I Messenger by Cheryl Smith

I M essenger NOVEMBER 1, 2019

VOL IX NO 11

NeNe

on stage

Remembering the Hon. John Conyers, Jr. Special tribute next week

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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.

NOVEMBER 1, 2019

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COMMENTARY by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Billions Lost in Healthcare

Supporters of the Affordable Care Act argued that one of the ways to make our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healthcare systems more affordable was to cut the tremendous amounts of waste and fraud that we experience in healthcare delivery and implementation. Now a new study further validates one of the basis premises of the legislation that was passed during the Obama administration which made healthcare insurance affordable to individuals and families which had previously gone uninsured. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, describes a healthcare system in which nearly twenty-percent of the monies spent can be labeled as wasteful. Changes in policy and practices could eliminate substantial waste, the lead author of the study, Dr. William Shrank, concludes. Health economists estimate that approximately 750 billion healthcare dollars are wasted annually in the United States. That represents nearly $10,000 for each member of the population. At present healthcare spending represents eighteen percent of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. That percentage is larger than the percentage spent on the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s military needs. According to the study, the highest amount of costs is spent on administration,

nearly $266 billion each year, the study states. The second highest cost is prices for healthcare. Ways must be found to lower the prices that are being paid for healthcare delivery, the study and experienced healthcare experts conclude. The costs for ineffective and medically unnecessary healthcare procedures are another source of waste, according to the study. Unnecessary hospital admissions, unreasonable costs, a lack of preventive care and procedures, and practices that are of little or no benefit to patients are financially wasteful. The Affordable Care Act promotes payment of medical professionals to encourage and reward them for quality patient results instead of supporting a system in which medical professionals are paid simply because they attempt a particular procedure. Such a philosophy is identified as â&#x20AC;&#x153;valued basedâ&#x20AC;? under the healthcare law signed into law by President Barack Obama. A more patient and cost sensitive healthcare system would no doubt lead to increased confidence in our healthcare system. There would be less patient stress and increased trust in the healthcare system if patients believed that their health and not the search for excessive profit were the primary objective of healthcare professionals, according healthcare experts. myimessenger.com

INSIDE

I WAS JUST THINKING

Dr. Malveaux

QUIT PLAYIN’

Been by Moore Park lately? You know, the obscure 24.6acre recreational green space near the 8th and Corinth Street DART station and the Santa Fe Trestle Trail?

Are the uses of nooses as symbols of intimidation rising in the workplace? Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) data says that reports of racism and discrimination are on the rise.

The courage that allowed African Americans to confront chattel slavery, the Black Codes, Jim Crow, and second-class citizenship were not emboldened by America’s “founding fathers.”

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MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith, Publisher

I just called to say I love you Have you ever lost someone and thought, “I wish I had spent more time with them?” It’s a horrible feeling. For years, I’ve heard people quote the late, great Maya Angelou. Then one day, I was with that phenomenal woman and we were talking about many of her friends who had transitioned, and she said those profound words to me: “Growing old isn’t for sissies!” As I get older, I see that there are challenges, and one of the biggest challenges is losing people you care about. Which brings me to my truth. At FAMU’s Homecoming a few weeks ago, I saw Theresa, or “Tee” as I called her. So much was going on, with the football game (against North Carolina Central University), parade, parties, reunions, tailgates and more. NOVEMBER 1, 2019

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With Dr. Lisa Pecot-Hebert

Theresa Boston-Ellis our first year in Dallas

I would have loved to spend more time with Tee, but she was celebrating 40 years as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, with other members of the Tenacious 30 of the 4

Beta Alpha Chapter. I was flooded with memories of the great times we had in school and after we graduated. We became extremely close our senior year. After graduation she took a big time job in Texas working for Diamond Shamrock. I stayed in Tallahassee, working for a newspaper, the Capital Outlook. Tee was just a phone call away. Whenever I needed someone to listen to me, she was there. I remember saying I wanted a change and she suggested that I move to Texas and see what was available, because after all, she said, “Texas is the land of opportunities.” I took the leap and she was with me every step of the way. I couldn’t ask for a better friend. myimessenger.com

She helped me with my job search, let me drive her car until I got transportation and was overly generous with her love and support. We were both in love and trying to figure things out and as we navigated through life, stuff happened. Then Theresa moved back to Florida. I stayed in the land of opportunity. Decades later I am still here. Tee got married, had a child and sadly, I wasn’t there to share those special moments with her. Over the years, I thought of her often. And while we can’t turn back the hands of time, I am grateful that Tee is still alive for me to tell her I love her and that she was a blessing in my life. And that is the same case with Lisa Pecot-Hebert. Last weekend I was on the University of Southern California’s campus, attending a National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Board meeting. During lunch a woman tapped me on my shoulder. When I turned around and saw her beautiful face; I wanted to cry! It has been years. I met Lisa decades ago myimessenger.com

when she was just Professor Pecot-Hebert and an advisor to the NABJ student chapter at Xavier University. She and another journalist, New Orleans Association of Black Journalists President Michelle Miller were running things. I absolutely loved being in the company of those best friends! Then one summer Lisa came to stay with me while she participated as a Fellow at the Dallas Morning News. It was Lisa and her son, Joseph; and me and two of the Three Live Crew Plus One, Annya and Ayanna. We did family things together and there were times we went at it like family, but Lisa was such a special woman who I never forgot. We just didn’t keep in touch. Well as we caught up on one another quickly before going back to our respective duties, inside I shared a tear or two. Here I was again, spending time with someone who was special to me, who I loved. I told myself “never again.” I’m proud of Tee as she does her thing. Theresa Boston-Ellis is the chief financial officer for Marion County (Fl) Schools. And Dr. Pecot-Hebert is Di5

rector, Journalism M.S. Program and Associate Professor of Professional Practice at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. And guess what? They are my friends AND also my sorors! Yep, they are both members of Delta Sigma Theta! They helped shape who I am today and I thank them. I’m going to call them and tell them thanks and I love them. I’m also going to apologize because I just have a feeling that at some point in our lives, I did something worthy of an apology. We all have people in our lives we need to say something to and after that person is gone, the feeling makes growing old even worse because of the “regrets.” Pick up the phone today. Don’t email. Don’t Text. And if you want to write a letter, make sure that in addition to a call. One year, I wrote a letter a day. It was impactful for me and many of the recipients. Try it. It might make growing old easier to handle, even for the sissies! I Messenger

NOVEMBER 1, 2019

I WAS JUST THINKING...

BATTER UP!

By Norma Adams-Wade

Been by Moore Park lately? from my last visit some years during that era – and even afYou know, the obscure 24.6- ago. A lone black truck was ter baseball trailblazer Jackacre recreational green space parked at the park’s wood ie Robinson joined Major near the 8th and Corinth barricades – perhaps quietly League baseball as its first Street DART station and the eating a sandwich for lunch Black player in 1947. Santa Fe Trestle Trail? break. A few early drops of Researchers say Eighth Yes, that one. The one rain hit my car windshield Street Negro Park was rethat practically every young as I got out to walk around – named Moore Park in 1940 sports-minded African and remember. honoring William Moore American male youth and Right away the baseball di- (some media reports incoryoung adult in Dallas con- amond caught my eye – like rectly identify him as Henry sidered almost a second a centerpiece on the Thanks- Moore). home during and after World giving table. He was an early AfriWar II. can American civil I was just thinking rights advocate who ...., are any young AfriI Messenger Media welcomes worked with the earcan-American youths, ly NAACP and civic veteran journalist Norma male or female, wongroups on equality dering how this once issues, including getAdams-Wade. We hope you will vibrant and essential, ting parks in African now disregarded, loAmerican neighborenjoy her insightful, informative cation came to be? Do hoods and eliminatand entertaining columns. they wonder who was ing poll taxes that Moore and how did he blocked many Afrideserve having a park can Americans from named for him? I menvoting. A street in the tioned a few weeks ago that I You cannot talk about 8th Street community also is would explore that topic. Moore Park without talking named for Moore. I stopped by Moore Park about baseball. That sport There is so much lost Black recently just to see if it re- was crucial for African history in Dallas. But some mained as I remembered American youth in Dallas faithfuls are keeping legaNOVEMBER 1, 2019

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cies alive with modern-day events at these meaningful locations. In April this year, braider extraordinaire Isis Brantley sponsored an early-dawn Yoruba-based Osun Festival – honoring newness of spring and the life of a late community leader -- at the Santa Fe Trestle Trail linked with Moore Park. Of course, the late Elite News founder/publisher William “Bill” Blair Jr., Dallas’ own hero of Negro League Baseball and a continuing role model for generations of Little League baseball enthusiasts, had a full run of activities at Moore Park during his baseball heydays. His adult children keep up his legacy with Little League activities at William Blair Jr. Park, the old Rochester Park at 3000 Municipal St. in Dallas’ BonTon community that was renamed in Blair’s honor in 2011. He died in 2014 at age 92. Registration for boys and myimessenger.com

girls ages 4-16 for the Bill Blair Legends Little League Team began October 26 and continues through March 2020 when the date and time for the first practice at Blair Jr. Park will be announced. To learn more, visit www.elitenewsone. com/copy-of-billblair-day or email bbd.bbl92@gmail. com or call 214-3726501. Uncle Bill, as I knew him affectionally, and

my dad Frank M. Adams were close buddies growing up playing baseball and other sports as kids and as competitors at Lincoln High School (my dad) and Booker T. Washington (Uncle Bill) where they graduated 7

in 1939, a year after Moore Park opened during a Juneteenth observance. They both had a full run as kids and adults playing,

coaching and umpiring at Moore. I have my own memories of sitting on the bleachers as a youngster watching my dad in his umpire uniform. That’s a story for another day, including the baseball caps I frequently wear in my dad’s honor. Moore Park, Blair Park and their human namesakes just scratch the surface as nuggets of local Black history that still resonate. Agree or disagree, but historians attribute these thought-provoking words to Jackie Robinson: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” I Messenger

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SURVIVOR Giving new meaning to the word:

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COMMENTARY by Dr. Julianne Malveaux

NOOSES, LYNCHING, AND RACIAL INTIMIDATION Are the uses of nooses as symbols of intimidation rising in the workplace? Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) data says that reports of racism and discrimination are on the rise. Their data does not speak to nooses, particularly. Still, it is disturbing to peruse newspaper reports to learn that at purportedly “woke” workplaces and supposedly liberal campuses, racists or fools (or both) are using nooses as symbols of racist intimidation, just as they were a century ago. Some of the places that have had recent noose incidents include Stanford University, the University of Alabama, the University of Illinois, and Duke University. In September, two climate change activists appeared at the supposedly progressive University of Wisconsin wearing nooses. The protesters say they were modeling their behavior after seeing them used in a European climate change protest. Nonsense. If these protesters grew up in the United States, they ought to have known what nooses mean. Chancellor Rebecca Blank responded appropriately, “Nooses are an offensive symbol, with deep impacts to our students, faculty, staff, and community. Their use to amplify any issue is misguided, hurtful, and contrary to UW– Madison’s values of civility, respect, and inclusion.” Bananas were found hanging from string in the form of nooses at American University after Taylor Dumpson was installed as the first African American president of the student government. The bananas were marked with the letters AKA, which happens to be Dumpson’s sorority. While the perpetrators were never identified, some people decided to take the hate to another level, identifying Dumpson in the racist rag, The Daily Stormer. Andrew Anglin, the publisher of The Daily Stormer, encouraged NOVEMBER 1, 2019

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his readers to “troll storm” Dumpson, and she got so many racist emails, messages and threats that she feared for her life. Her grades fell, and she ended up dropping a minor. Of course, the University made all the usual noise about rejecting racism. They couldn’t find the perpetrators of the noose incident. Taylor Dumpson got her victory this year, though. In August 2019, a judge

awarded her more than $700,000 for punitive damages, compensatory damages, and attorney fees. Most folks who are the receiving end of noose intimidation don’t experience such a victory. Employees at UPS, who filed a lawsuit earlier this year, have yet to receive satisfaction. Nooses show up on construction sites (San Francisco), shipyards, offices, and in public places like courthouses and municipal buildings. And the nooses are used not just to intimidate individuals, but also to remind communities that racism continues to thrive. Part of the reason it seems to thrive is

because the leadership of our nation has openly embraced racism. While he has not yet used nooses, he doesn’t mind his supporters showing up at his rallies brandishing the symbols of the confederacy. Indeed, he embraced the neo-Nazi hoodlums whose actions in Charlottesville, Virginia, cause the death of Heather Heyer. And the man who has a long history of wallowing in racist mud recently opined that he feels “lynched” by the Congressional inquiry to his outrageous behavior, which includes pressuring the Ukrainian president to investigate his political opponent, repeatedly violating the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, and withdrawing troops from Syria, leaving our Kurd allies unprotected. When 45 uses the term “lynching,” he is attempting to minimize the terrorist roots of lynching in the United States. More than 4000 people died from lynching in this country, and their lynchings didn’t happen at the hands of a Congressional committee, but at the end of ropes. Many were burned alive. After they died, their bodies were first used for sport (some bodies were found with hundreds of bullets in them). Then, their remains were used as keepsakes when racist observers of lynching fought for souvenirs – a finger, a tooth, or whatever they could keep as a gruesome reminder of their white supremacy. Nooses have no place in a civilized society, nor does the casual mention of lynching. While Mr. Trump did not create the racism manifest in nooses and lynching, he has undoubtedly unleashed its expression. I would say that 45 should be ashamed, but his outrageous acts and his insensitive rhetoric suggest that, actually, he has no shame. Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an author, economist, and social commentator.

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Importance of Educators of Color for Black & Brown Students

By Ron Rice

I have been a Black student, education policymaker, and now an advocate for providing the best educational opportunities for all our children. One reality that I’ve had to face and embrace through each of these stages in my life and career is that the prevalence of leaders of color like me is a major contributor to educational success and whose lack thereof stifles that potential. As a student of color, those examples helped me thrive; and today they inform my advocacy. This month, my organization, the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools released its highly-anticipated report, “Identity and Charter School Leadership: Profiles of Leaders of Color Building an Effective Staff” which examined the ways that school leaders of color’s experiences and perspectives influence how they build school culture, parent and community relationships, and effective staff. This needed report affirmed what I NOVEMBER 1, 2019

and many fellow school leaders of color have witnessed first-hand in schools from New Jersey (where I advised the state Department of Education) to Massachusetts, California, Louisiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, where school leaders of color were studied. The report’s finding is clear: our children of color thrive with diverse and experienced teachers who understand their challenges and have a personal, unwavering dedication to their success. Most importantly, our report is instructive as well because it sheds light — through the profiles of three public charter school leaders of color from Louisiana, North Carolina, and California — on the principles that can help match our best current and future teachers with our nation’s students. Three of those principles that resonated with my two decades in education policy are: First, fill our school leadership pipeline with talented educators of color who come from nontraditional backgrounds and fields of study. But how do we dispel the myth that there are not enough qualified and passionate people of color who can and want to fill this educational pipeline?

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One way to do this comes from Eric Sanchez, co-founder of Henderson Collegiate — a network of three schools serving elementary, middle and high school in Henderson, North Carolina. Instead of only recruiting future educators from traditional education programs, Eric also recruits graduates from university programs focusing on social justice and ethnic studies. And this encouragement doesn’t end once the teachers reach the classroom — we must provide clear pathways for these teachers to pursue school leadership. Second, school leaders and education policymakers of all colors must be committed to seeing and promoting diversity as an asset, not a deficit; an opportunity, not an obstacle. Imagine how better prepared our children will be for the world of tomorrow if they have been taught the history behind their identity, the language behind their culture, and the geography behind their journey. While nearly all schools struggle with activating this principle for the benefit of our students, our report demonstrates that public charter schools are making substantial progress where traditional public schools haven’t.

Third, achievement and demonstrated success — not myths, preconceptions, and inherited political biases — must be the basis upon which we support the best educational opportunities for all our children. For example, by their design, public charter schools have the flexibility to create and finetune curricula, teaching methods, and optimal outcomes that traditional public schools do not. So, why would we ever consider putting obstacles in any educational paths that are showing real achievement? Race and identity of both our educators and students is only one factor in the holistic successes we are all working towards. However, it’s also true that all schools across our country in every community have historically not valued students’ diversity and identity as assets to enrich the education they receive. Public charter schools are making real progress to expose this blind spot and make the needed course corrections to ensure the success we’ve seen for some students are the norm for all. Ron Rice Jr. is a former two term Newark, NJ city councilman, chief advisor to the New Jersey Department of Education, and is currently Senior Director, Government Relations at the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools.

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Overstepping ASK ALMA By Alma Gill

Dear Alma,

many girlfriends. There’s no way this can be true or these friends are just that: friends that are girls, because he is gay. I am sick of it and ready to end the lies. I’m just tired of the charade. These girls are getting their hopes up and I know he is not interested in them. Our family needs to stop acting like he is not gay. I’m just not doing it anymore. How would you suggest I tell my sister she needs to wake up and just tell the truth? — Aunt Bea

I think my nephew is gay. I would even go so far as to say I know that he is gay. I don’t know why my sister, or his father or sisters and brothers can’t see it. This boy is gay and it’s time for him to come “out” and tell the truth. I don’t know if he is worried about what our family and friends might think or if he thinks we will no longer love him. I’m just not sure but things need to change and the truth has to be told. My sister acts like Dear Aunt Bea: she is blind to this fact and is always talking What! Wait! No, about him and his no indeed, this is not myimessenger.com

your issue. Quick, put it in reverse and back your way out of this personal and private state of affairs. Understand the need for you to stay in your lane, cause you’ve clearly crossed over the double yellow lines. Just because you think he’s gay doesn’t make him gay and just because you want to “out” him, doesn’t mean he’s ready to reveal is sexual preference – to you, his family or the rest of the world. Clearly to me, Aunt Bea, you’re about to overstep your boundaries. Although I tried, I can’t resist asking, are you cray-cray? Why in the world would you even think this has anything to do with you? You are so waaay off course, so astronomically off the 17

mark, I just can’t… breathe. Your mindset has me blown. So, please back off before you get more than your feelings hurt. Hear me when I say, for the love of all things dipped in chocolate – back down, withdraw, and extract yourself from this situation. If just for this one time, sit on your behind and mind your own business. Your sister doesn’t need to wake up, you do. Wash your face and clean the thoughtlessness out of your eyes. The path set ahead for your nephew to follow, requires only one set of footprints, his. You are never, ever, invited, welcomed or called to cross it. Alma

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QUIT PLAYIN

by Vincent Hall

Jeremiah, Barack, and Holy Hands! QUIT PLAYIN By VINCENT L. HALL Vincent L. Hall is

an author, activist

and award-winning columnist

The courage that allowed African Americans to confront chattel slavery, the Black Codes, Jim Crow, and secondclass citizenship were not emboldened by America’s “founding fathers.” We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock landed on us., said Malcolm X. We didn’t seat a representative in the Continental Congress. No, for us…for Black people in Maya Angelou’s “Yet to be United States,” our “Founding Fathers” wore robes and ecumenical vestments. Unfortunately, most of us have little knowledge of the part that preachers played in our race and our history. Meet Jeremiah Wright! Dr. Jeremiah Wright is a throwback to the petulant preachers and gospel gladiators whose righteous indignation set us free. The Right Reverend Wright stood flat-footed on one occasion and declared unapologetically that America is “the land of greed and the home of the slave.” Now what’s interesting about that statement is that for most of the world, it rings as authentic as the Liberty Bell. America is known internationally as being greedy, and it will always be remembered for slavery. Quite like the Germans bear the burden of the Holocaust. Slavery and the Holocaust happened and can never be forgotten. But Americans want to ignore history, race, and the ugly entanglement that the two have had with one another in this nation. We want to act like nothing ever happened. Preachers like Jeremiah NOVEMBER 1, 2019

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Wright, never let the truth go untold and unnoted. American history has been selectively crafted and summarily canonized. Some White folks have conveniently developed amnesia. They languish in various stages of nostalgic dementia. “Trumpism,” for example, is all about the “Yesteryears.” Black preachers have always been the couriers of America’s truth. We pay them and put them in a position to tell that truth while remaining unfettered

and unmolested by the status quo. You can’t go on Uncle Cholly’s plantation to expose racism and injustice without consequences. Still, the Black Preacher is on our payroll. We pay our ministers and expect them to advance the kind of social justice God requires, or quit! We try to escape it, but social justice is implicit and ingrained in God’s Ten Commandments. Walking down that aisle and giving the preacher your hand ain’t enough. The old preacher used to look you dead in your eye and admonish you to “work out your soul salvation in fear and trembling.” That wasn’t merely an invitation to join the church choir; that was a mandate to join the chorus of the righteous who fight

and suffer for universal peace, justice, and liberation. Thumb through your mental Rolodex and point to a movement that freed Black folk that was not rooted in the Black church. From the great Black preachers of the Methodism down to Jeremiah Wright, ministers who made a difference have been loud and proud to speak the truth they’ve been commissioned to share. So, I know that to form any merely mortal depiction of the Obamas is heresy and sacrosanct in Black America. Even Obama decided not to blemish the spotless semblance of “First Negro President.” Barack has continued to run from public embraces of a Jeremiah Wright. But… Barry and Michelle sat in Jeremiah’s congregation. They listened to his messages of hope and parlayed the prophecy of his preaching. Barack Hussein Obama, without the vision and vigilance of a Jeremiah Wright, is just a tall, lanky Black man with a funny name. Any attempts to deify Obama without the tutelage and encouragement of Wright is like praising the jockey while neglecting the horse that won the Kentucky Derby by four lengths. Ronald Joseph Morel has a name because he rode the back of Secretariat and not the other way around. By now, you’re asking, “Who pissed in his Post Toasties?” So let me admit; every time I see Barack Obama, part of my pride, turns to pity. My love and appreciation for him are immense. Still, it could increase if he made a public attempt at suturing the sufferings of his once mentor and friend. America is good about forgetting the subtle chapters of its ugly history, but not me. So if you see the Prez, tell him to go lay hands on Jeremiah, just like Jeremiah laid hands on him. myimessenger.com

BLACK AND BLUE By Hollywood Hernandez In Black and Blue, Naomie Harris, the first black woman to play Moneypenny in the Bond films, is Alicia West, an Army veteran who spent time in Afghanistan and now she comes home to New Orleans to become a cop. Her world is turned upside down when she witnesses a detective from her precinct kill a drug dealer. The rookie cop is wearing a body camera and the entire incident is captured on video. The cops involved in the murder, including her own partner, are out to kill her and retrieve the body cam. The movie also stars Tyrese Gibson, from Transformers, who is a childhood friend of Alicia. With no one else to turn to, Alicia turns to Mouse to help her while she’s being chased by the cops, drug dealers and the entire New myimessenger.com

Orleans neighborhood who are

hassled by the local cops. They think Officer West killed the nephew of the neighborhood’s biggest drug lord and everyone wants to kill the young rookie of-

ficer now that there is a price on her head. The movie brings racism and the cops to the forefront, without being preachy or heavy-handed. Director Deon Taylor puts the spotlight on the abuse that racist cops perpetuate in the low-income neighborhoods of African Americans. The movie makes a political statement that will have audiences talking. Meanwhile, Alicia West is a hero in the movie. Black or white she believes in the concept of right and wrong and justice for everyone. Her spirit won’t allow her to stop as she struggles mightily to get her bodycam to the precinct and to get it downloaded. Black and Blue is a real shoot-em-up thriller that’s rated R for violence. There’s a lot more in the 1 hour and 48-minute long movie but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. I really enjoyed Black And Blue. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate this movie a JUMBO I Messenger

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In the Valder Beebe Show studios Ellie Krieger, host and executive producer of the (PBS) public television show Ellie's Real Good Food. Ellie is a long-time Valder Beebe Show guest. Valder started interviewing Ellie when she was the host of the Food Network's hit show Healthy Appetite (now the former host). Valder loves bring the audience authentic information and Ellie fills that as she is a two-time James Beard Foundation awards recipient, an International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) awards holders, and she is a two-time New York Times bestselling author. In addition, she holds a degree in clinical nutrition from Cornell and a master's degree in nutrition from Columbia. We all know the drill. Once you make a dinner that pleases everyone in your household, you have a sink full of dishes, cutting boards and pots to show for it! The best is when you find family friendly, nutritious recipes that please a crowd and only myimessenger.com

THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

PBS Host Ellie Krieger

Krieger’s publicist

VBS: Welcome back Ellie! My audience knows so much about you By VALDER BEEBE yet I think one of your undercover use one pot, sheet pan, or skillet. recipes that are all made in a accolades is that you are a clinical Impossible, you say? single pot, sheet pan, or skillet. nutritionist. Ellie Krieger, comes to Valder With this book, Krieger helps EK: Yes Valder, I am a registered Dietician.

Beebe Show to share from a WHOLE IN ONE: Complete, Healthy Meals in a Single Pot, Sheet Pan, or Skillet - a cookbook complete with 125 incredible

rein in the chaos and shares how to cook the food we love, while still being nutritious, tasty and nourishing. And bursting with flavor.-Text provided by Ellie

VBS: I adore your new cookbook, I’ve got to get a copy because my cooking has changed overtime and single pot cooking is now a part of my life. Ellie, I feel that my life mirrors a lot of the 74 million Baby Boomers in America. We are an evolving group. Now most of us have downsized in family members [kids are adults] and we are living different. EK: Whole in One puts home-cooked meals within reach by minimizing the workload on both ends of the dinner process — cooking and clean-up — with 125 one-pot meals (plus healthy desserts) that check every box. Minimal steps? Check. Crowd-pleasing flavors? Check. Easy-to-find ingredients? Check. Nutritionally complete.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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 South Carolina State University Visitor: Morgan State University Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Orangeburg, SC Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 1:30 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 Tennessee State University Visitor: Austin Peay State University Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 4:30 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 Virginia State University Visitor: Bowie State University Rogers Stadium, Ettrick, VA Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM 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

NOVEMBER 1, 2019

From Marva with By Marva Sneed

On From Marva with Love, the bold and beautiful celebrity NeNe Leaks, star of the reality series “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” airs Season 12, Sunday, November 3, 2019, 8/7c on the Bravo Network. Ms. Leaks is here in Dallas starring in the stage play “Confessions of An Exotic Dancer” Produced & Written by Sharrod Rutland, Cheryl Adams and Thro London. Ms. Leaks talked about the play, how she got involved in it and just what “Confessions of an Exotic Dancer” is all about. NL: Mr. Sharrod Rutland came to me with the script. I read it and I wanted to be a part of it. It’s about an exotic dancer a male exotic dancer; who loved the fast life. He liked women, fast cars, money, all those types of things, married women. He became very manipulative, his life became like really crazy. And then later on in his life he started to realize that he needed to listen to his spiritual side and God was whispering to him. It’s about an exotic dancer that changes his life. MS: What is your role in the play? NL: I am a former dancer that is a part of his life. And I’m really a former exotic dancer in real life. (She laughs.) NOVEMBER 1, 2019

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MS: Is this any different than what you did in real life?

nic, oh yes I was very much a part of that.

NL: Well in my real life absolutely as a dancer it was totally, totally different. This is not based on my real life at all. But I’m happy to play the part. In my life it was something totally different. I did not encounter any bad guys, manipulative people or anything like that, when I worked. I was in college and was a single mom and worked in the club life. After that I went back to being a single mom and a college student.

MS: Did you go to school in Atlanta?

MS: This play is centered around Freaknic in Atlanta. What will the atmosphere be like in the play? NL: I can tell you all about Freaknic. I went to it every single year. It’s centered around the Black Colleges, Morehouse, and Spelman & Clark Atlanta. It’s like a huge, huge Spring Break. This is where people came to party and a lot of different things happen. It was big and historical here in Atlanta and it went on for years and years. Black College students came from other HBCUs all over the country here to Atlanta, Georgia to party, strip clubs and Freak-

NL: Yes I went to Morris Brown College here in Atlanta. MS: What was your major? NL: Mass Communications as a major and Journalism as a minor. MS: Is Freaknic still apart of Atlanta and the HBCUs? NL: No, they don’t have Spring Break here anymore like Freaknic with Black Colleges. For more of the interview with NeNe Leaks go to BlogTalkRadio. com Cheryl’s World ‘From Marva with Love.’ Sherrod Ruthland Presents: Confessions of an Exotic Dancer, Featuring: NeNe Leaks, TBAAL, 1309 Canton St. Thu. & Fri. 7:30p, Sat. 2p. & 8p. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com & TBAAL Box Office Tune in to “From Marva with Love” Friday’s 11am-1pm. on BlogTalkRadio.com Cheryl’s World. Tune in to “From Marva with Love” Friday’s 11am-1pm. on BlogTalkRadio.com Cheryl’s World. myimessenger.com

Invested in Your Success

PRESENTS:

NOVEMBER

2ND 2019

Event starts at 9:00 a.m.

2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Dallas, TX 75215

(Registration 8:00 - 8:30 a.m.) projectmlk.eventbrite.com

About this Event: We are celebrating the launch of our bi-weekly workforce readiness training. Project MLK is a diverse experience for enthusiasts and influencers who want to be change agents in Sunny South Dallas. The Project MLK designed to invade, intrude, and institute a shift in work force readiness in the Sunny South Dallas invite you to experience: • • • •

Free Food Job Opportunities Marketing Exposure Product/Service Vendors

• • • •

Live DJ Event Prizes Entertainment Bounce House for Children

•

For vendors and exhibitor information please email inys@investedinyoursuccess.org

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NOVEMBER 1, 2019

Mavs open season with eye toward Playoffs By Dorothy J. Gentry Photos by Charles Gbadebo Sports Editor Playoffs.

It’s the word and the theme on the court and around the locker room for the Dallas Mavericks who opened the 2019-20 NBA season last week and so far have a 2-1 record. “For sure, that is our goal; the playoffs this year,” said Luka Doncic, the Mavs star in his second year. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year has taken over the reigns of the team since the retirement last year of Dirk Nowitzki. He and Kristaps Porzingis, acquired from the New York Knicks in a trade last year, are forming an elite duo that just may propel the Mavs into the post-season for the first time in several years. They opened the season at home at American Airlines Center last week with a 123-116 win over the visiting Washington Wizards, in front of a sellout crowd of 17,027. In that game Doncic put up 34 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Porzingis added 23 points in his Mavs debut. “I’m glad we got a win. It’s the first one and I hope many to come,” said Doncic. Porzingis - who hadn’t played in a regular season game in over 20 months, since his surgery Feb. 13, 2018, to repair his tore left anterior cruciate ligament - shook the rust off and made seven of his final 12 NOVEMBER 1, 2019

Luka Doncic shoots over his opponent in their 123-116 win over the Washington Wizards.

shots; ending up with 23 points, four boards and two assists. “I feel great. I am ready to go and ready to help this team make it to the playoffs,” he said. Added Doncic about Porzingis: “He’s great. Almost a year and half he was out. He played amazing for having that much time out and I know he is going to be better and better.” Porzingis said: “We have so much more room to grow as a group, we just got together and we’re right there to be a very experienced playoff type of team. So I think we’re on the right path. We just want to keep going. “ This is the 40th season in franchise history, including the club’s 19th playing at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks are scheduled to play 13 nationally televised games this season – nine on ESPN and four on TNT. The club’s first nationally televised home game of the season will come against LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers this Friday, Nov. 1 at 8:30 p.m. CT, and will also be shown by ESPN. TNT will have exclusive rights to Porzingis’ return to Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14 when the Mavericks play the New York

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Knicks, his former team. West-coast trip from March 16 to The team’s longest homestand of March 21. the season will be a six-game, 10- The Mavericks will travel to day stretch at the beginning of the Mexico City to face the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 12. It will mark the third time in team history that Dallas will play a regular-season game outside of the U.S. or Canada (the Mavericks faced the Rockets in Mexico City in 1997-98 and the Suns in Mexico City in 2016-17). Dallas will play 13 back-toMavs guard Luka Doncic focuses on opponent backs this season. The club in home opener against Washington Wizards. will play six back-to-backs that begin and end on the 2020 calendar year (Jan. 2 to Jan. road, four back-to-backs to begin 11). Dallas will face Brooklyn (Jan. on the road and conclude at home, 2), Charlotte (Jan. 4), Chicago (Jan. two back-to-backs that require no 6), Denver (Jan. 8), the L.A. Lakers travel (begin and end at home) and (Jan. 10) and Philadelphia (Jan. 11) one home-to-road back-to-back. during that homestand. The Lakers will make two trips The Mavericks will also play a to American Airlines Center in four-game homestand in November 2019-20 (Nov. 1 and Jan. 10). Kawhi against the four franchises that Leonard, Paul George and the Los have accounted for the last six NBA Angeles Clippers will also visit the championships – Toronto (Nov. AAC twice this year (Nov. 26 and 16), San Antonio (Nov. 18), Golden Jan. 21). James Harden, Russell State (Nov. 20), and Cleveland (Nov. Westbrook and the in-state rival 22). Houston Rockets will make their Dallas’ longest road trip in 2019- two trips to Dallas on March 23 and 20 will be four games (twice). The April 7. club has a four-game trip from Feb. 26 to March 2 and a four-game

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LIFESTYLE

Flow of Ci and Co Wednesday October 23, 2019, Courtney and Cierra began their podcast with a “quote of the week.” These quotes help inspire us and others to finish out the week strong and resilient. “Strength grows in the moments when you think you can’t go on but you keep going anyway.” A quote from Courtney, as she shares a recent car accident she was in that could’ve taken her life. “The less I talk about it, the more I’m able to stay focused.” A quote from Ciara as she talks about speaking a plan/goal into existence once, then letting it manifest from there. On the 5th episode of the Flo of Ci & Co, we discussed a variety of topics from: Building credit, if age matters when it comes to maturity and having your life together, Instagram removing their activity log,Donald Trump coming to Dallas Thursday, October 17 for his rally and, lastly, should men pay all the bills in the house or should it be equal?

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Courtney: “I watched a video online that was discussing this which made me want to bring it up on our podcast. I feel like men shouldn’t have to pay all the bills in a household. It should be equally split.” Cierra: “I agree. With me staying with my boyfriend he doesn’t ask me for money to pay for anything but at the same time, we both equally split everything; like groceries, going out and so forth; and, if he asked me to help him pay for something I would.” Courtney: “ I feel like it has to deal with how you were brought up in a household because I was brought up in a single-parent household, watching my mom provide everything for us; but at the same time I was also brought up in a household where I was able to see how my grandad pays for everything in the house and as well as my uncles.” Cierra: “I was brought up in a singleparent household too which is why I want to be

able to provide for my self because I watched how hard my mom worked to provide for me. I wouldn’t want it any other way. My father is in my life and he also provided for me too but I could never be okay with not having my own money flow or having my husband/ boyfriend pay for everything.” Courtney: “ Right, it could be split like this: he pays for the mortgage and I pay for utilities. So simple.” It’s always a pleasure hearing these ladies opinions on variety of topics and advice they always have to share for their listeners. Make sure to tune in every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm on Blog Talk Radio on Cheryl’s World. You don’t want to miss out on listening in on the Flow of Ci and Co. Tune into their show on Wednesdays at 2p.m. on Blogtalkradio/CherylsWorld

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