I Messenger

I MESSENGER MAY 15, 2020

VOL IX NO 39

JUDGE ERIC MOYE IS KNOWN FOR BEING FAIR ON THE BENCH AND IN LIFE. p.20

JUSTICE SERVED

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Established 2011 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.

MAY 15, 2020

I MESSENGER

Looking for answers? around and bemoan the fact that this virus may have changed our lives forever.

It’s so important DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ. to be physically and mentally active. In my This coronavirus that case, I walk between four and has us sheltering in place five miles per day. has taken some through One day during the past many different emotions. week, I walked 5.2 miles.

Some have experienced fear, Imagine how excited I was concern, stress and many about that extra .2 miles! negative feelings.

That may not sound like such There’re some who’ve a big deal, but I knew how used this time to do positive things that carry with them hope and good feelings about what they’ve been able to do for themselves and for others.

I encourage you to try looking on the bright side of what’s going on in your long it had taken me to get life. I’ll tell you first what I do. there! I put that in my success Every day, several times column. You don’t have to do each day, I say a prayer for all the big things immediately. someone or something and Try a gradual approach to I immediately feel better. whatever it is you set as a I take a walk outside and goal. just observe the beauty of In my case, I’m ready to the flowers, the sky and set a new walking goal. That environment in general. I helps to keep my mind off find there’s always something negative things I might be out there that makes me thinking if I just sat around smile. saying, “Poor me.�

Even though I have on my Often when you are mask and gloves, I bow my looking for answers, you can head each time I come near find them within yourself. anyone just to let them know Get the attention off I see them and I acknowledge yourself while thinking their humanity. I can’t always of something else. Read a tell if they acknowledge my good book — one that you recognition of them, but I can’t put down until you’re feel good knowing I have finished. acknowledged them.

Call a friend to share what There’re so many things you’ve just read. If you tell one can do so as not to sit the story of what you’ve WAKE UP AND STAY WOKE

read in an exciting manner, it’s possible you can get your friend’s mind off the negative and proceed to do just what you’re doing.

Don’t tell yourself you can’t do certain things. Learn to do the thing you’ve been saying you can’t do. Gather facts instead of sitting around in fear. Get involved in an online seminar or learn a new language. There’re so many great things you can do. In my case, along with Bishop Joe Simon, I’m soliciting unregistered voters. Along with members of the National Congress of Black Women, we’re teaching people how to register online.

It’s easy.

Help by steering people who aren’t registered to h t t p s : / / w w w. u s a . g o v / register-to-vote. Tell them to check Voting and Elections and follow the prompts. If they have a problem, they can call 877-805-8447. There’ll be someone to assist them.

There’s another easy project you can do to help while taking your mind off your fears. Adopt a nursing home.

Call the director and find out what products would be helpful for you to donate.

Ship the products without ever having to go to the nursing home.

If you’re looking for answers, whatever you do, instead of sitting around in fear, think solutions by making a list of at least 10 things you’re capable of doing. Select from the list and do as many as you can.

Don’t just sit around in fear.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is National President of the National Congress of Black Women and Host of “Wake Up and Stay Woke� on WPFW-FM 89.3.)

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INSIDE

TRUTH

LAST WORD

BRING IT

First we must realize that COVI-19 is real. And while we “know” that the first “known” case was in China; we also know that there are people who had the virus and have never been diagnosed and people are dying daily.

A little less than four years ago, the president tried to get Black votes with the question, “What do you have to lose.”

State Senator Royce West on Monday voiced his support for an independent judiciary in Texas and defended the right of all judges to do their jobs without fear of infringement by other branches of state government or threats from right-wing fringe groups.

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Parkland accepting personal protective equipment donations

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· Medical protective gowns (water resistant) · Foot/shoe covers · Medical latex-free gloves · Eye protection goggles · Medical face shields · Powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) and PAPR hoods · Hand sanitizer (all sizes) · Antibacterial soap · Disinfectant wipes · Disposable food-grade gloves · Thermometers (non-contact digital)

Items must be new and unopened

With news reports showing the increasing need for personal protective equipment (PPE) at hospitals across the county, members of the North Texas community have been reaching out asking officials at Parkland Health & Hospital System what they can do to assist.

Items can be donated Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Parkland’s It’s simple – you can donate new and Logistics Building, 5223 Tex Oak Ave., unopened PPE to Parkland. Those Dallas, TX 75235. items include: · N95 masks (Medical Grade) For additional information about do· Surgical masks nating PPE please email Pamela Bry· Industrial masks ant at pamela.bryant@phhs.org · Surgical caps myimessenger.com

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MAY 15, 2020

MY TRUTH

by Cheryl Smith, Publisher

My truth today may help someone tomorrow RESET

EJECT

First we must realize that COVI-19 is real. And while we “know” that the first “known” case was in China; we also know that there are people who had the virus and have never been diagnosed and people are dying daily.

Unfortunately, while many are assuming that common sense is common, guess what?

It isn’t. Some are going to believe what others think are unimaginable. Others are going to be called fools for believing and acting on the most absurd suggestions, remedies, or directives.

MAY 15, 2020

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NOTHING

Today, we must err on the side of caution and life. Be safe! We are committed to bringing you information that will help you to grow and thrive but more importantly, live!

May is Mental Health Aware-ness Month and I submit to you we all could use some attention. You may think COVID-19 is not impacting you. BUT, you’ve another think coming! These are challenging times.

Pastor Frederick D. Haynes III, of Dallas’ FriendshipWest Baptist Church, said that COVID-19 has exposed 4

HELP

the breakages in society. He is correct in his assessment as we saw services, funds, goods and resources continuing to go to those with the most, while the least of us went without.

While we salute those on the frontlines, we must recognize there are several frontlines, along with the “essentials.”

Thanks to all, including those who are giving from their hearts and own pockets to benefit others.

I’ve heard it said many times before, and it doesn’t get “real”er than today: we are at war! myimessenger.com

I ain’t no damned scientist, but this COVID Dude, is not Playin!

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES

solutions if we just follow them and learn patience. But I definitely wouldn’t put any trust in a guy who is not a doctor or scientist and was convicted

BY THOMAS MUHAMMAD for illegal prescription drug use! He and I were born in the same month, same day and, yes same year 1/12/1951. I orrect, I called Coronavirus just hope it wasn’t the same hour! a Dude cause Brothers know Who is “he” you ask? Okay don’t laugh!

Sistahs wouldn’t do this to the It’s Rush Limbaugh! Yeah Donald world! Yes I’m clear, sometimes Sisters Trumps’ bosom buddy! Now remember do try our patience. you said you weren’t going to laugh!

In fact, growing up in da hood, brothers It’s been proven perfectly clear the in anger with a Sister, would occasionally Donald either is asleep at the switch or shout out “give me back my damn has no care for any life other than his, rib!” That’s where the Bible said she cause this dude is kicking his and, by comes from right? Father Adam gave up default, America’s butt! a rib, so we calling in our damned loan! All happening with a man who will look Back to this COVID Dude, where you straight in the eye and lie like the currently with the virus thing is even truth is not in him! hitting the wealthy it seems; to have put This COVID Dude has even shined them in feeling the homeless people’s a huge light on America’s prisons, pain! Fat cats standing out on street particularly in rural areas! For decades corners holding signs exclaiming “will these majority white communities have work for food” is quickly becoming used census data to get billions from the norm as the nation’s food supply is the federal government by counting drying up. In less than four months the prisoners as a part of their towns. virus has infected world wide 3.1 million Yeah righ!t I hear you, that is funny, people with half of those cases in the the but it can be extremely deadly for prison US where nearly 74,000 had died. inmates and even prison guards who live I mean this Dude, I call an anti-social in these communities! disease, is proving too tough to handle These places have become areas for President Donald Trump and his where “social distancing” is completely administration where American citizens impossible and the virus is spreading like get no help from even news sources like wildfire behind prison walls and guards Fox News, as they keep harping on their are likely taking it home to their families. blame game narrative, “it escaped from And look at the folk Trump has put a lab in Wuhan, China!” in charge like this guy Brian Harrison Excuse me, but who the hell cares? Let’s who used to run a small business called just stop the damn thing, okay!

“Dallas Labradoodles!” Yeah he’s from I have complete faith in the professional my “homey,” but he has no education doctors to get us through this. They’ve in public health, management, or even gone to medical schools, earned the medicine. The only thing he’s known degrees and can provide us with the best for is being the man who successfully

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breeded a labradoodle but he’s tapped to lead the US pandemic task force which will probably be the most powerful position of our life time! Wow! It’s bad enough this President spends his every waking hour watching and listening to the “Great Enabling Talking Heads” at Fox like Tucker Carson who claimed that this “virus didn’t turn out to nearly be deadly as we thought it was!” And I’m like, huh! The US has over a million infected people that we know of and have over 70 thousand dead that’s not deadly! Remember the latest prediction was 74,000 would die

by August. We are early May and we’ve already about to reach that milestone, you think?

And since the Donald refuses to do nationwide testing as the science community has recommended, we won’t really know the true picture of just how bad a shape the country’s really in. So now the medical experts from around the world are resorting to test on sewers through wastewater places to try and get a trace on where the virus is spreading, because after all everybody uses the toilet, right? lol!

Man, I too wish this COVID Dude was gone like tomorrow, but that’s not what we see happening and for now too many doctors have been right thus far!

I definitely refuse to take any chances cause a nut sitting safely in the White House or his crackpots sitting safely behind mics at a tv studio tells me it’s safe to go out, and protest stay at home orders or mingling in large crowds! No way or as our sisters would say at a moment like this, “NOT!” The Struggle Continues....

Thomas Muhammad is Chairman of the National Black United Front (NBUF)-Dallas Texas Chapter.

MAY 15, 2020

After This…Church!

QUIT PLAYIN’ Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

Everyone is wondering if their world will be different after this. No one really knows what the world will look like after COVID-19 is bound and gagged, but let me give you my perspective on where we need to go from here.

After this pandemic is over, Black folks gotta get back to church. Nothing short of an oppression fighting faith will suffice. You never believe me, so I got an opinion from a real intellectual.

One of the most outstanding pastors of the history of this nation and this city, the late Dr. Manuel Scott, Sr., explained what church means to our struggle in one of the rare YouTube videos that bear his image.

“White folks... not all of them, but many of our oppressors made a big MAY 15, 2020

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mistake. They kept us out of school and worked us in the fields. They kept us out of political office and out of good jobs.

But they made a tactical mistake. They let us go to church! They let us meet Jesus. They let us read this

Bible. And it looked like we as a people should have been out of business. But Jesus gave us survival strength.

From Monday to Saturday, they would put a heavy load on us. But on Sunday morning, we sang,” I’m so glad that trouble don’t last always!”

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After this, some of us will go to church regularly. “Work out your soul salvation.” The old Preacher says that, “If it’s right to be in the church, it’s wrong to be out.”

Go to the Synagogues, Mosques, or wherever your spirit leads you; just go!

How else can you cope with a week’s worth of bad news?

The world has to watch out for this pandemic, we are forced to watch our backs.

Take, for instance, this past week. We watched the fall-out of a young Black jogger who was lynched by “wannabee” cops in Georgia. His mother did not celebrate Mother’s Day because it was the very date she gave birth to him.

In Indiana, two more of the “usual suspects were killed by police. No dashcam working in “a shootout” between police and two Black men, one of them a former soldier. myimessenger.com

Somehow, they did get a detective on tape. He couldn’t hold his glee as he made it to the crime scene; “Looks like it’s going to be a closed casket homie.”

The coronavirus has killed its share, but they got a long way to go to catch up with the police departments in the U.S. You never have to leave Texas, for examples.

A 48-year-old, well-known gospel artist died at the hands of the Houston PD. No word yet on what excuse or probable cause they will create.

Prayers and sympathies to the families of Ahmaud

Arbery, Dreasjon Reed, McHale Rose, and Adrian Medearis.

Artists who got us past the sorrows of our struggles died in a relentless spurt. Little Richard, Betty Wright, and Andre Harrell all filled the entertainment marquee for the last time.

Coronavirus ain’t got shit on being Black in America.

We need a place of solace and safety.

After this is over, we need to return to the epicenter of our strength and success.

We identified our talents and spiritual gifts at church. We learned business principles,

politics, oratory skills, musical prowess, and the art and organization of civil rights protests in the church.

Prayer works, but the dream works better when the team works together.

It is not my place or my point to force Christianity on anyone, but faith worked for us. Don’t get caught up in all those false equivalencies about jive-ass preachers and judgmental parishioners.

The Lord will make a way for you to get to church after this. These troubles won’t last always.

Happy Birthday Bro!

Duncanville HS Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Class of 2020

Daniela Padron Castillo

Daniela Padron Castillo is the Class of 2020 Valedictorian.

During her four years at Duncanville High School, Daniela was a star on the varsity tennis team as she qualified for the State Tennis Tournament as a freshman. myimessenger.com

“She is a great player because of her tenacity and heart she displays on court,” said then Head Tennis Coach Trent Sellers.

“She’s also very coachable and has a desire to never give ‘less than best’ effort.”

Daniela was also involved with Youth and Government, Student Council and was secretary for the National Honor Society. She plans to attend Swarthmore College where she will study Civil Engineering.

Julia Bowers

Julia Bowers is the Class of 2020 Salutatorian. Julia was a national qualifier all four years in Youth and Government. She was also the National Honor Society President and Senior

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Class Treasurer.

"She is a young woman of strength, integrity, grace and passion," said NHS sponsor Shaunna Kile. "She lets God lead her and it pours from her soul."

Julia plans to attend Boston College where she will major in biology on the pre-medicine track. Her favorite memory was going to the YAG state conference with her best friends.

MAY 15, 2020

WHEN THE BOAT FEELS

UNSTABLE

This has been a difficult week. The last few days have been a roller coaster of emotions.

I struggle with severe allergies and was in the Emergency Room Monday night.

This time, the symptoms were different than my previous analphalytic episodes. I had an idea when it started that this could result in something familiar but some of the occurrences were new. There was still the itching, bumps and some swelling but now I experienced tightness and redness.

Immediately, I knew that I had to get out the big guns and take meds including my EPI pen. As we drove to the emergency room and I entered, it too, was familiar and yet, different.

I couldn’t have family with me. My temperature was tested immediately. I was in my room alone with just MAY 15, 2020

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FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW

the physicians observing my vitals while administering steroids.

My fears about COVID-19 began to swirl in my mind--what if I got sick here? What if I need to stay over night again and go to ICU? I became vigilant in being mindful of my surroundings. What I might have taken for granted before, I couldn’t this time.

And just like each time before, I made it. I was released home in just a few 8

hours, feeling better and with a game plan to address with my allergist.

I think my situation this week is a reminder of what many of us are going through now. We’ve been down paths of uncertainty before.

We know what it is like to wonder if God will bring us through it but each time, our emotions take over.

We become frightened, angry, sad, and even scared.

This isn’t the first time in our lives that we didn’t have all of the answers or details but we knew that we would get through it.

We knew the outcome, no matter how difficult, would be in our favor. And yet, myimessenger.com

with this knowledge, we continue to go through our moments of despair when we see situations on the horizon that look familiar to those past pains.

We fail to remember how God is faithful and has always brought us through even when the answer may not have been what we wanted or expected.

The story of Jesus calming the storm is so significant for us today. The disciples were in the boat with God and had been several times before.

They had also seen storms, I’m sure, but on this particular day, no matter how familiar it seemed, they felt different.

They felt afraid.

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A myimessenger.com

furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died

down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

(Mark 4:35-41 New International Version (NIV)) Our boats will be rocked.

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There will be storms that rage sometimes uncontrollably without end it feels like at times.

Even if we’ve been there before, those feelings of fear and trepidation still appear and we ask God is He there?

Does he understand what I’m going through and what we must remember is that He is in the boat with us.

He is close and He will never leave us even when it looks like we will be overtaken in an experience that maybe familiar and yet, seems different than before.

At times, it seems as if Jesus is asleep as if He doesn’t know what is going on. He’s aware and cares for each of us. God is consistent. Hold on to that when your boat is rocked and know that He is with you...always.

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the Founder and CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, specializing as a Partnership Broker and Leadership Expert for companies and organizations to thrive with measurable and meaningful impact.

She also is the VP of Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances for the State Fair of Texas.

MAY 15, 2020

Part 1: Wig’d Out ABOUT YOUR HAIR

in fashion.

many countries is the most popular.

The laurel wreath crowning of

BY DR. LINDA great victors, king’s crowning on AMERSON www.hairandscalpessentials.com male wigs, and the queen’s tiara, were all symbolic of status on wigs.

In addition, it represented the Most women love the versatility wigs provide. Wigs can bring out fertile powers of human hair and your alter ego. Seriously! Wigs are of the sun. Elaborate wigs made of silver and gold have been found in designed to look very natural.

From short and sassy, long lengths to the floor, bright colors, blonde, brunette, high-lights, red heads, partials, lace frontal, and more. Women, teenagers, and some children wear wigs for various reasons — lazy hair day or to hide hair loss/hair thinning issues are the top two reasons.

Social embarrassment is a true factor for wig wearers.

Egyptian tombs. In the 17th and 18th centuries, men wore wigs as A LIL’ Wig History often as women. In fact, the most History reveals that in 16th century powerful men in society wore large Europe practically everyone wore powdered wigs. a wig. Wigs were equally popular Today’s wigs are made from with the Greeks and Romans. Did you know that in Rome there were a variety of fibers: human and statues with marble wigs, which synthetic hair, mixtures of synthetic were removable? This was possible and human hair, yarn, fabric, as so wigs could be changed with shifts well as animal hair imported from MAY 15, 2020

I MESSENGER

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Because there is no regulation currently in place for imported hair, there is an enormous demand for (any) hair for image boosting. Many consumers are unaware of the fact, they may be purchasing flowing or curly hair, made from sheep, horse hair, or camels, just to name a few. Unfortunately, labels are not required to inform consumers about animal or synthetic hair blends.

The price of synthetic hair may range from $20-$300.

Human hair wigs may range from $500$2000, or more.

Some of the top celebrity wig makers include: Kim Kimble, Stacy Butterworth, Shon Hyungsun Ju, Isaac Davidson, Terrence Davidson, Larry Sims, Troy Mitchell, Nabil Harlow, Tokyo Stylez, and Akki Shirakawa.

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MAY 15, 2020

What do you have to lose?

Your health OR YOUR JOB? THE LAST WORD DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX A little less than four years ago, the president tried to get Black votes with the question, “What do you have to lose.”

The coronavirus offers a bleak answer. Trump was notified of the danger of the pandemic in January, but didn’t begin to address the issue until late February.

Hospitals ran short on supplies like gowns, masks and tests. Governors had to ask, then plead with the president for ventilators and other supplies. And in the beginning, the president dismissed the seriousness of the virus, claiming it would “go away.”

And after weeks of “staying in place” and wearing masks, the daily death toll has not yet stabilized.

Of course, the Black community, along with Native Americans and Latinos, are hardest hit because of differences in spatial location, income, and age.

With some of the nonsense Trump has spouted, one might also think that he is deliberately targeting the Black community for damage. What do we have to lose? Our jobs or our lives.

Consider the United States Postal Service (USPS), which has been a staple employer in MAY 15, 2020

the African American community. Back in the day, my mom used to talk about “Ph.D.s working at the post office,” because academic employment was scarce and segregated, and the Post Office paid decently.

Many a Black family made it to the middle class with postal wages.

And now the president is declaring war on the USPS. Why? 45 has incorrectly said that fees for mailing packages are “too low,” that USPS is subsidizing internet companies (he means Amazon) with low package fees. But studies have shown that the prices paid for mailing packages more than cover their actual costs.

Twenty-one percent of the USPS” roughly 625,000 em-ployees are African American, and nearly 17 percent are other people of color. Might this be one of the reasons that 45 keeps lashing out at the USPS? He says that unless the USPS raises its fees for package delivery, he will deny the USPS any COVID-19 aid. I’m not suggesting that his animus toward the USPS in general, and Jeff Bezos and Amazon in particular, is precisely because so many people of color work for the Post

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race matters and that Office.

Still, I do not think that data on health, income, his attitude toward Black employment, wealth, and people is unrelated to his other factors must be collected and reported by ire at the USPS. What do we have to lose? race.

At the same time, there Some Black women have found their lives at risk re too many who resist because Trump’s touting gathering and reporting of hydroxychloroquine data by race, facetiously as a “game-changing” claiming we are all “one nation.” coronavirus cure.

And the myth of “one People with lupus also need hydroxy- nation” holds if data are chloroquine for their not collected.

When the threat of the disease, but Trump’s unseemly huckstering coronavirus has receded, a drug that is not likely perhaps a year or so from to cure the coronavirus now, we will be able to who carried has created shortages for measure the higher burden of this hydroxychloroquine.

Black women get lupus coronavirus.

But we already know twice as frequently as white women, and we that Black folks are dying, get it younger and with losing their jobs, or being more complications than exposed to the virus white women.

Because because of the jobs they lupus is more likely to hit hold (as an example, Black Black women at an earlier women are 6 percent of the age, Black women also labor force but 20 percent risk complications from of medical support staff).

We don’t need detailed pregnancy because of statistical analysis to lupus. that poorer, Did Trump enthusias- conclude tically embrace hydroxy- urban, Black and brown chloroquine because Black communities are hardest women are more likely hit.

What do you have to get the disease, and he wanted to punish us? to lose? Your job, and Does he have investments maybe even your life. in hydroxychloroquine– The lack of leadership 45 producing companies? has exhibited during this You don’t have to believe in pandemic disqualifies him conspiracies to recognize for a second term. And the disproportional those disproportionately impact the shortages of impacted who choose to hydroxychloroquine have vote for 45, choose to vote against their own interest. had on Black women.

These impacts of Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an disparate impact are one author, economist, and social of the many reasons that commentator.

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MAY 15, 2020

IN MEMORIAM KENNETH EDMONDS Special to the NNPA Newswire, by the North Carolina Black Publishers Association.

DURHAM, NC — Kenneth William Edmonds, Editor-Publisher of The Carolina Times, died on Saturday, May 2, 2020, at 66. Edmonds succeeded

his mother, Vivian Edmonds, in 2002, and carried on the legacy of his grandfather, Louis Austin.

Kenneth attended the local public schools in the Durham and Chapel Hill-Carrboro school systems, where he excelled in basketball and, after the ninth grade, attended prep school at Laurinburg Institute and majored in journalism at East Carolina University.

He began working for The Carolina Times in his youth, at age 4 or 5, as he assisted his grandfather by serving as “Keeper of the Keys.” He remarked that his grandfather would misplace his keys around the house, the office, the post office, and other places that he frequented. Kenneth’s first job was to keep up with them as they moved around Durham. He saw firsthand through the life, work and sacrifices that Louis and Stella Vivian Walker Austin faced as they sought to bring about a more equitable and just community.

Kenneth held numerous positions at the paper, including selling newspapers outside the office and later in the neighborhoods, which gave him keen insights into the lives of those featured weekly in “The Times.” He progressed at the paper, and his first writing assignment was writing obituaries and, eventually editorials. His photography also graced the newspaper, and, eventually, he began laying out the paper and exploring the business side of the profession.

Kenneth brought the newspaper into the age of digital technology and ushered in an era of a new MAY 15, 2020

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relevance to the publication with the inclusion of national wire service stories, and the incorporation of color photography within the pages of The Carolina Times. Though he made these improvements, Edmonds was always mindful of a statement his mother once made, “I’m trying to work my way out of a job.”

Her son took up that banner and continued printing weekly to chronicle the Durham Black community’s continued movement in that direction.

He was also a life member of the NAACP and enjoyed fellowship with St. Joseph’s African Methodist Episcopal Church since his childhood.

Born on Dec. 5, 1953 to the late educator, Woodrow “Woody” W. Edmonds, and educator and editor, Vivian L. Austin Edmonds, Kenneth leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted son, Christian Edwards, and cousins, Bernard Austin and Vivian Austin.

ANDRE HARRELL

By Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D, NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Editor Photo: Instagram/Uptown Records

The Twitterverse is in mourning after reports legendary music executive Andre Harrell was found dead today in his Los Angeles apartment.

The Bronx native was one half of the rap duo Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde. In the early 1980s, Harrell joined Russell Simmons at Def Jam Records, eventually becoming Vice President and General Manager. In 1986, Harrell left Def Jam Records to start his own label, Uptown Records at MCA, which became the sound of 1990s Hip-Hop Soul.

At Uptown, Harrell signed Heavy D and the Boyz, Marly Marl, Al B. Sure, and Guy among others.

It is at Uptown Records where Harrell famously discovered future music mogul Sean “P Diddy” Combs, who started at the company as an intern and rose to the ranks of a Vice-President of A&R signing such acts as Mary J. Blige, Jodeci and Father MC. Harrell also served as an Executive Producer for the FOX television hit New York Undercover (1994-1989). Harrell fired Combs, who left to

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form Bad Boy Records bringing Hip-Hop legend Notorious B.I.G. with him and signing Total, Faith Evans, 112, Craig Mack, and a host of other artists.

Despite the breakup, Combs and Harrell remained lifelong friends.

After Combs’ departure, Mary J. Blige and Jodeci also left the label, leaving Uptown with declining sales. In 1995, Harrell left Uptown Records to join iconic record company Motown Records with Heavy D becoming CEO of Uptown. Harrell, who had been paid $20 million to sign with Motown, was fired two years later in 1997, taking a $5 million payout with him.

In 2014, Andre Harrell and Combs reunited, with Harrell becoming Vice-Chairman of Revolt TV & Media, Combs’ multi-platform music network.

Harrell was also a producer on Revolt‘s wildly popular show “State of the Culture.” At REVOLT, Harrell oversaw the REVOLT Music Conference (RMC) and produced and hosted the show, “Music Talks” where he interviewed music legends like L.A. Reid, Babyface, Nas, Queen Latifah and Sean Combs. At the time of his death, the entertainment powerhouse was working on a 3-part-series about Uptown Records for BET Networks. A pioneer of Hip-Hop Soul and a major figure in black R&B music and television soundtracks, Harrell was 59.

LITTLE RICHARD

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor

Richard Wayne Penniman, better known as Little Richard, was one of the most influential singer songwriters in popular music. He was one of the founders of Rock n’ Roll in the 1950s and one of the most memorable performers in rock history.

Little Richard was born in 1932 in Macon, Georgia.

“Tutti Frutti” (1955), one of Richard’s signature songs, became a hit reaching the No. 2 on the Billboard chart. Another hit, “Long Tall Sally” (1956), hit No. 1 on Billboard. “Tutti Frutti” was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2010 and cited for its “unique vocalizing over the irresistible beat announced a new era in music”. Two of his songs,”Tutti Frutti” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly” were listed on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Little Richard’s music was covered by several myimessenger.com

artists thereafter and his influence included The Beatles, who opened for Little Richard as he toured Europe in 1962. He also advised Paul McCartney on his distinctive vocalizations. Little Richard influenced Otis Redding, James Brown, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, John Lennon and Cliff Richard and those influences frequently showed up in their music.

Legend has it that James Brown came up with the Famous Flames debut hit, “Please, Please, Please”, after Richard had written the words down on a napkin. Redding started his professional career with Little Richard’s band, The Upsetters.

Bob Dylan performed covers of Little Richard’s songs on piano during a high school talent show with his rock and roll group, the Golden Chords.

In 1959, Dylan wrote in his yearbook under “Ambition”: “to join Little Richard.”

In 1963, Richard agreed to assist a failing tour effort by The Everly Brothers, Bo Diddley and The Rolling Stones and was given his own TV special after the tour ended. Little Richard received all the honors possible in music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of its first group of legendary inductees in 1986. He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Little Richard is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. In 2015, Richard received a Rhapsody & Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music for his key role in the formation of popular music genres and helping to bring an end to the racial divide on the music charts and in concert in the mid-1950s changing American culture significantly.

In 1955, he recorded “Tutti Frutti” in three takes and it was released as a single in November 1955.

Penniman’s performances, like most early rock myimessenger.com

and roll shows, resulted in integrated audience reaction during an era of strict segregation in the South. On tours that included groups of music stars, Little Richard and other artists such as Fats Domino and Chuck Berry would allow audiences Black and white to enter buildings via the same door but sit in separate places — but everyone would dance.

Little Richard’s high-energy performances while playing the piano included dancing on top of the piano, running on and off the stage and throwing souvenirs to the audience. He also dressed flamboyantly onstage.

Some of what is taken for granted now in popular music was invented by Little Richard. He was ranked eighth on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and Rolling Stone listed three of Little Richard’s recordings, “The Girl Can’t Help It”, “Long Tall Sally” and “Tutti Frutti”, on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Little Richard was the third of 12 children of Leva Mae and Charles Penniman.

happened with Wright when she was a teenager) and "Where is the Love" (which won her a GRAMMY for Best R&B Song).

In 1988, Wright made music history by being the first woman to have a gold record on her own label, (self written, arranged, produced, and published).

With the release of Mother Wit, which featured two of her biggest hits in years, "No Pain No Gain" and the "After The Pain." On both songs, Wright displays her powerful upper register capabilities and seven-octave range.

By 2001 a compilation album The Very Best of Betty Wright was released, along with her first studio album in several years, Fit for a King.

After co-producing the first two Joss Stone albums, (2003, 2004) multiple GRAMMY nominations, Vocal production on Diddy and Keyshia Cole’ Last Night (#1),a Vocal Coaching spot on Making the Band 3, which spawned the group Danity Kane, Wright managed to squeeze

BETTY WRIGHT Betty Wright was a soul and R&B singer with deep gospel roots. She influenced a generation of female singer-songwriters and continues to influence the world of hip hop, who sample some of her more famous material.

Born singing gospel with the family group, the Echoes of Joy, Wright began experimenting with R&B music in 1965 when she was only 11. In 1968, she released her first album, My First Time Around, by the age of 14, and scored her first national hit, "Girls Can't Do What Guys Can Do." But it was not until the end of 1971 that Wright's most successful phase of her career began to take place.

The song, "Clean Up Woman", became a Top 5 pop and #2 R&B hit, and would later influence a remix of Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" single with the sample of its guitar riffs; R&B girl group trio SWV's "I'm So Into You" also featured a sample from "Clean Up Woman," as did Afrika Bambaataa's song "Zulu War Chant", and Sublime's "Get Out!" remix.

In 1974, Wright scored big with the songs "Tonight is the Night" (about a real-life love affair that

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in an amazing collab with her dear friend Ms Angie Stone which garnered them a GRAMMY nomination in Best duets category. Ms. B is also vocal coach to Lil Wayne, who she declares has the memory of a space alien: a phenomenon.

This mother of 5 ( Aisha, Patrice, Patrick*, Chaka, and Asher,) still managed to mentor several young singer/songwriters in a home-based camp called The MOST, which is an acronym for Mountain Of Songs Today, Wright has been instrumental in the careers of hundreds of artists (vocal coaching, production, song writing, backing vocalist and co-ordinator, music consultancy, etc)The likes of Beyonce, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Joss Stone, Mia X, Trick Daddy, Flo Rida, DJ Khaled, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Alice Cooper, Bill Wyman(Rolling Stones) and on and on til the break of dawn.....!

MAY 15, 2020

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BRING IT!

Senator West speaks out in support of Judge Eric Moye

Judge Eric Moye

Sen. Royce West

Gov. Greg Abbott

WEST: If Trump wants to go after a good judge in my home county, I say bring it.

State Senator Royce West on Monday voiced his support for an independent judiciary in Texas and defended the right of all judges to do their jobs without fear of infringement by other branches of state government or threats from right-wing fringe groups.

Mr. West’s statements came after both Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump attacked Judge Eric V. Moyé, who presides over the 14th Civil District Court in Dallas County.

Judge Moyé recently made headlines after a ruling he issued upheld MAY 15, 2020

guidelines on COVID-19 related business closures that were issued by the governor.

“What Governor Abbott and other Texas leaders like Attorney General Paxton and did was fundamentally wrong and dangerous. Our state constitution specifically spells out a separation of powers between the executive and judicial branches,” said West.

“Abbott himself gave the justice system enforcement guidelines, including jailing business owners who were non-compliant. After a salon owner repeatedly

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POTUS Donald Trump

flaunted the law as part of a carefully planned rightwing publicity stunt, Judge Moyé did the right thing by holding this salon owner in contempt of court for refusing to follow Abbott’s own guidelines.

“But Abbott decided to earn political points with Trump supporters and the far right by subverting the rule of law and the justice system. It’s a dangerous precedent.”

Judge Moyé was attacked with racial slurs, received lynching and hanging threats, and had Tea Party protesters share his home address online and then protest in front of his home as a result of the ruling. Now, the salon owner, right-wing pundits and President Donald

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Trump are targeting Judge Moyé, who is up for reelection.

Trump retweeted calls for Judge Moyé’s defeat over the weekend.

“We are looking at a planned publicity stunt, a right-wing direct action maneuver that continues with Trump now involved.

“Right-wing protestors showed up outside Judge Moyé’s home. What is Governor Abbott going to do to keep the judge protected now that his and Paxton’s actions have put his life at risk?

Will he protect her like he protected a salon owner,” West asked. “My reaction is, if Trump wants to try to take out a good judge in my home county, I say bring it.” myimessenger.com

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MAY 15, 2020

Forgotten Giant I WAS JUST THINKING...

1961. Paul Quinn College now occupies the old Bishop College campus. By many accounts Dr. Curry was a brilliant scholar,

By Norma a decent and polite man, and Adams-Wade an insightful, stubborn and Mention the name Dr. M. determined leader for all the K. Curry Jr. and the current right reasons. generation likely will give you a blank stare. Add the name to Bishop College and the blank stare may continue.

It’s really not the young one’s fault or the newcomer who has recently settled here. Time moves on, memories fade, new crises replace old ones.

But recently conversations with two persons full of memories and artifacts filled Dr. M. K. Curry Jr. my own head with recall, Dr. Curry ascended to heights at wonder and regrets.

The wonder comes from the the helm of the 287-acre campus mystery of how circumstances on Simpson-Stuart Road near can turn a life from distinction Bonnie View Road in Southern to debris. The regret comes Dallas. Then misappropriated from imagining how different federal money by certain members this one life would have been of his staff sent the college into a if the road has turned right tailspin.

The after-math led to instead of left.

Dr. M. K. Curry Jr. was indictments, a lengthy federal court president of Bishop College trial, a Dallas Black community in Marshall, Texas and when and HBCUs in turmoil, students, the college moved to Dallas in professors and other employees MAY 15, 2020

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caught in the crosshairs, and ultimately the demise of the college in 1988 after a stellar 107year history.

Acquaintances said the Magnolia, Arkansas native, Morehouse College Phi Beta Kappa mathematics graduate, and former two-time president of the United Negro College Fund, died at age 77 -- the same day the college properties were sold.

They said Dr. Curry’s health had deteriorated by then and he was rarely seen in public.

“It was very rainy on the day of his funeral, but it was well attended at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church near the campus,” recalled Dr. Harry Robinson Jr., who was the librarian at Bishop College before he led the movement that created the African American Museum at Fair Park.

“Dr. Curry’s wife, Mrs. Marjorie Stewart Curry, asked me to read a poem and I did the best I could,” Dr. Robinson said. “One of the highlights of my memory is how Dr. Curry stood up for his students.

He was courageous, head-strong, and you could not control him.”

I was just thinking... how does a giant of a man or woman adjust to myimessenger.com

Students relax on grass in the 1960s at the entrance to the old Bishop College campus that is now Paul Quinn College on Simpson Stuart Road in far Southwest Dallas.

such a fall from grace? With a man like Dr. Curry, whose intentions seemed noble – despite some of his clashes with Bishop students who demonstrated during the 1960s civil rights era – what is the path to peace of mind?

We have examples of falls that are not pleasant to mention: newsman Matt Lauer, entrepreneur and cook Martha Stewart, and entertainers R. Kelley, Bill Cosby, Billie Holiday, and Full House star Lori Loughlin. The mighty fall, but many are not forgotten.

Martha Stewart, for example, has myimessenger.com

returned from serving a felony conviction for stock fraud and gradually resumed her top spot as a business mogul.

Rev. Larry J. Sanders Sr. believes a deep spiritual quality sustained Dr. Curry through losing his lofty status.

Rev. Sanders was president of the last class of Bishop graduates when it closed in 1988.

He was Dr. Curry’s former driver and personal assistant until Curry died, and he has been pastor of Keller Springs Baptist Church in Carrollton for 20 years.

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“After he left Bishop, people would ask how he was faring, Rev. Sanders said. “I remember him responding often by saying, ‘the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”

There is so much more to the story of this forgotten giant – stubborn, unrelenting. I hope to revisit his and his family’s life on another occasion.

Norma Adams-Wade is a veteran, award-winning journalist, graduate of UT-Austin and Dallas native.

One of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) she was inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame.

MAY 15, 2020

From Marva with Love Schedule

May 15

May 22

11:15 am: Demetria Bivens Owner of DBL Consultants. Re: Black Contractors. Have you had to lay people off since COVID-19?

11:45 am: Norma Adams-Wade Founding member of NABJ. What are you planning with your new Blog Talk Radio Show? Let’s talk about your column, “I was just thinking…”

12:15 pm: Attorney Bobbie Edmonds How are attorneys impacted by what's going on with coronavirus? How are things in Fort Worth?

11:15 am: Dr. Sharka’Kang Zoolo Kang Naturopathic Doctor and herbalist.

Can you help us with COVID-19?

Solutions and what we can do to stay healthy?

11:45 am: Dr. Ester Davis of The Ester Davis TV Show Why is there a need for an organization of just the Black Press and what can we expect?

12:15 pm: Shuckey Duckey What's going on with this Renowned Comedian? What does he make of what's going on in the world?

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12:30 pm: Nicolette Bynum, Personal Shopper The 2nd Place winner of Healthy Living Expo, Mac & Cheese Bake off, she has created a business during COVID-19.

MAY 15, 2020

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OBAMAS TO HOST VIRTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 2020 GRADUATES

graduating classes whose in-person commencement events have been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” the former president’s office said in a statement on Tuesday, according to ABC 7. “Today, the Obamas are pleased to announce that they will participate in multiple virtual commencement celebrations for students, families and educators.”

The Obamas will also be featured in another virtual commencement ceremony for all graduates. It has been reported that the event will take place on June 6 and will be livestreamed on YouTube.

Mrs. Obama took to Twitter to announce the news for the class of 2020: I know how hard the #Classof2020 has worked to make it to graduation, so @BarackObama and I want to give you the celebration you deserve.

That’s why @ReachHigher and I are teaming up with @Youtube to host a virtual graduation on June 6!

RSVP at https://t.co/TPcaSy43B8. pic.twitter.com/ glLadzlZux — Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) May 5, 2020

by Dana Givens, Black Enterprise

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many milestones and celebrations have been canceled following restrictions on large public gatherings due to health concerns. One of the many casualties of the public health crisis has been school graduations for this year’s graduates. Because of school closures, many organizations have decided to partner with celebrity commencement speakers to give graduates a virtual experience to still celebrate their achievements.

Former U.S. President, Barack Obama, will be creating a virtual commencement ceremony specifically for HBCU graduates who have had their traditional ceremonies canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, titled “Show Me Your Walk: HBCU Edition.”

“Over the past month, President and Mrs. Obama have received dozens of requests from around the globe to address

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In addition to the special ceremony, Mr. Obama will also be making an appearance on “Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020,” on May 16.

Other celebrity appearances include LeBron James, H.E.R., Yara Shahidi, and Pharrell Williams.

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MAY 15, 2020

From Marva with

The Chief of Staff

Natalie Williams, JD is Chief of Staff and Director of Institutional Advancement for Paul Quinn College, under the leadership of President Michael J. Sorrell. Ms. Williams leads the College’s Corporate Work Program where students gain valuable work experience at businesses, non-profits and Fortune 500 companies. She also manages the execution of institutional grants and implements the development campaigns and initiatives.

With more than a decade of experience creating effective and sustainable solutions to raise student achievement, she is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School and Arizona State University with degrees in Philosophy and Journalism.

MS: Natalie, will you tell us a little about yourself and what does your job entail?

NW: Absolutely I’m so very happy to be here, and have an opportunity to talk about Paul Quinn College, the college that I absolutely love; that I call family. The staff, students, and faculty are absolutely amazing. It just really pumps me up and gets me charged up every day. I have the absolute pleasure of serving as President Sorrell’s Chief of Staff and leading our MAY 15, 2020

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By Marva Sneed

development initiatives for the college as well as our urban work program, and our corporate work program. So I support the students in several ways of building our mission to ensure that we are able to end intergen-

Natalie Williams erational poverty by providing a direct pathway for students to not only graduate with their degree but a direct pathway for employment after graduation because they’ve spent four years while they’re here at the college in reality-based education, but also in internships with various companies throughout the metroplex.

MS: Since COVID-19 hit what are some of the challenges you are faced with?

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NW: Well, you know, we’re facing the same challenges that all colleges and universities are facing throughout the nation. We have to shift our learning model and transition our classes to online fortunately for us we had already started that, Dr. Dowdy leads up our Academic Affairs team and we have a blended learning model already in place. So students are accustomed to having both hybrid instruction where you have in-person instruction as well as instruction virtually or online. Our Affairs team was really amazing and being able to pivot quickly, but other challenges that you know, we’re facing and adapting to is just making sure that the students have housing, those students who weren’t able to return home.

We created a space for them. And created for 25 student’s off-campus housing.

Follow Paul Quinn College on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @PaulQuinnTigers to find out what President Sorrell has planned for graduation.

So stay tuned to Texas Metro News, Garland Journal, and I Messenger to read what Sports Editor Dorothy Gentry is sharing. To hear the full interview go to link: https://bit. ly/3aCmWyA BlogTalkRadio.com/Cheryl’s World to From Marva with Love.

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I MISS YOU Oh, how I miss you.

My reality distorted. Retreating often to a place where you remain. We laugh, together. I’m captivated by your smile. Your conversation enlightens me.

And the fact that I can go there and be in your presence, helps me move through this life without you.

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MAY 15, 2020

THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Boomerang

By VALDER BEEBE

From Executive Producers Halle Berry and Lena Waithe comes season 2 of BET’s hit series directed entirely by Women of Color…

Boomerang. In the Valder Beebe Show satellite studio, I interviewed two of the stars of the series, Brittany Inge and RJ Walker.

The series is based on the 1992 American rom-com in which Berry starred alongside Robin Givens and Eddie Murphy, and will continue to follow the lives of Jacqueline Boyer’s son, Bryson (Tequan Richmond) and Marcus and Angela Graham’s daughter, Simone (Tetona Jackson) as they try to step out of their parents’ shadows and make a legacy of their own. Actors Leland Martin (Ari), RJ Walker (David), Brittany Inge (Crystal), and Lala Milan (Tia), will return as series regulars. Guest stars for the series will include Kim Wayans, Jaleel White, Walter Emanuel Jones, Nicole Williams, Cameron J. Ross, Elle Lorraine, and Zoelle Griggs.

Dime Davis returns to the director’s chair for half of the season. Other directors this season include Tiffany Johnson (Dear White People, Black Monday, and Twenties) for two episodes and first-time director Katrelle N. Kindred for two episodes.

Brittany Inge is a multi-hyphenate MAY 15, 2020

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artist and activist from Laurel, MD. She is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC and Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. RJ most recently completed shooting a great supporting role in Amy Poehler’s feature comedy, WINE

COUNTRY, with Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, and Jason Schwartzman.Text provided by Brittany & RJ’s publicists in conjunction with the Valder Beebe Show VEB: Welcome both of you very talented Boomerang stars.

BI: Thank you for the very warm welcome to your show, The Valder Beebe Show.

VEB: Based on the 1992 American romantic comedy film, this new series follows the lives of Jacqueline Boyer’s son and Marcus and Angela Graham’s daughter as they try to step out of their parents’ shadows and make a legacy of their own.

Tell us about your Boomerang Role.

BI: I play Krystal Garret. She’s

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a strong black women just on her journey to find herself after a divorce.

VEB: What does the audience need to know about BET Boomerang?

RJ: Boomerang covers the children of Marcus Graham (Eddie Murphy) and Jacqueline Boyer.

Boomerang is the black living single, black friends’ genre.

VEB: Britany, RJ mentioned living single. I believe African American audiences have been looking for that genre to connect to for a long time.

BI: I absolutely agree with that. I would say that Living Single is most aligned with Boomerang, the stories we want to tell, the values that align with us as young, successful, Black millenniums.

Brittany & RJ’s full interview…….

YouTube.com/valderbeebeshow Valder Beebe Show THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW OnDemand video: ValderBeebeShow.com, 411RadioNetwork. com, Youtube.com/valderbeebeshow; PODCAST audio: Soundcloud.com/valderbeebeshow, Soundcloud.com/ kkvidfw; Broadcast:KYBS FM Y99.9, KRER FM 102.5, Streaming TV PChatman Network and VBS affiliate broadcasters; On-Demand 411 RadioNetwork.com,. – Now available on 411RadioNetwork APP . Valder Beebe Show is a Power of 3 Women media influencer consortium partner. myimessenger.com

Hanging with Hollywood

Becoming

MOVIE REVIEW BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

BECOMING is a NETFLEX documentary by first time director, Nadia Hallgren who follows the former first lady on her tour to 34 citles to promote her memoir, “Be-coming,” and to connect and mentor young women on each stop along the way.

The film is a sincere look at the hate speech that was spewed by racists and Fox News reporters that both she and President Obama had to deal with and she admits that it was hurtful. However; the former first lady remained upbeat. Her positive attitude is infectious. She is such a contrast to the current Tweeting egomaniac who currently resides in the White House. The movie brings up her “when they go low, we go high” speech while campaigning for Hillary Clinton and shows that was not just a campaign slogan, but rather something she truly believes in her heart.

During her cross country tour she looks at her family’s history and remembers how she came from slaves myimessenger.com

to become the first African American First Lady. It’s an example of never forgetting where you came from.

During her book tour she’s interviewed by famous celebri-ties, like Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King.

She tells some really great stories about her family time in the White House, for example the time she and her daughters wanted to sneak outside, but were hampered by the secret service. The funniest one she relates is that on the families last night in the White House her girls wanted to have a sleep over. The next morning they had to scramble to all the kids out of the house because Trump was ready to move in.

BECOMING is a won-derful journey about the Obama’s eight years in the White House. It gives us a real insight to one of the most beloved first ladies in history. It’s rated PG and runs right at 90 minutes.

On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate this movie a JUMBO!

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