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MY TRUTH
By Cheryl Smith Publisher
OUR SUPERB WOMEN Black women. The way the walk, talk, think, stretch a dollar, feed a community, make a boo boo all well, pray, move a mountain, fight off demons and so much more. When no one is at practice, sitting beside the hospital bed, posting bail, ready to battle a drug dealer or going without so you can have; it’s a woman. When you think about the uses and abuses over time; it appears everyone feels like they can take stabs at the Black Woman. The attacks have been so blatant and commonplace that you have women taking on the ways of the oppressors and becoming just as damning, if not more. Which brings me to my truth. Earlier this year, I said that this was the year of the Black Woman. March is Women’s History Month and it is important to support our women. But not just in March. We began celebrating women in our daily e-newsletter (subscribe at editor@texasmetronews.com) at the beginning of March. Then on March 2, we began focusing on women, locally and nationally, as well as internationally. We’re looking for women of all ages and celebrating who they are and what they do. Some people are household names and others you may have never heard of; we want to share their stories and we’re doing it ALL YEAR LONG! Do you know someone we should recognize? Send us their name and how we can find out more about them. Email us at editor@texasmetronews.com. Now we don’t tell that we’re recognizing them and this is not a money making ploy. It’s simple, we just want to spread something these ladies need more of than anything: LOVE! Here they are! The Superb Women of March 2021:
Kamala Harris She’s our Vice President! ENOUGH SAID! VR SMALL
Her name is “Small” but there’s nothing small about her heart and commitment. VR Small is a Navy Veteran. VR Small is the founder and CEO of the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center in Dallas, Texas. An alum of Lincoln University of PA, she had the Center built to help Veteran women and women military spouse-owned businesses get what they need to help them start their business or grow their business. It has an incubator, so at least six Veteran women can have office space until they can afford market value leasing for office space. The Center has conference rooms and a break room. VR developed a program called the Next
SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS
Innovative Garland ISD program aims to close student academic gaps
By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor Photos: Garland ISD
The list of those adversely affected by the ongoing global pandemic - now official in its second year - most certainly includes the entire education system and specifically, its students. Cancelled classes and after-school activities, remote learning by technology, socially distanced classrooms, lunches and bus rides, mandatory masks and more has changed the way students are learning. All of this has had an unfortunate result: thousands of students nationwide falling behind academically.
THURSDAY APRIL 8, 2021 VOLUME X
“I know the pandemic and this past year has not been easy for many people,” said Liz Patterson, a 2006 North Garland High School graduate. “There have been a lot of things going on in our world and country. I just want to encourage them to continue doing what they need to and realize that their education is the key and the platform for what they want to achieve moving forward in life.” Patterson, a former Team USA Olympic high jumper, was one of several professional athletes who recently visited several Garland ISD schools to motivate
See GARLAND ISD page 5
Jared Mayden visits with students
West is about the business of Garland By Cheryl Smith Angela Graham West wants Garland citizens to know a few things about her that she hopes will provide insight into why she would be the ideal person to join the Garland City Council after the May 1, 2021 election. In a four-way race for the District 3 seat, she faces Vickie Jackson-High, PC Mathew and Edward Moore. In District 1, Jeff Bass, John Grimley and Angie Whitney each hope to avoid a runoff and in the other three Districts — 6, 7, and 8; Robert Vera, Dylan Hedrick and Robert John Smith are the unopposed incumbents. In the nonpartisan race for mayor, incumbent Scott LeMay is being challenged by Roel Garcia. Interestingly, all candidates except for the
Angela Graham West
incumbents are first time council candidates. Out of the nine sitting members of the Council, two are African American, Rev. Ricky C. McNeal and veteran council member B.J. Williams; who returned to the council in November 2020, after sitting out a term. Rev. McNeal, who was president of the Garland NAACP was appointed to fill the District One seat after the sole candidate in the November election withdrew. A special election was called for May, however accordSee BUSINESS of GARLAND page 2
Superb Women of March 2021 Level Business Transformation, it was given to five women, four Veteran women owned businesses and one military spouse-woman owned business. She also formulated a strategic alliance with the Homeless Veteran Services of Dallas (HVSD), which manages the Veteran Transition and Resource Center (VTRC) facility owned by the Veteran Administration. She’s been an adjunct professor and also served on Rep. Victoria Neave’s Sexual Violence Task Force and on the advisory committee of the Center for Women Entrepreneurs at Texas Woman’s University. VR’s ability to engage and develop supportive relationships with key political representatives prompted her invite to testify in support of the original House Bill 2698 to make June 12th Women Veterans Day in Texas. VR, thanks for your service, THEN and NOW! Edna Pemberton
When people speak of Edna Pemberton, they speak of her heart, passion, commitment, service, faith and love. Affectionately called, “Mrs. P,” her story in The Dallas Morning News spoke volumes about her: She was born in Chicago in 1948. She was the youngest of nine children, and, as a toddler, was forced into foster care after her mother died. Everything she owned in her early years had belonged to someone else first. Her first foster father couldn’t get her to talk. Frustrated, he put her arm in bleach to force the issue. She was removed from the house, but the burn scar stayed with her for the rest of her life. She met her husband, DarNell Pemberton, in a Chicago church when she was a teen. They married, and they had four children. When Pemberton’s sister died giving herself an abortion, the Pembertons added six more children to their family. Yes, her heart is huge, and pure. She probably would have taken six more children, if need be. A faithful member of Concord Church, she also worked to establish the Friends of Red Bird Airport and she has worked with numerous groups and individuals, elected officials and community organizers in efforts to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. The recipient of numerous awards for her humanitarian efforts Mrs. Pemberton has a positive and uplifting personality that makes her a joy to know and work with. AND, she and the Barack Obama, yep you know him, Mr. President, shared the stage together.
Lynne Coleman
Women Business Enterprise Advisory Committee and Leadership North Texas helps glean a little information into how she does so much for so many. She’s also fun-loving, passionate about life and loyal to those who she deems deserving. Tammy Thomas
Lynne Coleman is Senior Director, Product Development and Design, Global Product Services and Operations for JCPenney; the company she has worked with for more than 25 years, starting as a Manager Trainee. A graduate of Florida A&M University, where she was initiated into the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Ms. Coleman hails from Miami, Florida and this wife and mother is a very active member of the D/FW FAMU National Alumni Association, Jack and Jill of America and the Chi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Well regarded for her business acumen, pleasing and loving personality, and commitment; Ms. Coleman is about taking care of business, lifting as she climbs and exhibiting excellence wherever she goes and whatever she participates in. She is a definite winner and she helps others to grow! Demetria Bivens
Demetria Bivens is a business development consultant specializing in corporate partnerships, business strategies, and contract management. She is the founder, president and owner of DLB Consultants and in the construction business, a industry dominated by males, Ms. Bivens has gained a reputation for being well-prepared, knowledgeable and experienced. With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Bivens strives to educate and develop contractors to successfully perform in the construction industry. She also serves as executive director of the National Association of Minority Contractors, Dallas-Fort Worth, Inc., where she utilizes her more than 25 years of successful, award-winning construction experience. A wife, mother, grandmother and guardian; Ms. Bivens is a consummate professional with impeccable work skills, a pleasing personality and strong interpersonal and community relations skills. Her efforts on the Mansfield Commission of Arts, Minority &
In addition to being a financial services representative at McDonald Group, Tammy Thomas is a special education teacher for Dallas ISD- Sarah Zumwalt Middle School. She graduated from Texas College with a degree in political science and Pre-Law and she received a Masters degree from Walden University. Ms. Thomas has a testimony worth sharing; one that will make some shut up and vow to do better because she suffered traumatic injuries in an accident and was in a coma only to come out and be told she’d never walk again. Long before that accident, she was committed to community service and today, this resilient beautiful woman spends more time caring about others than herself. She has logged numerous volunteer hours with Genesis Women’s Shelter, Susan G. Komen and The Bridge Homeless Shelter. After her body went through a “reboot,” she said “relearned how to talk, write, walk, and cook … everything.” A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Ms. Thomas began crocheting, as a way to cope. The items she made, including hats, scarves and blankets, she donated to the homeless, domestic violence survivors and cancer survivors. That “ministry” grew and she formed the non-profit, SAG3. The organization is doing so much to help so many and it takes so little to help this superb woman. Hopefully people will embrace her cause and find ways to help her help others at www.sag3nonprofit.org. Angela Willis Angela Willis is the Founder of the Road to Economic Empowerment Enterprises, Road to Economic Empowerment Training and Events, LLC (R2EE) and a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty. R2EE Training and Events is a consulting firm that offers advice, mentorship, and training in cultural diversity, ethics, and leadership. Ms. Willis wants to provide a foundation for young companies, women, and men to build upon, grow, and produce economically so they can
complete their assignment in life and empower others. She offers Financial Education Seminars and an Alzheimer’s & Caregivers Financial Health Symposium.For over 15 years Ms. Willis, who proudly hails from Oak Cliff and attended Dallas Baptist University, has focused on girls in their teen years, working with them to deal with personal struggles as they are taught basic life skills, offered spiritual/correctional guidance, support, and encouraged to give back by participating in various community projects. A member of the Society of Human Resources Management and Natl. Association of Realtors, this Skyline High School graduate is also a member of Sweet Fellowship Family Center. Marguritte S. Johnson
Marguritte S. Johnson is passionately intentional about BEING the CHANGE that she desires to SEE in the world TODAY! She serves the community as a social activist and Executive Director of Stand 4 Sisterhood and Pro Activism Inc. Ms. Johnson recently launched 4CORE: an inter-generational mentoring network for girls and women committed to advocate for one another and pay it forward. She is also CEO of MSJ-PRO Services,LLC - a consulting firm specializing in formations, filings, and funding strategies for both non-profit and for-profit entities. Ms. Johnson officiated as Executive Pastor for 10 years at LIFE Intl’ Ministries and since 2018 has served on the advisory board for DISD Innovation Design Entrepreneurship Academy. In 2020, she received an Honorary Doctorate in Christian Counseling. Ms. Johnson influences the community as a speaker, author, public notary, certified mental health first aid responder, content creator and credentialed mediator. See MY TRUTH, page 8