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VOL XVIII ISSUE 26 AUGUST 21, 2019
MY TRUTH
QUIT PLAYIN’
Summer Vacation… ICE’d Out!
Cheryl Smith Publisher
HIV/AIDS
Did you know that more than 52% of new HIV diagnoses occur in the South? We have a problem that we need to address, because it’s getting worse. Recently during a conference call, an intense discussion about HIV and AIDS was held and advocates from the Southern AIDS Coalition, AIDSVu, and Gilead Sciences unveiled new tools and resources about the impact of HIV in the South and Ending the HIV Epidemic. The experts had a plan, an initiative, and the inaugural Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (SHAAD) was held on August 20, 2019, bringing together advocates from across the country to “raise awareness, erase HIV-related stigma and discrimination, and advocate for crucial resources and solutions to end the HIV crisis in the South. This national day of recognition will provided a groundbreaking platform for advocates and activists to elevate a critical health crisis.” In sharing information about SHAAD, the experts discussed the impact of HIV, especially in impoverished areas in the South. It’s disturbing to know that the Southern United States has more women, youth, and people of color living with HIV than any other region in the country. “According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 52% of new HIV diagnoses occur in the South and an estimated 45% of all people living with HIV in the United States despite comprising only about one-third (38%) of the overall population,” reported experts. “Additionally, in 2017 alone, approximately 2,580 individuals died due to complications related to HIV/AIDS in the Southern United States.” The Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America initiative targeted 48 counties with the highest burden of new HIV diagnoses along with San Juan, PR, Washington, DC, and seven states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and So. Carolina) with a substantial rural HIV burden, and 48% of those counties are in the South. Experts addressing issues and solutions were: Dafina Ward, Interim Executive Director at Southern HIV/AIDS Coalition Southern HIV/AIDS Coalition (SAC) is the leading sponsor of SHAAD and a nonpartisan coalition of government, community, and business leaders working to prevent new transmissions and build a better South for people living with HIV. Patrick Sullivan, AIDSVu Principal Researcher AIDSVu is an interactive online mapping platform that visualizes the impact of the HIV epidemic on communities across the United States to increase disease awareness and promote data-driven public health decision-making. Shanell McGoy, Associate Director of COMPASS Initiative, Gilead Sciences COMPASS is an unprecedented $100 million commitment over 10 years to support organizations working to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Southern United States. Daniel Downer, Founder, The Bros in Convo Initiative Daniel is a Black, Queer man living with HIV and started The Bros in Convo Initiative, a grassroots organization empowering young bisexual, gay, and same gender-loving men of color in Central Florida to live their best and healthiest lives. See MY TRUTH, page 4
By Vincent L. Hall It was sometime in the early 1970s and school was about to begin. I can remember running full throttle in a rush toward my classroom. I was amped at the thought of completing that first assignment. It was that assignment that everyone knew was coming on the first day of school. By the fourth grade, you would be required to write an essay telling all about your summer vacation. This year I had some good stuff.
We had been “out of the country.” Nowadays, poor inner-city children in Dallas get no farther than Six Flags or the water park in Arlington. My dad loaded my siblings and me up in the car. We left at dark and by the time we consumed the egg-battered fried chicken that grandmother made for road trips and slept five or six hours; we’d made the journey from Dallas to See QUIT PLAYIN’, page 5
Abrams says she’d serve as VP By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent
in place,” Abrams said. “I would not have publicly raised the possibility if it was not a legitimate thought.” The overcrowded Democratic She said the current field, which presidential field has a record six includes former Vice President Joe Biden; women seeking the nomination. But one Calif. Sen. Kamala Harris; New Jersey prominent individual who isn’t running Sen. Cory Booker; and Vermont Sen. for the top job has thrown her hat into Bernie Sanders, is talented. the ring for vice president. Earlier this year when Biden entered Former Georgia Gubernatorial the race, he was reportedly considering Candidate Stacey Abrams said she Abrams as a running mate. would be delighted YAHOO! News reported to serve under one of that Abrams dismissed the 22 candidates. “I those rumors, noting that would be honored to at the time, Abrams was be considered by any considering a run for nominee,” Abrams told president. The New York Times on Booker has also said Aug. 14. he believed that a woman Stacey Abrams “I’ve just come to the should be on the ticket. decision that my best value Another candidate, former U.S. Rep. add, the strongest contribution I can give Beto O’Rourke, said he would find it to this primary, would be to make sure our “very difficult not to select a woman” as nominee is coming into an environment his running mate. where there are strong voter protections
New Owner at Freedom Chevrolet
Teddy Morse with Dallas City Councilman Tennell Atkins By Cierra Mayes
Freedom Chevrolet dealership in Dallas now has new ownership. When the location first opened, the store had Black ownership. Throughout the years, the company has made many changes and that includes finding new owners for the store. The changes
NABJ elects new prez
are being made for the better with promises of being more active in the community, according to management. At the announcement recently, businessman Ted-dy Morse said he came to the DallasFort Worth area to create a better working environment for employees and have an even better
impact in the community. Dallas City Councilman Tennell Atkins was on hand to help welcome Morse to the community. “For someone to come from the east coast to come to the center of the metroplex…it’s all about jobs and creativity,” Councilman Atkins said. Both Morse and Atkins See OWNER, page 3
NABJ National Officers from l-r: Secretary Cheryl Smith, VP Broadcast Ken Lemon, President Dorothy Tucker, Region III Director Rod Carter and Region I Director Tory Parrish
NABJ elects Tucker as 22nd president, Smith as secretary The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) elected its Vice PresidentBroadcast, Dorothy Tucker as the 22nd President of the Association and current secretary Cheryl Smith handily won a second term as secretary. Tucker, an investigative reporter for CBS 2 Chicago garnered 411 votes, defeating Gregory Lee Jr., senior managing director of the Athletic, (203 votes); and Marlon Walker, education reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (138 Votes). Tucker joined CBS 2 Chicago from KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, PA, where she worked as a general assignment reporter and talk show host. Prior to that, Tucker worked at KWGN-TV in Denver, CO, REG-TV in Memphis, TN (1979-80). Tucker began her broadcasting career in Peoria, IL. at WMBD-TV, after serving as an intern at CBS 2 Chicago in 1977. Tucker previously served on the NABJ Board of Directors as Region V Director. “I talk for a living, but I am speechless...I am humbled by your support over the last few months,” said Tucker. “One of the greatest things about running for this position is the opportunity to meet so many members and engage with you. I promise I will earn your vote and respect. I will represent everyone.” Smith began her professional career in Tallahassee at the Capital Outlook, after graduating from Florida A&M University. She later worked
as an editor at The Dallas Weekly, executive editor of Future Speak for the Dallas Examiner, columnist and contributing editor/writer for numerous publications including Minority Opportunity News, Dallas Post Tribune, Ebony Tribune, Elite News, Our Texas and the National Newspaper Publishers Association. She was also an award-winning talk show host/producer for Soul 73 KKDA-AM for 22 years. “I am excited about the overwhelming support and look forward to working with the Tucker Administration,” said Smith, who previously served on the NABJ Board of Directors as Region VII Director. “We have a lot of work to do and folks will hear a lot more about us as we reach across all spectrum; serving our members, the industry and our communities. The official results for the 2019 election: PRESIDENT: Gregory Lee: 203 votes Dorothy Tucker: 411 votes (winner) Marlon A. Walker: 138 votes VICE PRESIDENT OF BROADCAST: Ken Lemon: 682 votes (unopposed) VICE PRESIDENT OF DIGITAL: Roland Martin: 574 votes (unopposed) SECRETARY: Ernest Owens: 214 votes Cheryl Smith: 511 votes (winner) REGION I: DIRECTOR: Christopher Nelson: 130 votes Tory Parrish: 145 votes (winner) REGION III DIRECTOR: Rod Carter: 153 votes (winner) Stephen Wright: 65 votes
See NABJ WINS, page 3