TU AD’s Wife Writes Book To Help Improve Relationship Between Minority Children And Police

The wife of Tulsa Athletic Director Dr. Derrick Gragg, Sanya Gragg, has a new book out with an important message.

The book is titled “Momma, Did You Hear the News?”

Sanya wrote the children’s book explaining her talks with her own sons, including TU wide receiver Avery, and ways to help parents explain to their children how safely deal with police.

"If you ask anybody in the African-American community about the talk, they will not say the birds and the bees, the talk is what to do when approached by someone in law enforcement,” said Sanya.

Sanya has digested the news after her job was eliminated by Tulsa Public Schools.

She decided to get into writing. When looking for a topic, incidents around the country, including Tulsa involving alleged police brutality. Writing a children's book titled “Momma, Did You Hear the News?” The influence, her own children.

"The Terence Crutcher incident happened and that was my confirmation that this is what I needed to do, because, again, I found myself having to have a conversation with our own two sons,” she said. “I have two gentle giants that wouldn't hurt a flee, except on the football field."

Her son is on the front cover. TU football fans know number 84 as Avery Gragg. Her husband is also depicted in the book.

"Unfortunately, it's a conversation that we have to have all the time,” said Dr. Gragg. “It's just a fact of life. It was interesting seeing yourself depicted like that. I didn't have any input in it. I've been encouraging her to write a book for a long time. I think she's the real writer in the family."

The message of the book is not only about the talk but also what to do when confronted. Memorize the five.

"A to the L to I-V-E,” said Sanya. “Come Home alive; that is the key. Repeat them in your head, so if you'll get pulled over you'll remember what we've said."

The letters stand for ways to help with police confrontation, and while she emphasizes all policemen are not bad, “At the end of the day, as parents, we just want our kids to be safe,” she stated.new