I M essenger OCTOBER 11, 2019
VOL IX NO 8
NORMA ADAMS-WADE joins IMM Team
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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.
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COMMENTARY by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
Stop punishing homeless One of the cruelest polices of the current administration is the demonization of homeless people simply because they find themselves on the margins of life. With growing income inequality and increasing prices for food and transportation, many of our fellow citizens find themselves being victimized. According to the federal government’s annual homeless statistics approximately 540,000 people , including children and military service veterans, sleep on the streets of our nation’s cities and towns each night, or in automobiles, wooden crates and in cardboard boxes. This is unacceptable, and we must do better. Homeless people are being violently attacked on the streets of our cities as they simply attempt to find shelter, rest or sleep. Most recently in one of our major cities four people were slain within blocks and hours of one another. They bothered no one, and posed no threat. Yet they became targets. With the federal government making it more and more difficult for people to find affordable housing, the number of homeless people continues to rise. Instead of providing for the homeless, the Trump administration persists in demonizing them, making their activities unlawful,
encouraging their arrests and sending them down a spiral of hopelessness. Violent acts against the homeless should be regarded as hate crimes. In our nation’s public schools, the number of children who live in homeless families has increased during the past decade. It is as if we care very little about these children and their attempts to learn and secure a safe a safe place for themselves in this the richest country on earth. As the co-chair of the Congressional Homelessness Caucus, I witness firsthand the problems that homeless people face, and I am committed, as are many of my colleagues in Congress, to compassionate, reasonable and immediate action that will end homelessness. I am also committed to the restoration of full civil rights for those who are homeless, and to promulgating policies that will end their plight as they deserve better than they are being offered. We must provide them with housing, and other social, health and economic programs that will halt their criminalization and demonization. They, like the rest of us, deserve the best that this country has to offer.
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INSIDE
I WAS JUST THINKING
Dr. Malveaux
QUIT PLAYIN’
I have been traveling the streets of my native Dallas for more years than I care to recall. While traveling, I often recall conversations I’ve had about footprints. There are a lot of deep African American footprints around this tinsel town.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the proliferation of pink ribbons is about to start. Predatory capitalists will make breast cancer their cause, producing pink t-shirts, pocketbooks, everything.
“Strength to Love” debuted in 1963 as a book of sermons, principally centered on the topic of segregation. Its author was the social justice activists’ mentor; the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It went past separation of the races and juxtaposed what love would look like, if fully integrated.
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OCTOBER 11, 2019
MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith, Publisher
Attack issues not people
I was so looking forward to returning to the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee. It was Homecoming and while many were excited about the football matchup between Florida A&M University and North Carolina Central University; I had so many other things to look forward to. I was going to get a much-needed break after spending a week and a half covering a murder trial; I would get to celebrate anniversaries with sorority sisters, classmates, alumni and friends; there would be a show of all shows from the baddest band in the land, the Marching 100; I’d get to enjoy some really good cooking; and, I’d get to act like I was 21 again! Well, guess what? Folks in Tallahassee wanted to talk about the Amber Guyger Murder Trial in Dallas, TX. And boy, did I get an earful. I was practically overwhelmed by the conversations at the airport, on the plane, in the Uber, at restaurants, at the tailgates, OCTOBER 11, 2019
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waiting in line for the ladies room, at the game, and even parties, especially when people found out I was from Dallas. This was not what my 21-yearold self was in the mood for. And yes, I received phone calls, emails and text messages to add to the drama of social media platforms. Which brings me to my truth. I was determined to not let the trial or the commentary from the peanut gallery destroy my homecoming. I learned at a young age that your mouth can get you into trouble and you need to know what you are talking about or just shut up! Well, that wasn’t happening, at least not on social media. I know. It was the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey who said, “Every man has a right to his own opinion. Every race has a right to its own action; therefore let no man persuade you against your will, let no other race influence you against your own.”
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Opinions are great, they become profound when backed up by facts, research and substantive analysis. I heard erroneous information from usually credible sources and I witnessed a lot of people passing along opinion as fact. YOu also had people miserable with their own lives, armed and ready to attack others. Now you can disagree without all the filth and name calling. People didn’t speak out as much about all the lynchings and wrongfully incarcerated, nor have many found a cause they would champion. They couldn’t tell you of any improprieties in other cases and couldn’t name the judges in cases that involved the murders of Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, shall I continue? And interestingly those talking about what the judge wouldn’t have done, never heard of the judge until the Amber Guyger case. These graduates of FaceBook myimessenger.com
ratives, no matter how much you wish they were true. And check info before you speak and share!” Then there are those who have weighed in on who is a sellout, a coon, Aunt Jemima, et al. Really? Some of those same name callers sit quietly in boardrooms, newsrooms, classrooms, and everywhere in the workplace and allow people to be joked about, mistreated, disenfranchised, marginalized and worse, fired. Would you call them sell-outs and all the other names being used to verbally assault Judge Kemp? Or what about you? Has there ever been a time when you should have spoken up and didn’t, but later you realized you were wrong? Should folks call you names or disparage your character?” And what about those who say the judge acted “unprofessionally?” What standard is being used, from the person whose co-workers want to call them out but won’t for fear of
SOcial media school of law
School of Law, the University of I’m Bad Because I’m on Social Media, and The Who is a Coon University are laughable. The UNCF says “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Well, a mind without research, knowledge, information or discernment is a terrible thing. Just as I thought things couldn’t get more incredulous, someone else would opine. So I wondered a few things… For those who admit that we have a broken, unfair justice system; why would you uphold that system by offering the defense: “Never have I heard of a judge doing anything like that!” Well, it’s kind of like punishing your new myimessenger.com
wife because she is different from the ex-wife who made your life miserable for years. You know the one who was trifling, deceptive, nagging, all of that! Do you remember the feeling you had when you posted, shared or liked something on Facebook that you shouldn’t have? Did it make you stop and think and become more responsible? I still remember the day I shared a post that was actually wishful thinking. Someone posted that Allen Iverson was joining LeBron James in Cleveland. Just a minute of thought and I would have realized the numbers didn’t add up. On that day, I said, “Never again! Don’t be guilty of false nar-
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being called a bully? Why is it so easy to turn on people and begin character assassinations, especially when you’re talking about people you don’t know. And then. You have the people who say, “If it was me...” What the heck! It is NOT you and it’s easy to say what you would do when you are not in a situation -that’s when you’re biggest and baddest! I daresay there will be people who later will admit they spoke out of order while others will die on the sword before any admission. I guess it’s more noble to be wrong and stay wrong, and it’s easier to rationalize your way out of an embarrassing situation by deflecting. Whatever the case, and everyone should know that when you put stuff out there, folks see you for who you are. They will smile in your face, but behind your back they will do just as many do on social media — make punk moves.
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OCTOBER 11, 2019
I WAS JUST THINKING...
HISTORIC FOOTPRINTS
By Norma Adams-Wade
I have been traveling the streets of my native Dallas for more years than I care to recall. While traveling, I often recall conversations I’ve had about footprints. There are a lot of deep African American footprints around this tinsel town. Historic footprints are all over the 8th and 10th streets area near Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center. Let’s save Yvonne A. Ewell for another time and just talk about the streets across from the popular school. I call this small section of Oak Cliff my personal Catfish Row, referring to the setting in George Gershwin’s world-famous 1935 folk opera Porgy and Bess. The production -- starring a trailblazing all-African American cast that wrestled with life in a staged Charleston, South Carolina shantytown -- later became a 1959 movie and featured stars including Sidney Poitier, Dor-
othy Dandridge and Sammy Davis Jr. But I digress. I was just thinking about how this enduring Hon. David Perry Dallas area figuratively has so many African American footprints and is rife with the spirits of early Dallas African Americans
high up on thumbnail porches – reminds me of a Catfish Row movie set. I want to blurt out the timeless songs “Summertime” or “It Ain’t Necessarily So” from Gershwin’s folk opera. I cannot drive by the 8th or 10th streets area without emotions tugging at my heart when I see all the “streets” with names that include Boswell, Anthony, Noah and Moore. Their histories scream as if through a megaphone, because the African Americans whose names these streets honor were larger than life when they lived. ...But we don’t remember them. I was just thinking of a time decades ago when I researched the origin of these street names and interviewed a number of the proud descendants of the ancestors these names honor. Their stories were so full of life and pathos, glory and grief.
I Messenger Media welcomes veteran journalist Norma Adams-Wade. We hope you will enjoy her insightful, informative
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and entertaining columns.
who deserve to be remembered. The design of the modest structures – some up on tiny hills and jammed into miniature spaces where residents sit 6
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They were early Black settlers who purchased land in the Oak Cliff wilderness along the Trinity River west bank during Reconstruction, the decade following the Civil War and generations before Trinity River levees were built to hold back threatening flood waters that often covered the settlement, known as Dallas’ oldest Freeman’s Town, even before the State-Thomas area. Most of these African American pioneers are buried in the old and forgotten Oak Cliff Cemetery that still stands and extends back from 8th to 10th streets along that end of Moore Street. Boswell and Anthony streets only scratch the surface in honoring Anthony Boswell for whom two of the streets are named. Boswell was a former enslaved African American myimessenger.com
who purchased his freedom in Alabama before arriving in Dallas with his family in the 1860s. He worked his way here as a teamster and purchased the large track of land where my Catfish Row sets. He also founded the once glorious Sunshine Elizabeth
Chapel CME Church, a historic landmark that was at 1026 E. 10th Street for more than a century before it gave way to deterioration and was demolished in the late 1990s. That’s a whole separate tearstained story. The church was 7
named for Anthony Boswell’s wife, Elizabeth. In the late 1980s, I was privileged to talk to Boswell’s granddaughter, Ruby Boswell Johnson of Dallas, who was then in her 80s. She said Anthony Boswell and his son/her father George Boswell opened and operated the first Black-owned grocery store on 10th Street in the late 1880s. I also talked many times with Anthony Boswell’s great-greatgrandson, the late David Perry. He was Plano’s first Black city council member in 1990 and a leading businessman and political operative who died in 2013. I was just thinking. The persons who inspired the naming of Noah and Moore streets in my figurative folk opera community would be interesting to explore next time we get together. How ‘bout let’s do that, ok?
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OCTOBER 11, 2019
COMMENTARY by Dr. Julianne Malveaux
Fannie Lou Hamer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the proliferation of pink ribbons is about to start. Predatory capitalists will make breast cancer their cause, producing pink t-shirts, pocketbooks, everything. It’s a mixed blessing, this awareness, because too many will make this both a marketing and a profitmaking opportunity, while others will wonder how they can use their health insurance to afford a mammogram. Health equity is a major issue, and there is a gap in health care and health access. It is especially sharp when we address the issue of breast cancer. While Black women get breast cancer at a lower rate than white women, we are 42 percent more likely to die from it. And young Black women, those under 35, are twice as likely as white women to get breast cancer, and three times as likely to die from it. Black women are also three times as likely as white women to get triple-negative breast cancer, an especially aggressive form of breast cancer. I am privileged to know Ricki Fairley, a triple-negative breast cancer survivor, and marketing maven who now holds a leadership role at the nation’s oldest and largest black women’s breast cancer network group. Sister’s Network, describes itself as a “survivorship organization” that provides support for Black women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Ricki only recently joined the organization as its Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and National Programs, and she is on a mission to raise awareness about breast cancer in the African American community. Propelled OCTOBER 11, 2019
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by her own survivorship story, but also by the many women she has provided support for, she is passionate about the reasons that African American women must be informed and engaged around breast cancer issues. Our civil rights icon, Fannie Lou Hamer, died of untreated breast cancer. She was just 59 when she made her transition, and one can only speculate about why this fearless leader had an untreated disease. Her untreated breast cancer was not the first collision she experienced with our racist health care system. At 44, she had surgery to remove a tumor, and the hospital also gave her a hysterectomy without her consent. These unconsented sterilizations happened to lots of Black women in southern states. It eroded the trust that many Black women had in our health care system. Had Fannie Lou Hamer noticed a lump, would she be inclined to return to the health care system that had already oppressed her? Probably not. Fannie Lou Hamer was poor and vocally Black in the South. Serena Williams is wealthy, Black and an international superstar. Despite her privilege, Williams also experienced the differential way the health care system treats Black women. Serena might have died giving birth to her daughter, Alexandra. Because Williams was gracious enough to share her story, we are reminded that Black women are all too often ignored or dismissed by health care providers. Racial bias in the medical field is not only real, but also life-threatening. Reference Fannie Lou Hamer. Ask Serena Williams. Consider
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the thousands of Black women that are being sidelined by a health care system that does not hear our voices. What must we do to ensure that Black women don’t carry the heavy burden of health disparities? We must be mindful and aware of the risks of breast cancer. We must talk about breast care with our sisters and our young ‘uns. We must engage in a policy conversation about the ways health insurance can support our breast health. Too often, health insurance covers some, but not all, of the cost of screening. We must engage our civic organizations in breast health education. We must remember Fannie Lou Hamer, who said she was “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” That means as tired as we are of being tired, we must also be committed to taking care of ourselves. Too many studies say that Black women ignore self-care for the care of others. Fannie Lou Hamer was a leader and an icon. She was also a Black woman who gave voice to her tiredness and the way it impacted her. In saying that she was “sick and tired of being sick and tired”, she challenged us all to be less sick, less tired, and more self-aware. If we celebrate her, we must hear her. The health care system is biased against Black women, and we must take our health care in our own hands. Neither sick, nor tired, just empowered. And in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, be supportive of organizations like the Sister’s Network, an organization that provides opportunities and services for the Black women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. We must do this in the name of Fannie Lou Hamer.
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OCTOBER 11, 2019
Remembering Dick Gregory 10-12-32/ 8-19-17
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OCTOBER 11, 2019
One-on-One with Judge Tammy Kemp
The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth
Judge Tammy Kemp
By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News
I Messenger Media (Texas Metro News/Garland Journal/I Messenger) sat down recently with Judge Tammy Kemp to discuss criticism she has received as a result of her actions following the conclusion of the Amber Guyger murder trial last week. On October 1, 2019, Ms. Guyger, a former Dallas police officer, was convicted by a Dallas County jury of murder for fatally shooting 26-year-old Botham Shem Jean, in his apartment at the Southside Flats on September 6, 2018. Ms. Guyger claimed self-defense as she said she thought she was in her apartment and that Mr. Jean was an intruder. Mr. Jean’s apartment, #1478, was located on the fourth floor and Guyger’s apartment, #1378, was located directly beneath his on the third floor. The jury found her guilty of murder and sentenced Ms. Guyger to serve 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. After Judge Kemp read the jury’s punishment verdict, she thanked the jury for their service, OCTOBER 11, 2019
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released them from the court’s previous restrictions regarding reading or watching coverage or engaging in/consuming social media content about the trial and offered contact information for counseling services should they find themselves in need of assistance following the trial. The jury exited the courtroom, the trial was over and the court was officially off the record. However, as is customary in any case where there is a victim of a crime, the victim’s family has a right to make a victim impact statement to the defendant before he/she is transported from the courtroom. In this case, Brandt Jean, the 18-year-old brother of Botham Jean, took the witness stand to address Amber Guyger directly and delivered an undoubtedly unexpected, yet powerful message of forgiveness and love to the woman who took his brother’s life. Then in a stunning turn of events, the victim’s brother asked Judge Kemp if he could “give her a hug.” He pleaded with Judge Kemp, “Please.” There was a brief pause of silence before Judge Kemp responded, “Yes.” Mr. Brandt descended from the witness stand and approached Ms. Guyger, who ran to him and they embraced and whispered to each other for a couple of minutes before releasing from the embrace and returning to their respective seats. Next Judge Kemp walked over to the Jean Family and after a short conversation, there were embraces. The next exchange was between Judge Kemp and Ms. Guyger and also ended in an unexpected hug; one that not only sent shock waves across the nation but has drawn fire from the African American community in particular as well as a formal complaint filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. I Messenger reached out to Judge Kemp to provide the facts and set the record straight on several issues that were raised during and after the trial. I Messenger: Explain the difference between a jury trial and a trial before the court.
Judge Kemp: In the State of Texas, a jury trial is when the accused has his or her case argued before a jury of 12 citizens. Jurors are selected by prosecutors (the State) and defense attorneys prior to the trial during the jury selection process. In a jury trial, the defendant has two decisions to make — who will decide guilt/innocence, the judge or a jury, and if convicted, who will decide punishment, again the judge or a jury. In contrast, a trial before the court or TBC, is when a defendant has his or her case presented to the judge of a specific court and the judge decides both guilt/innocence and any associated punishment for that individual. Both the State and the defense have to agree to a trial before the Court. Just to be clear, the State vs. Amber Guyger was a jury trial in which the defendant, Ms. Guyger, decided to have both guilt/innocence and punishment decided by a jury. I Messenger: One source of contention was your ruling to allow the jury to consider the Castle Doctrine during their deliberation on guilt/ innocence. Considering that the law was actually intended for homeowners, like Botham Jean, to protect themselves and their homes against intruders, in this case, like Amber Guyger, why did you allow the Castle Doctrine in as a self-defense theory in the jury’s instructions on deliberation during the guilt/innocence phase of the trial? Judge Kemp: While I do not comment on my rulings in any case, I would like to take this opportunity to educate people on the Castle Doctrine in general terms. As it pertains to selfdefense and deadly force, the Texas Penal Code states a defendant is entitled to a jury instruction on self-defense if the issue is raised by the evidence, whether that evidence is strong or weak, unimpeached or contradicted, and regardless of what the trial court may think about the credibility of the defense. If you deny a defendant their defense, the case will be reversed and then have to be retried. I Messenger: What went through your mind in those brief seconds immediately after Brandt Jean asked you if he could give Amber Guyger a hug? myimessenger.com
Judge Kemp: My first thought was the security risk. I quickly connected non-verbally with the deputies stand-ing post inside the courtroom and made a split decision that Brandt Jean was sincere in his remarks to Ms. Guyger and that neither he nor Ms. Guyger intended any physical harm towards one another and allowed the contact between them to take place, and I knew I was going to have to explain my decision to Sheriff Brown.
my office. I returned to the courtroom and told Ms. Guyger, ‘You can have this one. I have three or four more at home. This is the one I use at work everyday.’ I turned to John 3:16 and read the scripture to her. I told her when you read this and you get to the ‘whosoever,’ you say ‘Amber.’ I told her she needs to read John 3:16 for the next month so it could sink in and then to start with the Gospels. I also told her that the translation that I gave her was difficult for new believers and she probably needed a study bible. I told her, ‘If you like, I will get one for you and get it to your defense team.’ She said, ‘yes’ and told me she would bring my bible back in 10 years. It was at that point, she asked, ‘Can I give you
was telling me that I was such a good person and I was fair and good. Contrary to speculation, I was not praying with her. I Messenger: Have you ever hugged any other defendants in your court following the conclusion of a trial or plea in your court? Judge Kemp: I have hugged a lot of defendants, but I have never been asked for a hug by a defendant convicted of a violent offense before and I have never hugged one defendant who did not ask me for a hug. On any given day in the 204th District Court, however, I routinely counsel defendants on forgiveness and second chances. As a matter of fact, a lot of the defendants that I have ended up hugging were initially angry with me because I would not just give them their time. Instead, when necessary, I required them to go to treatment and after they completed treatment they would come back and thank me.
I Messenger: You have been accused by some media outlets and the court of public opinion, particularly in the African American community, of disrespecting the victim’s family by coming off the bench to hug the woman who murdered Botham Jean and giving her a bible. Let’s set the record straight on the facts and what led up to the exchange and ultimate hug between you and Amber Guyger. Judge Kemp: Like everyone else in the courtroom after witnessing the moving, emotional moment between Brandt Jean and Amber Guyger, I wiped my eyes, then came off the bench and went directly over to talk to Botham Jean’s family first. I Messenger: Continuing I offered my condolences to Mr. on that note of second Jean’s parents and shared words of chances, tell us about Project comfort and encouragement with Phoenix. them before asking them if I could Judge Kemp: In my first hug them, which they agreed to and year on the bench in 2014, I hugged each family member, father, I founded Project Phoenix mother, grandmother, sister and in partnership with the brother one by one. Dallas AFL-CIO to provide After I spent time with the victim’s marketable skills through family, I went over to the defense’s apprenticeships in the various table and addressed Ms. Guyger. trade industries to firstI told her, ‘Brandt has forgiven time, non-violent low-level you. You have to forgive yourself.’ offenders. Upon successful To which Ms. Guyger responded, completion of the program, ‘Do you think God will forgive me?’ offenders’ cases are dismissed Allison Jean (Botham’s mon) embraces Judge Tammy Kemp I said, ‘Yes.’ Important to note, it and later expunged from was Ms. Guyger who first mentioned their records. My primary anything about religion. Then and only then, did a hug?’ goal in creating this program was to make sure I respond to her faith-based inquiry. Honestly, I hesitated initially and here’s what participants could earn a living wage and have a Although I am a Christian, because of an ran through my mind in that instant. That true second chance. individual’s religious freedom rights, I never Sunday, September 29th, which would have discuss anything religious during the performance been Botham Jean’s 28th birthday, the sermon I Messenger: One of the female bailiffs has of my duties as a judge unless a victim or defendant I heard at church was, The One is Greater also come under fire for what appears as if the mentions it to me first and again only after a trial Than the 99, which talked about if you are bailiff is fixing or caressing Amber Guyger's hair. or plea is officially completed. I continued, ‘He going to attract the lost, you must show love and What was happening? has a purpose for you.’ She said, ‘You think compassion. Additionally, I thought about my Judge Tammy Kemp: The jury returned a I can have a purpose for my life?’ I said, ‘Yes’ job responsibilities as it pertains to my faith, and verdict of guilty and I held Ms. Guyger's bond and she said, ‘I don’t know where to start. I don’t I have a duty to act justly, love mercy and to walk insufficient. At that point, she was in the custody own a bible.’ Her response prompted me to go humbly. Ms. Guyger asked me a second time for of the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and no longer to my chambers and retrieve the bible I keep in a hug and I agreed. As she was hugging me, she free to move about. I instructed the Sheriff's myimessenger.com
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deputies to restrict Ms. Guyger's movement to the defense workroom, the courtroom and the restroom. Typically, once a defendant has been convicted, they are transported to the county jail to be booked and processed - a process that can take up to three hours. Instead, I asked that they detain her in the courtroom to ensure we did not experience any delays in the trial. What people saw in that moment was actually the bailiff doing a moderate pat down of the defendant and discreetly checking her hair for contraband. I Messenger: After the trial there were protests and criticism by those who believed 10 years was not enough time for the fatal shooting of Botham Jean. Do you believe the sentence was fair given the testimony in this case? Judge Kemp: That is a question for the jurors. As with any case, I respect the jury’s verdict. I never question or comment on a jury’s decision. I Messenger: Could you as the judge, have overturned the jury’s sentence and given the defendant a longer sentence? Judge Kemp: No, by law I could not overturn the jury’s verdict. Again, once a defendant decides to go before the jury to decide guilt/innocence and punishment, the jury’s verdicts in both phases of a trial are the final decisions. I Messenger: A photo of your political endorsement from the Dallas Police Association (DPA) Political Action Committee has been circulating on social media and many voiced disapproval of the endorsement. In terms of the timeline, when did you receive the DPA’s endorsement relative to when Mr. Jean was killed? Judge Kemp: The Dallas Police Association's Political Action Committee endorsed both my first campaign in 2014 and my campaign for reelection in 2018, just as they endorse multiple judicial candidates in every election cycle. During my last election, DPA announced their endorsement of my campaign for re-election
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in the fall of 2017. Amber Guyger shot and killed Mr. Botham Jean on September 6, 2018. Obviously, no one could have predicted this horrific tragedy would occur a year later, long after the organization endorsed my campaign. I Messenger: On October 3, 2019, the Freedom from Religion Foundation filed a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission, against you for the now ‘infamous hug.’ Do you believe your actions were inappropriate? Judge Kemp: Obviously, I do not think it was inappropriate, but I will leave that decision to the Ethics Commission. I Messenger: On October 4, 2019, you summoned Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot to appear before the 204th Judicial District Court for a contempt of court hearing that is scheduled to take place on October 31st. What is the purpose of this hearing and why do you believe it is necessary? Judge Kemp: On September 23, the very first day of trial, as the attorneys and I were wrapping up preliminary matters outside the presence of the jury, Amber Guyger’s defense team informed the court that our elected DA had appeared in a new television interview alleging that it was in direct violation of the court’s gag order prohibiting both the prosecutors and defense lawyers from speaking publicly about the case and/or trial in any way. It was determined and confirmed that the DA’s interview on FOX 4 News was not taped the night before the beginning of trial, but in fact had been taped on September 20, 2019, which was three days before the trial was set to begin. Due to the high volume of media coverage on this case, I had put a gag order in place in January of this year for all parties involved in the case. In general, the purpose of a court’s gag order on any case is to prohibit the parties from trying their case in the public. A contempt of court hearing, also known as a show cause hearing, requires the alleged violator to appear before the court and
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explain why he/she did not adhere to the court’s order(s). I believe it is necessary in this case, just as it would be with any case, because court orders are meant to be followed, no exceptions. Additionally, with all of the hard work that went into this case on both sides, it was pretty shocking to learn that the order had allegedly been violated, a decision that technically could have resulted in a mistrial before the trial even started, had any of the jurors seen the interview. However, after I watched the interview, I polled each juror individually and confirmed that none of them had seen it and the trial proceeded accordingly. I Messenger: What would you like for people to know about the 204th Court? Judge Kemp: I want people to know that we treat everyone with compassionate accountability in our court. My principles for running were to be accountable to the public, compassionate towards victims and fair to the accused, and we’ve made those principles the bedrock of everything we do in court. Tammy Kemp is the presiding Judge of the 204th Judicial District Court. There has been a transformation and many successes since she took the bench. Judge Kemp is a native of Wewoka, OK and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Juris Doctorate degree from OU. After graduating law school, she worked as an Assistant Attorney General and an Assistant Secretary of State for the State of Oklahoma, before relocating to the Dallas area. She has been practicing law since 1988 and her areas of expertise include criminal, corporate and retirement law. In her previous role of Administrative Chief of the Family Violence and Child Abuse Divisions at the Dallas County District Attorney’s (DA) Office, she supervised 28 attorneys, 21 investigators, and 18 support staff. Her duties included the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses, including death penalty capital murders. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the State Bar of Oklahoma and has been a member of Concord Church for more than 26 years, where she serves as a Deaconess. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Judge Kemp is married to a wonderful, supportive husband and they have three amazing children.
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MEN’S MONTH ACTIVITIES
OCTOBER 2019
This is SLCUMC’s mid-week spiritual rejuvenation and prayer/praise service. During Men’s Month, the service will feature men from our congregation as the primary speakers. Men’s Wellness Symposium: Saturday, October 19th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm This is a “free” Symposium and is open to all the members of the church as well as to those in the community. It will consist of five (5) separate panel discussions during the day with local experts like doctors, judges, lawyers, financial planners and ministers. Each panel is designed to address the critical issues men face as they relate to their overall wellness, including physical wellness, mental wellness, financial wellness, legal wellness and spiritual wellness. It will be a great opportunity for men to interact with experts from all types of disciplines and to get answer to those questions vital in creating that “wellness” all men need in today’s society. Laity Day Sunday, October 20th, 8:00 am – member, Joann Yancy 11:00 am - Dallas District Attorney - John Creuzot During Laity Day, a layperson is asked to bring the message at our worship celebration services. Overtime Friday, October 25th; 6:30 pm This is a quarterly event sponsored by the United Methodist Men where we invite the men from the church and the Community out for fellowship, enjoy a delicious meal, and hear an inspirational message from a guest speaker.
By
Betheny Alphonso Special to Texas Metro News
The trial of Amber Guyger has finally concluded after six days. Amber Guyger has been found guilty of murdering Botham Jean, an unarmed Black man fatally shot in his own apartment. Six days, multiple streams of evidence, testimonies, crossmyimessenger.com
Presented by the United Methodist Men St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church
Elevate Your Experience (E2) Services Wednesday, October 2, 9, & 23: 6:15 pm
Dichotomy of Black Rage
Men’s Wellness Symposium* Saturday, October 19, 2019 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am Continental Breakfast
8:25 am Welcome & Purpose, Shannon Holmes, President of United Methodist Men 8:30 am PHYSICAL WELLNESS Dr. James Carlisle, MD. - Moderator Physical Medicine, Pain Management/Rehabilitation Omega Rehabilitation & Spine Graduate of Moorhouse College and Meharry Medical College Residency – UT Southwestern Medical Center/Parkland Dr. Jahi Anderson, MD Psychiatry Anderson Psychiatric Services, PLLC Graduate of Moorhouse College and Meharry Medical College Residency – Robert Wood Johnson, Camden, New Jersey Dr. Ronald Lester, MD Internal Medicine Guardian Visiting Physicians Graduate of Moorhouse College and Meharry Medical College Residency – Methodist Medical Center Dr. Stephen Larry, DDS General Dentistry Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Dental Clinic Graduate of Tougaloo College and Meharry Medical College 10:00 am LEGAL WELLNESS Ron Hurdle, JD, MBA, LLM – Moderator Attorney at Law Graduate of Texas Christian University and Thurgood Marshall School of Law Honorable Thomas G. Jones Presiding Judge, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1, Dallas County Former DISD School Board Member and U.S. Department of Education – Civil Rights Graduate of Dallas Baptist University and University of Texas at Arlington, Urban Studies Honorable Ingrid M. Warren Presiding Judge, Probate Court No. 2, Dallas County Graduate of Texas A&M University and The Univer sity of Texas Law School Reginald Carpenter, JD Attorney at Law Private Practice in Family and Criminal law Graduate of Southern University and SMU Dedman School of Law Former Assistant City Attorney, City of Dallas Former Assistant Attorney General, State of Texas
examinations, body examinations and several witnesses later the imposing of a 10-year prison sentence became the verdict. Botham Jean’s brother, Brandt, on the witness stand asks permission from Judge Tammy Kemp (presiding judge) to hug Amber Guyger. He embraces her and tells her that he forgives her. “I don’t even want you to go to jail…… I want the best for you because I know that is what Botham would want.” After the trial hugs and warm embraces are exchanged between the convicted, the victim’s family and the judge. While tuning into the trial and keeping up with commentary on various social media platforms. I observe that Brandt’s concluding statements inspired so many of my colleagues, peers and acquaintances to indulge in forgiveness also. I however, cannot. I am not able to partake in on this pivotal moment
11:30 am Lunch 12:15 pm FINANCIAL WELLNESS Keith Kennedy– Moderator MBA, MSSBB, BSME Ronald E. Patterson Former Senior Asset Management Specialist, FDIC, Dallas Former Vice President and Regional Manager, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, Dallas Graduate of Stephen F. Austin, BBA, and MBA Shea Gordon Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Gordon Private Wealth Manages the wealth of affluent and high net worth clients Private Attorney Graduate of Vanderbilt University, economics, and mathematics Graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law Ed Haskin Agent New York Life Insurance Former Vice President Wells Fargo Graduated Texas A&M, MS Sociology and BS Economics Kevin Davis Davis Financial Services Certified Financial Planner Formerly Senior Accountant, KPMG International CPA firm Graduate of Jackson State University, MS, BS, Accounting 1:45 pm MENTAL WELLNESS Billy Ratcliff, Moderator Graduate of University of North Texas, Mathematics Amberton University, MBA IBM, Application Development Manager Dr. Michael Selders Licensed Psychologist and Chief of Psychology services, Parkland Hospital Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center Graduate of Southern University and Loyola University Everett B. Allen Board-certified physician assistant (PA) Currently practices psychiatry at Parkland Hospital, Correctional Health Division Graduate of Clemson University 3:15 pm SPIRITUAL WELLNESS Ken Baker – Moderator Lay Leader, St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church Political Science, Texas Tech University Dr. Thomas Spann Former Director of the Intern Program, Professor of Supervised Ministry, SMU Graduate of Perkins School of Theology, Princeton Theology Seminary and, Bishop College Member of St. Luke “Community” Methodist Church Rev. Peyton Parker Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, Texas Graduate of Perkins School of Theology Former Youth Pastor, St. Luke “Community” Methodist Church Provisional Member of UMC to fulfill requirements for ordination 4:45 pm Closing Remarks/Comments Dr. Michael Bowie, Senior Pastor
of bliss and clemency. Nor do I want to, to be honest. I cannot help but to think that if the roles were reversed, how the very logical, repetitive outcome of this trial would be. Pictures of the trial surfaced as the bailiff fixed Guyger’s hair, Judge Kemp embracing her as well. Why are we not allowed to be angry? How is it instead, Black women are playing mammy to a guilty white woman? A black woman would never receive such treatment and pardon. It was almost as if they were comforting her in her struggle as if to say welcome sister, you’re one of us. The Black community is one of the most forgiving, understanding and tolerable communities when it comes to injustices. The 2015 Charleston Church massacre left 13 innocent lives dead. The Black communities’ response, peacefully protest to illustrate that hate won’t win. In 2012 Trayvon
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Martin was murdered in cold blood by a wannabe police officer, George Zimmerman, the Black communities’ response; was quick and angry. I think it is fair to assume, based on the history of this country that if Botham was the intruding police officer and Guyger the innocent bystander, how the trial would end and there would be no doubt that he would serve time for two men convicted. As a Black woman I am angry on behalf of my community. Every time there is an injustice we are prompted over and over to forgive and to express remorse. I am tired of my community being demonized and policed by the American society. I do not believe it is healthy for the Black community to be so tolerable. The relationship between Black Americans and the rest of the American society is I believe extremely toxic.
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QUIT PLAYIN
by Vincent Hall
Strength to Love QUIT PLAYIN By VINCENT L. HALL Vincent L. Hall is
an author, activist
and award-winning columnist
“Strength to Love” debuted in 1963 as a book of sermons, principally centered on the topic of segregation. Its author was the social justice activists’ mentor; the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It went past separation of the races and juxtaposed what love would look like, if fully integrated. Pastor Stephen Bedard is the pastor of Queen Street Baptist Church in St. Catharines, Ontario, and I hate to mention it, but he is a White brother. Bedard snapshots his love for King’s book in a few persuasive paragraphs. “His sermons are intellectually satisfying. He often quotes philosophers, historical figures, and classic authors. He is very thoughtful in putting together his arguments. “Although I have always known King was a preacher, he is often portrayed as more of a social activist. I got the impression from popular sources that he used the Bible just to illustrate the need for social change. However, in these sermons, he preaches Christ. He makes it clear that it is only by the power of God that anything will get done. In some of his sermons, he reveals how his faith in Christ got him through difficult times.” After recalling reading this blog post a few years ago, I attached it to the recent trial of Amber Guyger. I have never mentioned the name of her victim in a column. I never will…It hurts too much. My then14-yearold daughter and I live one block across the street from the incident. I witnessed the sudden loss of the last moments of her childhood innocence. I can’t say his name. OCTOBER 11, 2019
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Dr. King makes any of his critical thinking readers shudder. His non-violent resistance revolution was always meant to be bloodless. Nevertheless, the truth, when applied with the power of believed scripture, cuts like a two-edged sword. King was never brutal or barbaric; the truth just seems that way when you are on the opposite side of it. “One day we will learn that the heart can never be totally right when the head is totally wrong.” Even in the simplest terms,
King causes the rational among us to think introspectively. In 20 words or less, King implies that all of us must ask ourselves that needling but necessary question; “Am I wrong?” Once you take a position, King advances that you must follow right to its fullest course. A half-right is wrong. King realized that Christians are generally more
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subject to this malady than all others. “One of the great tragedies of life is that men seldom bridge the gulf between practice and profession, between doing and saying. A persistent schizophrenia leaves so many of us tragically divided against ourselves. On the one hand, we proudly profess certain sublime and noble principles, but on the other hand, we sadly practice the very antithesis of these principles.” How often are our lives characterized by a high blood pressure of creeds and an anemia of deeds! We talk eloquently about our commitment to the principles of Christianity, and yet our lives are saturated with the practices of paganism. We proclaim our devotion to democracy, but we sadly practice the very opposite of the democratic creed. We talk passionately about peace, and at the same time we assiduously prepare for war. We make our fervent pleas for the high road of justice, and then we tread unflinchingly the low road of injustice. This strange dichotomy, this agonizing gulf between the ought and the is, represents the tragic theme of man’s earthly pilgrimage.” This week, this nation was presented with the most moving example of “the ought” and “the is.” It happened in a courtroom of all places, and a young man, rooted in the spirit that King lived and died in, defied his agony and embraced the executioner of his much-beloved sibling. I realize that all of us are conflicted in our emotions, but the embrace he offered was the Christ-like thing to do. We were all in tears, but Dr. King must have looked down from Heaven to see that not all of his work was in vain. There continues to be some among us who possess the “Strength to Love.” Blessed are they! myimessenger.com
JOKER
Review by Hollywood Hernandez JOKER is a masterpiece! This Joker is far-flung from Heath Ledger’s Joker and even more distant from the early Joker played by Jack Nicholson. Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker is a journey into the darkest places of the human mind. He’s violent, he’s withdrawn and he’s downright crazy. JOKER has the same intensity as the movie TAXI DRIVER. The movie is very disturbing and parents are warned not to bring small children, thinking this is a BATMAN movie. As a matter of fact, Batman doesn’t even appear in this movie. Phoenix plays a clown who is taking seven different prescription medications for a slew of various mental conditions. He was previously committed to a mental institution and now that he’s been released he continues to receive mental counseling. He frequently tells his doctor that he has never been happy a day in his life. This is the man who works at cheering people up in his myimessenger.com
capacity as a clown for hire. After several complaints from clients, he’s finally released from his job when a pistol falls out of his pants while he’s entertaining sick children in a
hospital. He’s depression and anger push him over the edge when three yuppie businessmen attack him on the subway and he pulls out his pistol and kills all three of them 21
Brett Cullen plays Thomas Wayne, Batman’s father, and he pushes The Joker, Authur Fleek, all the way off the ledge when he says anyone without a job and who’s poor and who would commit such a crime is “a clown.” His comment angers the lower class citizens of Gotham City and suddenly JOKER becomes a cult hero. While violent, the character study of a mentally ill man who is driven to madness is a fascinating story. The movie will make you squirm with its ruthless acts of violence. Joker is rated R and has a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. This is a movie that you will either hate or will love. There’s no grey area in this movie. I loved it and on my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate JOKER a JUMBO.
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Carter returns as Associate Publisher of 6th edition of Who’s Who In Black Dallas; nomination process open; DETROIT, MI – Who’s Who Publishing Company announced today that veteran public relations, public affairs and marketing executive Ken Carter will again assume the role of its Associate Publisher of the sixth edition of Who’s Who In Black Dallas. The issue is scheduled for release in February of 2020. The publication highlights the achievements of African Americans across a variety of industries as it documents and celebrates those featured in each edition. The theme of the edition is People of Impact. “We are very excited that Ken will continue to work with us on this historic Sixth Anniversary of Who’s Who In Black Dallas. Ken’s wealth of knowledge and experience is invaluable as we continue to document, recognize and celebrate the many achievements of African Americans in the Dallas, Texas metroplex” says Dr. Carter D Womack, Chief Operating Officer for Who’s Who Publishing. Carter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Focus Communications, a 39-year-old African American owned public relations, public affairs, marketing, and crisis communications firm, has worked closely with the Detroit, Michigan based company since its inaugural issue in 2012 and myimessenger.com
assumed the Associate of Who’s Who In Publisher role in 2014. Black Dallas.” said He will be responsible Tolbert. for all aspects of “I have truly the Dallas operation enjoyed working including advertising with our client and sponsorship sales, on this important promotion, and editorial endeavor,” said Judge Eric Moye content, said Womack. Carter. “There “Ken’s skill set, and marketplace are so many African Americans who knowledge is responsible for our continue to make and are making success in Dallas. He knows the city tremendous contributions to the exceedingly well, the people and he growth of Dallas and this region it and his team know is unbelievable,” he us, so it was a natural said. “I look forward partnership that to celebrating their continues,” Womack achievements.” Carter said. said the submission Carter also process has started announced that US and the upcoming 14th Civil District edition will feature Judge Eric V. Moyé and special sections City of Dallas Chief of highlighting the city’s Staff Kimberly Bizor most influential, Tolbert, have agreed living legends, to write the Foreword governmental leaders, Ken Carter and Introduction lawyers, doctors, for the sixth edition media professionals, respectively. “I am delighted and business professionals, music, sports, honored to be asked to pen the community and faith based leaders, Foreword for the sixth edition, “said entrepreneurs, educators, and Moyé. others. People wishing to nominate “Thank you for this great honor of individuals for the 6th edition in allowing me to share thoughts as the 2020 are to submit a 180-word bio Introduction writer to the 6th edition and photograph to http://www.
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Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
emailmeform.com/builder/form/ eMGfBsidrbukWYbatn8aO1w7U. The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 15, 2019. The North Texas Tollway Authority, Toyota, Radio One, and Texas Capital Bank among others return as sponsors. Who’s Who Publishing, a subsidiary of Detroit based Real Times Media, publishes annual editions in over 26 cities since its founding in Atlanta more than 30 years ago. The company publishes books recognizing African American achievement in numerous cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Washington, DC, Houston, TX, Detroit, MI, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN and Charlotte, NC among others. For additional information, call Ken at 214-744-1431 or email kencarter@ focuspr.com
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HBCU Homecoming 2019 dates: Alabama A&M University Visitor: Texas Southern University Louis Crews Stadium, Huntsville, AL Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 2 PM Alabama State University Visitor: Prairie View A&M University ASU Stadium, Montgomery, AL Date: Nov. 28, 2019 | 2 PM Albany State University Visitor: Lane College Albany State University Coliseum, Albany, GA Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM Alcorn State University Visitor: Savannah State University Spinks-Casem Stadium, Lorman, MS Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM Benedict College Visitor: Miles College Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, Columbia, SC Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM Bethune-Cookman University Visitor: South Carolina State University Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach, FL Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 4 PM Bowie State University Visitor: Chowan University Bulldog Football Stadium, Bowie, MD Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 1 PM Central State University Visitor: Fort Valley State University McPherson Stadium, Wilberforce, OH Date: Oct 12, 2019 | 1 PM Clark Atlanta University Visitor: Savannah State University CAU Panther Stadium, Atlanta, GA Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM Delaware State University Visitor: South Carolina State University Alumni Stadium, Dover, DE Date: Oct. 10, 2019 | 1:30 PM Edward Waters College Visitor: Allen University Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 3 PM Elizabeth City State University Visitor: Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) Roebuck Stadium, Elizabeth City, NC Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 1:30 PM
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Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM
Fayetteville State University Visitor: Livingstone College Luther Nick Jerald’s Stadium, Fayetteville, NC Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 2:00 PM
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) Visitor: Virginia Union University LU Football Stadium, Lincoln University, PA Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 1 PM
Florida A&M University Visitor: North Carolina Central University Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 2 PM
Theodore A. Wright Stadium, Savannah, GA Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 3 PM Shaw University Visitor: Livingstone College Durham County Stadium, Durham, NC Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 12 PM
Livingstone College Visitor: Fayetteville State University Alumni Memorial Football Stadium, Salisbury, NC Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 1:30 PM
Fort Valley State University Visitor: Morehouse College Wildcat Stadium, Fort Valley, GA Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM
South Carolina State University Visitor: Morgan State University Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Orangeburg, SC Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 1:30 PM
Miles College Visitor: Clark Atlanta University Sloan-Alumni Stadium, Fairfield, AL Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 4 PM
Grambling State University Visitor: Texas Southern University Robinson Stadium, Grambling, LA Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 2 PM
Southern University and A&M College Visitor: Alabama A&M University A.W. Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 4 PM
Mississippi Valley State University Visitor: Virginia University of Lynchburg Rice–Totten Stadium, Itta Bena, MS Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 2 PM
Hampton University Visitor: Virginia University of Lynchburg Armstrong Stadium, Hampton, VA Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 2 PM
Tennessee State University Visitor: Austin Peay State University Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 4:30 PM
Morehouse College Visitor: Benedict College B.T. Harvey Stadium, Atlanta, GA Date: Oct. 26 2019 | 2 PM
Howard University Visitor: Norfolk State University William H. Greene Stadium, Washington, DC Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 1 PM
Morgan State University Visitor: Delaware State University Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, MD Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM
Jackson State University Visitor: Alabama State University Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, MS Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM
Norfolk State University Visitor: Morgan State University William “Dick” Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 2 PM
Johnson C. Smith University Visitor: Shaw University Irwin Belk Complex, Charlotte, NC Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 1 PM
Texas Southern University Visitor: Missouri S&T BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, TX Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM Tuskegee University Visitor: Miles College Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium, Tuskegee, AL Date: Nov. 9, 2019 | 1 PM University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Visitor: Lane College Golden Lion Stadium, Pine Bluff, AR Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 3 PM
North Carolina A&T State University Visitor: Howard University Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, NC Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 1 PM
Kentucky State University Visitor: Clark Atlanta University Alumni Stadium, Frankfort, KY Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 1 PM
Virginia State University Visitor: Bowie State University Rogers Stadium, Ettrick, VA Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM
North Carolina Central University Visitor: Norfolk State University O’Kelly–Riddick Stadium, Durham, NC Date: Nov. 9, 2019 | 2 PM
Lane College Visitor: Kentucky State University Lane Field, Jackson, TN Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM
Prairie View A&M University Visitor: Virginia University of Lynchburg Panther Stadium, Prairie View, TX Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM
Langston University Visitor: Texas Wesleyan University W.E. Anderson Stadium, Langston, OK Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 2 PM
Saint Augustine’s University Visitor: Johnson C. Smith University George Williams Athletic Complex, Raleigh, NC Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 1 PM
Lincoln University (Missouri) Visitor: Northeastern State University Dwight T. Reed Stadium, Jefferson City, MO
Savannah State University Visitor: Albany State University
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Virginia Union University Visitor: Chowan University Location: Hovey Field, Richmond, VA Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 1 PM West Virginia State University Visitor: West Liberty University Lakin Field at Dickerson Stadium, Institute, WV Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 1 PM Winston Salem State University Visitor: Shaw University Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC Date: Nov 2, 2019 | 1:30 PM
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From Marva with By Marva Sneed
On From Marva with Love I had the pleasure of interviewing Melissa R. Hibbert Celebrity Make-Up Artist/Influencer/Entrepreneur. Jamaican born Beauty Expert Melissa R. Hibbert’s love affair with all things glam has earned her the title of being the “go to” Beauty Expert and Professional Make-Up Artist for both celebrity, corporate and private clients a like. She is a frequent guest Beauty Expert on the, “The Real,” Melissa R Hibbert is the CEO of The Glam Agency: the premier multicultural talent management firm represents leading Make-Up Artist, Hair Stylists, Fashion Stylists, Manicurists, Beauty Bloggers and Lifestyle Experts. She is also the Founder of SHEEQ Cosmetics, a Luxury Make-Up and Skincare brand for the Discerning Women. MS: Tell us a little about your background? MRH: My background in beauty started at a very early age when I about 11 or 12 when I discovered my very first tube of lipstick and it inspired me to really understand and pursue my fascination in beauty. So I decided to go to beauty school while I was in high school. I got my diploma and my beauty certificate at OCTOBER 11, 2019
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the same time. But I also had a desire to go to college. I went to Fisk University, a HBCU. All throughout college I did hair and makeup. After college I moved to New York and worked in corporate America. I worked my way up to working for some the o biggest brands in the Country. I was still moonlighting doing hair and makeup. Beauty has always been a part of my life. When I decided it was time to step away from the boardroom in corporate life. I had to take a step back and realize that my real passion was in beauty. So I took a little bit of a vacation I call it my sabbatical and focused on the transition from working in corporate world to Beauty Entrepreneurship and within a month I was able to transition taking what I had in savings and my 401k to start my business.
America I was working primarily in Brand Marketing, promotions and entertainment marketing. I concentrated on branding promotions and events.
Melissa R. Hibbert has gone on to expanding her businesses and she has now written her first book, Face Your Beauty. She will be touring with her new book and will in Dallas, TX in November. There is so much more to my interview with Melissa R. Hibbert. You can follow her on You Tube MS: When you were working in “The GLAM Life,” Instagram, corporate America were you with the Facebook and Twitter. Visit her website: www.melissahibbert.com. for beauty industry? her products and more. MRH: No when I was in corporate
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ASK ALMA My Running Buddy Dear Alma, A couple of months ago a real friendly woman moved into the condo across the hall. She and I hit it off right away. We went shopping and to lunch together. We even went to a music concert and had a real fun time, or so I thought. All of a sudden, she just stopped calling, texting, visiting and really just being my friend. I don’t know what happen. We still speak. She’ll give me a big wave across the parking lot or when I see her in the hall, she seems generally glad to see me, but we just don’t hang out anymore. I’m not sure what happened. I really like her and I want to be her friend. What do you think I should do to get her to talk to me and hang out again? Lost My Running Buddy Dear Lost My Running Buddy, Well, hmmm Sugar Plum, did OCTOBER 11, 2019
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you do something to piss her off or hurt her feelings? Could you possibly have said something that was a bit harsh? Maybe you gave your opinion on a particular subject that didn’t sit well with her. Or, could it be, she just don’t like you? Have you ever started a new friendship and partway down the loop you think, “you know what, I don’t really like this person all that much?” Usually it takes a run around the romper room to learn the true personality of a person. Most folks start out sane and with good intentions, spoon feeding you what’s whole and wholesome about them. They seem to be on the up and up, until, Lord have mercy, six months later, here she comes outta nowhere, drowning in red wine, Missy Super Rachet. You’re totally blindsided like when you innocently pick up a hitchhiker who has an ax, or a 28
hatchet, LOL, I couldn’t resist. This woman could be Lucy Looneybird relocating from Louisiana, you don’t know. Anyhow, let it go. Evidently, ya’ll ain’t got the same flow! You can’t make somebody like you nor should you try. If she decided you were not someone she’d like to add to her friends list, so be it, trust her judgment. She knows herself better than you and she’s had time to peep your hold card. Trust me when I say you’re all the better for it. It’s best to find out up front who’s not friend material, than to waste time cooking in a frying pan of foolishness. Great friendships that are worthwhile grow like a beautiful wisteria vine, you couldn’t stop it if you tried, nor would you want to. Alma myimessenger.com
LIFESTYLE by Valder Beebe
Rachel Lindsey gets married Rachel Lindsay, the historic star of the Bachelorette’s 2017 cycle, got engaged to winner Miami chiropractor, Bryan Abesolo on her season 13 finale. Now, however, she is opening up to say, “I was denied my on-camera happy ending” and “labeled an angry Black female.” Lindsay was the first African American lead of the longrunning franchise, which just wrapped its 14th season. Lindsay remains the only African American star in the franchise’s combined 36 seasons, and through her long overdue casting was praised and her season was initially celebrated for its diversity, the cycle ended up being criticized for racebaiting for drama. Ms. Lindsay first appeared on The Bachelor during Nick Viall’s season. She received the first impression rose on night one, and was in contention for the last. Rachel chose Miami Chiropractor. She is a bright and beautiful attorney from Dallas and a University of Texas at Austin graduate. Rachel and Bryan Abesolo lived in Dallas while engaged and moved to Miami in early 2019. .-Text provided by Rachel Lindsay’s publicist
RL: You will definitely see that I was definitely attracted to Bryan and I put him through the wringer. A lot of women will relate to me as a woman and as a professional Black woman in her 30s who has a career. They won’t have to be an attorney to understand the career challenge either. It was a struggle. It was a journey. VBS: Bryan, what gave you the courage to compete amongst all those other competitors for Rachel’s affection? BA: Honestly, it was just by chance. A friend called me one day and told me a casting directors was looking for single guys. Initially I did not know the Bachelorette was going to be Rachel. Once I found out, I felt she was perfect for me simply because we are both in similar places in our lives. She’s a professional in her 30s. I feel like contestants from the Bachelor or she was ready for love. I knew Bachelorette seldom get married. that I was ready…complete interview BA: Thank you for the at YouTube.com/valderbeebeshow congratulations. We want to mention that Trista & Ryan’s season will be on Tubi TV just as ours will be. ValderBeebeShow.com, 411RadioNetwork.com, VBS: Rachel you are from Dallas Youtube.com/valderbeebeshow, 411RadioNetwork. and you are making us Dallas proud. com; Podcast audio: What will we see when we watch for Soundcloud.com/valderbeebeshow, the first time or re-watch your season Soundcloud.com/kkvidfw, 411RadioNetwork.com, VBS: Rachel and Bryan, first of the Bachelorette? PChatman Streaming TV Network
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congratulations on your marriage. Over the years I have spoken to former bachelorette contestants Trista & Ryan Sutter. What makes Tristian & Ryan so special, like you and Bryan is that reality show
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR COMMUNITY CALENDAR Minority Business Month
South Street Art Festival, 300 South St. Arlington. 4-8p. Info: http://www.southstreetartfest.com.
October 11
Grant Writing Training Workshop 2019, Trinity Christian Church, 3300 Gus Thomasson Rd. Mesquite. 8a5p. Tickets: www.gaapgrants.org
Arthritis Day
Make – Up, An Ideal Production, The Back Academy of Arts & Letters, 1309 Canton St. 6p. Ticketmaster.com.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Route 2 Book Release & Book Signing, Pan African Connection, 4466 S. Marsalis Ave. 7-9p. Free registration: here: grindinginreallife.com/events
2019 Breast Cancer Awareness Symposium, Light of the World Church of Christ, 7408 S. Hampton Rd. 8a.-1:30p. RSVP: Vickie Henry 214-266-4398.
Recurring Events
Happy Hour with Don Diego, Chocolate Lounge Exclusive 4222 W. Camp Wisdom Rd. 6pm-8pm.
Building Black Legacy Wealth: An Economic Empowerment Tour 2019, Richland College, 12800 Abrams Rd. 10a-12p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.
Feeding The Needy, Host: Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez, 1641 Corsicana St, Dallas. 3-5p., Sundays. The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection, A. A. M. 3536 Grand Ave. 9-21-19 - 3-1-20. Casa De Chocolate at the Women’s Museum, Mundo Latino, State Fair of Texas, 3800 Parry Ave. 10a-7p. Tickets: bigtex.com. 9-27-10-20-19. Sliver Stories Storytelling Circle, Bishop Arts Theatre 215 S. Tyler St.10-11a. Free Interactive Workshops. Contact Tiffany Jackson: 214-948-0716 ext.307. Tuesdays.
October 9 Dallas ISD Superintendent’s Scholarship Golf Classic, Cowboys Golf Club, 1600 Fairway Dr. Grapevine. 8a. Info: 972-925-3448. Wednesday Wine & Jazz, Box Garden in Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave. Plano. 6-11p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Let’s Get Spooky for Fall Festive, Lakewood Brewing Company, 2302 Executive Dr. Garland. 7-9p. Tickets: www.yaymaker.com.
October 10-11 F D H Ministries Speaking Truth to Power 2019, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 Wheatland Rd. speakingpower.net.
October 10 The Stormproof Way To Build Your Brand Host: Tresa Chambers, Microsoft Store 8687 N. 75 Fwy. #1612, 7-9p. Register: meetup.com/entrepreneur-brandstorming. Unmasked: Book Launch Party, Omni Hotel Dallas 555 S. Lamar St. 7-10pm. Tickets: www.poeticheart.org. Saeed Jones Book Signing A Fight for our Lives, Barnes & Noble, 7700 Northwest Hwy. 300. 7-8:30p. FREE Eye Health Screening, “World Sight Day” State Fair of Texas, Fair Park Nimitz Terrace. 9a-7p. Fire Prevention Evening, Zula B. Wylie Library, 225 Cedar St. Cedar Hill. 4-7p. State Rep. Yvonne Davis for Rags & Racket on the Roof Top, U.S. Post Office & Courthouse 400 N. Ervay Roof Top 6th Fl. 7p.
October 11-13
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In Her Shoes: Experimental Training, CASA, 2757 Swiss Ave. 9-11a. RSVP: Eventbrite.com. Up Town Happy Hour Friday’s, Tate’s, 2723 McKinney Ave. 4.-10p. Evenbrite.com. Christopher ‘Sax’ Mitchell, The Attaché Cigar, 4099 W. Camp Wisdom Rd. #101. 8p. Eventbrite.com. Brunt Orange, White and Black: TX-OU Pre Game Happy Hour, Sandaga 813, 813 Exposition Ave. Branding for Entrepreneurs Branding for your Dream Client, Business Lounge Dallas, 13740 Midway Rd. #528. 7-9p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com Local Profile’s 18th Annual Women in Business Summit, Renaissance Plano Legacy West Hotel 6007 Legacy Dr. 10:30-6p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.
October 12-20 The Oak Cliff Flamenco Festival, Oak Cliff. 5-9p. See list of Events: www.FlamencolFever.org & Tickets: www.prekindle.com.
October 12
The Exchange – DFW African American Market and Vendor Showcase, MLK, Jr. Rec Center, 2901 Pennsylvania Ave. 12-5p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Smooth R&B Black Out Affair, Keith Sweat, The Theatre, Grand Prairie, 1001 Performance Pl. 8p.
Raheem DE Vaughn, House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. 7p. Tickets: Live Nation.
October 16 105.7 Rudy Rush Comedy Hour, Arlington Improv 309 Curtis Mathis Way, #147, 6-11:59p. Improvarlington.com Fireside Chat with Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall, Dallas Bar Association 2101 Ross Ave. 12-1p.
October 17 TRI-Cities NAACP Monthly Meeting, Museum of International Cultures, 411 E. Hwy 67, Duncanville. 7-8p. Community Engagement Day Luncheon, Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St. 11:30a-1p. College Fair, Cedar Valley College Gymnasium 3030 N. Dallas Ave. 8:30a-1:30p. Info: cfannin@lonestar-sports.com
October 13-20 Black Restaurant Week – Dallas Starts at 8am each day. Tickets: www.dfwbrw.com
October 13 Sparkle Book Signing Event, Hilton Arlington, 2401 E. Lamar Blvd. 3-5p. Tickets: www.sparklepublishing.net Sunday’s in the Park, Willie B. Johnson Recreation Center, 12225 Willowdell Dr. 5-7p. Free Family Fun. Tejano Fall Festival, Traders Village, 2602 Mayfield Rd. Grand Prairie, 12-6p. Citizens Civil Academy, Host: Judge Staci Williams, Dallas Masjid Al Islam’s Beacon of Light Community Center 2625 Cesar Chavez. 2:15p. Register: http://www. ccadallas.com/registration.html.
Nosh Culinary Showcase, Dallas 2019, The Empire Room, 1225 N. Riverfront Blvd. 6-10p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Mental Health Awareness Dinner, George W. Hawkes Library,100 South Center Street, Arlington. 6:308:30p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.
October 18-19 Sisters United Conference 2019, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. 6:30p 5p. Tickets: form.jotform.us.
October 18 Exclusive Film Screening of Dear Frank w/ Brian White & Claudia Jordan, Bruton Theatre 650 S. Griffin St. 7p. Tickets: via Ticketmaster.com.
October 14
Shinning Start A Tribute to Earth Wind and Fire, Chevy Main Stage Fair Park. 5:30-9:30p. Tickets: www.bigtex.com.
Dr. Kang’s Vegan Potluck, Regal Row 1720 Regal Row #210. Bring A VEGAN Dish or Donation of $10 & up.
Artist Welcome Dinner, Host: Oak Cliff Flamenco Festival, Oak Cliff, Dallas. 8-10p. Tickets: www.flamecofever.org
“Daniel on Piano” Concert, Clarence Muse Café 1309 Canton St. 9p. Tickets: Ticketmaster.
Walk and Run Cancer Awareness 2019, Les Zeiger Park 400 Eagle Dr., DeSoto. 7:30a. Tickets: Evenbrite.
Dallas Mavs vs. OkC Thunder, American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave. 7:30p. Tickets: Ticketmaster.
Up Town Happy Hour Friday’s, Tate’s, 2723 Mc Kinney Ave. 4.-10p. Evenbrite.com.
4th Annual Equanimity Awards, Valder Beebe, Ester Davis & Linda Amerson, Grapevine Rec. Center 1175 Municipal Way. 6-10p. Info: www.eqtmag.com.
Elite News Presents: WOW Women Of Wisdom 6th Annual Gala, Emcee Cheryl Smith, A.H. Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave. 12p. Info: Call 214-775-9955. Stop The Silence Stop the Violence Celebrity Masquerade Gala Domestic Violence Fundraiser, Doubletree Hotel, 1981 N. 75 Exp, Richardson. 6p. Tickets: 214:650-7065. Inland Port Masters, Country View Golf Course, 240 W. Beltline Rd., Lancaster. Info: lancasterchambertx.org. Believe In You International Gospel Competition, Sheraton Hotel, 4801 LBJ Fwy. 12-7p. Registration: www.justifiedrecordsllc.com
October 15
October 19
Campaign Reception Host Judge Monica Purdy, McCathern PLLC 3710 Rawlins St. #1600. 5:307:30p. Tickets: www.donobox.org
2nd Annual Survivors Ball, Speaker: Piper Dellums Sheraton Hotel, 400 N. Olive St. 7p. Tickets: survivorsball.com
IHCC Power Hour, Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 135 S. Jefferson St. Irving. 11:30am-1pm. Info: www.IrvingHCC.com.
Masquerade & Art Fashion Show at Embassy Suites Hotel 2727 Stemmons Fwy. 10pm.-2am. Eventbrite.
Pastor’s Luncheon, Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St. 9a-1p. Deadline to register 10-3. Register: bigtex.com/pastorluncheon.
Tri-Cities NAACP Presents: Freedom Fund and Scholarship Banquet, 800 Main St. Duncanville. 7p. Tickets; www.tricitiesnaacp.org.
Phat Tuesday Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hyena’s comedy Night Club 5321 E. Mockingbird Ln. #220. 8-10p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.
State Fair Showdown, Southern University Jaguars VS Texas Southern Tigers, Cotton Bowl Stadium, 3750 The Midway. 2-6p. Tickets Eventbrite.com.
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