TPPF's Sherry Sylvester discusses how progressives try to play the race card in college football recruitment with Dr. Richard Johnson, head of TPPF’s Booker T. Washington Initiative and a member of Texas Southern University’s Board of Regents.

Last month, the NAACP and the Congressional Black Caucus called on college athletes to boycott the SEC and other Southern universities to protest the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which struck down racial gerrymandering in congressional districts. House Democrat Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declared the ruling as proof that the spirit of the “Old Confederacy” is rising again, and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez dubbed it the new Jim Crow, while calling on the North to come to the aid of the South.

Dr. Johnson brings a perspective on all this that few can match. In addition to serving on the Board of Regents of Texas Southern University and his decades of experience in public policy and education, he is a former college and Army athlete himself.

Recorded at the 2026 Texas Policy Summit, Texas State Senator Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) discusses the 1836 Project he helped launch through legislation. Senator Parker and host Sherry Sylvester explore how the Project positions Texas as a beacon of liberty, the importance of preserving and accurately teaching our state’s history, and the latest developments including the recent biennial report to the Governor.

Senator Parker shares insights on why getting history right matters for the next generation and how Texas can lead the way against ideological distortions of the past.

A must-watch for anyone who cares about Texas values, education, and cultural heritage.

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Dr. William Inboden, Executive Vice President and Provost at The University of Texas at Austin, shares his insider perspective on the crisis in higher education and the bold reforms underway at one of America’s flagship public universities. A renowned historian, national security expert, and former senior advisor in the George W. Bush administration, Dr. Inboden shares his vision for restoring merit, accountability, and public trust in our universities.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why universities have “lost their way” — and what it will take to get them back on track
• Balancing academic freedom with state oversight, taxpayer accountability, and institutional integrity
• Major reforms at UT Austin: curriculum changes, core curriculum compliance, new Civics Honors programs, and academic integrity standards
• Promoting intellectual diversity, merit-based standards, and civic education in Texas higher education
• Lessons from history, foreign policy, and real-world leadership for rebuilding public confidence in our universities

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