I Messenger by Cheryl Smith

VOL X NO 8 OCTOBER 30, 2020

I MESSENGER

SERVANT

MAYOR

Curtistene Smith McCowan

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ELECTIONS AND VOTING SECURITY

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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.

October 30, 2020

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By Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson As Americans cast our ballots in the 2020 presidential election amid a global pandemic and a divided country, we must not disregard the many ongoing threats to our democratic institutions. And further, we must continue to protect our most sacred right and responsibility as citizens, our vote. The greatest threats our society faces today are the spread of misinformation and the active disenfranchisement of American citizens. Both are human failures and vulnerabilities that have been amplified by technology. As technology touches all aspects of our lives and society, it too has become an integral part of the elections process. Our election system is complicated, and there are many different aspects of it that rely on technology in some form. As a result, there are numerous challenges to making sure our election system is secure, fair, and accessible. One such challenge is election security, which has been an active topic of conversation in Congress recently, as it should be. It is an urgent topic for the nation and for the state of Texas. In the 2018 election, at least 78

counties in Texas saw malfunctioning electronic voting machines that changed some votersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; selections from Democrat to Republican and deleted some voters all together. Cybersecurity experts believe that the voting machine anomalies in Texas can be attributed to old technology and not to hackers, but it is easy to imagine how a bad actor might seek to take advantage of exactly this kind of vulnerability in Texas and across the country. It is now time that the federal government strengthen our policy, leadership, and funding to ensure free, fair, transparent, and secure elections. I am so proud to have cosponsored Congresswoman Mikie Sherrillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (NJ11) Election Technology Research Act. This bill would authorize research and standards development activities to help modernize and secure our election systems, ensuring they are accessible to all. We must take care to not lose sight of the vulnerabilities inherent to the technologies that we use to cast and count our votes. Our very democracy is on the line. Texans can vote early at any polling location in their home counties on weekdays from Tuesday, October 13, through Friday, October 30. If you would like to deliver a mail-in-ballot in person, you can hand-deliver it to an official at your county election office. Remember that you are not required to remove your masks when presenting your photo ID to a poll worker, and that if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to risk going into a polling location Texas election law mandates that all locations offer curbside voting. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is a Democrat who proudly represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. First elected to Congress in November 1992, and is currently serving her 14th term in the United States House of Representatives.

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INSIDE

Our Voices

Quit Playin’

I Was Just Thinking

It was apropos that James took center stage even in death. He died Christmas Day 2006. His gift was always magnified under the heat of the spotlight, and so was his departure. Wish he was here today.

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p11

October 30, 2020

MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith, Publisher

Right side of history

Amy Coney Barrett

I try to make my vote stand for something. Now everyone I have ever voted for has not been victorious. Still, I have not regretted my vote because I take it seriously and put value in that vote by doing homework and voting my convictions and yes, my heart. Now that doesn’t mean that sometimes people elected haven’t let voters down, but for the most part my votes haven’t been an embarrassment. Which brings me to my truth. There were 52 members of the United States Senate that cast affirmative votes for Judge October 30, 2020

Judge Staci Williams

African American female to sit on the Texas Supreme Court. Currently Judge Staci Williams is a two-term judge of the 101st District Court; having assumed the bench in 2014. Earlier this year she received 65% of the vote in the Democratic primary and faces incumbent Jeffrey Boyd. Again, I won’t talk about credentials because you should do a side-by-side. Even critics praise Judge Williams’ bench tenure and some say her experience as a judge and an attorney are just as, if not more impressive than many of the nearly 200

Amy Coney Barrett to become a Supreme Court Justice. What will be said about them in the history books? Let’s not belabor her credentials. Yes, she could be the dean of somebody’s law school, some say; but should she be dealing with the impostor syndrome as she sits in that elite seat with the other justices whose credentials actually do put her to shame? I wonder what the other justices are thinking as they plan to welcome her into the “club.” Well, Texans have an opportunity to be on the right side of history in voting for its first

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lifetime appointments of the current president; and also his recent Supreme Court nominee. According to the Pew Research Center, as of July 2020, out of 194 federal judges, the current president appointed eight Blacks. Recently a local Black preacher told me, in an interview on KHVN-AM, that he didn’t have a problem with the current president’s record on appointing Black people. Well I do. And I hope voters will have a problem with the appointments by the current president, as well as the votes by the 52 senators. I hope voters will tell the current president and those 52 senators that, in the words of the late-crooner Lou Rawls, their good thing has come to an end; that they hope those strictly partisan votes were worth it because they voted themselves out of office. You see, impostor syndrome becomes real when folks are not adequately prepared, when they have been given something they know darned well they have not earned nor do they deserve. We have had a four-year reign of the impostor syndrome, and the perpetrators have no shame. Hopefully voters will see past the hype, review and vote the entire ballot and voters can level the field of entitlement that has disenfranchised so many. myimessenger.com

Beware the Tortoise and the (Democratic) Hare

OUR VOICES BY JUDGE BRANDON BIRMINGHAM

Beware the Tortoise and the (Democratic) Hare One of my favorite stories is the one about the Tortoise and the Hare. We’ve all heard it: the overconfident Hare starts the race very strong, builds a big lead, and decides to take a nap before he crosses the finish line. As the Tortoise crosses the finish line, we learn how he won: “Slow and steady wins the race.” The Democrats got off to a big lead here in Dallas County, myimessenger.com

and it was easy to tell. People lined up gleefully to vote. For the first time in my voting life, the line not only went out the door, it stretched all the way around the parking lot. Similar stories abound Texas. We got off to a big lead, indeed. But now we’ve taken a nap. At least, that’s what the numbers tell us. Democrats are turning out less, losing their lead by 1 point per day since that second day. With a few days left in early voting, and a consistent recent history of being outvoted on election day, we are destined to wake up on election night like the Hare: helplessly watching the tortoise cross the finish line first.

Here’s the thing: the problem is not that we don’t have registered voters. Those who have always voted did so early, propelling the Hare to the lead. The problem is the large numbers of registered voters that are staying home. Democrats are slumering on the bench. They’ve voted in the past, but haven’t done so in 2020. If it’s because they’ve heard about record turnout here and there across the country and are thinking victory is a lock, they are wrong. Just like the Hare. We can’t afford to sleep on the Tortoise. Remember, not voting for your side is a vote for the other. And if we lie dormant, the pandemic will continue to spread, poverty will continue

to run rampant, and the movement to bring criminal justice reform will come to a grinding halt. If you are registered, and haven’t voted, wake up. Run to the polls now. Grab your friends and family along the way. Take them with you. Do not wait until election day. Don’t stop at the top. Vote for every Democrat up and down the ballot. We’ve heard this story before. It’s time to change the ending. Brandon Birmingham is a judge of the Texas 292nd District Court. He is running for Place 9 judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2020.

October 30, 2020

Abounding Prosperity hosts food drive and GOTV Rally Since opening itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doors, Abounding Prosperity, Inc. (AP Inc.) has had a significant impact on South Dallas, adhering to a mission of providing services that address health, social and economic disparities among Black Americans. Saturday was no different as hundreds came through in cars and on foot to get food and participate in the Get Out the Vote Rally and caravan to the nearest polling location at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center Gym, 2901 Pennsylvania Ave. Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro

October 30, 2020

Tem Adam Medrano, State Rep. Lorraine Birabil (D-100), AP Inc. CEO Kirk Myers, State Rep.-elect Jasmine Crockett (D-100) and AP Inc. Public Affairs Director Ahmad Goree were among the speakers who stressed the importance of voting, being safe during COVID-19 and providing support to the LGBTQ community. AP Inc. also accepted applications for its rental and utility assistance program in partnership with the City of Dallas Office of Community Care. For more information visit, www. aboundingprosperity.org

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Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Medrano praises AP Inc. for their efforts

Ahmad Goree addresses the media

Volunteers distribute food at AP Inc.

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October 30, 2020

A James Brown Lesson!! QUIT PLAYIN’ VINCENT L. HALL It was apropos that James took center stage even in death. He died Christmas Day 2006. His gift was always magnified under the heat of the spotlight, and so was his departure. Wish he was here today. James Brown is the Godfather of Soul, Disco, Hip Hop, Rap, and whatever music genre comes along in the next generation. Musicians will be samplin’ this brother for another millennium. You can’t dream up a Michael Jackson or Prince Rogers Nelson without a mentor like JB. Long before the street was renamed for MLK, there was a place known as Sportsmen’s Rec on Forest Avenue in Sunny South Dallas. It was a shooting range, but all of the hustlers there used a pool cue. I did a lot of growing up there with my daddy, somewhere between “Big Six” and “corner pocket right.” I made a dime a dance doing the James Brown. The first concert that I attended was in the early ’70s. I can still see that busy, black, and orange marquee placard. It read, “James Brown Hot Pants Tour.” I thought I knew everything about him. But 90 minutes deep into the act, they draped that second cape on James. No sooner than they walked the weeping “Eighth Wonder of the World” off stage…he October 30, 2020

was right back. And this time, he was screaming. Please, Please, Please!! But in betwixt all of that, James Brown gave colored folks all over America something that can never be repaid. James Brown took us from Colored and Negro to Black. And if that wasn’t enough, he made us proud to be Black.

It was as almost as bad as the N-Word is today. James Brown moved “Black” from a pejorative to a privilege. The only real major blemish that James suffered from Black America was when he decided to support Richard Nixon. Black folks went crazy on James. Richard Nixon was a lightweight racist con-man compared to Donald Trump. After Nixon drew Sammy

“Say it loud, I’m Black, and I’m Proud” changed America. You may be too young or too Afro-centric to remember, but I can recall when calling someone “Black” could earn you an ass-whipping.

Davis in and was told that James had been drafted too, Nixon had some choice words. The full plot was printed under “True Stories” on the Ozy website. “Nixon pushed back

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against meeting the icon, saying on tape, “No more Black stuff.” An aide finally had to explain to Nixon that James Brown was hugely influential with Black voters, and Nixon begrudgingly agreed. “I don’t want nobody to give me nothing, just open up the door, I’ll get it myself,” Brown sang, and though he knew most of the Black community back then despised Nixon, he had hoped Nixon would at least open up the door.” Brown suffered blows at the box office and on his oversized ego. “Black folks, to put it kindly, were not impressed. There were protests, and fans called him one of the worst things you could be in 1972: a sellout.”I’m not a sellout artist,” Brown proclaimed in a statement. “I’m not selling out; I’m selling in.” James went from shows with 13,000 screaming music lovers to less than 2200. There were as many protesters outside as there were fans inside on many occasions. James Brown gave us pride, self-love, and Chadwick Boseman. He made us dance, think, and produced a sound that still gets revisited. But if there was one thing he could redo, Nixon is it. Trump’s “Blacks” will soon understand why! Somebody call 50-cent, before Black folks make small change of him!

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

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October 30, 2020

VOTE BLUE!

Kamala Harris in Fort Worth!

Photo: Robert Flagg

October 30, 2020

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That’s right -- Cotton Pickers Day! I WAS JUST THINKING NORMA ADAMS-WADE

Professor Clarence Glover Jr, also known as “Professor Freedom,” wears many hats that include Dallas cultural diversity educator, Black history scholar, African heritage drummer, libation ritualist, minister, children’s book author, and youth mentor. But one of his proudest hats is the old frayed straw he wears when he’s working the land, tending to his backyard chickens, and caring for his fields of cotton. Yes, you read correctly: cotton – that vilified crop that has been the bane of Black folk’s existence for hundreds of years. Glover long has insisted that his fellow African-Americans have it wrong when they view cotton as the enemy. The Grambling State University and SMU’s Perkins School of Theology graduate is prepared for the pushback he often gets from those who strongly denounce picking cotton. He asserts in lectures that the shame is not that Black people picked

cotton; the shame is that they were not PAID for that honest work, he says. So, Glover has taken the legal steps and instituted the First African-American Cotton Pickers’ Day through the National Day Archives. The day pays homage to Americans of African descent who raised and picked cotton during slavery and Jim Crow, who laid the foundation that formed America’s economic system from the 1830s to 1960. That era made cotton king, but did not share the benefits with those African-Americans who performed the labor and helped produce one of the nation’s vital commodities. Here are details of the day: African-American Cotton Pickers’ Day will be observed the 4th Monday of each October and also will be known as “Cotton Monday.” Around 10 a.m. Monday,[Oct26] Glover laid a hand-made wreath of cotton at Freedom Cemetery, 2525 N. Central Expwy at Lemmon Avenue in Dallas, in memory of American descendants of Africa who America neglected to compensate for their cotton labor. The day has its own song (Led Belly’s 1940 Cotton Field) and food

Glover picking cotton wearing his old frayed straw hat and “Professor Freedom” garb. Photo Credit: Clarence Glover Jr.

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Glover in other traditional garments and hat, spinning a bracelet from cotton.

Historical photo of Dallas Cotton Exchange formerly in downtown Dallas. Photo Credit: pinterest.com

(Smoked turkey with “Hoppin’ John”/mainly black-eyed peas and rice). The date was picked because it represents the height of the cotton-picking season and how that part of the year affected the lives of American descendants of Africa, Glover said. The day also will recognize the history of West African cotton which long has been a part of that culture. Additionally, the day will encourage all Americans to study and appreciate Black America contribution to the economy’s cotton industry and its resulting impact on cultural, political, educational, and religious life in America. “If we had harvested diamonds, would we throw away the diamonds once the institution of slavery was ended?” Glover asked. “African-Americans must understand and realize that cotton is as valuable as diamonds are to our American economic system. And we played a major role in that... We must understand the central role cotton played in slavery, building our nation,

Civil War, Emancipation, and ultimately Juneteenth.” Reversing misgivings will take deliberate charge of heart, Glover says, reciting his familiar maxim: “Taking the chains off your brain, so you mind can work.” Growing up in his native Shreveport, Louisiana, Glover often picked cotton and tended crops with family elders on his family’s farm land. He inherited a strong respect for the land and its produce. He says cotton -- called King Cotton and White Gold -- has a deep southern history. Dallas was the nation’s largest inland cotton market and is where the landmark Dallas Cotton Exchange building was located at St. Paul and San Jacinto streets downtown. Despite efforts to save it, the landmark sadly was imploded in 1994. To learn more, call 214-546-3480, email clarencegloverjr@aol.com.

Photo Credit: Clarence Glover Jr.

Norma Adams-Wade is a veteran, award-winning journalist, Graduate of UT- Austin and Dallas native. One of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), she was inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame

October 30, 2020

SERVANT MAYOR

Texas Metro News Team

Last weekend, DeSoto residents and friends of Mayor Curtistene Smith McCowan launched a “We Love Our Mayor Prayer Caravan” after she announced earlier this month she had lung cancer. Three days later, supporters were in tears: The city’s first female mayor – and a statewide education and civic leader – died Wednesday afternoon after a brief battle with the disease, city leaders and others confirmed. McCowan was 72. Ella Goode Johnson, former president of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where McCowan had served as president, confirmed her death exclusively to Texas Metro News. “It is with deep sadness and sisterly regard to have heard about the passing of my Delta Soror,” said Goode Johnson said. “Mayor McCowan was a community leader who has built a reputation of being fair, just, dedicated and committed in all of her undertakings.” McCowan was among a few but growing number of African American women who serve as mayors of cities in the United States. In DeSoto, city leaders remembered McCowan Wednesday evening as a passionate civic and education leader. “In my last conversation with her she stated she was counting on us to continue to move our great city forward,” said Kay Brown-Patrick, who holds the Place 2 seat on the DeSoto City Council. October 30, 2020

Mayor Curtistene McCowan

“Even in the midst of her battle she had DeSoto in her heart.” McCowan announced she had cancer in her right lung earlier this month. She shared the information at a ZOOM council meeting and explained how she went to the doctor and received the diagnosis. Brown-Patrick said she was both shocked and heartbroken upon learning of the mayor’s death. “To say she will be missed is an understatement,” she said. “Heaven gained a great one.” DeSoto City Councilmember Nicole Raphiel, who represents Place 3, called McCowan “DeSoto’s greatest

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cheerleader.” “Mayor McCowan was a community giant,” she said. “Her love for family and community will go unmatched.” McCowan was elected to the DeSoto City Council in May, 2012 and served as mayor pro-tem from 2014 to 2016. She was elected mayor in 2016. She entered municipal leadership after years of serving as a public education official and community leader with her sorority, a national community service organization of college-educated professional women. McCowan first won a public seat on the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees in 1990. With that win, she became the first Afri-

can-American elected to public office in DeSoto. “She was one of the reasons I elected to run for office,” Brown-Patrick said. Her legacy is unmatched” McCowan served two terms – or six years - as a school board trustee. She was president of the board for two of those years. During her terms on the school board, McCowan was appointed (from 1993 to 1994) to sit on the statewide Panel on Student Skills and Knowledge for the Texas Education Agency. While she sat on numerous statewide education panels and boards, her service to local public education never waned, supporters said. In 2000, she was elected as the first president of the DeSoto ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors. Upon her passing, she still was listed among the Foundation’s Executive Committee. In recognition of McCowan’s 30 years of community volunteerism and commitment to education, the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted in January 2007 to name a school in her honor. The Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School opened in August 2007 - a testament, supporters said, to McCowan’s rich legacy. “As the first female mayor of the All-America City of DeSoto who also witnessed the naming of a school in her honor some years ago, she will be remembered for the many good deeds she did and how well she did them,” Brown-Patrick said. On October 29, 2007, then myimessenger.com

Gov. Rick Perry appointed McCowan to an unexpired term on the Texas Southern University Board of Regents. He re-appointed McCowan in 2009 to a full six-year term to the TSU Board of Regents. She served until May 2015. Her appointment was unanimously confirmed by the Texas Senate. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, (D-TX), whose district includes DeSoto, remembered McCowan Wednesday as “a committed leader.” “Her leadership spirit will be missed,” the Congresswoman said. “Her influence and her leadership was felt in DeSoto, her first love.” Before serving in the education arena, McCowan was elected president of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Wednesday, Goode Johnson said sorority sisters had been on “Mayor McCowan watch,” offering steady prayers for the DeSoto mayor. News of her passing spread quickly, they said. Late into the evening Wednesday, Dr. Andrea Hilburn, current president of the chapter, said she had fielded numerous calls from sorority members and others concerning McCowan. “My phone is ringing off the wall,” Dr Hilburn said. “The news was devastating. She wasn’t just our Soror, she was a community leader too.” Dr. Hilburn said despite McCowan’s many public duties, she had managed to be very active in the Sorority, attend meetings and provide support. “She always had time for Delta,” Dr. Hilburn said. McCowan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Dallas Baptist University and an Associate myimessenger.com

degree in Business Management at El Centro College, now Dallas College. For much of her professional career, she worked as a senior Investigator at the Federal Trade Commission. McCowan retired after 30 years of employment there on January 1, 2005. She and Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price were honored together as distinguished alumni of El Centro College. On Wednesday, he recalled McCowan as a “selfless leader,” noting she had served, among other organizations, Dallas County Inland Port. “She devoted a lot of her time and service to the public,” he said. “She spent a lot of time serving.” Texas State Sen. Royce West, Mayor McCowan’s death hit close to home. “We have lost a good person, a leader, caring person who in many instances put her family behind public service,” he said. “Curtistene will be missed. “She loved her family, her community, her sorority, and fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,” he said. “She lived a full life, a life well lived.” McCowan was married for 54 years to her husband Leon. She said in an interview in December 2019 with Texas Metro News, that she had married quite young. “I married my high school sweetheart,” she said, noting that there was no resistance to their nuptials because, “Leon was such a great guy.” She and husband Leon R. McCowan, have two sons: Danny Sebastian (Angie) and Leon Curtis (Stephanie) McCowan. They are the proud grandparents of Tiana, Kirsten and Taylor McCowan.

Other expressions: Curtistene McCowan was just an amazing woman of God. She loved her community, she loved her family, she loved DeSoto, and what a legacy she has left, but what a loss for all of us. I appreciate all the things that she did for me and with me. Wow, I just can’t believe it. She is so loved and then she loved everybody. Dr. Larry Lewis CEO & Founder - The Impact Institute Former Lancaster ISD Superintendent

I am in complete shock and heartbroken. My relationship with Mayor McCowan began well before I began my time on City Council, she was one of the reason I elected to run for office. In my last conversation with her she stated she was counting on us to continue to move our great City forward. Even in the midst of her battle she had DeSoto in her heart. She was an amazing woman of God with a heart of service, class, and love for all and she loved the City and residents of DeSoto. My heart and prayers are with her husband Leon, her children, and the rest of her family & friends. Her legacy is unmatched and to say she will be missed is an understatement. Heaven gained a great one. In this life you pray to do the things you were called to do. To say the things you needed to say. To be who you were created to be. Kay Brown-Patrick DeSoto City Councilmember | Place 2

The City of Cedar Hill offers our deepest con-

dolences to the family of Mayor McCowan and the City of DeSoto. Mayor McCowan had a spirit that brightened every room and always made herself available to support and encourage others. She was a trailblazer who leaves behind a lasting legacy for the Best Southwest and North Texas community. Stephen Mason Mayor City of Cedar Hill

I am saddened by the loss of one of our Angels on Earth. To know Curtistene McCowan was to be touched by a passion and spirit of love, motivation, and sincerity. She will make heaven a better place! RISE IN POWER Curtistene! Terry Allen 1016 Media

“Like so many, when Mayor Curtistene McCowan announced a few weeks back that she had lung cancer, I prayed for her speedy and full recovery. I’m stunned and heartbroken that we have lost a pioneer. As the first African-American to be elected to public office in DeSoto, a champion for education and all around extraordinary woman, her lifetime commitment of service to DeSoto communities is an example of what public servants in my own generation must live up to. Though we have lost her light here on earth, I know without a shadow of a doubt her legacy will shine on forever. Rest in His arms Mayor McCowan and thank you for showing us the way.” Hasani Burton Congressional Candidate

October 30, 2020

Hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Honey Fried Chicken

(214) 371- 3020

4845 S Lancaster Rd. Dallas, TX 75216

October 30, 2020

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ELECT

JUDGE

Brandon Birmingham

FOR TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS PL. 9

• Experience

Primary Election:

March 3, 2020

• Integrity

General Election:

• Independence

“ This bench does not belong to me, it belongs to the people.” BB

Trim

JUDGE

Front

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Judge of the 292nd Judicial District Court, a felony trial court in Dallas County, Texas

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Presiding Judge of AIM Court: a unique second chance court for youthful offenders.

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Presiding Judge of Felony Domestic Violence Court: a program designed to protect victims of intimate partner domestic violence.

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Former Presiding Judge of all Felony District Courts in Dallas County.

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Visiting Professor, SMU Dedman School of Law

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Frequent Lecturer for Continuing Legal Education courses accredited by the State Bar of Texas

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Former Chief Felony Prosecutor and Cold Case Unit Chief, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office

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Creator and host of “A Murderous Design”, a true crime podcast about famous trials

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Judge Birmingham and his wife Carrie have been together for nearly 25 years, and are the proud parents of two children.

judgebirmingham.com

ELECT

November 3, 2020

POL. ADV. PAID FOR BY BRANDON BIRMINGHAM FOR JUDGE CAMPAIGN.

Back

Brandon Birmingham

FOR TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS PL. 9

GHAM FOR JUDGE CAMPAIGN • Experience

Primary Election:

March 3, 2020

• Integrity

General Election:

• Independence

November 3, 2020

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Judge of the 292nd Judicial District Court, a felony trial court in Dallas County, Texas

•

Presiding Judge of AIM Court: a unique second chance court for youthful offenders.

•

Presiding Judge of Felony Domestic Violence Court: a program designed to protect victims of intimate partner domestic violence.

•

Former Presiding Judge of all Felony District Courts in Dallas County.

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Visiting Professor, SMU Dedman School of Law

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Frequent Lecturer for Continuing Legal Education courses accredited by the State Bar of Texas

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Former Chief Felony Prosecutor and Cold Case Unit Chief, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office

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Creator and host of “A Murderous Design”, a true crime podcast about famous trials

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Judge Birmingham and his wife Carrie have been together for nearly 25 years, and are the proud parents of two children.

judgebirmingham.com POL. ADV. PAID FOR BY BRANDON BIRMINGHAM FOR JUDGE CAMPAIGN.

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www.grandpasecret.com

Please wear your mask and wash your hands! October 30, 2020

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October 30, 2020

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Dallas COVID-19 Resources

MO’ BETTAH WINGS

COVID-19 Call the hotline The bestHotline way to 24-7 protect yourself and others is to 214-670-INFO (4636) to get information regarding: stay at home. •Current COVID-19 Regulations & Testing Locations •Employment Assistance •Federal Relief Payment Information •Volunteer/Assistance Opportunities •Rental/Mortgage, and Eviction Assistance •Small Business Assistance •Social Services (food pantry, childcare assistance, senior assistance, unsheltered resident assistance and mental health resources) •Utility Payment Assistance

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October 30, 2020

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October 30, 2020

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October 30, 2020

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Dr. Amerson adapts to Temporary Business Closure Dr. Linda Amerson, Board Certified Trichologist, has adapted to the temporary closure of LA's Hair and Scalp Clinic. We continue to offer our award-winning products to consumers. Our exclusive products are manufactured by a facility in Garland, TX. Premium quality natural ingredients are used to assist with dry, oily, itchy, flaky, inflammed scalps, as well as hair breakage, hair thinning and regrowth. Everyone may order from our website, and we will ship your product order to you. http://www.hairandscalpessentials.com We need your support. In addition, we offer Video Consultations globally! We will schedule an appointment, give a diagnosis, them make a recommendation. We are available to serve you in the comfort of your home. Call us today - 817.265.8854 http://www.hairandscalpessentials.com We need your support.

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October 30, 2020

Who Ya With? OUR VOICES BY DERRICK PAYNE

It’s later than ever.. We are at the end of an era…which is actually the beginning of a new one. It’s Election Day, Nation Time, as Jesse Jackson would say. Whatever it is, the time to do it is now. For those of us living, free, inspired, full of hope but nagged by history, developing our minds, trying dreaming…its code red, flashing lights, emergency time. Here’s the challenge: if we start the clock at 1619, that’s 400 years plus waiting for America to be great again. When did the good old days apply to us? Dr. Ronald Walters said we have always had more of everything bad and less of everything good. 135 years of symbolic freedom. We went from being “My Nigra” to “My Nigga.” Not a lot of progress. We have to develop a taste for freedom - something we have NEVER had in our hands or mouth. In 1963 Brother Malcolm said it’s the ballot or the bullet. Time passed-no change. What would he say about the current political atmosphere? In 2008, we elected a Black man as President of the United States of AmerOctober 30, 2020

ica. Game on. Our President is handed the steering wheel of a car that has already gone over the edge of the cliff. Somehow we managed to survive the crash. We wanted SOMETHING done about a healthcare

every single day? Vote or go to hell. Vote or shut up forever. Times up, Black people. We stand on our feet-this time, right now-or we sit down and shut up. Are you in that sad group

system that was not working for anybody...done. We wanted somebody to bring our soldiers home from a pointless war...done. We wanted the people responsible for a terrorist attack on our soil to pay the ultimate price....done. A tough situation for anybody and a call for extraordinary leadership, answered by Barack Obama. Has anybody in electoral politics ever dealt with the level of irrational hatred President Obama tolerated

of negroes that let “gay marriage”...a line of thinking that has NOTHING to do with governing the country—make your choice for you? Are you in the long line of misguided under-informed Negroes that make excuses, backstabs, and forms a powerless alliance with the same people that are the reason we are in such bad shape right now? Imagine explaining to your grandmother, who used to wash floors, and your granddaddy who had

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to find a way to see himself as a man while being called a boy, that you “don’t do politics”…that “the line’s too long”…that “I didn’t get around to it”… On our watch entire school districts collapse. On our watch, the Black jail population goes to 41%. On our watch, we turned on CNN and watched people die in New Orleans. On our watch, we give out a trillion dollars in corporate welfare while sneering at Keesha for a $200 welfare check. We better figure this one out. The stakes are high, and this world will NOT be okay if we allow another election to be stolen. So what are we going to do? We have marched until our feet have bled and rioted until they called the Feds…and here we are. As for me, I voted. I wore a Hoody while I voted, because Trayvon Martin’s life can NOT be in vain. What about you? Are you doing as much as you can for the struggle? Are you sure? Is that ALL you can do? My name is Derrick Payne. I was voter #3949 at precinct 1707 in Richardson, TX on October 19 at 3:38 pm. It’s nation time. Who you with? Derrick Payne is a professor at Dallas College. A proud alumnus of Howard University, he is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

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October 30, 2020

I agree with Ice Cube and I voted for Joe Biden THAT STRUGGLE CONTINUES BY VALDER BEEBE

Here we go again with that “my White man is better than your White man” crap! Brother Malcolm X cautions us, “Stop talking about the South! Long as you South of the Canadian border, you South!” Brother Ice Cube has been criticized by some “I know Blacks better” TV talking heads as a sellout, as he shopped his Contract With Black America (CWBA) to both presidential candidates for the best deal! Let’s be crystal clear. I voted for former Vice President Joe Biden for his national plan to beat COVID-19, something President Donald Trump appears unable to do! But, this emotional political campaign noise to beat Trump at all cost even attacking Brother Cube in the process is dangerously stupid! Like hearing reactionaries explode like bombs seeing Trump retweet an image of a white man shouting White Power. Obviously these folks have no clue of our movement’s history as they seek to call every action racist! The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was founded October 30, 2020

Journalist Roland Martin interviews Ice Cube

by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California in 1966 and their chant was “All Power to the People!” They’d break it down: All Power to White People, All Power to Black People the list went on for Brown, Red and Yellow people. Point is they believed in sharing power with all races, including white folks! The chant, “Black Power,” was only introduced after Brother Stokely Carmichael, a co-founder of the original Black Panther Party of 1965, the Political Party of Lowndes County, Alabama, joined them. Being Racist and practicing racism are two very different things. Case in point! US Senator Kamala Harris was spot on about former Vice President Joe Biden’s white-bigoted history in not wanting Black

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children in his white Delaware neighborhoods. Biden believed letting Black children in his schools meant Black families moving into his neighborhoods! Biden was practicing racism, because he had the power to carry out his racist agenda as a voting US Senator! Racism is power plus Prejudice! My late friend, former Dallas school board member Kathlyn Joy Gilliam, could truly educate you on America’s bussing bigotry. People say but Biden’s a Democrat! Yeah, so was George Wallace! And face it! Trump wouldn’t be president without White Democrats voting for him in 2016, right! So, beating up on Cube or any Black person that seems to want more than just a mere pat on the head by

White folks should cease. Black people have benefited greatly from Brother Cube’s contributions for decades. His integrity is unquestionable. These so-called Black leaders should be examining their own characters. There’s a movement called Black Business Empowerment Commission at Commission.org that can teach you more, try them! Brother Malcolm mapped out in his speech, “The Ballot or the Bullet,” what politics is supposed to produce for your votes and what he said is exactly what Brother Cube is doing. Until then the Struggle Continues… Thomas Muhammad is an activist and chair of the Dallas National Black United Front.

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Dark Tresor AT THE MOVIES BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

DARK TRESOR-The Series is a locally-produced movie from the team of Richard Davis and Jamilia Marie who head up Black Motion Media, a film company whose goal is to bring more minority performers to the big screen. DARK TRESOR will be presented on various PPV movie platforms beginning early in 2021, but I had a

are killing the Dallas elite at private parties at Dallas’ hot spots. Detective Jasmine gets into the middle of the fray while investigating the murders. There’s a power struggle between the vampires and a couple of the ladies reveal their true self to the detective, and her partner, who is smitten with Ruby, the vampire madame. The movie has a great surprise ending that hit me like a ton of bricks. DARK TRESOR also deals with the issue of human trafficking of young women who are forced into the sex slave in-

We’re open and ready to serve you!

Elaine’s

Jamaican Kitchen chance to see it at the series’ Dallas premiere. DARK TRESOR stars Nadirah Shakir as Detective Jasmine. She gets involved with the group of vampire call girls while investigating the disappearances of young women in the Dallas area. I can’t recall ever seeing a movie with beautiful African American vampire prostitutes. It’s a wild and outrageous premise that I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed. Billionnairess Olivia Reyes plays the vampire madame, Ruby, and there are a host of beautiful vampire call girls who myimessenger.com

dustry. (Sidenote: law enforcement statistics report that over 400 women in Dallas go missing every single night.) Richard Davis and Jamila Marie did a great job with a most unlikely story. They took a wild premise (Black call girl vampires who feast on their clients) and made a wildly creative and entertaining movie. Be sure and look for it when it comes out on streaming platforms online. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate DARK TRESOR a JUMBO!

(214) 565-1008 2717 Martin L. King Jr Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215

October 30, 2020

Employment Opportunity

Funeral Director/Embalmer Black and Clark Funeral Home

Send resume to: Administration Black and Clark Funeral Home 2517 E. Illinois Dallas, Texas 75216 bcfh@blackandclark.com

You have a unique opportunity to be a part of something new at UNT Dallas College of Law. Our law school - which admitted its first students in 2014 - is not bound by the restraints of traditional legal education. UNT Dallas College of Law is initiating change. Our curriculum stretches far beyond traditional classroom learning. We provide our students with hands on experiences and meaningful opportunities to engage with members of the community, lawyers and legal scholars. Our mission at UNT Dallas College of Law is to promote justice and advance human potential through the enterprise of legal education.

OUR MISSION HAS FIVE GOALS: ACCESS Expand access to legal education for those who are capable of becoming legal professionals but have lacked realistic access to legal education.

PREPARATION Our students benefit from the insights of legal educators as well as the input from legal practitioners.

VALUE We create opportunity for students by keeping tuition and debt low while consistently delivering an excellent legal education.

INNOVATION We are a national leader in the advancement of best legal education practices and of the evolving business of practicing law.

COMMUNITY We are valuable partners with legal professionals in the area and the Dallas-Fort Worth community as well.

October 30, 2020

7/9/20 3:24 PM

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BIG MAMA said YOU CAN CATCH MORE FLIES WITH HONEY THAN WITH VINEGAR THE BLACK CARD BY TERRY ALLEN

The magic of living in Lucille “Big Mama’s” Allen’s house is that you got a front row seat and firsthand lessons on life skills. Years before my adulthood began, I knew of this statement. “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” She flowered us with honey tips all the time. Big Mama’s Honey Tips gave us a LIFETIME rites of passage. She blessed her six children,

19 grandchildren, 37 greatgrandchildren, 20 great-great grandchildren and six greatgreat-great grandchildren with wisdoms that set our personalities for life. Today’s lesson is “You catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar.” All my siblings knew the value of this lesson! It meant it is easier to persuade others with kindness and affirmations rather than with criticisms and negativity. I have used that lesson in all my professional and business dealings. It worked! When I joined my partners in the small business

start-up arena, we did not service the top tier budding entrepreneurs. We took on a focused client. We took the individuals that the mainstream deemed marginal or outsiders. Our intakes were called fallen citizens. We took on displaced veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals and women on public assistance. Some of them did not believe they could be entrepreneurs. Immediately we had to infuse Big Mama’s Honey Tips in every encounter as we prepared our team with mentors, business plans, bids and business opportunities. The efforts created 214

2020

DE MOC RA TIC CANDI DAT E

facebook & instagram: valeriebastonforjudge

RE A L J UST I CE F O R AL L *Political advertising paid for by the Valerie Baston for Judge Campaign in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act. L. Baston Treasurer*

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small businesses contributing a few million dollars annually in collective revenue to the economy. I will share those details more but what I wanted to share was a few Honey Tips from Big Mama for our readers. The two pandemics have created a hyper focus on authentic commerce and businesses now must add a little social consciousness to their services and products. Here are Big Mama’s Top 3 Honey Tips: • Be transparent and price competitive on your offerings and inform the consumer how to do business with you. (Big Mama: Sell what you say you gone sell and have it ready) • There is strength in numbers, get with other business owners, place ads and offer the public a collective shopping experience. (Big Mama: You are stronger with others than by yourself) • Create communitysupported events that contribute to those who have been affected by the pandemics, both racial and health. (Big Mama: You did not get here by yourself share your success) Are you ready to share your Honey Tips with me? After you VOTE, please email me your tips to Terryallenpr@gmail. com. Terry Allen is a multi-media journalist and board member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

October 30, 2020

BRIEFS

Committeewoman Shay Wyrick-Cathey

Shay Wyrick-Cathey

Allana J. Barefield spoke to Shay Wyrick-Cathey, State Democratic Executive Committeewoman, District 23 on The Bare Truth. They discussed how to prepare to vote and what to avoid wearing when voters are heading to the polls.

Question: Why is early voting important? Answer: Well, we’re in the middle of a global pandemic so unless someone is from 1918 no one has ever really done this in this type of atmosphere before so to make sure that every vote counts. We have such liberal early voting laws that anyone can vote early, we don’t have to have a reason to vote early in person. We have to make sure to exercise our right to vote but we are facing a very serious crisis and so we can’t overlook that so if you can stop and make a plan, look at the websites, see where the lines are shorter, and go take your mask. Question: Talk to me about how voting intimidation is real. It is

happening at different polling locations right now, and what can people do to get out of the situation? Answer: Well voting intimidation is real, right, as is voting suppression. I think the voter has to know their own rights and they are entitled to vote in a harassment-free setting, so if you’re in line and someone is harassing you then you can walk to the front of the line and ask for the election judge. Question: What advice can you give to someone when people are wearing certain shirts with slogans and can be turned away? Answer: So no campaign

apparel is allowed inside a polling place. So it’s really important to distinguish what campaign paraphernalia is, there are certain slogans that are tied to certain candidates so that is clearly campaign paraphernalia. As you know, one of the vice presidential candidates, Kamala Harris, is a member of a sorority, AKA, so lots of AKAs are wearing AKA things to vote. If you would like to check out the full interview, please head over to Blog Talk Radio’s Cheryl’s World or to our Texas Metro News Facebook page Link: https://www.facebook. com/watch/?v=40931023 0228993

Commissioner John Wiley Price Allana J. Barefield spoke to Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, who has been in office since 1985 and was the first African American elected to the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court. On The Bare Truth, they discussed the importance of his reelection and voting. Question: For everyone who is listening in right now, why should they cast their vote for you? Answer: Well because, I have the same energy, I have a track record, you want to talk about projects, you want to talk 140 projects, that we call major capital projects. When you look at constructing with October 30, 2020

regards to the 955 square mile, both campaigns and a number I have 60 percent of the County of us took a position and help to geographically. frame the platform so you can be a first… Question: What is Harris up against in this election because Question: What does voter she doesn’t look like the rest of suppression look like today? the candidates? Answer: Voter suppression Answer: Well she’s the first takes on a lot of weight but person to be nominated. My sometimes this stuff is some of girl, Shirley Chisholm, she was our participation too. Let me the first and foremost. It’s real just tell you, in Dallas County, difficult to imagine what Shirley there’s a million and three Chisholm, you know, was up hundred thousand people who against. Now when I ran for are registered to vote and in office first time in 1984, Pettis Dallas County there’s a million Norman, former Dallas Cowboy and eight hundred thousand and businessman… We ran Jesse individuals who are 18 years of Jackson’s campaign out of my age and older. house on Fifth Street so we ran If you would like to check out

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Commissioner John Wiley Price

the full interview, please head over to Blog Talk Radio’s Cheryl’s World or our Texas Metro News Facebook page. Link: https://www. f a c e b o o k . c o m / watch/?v=409310230228993 myimessenger.com

Virtual and liVe Community Calendar

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Now – Oct. 30

Early Voting now through October 30th. Poles are open from 7 am-7 pm. Find a polling place: https;//dallascountyvotes.org. For all voting information in Texas: VoteTexas.gov.

Now-Nov.8 My Red Hand My Black Hand, Presented by Cara Mia & Soul Rep Theatre. Streamed auto play. See the preview performance at 7:30 pm.- Indigenous People’s Day - For tickets: www.caramiatheatre.org or www.soulrep.org for tickets.

Dallas Virtual Job Fair by Best Hire Career Fairs. 9 am-3 pm. I Stand Strong Domestic Violence and Awareness, Zoom Eventbrite.com Info: https://jobfairpro.com/ Workshop. 6 pm. Register by texting your name, number and email to: 214-225-5201.

October 30

November 1

The Valder Beebe Show on KKVIDFW.COM 9 am. CT. Guest: April Reign is activist who coined the hashtag #OscarSoWhite.

Why We Vote Virtual Block Party. Hosted by Tomorrow We Vote. Online on Facebook Live @tomorrowwevote. 1-3 pm.

Ubuntu Market (Small Business Marketplace) Host Pan African Connection 4466 S. Marsalis Ave. 12-5 pm. Shop Small Businesses. Info email : Panafric@ Together We Test COVID-19 Community Testing at Glendale airmail.net. Shopping Center, 4420 S. Marsalis Ave. 9 am-1 pm. Free Test.

November 2

DART: Looking for Marketing/Advertising Agency of Record. Visit the Supplier Portal to apply. Insert the Reference # (2056764) under “Services”. Contact: 214-749-2701 or Support@dart.org. Website: https://suppliers.dart.org.

Business as (Un)usual: Start or Relaunch Your Small Business Hosted by J.L. Turner Legal Association. 9 am-5 pm. TickPower Networking Conference 2020; Theme: Operation ets: https://bit.ly/3mncVdQ.. Breathe host Dr. George C. Fraser, Co/host, Deland A. JohnOctober 31 son & MC Dr. Stacie Grant. Register: https://bit.ly/3jXf27z Oct. 28-30th. Positive Reflections Ministry Free GrocerAspire-Toast to Literacy 2020. Free Online Event register: ies. Pick up location: Pleasant Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1910 N. St Augustine Rd. https://one.bidpal.net/toasttoliteracy. 7 pm. 9 am to 1 pm. Call 214-208-5536. Continuing the Conversation Host Family Gateway. A Zoom Panel Discussion Session. Register: Eventbrite.com. 12-1 pm. The 46th Annual Harambee Festival Drivethrough Giveaway. 2:30Together We Test COVID-19 Com5:30 pm. at the Martin munity Testing at Friendship-West Luther King Recreation Center 2901 Pennsylvania Ave. FREE Baptist Church 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. Treat Bags during the drive through portion. 9 am-1 pm. Testing is Free.

Marvelous Marriage Mondays at Friendship-West Baptist Church Register for Virtual event, online at friendshipwest.zoom.us/.../upcpcOmhqz4rqNU 7-8 pm.

October 29

ARJ Senior Adult Work-Out Sessions. Hosted by Annette Reid-Jordan Senior Adult Community at Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. 1:30-2:30 pm. Info: 972-2285200 or email arjseniors@friendshipwest.org.

November 3 ELECTION DAY Dallas Open Mic at The Green Elephant 5627 Dyer St. Dallas 8 pm-12 am. Tickets Eventbrite.com.

HBCU Alumni & D9 Greek Election Night Watch Party. Host Dallas Greek Picnic Weekend at Reservoir FREE COVID-19 Testing hosted by R&R Naturals Partners with at Toyota Music Factory 330 W. Las CoDon’t skip mammogram during pandemic; GoLabUSA at MAVS Office, 1333 N. Stemmons Frwy. Dallas. 10 linas Blvd. Irving. 5 pm-12 am. RSVP: Eventbrite.com. Mask Required. Parkland expert’s urges early detection am -4 pm. Register: www.randrnaturals.com/covid. saves lives. 8 am–1 pm at Oak Cliff Family YMCA, 6701 S. Hampton Rd. Call Halloween Bash! 1 Night & Two shows Costume Contest, Attention future #Quinnites, we are providing Virtual In214-266-3327 parklandhospital.com. feat: Sir Charles Jones & Fat Daddy, at The Warehouse 1125 E. formation Sessions for all prospective students and families. Berry St. Ft. Worth, 7 pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Every Tuesday at 7 pm. Visit Paul Quinn’s website and Sign up https://pqc-edu.squarespace.com/ What she Said Virtual Summit Breaking Barriers & Bias host Dallas Police Department. Register: Eventbrite.com 10-11:30 CANVAS Dallas Halloween Masquerade Party. CANVAS Hotel Dallas 1325 South Lamar St. Dallas 10 pm- 2 am. Tickets: November 4 am. Info: Contact Community Affairs 214-671-4045. Eventbrite.com. Happy Birthday to Lady Lyfe American Association of University Women (AAUW), with AMP Presents OUR VOTE MATTERS a HEXA Halloween Music support from the Coca Cola Foundation, invites HBCU Alumni, faculty, and students to Work Smart salary negotiation work- Festival. Host Adam Munoz Productions, at Hexa, 2100 North shop, Know Your Value and Get Paid. 12–1:00 pm EST. Zoom Greenville Ave. Richardson. 12-11 pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Ask Dr. Amerson Show at 11am CST. Dr. Reg: https://bit.ly/3moQdlx. Paul Quinn College #SafeForMyCity Linda discusses healthy hair and scalp talk, Free COVID-19 Testing, 10 am-4 pm and alopecia talk, on FB Live and DfwiRaTV ONE’S Virtual Town Halls. Hosted by and free food boxes. 10-11:30 am. dio.com. Karen Finney. Ep. 2 - The Intersection of Paul Quinn College, 3837 Simpson Race and Gender in Politics and the PowStuart Rd. November 5 er of the Black Female Vote. 12 pm/9CST. Streaming on TV One and CLEO TV’s FaceSister to Sister 19th Annual Fitness Festival We Are In This Arlington Job Fair. Host Job Fair Pro. At Holiday Inn Arlington book and YouTube channels. Saturday, Together. Going Virtual! Host Celebrating Life Foundation. Reg: NE-Rangers Ballpark, 1311 Wet N Wild Way Arlington. 11 am. October 31 at 12 pm/11CST. Broadcast www.celebratinglife.org. 8:46 am. Info: Eventbrite.com. simulcast on TV One and CLEO TV.

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BLACK LIVES MATTER Andrew’s World with host Andrew Whigham III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. CST. Sundays Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news and commentary. Join the call at 646-200-0459 In The Middle with Ashley Moss. “Talking about topics that Matter” Join in in Facebook/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio. com at 11 am-1 pm. CST. Mondays. Join the conversation call 646-2000459. Doc Shep Speaks Show! A fresh perspective, but still entertaining! Welcome to The Doc Shep Speaks Show!!!. Tuesdays at 11 am. CST Live on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews & Blog Talk Radio.com Join the conversation 646-200-0459.

I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade “History Class is in Session” Join in on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com at 11 am -1 pm. CST. Wednesdays. Join the conversation call 646-200-0459. The Bare Truth with Allana J. Baredierld. “Always Audacious, Accurte and Authentic” On Facebiik/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio. at 11 am-1 pm. CST. Thursdays. Join the call at 646200-0459 From Marva with Love with Marva Sneed from11 am -1 pm. CST, Fridays on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Call in and join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

October 30, 2020

Nurse Leader Johnson to be inducted as Fellow to American Academy of Nursing

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

On Saturday, October 31, 2020, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) will be inducted as a Fellow to the American Academy of Nursing. The inductees of the 2020 Class of 230 Nurse Leaders will be recognized for their significant contributions to health and health care at the Academy’s annual Transforming Health, Driving Policy Conference, which will take place virtually on October 29-31, 2020. “In the past months, our fellow nurses have worked tirelessly and with great sacrifices on

the front lines of direct patient care during this pandemic. I am so honored to be recognized alongside many champions of the nursing community as a 2020 Fellow Inductee to the American Academy of Nursing,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “While some of us are no longer at bedside, which is my first passion, we are all making strides towards substantial change. As a federal legislator, I stand firm with the Academy’s commitment to achieving meaningful policy changes that impact vulnerable populations

and those whose voices would otherwise not be heard.” The American Academy of Nursing serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge. More than 2,700 distinguished fellows are the nursing profession’s most accomplished leaders in education, management, practice, and research. They have been recognized for their extraordinary contributions to nursing and health care.

Baston makes strong bid for bench

Valerie Baston

Ft. Worth’s Dunbar High School graduate Valerie Baston is one of many names on ballots across this country October 30, 2020

and she is making a strong case for why she should be elected to the 342nd District Court in Tarrant County. “I will not be bossed, because I am committed to try to get rulings right,” said Atty. Baston. “I will not rule for the so-called ‘right people’ if the law is not on their side. I will apply the correct laws in cases brought before me.” The University of Texas at Austin and Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University has served the public for most of her adult life and that is why she is the recipient of numerous awards including

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the L. Clifford Davis Legal Excellence Award and the Santa Fe Youth Services Hometown Hero Award for her legal work with juvenile issues. The mother of three is a member of Black Women Lawyer’s Association, L. Clifford Davis Legal Association, J.L. Turner Legal Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Dallas County Bar Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Tarrant County Bar Association, Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Fort Worth (TX) Chapter

of the Links, Incorporated. “I actually want to be a judge because I love the law and administering justice for the people as a civic duty,” she said. “I will not use this court as just another rung in a personal climb of the political party’s ladder leading to the power of higher office.” Atty. Baston has served as a prosecutor in the Fort Worth’s City Attorney’s Office and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. She’s an adjunct professor teaching at UNT School of Law and is currently in private practice “where I try to help my clients get the justice they deserve.” myimessenger.com

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October 30, 2020

Dirk Nowitzki helps kick off Fall Food Drive, Unveils Gardening Program

Dirk, Jessica and Volunteers

Photo Credit: Dorothy J. Gentry

Dirk Nowitzki retired as the face of the Dallas Mavericks franchise in March of 2019. Over a year and a half later he is still giving back to the city. The former Dallas Mavs great surprised families on Thursday as he passed out food boxes and vouchers for complimentary turkeys from Pappas and shared details about a new Plants and Paints program that teaches kids about farm to table nutrition science and healthy eating. The Dirk Nowitzki October 30, 2020

Foundation, The Mark Cuban Foundation, The Heroes Foundation and the North Texas Food Bank teamed up to host Center Table Fall Harvest at the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center. Nowitzki, his wife Jessica and volunteers from the food bank and the different foundation handed out food boxes to 425 families during the drive-up event In addition, Pappas Restaurants provided vouchers for a complimentary turkey for each family, The event was free and open

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to residents in the Center’s surrounding neighborhoods off of Bonnie View and Illinois. Kicking off the holidays, Center Table Fall Harvest will continue in November and December. “We are here for another food drive. We did one in May for Mothers’ Day and we see that the need is still there, unfortunately,” Nowitzki said. “These are very tough times. These are stressful times for lots of families with jobs and so on and even more so if you don’t know where your next

meal is coming from and that’s heartbreaking. “We want to help out as much as we can,” he continued. “We are just trying to do our part and help out this community that has been great to the Mark Cuban Center here. This is our way of supporting and saying thanks.” Nowitzki also announced a new program at the Center called “Plants and Paints” where children and families not only learn to create and grow gardens, but experience entrepreneurship and myimessenger.com

philanthropy. The children also engage by creatively painting the planter boxes. Once harvested, they will set up a farmer’s market and give away the foods and flowers to neighborhood families. Located in the new Cuban Center Organic Garden, the “Plants and Paints” program allows kids to have fun outdoors while socially distancing. The Cuban Center will offer the plant and paint class starting next week and continuing through next summer. “I’m really excited to help grow the plants and paints program that teaches kids about nutrition, science and the process of farm to table,” Nowitzki said. “The kids have even been able to host a farmers market here at the Center where they give away veggies, herbs and flowers to families in the neighborhood. We look forward to expanding, getting more kids involved and holding even more farmers markets

throughout the season.” The garden area currently houses a dozen or so plantar boxes with plans to add more in the coming months including raised boxes so nearly senior citizens can garden. The kids grow broccoli, celery, cabbage, beets, kale, carrots, peas, peppers, mustard greens and more. They also raise flowers, along with herbs including basil, rosemary, parsley and more. The young people work in the garden on the weekends while the Center staff water and maintain the gardens during the week. “I think it’s a great thing for the kids to learn about fruits and vegetables and how to plant them, when to harvest them,” Nowitzki said. “And they are going to learn some business ideas as well later on. We are in the beginning stages and we have 10 boxes as of now and it’s going so well. The kids are loving it. “It’s good to teach the kids about nutrition about eating

Dirk, Zihair and Zamyad

healthy and about learning to take care of themselves. It’s a great project.” In addition to the neighborhood families, the

Dirk and Volunteers

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Photo Credit: Dorothy J. Gentry

program also involves students 10-17 years-old, from the UNT Dallas Rising Blazers Community Youth Development Program.

Photo Credit: Dorothy J. Gentry

October 30, 2020

FEBRUARY 8, 2019

I Messenger

Do you know this man?

POLICE have not apprehended “Pookie” the serial rapist. We know he has attacked members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and there is a $5,000 reward offered by Crime Stoppers.

HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST

He targeted members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. but this is more than about a sorority. We’re talking about a community. Come on PEOPLE! Don’t you CARE? Will it matter when it is your sister, mother, aunt or grandmother or maybe YOU?

877-373-8477 October 30, 2020

I MESSENGER

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