HNAACP’s annual Freedom Fund Gala

HThe NAACP Houston Branch honored nine distinguished Houstonians at their annual Freedom Fund Advocacy & Awards Gala over the weekend. State Rep. Senfronia Thompson was recognized with the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award while Dr. Joseph Gathe, Jr., Courtney Johnson-Rose, and Argentina James were named as President Award recipients. Lastly, Dusty Baker, Carol Mims-Galloway, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Ricky Anderson, Esq., and Pastors Rudy and Juanita Rasmus were acknowledged as NAACP Legends. Mayor Sylvester Turner also received special recognition. NAACP National Board Member and Regional Vice President of Communication Workers of America, Claude Cummings, Jr., and his wife, Dr. Ruth Cummings, served as this year’s Dinner Chairs with the NAACP National Board Members, Attorney Gary Bledsoe and Mr. Leonard James serving as Dinner Co-Chairs.

HInaugural Cactus Jack HBCU Classic H

Texas Southern University (TSU), Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), Southern University and A&M College, Grambling State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University all competed in a round-robin college baseball tournament in the inaugural Cactus Jack HBCU Classic. The three day event hosted by the Astros Foundation (AF) and rapper Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Foundation included a college fair attended by 1,000 high school students, a reception attended by 75 college students and 10 corporate sponsors, and gospel brunch. The idea was to shine a light on HBCU and raise funds for scholarships. Over $30K was raised at Paula Harris’, AF’s vice president of community affairs and director, Old School Bday Party. During pregame activities of TSU vs PVAMU, reps from both organizations took to the field for Harris to present a $1 million check on behalf of AF for the construction of new baseball and softball stadiums at TSU.

HThe Rock Visits Houston H

Mayor Sylvester Turner was on hand to enjoy the season opener for the Houston Roughnecks. The home team is undefeated as they took the game 33 to their opponent’s, Orlando Guardians, score of 12. Tavante Beckett was a beast in the game with four tackles and an interception. Trent Harris was the defensive star power with four sacks. Overseeing it all were XFL owners actor and athlete Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia, the league’s chairwoman and first woman owner of a major American sports league.