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MY TRUTH
By Cheryl Smith Publisher
Can’t expect others to love you and you don’t love yourself!
SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS
Persistence, patience, preparation key to success for Maxey As a South Garland junior Tyrese Maxey was the 2018 Dallas Morning News boys basketball player of the year.
Maybe it is the times we’re living in, dealing with COVID-19, social injustices, social distancing, isolation, uncertainty, pain, suffering, racism and the inability to do what you want to, when you want to. You know, like a Ball of Confusion, as the Temptations sang.
Freedom and free will have fallen by the wayside, in hopes, for some, of surviving another day. For those reasons, and others; I actually find myself spending more time than I care to admit, wondering why there is so much hatred in the world and where can I go to find that peace, somewhere where people realize that our time is so short on this earth so why do we spend so much time with the people, focused on things or carrying out acts that are really not worth the time of day? Why is the hate so strong? Which brings me to my truth. See MY TRUTH page 7
THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021 VOLUME X
Credit: Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Garland’s own Tyrese Maxey announces AAU Team, Max Levels Elite Garland native and Philadelphia 76ers’ guard, Tyrese Maxey, has partnered with respected Coach Josh Woodson to create AAU team, Max Levels Elite, to teach technique and showcase talent. Based in Garland, Max Levels Elite will incorporate off the court skills to help the players sustain long term success on and off the court, with team jerseys displaying the “Day by Day” motto to remind the team and fans that good things come to those who are persistent, patient, and prepared.
With a passion to give back to his hometown community and a personal connection with AAU himself, Tyrese said he created Max Levels Elite as an organization to create the next generation of future athletes, future leaders and the next generation of men with education at the core of its foundation. At no-cost, today’s male youth are learning the fundamentals of being all-around leaders on and off the court; through honesty, hard work, consistency, coordination, integrity and other viable skills that are at the core of being
a leader. At Max Levels Elite, the belief is that while basketball can provide an opportunity to play at a college or professional level, a “day by day” mentality coincided with hard work is key. In partnership with local Dallas AAU coaches who had an influential impact in Tyrese’s life, along with a partnership with the Amateur Athletic Union; Max Levels Elite provides an exemplary program for elite players who desire to be better prepared for high school and/or collegiate level programs.
Athletes connect with collegiate trainers and coaches, as well as everyday mentors, as Max Levels elite provide exposure to better prepare participants for life, academics and athletics. Together in partnership with AAU, Max Levels Elite is operated by local Dallas AAU Program Director Woodson, along with three other well qualified NCAA certified head coaches: Terrelle Woody, Vic Cochran, and Dominque Parker. For more information on Max Levels Elite visit www.tyresemaxey.com or contact, Program Director Josh Woodson at (coachjosh@tyresemaxey.com). Max Levels Elite, a 501c-3 non-profit basketball organization, is endorsed by Mr. Maxey and aims to provide an elite basketball program to create exposure for high school age teams for potential collegiate and professional recruitment. By providing the necessary resources, Max Level Elite’s overall goal is to create an exemplary program for elite players at no-cost who desire to be better prepared for high school and college level basketball. According to the Max Levels Elite team, basketball “can provide an opportunity for some to play at the college or professional level,” but also believe that education, hard work and a “Day by Day” mindset is key to each student athlete’s success.
Superb Women - April 2021 Dr. Andrea Hilburn Dr. Andrea Hilburn was an educator for over 30 years and although she is retired she is still educating and enlightening. A Dallas native, she graduated from Hamilton Park and earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas (formerly North Texas State University), where she was initiated into the Amazing Zeta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., of which she now has more than 50 years of service in. She received a Master’s degree from Texas A & M Commerce (formerly) East Texas State University), where she developed a prototype for a Special Education Work Activity Center for the Dallas Independent School District which was later utilized by Mary Kay Cosmetics. She prepared a Grandparent Study on Parental Involvement while studying for her Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Dallas. She has also worked as an adjunct professor. Dr. Hilburn currently serves as the president of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and she shows up and shows out every time. With almost 500 members in the chapter, at the onset of COVID-19 she reached out to every member, and most recently when members suffered in the weather storm, she reached out again. She cares, she loves she gives, she supports. She is superb. Deborah Peoples Deborah Peoples is the current chairwoman of the Tarrant County Democratic Party and she is serious in her efforts to turn Tarrant County into a Blue (Democratic) City. This member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University. A recipient of numerous honors, her impressive portfolio includes almost 35 years at AT&T and she retired as a vice president;
which speaks to her leadership, organizational and management skills! Deborah is an activist and philanthropist whose benevolence extends internationally. She is committed to her family and her community. She’s also an entertainer, in numerous ways. She can cook, host a gathering for hundreds or thousands, and she has even “starred” in a movie. If you like surrounding yourself around people who are honest, sincere, smart fearless, loving and supportive; Deborah Peoples is ideal. And she plays a mean hand of cards! Misha Sturns Misha Sturns is an award-winning, high performing Specialty Account Manager at Kroger Specialty Infusion. She’s a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Links Incorporated AND she is about to be a bride! Misha is a socialite! She studied Mass Media Arts/Public Relations at Clark Atlanta University and she has a servant heart! She’s one of the founding members of Friscovania, a philanthropic organization under the Model Behaviors umbrella and focused on raising funds to benefit underserved youth in Collin County. Internationally known, Misha is a former professional high fashion model with the esteemed Kim Dawson Agency, where she traveled extensively while working for major fashion conglomerates such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms, Dillard’s, JC Penney, Saks Fifth Avenue and more. And that’s no surprise, because anytime you see her, she is impeccably dressed and her hair and makeup are on point. In two words: Misha slays! Jill Louis Admittedly there was concern for Jill Louis in the past year. After all she is a powerhouse and the Dallas area has benefitted significantly from her involvement; so there was a concern that her line sister, Vice President Kamala Harris, was going to swoop her up and take her to Washington, DC. While she had a successful practice, currently she is the Dallas Office Managing Partner at Perkins Coie. We’re talking about someone who has served
as general counsel for companies with billion dollar portfolios! A graduate of Howard University and the Harvard Law School, Ms. Louis is a member of the board of trustees of Howard University, 2006 Class of Leadership Dallas and Junior League of Dallas; and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and The Links Incorporated. She also serves on the executive committees of the AT&T Performing Arts Center and North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. (KERA/KXT). Ms. Louis served on the Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas, Board of Trustees, 2005 - 2010, Executive Committee, 2007 - 2009, Advisory Board Member, 2018 - present and she was a founding member of Village Giving Circle of the Texas Women’s Foundation. And we must say something about At Last, the school in Oak Cliff that will be a beacon of light for so many of our children. Yes, that Jill Louis! This sister is BAD Dr. Lasonya Moore Lasonya Moore is the President and Founder of Plan Empower Grow (PEG), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping small business owners. Dr. Moore is a Sr. IT Portfolio Manager, supporting U.S., LATAM and Canada for Marsh and McLennan Companies. She has served as: President of Women in Leadership of the Dallas Tower Club, STEM Mentor, African American Black Film Festival (ABFF) volunteer, Congressional Black Caucus Conference volunteer, Democratic Women in Leadership member, Black Enterprise Women of Power volunteer, Grant Reviewer for the City of Austin, awarding over $100k in technology grants to non-profits, North Texas Alliance to Reduce Unintended Pregnancy in Teens (Ntarupt) Community Advisory Board member, City of Dallas One Billion Dollar Capital Bond Task Force member and currently serves as an active member of the City of Dallas Office of Business Diversity Task
Force team. With a BS in Computer Information Systems from Grambling State University, an MBA in Finance from LeTourneau University, a Master’s in Computer Information Technology from St. Edward’s University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Family and Consumer sciences/Human Sciences; this member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is an IT expert. Dr. Deardra Hayes-Whigham Deardra HayesWhigham is Executive Director, School Leadership at Dallas ISD and she’s also a long-time principal. She graduated from Coppin State University where she was Miss Coppin State. She later studied Education and received a Masters Degree from UNT and a Doctor of Philosophy/Public Affairs at UTD. A life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; she is a past president of the Omicron Mu Omega Chapter. She’s also a member of the Dallas School Administrators Association and The Links, Incorporated. Her leadership skills have served her well in the education arena and also as a public servant. Dr. Hayes-Whigham led low-performing campuses to high-performing campuses. On the collegiate level she taught graduate and doctoral classes at Concordia University and Abilene Christian University. This wife and mother, who has lived a life of service, recently founded a much-needed nonprofit, Women’s Advocacy Center of Dallas; working with women experiencing depression. Talk about a legacy! Dr. Hayes-Whigham continues to excel! Much respect here! Trina Terrell-Andrews Trina Terrell-Andrews displayed an impeccable work ethic as a teen and years later, actually decades, she is not only exhibiting the same traits; she’s actually providing an example for others to model. As a high schooler, she interned at the Dallas Weekly and held her own amongst a competitive pool of college students and professional journalists. A graduate of David W. Carter High School, she went on to intern at The Dallas Morning News, having written her first story for the paper long before she stepped
foot on the campus of Grambling State University, and also served as the student rep on the board of the National Association of Black Journalists. She interned with Sen. Royce West’s Dr. Emmitt J. Conrad Leadership Program and is now a dedicated and well-respected mentor and trainer. She’s had an impressive career in media and public relations and currently she’s the CEO of Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center, where this wife and mother not only oversees major community outreach, support, growth and development; but also trains young men and women in preparation for successful futures. Always a fashion statement, she is a real DIVA! LaDonna Castro LaDonna Castro began pursuing her career in journalism at Duncanville High School and as a participant in the Urban Journalism Workshop sponsored by the D/FW Association of Black Communicators (now Journalists). After graduating in 1999, she lived in France as a Rotary Exchange student. She then returned to the States and enrolled in the “Global College Program” of Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. Fluent in five languages, she has studied in Kyoto, Japan; San Jose, Costa Rica; Bahia, Brazil; and completed her senior year in London, England. She studied in Cairo, Egypt and Dakar, Senegal where she completed her senior thesis, a video documentary, “Aswan Temples and the Nubians of Upper Egypt.” A lover of the arts, she graduated with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree from Long Island University. The secretary/treasurer of DFW-ABJ, this mother of two is the creator of LaDoMedia International and she’s the person you want when looking for the best video producer. She is a modern day Griot who also loves to dance. She is the total package because she’s a pro. She’s a pleasure and joy to be around! See SUPERB WOMEN page 8