I Messenger

I M essenger VOLUME 8

MAY 24, 2019

ISSUE 40

FOR THE BABIES dr . keisha lankford

IMessenger MAILING ADDRESS 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM 214-941-0110 Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER - EDITOR news@texasmetronews.com S. Curet GENERAL MANAGER stewartcuret@myimessenger.com Nina Garcia Marketing/Sales Manager Marva Sneed EDITORIAL ASSISTANT EDITORIAL TEAM Lajuana Barton Eva Coleman L. Diane Evans Dorothy J. Gentry Vincent Hall Dr. Felicia N. Shepherd Monique P. Stone Dareia Tolbert Andrew Whigham III Chelle Wilson MARKETING TEAM Carlton McConnell Terry Allen PR DESIGN/LAYOUT Lady

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Established 2011 CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

MAY 24, 2019

Clear Channel Outdoor joins family of Brianna Aubrey Campaign for National Missing Children’s Day The Texas Center for the Missing, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Clear Channel Outdoor Americas (CCOA) will launch a new, month-long effort across the Dallas region to help generate leads in the case of 16-yearold, Brianna Aubrey, who disappeared in January, 2019. CCOA will broadcast Brianna’s photo, on its digital billboards throughout the region over 1,200 times per day on each unit for one month.

Channel

Panel

Brianna Aubrey

#78749 LBJ Freeway, on the south side of the freeway, fourtenths of a mile east of Jupiter Rd--11858 LBJ Fwy (located at the NW corner of the United Artists Galaxy Theatre 10 movie theater parking at 11801 WHO: Lee Aubrey, father of McCree Rd., Dallas, TX 75238) Brianna Jake Smith, .

Brianna Aubrey has President, Clear Channel Outdoor been missing from Dallas since January of this Americas-D/FW Detective Gregory year. She is an African Rodriguez, Dallas American female, 5’9� weight 180 pounds.

Police Department Black hair and brown eyes. Information can WHEN: 10 a.m., Friday, May be given to the Dallas Police at 214-744-4444.

24, 2019 The Texas Department of Public Safety Missing WHERE: At the base of Clear Persons Clearinghouse

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receives over 55,000 missing person reports each year, with more than, 41,000 of those being juveniles. CCOA is providing this monthlong public service campaign at no cost in recognition of National Missing Children's Day. This is one element of CCOA’s ongoing partnership with Texas Center for the Missing and NCMEC and is part of a larger campaign to raise awareness of local missing children in four major Texas markets: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and El Paso.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25th National Missing Children’s Day. National Missing Children’s Day is a reminder to all parents and guardians of the need for high-quality photographs of their children for use in case of an emergency, and for the need for everyone to pay close attention to posters and photographs of missing children. myimessenger.com

INSIDE

FOR THE PEOPLE

DEATH PENALTY

IN REMEMBRANCE

My mother, Shyamala, had two goals in her life: to raise her two daughters and end breast cancer. She was one of the first women of color to have a position as a scientist at the University of California, Berkeley.

Killing is wrong. Killing Black people because they are Black is even more wrong. Lynching Black people is exponentially wrong. So why was I opposed to the state-imposed killing of John William King, the despicable murderer of James Byrd, Jr.?

Many friends and loved ones are remembering, Muhlaysia Booker, who was found dead in East Dallas early Saturday morning. On April 17, we reported on an attack that involved Booker where she had been beaten by a group of men in Royal Crest apartment complex in Oak Cliff.

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MAY 24, 2019

MAY 24, 2019

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MY TRUTH

by Cheryl Smith, Publisher

Celebrating Women

Sometimes folks get caught up in the wrong thing. Misplaced aggression is a terrible thing.

Recently, as I scanned my social media timeline, I viewed numerous pictures of new initiates into sororities and fraternities.

I’m speaking specifically of the members of Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs).

It was especially nice to see generational participation because what that also showed was generational education as the organizations are for the college-educated.

So I salute us being educated and engaged because there are some very positive discussions I could have about the value of each organization and their members, as well as the impact these organization’s members have had on society.

As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., I have always respected the other organizations. First of all they were for blacks and then their foundations are so similar, even with their differences.

While I’ve always enjoyed the spirited back and forth that I’ve shared with my sisters of the other sororities: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho; going in with a strong love for my people, I viewed the women as my sisters because we were, after all, Black Queens.

And the men of Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Iota Phi Lambda and Phi Beta Sigma -- they are Kings.

When all was said and done, we are more collectively, than separate and espousing a slave mentality. If you choose your friends, loved ones, employees, pastor, doctor and family members based on the organization they belong to; well you’re definitely devaluing the life of others and yourself. You’re missing out on so much.

You’re limiting the opportunities you have to expand your horizons and enjoy life to its fullest.

Which brings me to my truth.

When I was at Florida A&M University, I met a wonderful young lady, Martha “Marty” Graden (later Muhammad). She was talented, loving, beautiful and smart; pretty much like another woman I met myimessenger.com

when I moved to Dallas, Lesia Swain.

Lesia was a newspaper publisher and outstanding sister living in Oklahoma City, who I got to know through my involvement with the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Unfortunately the former Miss Langston University died at a young age, in her 30s, devastating many.

Then there’s Dr. Keisha Lankford. I met young Keisha when she was a college student participating in the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Internship Program under the leadership of founder, State Sen. Royce West.

These three women were all initiated into Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and they each have a special place in my heart.

Early on I knew that Keisha was special.

Over the years she hasn’t proven me wrong.

She is a born leader, a committed and

Dr. Keisha Lankford focused team player with an impeccable work ethic. Did I also say she has a beautiful heart and spirit?

Well, it was a proud moment as I stood watching her take the oath of office, becoming a member of the Cedar Hill (Texas) School Board on Monday, May 20, 2019. Garnering 69% of the vote Trustee Lankford, stood tall and proud, looking gorgeous and focused. Then she talked about her commitment to the “babies.” That commitment she referred to didn’t come overnight. Her desire and

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commitment is well-known.

Just look at her work in the classrooms, boardrooms, community centers and in the streets. And yes, she’ll even come into your home because she goes where she needs to go to “save the babies.”

The name Keisha is becoming popular among elected officials.

Atlanta, GA has a mayor (who is also my sorority sister) named Keisha, and now Cedar Hill, TX has a School Board Trustee named Keisha.

Many of the accolades that I could espouse fit both women and I am so proud of them.

When I think about the revolutionary and uplifting work that Trustee Lankford and her husband, Oliver, are doing, I can’t help but smile. The non-profit, Lankford Avenue, has year-round programming that strengthens the family and our communities. They are committed to ending domestic violence.

Yes, that’s a challenging and noble undertaking but the Lankfords, and their team members, are not faint-hearted.

They are making a difference.

I’m looking forward to watching Dr. Lankford go to work on the School Board.

In fact, the work began that day. It was the swearing in ceremony, then executive session, followed by the public meeting.

Great things are happening in Cedar Hill. Among victories to celebrate and watch, Cedar Hill elected the first African American Mayor, in Stephen Mason; and long-time city manager Alan Sims and Shirley Daniels joined the city council.

If you don’t know Keisha, get to know her. Her star continues to rise and she lifts as she climbs.

What a pity if colors, titles or symbols kept us apart!

MAY 24, 2019

SPOTLIGHT REP. ROSE HONORED The Barbara C. Jordan Medallion for

Excellence in Government Service was awarded to Texas State Representative Toni N. Rose during Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's 30th Year of Red & White Day at the State of Texas. The 2019 Inaugural Medallion was presented for her stellar legislative performance and accomplishments in representing the citizens of the great state of Texas and as a member of the Texas House of Representatives.

NGAN STATEMENT ON CHIEF FITZGERALD TERMINATION

Fort Worth City Manager, David Cooke, fired Chief Joel Fitzgerald. As one of the leading voices seeking to improve relationship between police and community, we find this termination very troubling. Chief Fitzgerald had an opendoor policy. He expressed sincere concern for the community and demonstrated a genuine interest in improving the dynamic between his officers and the communities MAY 24, 2019

they serve.

This past year, Chief Fitzgerald went to city leadership and requested to extend his contract for two years, and requested a salary increase which would place him in line with police chiefs of other major cities the size of Fort Worth. He was flatly denied.

Therefore, Chief Fitzgerald began to consider another opportunity for which he became a finalist. However, he eventually withdrew his name from consideration.

Regardless, David Cooke took that opportunity to question Chief Fitzgerald’s commitment to the city. We take great

Chief Joel Fitzgerald

offense to that assertion, especially considering that Chief Fitzgerald had requested to add two more years to his contract.

Chief Fitzgerald has been an asset to the community. On various occasions Chief Fitzgerald has met with community leaders to address their concerns. He has also met with numerous families to hear their pleas.

Chief Fitzgerald has a heart for the community and great respect for his

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officers. And he has made a genuine effort to improve the relationship between them. Chief Fitzgerald has been a beacon for truth and transparency and an advocate for change.

The city of Fort Worth would suffer a great loss and take a giant step backwards by terminating Chief Fitzgerald.

Davis Davis & Harmon LLC honored Terrell Davis, DDH COO; Chanel Christoff Davis DDH CEO; James

McCombs Ericsson Head of Sourcing Excellence, North America Davis Davis & Harmon LLC was named Ericsson Inc. North American Supplier of The Year for 2019.

The awards ceremony was held at Ericsson’s US headquarters in Plano Texas during their annual Supplier Summit May 8th and 9th.

They were selected from the thousands of suppliers in Ericsson’s network (US, Canada & Europe) for this honor.

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MAY 24, 2019

WHO’S WHO End pay inequity once and for all FOR THE PEOPLE

face a fine for every day they discriminate against their workers.

For every 1% gap that exists after accounting for differences in job titles, experience, and performance, companies will be fined at 1% of their average daily profits during the last fiscal year.

Our plan is estimated to generate roughly $180 billion over 10 years.

Fines will be invested in building on universal paid family and medical leave.

We must address the systemic inequalities that drive the pay gap, including the wage penalty women pay when caring for a new child or a sick parent. On average, women receive a 4% pay cut for each child they have, compared to men who receive a 6% pay increase. The lack of paid leave -- for women and men -- is a major driver of the wage penalty.

America is the only industrialized nation in the world that fails to guarantee our workers any type of paid family and medical leave.

That needs to change. That’s why, as president, I will fight for the FAMILY Act to provide workers with up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. Fines collected under our plan will help build on the FAMILY Act, increasing the percentage of wages workers receive when taking time to care for themselves or a loved one.

Companies will be required to disclose whether they are “Equal Pay Certified” on the homepage of their websites.

Compliance reports will be posted publicly on Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) website.

These reports will empower individual employees to assess

BY SEN.KAMALA HARRIS My mother, Shyamala, had two goals in her life: to raise her two daughters and end breast cancer. She was one of the first women of color to have a position as a scientist at the University of California, Berkeley. As the daughter of a working mother in a male-dominated field, I know the fight to be treated equally in the workplace has persisted for generations.

Women who work full time in America are paid -- on average -just 80 cents for every dollar paid to men. And for women of color, the gap is even wider. For Latinas it’s 53 cents, for Native American women it’s 58 cents, and for Black women it’s 61 cents. This adds up to more than $400,000 over the course of a woman’s career, and more than $1 million for Latinas, Native women, and Black women.

We can fix this. Today, I’m proud to announce that our campaign is unveiling a historic plan to help close the pay gap between women and men by forcing corporations to be accountable for equal pay.

Our plan will finally put the burden of ensuring equal pay for equal work on the corporations responsible for pay gaps between women and men -- not the women employees who are experiencing discrimination.

We can ensure women earn the wages they deserve by forcing companies to step up, holding them accountable when they don’t, and committing as a nation to ending pay inequity once and for all.

Here’s how we’ll do it: Companies will be required MAY 24, 2019

to obtain an “Equal Pay Certification” and prove they’re not paying women less than men for work of equal value.

To receive certification, companies must demonstrate they have eliminated pay disparities between women and men who are doing work of equal value. To the extent pay disparities do exist for similar jobs, companies will be required to show the gap is based on merit, performance, or seniority -- not gender.

But it’s not just unequal pay for similar work that drives the wage gap. Too often, women are passed over for promotions, not hired for senior roles, or are prevented from advancing due to the time they take off to care for a new child or ailing parent. These are forms of systemic pay discrimination too, and we need to shine a light on them.

That’s why under our plan, companies will be required to report statistics on the percentage of women in leadership positions and the percentage of women who are amongst the company’s top earners. They will also be required to report the overall pay and total compensation gap that exists between men and women, regardless of job titles, experience, and performance. These statistics will be reported by employees’ race and ethnicity.

Companies will be fined 1% of their profits for every 1% wage gap they allow to persist for work of equal value.

Companies that fail to receive “Equal Pay Certification” will

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where they fall on their company’s pay scale and as in the UK, allow the public to hold corporations accountable for pay gaps.

To ensure equality in all workplaces, we’ll overhaul antidiscrimination laws and expand investigations of complaints to secure justice for victims of discrimination.

The wage gap isn’t just a number: It’s the countless women across America who have been the target of discrimination. We need to support them in every workplace, no matter the size.

Under our plan, we’ll significantly strengthen and expand antidiscrimination protections to ensure all workers, no matter the size of their employer, are covered

by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. I’m calling on you to join me today. Add your name next to mine to support our campaign’s plan to help close the wage gap between men and women in our country.

The wage gap between men and women in our country has barely budged this entire century, and the burden for ensuring equal pay has often fallen on workers -requiring them to hold employers accountable for pay discrimination through costly lawsuits that are increasingly difficult to prove. This is wrong.

Together, we can flip the script by placing the burden squarely on the corporations responsible for pay inequity and radically change the way we enforce equal pay in America.

Thanks for joining me in support of our new plan to help close the wage gap.

myimessenger.com

COMMENTARY

by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Please don’t shoot me!

One of the groups that fiercely fought for Donald Trump to become president during the 2016 presidential election was the National Rifle Association, whose leadership contends that the solution to our nation’s gun violence epidemic is for citizens to arm themselves, including cloistered nuns and elementary school crossing guards.

Mr. Trump had hoped that the NRA, a federally recognized charity, would perform a similar role in his 2020 election effort, convincing ordinary Americans that he and they had their best interests at heart.

Well, the president may have to look elsewhere because the NRA has shot itself in the foot; its leadership is feuding amongst themselves and its prudency under question.

Just what is the problem? Well, listen to this gun of a tale. The membership of the NRA recently discovered that Wayne LaPierre, the group’s chief executive officer, allegedly used nearly $280,000 of myimessenger.com

money donated by members of the public to purchase men’s clothing at one of the finest men’s clothing stores in Beverly Hills, California.

One would have thought that Mr. LaPierre, who is paid more than one million dollars annually, could have purchased his own clothing.

But that was not the case. So much for fiscal restraint and financial accountability, so often urged by supporters of the president.

LaPierre was not the only NRA official who seems to have enjoyed shoving his hand into the cookie jar.

Oliver North, until recently the president of the NRA, had an arrangement with the group that guaranteed him more than one million dollars each year. So much for cleaning up the swamp, promised to voters by the likes of LaPierre and North prior to the 2016 election.

A study of NRA financials also reveals that North and LaPierre were not the only two insiders who received questionable payments

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from the group.

A former NRA president and a board member received payments that are being called into question.

And if that were not enough, there are rental payments made over a three month period for an apartment of a female NRA intern.

Those payments were made at the request of LaPierre, according to press reports.

Some shocked NRA board members have called on LaPierre to resign. One of them said that he and fellow board members were unaware of the group’s spending practices.

Of course, an unrepentant LaPierre does not appear to be packing his bags.

It will be interesting to see what the White House has to say about its sponsor once more is revealed about the NRA, the same folks who want you to arm yourself, but who want you to pay no attention to how they handle your membership dues.

MAY 24, 2019

Subscribe to Texas Metro News call 214-941-0110

MAY 24, 2019

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COMMENTARY

by Dr. Julianne Malveaux

Byrd’s killer didn’t deserve death penalty Killing is wrong. Killing Black people because they are Black is even more wrong.

Lynching Black people is exponentially wrong. So why was I opposed to the stateimposed killing of John William King, the despicable murderer of James Byrd, Jr.? I happen to think that there are worse things that can happen to you than death. The now 44 year old King could have gotten a sentence of life in prison and lived miserably there for the rest of his life. In some ways, death is salvation for him. Imagine being relatively healthy with nothing to look forward to? Just sitting there, in jail, surrounded by the Black people your white supremacists self purports to hate. That might be torture worse than death.

James Byrd, Jr. was dragged for almost three miles near Jasper, Texas in 1998.

John William King and two other men (one whose death penalty sentence was carried out in 2011, another who was sentenced to life in prison) were found guilty of one of the most horrific hate crimes in modern US history (Black men were also burned alive in the heyday of lynching). Mr. Byrd’s family was present at the execution in Huntsville, Texas. Byrd’s sister, Clara Taylor, noted that the murderer, who maintained his innocence, showed no remorse when he was convicted, and showed none when he was executed. He never acknowledged, and never looked at James Byrd, Jr.’s family.

Does a man whose body sported disgusting tattoos, including, according to one news source, “one of a black man with a noose around his neck hanging from a tree” deserve the death penalty?

I say no. Keep that filth alive and keep him miserable. His execution creates a martyr for white supremacists. Had he lived he would have evolved into nothing more than pitiful irrelevance. The death penalty has been abolished in 20 states, with moratoriums on executions in other states, most recently in California, thanks to Governor Gavin Newsome. It ought to be abolished nationally.

According to the Death Penalty myimessenger.com

Information Center (https:// d e a t h p e n a l t y i n f o. o r g / d o c u m e n t s / FactSheet.pdf) nearly 1500 people had their death sentences carried out between 1976 and now. Despite the fact that African Americans are just 13 percent of the nation’s population, we were more than a third of those executed after receiving a death sentence. People who killed white people were far more likely to get the death penalty than people who kill Black people. There are racial biases replete in the application of the death penalty, with numerous studies supporting the many ways the death

James Byrd, Jr. was dragged for almost three miles near Jasper, Texas in 1998. John William King and two other men (one whose death penalty sentence was carried out in 2011, another who was sentenced to life in prison) were found guilty

penalty is unfairly awarded. According to the Death Penalty Information, as an example, Washington state jurors were “three times as likely to recommend a death sentence for a Black defendant than a white one”. In Louisiana, someone who killed a white person was nearly twice as likely to get the death penalty as one who killed a Black person. The death penalty is applied through a racial lens – based on the race of the criminal and the race of the victim.

From that perspective, the man who murdered James Byrd, Jr. committed a crime so egregious that jurors acted contrary to the statistics, voting to apply the death penalty to an avowed racist white man who participated in the brutal murder of a Black

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man. But I am frequently reminded of the 1920 Tulsa, Oklahoma lynching of Ray Belton, an 18 year old white man who shot a taxi driver. Though Belton confessed to his crime and said it was “an accident”, he was denied the due process of a trial and conviction. After his lynching, a Black newspaper editor opined that if a white person could be lynched, so could a Black person. A year later, the attempted lynching of the Black shoeshine “boy” Dick Rowland because of the false accusation that he assaulted the white elevator operator Sarah Page was the spark that led economically envious whites to destroy the Greenwood (Black Wall Street) section of Tulsa.

This walk down history lane is extremely relevant to the present. If we could execute the white murderer of James Byrd, Jr. (I try not to mention the names of devils more than is necessary), we can execute a Black person accused of something, whether they did it or not. Applying the death penalty erodes our humanity, whether the accused is guilty or not.

I think it is far more appropriate to let a reprobate like James Byrd Jr.’s killer simmer in his repugnance. If he had lived his life in prison, with no hope, no help, no possibilities, that would have been a greater punishment than death. While I respect the Byrd family and ache with them at the gruesome murder of James Byrd Jr, I would prefer a punishment for racist murderers that is both humane and inhumane. We don’t execute them because we don’t stoop, as a society, to the level of committing a crime we abhor. We ignore them and exacerbate their misery be reminding them that they have no hope of release.

The death penalty is inhumane. It should be abolished.

MAY 24, 2019

QUIT PLAYIN

by Vincent Hall

Smile, Word is Bond Malcolm X delivered his last public speech in New York on the night that his home was bombed; Valentine’s Day, 1965. He realized he had been marked, but ventured 990 kilometers southwest to Detroit. Despite the angst, anxiety and unfathomable abandonment he must have felt, he understood his mission.

For the length of his life…As Malcolm Little, Malik Shabazz or Malcolm X; he always kept his word.

As a sinner, a member of the Nation of Islam or as he embraced the religion of the Sunni Muslims, our “Black shining prince” understood that word was bond. His opening remarks in this speech conveyed as much.

“Distinguished guests, brothers and sisters, ladies and gentlemen, friends and enemies: I want to point out first that I am very happy to be here this evening and I’m thankful [to the Afro-American Broadcasting Company] for the invitation to come here to Detroit this evening. It didn’t destroy all my clothes, not all, but you know what happens when fire dashes through -- they get smoky. The only thing I could get my hands on before leaving was what I have on now.”

Because he kept his word we cling to his every word. He was the stark counterculture to King’s passive resistance in thought and in his language. It was the tale of the lettered poet, contrasted with the street rapper whose reasoning was within all human reach.

King spoke in diplomatic terms, but Brother Malcolm didn’t leave no alternatives.

King was “Where do we go from here?

Community or Chaos.” Malcolm was much less conciliatory and much more hyperbolic; “It’s the Ballot or the Bullet”…

MoFo! “When I came here today I was a bit– last night, the temperature was about twenty above and when this explosion took MAY 24, 2019

place, I was caught in what I had on, some pajamas.

And in trying to get my family out of the house, none of us stopped for any clothes at that point–twenty-degree cold. I myself was–I had gotten them into the house of the neighbor next door.

So I thought perhaps being in that condition for so long I would get pneumonia or a cold or something like that, so a doctor came today–a nice doctor too–and he shot something in my arm that naturally put me to sleep.

I’ve been back there asleep ever since the program started in order to get back in shape. So if I have a tendency to stutter or slow down, it’s still the effects of that drug. I don’t know what kind it was, but it was good; it makes you sleep, and there’s nothing like sleeping through a whole lot of excitement.”

Any of his contemporaries with the possible exception of King, would have forfeited the invitation. This was before Twitter and Facebook so protocol would have allowed Malcolm to post a poised and polished statement by way of telegram.

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Malcolm delivered regrets, not for himself but for the plight of his people. Malcolm’s practice of keeping his word made Ossie Davis’s eulogistic adulation plausible.

“There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee, even from the presence of his memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent times.

“Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain—and we will smile.

Many will say turn away—away from this man; for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man—and we will smile. They will say that he is of hate—a fanatic, a racist— who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle!”

To this day, there are men and women; academics and amateurs who would rather we forgot who Malcolm was and who he was to our struggle. But upon what would have been his 94th birthday, let’s recall a Malcolm X who kept his word by any means necessary… and let us smile! myimessenger.com

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MAY 24, 2019

5th Annual Empowerment Prayer Brunch Living Legends Verna’s H.E.L.P. Foundation Board of Directors will host the 5th Annual Empowerment Prayer Brunch at Dallas’ Royal Oaks Country Club, to honor women and men of all races, nationalities and faith traditions as “Living Legends” for their exemplary efforts of making a change in our community and the lives of others.

LISA FRAZIER-GALLOWAY

MICHELE BOBADILLA

EDDIE DEEN

HON. DOMINIQUE COLLINS

MARGO POSEY

Lisa Frazier –Galloway - Lisa has been a MWBE – Minority Women Owned Business Entrepreneur for over 30 years. CEO/Owner of: Mahogany Cosmetics/Models, Xpressions Boutique – Bishop Arts District, Clean Tex Green Environmental Services, Coffee-Cones & Cream Concessions, Shopping Divas of Dallas, Premier Services, Father iStretch Faith & Fitness Ministry and in 2018 added to her entrepreneurial Journey: a Fashion Truck – Xpressions MOBILE Boutique.

Honors: IBM Sales 30million Golden Circle Award, 1997 Appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Wednesday’ Child Benefit Corporation, 1998 Named: 1st African American and Female to serve as President of Wednesday Child Benefit Corp.

Volunteer- E. K. Bailey Preaching Conference, SheilaB Ministries, 25 yr Member of Concord Church –Bryan L. Carter, Sr. Pastor, the late Dr. E.K. Bailey founding pastor. Ministries:: Father iStretch Faith & Fitness Ministry, Concord WOW Bible Study Leader/ Coach, Invitational Counselor, Harmony SHINE Outreach Ministry.

Married to retired Dallas firefighter & Fire Marshall Willie L. Galloway, she is the proud mother of Diona MAY 24, 2019

The honorees are: Dr. Jesse W. Jones, Bryan Bradford, Levi Davis, Eddie Deen, Atty. Domingo Garcia, Mark Hernandez, Hiawatha Williams; Michele Bobadilla, Lisa Frazier- Galloway, Carol Anne Taylor, Margo Posey, Judge Dominique Collins and Dr. Demetrice Smith.

At 12 noon, the Prayer Brunch will be led

MARK HERNANDEZ

BRYAN BRADFORD

HIAWATHA WILLIAMS

DR. JESSE JONES

CAROL ANNE TAYLOR

Frazier Jones and Damon Frazier and “Nani” to Corin, Ariana and Lauren Averi.

Eddie Deen - CEO EDDIE DEEN AND COMPANY, INC, TERRELL, TEXAS. International Caterer, Adjunct Professor, Teacher, Business Owner, College Athlete, Pianist, Community Leader, are all apt descriptions of Eddie Deen, whose intellect, commitment, and generosity, serves as a model for those who want to be an instrument of change in the 21st Century.

After graduating from Wills Point High School, Eddie attended Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

In 1980, he opened his first restaurant on Lake Tawakoni, adding many more restaurants to the organization over the years. In 1995, he launched his Catering Business, catering every Texas Gubernatorial Inauguration for the last 24 years.

Eddie Deen and Company has catered across the United States and in Europe and Africa. He is world famous in the art of Barbeque, feeding as many as 22,000 guests at President George W. Bush’s

by Prayer leaders from across the DFW: Dr. Sheron Patterson (Hamilton Park UMC); Dr Sheila Bailey; with Sheila Bailey Ministries (Concord Baptist Church); and Rev. Dr. Jack Teeler, Founder -President/CEO of both EyeCrafters and JMT Texas Property (West Mount Moriah Baptist Church).

LEVI DAVIS

ATT. DOMINGO GARCIA

DEMETRICE SMITH

5th annual Empowerment Prayer Brunch Sat. June 1, 2019 Royal Oaks Country Club 7915 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX

Inauguration in Washington DC. Eddie’s community service has included working with the incarcerated and homeless folks in Dallas.

There have been over 3,000 people in dire need, who have gone through his rewiring of the brain program.

Eddie recognized that the cause of human suffering is created and influenced within the experiences of one’s childhood. 15 years ago, he asked a question in the shelter, “when did you perceive your power or control was taken away?” The common denominator of when everyone in the class had perceived their power was taken away was at age five.

Eddie has a non-profit, Internal Freedom, Services, a 501c3 organization that is focused on education, awareness, and transformation. Internal Freedom helps people embody the life that they want to become.

Eddie is married to Allison and they are the proud parents of Abby, Eli, and Edison. He is also the father of Brent and Raleigh, both employed at Eddie Deen and Company.

Judge Dominique Collins is the presiding judge of Criminal District Court Number 4. She is a graduate myimessenger.com

of St. Mary’s University School of Law, where she was an Associate Editor of “The Scholar” law review.

Prior to pursuing a legal career, she served 12 years in the United States Air Force as an information and personnel manager. Her service includes seven months in the Persian Gulf during DESERT STORM/ DESERT SHIELD. After receiving her law license in 2004, she began serving Dallas County as an Assistant District Attorney, working within several specialty divisions including organized crime, grand jury, public integrity, and the mental health/ competency division.

Her professional excellence was recognized when she was selected as the Above and Beyond “Prosecutor of the Year” by her peers. She was elected to the bench in 2012 and re-elected in 2016.

Judge Collins presides over the Dallas County Veteran’s Court Program which gives veterans treatment and an opportunity to have their cases dismissed and expunged. Additionally she presides over the bi-furcated Felony Outpatient Competency Restoration Program which restores individuals involved in the criminal justice system to competence in the community. She has also been selected by her peers to serve as Presiding Judge of Jury Services for the Frank Crowley Courts Building.

Judge Collins serves on the boards of AIDS Walk South Dallas, The Women Veteran’s Enterprise Center, and Texas Legal Hospice. Aside from serving the Dallas community and demonstrating professionalism, Dominique is a mentor to students at UNT Dallas College of Law, SMU Dedman School of Law and St. Mary’s University School of Law. Judge Collins is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Bryan Bradford became City Manager for Garland on May 1, 2015. He previously served the City in several roles including Assistant City Manager, Director of Organizational Development, Managing Director of Budget and Research, and Senior Managing Director.

Prior to public service, he had a successful career in the private sector as the Vice President of the Lindee Corporation and later as the Managing Partner of UNITS. At Lindee, a holding company, Bryan was involved in a variety of business sectors including manufacturing, oil and gas, agriculture, and retail. As the Managing Partner of UNITS, Bryan was responsible for developing and managing a successful franchise of retail stores.

In his first year as City Manager, Bryan led the organization in the response and recovery from an EF‐4 tornado that struck Garland on December 26, 2015 claiming 11 lives and damaging or destroying over 600 homes and several large apartment complexes. Under Bryan’s leadership, Garland has also enjoyed record setting levels of economic development, ongoing redevelopment of the City’s downtown core, a three‐fold expansion in the City’s myimessenger.com

street repair program, reestablishment of a community events venue, as well as creation of “Where the Heart Is” and other programs designed to improve neighborhood vitality.

Bryan is a member of the International City Manager’s Association, Texas City Managers Association, Government Finance Officers Association and the Board of Directors for the Garland Chamber of Commerce. He also holds a Black Belt in Six Sigma and previously served on the Baylor‐Garland Hospital Board of Directors.

Dr. Jesse Jones - In 2001, Dr. Jones was named a Distinguished Alumnus by New Mexico Highlands University He was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters by his undergraduate alma mater, Texas College, in 1997 and later inducted into the Texas College Hall of Fame. He also later served on the Texas College Board of Trustees. Dr. Jones has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a college professor. He began his teaching career at Texas College, and devoted more than 25 years in teaching and research there and at Bishop College. He is currently a tenured professor of Chemistry at Baylor University where he has served since 1988.

Dr. Jones is a loyal, life-long Democrat who provided leadership in the Democratic Party for more than 30 years. He served seven two-year terms as State Representative from District 110 in Dallas County. He has held Democratic Party posts from Precinct Chair to membership on the Democratic National Committee.

Professor Jones is married to the former La Belle Sherman of Wichita Falls, TX and they are the proud parents of seven children, 18 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Two of their children are physicians, two college professors, one a petroleum chemist, another a trained psychologist and one in real estate. Dr. Jones is a member of the Good Street Baptist Church in Dallas, TX, where Rev. Eddie L. Jenkins is pastor.

Levi Davis - For over 30 years, Levi Davis has been active as a municipal government administrator, business leader, and educator. After completing his military service, he began his career serving the City of Dallas in 1973 and was appointed Assistant City Manager from 1978 to 1986 and again from 1990 to 1998. During his tenure he participated in the expansion of the Convention Center, development of the City’s Arena and the City’s housing initiatives.

Levi has held positions in the financial services industry at several investment banking firms.

Presently he is Senior Vice President of McCarley Backstrom Berry & Co. LLC, as an Investment Banker and consultant responsible for the firm’s client development and relationships in Texas.

Previously, he served as the Western Region Public Finance Director for what was the nation’s 12th ranked investment banking firm. As the Regional

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Director, Levi provided supervision for the bankers assigned to the Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and Baton Rouge offices of the firm. The firm specialized in providing bond underwriting services to local governments, hospitals, school districts, college districts and public agencies.

During his tenure Levi participated in over $5 billion in financing and his client list included: Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), City of Dallas, North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), Dallas Omni Hotel, Cowboy Stadium, as well as Dallas Performance Arts facility.

Throughout his career, Levi has served on numerous boards including Chairman of the Dallas Methodist Health System Board of Directors, Board Chairman of the Texas Hospital Trustee Association, board member for the Texas Hospital Association, Dallas Symphony, State Fair of Texas, Vice Chair of KERA-North Texas Public Broadcasting Dr. Demetrice Smith is an author, entrepreneur, mentor, Elder, and mental health activist with over 17 years of professional and leadership experience.

A skilled and credentialed teacher, Demetrice frequently develops customized corporate and individualized training programs and seminars in a wide-range of topics for groups and small businesses.

Most recently, her success with Family Wellness Action Recovery Plans (WRAP) has empowered families of individuals with mental health issues to understand and channel symptoms of mental illness.

Demetrice is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University with Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and Communications, a M.S. Degree in Leadership and a Doctorate of Business Administration also from Walden University. She is an ordained minister by the State of Texas and holds a Master Coaching Certification from The Association for Talent Development. Demetrice is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Creeping Vines Online, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mental health awareness, education, and assessments.

Her motto: Gaining Victory Over Depression, is part of her personal testimony after 30 years of living in a cave...called depression Michele Bobadilla is a distinguished state and national Latina educational leader in the student access and success space. Possessing a proven track record of data-driven results promoting access and equity for under-served, under-represented populations; she serves as chair of the USHCCF University Partnerships Initiative; chairs a Recognized THECB P-16; is a Texas delegate appointee to the CHCI Education Advisory Council; and, is a member of the HSF Regional Advisory Board.

Honored as the National LULAC Woman of the Year; Immigrant Journey Advocacy Award Honoree; Latino Leaders Maestro Award Honoree; H100 Latina Living Legend; USHCC Outstanding MAY 24, 2019

Education Leadership Award; Governor Rick Perry’s Outstanding Woman in Texas Government Award; SWRCB Martha Salmon Leadership Award Honored as the 2018 American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights Recipient by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, September 13, Washington, DC. Michele’s outreach and community engagement partnerships have been recognized as transforming the NTX educational landscape for first- and secondgeneration students and their families.

Margo Posey - As president of the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council (D/ FW MSDC), she has led the organization to premier status. As a strong advocate for the certification of North Texas MBEs, she has overseen the growth of the D/FW MSDC to include over 800 certified members representation by 174 major corporations and public sector agencies, and 76 North Texas cities. Under her leadership the D/FW MSDC has led to business connections in 2013 that produced over $5.21 billion in 2013 MBE revenues, led to 124,000 employed, and resulted in 8,000 sourcing referrals.

Margo’s innovative approaches to growing MBEs included the BY THOSE THAT BUY US initiative that promotes business and consumer purchases from minority-owned businesses. The Council has implemented numerous programs, including the popular Hard Hat Construction Expo that connects Southwest Region diverse and general contractors.

The MEGA DEALS recognition program demonstrates the fact MBEs can and do successfully perform on large contracts.

Margo is an unstoppable force in advocacy for MBEs, bringing innovative and creative initiatives and programs to the diversity arena.

Mark Hernandez was born for interfaith work.

He is a 3rd generation Texan and the reflection of his ancestors - Sephardic Jews, Moorish Muslims, Roman Catholics, Native-American spiritualists and Hispanic Pentecostals. At the age of 10, upon his Confirmation, he surrendered his life to Jesus, who guided him throughout his teens to remain pure and prepare himself for a marriage that God could bless.

Meanwhile he encouraged his friends to pursue unselfish love, embracing a culture of service, and striving to mature in true brother/sister love, rather than rush into premature sex, repeating the mistake of Adam and Eve and eons throughout history.

He graduated with top honors, serving as his high school’s senior class president and entered the University of Texas in 1972 on a full scholarship intending to pursue medicine. But at 19, he encountered the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity and was fully reborn. After decades of mission work in America and abroad, he was appointed Senior Pastor of the Houston Family Church, and in 2002 was promoted MAY 24, 2019

to Regional Pastor of four states including Texas. By 2006, his episcopal responsibilities grew to include churches in seven states from Wyoming to Texas – a position in which he served until 2013.

He presently serves as Pastor Emeritus of the DFW Family Church in Irving, TX, as well as the Southwest USA Coordinator for the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) working to bring unity among the Abrahamic faiths. He has been the recipient of multiple honors and awards for civic activism and pioneering interfaith leadership. He and his wife Yuri have been married 37 years and are proud parents of six children and four grandchildren.

School of Church Music America. She was featured

by CBS 11 in The Ones for Texas – “The Woman Behind the Bells” and Univision 23.

Carol Anne has performed carillon concerts throughout the United States, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Culver Academy, Clemson University, University of Florida, and Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida. She also serves as a North American delegate to the World Carillon Federation, attending congresses in Poland, Belgium and Barcelona.

As recipient of the 2010 Ronald Barnes Memorial Scholarship, she arranged 15 hymns in a collection entitled The Spanish Liturgical Year for Carillon.

Hiawatha Williams - Dallas-based Williams Chicken is known as the most beloved ‘chicken spot’ in North Texas. For three decades Williams Chicken has cooked up a stellar reputation and a history of success and staying power.

With humble beginnings from a small Texas town, Founder Hiawatha Williams earned an opportunity to work for a nationwide fast-food corporation, only to later spread his wings into the world of entrepreneurship. In 1987, WILLIAMS CHICKEN opened its first location and from that day, the special recipe only gets better.

Perfecting Chicken and Business is what Williams has dedicated his life to. There are over 40 restaurants in operation and more than 500 employees. Williams Chicken is known as the place for GREAT CHICKEN, COOKED FRESH NEVER FROZEN. A place that not only offers affordable prices to feed families, but affords entrepreneurial opportunities to hundreds of business and franchise owners. Armed with strong faith, an unmatched work ethic and a ‘give back spirit’, Williams Chicken has major community initiatives throughout North Texas to support youth and education program.

Atty. Domingo Garcia - Mr. Garcia’s life is that of a self-made success and public service spanning decades of hard work and sacrifice, a son born of Mexican immigrants who earned his way from shoeshine boy to the Statehouse of Texas as an elected lawmaker.

From newspaper boy, he rose to become one of Texas’ most visible newsmakers, as the youngest Mayor Pro-Tem of Dallas, one of America’s top 10 cities. From a busboy who dreamed of his own future, he went on to protect America’s Dreamers as author of Texas’ laws, the first in the nation to protect immigrant students, after receiving his B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Texas in 1980, Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force (TLRTF) which fought gerrymandering by the State of Texas against Latino communities. In addition, Domingo has represented many clients Pro Bono on numerous workplace discrimination cases.

Among Domingo’s contributions to assisting victims of a dysfunctional immigration system is the work performed by his team at the law firm’s offices in Tyler and Odessa. Specialists at these two centers advocate for immigrants with a variety of legal needs.

Also, they have assisted thousands of client gain protection under DACA and continue to champion the rights of Dreamers living in the United States.

Carol Anne Taylor is the Cathedral Carillonneur and Director of Children’s Choirs at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Dallas, Texas. She is also Assistant Organist/ Choirmaster and Director of Children’s Choirs at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Dallas.

Carol Anne serves on the Board of Directors for the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America and The Royal

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myimessenger.com

Hall’s Chicken hatches in Medical District!

By Dr. Felicia N. Shepherd

The Medical District has another food option.

The well-known chicken shack in the Southern sector of Dallas has opened another location near Parkland Hospital. Almost two months since the grand opening, this location continues to receive new, as well as repeat customers.

Hall’s Honey Fried Chicken is a successful Black-owned, family-run restaurant with a rich history within the African American community.

Using the famous Original Henderson's fried chicken recipe, which was crafted over the past 50 years, Hall’s Honey Fried Chicken founder, John Hall said the family perfected the recipe since he “inherited it from my grandfather, Herman Henderson,” over 20 years ago.

Explaining why the decision was made to add another location, Mr. Hall said, “With the location in Duncanville firmly established, the iron was hot to strike out on a new location.”

Location, Location, Location Housed in between the Chevron gas station and Denny’s, Mr. Hall said the new location was prime for patrons in need of a quick bite to eat before going back to the hospitals, hotels, and other businesses in the area.

He explained, “This area is not a heavilysaturated area and thus made a great location for another location for Hall’s Honey Fried Chicken.

Keeping with tradition, this location is owned and operated by another member of the Hall family.”

Mr. Hall passed the chicken baton to his daughter.

Meet the Millennial all star owner, Mackenzie Hall!

Mackenzie has a bachelors degree from the University of Tulsa, in Marketing and Business Management, with an emphasis in small family businesses.

Post graduation, she went to work at the University of Texas at Dallas. Recognizing that working in higher education was not for her, she spoke with her father, on her next steps.

Growing up in the chicken business, Miss Hall myimessenger.com

decided to work as an employee, alongside her father and mother at the Hall’s ChickenDuncanville location.

Learning the various roles within the restaurant, Mackenzie assisted with cooking, managing the employees, payroll, marketing, etc. Enjoying working in a customer service environment, Miss Hall found her niche within the company she grew up in.

Mackenzie Hall

Advice for young entrepreneurs When asked what advice would she give to young entrepreneurs desiring to enter the world of entrepreneurship, MacKenzie said: “Do your research-, prepare to fail, prepare to lose money starting out, have working capital. Startup funds are essential in starting and maintaining a business, and research loans designed for minority business owners.

Meet MacKenzie and the rest of her staff at Hall’s Honey Fried Chicken.

1407 Medical District, Dallas, Texas 75207

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Hours of Operation: Sunday-Thursday 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. (lobby) 11:00 p.m. (drive-thru) Friday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. (lobby) 2:00 a.m. (drivethru)

“Doc Shep Speaks” Twitter @getfinessed Facebook.com/fnsconsulting

MAY 24, 2019

Featuring UBER EATS

MAY 24, 2019

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MAY 24, 2019

LETHAL FORCE

Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall addresses lethal force issue.

BLACK COMMUNITY AND POLICE SEEK COMMON GROUND TO REDUCE INCIDENTS

By Lawana Harrell Porter

Sometimes a conversation between adversaries can mark the start of a healing process. That hope fueled a recent community forum between Dallas police and members of the Black community about alternatives to police use of deadly force in confrontations between police and Black people, especially individuals with mental disabilities.

The forum was held in council chambers at Dallas City Hall and was organized by the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in cooperation with the Dallas Police Department and city of Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Casey Thomas.

Forum inspired by report about force against mentally disabled Forum moderator Demetria McCain opened the conversation with a compelling question. “Can I trust my life and the lives of my loved ones to this or any other police department across the country?”

She went on to express community fears about aggressive policing and police use of lethal force against young people and those with mental disabilities.

The issue is documented in a 2016 report by the Ruderman Family Foundation concluding that people with disabilities were one-third to one-half of those MAY 24,law 2019 killed by enforcement officers between 2013 and 2015 even when their hands were raised

multiple instances of police fatal shootings of individuals with autism, schizophrenia and other disabilities, and criticizes media coverage for failing to connect the violence and disability.

At its national meeting, the sorority approved a resolution calling for police departments to reduce violent confrontations with disabled people. The resolution led to the Dallas forum, Lethal Force: Last Resort - A Community Conversation.

Concerns about safety and alternatives to force Featured speakers detailed community concerns and possible alternatives to police use of deadly force. The panel included Texas Senator Royce West, Friendship West Baptist Church Pastor Frederick Haynes, Mothers Against Police Brutality founder Sara Mokuria, attorney Cheryl Wattley and police officers Sgt. Anthony Greer, SC Bobby Parrott, Sgt. Raymario Sanchez and Sgt. Jennifer Wells.

Rev. Haynes suggested that violent enforcement methods are an outdated hold-over from a time when police forces were used to maintain the system of slavery. Calling for more indepth sensitivity training, Haynes said before officers receive guns, they should be required to serve community internships to learn about and develop trust with those they serve.

Citing the waste of human potential when young people are

killed by police Sara Mokuria said, “We need to broaden the conversation about public safety beyond comply or die, increase police training in the use of deescalation tactics, and eliminate use of deadly force against fleeing suspects.”

Mokuria, who said she and a sibling witnessed police kill her mentally-disturbed father when they were children, said police are not equipped to respond appropriately in situations involving people with mental disabilities.

“It’s too much,” she said, “to ask an officer to be a first responder and a mental health professional.

Let’s have trained professionals respond to those situations.”

In his comments, Sen. West expressed the complexity of the deadly force debate. “Like all of us, police officers have families who are concerned that they return home at the end of the day,” he said.

But given citizens’ concerns about excessive use of deadly force, West said there is a move in many cities to pass legislation to limit when police can use deadly force.

Police: At work on multiple alternatives to lethal force Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall discussed actions police are taking to reduce use of deadly force and stressed the importance of positive police-community relations and affirmed that under her leadership the department is actively working

to balance protection of citizens with less use of deadly force.

Asked about efforts to weed out racists and extremists on the force, she said, like other employers, the department is limited in how deeply it can screen applicants, but she said the department conducts background checks and reviews candidates’ social media profiles before hiring.

Officer Bobby Parrott who works with recruits in the department’s training academy said all officers undergo sensitivity training and instruction in a variety of non-lethal defensive tactics. He said the department’s training emphasizes time and distance, a practice that encourages officers to avoid confronting suspects when possible until more officers arrive on scene to provide support that may improve outcomes.

Officers are also trained to talk with people to try to resolve issues and avoid confrontations, but Parrott admitted communication skills are not as well developed as they might be in the 18- to 21-year-olds who are the majority of police recruits.

Regarding police use of nonlethal options, Sgt. Anthony Greer said police officers are trained to employ Tasers, pepper balls, mace and other tools to control violent offenders. Greer said the department encourages officers to consider using less lethal options whenever myimessenger.com possible to reduce injuries to officers and the public, however he said the decision

of which option to use in a confrontation involves a judgment call by the officer on the scene.

Police acknowledge that responding to calls involving individuals with mental health issues is a serious enforcement challenge.

To decrease the odds of these situations turning violent, the department is testing a pilot program that sends a special

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team to calls involving people with mental illness. The Right Care team is composed of a police officer, paramedic and mental health professional.

Care team officer Sgt. Jennifer Wells said the team responds to sensitive calls in unmarked vehicles and can perform mental health evaluations, supply meds, and provide a variety of social service resources to individuals

and families. To date, she said results are positive. The team has not only developed positive relationships with disabled people and their families but has freed up other officers by responding to the repeat calls police often receive from boarding houses and residences of mentally disabled people.

Discussions are to continue Following a robust Q&A

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session, participants left the forum knowing more about the challenges facing police and having had a chance to express their concerns directly to police.

The sorority and city officials have promised follow-up exchanges to keep the police-community conversation going in hopes of realizing better relations and less strife and loss of life.

MAY 24, 2019

THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR

BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

Usually, teenage love stories don't do much for me but THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR, based on the novel by Nicola Yoon is a very smart and entertaining movie filled with serendipity.

Things occur to a young interracial couple that seems to be in the stars; which is ironic because the young girl in the move Natasha, played by the oldest daughter in the TV show Blackish, Yara Shahidi has a strong love for astronomy.

She doesn't believe in love because it can't be proven to her that it exists, based on science.

Meanwhile, the boy in the love story, Charles Melton from the TV show Riverdale, loves poetry and even though his Korean parents have groomed him all his life to be a doctor, Daniel's desire is to be a poet.

Through a series of events, the young boy saves Natasha from a speeding car, while she strolls down the street occupied by her concerns of her family facing deportation in less than 24 hours.

Here's where the series of serendipitous events begin.

After Daniel learns that Natasha MAY 24, 2019

does not believe in love he issues her a challenge that he can make her fall in love with him. She doesn't tell him why but accepts his challenge but gives him only 24 hours.

By morning the young couple finds themselves in love but now Daniel learns the truth; that Natasha and her family are being deported to Jamaica later that day.

And there's nothing that anyone can do to help.

The interracial aspect of the couple’s relationship comes into play, which is an excellent part of the story.

He comes from a traditional 22

Korean family and Natasha's family are Jamaican immigrants.

The movie has somewhat of an ambiguous ending and we're left wondering how it's all going to end up.

But based on the earlier parts of the movie, we're left thinking that somehow things will all work out.

The two very handsome actors carry the movie.

They have good looks and they're smart. I enjoyed them very much.

This won't be a blockbuster but it's a real gem of a love story that is worth seeking out.

THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR is rated PG-13 and has a run time of 1 hour and 40 minutes.

On my "Hollywood Popcorn Scale" this movie rates a LARGE.

myimessenger.com

SAVE THE DATE June 22, 2019 6p.m.

USA BOWL 10920 Composite Drive, Dallas

Cheryl Smith’s

Don’t Believe the HYPE Celebrity Bowl-a-thon Cheryl Smith’s

Hype

Don’t Believe the

6-23-2018

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Celebrity Bowl-a-thon

For vendor or sponsorship opportunities, or to register your team, call 214-941-0110 23

MAY 24, 2019

Remembering

Muhlaysia Booker

Wake: Monday, May 27 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Funeral: Tuesday May 28 11a.m.

Golden Gate Funeral Home

MAY 24, 2019

Many friends and loved ones are remembering, Muhlaysia Booker, who was found dead in East Dallas early Saturday morning. On April 17, we reported on an attack that involved Booker where she had been beaten by a group of men in Royal Crest apartment complex in Oak Cliff.

Well-known in her community, she attended Lancaster High School but later graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas.

After her attack, she raised awareness of ongoing issues in the LGBTQ community.

Both services will be held at Golden Gate Funeral Home, 4155 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy Dallas, Texas.

Her wake will be Monday, May 27 from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and the funeral is Tuesday May 28 at 11:00 a.m.

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myimessenger.com

LIFESTYLE

by Valder Beebe

That Celebrity Interview:

Safety around water Summer officially is on the way and parents are preparing for fun day camps to learning experiences and the long awaited summer vacation. This year parents can add swimming lessons to ensure your child(ren) summer is safe, fun and productive. The YMCA has the answer.

It’s ‘SAFETY A R O U N D W A T E R ” campaign during National Water Safety Month. I invited into the Valder Beebe Show SATELLITE Studios, one of the top aquatic safety experts in the nation, Lindsay Mondick, Sr. Manager of Aquatics at the YMCA of the USA, to share critical information about the importance of teaching childrenand adults-how to swim and be safe around water.

Learn why swimming is one of the most important life skills parents can help their children learn, and why learning to swim saves lives and builds confidence. Experts want parents and grandparents and children to learn how the Y provides swim lessons for all ages and income levels.

According to experts two children myimessenger.com

die every day from drowning.

Drowning is the leading cause for children 1 to 4, and second-leading cause of death for children from 5 to 14 years old.

VBS: You said children and usaswimmingfoundation.org minorities. What do you mean by statics show; if parent specified good that? swimming ability, their children are 4.3 times more likely to have good LM: Through recent research we swimming ability. Parents who have have found that 64% African American c h i l d r e n and 45% of Hispanic no/low swimming ability, there’s children cannot swim, compared to a high likelihood their children 40% of their Caucasians counter won’t have good swimming skills parts.

(78 percent for African-American children, 62 percent among VBS: We’ve identified the Hispanic/Latino children and 67 problem and we’ve identified the percent for Caucasian children). problem groups, what are some of Also, children who swim with their the resolutions for the problem?... family are 2.7 times more likely to complete interview @SoundCloud. be good swimmers. com/valderbeebeshow VBS: Share with us how drowning poses a threat nationwide, especially to small children.

LM: Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1-4 years of age. Two children die every day because of drowning, and is the second leading cause of death for children 5-19.

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ValderBeebeShow.com, 411RadioNetwork.com, Youtube.com/valderbeebeshow, 411RadioNetwork.com; Podcast audio: Soundcloud.com/valderbeebeshow, Soundcloud.com/kkvidfw, 411RadioNetwork.com, PChatman Streaming TV Network and VBS affiliate broadcasters.

Now available on 411RadioNetwork App

MAY 24, 2019

URBAN GARDEN By: Yvette Blair-Lavallais

Photo credits: Roderick J. Miles, Jesse Herrera and Yvette Blair-Lavallais

Local Black farmer tackles food insecurity in Ft. Worth Lady Butterfly’s Urban Garden is growing produce and hope in Stop Six

(Ft. Worth) – When the psalmist wrote, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein,” there was an inherent unspoken responsibility in Psalm 24:1-2 to celebrate and honor what has been created.

And that’s exactly what Iris Milton, a Black farmer in Ft. Worth’s southeast community of Stop Six is doing. She is cultivating and stewarding the land at her new urban farm, Lady Butterfly Urban Garden, located directly across the street from The Leadership Academy at Maude I. Logan Elementary School, in the heart of the community.

By planting produce that she can sell in this, she is also cultivating food justice in this predominantly African American and Latinx neighborhood.

She plans to grow greens – kale, spinach, mustards and collards, along with eggplants and peppers.

With the certification that she is pursuing from the city, she will be able to sell her produce to the community.

The urban garden is part of the Healthy Tarrant County Collaboration, which partners with Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks’ office, and Urban Theory, a non-profit that addresses systemic challenges in MAY 24, 2019

under-served communities.

Together, they are addressing the immediate needs of this community that is saturated with fast food restaurants and too few grocery stores.

Lady Butterfly Urban Gardens is a site ripe with agricultural sustainability and a plan to help fight food insecurity in an area that sits in a declared food desert, defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the absence of a supermarket within a one-mile radius that offers fresh produce and healthy food options. Grow Southeast, an initiative of the Collaboration, aims to dig in and work with local farmers to produce healthy options.

The 34.8 square-mile area of southeast Ft. Worth has two grocery stores, and there are 100 convenience stores that sell mostly unhealthy food.

Lady Butterfly Urban Garden is one of five urban farms in the Grow Southeast network seeking to spark an urban agricultural movement in Southeast Ft. Worth.

“There’s a great need in this area. You have to drive so far just to get fresh produce,” says Milton, whose determination, passion and love for her community is planted in every inch of her half-acre farm on Dillard Street. As a Black

woman cultivating and farming her own land, she is digging in and addressing the issue of food insecurity by Commissioner Roy Brooks, Principal getting back to her Steven Moore, Iris Milton and Science roots and reconnecting Teacher Safiyyah Omar with her heritage.

“It’s a passion and a and my great-grandmother, Leona love for me.”

Carter, worked as share croppers.”

Milton was raised in east Texas.

The idea for starting the farm She spent the formative years of was planted six years ago and grew her childhood with her younger from a dream of starting a garden. sisters and mother, living with “I wanted to grow flowers and her great aunt in the Terrell and offer people a way to relax. Being Wills Point areas. She recalls in the garden is good therapy,” she the community in nearby Elmo explained. It was a chance meeting named “The Frog,” where she was with some community leaders that surrounded by farming life. unearthed the idea of her starting “There were ranchers and a farm. farmers in the country. I went to She credits Carlos Walker, a school with their children,” shared former principal at Paul Laurence Milton, as she reminisced on living Dunbar High School, with what she describes as a “great and introducing her to the Healthy innocent childhood.”

Tarrant County Collaboration You could say that faming (HTCC), a partnership of hospitals, is in her DNA. Milton’s great- public health organizations and grandfather, Henry Carter, had universities working to build land in Dennison, near Sherman, healthier communities.

Oklahoma, and grew his food. “He Milton also believes that the lived near Lake Texoma and used desire to become an urban farmer well water, along with the rain water could have easily been planted to grow vegetables,” Milton shared in her during those days in Elmo on a recent Saturday afternoon where she lived along the fishing as she was working on her urban banks and going to Hardin’s Farm garden in the Stop Six community on Saturdays after she and her of Ft. Worth’s southeast side. “He sisters took piano lessons.

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Whether it was the crispness of the country air, the chickens running around or the cows whose lazy afternoons often crossed paths with Milton, she says farming and urban agricultural sustainability is who she is.

“It’s in my blood and soul. It’s just in me. I’m part of the earth and it’s in me.” Now she’s cultivating a relationship with an entire new crop of potential farmers ---students across the street.

Recently, fifth grade science students from The Leadership Academy at Maude I. Logan got hands-on STEM experience, an up-close look at urban farming and a real-life lesson in what it means for the community to work together and address food insecurity.

They trekked across the street to the Lady Butterfly Urban Garden, and dug their hands into the soil, helping to cultivate space for tomato plants and a Texas pecan tree.

It was an opportunity for them to see where produce comes from before it makes it to their dinner table or school lunchroom.

“I knew that tomatoes came from the land before they show up in the store,” said Esmeralda, one of the enthusiastic students. “But now, I’m seeing it in action as it’s actually growing in the ground.”

Their “field trip” was part of Earth Day/Arbor Day. That’s just the kind of impact that the collaborative partnership with Commissioner Brooks’ office hoped that this urban farm would spark for the community. It helps that Lady Butterfly Urban Garden is directly across the street from the school.

“I realized that I cannot do this on my own. It would take longer and be harder. This is not about me --- it’s about the community.

By bringing the community in… that’s where it’s going to blossom,” she noted, explaining how Whole Foods Market has been a supporter of the Grow Southeast efforts by providing grant money.

Milton also receives financial myimessenger.com

support from the HTCC. “One of the biggest challenges is finances and resources. I have to get out and see what’s going on in the community and see what the resources are --- doing that and networking,” she shared as she knelt to see the progress of her newest tomato plants.

She envisions the students at Logan Academy learning science in the outdoor classroom that she’s building.

“I want to educate people and it starts with the students. If you

have the proper education, you can help yourself,” she said, adding that eventually she’d like to be a source supplier of fresh produce for the school.

Commissioner Brooks spoke at the recent Earth Day event and said, “This Digging Days event is a celebration of Earth Day. It’s an opportunity for us to take time to give back to our community, to the land, and to ensure its preservation. It’s about creating healthy food access and options for all the citizens of Tarrant County, especially those in Southeast and Stop Six.” He continued that, “It is even more appropriate that you students are here today to help us do this because students helped start Arbor Day. Kids are the ones who helped us adults focus on the environment.

You are heirs to a great legacy started by kids just like you.”

Commissioner Brooks’ office has been working with local farmerpreneurs to cultivate opportunities for them to not only help eradicate

the food deserts, but to also provide sustainable agricultural farming to the area.

Roderick J. Miles, Jr., the Executive Administrator for Programs and Outreach in the Commissioner’s office, meets monthly with the farmers to listen to their progress, frustrations and joys, and to help guide them with resources and ways to smoothly navigate the steps involved in starting an urban farm.

Also at the table each month are members of the collaborative partnerships, and arborists who help walk the farmers through the application process, gaining access to tractors, clearing brush from the land and determining the canopy ---which is the aboveground portion of the land suitable for planting crops.

Students from Texas Christian University also share in the work, engaged in tasks like mowing the land, pulling weeds and helping with collecting research data on the impact of urban farming in declared food desert areas.

“I developed this place based on the community,” said Milton.

“When I saw how much everyone loved the farm, it inspired me to do more,” said the long-time Ft. Worth resident who studied chemistry, physics and health at the University of Texas at Arlington.

She told the fifth-graders that her farm is for them to help steward.

“Education is important. You are the future. It’s important for me to pass on what I learned about farming from my mom and others to you. When you love a plant, it will always return the love back to you,” continued Milton, who along with her son, Brian Davis, will offer an outdoor classroom for this Stop Six community.

The students in Safiyyah Omar’s science class eagerly demonstrated their knowledge about the lifegiving sustainability that trees have on the environment.

When Cheri Cuellar, a senior plans examiner with the City of Ft. Worth’s Urban Forestry

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Department, talked about the history of Arbor Day and asked the students about the benefit of trees, hands up went immediately and answers ranged from trees give us oxygen to they absorb water, help with flooding and give us shade.

“This is STEM at work,” said Steven Moore, principal at The Academy, proudly watching as the students grabbed shovels, gloves and started working alongside Milton. “Having this urban farm right here and accessible is bringing beauty and functionality for our kids to see,” said Moore. For some of the students, this was their first time being on a farm. For other students, they shared that they’ve helped to plant strawberries with their grandparents. In one hour, the students learned invaluable lessons that will serve their community for years to come.

They learned how to measure the amount of water needed when planting, the required protective clothing and shoes to wear, and the process of loosening the hard soil to make it pliable for planting.

Most of all, they learned the economics of what it means to see urban farming as a way to build a future of food security.

“It seeks to inform, to educate, to produce and to distribute healthy foods in southeast Ft. Worth. We also believe there is an opportunity to develop urban entrepreneurs through farming.

That means folks who can make their living off plots of land just like this in urban communities throughout southeast Ft. Worth will have an opportunity,” said Commissioner Brooks.

Grow Southeast is ending food and economic insecurity in southeast Ft. Worth, one farm at a time.

To learn more about the work that local farmers are doing to address food insecurity in Ft. Worth, contact Linda Fulmer with Healthy Tarrant County Collaboration at (817) 451-8740 or Jesse Herrera with Urban Theory at (817) 239-9561.

MAY 24, 2019

ASK ALMA Yes, he is the father!

Dear Alma: I had a baby in my twenties when I was dealing with this guy, who was in the military, stationed close to where I live. I thought that we would get married and live happily ever after. Obviously, that didn’t happen.

He relocated and eventually we stopped talking. He did however send money to take care of our daughter.

I get a check in the mail from him every month and I’m forever grateful for it. I was heartbroken when he moved away and I don’t think I ever really healed. I was in relationships here and there and eventually got married.

When that marriage ended, I just shut down. I let myself go and made some not so good decisions. I put on weight, because I’ve been depressed and I just try not to bring attention to myself. I’m a great cook and all my daughter’s friends and my family usually come over when they want a good home-cooked meal. Recently, a knock came on the door and it was my daughter’s father. He asked if she lived there and then he asked if her mother was home; he didn’t even recognize me. I just said that she wasn’t home and that I’d give her the message. He said, “Okay” and I shut the door. I was so hurt afterward, I just cried and cried. I don’t know how to feel. I haven’t told my daughter yet, because I don’t know if I want to see him again. What’s your advice Alma? Should I give my daughter her father’s contact information or should I just pretend like he never

MAY 24, 2019

stopped by?

Reunited, but It Doesn’t Feel So Good Dear Reunited, The question you asked has nothing to do with the answer you need, but because of the circumstances, I’ll offer you a two-fer.

First, let me get this straight. Your daughter’s father consistently provides for her and although he didn’t stay connected, his coins come regularly to help you take care of her. He recently stopped by to reconnect, but didn’t recognize you and you think that’s enough reason to keep him away from her? Okay, I’ve gotta stop rightchia: I’m sorry Sweet Pea, I don’t mean to kick you when you’re down, but this ain’t about you. It’s about your daughter and her father reconnecting—period.

Run to your pocketbook, pour out your belongings and give the contact information to you daughter, plain and simple. Now, scooch over and let me sit, here’s part two: Ain’t no doubt about it, it can seem like forever to spoon your way out of a dark, deep ditch, but you can do it. Once you get started, your spoon becomes a spatula, the spatula becomes a ladle and then the ladle becomes a shovel—you feel me?

What you thought you couldn’t do, suddenly becomes natural to you, but first you’ve got to change your mind, change your thinking. It’s been a long time since your

7ZR ULJRURX SXEOLF HOHPH old flame has laid WKH /RZ eyes on you, that

doesn’t mean you 100 Attorney Street didn’t look the New York,same.NY 10002 It just means he didn’t initially (212) recognize you.

Let that go, use533-2743 it as the fuel you need to get back to your best. If you can’t find the strength in yourself, do it for your daughter.

Whenever you get tired, don’t let “Ms. Easy” rule your decisions. Ms. Easy will lead you back to eating fried chicken, mac & cheese a drinking milkshakes, but don’t do it. No excuses. Today is the day you are #sickntired of being #sickntired. Start walking. You own your mind and body; nobody should love you more than you love yourself. Stop allowing the pains of your past to deter you from making yourself a priority. Go find the happy you, the fabulous you, the confident you and reintroduce yourself. When you start healing your mind, your body will follow. And once that happens, a heap of friends and family members won’t recognize you, but that’s okay, because it’ll be for all the right reasons.

1RZ $FFHSW

U FREE AF

www.manhatta

Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to:alwaysaskalma@ gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and Twitter @almaaskalma.

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MAY 24, 2019

MAY 24, 2019

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR COMMUNITY CALENDAR

May 24

Lupus Month

Lincoln University Chartered in 1855 1st U.S. Black College in Oxford, PA.

Older Americans Month

Recurring Events .

Feeding The Needy Hosted by: Hollywood Hernandez Live 1698 Corsicana St. Dallas. 3pm-5pm. Sundays **Marvelous Marriage Monday’s at Friendship-West Baptist Church 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. Dallas. 7pm-8:30pm 1st & 3rd Monday Info: covent@friendshipwest.org Summer Enrichment Camp at Bishop Arts Theatre 215 Tyler St. Dallas, 7am-5pm. 06-3 - 07-25, 2019, ages 6-12. Enroll: Tiffany Jackson 214-948-0716 ext. 307 education@bishopartstheatre.org Split Second at Jubilee Theatre 506 Main St. Fort Worth.

8-10pm. Tickets: www.jubileetheatre.com 5-24-6-23

Restaurant Week

May 22-June 8 Protect Yourself-Defense Class Men & Women Invited at Friendship-West Baptist Church 2020 Wheatland Rd. Tue. & Thur. at 7pm. Eventbrite.

May 22

Our Music Fourth Friday Concert Presented by: Lyric Stage at DeSoto Corner Theatre 211 E. Pleasant Run. 7pm.

Head Wraps and Head Shots at Grow DeSoto Market Place. 324 E. Beltline Rd. DeSoto. 6-8pm. www.brandisdiary.com.

African Liberation Day; An Instrument to help organize our people at Pan African Connection 4466 s. Marsalis Ave. 7-9pm.

Absolute Power Women Empowering Women Special Guest Speaker: Shavonda Fields at Stemm Studios 1499 Regal Row Ste. #505. 10-2am.

Summertime Kick Off Ole School Party Fish Fry at Trinity Elk Lodge #480 2607 MLK Jr. Blvd. 8-2am.

One Night Comedy Stand at Unique Visions Upscale Events 324 S. Hampton Rd. 8-11pm. Tickets: www.blame-the-comic-andfriends.ticketleap.com Carry The Load & WFAA Party on the Plaza at WFAA Studios Victory Park 3030 Olive St. 4-7am. www.carrytheload.org.

May 25

Further Jazz: Peter Brotzmann & Heather Lee at Wild Detectives 314 W. 8th St. 7-10:30pm. Eventbrite.com

Bill “Bo jangles� Robinson a Vaudeville dancer Born 1878

Community Action Day at South Dallas Cultural Center 3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave. 11am-2pm.

Beards & Bowties Fashion Show & After Party at Athletic Zone 423 Singleton Blvd. Dallas. 7-10pm. www.instaseats.com

Women of Distinction Host: Girls Scout of TX OK Plains Key Note Spkr: Pat Smith at Hurst Conference Center 1601 Campus Dr. 11:30am-1. Tickets: www.interland3.donorperfect.net

Kandi Koated Entmt. Hots: Welcome to the Dungeon at The Bomb Factory 2713 Canton St. 9pm. ticketfly.com.

Wednesdays Swing Dance Class at Allure Jazz & Cigar Lounge 110 S. Cockrell Hill, DeSoto. 7:30pm-9:30pm. Instructor: Lady Champagne. Free before 8pm.

Women of the West Bible Study at Friendship West Baptist Church 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. Wednesdays at 7pm.

Dallas Red Carpet Screening of Quintessential the Movie! Host: Michael Hernandez at Texas Theatre 231 W. Jefferson St. 6-9pm.

Peppermint Life Coaching presents: The Color Purple at 405 Oakland Blvd. Ft. Worth, 5-7pm. Register: PayPal.me/ artist63 or Cash app: $03mc. “Spring TEEse� Day Party at Sandaga 813, 813 Exposition Ave. 3-8pm. Eventbrite.com Us-Too Phenomenal Women Artist Talk Art Exhibit at African American Museum 3536 Grand Ave. Dallas. 1-3pm.

SDCC Music Lounge: Blues Feat: Zach Harmon at South Dallas Cultural Center 3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave. 7:30-9pm.

Women of Candor Storytelling & Stand-Up Comedy Show at Stomping Ground 1350 Manufacturing St. #110. 9:3011pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

May 23-24 Women’s Conference 2019 at Believers International Ministries 716 Garza St. Dallas. 7:30pm.

May 23 Breakfast at the BAC “Collections‌and we’re not talking fashion‌ at Fort Worth Business Assistance Center 1150 South Fwy. 7:30-9am. RSVP at Eventbrite.com.

410 Line Dancers Thursday Class DFW Sports Garden 1850 E. Beltline Rd. Coppell. 7-9pm. Info: www.410linedancers.com

Dallas Black Dance Academy 45th Annual Recital at Majestic Theatre 1925 Elm St. 4:306:30pm. attpac. org.

Brunching in Miami All White Affair at A Taste of Miami Restaurant 205 S. Main St. Ste. #19-05, Red Oak. 12-6pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Senior Line Dancing at Latino Cultural Center 2600 Live Oak St. 10am. Free

Memorial Day Picnic at 300 E. Colorado Blvd. Dallas 11-7pm. RSVP at Eventbrite.com

Prudence the Auset at Brick House Lounge DeSoto 2021 N. Hampton Rd. 8-10pm.

Memorial Day Weekend All White Music Mixer at Sway’s Room 921 W. Beltline Rd. Ste. #110. 7pm-12am. Info & tickets 972-855-0346.

May 27

All New Thursdays Ladies Night Soulful Soundz at Vinetti’s –14833 Midway Rd. Addison 5pm-12am. Free Cover.

Memorial Day Music Fest. at Klyde Warren Park 2012 Woodall Rogers Fwy. 2-10pm. Eventbrite.com.

410 Line Dancers Thursday Class at DFW Sports Garden 1850 E. Belt Line Rd. Coppell. 7-9pm. Info: 410linedancers.com.

Changing The Game Networking Mixer at Canton Events Dallas 1204 Griffith St. West. 6-9pm. EMAIL Jazzmar Warfield at jazz.warfield@gmail.com.

May 31-June 2 7ZR ULJRURXV DUWV ULFK .

Taste of Addison at Addison Circle Park 4950 Addison Circle SXEOLF HOHPHQWDU\ VFKRROV LQ Dr. 6-11pm.Tickets: www.tasteaddisontexas.com Sundresses and Sunglasses Memorial Day Party May 31 WKH /RZHU (DVW 6LGH at Henderson Tap House 2323 N. Henderson Ave. Ste. #101-102.

Memorial Day

Fraud Protection Class at Frazier House 4600 Spring Ave. Dallas 10am-1pm. To register; lunch provided www.zwhjcoc.org.

3:30-8:30pm.

Patricia Roberts Harris U.S. Ambassador DOB in 1924 220 Henry Street May 100 28 Attorney Street

Ne-Yo and Tamia at Music Hall at Fair Park 909 1st Ave. 8pm.

New York, NY 10002 New York, NY 10002 Tickets: via Ticketmaster.

(212) 533-2743 (212) 964-3792 90’s & 2000’s Hip-Hop-R&B Party at Foundation Room

DBCC Power Breakfast: May 2019 at KAI Enterprises 101 N. Zang Blvd. #100, 7:30-9am. Tickets: Eventbrite.com

Dallas Mayoral Candidate Forum at Methodist Dallas Medical Center HITT Auditorium 1441 N. Beckley Ave. 6-8pm

2200 N. Lamar St. 10pm-2am. Fridays 6-22-19.

Sway’s Room 921 W. Beltline 1RZ $FFHSWLQJ $SSOLFDWLRQV Rd. Se. #110, DeSoto. 7:30-

Business Legal 101 Series at Grow DeSoto Market Place 324 Beltline Rd. 7:30-8:30am. Tickets: www.growdesoto.org

The Guide to Construction Success Lunch & Learn at RBCA 2627 MLK, Jr. Blvd. 11:30am-1pm. Reg: Eventbrite.com.

May 29-31

NEO-Soul Paint & Vibe at 10:30pm.Tickets: www.instaseats.com.

ZYA AFTERSCHOOL Skate Night U FREE U Fund’raiser at Redbird

Skateland 1206 N. Duncanville www.manhattancharterschool.org Rd. Duncanville. 7:30-10:30pm.

Rhema 2019 Host: Bishop Davis E. Martin at TBAAL 1309 Canton St. Dallas 7-10:30pm. Free

May 29

June 1

Black Music Month

F.M. Jones invented 2-cycle Bus engine in 1945

Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Mixer from 5:30-7pm Location: TBA Website: www.IrvingHCC.com Mayoral Candidate Run Off Forum at Communities Foundation of Texas 5500 Caruth Haven Ln. 12-1:30pm.

Texas LULAC 90th State Convention in Dallas at Hilton Dallas Lincoln Center 5410 LBJ Fwy. 7am. Each day.

Gary Owen Live! at Addison Improv 4980 Belt Line Rd. Ste. #250. Tickets: www. improvaddison.com

May 26 Kirk Franklin: Exodus Music and Arts Festival at The Pavilion Toyota Music Factory 300 W. Las Colinas Blvd. Irving. 5pm.

The Entrepreneur Magnet Series 2 at African American Museum 3636 Grand Ave. 6:30-10pm.

Memorial Day Block Party at Hero’s Lounge 3094 N. Stemmons Fwy. 3-2am. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

May 30-June 2

I Am a Storyteller Seniors Live! My Life. My Dream. at Bishop Arts Theatre Center 215 S. Tyler St. Info: 214-948-0716.

Happy Birthday to Team Member Sports Lady Dorothy Gentry

Trapped in the 90’s at Foundation Room 2200 N. Lamar St. 10-2am. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

DLO Presents The Crooners Years - Part 2 at Addison Conference and Theatre Center 15650 Addison Rd. 7:30-9:30pm.

Tickets: www.showclix.com

Wine & Hip Hop Feat: Camille Thompson at Checkered Past Winery 1409 S. Lamar St. #008, Dallas. 7-9pm. Eventbrite.com

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9th Annual Dallas Margarita Meltdown 2019 in the West End 1701 N. Market St. 5-9pm. Tickets: via Eventbrite.

May 30 Stepin Fetchit DOB in 1902 in Key West, FL.

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Happy Birthday Clifton C. Sneed (Marva’s) husband and supporter to I Messenger Media L.L.C. The 5th Annual Verna’s H.E.L.P. Foundation Empowerment Prayer Brunch Mistress of Ceremony: Cheryl Smith at Royal Oaks Country Club/ Grand Ballroom, 7915 Greenville Ave. Dallas. 9am-1pm.

2019 Bishop Arts Jazz Series at Bishop Arts Theatre 215 S. Tyler St. Dallas. 7-11pm. Tickets: www.vendini.com 2nd 5K Run and Fun Walk 2019 Benefiting Kiers Hope Foundation at Margret Hunt-Hill/Trinity River Bridge 8am. Call 214.516.0128 or email 5kFunRun@KiersHope.org DeSoto Crawfish Fest 2019 at DeSoto Amphitheater 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd. 6-9pm.

MAY 24, 2019

MAY 24, 2019

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