Garland Journal 2-24-22 by Cheryl Smith

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My Truth By Cheryl Smith Publisher

Every vote matters I didn’t get to show love on Valentine’s Day, by casting my vote in the primary election. Monday, February 14, 2022 was the first day of early voting and I wanted to walk into a polling location and cast my vote for the candidates of my choice.

No matter how long it took, I was going to go through every page, until the very end of the ballot, to make sure that I did my civic and moral duty. I wanted to cast my vote for those who came before me and were denied; for those who will never vote because of interactions with a system that stripped them of that right; and, for those yet unborn who deserve to have people with decency and common sense making decisions about their future. I missed that first day, and second; however it is my intent to not let this week come to an end without voting. Until I make it to the polls, I pray every day that I will make it to the polls because I would hate for some incompetent, ill-prepared, unconscionable and yes, unethical person to be elected because of my refusal to take advantage of the right to vote. Critics or devil’s advocates would say that I voted before and we still ended up with incompetent, ill-prepared unconscionable and yes, unethical people in office. True! You won’t get an argument here. Which brings me to my truth.

Dr. Ben Chavis of the National Newspaper Publishers Association recently stressed the importance of voting, especially in Texas where we have been dealing with so many oppressive and racist laws. I have to believe that every vote counts, that my vote counts, and that if you vote, yours will too. So, every day, I am having discussions about voting. Sadly, there’s no difference in the young mother of three who has found herself dependent on government assistance and the college-educated man working in corporate America, or the homeless person living under the bridge. People of all See MY TRUTH, Page 2

SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Ahmaud Arbery’s Killers Guilty of Hate Crimes in Federal Court

VOLUME X

Former Garland businessman dies June 1, 1954 to January 21, 2022

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

A federal jury found Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan guilty on all counts in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. The verdict came on the eve of the anniversary of Arbery’s murder. The McMichaels and Bryan chased Arbery through their mostly white Georgia neighborhood in their pickup trucks, cornering him before Travis McMichael shot the innocent jogger with a shotgun. The trio was convicted in state court and given life sentences. The federal charges included a hate crime that exposed each of the men’s history of racism. Throughout the one-week trial, defense attorneys tried to sell the

Clifton Curtis Sneed, Jr.

[Travis McMichael] was just looking for a reason,” Perras insisted. He also noted that if the men thought Arbery had committed a crime, they never alerted the police. Trial testimony from FBI in-

Clifton Curtis Sneed Jr was born in Dallas, Texas on June 1, 1954 to Clifton Curtis Sneed Sr. and Inez Latson Sneed. Affectionately called “Cliff,” he spent his childhood years with his father and stepmother, Rosie, in New Jersey. He graduated from Clifford J. Scott High School in East Orange, New Jersey and traveled back to Texas to attend Huston Tillotson College in Austin, where he also pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

See AHMAUD ARBERY’ KILLERS, page 5

See GARLAND BUSINESSMAN, page 7

On eve of the anniversary of his death, a federal jury found Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan guilty of hate crimes on all counts in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.

jury that, while the men weren’t “likable,” their actions weren’t driven by racial hatred. However, Prosecutor Christopher Perras ferociously attacked that stance. The murder “was driven by their pent-up racial anger and

GarlandJournal

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Raising the minimum wage is long overdue OUR VOICES By Sen. Royce West One of the unexpected outcomes of the two year plague that is COVID-19, was that minimum and low-wage workers were able to find their voices. And although some would adamantly block out reason to maintain the status quo, it is clear that increasing the federal and state minimum wage is past overdue. Last year, after federal COVID relief efforts included additional payments to Americans who had been cut off from jobs, the howls began that too many recipients of weekly $300 pandemic payments no longer wanted to work. The payments were on top of standard state unemployment benefits that have been available to separated workers since the program’s inception in 1938. During the last quarter of

2021, the average weekly unemployment benefit paid in Texas was $407. The maximum amount that those eligible can receive is $549; all based on the recipient’s past earned wages. The minimum weekly benefit is $71. Texas was among the first states to stop paying the extra $300 federal benefit before it was scheduled to expire last September. The thought of recipients living-it-up on $700 a week, or a little more than $2,800 a month per person, was too much for the Texas Association of Business to stomach. They urged Texas’ Governor Greg Abbott to shut it down. And he did. Keep those figures in mind. On average, state unemployment benefits come to about $1,630 monthly. Where am I going with this? At $7.25 an hour, a minimum wage worker earns $290 a week before taxes. Even without pandemic supplements, unemployment recipients on average receive nearly $120 per week more than minimum wage work-

ers get in gross pay! That’s $1,160 per month (before taxes) that a person is supposed to live on, if this level of impoverishment can be described as “living.” This is before, not after paying for rent, food, transportation and clothing. And oh yes, kids cost money too! Even if there are two minimum wage workers in a household, it’s still $500 less monthly than one person received in combined pandemic unemployment benefits. So it makes sense that some minimum wage workers may not have been overly anxious to return to front line jobs where their lives could be at risk. Let’s plug those wages into how much it costs to live in 2022. Those two minimum wage workers, even without kids, cannot afford to live in a 2-bedroom apartment in the Dallas area, which according to Rent.com, now costs an average $2,414 a month. It’s consistent with 2020 findings by the National Low-Income Housing Coalition that said a minimum wage

worker cannot pay rent for a two-bedroom home in any state in the U.S. Prices for new and used automobiles have both increased by thousands due to the COVID supply-chain, shortage of processing chips. Gas prices, even in petroleum-king Texas, hover above $3.00 per gallon; meaning a minimum $40 fill-up for most cars. And I don’t need to mention how much more we all now spend at the grocery store or the hike in fast food prices. Three times in the past, I’ve authored bills that would have increased Texas’ minimum wage. None were granted a hearing. Two bills filed by House Democrats in 2021 failed to move - as predicted by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick while speaking to the Texas Business Leadership Council a year ago. Their opposition is the same, raising the minimum wage will prove too costly for small businesses and will eventually cost workers their jobs. Continued at www.GarlandJournal.com

CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS IS CONSCIENCE OF CONGRESS The Last Word By Dr. Julianne Malveaux

All too often, the Congressional Black Caucus gets a bad rap. What do they do, many ask. What have they recently accomplished? Are they leaning on their revolutionary origins, their founding in 1971? Have they become go-along to getalong politicians as usual? These are reasonable questions that I often raise myself, often so frustrated by Congressional inaction that I don’t see the big picture, the lovely picture of more than fifty Black members of Congress, when we once had only one at a time, and with the many ways that their collective action makes a difference. All too often, it is not what they do but what they prevent by working to stop the foolish impulses of some of the Republicans who would oppose our Black existence. I was reminded of the efficacy of the Congressional Black Caucus when I recently interviewed Dr. Sherice Jenaye Nelson, a Howard University-educated political scientist whose recent book, The Congressional Black Caucus: Fifty Years of Fighting for Equality

My Truth cont. from page 1

walks of life are opting out of the process that is determining their very existence. According to the secretary of state, 66% of 17 million registered Texas voters joined me at the polls, and that was pretty high for Texas! Well, that was a presidential election! In contrast,

(Archway Publishing, 2020), recounts the history of Black political participation at the Congressional level. This sister scholar has done meticulous work describing the many ways the Congressional Black Caucus has been enormously impactful. In our radio conversation, though, she also talked about the limitations that CBC members face because of their ideological diversity and their

the freedom to speak, partly because they represent majority-white districts or aren’t that radical, being elected because they are & moderates. Still, they can sometimes be counted to vote with their African American colleagues, and those are the votes that count. Writing them off can be counterproductive when we need to get things done. Don’t get me wrong – we should call them on their racial

need to be reelected to make change. My idols are the activists like Congresswomen Maxine Waters (CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX), Barbara Lee (CA), and Karen Bass (CA). Newcomers like Cori Bush (MO) and Lucy McBath (GA) have also earned my admiration for their strong positions and willingness to go against the grain. At the same time, some will go nameless who don’t much step up or speak up. Dr. Nelson reminded me that some of them don’t have

ambivalence when we need to. At the same time, during this Black History Month, I’m willing to dial back some of the criticism and look at the very many excellent things the Congressional Black Caucus has done. Dr. Sherise Jenaye Nelson’s book is one worth reading. It speaks to the foreign policy the CBC has done historically, especially around Africa issues (Congressman Ron Dellums’ championship to the Free South Africa movement is notable) and Caribbean is-

See CONGRESSIONAL BLACK, Page 7

although there was a significant increase during the midterm election in 2018, 46.3 should have and could have been better. Fast forward to 2022 and folks are already predicting the turnout is going to be low. People we can’t afford a low turnout. I applaud Black Voters Matter and look forward to their efforts in Texas this week. Hopefully everyone will be just as engaged.

We need every able-bodied person voting. We need every elected official out campaigning, even if they don’t have an opponent or they aren’t on the ballot. Face it! You can’t dust off your “we need everybody voting” message only when you want people to vote for you! The playbook is real. The struggle doesn’t stop. The issues must be addressed. Furthermore, no matter how much you “don’t like

politics,” you can’t hide or disengage yourself without consequences and repercussions. Efforts to encourage people to go to the polls can’t be minimized or stymied. We have to remain vigilant and focused. We have to be encouraging and supportive, while also informative and non-judgmental. No matter what! We have to get out the vote, because every vote does matter!

Publisher: Cheryl Smith Address: 320 South R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75203 Phone:214-941-0110 Website: www.garlandjournal.com Editor: editor@myimessenger.com

sues, especially around Haiti. Domestically, Congressman James Clyburn (SC) HBCU advocacy is laudable, as is Congresswoman Alma Adam’s (NC) work forming the bicameral, bipartisan HBCU Caucus. There’s more, and you’ll have to read the book to get the whole story. I’m lifting these Black folk during this Black History Month because they deserve it. At the same time, I can’t completely take my critic hat off. It is shameful that so many did not support HR 40 when Congressman John Conyers (MI) lived. It is commendable that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has taken the baton from him and championed the reparations cause, and with the help of organizations like NCOBRA (the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America) and NAARC (the National African American Reparations Commission, an organization sponsored by the Institute of the Black World), garnered 215 co-sponsors for the legislation. Why aren’t more Black members of Congress more enthusiastic about economic justice and reparations? Political considerations notwithstanding, this is a just cause. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has annually sponsored a Phoenix

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Lorenzo: NOJNOP! Quit Playin’ By Vincent L. Hall

Whenever my children sit to write an obsequy on the life and times of their father, I pray that they remember to add my participation in the “Warriors.”

No Justice, No Peace, No Justice, No Peace. You redneck white folks, and you Uncle Tom Negroes. In the land of the beast, No Justice, no peace. For at least 10 years, we picketed at least six days a week, often several times per day. They don’t have to belabor the point, but that season of my life still brings me great pride. Whenever I see Blacks, Browns, and women in the C-suites of local police departments, or a Black Fire Chief with a diverse team, my heart swells. At every instance where my eyes fall upon Channel 8’s “Unapologetically Black” Tashara Parker, rocking her sassiness in whatever hairstyle she wants, spitting the “King’s English to the Queen’s taste,” it validates every sacrifice. The early rising, inclimate weather, and being cursed by the general public was taxing. When I drop my daughter at Townview or see the wave of diversity at DISD that replaced a lily-white arrogance that served neither white folks nor folks of color... I feel good about “two-stepping” in those intersections to exhaust the full 90 seconds the law allowed us to cross the street. We slowed traffic and accelerated justice.

thers felt charged to disseminate at their discretion There will be more stories in my book coming soon. But today, for the record on local Black history, you can get a glimpse of what’s to come. Of course, you know names like John Wiley Price, but this snippet will introduce you to another brother who made our two to eighthour shifts bearable. “Lorenzo Gray, a smooth, dark-skinned brother with his trademark cap and dark shades, was hell on a bullhorn. He was more rhythmically revolutionary, but his preachments would always go “next level” when the Warriors felt the sting of an attack. Lorenzo could go from public policy to personalized punishments. He could switch gears and go from comical to caustic. Lorenzo did some freestyling, but he never veered from the mandates of call and response. The Warriors were forced to keep a trained eye on their surroundings while keeping with the beat. He was like a metronome with spikes. Lorenzo could cut you in rhyme and rhythm.

Lorenzo Gray

His voice would never quiver, and his volume never failed. He was a cascade of words and well-placed inflections that punctuated his purpose. Lorenzo created freedom verses a-la-carte as we were in the streets. The cadence, syncopation, and ability to create a hard beat with no drums were unbelievable. He made time move

No Justice, No Peace! (NOJNOP)

The truth is, for the balance of 10 years, we shut down streets as we confronted DPD, DFD, Channels 4, 5, 8, and 11, Parkland and DISD, and other racist institutions. Hell, we even got kicked out of Northpark Mall one time. If you think fighting city hall is rough, it’s because you’ve never faced those bastards in corporate America. Them business boys are gangsta! The Warriors had to fight racism and pessimism on the street, on the job and sometimes in the hood. The Dallas power structure summoned weak-backed Uncle Toms and “wish they were White” Latinos to deride us publicly. But we just kept coming. We worked as a team and as individuals to fight anything and anybody who threatened our “inalienable rights.” The inalienable rights that God gave and the Founding Fa-

swifter and eased the tensions of everyone in earshot. But there were some days when raw emotions, rank adrenaline, and therapy didn’t matter. If you caught John Wiley and the Warriors on a bad day, it was going to get ugly; it was “going down like four flat tires on a Cadillac.” Lorenzo imposed his will on our emotions, but he always made us better.” Lorenzo’s antics on the mic merely mimicked Dr. King’s lifelong cry, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.” No Justice, No Peace! (NOJNOP) The Warriors are proud of the tension we put on this community. It made a difference, and I pray that Erinn, Alison, and Hailee don’t ever forget my part in it. If he’s available, have Lorenzo lead a few lines of NOJNOP! Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

GARLAND JOURNAL Is published by I Messenger Media LLC. 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75203. GARLAND JOURNAL reserves all rights and privileges to accept or refuse any submissions to be printed in any issue of the publication. Views and opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily those of the publisher or our advertisers. GARLAND JOURNAL will, once notified, correct any issue in the next issue. GARLAND JOURNAL is not responsible for any unsolicited material. Any use or reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the express written consent of the publisher. Annual mail subscriptions are $60 for 12 months.

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2022

192ND CIVIL DISTRICT COURT ACCESS, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL www.shelby192forjudge.com POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR BY THE TRACIE M. SHELBY FOR JUDGE CAMPAIGN, TREASURER ROBIN STEVENS

Metro Community Calendar powered by February 2022

Celebrating the rich heritage and ancestry of Black People

face and special guest host Sherri Shepherd at the Texas Trust CU Theater

Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres, American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave, Dallas 1 to 5pm.

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Black Excellence: Bold Brilliant Beautiful You

Mardi Gras Oak Cliff Parade, the 2022 Mardi Gras Oak Cliff parade route runs along Davis St. from Nova (near Kessler Theater) into the heart of Bishop Arts. 4 to 6 pm. Interested in participating in the parade? Sign-up here: https://bit.ly/3KhMJOI.

THE HAT CHAT LADIES BRUNCH Celebrating Women’s History Month at Michael’s of Las Colinas THE HAT CHAT LADIES BRUNCH -- The TRUE Definition of EMPOWERMENT! Ladies, join Teresa with NTheknow.com EVERY 2nd Sunday 12-3pm https://www.eventbrite.com/.../the-hat-chat-ladies...

MARCH 1 ELECTION DAY Please register at https://bit.ly/blkexell to obtain event link. Event begins at 7p.m.

VOTE!!!

WOMEN OF COLOR CONFERENCE EMPOWERING & STRENGTHENING WOMEN OF COLOR ENTREPRENEURS SMU Cox Collins Exec. Ed. Ctr, 3105 Binkley Ave, Register www.womenshapingthefuture.com ****

Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr., Community Outreach Center presents virtual In Conversation with Marc Morial, president of National Urban League at 11:30 a.m. https://www.eventbrite. com/e/2022-in-conversation-with-marc-morial-national-urban-league-tickets-231719046907

Frisco Fresh Market 2022 Opening 9215 John W. Elliott Drive, Frisco Frisco Fresh Market-where Texans can find vendors with a large selection of food, drinks, art, and more!

Remembering Joseph Smith 3/2/27 - 12/7/04

Erykah Badu at The Factory In Deep Ellum by Music Concerts Online. Attendees must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of the event OR full COVID-19 vaccination prior to entry for live events at The Factory in Deep Ellum and/or The Studio at the Factory. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Concert from 8 to 11 pm.

Maxwell live, w/ special guest Anthony Hamilton @ The Texas Trust CU Theater in Grand Prairie!

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Advocating for Change: Stir Up Good Trouble

All Star “Legends of Hip-Hop” at the Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas, TX. Featuring, Juvenile – Mystikal – Too Short – Trick Daddy – Twista! The show starts at 8pm

Doubletree By Hilton - TO Dallas - Campbell Centre 11AM 1PM DOUBLETREE BY HILTONExpwy, HOTEL DALLAS – CAMPBELL CENTRE 8250 N. Central Dallas at 11am-1pm N. CENTRAL EXPY Keynote8250 Speaker - Dale Hansen DALLAS, TEXAS 75206 Emcee - Tashara Parker HONORING Tickets on sale at www.naaiadfw.org

19 6th Annual Dallas Mayor’s Masked Ball, 6 - 10p at Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd. Mayor Eric Johnson, host

The Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra concert at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters at 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 and up at 1319 Canton Street, Dallas Texas.

The book review and signing by Dr. Terry Anne Jones, author of Lynching and Leisure: Race and the Transformation of Mob Violence in Texas at 3 p.m. in the Museum’s AT&T Auditorium.

24 The Culture Tour featuring New Edition performing live at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

APRIL 2

MAY 1 Snoh Aalegra Live May 01 in Dallas, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

4 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE SPEAKER SERIES - “Wild Seas, Secret Shores,” presented locally by Charles Schwab at 7 p.m.

The World According to Andrew on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. CST. Sundays Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news and commentary. Join the call 646200-0459 on Andrew’s World.

First Black man to secure ICC rights for 48 states

3 NAAIA DFW FOUNDATION PRESENTS 2022 SCHOLARSHIP DIVERSITY LUNCHEON

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

2022 NAAIA DFW FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS & 2022 INSURANCE INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP RECIPIENT HANSFORD JOHNSON ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT - ENTERPRISE DIVERSITY & INCLUSION, TRAVELERS KEYNOTE SPEAKER DALE HANSEN WFAA 8 NEWS ANCHOR, RETIRED MODERATOR TASHARA PARKER WFAA8 NEWS ANCHOR

TICKETS STARTING AT $50. TICKETS ON SALE NOW! RSVP AT WWW.NAAIADFW.ORG For additional information on sponsorship opportunites or ad inquiries, please naaiadfw@gmail.com

Doc Shep Speaks Show! A fresh perspective, but still entertaining! Welcome to The Doc Shep Speaks Show!!!. Tuesdays at 11 am. CST Live on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews, @ fnsconsulting, and YouTube Live @ docshepspeaks.

Faith Evans, SWV, & Mya Live in Dallas @ Music Hall At Fair Park

6 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE SPEAKER SERIES-“The Secret Life of Bears” at 7 p.m. Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is dedicated to wildlife ecology research, but it wasn’t until life brought her to Kenya at age 20 that she had ever taken a hike, pitched a tent to camp or seen a wild animal.

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JUNE 18

African American Museum’s 33rd Texas

Biennial Texas African American History Conference - The Underground Railroad from Texas to Mexico at the African American, April 8-9 — Register at www.aamdallas.org

17 THE FULL CIRCLE TOUR: The Smooth R&B 105.7 Smooth Spring Groove with KEM and Baby-

Invitational Black Rodeo at Fair Park Coliseum

I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade “History Class is in Session” Join in on Facebook/@ TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com at 11 am -1 pm. CST. Wednesdays. Join the conversation call 646-200-0459.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2022

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Ann Williams Still Being Recognized for Continuous Contributions to the Arts From the depths of Africa to the soul of America, dance has been a rich part of the African- American culture. The vibrant movements and depth of the rhythmic beat have been a strong source of expression throughout history. As we celebrate Black History Month, this cultural richness is shared by the founder of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT), Ann Williams. Although it has been almost 8 years since she retired from DBDT, Williams remains active on the Board of Directors of DBDT. She is also actively involved with the International Association of Blacks in Dance, Prairie View University Alumnae Association, Board of Directors of Ursuline Academy of Dallas and Advisory Board Member of The Martin Luther King Center in Dallas.

Williams as a Dallas History maker recently received the Lifetime Achievement Arts Award presented by the Business Council for the Arts. The Business Council for the Arts encourages, inspires, and stimulates businesses and municipalities to support the arts in the workplace, in education, and in the community. She was a member of the first arts leadership class in 1988, founded by the late Raymond Nasher, who was a well-known and respected art collector, real estate developer and banker. Williams said, “It has been my life’s work to build a lasting institution with its foundations in choreographic excellence and the talents of Black dancers. Now in our 45th anniversary year, Dallas Black Dance Theatre continues to change lives and impact commu-

Ann Williams

nities, buoyed by new generations of artists and supporters. I am so pleased of the present leadership team at DBDT, Melissa Young, Artist Director and Zenetta Drew, Executive Director.”

Williams grew DBDT from a community-based organization and a semi-professional organization to a fully professional dance company recognized as the fourth largest black dance company in the nation. DBDT tours annually throughout the state, nationally and internationally. During its history, the company has performed in 31 states, 16 countries, and on five continents. Zenetta Drew, the executive director of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, nominated Williams for this prestigious award. Drew said, “Ann Williams is a visionary extraordinaire who inspires everyone and everything she touches. She taught me that with passion, commitment, and hard work, your dreams are just unrealized realities.” Williams is a member of Alpha

Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Trinity Chapter of The Links, Inc., Dallas Chapter Associates of Jack and Jill of America, Lifetime member of NAACP, and the Black Chamber of Commerce. Throughout her life, Williams has placed a high value on education. She is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University and was the first African American to receive a Master of Arts Degree in Dance and Related Arts from Texas Woman’s University. She holds a certificate in Arts Management from Texas A&M University, she has received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humanities from Northwood University, and in May 2008 was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Dance from TWU. At the age of 84, Williams enjoys playing bridge and is currently working on her autobiography.

Memorable Moments from Dr. Robinson’s Celebration of Life By Norma Adams-Wade One veteran colleague trudged laboriously to the speaker’s stand assisted by a walker and a relative who gripped his arm to steady him. That long walk from the audience, to the front of the room, and over to a microphone could have symbolized the long triumphant life journey of the man on the walker and the man he came to honor during a celebration of his friend’s life. Trini Garza was the 90-yearold retired federal government appointee, civic leader, businessman, and education advocate on the walker. Garza came to honor the late Marvin E. Robinson, a civil rights trailblazer, Dallas entrepreneur, education and business leader, attorney, husband, father and grandfather who died November 27, 2021 at age 86. The Celebration of life was held Feb. 12, 2022 at Concord Church, 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr. in Dallas’ Oak Cliff community. Garza, a Latino, and Robinson, African-American, partnered on various bi-racial equity projects during the 1970s in Dallas. “Marvin and I worked together on many causes for justice,” said Garza, who co-founded Dallas’ first Mexican-American leadership Conference. “It is my pleasure to be here.” Robinson’s portrait was displayed up front – likely prompting others’ diverse memories of the stellar life he lived. An image of a smiling Robinson, with his trademark stare and a boutonnière on his lapel, also graced the

cover of the printed commemorative program that detailed his many successes. That keepsake listed names and titles of about a dozen speakers from various professional, civic and educational arenas who came to pay homage. The dozen speakers recalled how Robinson impacted their life and the lives of hundreds, yea thousands, of others in the organizations, businesses, and schools that they represented. Robinson was a fearless student civil rights activist at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the late-1950s and early ‘60s. He was a founding

high-achieving student government president and All-American track-and-field athlete continued even after the Louisiana governor ordered that he be kicked out of Southern-- 28 days before he was to graduate – and further ordered to leave the state of Louisiana. Robinson ultimately earned a law degree from Howard University in Washington D. C. and went on to leave big footprints in various business, education and civic arenas. Resolutions involved one from Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. Following are comments from some of the speakers:

Marvin Robinson (2nd from left) with other Dallas Black leaders at the African American Museum in 1993. Cedit: the African American Museum

member of the historic Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), field secretary of the Congress of Racial equality (CORE), and was jailed and beaten several times during sit-ins and demonstrations, including the Freedom Riders bus crusades. The activism of this

a. Dallas businessman and civic leader Billy Allen was one of the major organizers of the life celebration for Robinson, his longtime friend. Allen said: “If you know him, you will be encouraged to continue the battle for freedom he fought.” b. Business woman and former

Dr. Marvin Robinson

Credit: The Dallas Morning News

Texas State Rep. Helen Giddings: “Marvin …did what he did so that others could have a better life.” c. Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price commented on a song sung earlier in the program that referenced to Psalms 37:23: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” Price several times correlated that, “Marvin was a good man,” each time explaining why. d. Dallas Black Dance Theatre executive director Zenetta Drew praised the Theatre’s former board president for his skills and financial guidance: “Without the leadership of Dr. Robinson, we…would not have survived. He understood how to make things happen.” e. Rev. Peter Johnson, another local and national civil rights icon, recalled following Robinson’s activities since Rev. Johnson was 14 and Robinson was about a decade older. Rev. Johnson learned of Robinson while Robinson attended college in Baton Rouge, about a

30-minute drive from a small Louisiana town where Johnson grew up, son of the local NAACP president. Johnson relayed the story of Robinson being harshly beaten and the bus burned during a Freedom Ride in Alabama. “I struggled with this challenge of how to talk about this hero,” Rev. Johnson told the audience. Others who gave tributes included: LaQuitta Thomas, Southern University National Alumni Chair; Mary Daniels, former registrar at the innovative Business and Management Magnet High School where Robinson was the first director and only African-American to lead a facility of that type; Mark Cook, a former high-achieving student at the magnet school that Robinson led; Bill Collins, a Xerox Corp. associate who worked there when Robinson lead a national department and assisted with community affairs; Dr. Ben Clark, Robinson’s personal physician and close friend; and Joe Nash, a Southern University classmate and friend who stood at the podium while his daughter, Sharon Nash Alexander, spoke for him. f. Rev. Aaron Moore, a Concord Church ministry leader, gave the eulogy, calling Robinson “a servant leader.” The audience complied when the minister requested a standing ovation for Robinson’s stunning life. Rev. Moore paraphrased a Biblical scripture: “Whoever shall be great among you shall be your servant,” he said.

2022 GNI Ad Transformation Lab By BlackPressUSA The Google News Initiative, in partnership with the Association of Alternative Newsmedia (AAN), the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP), and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), kicked off the 2022 GNI Ad Transformation Lab — a four-month program to help Black- and Latino- owned publications in the U.S. and Canada advance their advertising strategies and grow digital revenue. We’re proud to announce the 15 organizations selected to participate in the program, which includes publishers from 11 states across the country. The participating publications of the GNI Ad Transformation Lab include: AL DÍA, Diario Las Américas, El Informador, El Tiempo Latino, La Prensa de Houston, Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, Rolling Out, The Atlanta Voice, The Baltimore Times and The Annapolis Times, The Charlotte Post Publishing Company, The Dallas Weekly, The New York Carib News, The Skanner, The Washington Informer, and Westside Gazette. “The 15 organizations participating in the 2022 GNI Ad Trans-

formation Lab represent the best of the best,” says Ben Monnie, Director of Global Partnerships Solutions, News. “I am excited to see the evolution of this Lab as we work to maximize impact for each participating publisher, and I look forward to sharing our learnings more broadly through GNI’s Digital Growth Program.”

The 2022 Lab will split participants into two groups. The first has begun a four-month training program aimed at equipping each publisher with the tools and skills needed to grow their digital advertising revenue. The second group has begun to receive hands-on support to strengthen their digital advertising technology before

The 2022 GNI Ad Transformation Lab builds upon the 2021 GNI Ad Transformation Lab, where on average participating publishers experienced a 25% increase in programmatic revenue, a 10% increase in traffic and a 30% improvement in PageSpeed scores.

embarking upon the four month sprint-based training program in the spring. Across both groups, the Lab will also promote collaboration and shared learning across the cohort of publishers. “Local publishers play such vital roles in their communities, it’s

imperative they evolve and develop their web presence and digital revenue strategies,” says Graham Jarrett, President, Association of Alternative Newsmedia. “Smaller publishers don’t have the resources large media companies do, but the 2022 GNI Ad Transformation Lab gives them a much more equitable opportunity to learn from the best of the best. We’re grateful Google sees the value in local news and is willing to invest this kind of time and resources into really digging in to help publishers on such an individual level.” “NAHP’s member publications have long been representing and defending their communities and the 2022 GNI Ad Transformation Lab enables them to continue with their mission,” continues Alvaro Gurdian, President, National Association of Hispanic Publications. “Everything in this program: from the best practices, to the sprint based model, to the cohort based learning, is designed to deliver meaningful impact on the KPIs that matter now and long after the Lab concludes. The 2022 GNI Ad Transformation Lab will solidify their sustainability, no matter where they are in their digital transformation. Strong communities have strong

local media to represent them and the GNI Ad Transformation Lab will put our publishers on a path to sustainability; strengthening them, strengthening their communities and enabling them to keep fulfilling their mission for generations to come. We look forward to seeing the benefits these publishers bring to their communities.” Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA President and CEO, emphasized, “The 2022 GNI Ad Transformation Lab is a welcomed step forward of our NNPA member publications that have been selected to participate in this transformational initiative. The Lab experience will strengthen the digital advertising infrastructure of our vital local media businesses that are the trusted voices of communities of color across the United States.” As the Lab progresses, the partner organizations will share lessons learned with the broader publishing community through dedicated webinars and training opportunities outside of the Lab. The GNI will also compile the best practices into playbooks, case studies and virtual workshops available for free through its ongoing Digital Growth Program.

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Ahmaud Arbery’ Killers Guilty of Hate Crimes telligence analyst Amy Vaughan revealed a host of racist remarks from Travis McMichael. Vaughn testified that Travis McMichael and his friends routinely used racist slurs directed at African Americans. One text from Travis McMichael to a friend describes how he enjoyed his new job because he didn’t have to work with Black people. “They ruin everything,” McMichael wrote. “That’s why I love what I do now. Not a [n-word] in sight.” In a Facebook video that purportedly shows a group of Black teenagers beating a white youth, Travis McMichael commented, “I say shoot them all,” and he referred the group as “monkeys.” Travis McMichael also referred to a woman who dated a Black man as an “[N-word] lover.”

Kim Ballesteros, who lived next door to the McMichaels, told the court about a conversation in which Gregory McMichael used racist language to describe a tenant he had. “She was a large Black woman who did not pay her rent very well,” Ballesteros told the court. “Their name for her was the walrus.” When Gregory McMichael told her that the woman didn’t pay her rent on time, he disabled her air conditioning unit. “You should have seen how fast her big fat Black a– came with the rent check,” Gregory McMichael said, according to Ballesteros. The FBI’s Vaughan also testified that Bryan often used the n-word and words like “bootlip” to describe Black people. She said he routinely slurred African Americans on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“Happy Bootlip Day,” Bryan told a friend in one message. “I worked like a [n-word] today,” he stated. Perras dismissed any notion that the defense attorney’s claims on behalf of his clients somehow justified their deadly actions. “There’s a big difference between being vigilant and being a vigilante,” he told the jury. “It’s important for you to understand the full depth of the defendants’ racial hatred.” Attorney Benjamin Crump released the following statement following the verdict: “Tomorrow marks two years since Ahmaud Arbery was stalked, trapped, and murdered in cold blood as he jogged through his Brunswick neighborhood. And today, after much sorrow, grief, and pain, Ahmaud’s family can finally put this chap-

ter behind them. For the last 24 months, they’ve dedicated themselves to getting justice for their son. They’ve had to relive his brutal murder, watch and listen as he was demonized in court, and fight to share with the world who Ahmaud Arbery was and who he could have been had his young life not been so violently cut short. “For many of us, there was never any doubt that Greg McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William Bryan targeted Ahmaud because of his skin color. But because of indisputable video evidence, disgusting messages sent by the defendants, and witness testimony, their hate was revealed to the world and the jury. We hope and demand that the severity of their crimes are reflected in the sentencing, as well. “Ahmaud Arbery was denied

cont. from page 1

the opportunity to define his own legacy, but America, we have the power to ensure that it is one that propels our fight for equal justice and dispels hate from this world. That is how we continue to honor Ahmaud and make sure his death was not in vain.” Before the trial, the McMichaels cut a deal with prosecutors. They agreed to plead guilty to hate crime charges and serve their sentence in federal prison. However, Arbery’s parents, Wanda Cooper-Jones and Marcus Arbery argued against the arrangement. That prompted the judge to toss out the plea deal. “Ahmaud didn’t get the option of a plea,” Cooper-Jones demanded. The judge gave the McMichaels and Bryan two weeks to file an appeal.

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With Her Speedskating Gold Medal, Erin Jackson Hopes to Inspire More Black Girls in Winter Sports By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

While the Super Bowl expectedly received all the attention in the sports world on Sunday, February 13, the Winter Olympics provided a most historical moment. Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to win a speedskating medal when she took home the Gold during the 500 meters speed skating event. Jackson’s time of 37.04 seconds gave the American speed skating program its first medal at the Games in Beijing. It marked the first individual medal by an American in a dozen years. “Hopefully, this has an effect. Hopefully, we’ll see more minorities, especially in the USA, getting out and trying these winter sports,” Jackson, 29, declared. A day after her historic medal victory, Jackson reflected on how she received her golden opportunity. She noted that Team USA flag bearer Brittany Bowe, a childhood friend, surrendered her spot in the

“Hopefully, this has an effect. Hopefully, we’ll see more minorities, especially in the USA, getting out and trying these winter sports,” Jackson, 29, declared.

Erin Jackson

500-meter so Jackson could take her place. “She was just saying she’s so proud of me,” Jackson said of Bowe during a nationally televised interview. “We did it,” she exclaimed.

“Yeah, it was pretty wild.” Bowe declared that Jackson had earned the right to compete. “She’s ranked No. 1 in the world,” Bowe told NBC News. “No one is more deserving than [Jackson] to get an opportunity to

Garland Businessman cont. from page 1 Clifton then returned to New Jersey because of his father’s illness and pursued careers in Heating and Air Conditioning, as a member of the Newark Police Department, a substitute teacher and later in Financial Planning before returning to Dallas in April 1981. Two months later he met Marva Jones, and on December 2, 2006 he married the love of his life. To this union there were no children born but they had the love of a blended family with children from prior relationships. Clifton’s first born, Cheron Sneed, was his pride and joy. His bubbling baby boy Tychique Walker brought so much excitement into his life, and LaLonnie Moore, Marva’s daughter, who he raised from the time she was two years old, stole his heart. Clifton loved life. His desire was to help people live a prosperous life. He never met a stranger and enjoyed striking up conversations with folks he had never seen before and never saw again. He enjoyed bowling, playing Scrabble, and his favorite game, Bid Whist. He also loved to travel and he and Marva loved to go to their favorite city, Las Vegas.

Clifton was a sports fan and his favorite football team was the Los Angeles Raiders (now the Las Vegas Raiders). He and his grandson, Azariah, would talk Raider football for hours. He almost always wore something bearing the name or logo. And yes, he hated the Cowboys! He also loved to entertain and his home was always full of joy and laughter for cookouts, Super Bowl parties and hosting dinner parties for family and friends. He cared for and was loyal to his friends, always willing to be a source of inspiration and support; he believed that to whom much is given, much is expected; therefore many benefited from his generosity. Clifton Curtis Sneed Jr. left this earthly realm on January 21, 2022. He leaves to cherish his life and his memory: his loving wife, Marva, who shared each others love for 41 years (16 of those years as husband and wife); daughter, Cheron Sneed; son, Tychique (Mahogany)Walker; stepdaughter, La Lonnie Moore; grandchildren Jaworski Sneed, Jovita Sneed, Azariah Gabriel Sneed, Zenaiyah Sneed and Ja’nayia Campbell; brother, Dwight D. Sneed, Sr.; and uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.

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Awards Dinner at its annual legislative forum. The awards reference the closing speech of Congressman George White, who was the African American post-Reconstruction member of Congress (1897-1901). He highlighted Black progress since enslavement and said that, like the phoenix, we would rise. We have140,000 farms and homes, valued in the neighborhood of $750,000,000, and personal property valued about $170,000,000. We have raised about $11,000,000 for educational purposes…We are operating successfully several banks, commercial enterprises among our people in the Southland, including one silk mill and one cotton factory. We have 32,000 teachers in the schools of the country; we have built, with the aid of our friends, about 20,000 churches, and support seven colleges. Congressman White spoke of progress. There is still much room for advancement. The Congressional Black Caucus members are agents of progress. Criticize them, if you will, but embrace them. They are the conscience of Congress. They are our champions.

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bring Team USA home a medal.” Hailing from Ocala, Florida, Jackson said she’s roller skated for as long as she could remember. She pursued inline speed skating in 2002, roller derby in 2012, and long-track speedskating in 2017. A 2015 cum laude graduate of the University of Florida Honors Program, Jackson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science & Engineering. Just two years later, Jackson transitioned from inline skating to speed skating on ice, where she quickly qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. She also earned an AS in Computer Science from Salt Lake Community College in 2020 and continues her work toward an AS in Exercise Science/Kinesiology. Jackson said she wants to inspire other African American girls. “I just hope [her gold medal win] sparks something,” Jackson said. “Maybe a young Black girl saw my race or something, and she’s like, ‘Oh. Maybe I should try this.’ That would be amazing, even if it’s just one person.”

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HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST

He targeted members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. but this is more than about a sorority. We’re talking about a community. Come on PEOPLE! Don’t you CARE? Will it matter when it is your sister, mother, aunt or grandmother or

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Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the above classifieds. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it is illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in US dollars. Toll free numbers may or may not reach Canada.

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