Remembering
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Memorial service
Celebration of Life
Friday, March 19 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas, TX 75202
Saturday, March 20 11 a.m. Concord Church 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr. Dallas, TX 75237
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MY TRUTH
By Cheryl Smith Publisher
Rep. Sherman files legislation on transparency of catfish mislabeling Truth in advertising is important and it is time out for those merchants who play “dumb” as they serve an inferior and less expensive product; without passing on the savings to the consumer. In a conversation with State Representative Carl O. Sherman (D-109), the deception by businesses needed to be addressed. After all, how could the word “catfish” be in the name of your business and you don’t serve “catfish?” Which brings me to my truth.
THURSDAY MARCH 18, 2021 VOLUME X
Allred, Johnson, Veasey join in support of masks
By Cheryl Smith Despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s issuing an executive order earlier last week, reopening Texas, other elected officials are cautioning against a rush to abandon measures that have “proved to be successful in dealing with COVID.” During a visit to the Fair Park Vaccination Site in Dallas Friday afternoon, U.S. Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) Marc Veasey (TX-33) and Colin Allred (TX-32) discussed the challenges of getting the COVID-19 vaccination to citizens and their opposition to ending statewide COVID-19 restrictions. The lawmakers were adamant that any efforts to lessen restrictions are premature and could be devastating. They toured the area to observe the process as
Considering the challenges facing Black Businesses and the Black Press as a result of COVID-19, the National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund Black Press Week will zero in on the theme “BLACK BUSINESS Challenges, Responsibilities, and Opportunities Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic.” The two-day virtual activities get underway on Thursday, March 18, and Friday, March 19, from 10 am – 12 noon. Legislators during Fair Park Tour
hundreds of cars lined up to enter the Fair Grounds. There were traffic jams in all directions, but uneventful as the lines moved fairly quickly. With the heavy presence of members of the Military, Coast Guard, police and fire
departments, County and City officials, and FEMA staffers on site, there was a visual of what appeared to be a smooth operation, but workers said a lot of coordination went into providing a process that was not foreboding See MASKS page 7
Comerica appoints Faussette National African American Business Development Manager Rep. Carl Sherman
This week, I received the following notice: “Next time you order catfish from a restaurant menu thank State Representative Carl O. Sherman (D-109) if House Bill 928 passes this legislative session. Rep. Sherman’s House Bill relates to the sale and identification of Swai fish, since currently restaurants are not required to label Swai fish; resulting in restaurant and food service providers many times mislabeling it as catfish. “I believe in the transparency of proper labeling in regard to the type of fish a consumer is being served when ordering a meal or buying a product,” Rep. Sherman said. “Swai fish, also known as Pangasius or Basa, is a type of fish that is often used to make fish fillets. It is a less expensive catfish substitution and I believe consumers have a right to know what they are being served. Swai fish has, over the years, been sold under the false identity of as many as 19 various types of fish. It is usually farmed in crowded, large scale fish farms and imported from Asia. “I also have concern with the type of farming being done regarding Swai fish since the methods used to farm elicit environmental concerns as well as a disturbing mercury level that questions health safety.” With this bill being passed consumers will not have to worry about the current mislabeling of Swai fish and can be assured what they order, or purchase is indeed the product they are receiving. To watch the procedure of this House Bill follow the Public Health committee at https://house.texas.gov/video-audio/ WELL, WELL, WELL! All, I can say is thanks to Rep. Sherman. Not trying to put people out of business, but am trying to get them to do the right thing! Also, check out what I had to say about Swai, three years ago! ht t p s : / / t e x a s m e t ro n e w s. com/718/cheryls-world-catfishv-swai/
Comerica Bank announced it has appointed Summer Faussette as its National African American Business Development Manager supporting its ongoing commitment to building strong relationships with African American business leaders, entrepreneurs and communities across all markets. These responsibilities are an extension of Faussette’s current role as Vice President, External Affairs Arizona. As National African American Business Development Manager,
Summer Faussette
Faussette will collaborate with Comerica’s African American Business Resource Groups, Chief Diversity Officer Nate Bennett,
and Chief Community Officer Irvin Ashford, Jr. on building external partnerships with African American nonprofit organizations across the bank’s national footprint. “Summer brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge, which will benefit us as we continue to support initiatives that engage African American communities across our markets,” said Ashford. “Comerica’s hallmark is building relationships and this role will allow us to continue strengthening See COMERICA page 3
Suspect in string of sexual assaults now faces charge in 2003 Arlington attack By Tom Steele
The Dallas Morning News
A man already jailed in connection with a pair of decade old sexual assault cases now faces a charge in a 2003 attack in Arlington. Jeffery Lemor Wheat, 49, has been in custody at the Collin County jail since Jan. 15, several days after he was arrested in Crawford County, Ark. He faces two counts of sexual assault and one count of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony, and his total bail is set at $1.1 million. Wheat does not have an attorney
This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News (Garland Journal). The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
listed in court records. Arlington police obtained the burglary warrant Monday after determining that Wheat’s DNA matched evidence from their case, they said.
Jeffery Lemor Wheat, 49, faces charges in three cases across North Texas. According to an arrest-warrant affidavit, the victim was in her home early Sept. 17, 2003, when a man broke in and tried to assault her. Police took evidence from
Jeffery Wheat (Pookie)
the home, but the case was later suspended. Years later, the sexual assault kit from the case was retested, and See POOKIE page 4
Brock, NABJ founder, transitions Journalists are remembering National Association of Black Journalists founder Paul Brock, who transitioned Saturday morning at age 89. Brock played a pivotal role in bringing together the 44 men and women who founded NABJ. Legendary journalist and NABJ Founding President, Chuck Stone, once described Brock as the “Henry Kissinger of Black journalists” because of his outstanding talent at organizing. “Founder Brock played such an integral role in the success of NABJ,” said NABJ President Dorothy Tucker. “His love, compassion, zeal, expertise and persevering spirit were always valued by the
Black Press Week focuses on Black Businesses
Paul Brock
NABJ family. His long and fruitful career served as inspiration to many of us that hard work and commitment to community can open many doors.” A distinguished journalist, Paul was an only child, born in Washington, D.C., on February 10, 1932.
After attending Howard University in Washington, D.C., Brock set out on his career path. Brock spent 18 years as a radio journalist before moving into television producing and reporting, starting at WBNB in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. From there, Brock went on to become news director at WETA and later WHUR in Washington, D.C. While with WETA, he was credited with bringing the first live coverage of a congressional committee hearing ever aired. Brock was also the originator, producer and chief fundraiser of the NAACP Nightly Convention Highlights program that aired on PBS from 1978 to 1983. See PAUL BROCK page 4
Pluria Marshall Jr.
NNPA Fund Chair Pluria Marshall Jr., CEO of the Wave Publications based in California, said, “As a business owner, I recognize the plight of Black businesses today from reducing expenses to generating payroll to managing the bottom-line. During Black Press Week, our objectives are to empower our community and our NNPA members with information that will give them insight into opportunities for funding and resources.” Reportedly, 40% of Black-owned businesses have closed their doors permanently as a result of the pandemic. The challenge now is to sustain the remaining 60% struggling to survive during these uncertain times. Black newspapers are Black businesses, who share some of the same obstacles created by COVID-19. Because of this shared burden, the NNPA Fund’s first workshop on Thursday will feature U.S. Congressman and House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and U.S. Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA), a member of the Small Business Committee and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic, Growth and Capital Access. The panel moderated by Real Times Media Publisher and CEO Hiram Jackson, owner of The Michigan Chronicle, the Chicago Defender, The New Pittsburgh Courier and The Atlanta Daily World, will address the plans Congress is developing to help Blackowned businesses cope with a range of economic issues. On Friday, the second workshop hosted by Atlanta Voice Publisher and CEO Janis Ware will concentrate on alternative funding for Black newspapers, featuring representatives from the Democracy Fund, Media Impact Funders and Knight Foundation that invest in non-profit and for-profit media organizations. Two cornerstones of Black Press Week are the Enshrinement Ceremony and the Newsmakers Award. This year, Carter Walker Wesley (1892-1969), an American lawyer, newspaperman, and political activist from Houston, Texas, will be enshrined in the Black Press Archives housed at the Moreland Spingarn Research Center at Howard University.