to the Texans facilities while testing positive and the team is said to have followed all of the proper health protocols.

UH SUSPENDS VOLUNTARY WORKOUTS University of Houston has put a hold on voluntary workouts after six student-athletes showed symptoms for the coronavirus and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. The school said the athletes were placed in isolation and were allowed to return to campus to begin voluntary workouts on June 1.

NBA SET TO RETURN It seems that the NBA will restart its season at a “bubble” site, the Disney Sports Complex in Orlando, with no fans in attendance at the end of July.

The Rockets are one of 22 teams that will return for the abbreviated eightgame regular season starting July 30 that will then roll into the 2020 NBA playoffs which could run until as late as Oct. 13.

Training camps will begin around June 30 and players will then return to the Disney complex on July 7.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

Proudly partnering with over 400 organizations across Texas to help small businesses and job seekers

Google is proud to partner with hundreds of community organizations—from the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and the Goodwill Industries of East Texas, to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas—to bring free workshops and training to job seekers and small business owners across Texas.

Together, we are working to help Texans gain the digital skills they need to transform their small business or career.

Find a virtual workshop at grow.google/texas

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DEFENDER NETWORK

Sometimes we have to do more.

This time, a lot more.

Sometimes the urgency of a better future compels you to act. We are in such a moment, when a global pandemic, a cry for racial justice and a feeling of hopelessness challenge each community.

In the face of this, Bank of America has committed to investing $1 billion over the next four years to build on our long-standing work to drive economic opportunity and equality in communities of color.

It will power small businesses, help connect workers to new skills and job opportunities, improve medical response capacity and access to health care, and support affordable housing.

This bolsters our recent commitment of an additional $100 million to support nonprofit partners and $250 million to support Community Development Financial and Minority Depository Institutions, addressing impacts from the coronavirus that disproportionately affect black and brown communities.

My teammates and I here in Houston commit to the important work that lies before all of us.

We share the sense of urgency gripping the nation, and we welcome the promise of achieving great things together.

Hong Ogle Houston Market President

To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. © 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.