I Messenger

I M essenger VOLUME 8

JUNE 28, 2019

ISSUE 45

D on ’ t B elieve the H ype C elebrity B owl - a - thon raises $$$ for scholars

IMessenger An IMM LLC Publication 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 619

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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.

JUNE 28, 2019

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INSIDE

FROM CONGRESS

Graduation

QUIT PLAYIN’

People who believe in justice and equality owe U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brent Kavanaugh a most sincere appreciation because of his recent refusal to allow the state of Mississippi to put a man to death whose case was tainted by a senior prosecutor who excluded nearly all nonwhites from juries that decided his guilt or innocence.

I love graduations! I thoroughly enjoy the sense of achievement and possibility that permeates the air. Graduations signify an ending, but the term “commencement” is used to signify beginnings since they are not only an opportunity to mark completion, but also to mar

CNN – “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell thinks reparations are not a good idea, claiming “it would be pretty hard to figure out who to compensate,” and claims “none of us currently living are responsible” for what happened 150 years ago.

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JUNE 28, 2019

MY TRUTH

by Cheryl Smith, Publisher

Just nasty I think I will call it quits and still not understand, and still be shaking my head. I’m talking about core values. Who are you? Whose are you and what do you stand for?

What is your purpose? It has been said that the two most significant days in your life are: 1. When you were born, and 2. When you realize why you were born.

Apparently there are some folks who live almost their entire lives before they realize their purpose, before they understand the greatness that was there inside of them all the time. Unfortunately there are those who either never realize and those who find themselves coming of age, if you will, as they are about to transition.

When I was growing up, my mother preached to us the importance of being clean and taking care of JUNE 28, 2019

your surroundings. Funny as I think back to when I was a child and we would move.

By the time we closed the door on the home we were leaving, it was spotless!

I would wonder why we were cleaning when we were leaving.

And I’m not talking about spot cleaning, I’m talking about the cleaning that leaves the place spotless. My mother said, “like you’d like a place to look if you were moving into it.”

Okay that was cool, but when we got to our new place, guess what? That’s right, we had to clean that place, even if it was “spotless.”

And don’t let company come over! Earline was going to make sure the house was spotless! She wanted our house to be clean and taken care of, and this was the case with our 4

bodies.

Then too, she always talked about if we didn’t have a multitude of anything, we had to take care of what we had. If we had one of anything, when we put it on, it had better be clean and without holes. We learned at a young age to “go get that sewing kit.”

And she would tell us our underwear better be clean, just in case we were hit by a car or something.

In my head, I would be thinking, “If they were clean, and I get hit by a car, they won’t be clean anymore!”

But I wouldn’t say that to her.

Which brings me to my truth.

The other day as I sat in a restaurant eating, I saw a young woman, late 20s or early 30s, cleaning out her myimessenger.com

car in the parking lot.

She had a car full of children and another adult who sat and watched as she threw napkins, drink bottles, empty food packages, empty cigarette packs and all kind of other stuff on the ground.

It was disgusting to watch.

And some might be saying, “you (meaning me) should have went up and checked her, if it bothers you so much.”

At least that’s what the Pizza Hut manager told me.

And guess what? There was a time that I would have said something like, “Do you want me to help you put all of that in the garbage?

But sometimes you get tired.

Yes, we were in my community and I get tired of people complaining about how bad our communities look, when they are the main ones tossing trash out the car windows, changing your baby’s diaper in the car and myimessenger.com

throwing the soiled diaper on the ground or doing as the aforementioned young lady did.

Now I call it trifling. Just think.

How do you feel about the person who goes to get a pedicure and when they get where they are going, take off the pedicure shoes, put on their real shoes and leave the pedicure shoes on the ground by the car?

Or what about the women who complain about the “dirty, nasty ladies bathroom.” Well, who went into the bathroom and dirtied it or made it nasty? I’m just gonna ask, “does that used sanitary item on the floor or sink belong to a man who brought it in there?

I’m just asking because folks want to criticize people for being poor. Is “poor” a state of mind.

While I may not have lived in a mansion, my home was clean and so were our clothes, We didn’t look like we didn’t know better.

Do you think folks don’t 5

know better, or they just don’t care?

I know some who just don’t care. You’ve seen them at work, in the club or at church; matching from head to toe and dressed impeccably, all the while smelling so fresh and clean. Just follow them home and they’ll make you want to puke!

Whatever the case, something needs to be done about making people value themselves and what they have. Being clean is just the decent thing to do.

I marvel at my delivery man who wears an apron that is always clean and I think about those restaurant workers who take their aprons home and toss them on the floor, picking them up from the rubbish to go and work another day bringing the filth from their home, or picked up as they wear the apron home on public transportation.

I believe it could be a pride thing.

Whatever the case, it is a reflection on YOU! JUNE 28, 2019

SPOTLIGHT

SouthFair Community to promote sustainable promise of stability, safety, each and opportunity.

Development Organiza- homeownership In celebration, we are tion’s Executive Director day. Through homebuyEvans on National er counseling, financial having an event at one of ESS Annie RELEASE coaching and post pur- our brand new homes loHomeownership Month June is National Home- chase workshops, our cated at 2824 South Blvd, Immediate Release: Junededicated 18, 2019 team helps over Dallas 75215 on Saturday, ownership Month, a time when we come together 100 families make their June 29, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. to inform, recognize and best housing decisions annie.evans@southfaircdc.or to better understand this Director, tact: Annie Evans, Executive 214.421.1363, acknowledge our homelongstanding aspiration each year.

This June, we encour- owners. for Americans.

Statement from SouthFair Community Development There will be guest Throughout June, we will age all people who live Organization’s Executive Director Annie Evans on National celebrate the joys and in South Dallas/Fair Park speakers on environmenHomeownership Month to take the time to learn tal responsibility, South benefits of homeownership, while recognizing more about the resourc- Dallas history and we will also hear the new to them the critical Homeownership work that our es available e is National Month, a when time when wefrom come togethe housing counselors do thinking about purchas- District 7 Councilman, er understand this longstanding Americans.

Bazaldua. Througho to ensure that people in ing a home.aspiration forAdam e, we South will celebrate benefits of homeownership, while By working togethDallas/Fair the Park joys and er, weour canhousing ensure that can realize this dream. gnizing the critical work that counselors do to ensure t At SouthFair, we work Park homeownership fulfillsthis its dream. ple in South Dallas/Fair can realize

JUNE 28, 2019 myimessenger.com 6 outhFair, we work to promote sustainable homeownership each da ough homebuyer counseling, financial coaching and post purchase

Celebration of Life and Legacy for a Community Icon and Woman of Faith From the heavenly and sacred halls of the Kingdom, on May 25, 1934, a divine and anointed child came here with a purpose.

As decreed by the wheel and authority of the King, Roosevelt and Beulah Brown Thomas were assigned to be her earthly parents.

Born fifth in a family of 14 children, Mary Thomas voluntarily took the role of matriarch of the family to both her five children and other siblings.

Emerging from an obscure and humble beginning she spent her childhood picking cotton. While working in the cotton fields she proved to be a leader and exhibited entrepreneurial inclinations early on. She moved to Dallas in 1957 where she met and married Bobby Flewellen.

Upon moving to Dallas, Mary enrolled in the Madame C.J. Walker Beauty School. She worked in several salons until finally saving enough money, and activating her faith, to open her own.

Flewellen’s Hair Salon was established on the corner of Lancaster and Overton and still operates there nearly 50 years later.

She used that salon to impact many people in the community by providing jobs, training, hairstyles, fashion show fundraisers, hope and inspiration.

Mary accepted and committed her life to Christ at a very young age. She united with and served faithfully in various churches throughout the city of Dallas including Evangelist Holy Temple, Full Gospel Holy Temple, Lighthouse COGIC and Outreach Evangelical Church.

Her worship and service continued until her health would no longer permit her to myimessenger.com

go.

Mary was a woman of unwavering Faith, but there was no doubt that she was a businesswoman as well.

In 1977, she launched Velvet Touch haircare products which she maintained for several years before selling the company.

Not only did she extend love to her family

she led by example.

They were taken to church regularly and taught the words of scripture. One of her favorite verses for her children was Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall be given unto your bosom.”

As a genuine Christian full of God’s grace and love, her generosity not only extended in the city and community but also spanned the globe to help underprivileged children in South Africa. In fact, she was a primary contributor for an orphanage there which was established and named in her honor.

Mary’s lasting legacy will eternally be “I tried to help somebody as I traveled through life so that my living was not in vain.”

Her family and friends will always miss her, but her loving spirit will live forever.

Mary Thomas Flewellen Family and friends left to continue giving praise to God for and friends, she also enjoyed coaching and her life include: her children Kenneth mentoring hundreds of new stylists and Thomas (Lyzette), Bobby Flewellen entrepreneurs over the years.

(Tannia), Edmond Flewellen (Kim), Because she was a woman of incredible Sherry Flewellen, Karon Flewellen and and confident faith, she never lost the a special daughter Terrilyn Chester Lee; human touch and was known for her her grandchildren Brian Flewellen, Ana contagious laughter and gentle spirit of Rhoden, Ashley Echols, Cherri Thomas, peace. A great motivator and motivational Christina Garr, Christopher Thomas, speaker, she often spoke of the importance Christian Flewellen, Justin Jackson, of exercising discipline in every aspect of Matthew Flewellen, Austin Flewellen, life.

Iyona Lindsey; six great-grandchildren; Mary Flewellen instilled in her children her two sisters Martha Polk of Dallas and the benefit and power of “a made up Susie Smith of Winnsboro, Louisiana; one mind”. She practiced and taught them brother Willie Fred Thomas of Dallas, and solid business principles and was indeed host of other relatives. the rock on which they could stand because

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JUNE 28, 2019

WHO’S WHO

Featuring UBER EATS

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COMMENTARY

by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Thanks Justice Kavanaugh

People who believe in justice and equality owe U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brent Kavanaugh a most sincere appreciation because of his recent refusal to allow the state of Mississippi to put a man to death whose case was tainted by a senior prosecutor who excluded nearly all non-whites from juries that decided his guilt or innocence. The accused, Curtis Flowers, is an African-American.

Justice Kavanaugh, who penned the majority opinion in the Supreme Court case, Flowers V. Mississippi, wrote, “Equal justice under law requires a criminal trial free of racial discrimination.” The Court’s decision reversed a guilty conviction at Mr. Flower’s sixth trial. The jury was composed of 11 whites and one black juror. In his opinion, which was joined by six other members of the Court, Justice Kavanaugh wrote, “a series of factually inaccurate explanations for excluding black prospective jurors can be myimessenger.com

telling. So it is here.”

Mr. Flowers, a 49year-old resident of Mississippi, and a fan of gospel music, has been tried six times for murders that took place in a business where he once worked. His lawyers, and respected members of the small community in which Flowers lived have proclaimed his innocence since his arrest more than 20 years ago.

Interestingly, while a student at the Yale Law School, Justice Kavanaugh wrote an article for the school’s law journal in which he argued for strict adherence to a Supreme Court ruling that racial prejudice should not be practiced nor tolerated during the jury selection process.

Perhaps the lessons that Justice Kavanaugh’s mother, former Maryland Circuit Court Judge Martha Kavanaugh, taught her son early in his life have persisted, and have helped to frame his understanding of equality.

During numerous interviews

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he has said so. His mother was a highly-regarded member of the bench, and as a prosecutor she had a reputation for fairness.

In his written opinion Justice Kavanaugh seemed highly troubled by the fact that during jury selection in one of the trials prospective white jurors were asked one question, while blacks were asked 29. This seems to have struck the newest justice on the Supreme Court as patently wrong and unacceptable.

Now the state of Mississippi must decide whether or not to place Mr. Flowers on trial for the seventh time, further placing an emotional toll on him and his family. The state will incur additional expenses if it convenes another trial.

There were two Supreme Court justices who disagreed with the opinion that Justice Kavanaugh wrote.

They seemed to think that it was not unjust or wrong to treat poJUNE 28, 2019

Tom Joyner announces Rickey Smiley to debut new Urban AC Morning Show beginning January 2nd The Tom Joyner Morning Show introduced listener favorite Rickey Smiley as the successor to the morning anchor position established by Tom over the course of 25 years. Joyner, who is retiring at the end of the year, acknowledged that Smiley has established himself as a trusted leader on-air and in the community with his current show, captivating audiences with his authentic humor but also his unique perspective on topics important to his audience.

Smiley also announced that Eva Marcille and Gary Wit Da Tea would be among the on-air cast members joining him to broadcast out of the Dallas studios beginning January 2020.

Joyner reflected on his accomplishments and the future, “I’m happy to see the landscape of Urban AC morning radio continue to expand with Rickey, and I’m proud of the doors the Tom Joyner Morning Show opened. Twenty-five years ago, there was no template for a syndicated Urban radio show and we worked hard to prove that we could successfully produce and market a national platform that would entertain, inform and empower African-American listeners. We broke some ground, raised the bar for what audiences expected from Black radio all while partying with a purpose. Yeah, we’ve done a lot but there’s still a lot left to be done. I’m confident that Rickey’s activism along with his love for radio, the community, and HBCUs, will pick up where we left off.”

JUNE 28, 2019

Making the announcement public, Rickey Smiley shared his excitement, “It’s an honor to continue the legacy of my boss and frat brother Tom Joyner. Not only has he been

will also continue in syndication into 2020.

BACKGROUND: Rickey Smiley Morning Show Brand and Trajectory The Rickey Smiley Morning

a friend to my family and me over the years, but we consider him family. Tom’s mentorship has instilled in me valuable wisdom that I will carry with me through this new morning show.”

David Kantor, Reach Media and Radio One CEO, acknowledged the collaboration, “Tom changed the entire urban radio marketplace. He entertained and educated multiple generations of listeners over the last 25 years. While there is and will always be only one Tom Joyner, we are excited that Rickey will be moving to Urban AC in January. Like Tom, Rickey’s talent, community consciousness and commitment to his audience will serve his listeners well.”

Reach Media’s other current morning Urban AC program, The Russ Parr Morning Show,

Show has been recognized for its excellence in connecting with its listeners, and continues to grow with the belief that “Radio is community”. The industry took notice in 2017 awarding Rickey with the NAB Radio Marconi Award as the top national/syndicated talent. Rickey uses personality, humor, conviction and relevant information to deliver a high-energy morning show engaging his listening community in unexpected ways. His show has distinguished itself with its innovative mix of entertainment and an unfiltered view on contemporary black life and parenthood, focusing on family, community and mentorship.

Smiley uses his radio platform to express his belief that “we are responsible for each other”, including purchasing a

car for a young man profiled on social media who persisted through a daily 3-hour bus commute to his high school for well over a year in order to graduate. Similarly, the discovery of a co-host’s history with domestic violence prompted Rickey to put a spotlight on the urgency of the issue along with the resources available to provide support to victims.

Having attended Alabama State University and participated in numerous HBCU tours, Smiley is an ardent supporter of education – especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Rickey reinforces his radio brand 24/7 interacting online, socially with 5 million followers, through his stand-up comedy, reality-based TV shows, and publishing – all amplifying his voice!

Gary Wit Da Tea, well established as everyone’s favorite diva, dishes the hottest gossip on the world of entertainment and his colorful opinions on all topics. With over 22 years on radio, along with numerous TV and charitable initiatives, he’s someone whose thoughts listeners look forward to hearing.

Eva Marcille, while originally known as a high fashion model and television celebrity, contributes a relatable women’s point of view with her sharp wit and sometimes challenging position, bringing balance to the show. She shares her life with listeners from entrepreneurial pursuits to marriage and motherhood. myimessenger.com

COMMENTARY

by Dr. Julianne Malveaux

Tale of two graduations I love graduations! I thoroughly enjoy the sense of achievement and possibility that permeates the air. Graduations signify an ending, but the term “commencement” is used to signify beginnings since they are not only an opportunity to mark completion, but also to mark the beginning of a new chapter of life. In some ways, commencements, regardless of the college or university, with the pomp and circumstance, the ritual robes, the rousing speeches, the tearful families. The two commencements I attended during this graduation season shared those characteristics, but in many ways, they could not have been more different.

I attended the commencement at the University of the District of Columbia because my dear friend and fearless leader, Rev. Jesse Jackson received an honorary degree. Congresswoman Maxine Waters also received an honorary degree and delivered the commencement address.

Nearly a month later, I attended the commencement ceremony at Dartmouth College, where my beloved godson, Matthew Elijah Brown, earned his undergraduate degree.

Dartmouth is located in bucolic Hanover, New Hampshire, miles away from anything that resembles an urban space (Boston is more than 2 hours away).

Its student body is overwhelmingly white, with nonwhite students (which includes African American, Latin, Asian American, Native American, and others) representing less than 15 percent of the population. The cost of attendance at Dartmouth exceeds $60,000. UDC an urban, land-grant HBCU, has several campuses, including a flagship campus in upper Northwest, DC and a community college not too far from Union Station. Its student body is predominately minority. Tuition at the flagship campus is a bit over $5000. Most myimessenger.com

UDC students are part-time students; most Dartmouth students attend full-time.

The UDC student body is predominately female, while Dartmouth didn’t admit its first women to the college until 1973.

While Congresswoman Waters was the commencement speaker at UDC, the cellist Yo-Yo Ma was the commencement speaker at Dartmouth. I’m not sure what my expectations were of the cellist, but he exceeded them! He delivered provocative and challenging remarks in a still, soothing voice, reminding students that they have a power that should never be abused. He challenged students to be human beings

before they are professionals or careerists.

Most interestingly, he urged stillness. He said, “Learn to listen to the voice in the wilderness. Learn to be the voice in the wilderness.” What a message to give a group of young people who will easily earn six figures upon graduation, many headed to Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and the venture capital world! If I didn’t know any better, the gentle Yo-Yo Ma could have been delivering a rebuke to the current inhabitant of the House that Enslaved People Built and the many other conformists who do not embrace the value of humanity. “Practice your humanity daily,” the cellist said. He offered solid and stirring advice in an extremely graceless age. And then he played the cello.

While Yo-Yo Ma didn’t mention the name of the cretin in the House that Enslaved

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People Built, Maxine Waters, calling for activism certainly did. Like Yo-Yo Ma, she encouraged students to find their voices.

The fiery Congresswoman urged them to activism. She took on hypocrisy in tones far more strident than Yo Yo Ma’s, but she was equally inspirational.

And while Yo Yo Ma didn’t tackle public policy much, Waters did, focusing on the oppressive legislation that has been characteristic of this administration.

The similarity in the two commencement addresses lay in the call for self-awareness, disruption, humanity, and focus. While many students don’t remember their commencement speaker, it is unlikely that students at either UDC or Dartmouth will forget the speakers they experienced. And while the students may are demographically different, one can hope that the call to “practice humanity” is one that will be heeded. It is, perhaps a sign of the times, that graduates have to be urged to practice humanity, but so much of our world is inhumane, placing profits over people, that the admonition is appropriate.

There are more than 4000 four-year colleges and universities in our nation. The students graduating from Dartmouth and UDC represent a small fraction of the total.

The UDC students, many nontraditional, are more likely to shoulder student debt than the Dartmouth students. But both sets of students will face challenges, and both have the responsibility, as Maxine Waters urged, to find a cause and tackle it.

And, in the words of Yo-Yo Ma, to “practice humanity.”

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an author, economist, and social commentator.

JUNE 28, 2019

Remembering Joshua C. Johnson

Joshua C. Johnson (9/15/82 -6/22/2019) died Saturday at his home in DeSoto. Johnson was well known and respected in southwest Dallas County and Ellis County communities, where he served as Chief Executive Editor of Focus Daily News from 2007-Present.

Johnson is survived by his mother, Marilyn Burton, and father Samuel E. Burton. He is also survived by brothers Eric Johnson Jr., Caleb L. Johnson, and Isaac H. Malone; Grandparents Idella Washington and Henry Kennedy; and girlfriend Ebony Smith; along with a host of nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Johnson graduated from Lincoln High School, and received his BA in Communications from Paul JUNE 28, 2019

Quinn College in Lancaster.

He was currently working toward a Master’s Degree in Business from Grand Canyon University.

Prior to his tenure as Executive Editor at Focus Daily News, Johnson was a news reporter for the North Dallas Gazette.

At Focus Daily News, he was honored three times by the Dallas Bar Association for Excellence in Legal Reporting.

Johnson’s most recent award was in 2018 chosen as best in the Suburban Newspaper Division for his feature on an inspirational police officer for Lancaster Independent School District.

Visitation will be held on Friday evening at the Grand Lounge at Paul Quinn College, with a Star Warsthemed candlelight vigil.

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Floral tributes can be sent to Evergreen Funeral Home, 6449 University Hills Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75241; Office 214-376-1500.

A GoFund Me account has been set up for those who wish to make a donation to help the family with funeral expenses. Details are available on the Focus Daily News Facebook page.

Funeral arrangements are still being finalized, with the funeral service scheduled for Saturday at a location TBD. Joshua’s body will lie in state one hour before the service begins. Final arrangements will be updated on Focus Daily News website (focusdailynews.com) and the Facebook page.

From Focus Daily News

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From Marva with

By Marva Sneed

Celebrating Cheryl Smith’s 25th Anniversary of Don’t Believe the Hype Celebrity Bowl-a-thon

the Conrad and DFWABJ students.

On From Marva with Love on BlogTalkRadio.com Cheryl’s World Friday before the Bowl-A-Thon, I had Shonedra Redd on my show. She is from Lewisville, TX, an educator at Lewisville ISD, and a graduate of University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree and Dallas Baptist University with two Masters Degrees.

Saturday, June 22, 2019, Cheryl Smith, Shonedra is a very smart lady, the creator of “Don’t Believe the Hype a member of Delta Sigma Theta Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon” celebrated 25 years at USA Bowl 10920 Composite Dr. Dallas, TX. 6pm. was the VIP Reception with entertainment, food and fellowship. Bowling started at 8pm.

The Bowl-A-Thon is a fun event and proceeds benefit area youth programs.

In 2018, beneficiaries were the DallasFort Worth Association of Black Journalists scholarship fund, which has received over $50,000 previously, Shonedra Redd and Sen. Royce West’s Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Internship Program.

Additionally, the proceeds from Sorority, Inc., and a former student the event have helped take students of Ms. Smith’s DFWABJ Journalism to conventions in Seattle, Phoenix, Workshop.

Orlando, D.C., Atlanta, Indianapolis, We talked about the Don’t Believe Houston, New Orleans, Las Vegas and the Hype Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon, how Oklahoma. Jeffries Street Learning long she has been involved and how Center, the Black Academy of Arts and the journalism workshop was a part Letters, the Emmett Till Foundation of the moving force for her to excel in and the African American Museum are education. just a few of the beneficiaries over the MS: How long have you been an years. educator?

This year, Miss. Smith said her goal was to raise at least $10,000 for the SR: I’ve been an educator for the National Association of Black Journalists past eight years. For 10 years prior in and continue awarding scholarships to myimessenger.com

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the Fashion Industry. Then I made the transition into education because in working at the Art Institute of Dallas some of the students I recruited would drop out due to the courts, or financial reasons. So I decided to go to the other end of education to inspire students to continue learning.

MS: Was fashion your first choice?

Your passion?

SR: Yes, but growing up I wanted to be a journalist. And my mom was an advocate for my interests. She looked around for programs that would be good for my skill set. And that’s how I met Ms. Cheryl Smith. At the age of 17 my enrolled me in the DFWABJ Journalism Workshop and I was in it for two years.

I still love writing and writing translates into education. When I enrolled into college I was originally a Journalism student.

MS: How long have you been involved in the Don’t believe the Hype Celebrity Bowl-a-thon?

SR: I have been involved for the past 5 or 6 years. I volunteer with the securing of the Celebrity Team Captains. This year we have Senator Royce West, Judge Aiesha Redmond of the 160th District Court a big sponsor to the Bowl-AThon and other local and City officials.

Tune in to From Marva with Love, every Friday at 11am-1pm on BlogTalkRadio.com.

JUNE 28, 2019

QUIT PLAYIN

by Vincent Hall

Mitch can go to hell!

CNN – “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell thinks reparations are not a good idea, claiming “it would be pretty hard to figure out who to compensate,” and claims “none of us currently living are responsible” for what happened 150 years ago.

McConnell believes America made up for slavery by electing Barack Obama, and passing civil rights legislation.”

If Mitch McConnell had grown up in my hood, he would have suffered all types of verbal assaults and abuse. He looks like a cross between Jiminy Cricket, a leprechaun and the lead Munchkin in The Wizard of OZ. Mitch would have been tagged for being four-eyed like all of us who wore glasses. He is the Pictionary representation of a weak and wilting wimp.

Mitch has no idea how difficult it is being Black. He can’t imagine how it feels to be the scourge of the nation according to Whites. He has no clue how much self-loathing Africans Americans live with. The self-hatred is not a genetic defect; it comes from the systematic and institutional raping we endured under chattel slavery.

America could easily adopt a tag-line similar to GE; “We didn’t invent slavery, we just made it better.” America’s system was by far the most brutal; mind, body and spirit. But even after it was outlawed, this nation continued practicing various forms of slavery, like convict leasing and mass incarceration.

In the words of Johnny Guitar Watson; “Ain’t that a Bitch.”

Rich White men made money off of our work in slavery and today they provide jobs for their children by locking us up.

Quit Playin’, America doesn’t lead the world in inmates for no reason.

JUNE 28, 2019

In February of this year, The Global Research laid it out in a story entitled; “The Prison Industry in the United States: Big Business or a New Form of Slavery?”

“There are approximately 2 million inmates in state, federal and private prisons throughout the country.

According to California Prison Focus, ‘no other society in human history has imprisoned so many of its own citizens.’”

The United States holds 25% of the world’s prison population, but only 5% of the world’s people. From less than 300,000 inmates in 1972, the jail population grew to 2 million by the year 2000.

In 1990 it was one million. Ten years ago there were only five private prisons in the country, with a population of 2,000 inmates; now, there are 100, with 62,000 inmates.

It is expected that by the coming decade, the number will hit 360,000, according to reports.

“The private contracting of prisoners for work fosters incentives to lock people up. Prisons depend on this income. Corporate stockholders who

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make money off prisoners’ work lobby for longer sentences, in order to expand their workforce. The prison industry complex is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States and its investors are on Wall Street.”

And that doesn’t even take into account the million plus jobs created for local, state and federal employees. From bail bonds to jail commissary and telephone contracts; it’s a racket!

Senator Mitch McConnell is the last of the pre-Trump, Conservative Republicans.

They are generally as racist that Trump could ever be.

Once you look past Mitch’s well-dressed, socially refined; pseudo-statesmen posturing, you realize the he is as vile as Trump. McConnell and other “respectable” GOP members are beneficiaries of an old-school cultural circumcision that was once a prerequisite for the U.S. Senate.

The “socially circumcised” are good at the social graces but lacking in grace for anyone who is not their color and their kind. They mutter about the rule of law, but they violate the letter and the spirit of the constitution at will.

Ask Judge Merrick Garland whose nomination for the SCOTUS never saw the rightful light of day.

Mitch is the living example of why America owes us reparations. He lives and flourishes on the fat of the shackled masses that “arrived” here 400 years ago. The inference that giving us a “Nigger President” should suffice as recompense shows that Mitch is ignorant and ill-suited for the job of Speaker. Mitch can click his red heels and go straight to hell for my portion.

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BOWLING FOR SCHOLARS Redmond, Indy B, Evans all victors

DBTH Celebrity Bowl-a-thon founder Cheryl Smith and Signature Sponsor Judge Aiesha Redmond and her daughter flank this year’s first place winner - Evans Engraving. Atty. Nigel Redmond enjoys 1st Place male honors and 94.5/97.9’s Queen Indy B celebrates one of her many strikes R

6-22-19 6p.m.

USA BOWL

10920 Composite Dr Dallas

214-941-0110

Cheryl Smith’s

Don’t Believe the Celebrity HYPEBowl-a-thon The Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists invites you to a forum answering a very important question:

SOLDIERS WITHOUT SWORDS Evans Engraving

Why is the Black Press necessary?

Darryl Blair, Sr.

mollie Belt

Shirley gray

thurman JoneS

cheryl Smith

Publisher

Publisher

Publisher

Publisher

Publisher

Elite News

Dallas Examiner

Dallas Post Tribune

North Dallas Gazette

Texas Metro News Garland Journal I Messenger

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 - 6-9 p.m.

The Black Academy of Arts and Letters 1309 Canton Street, Dallas TX 75201

Patrick WaShington Publisher

Dallas Weekly

RSVP to: www.dfwabj.org or eventbrite.com

In loving memory of Mr. Richard Claxton “Dick” Gregory! myimessenger.com 15

JUNE 28, 2019

Cheryl Smith’s DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE 25th! Celebrity Bowl-a- thon photos by Eva D. Coleman and two courtesy of Irish Watson

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AISING SCHOLARSHIP $$$

Smith’s

t BelieveCelebrity theBowl-a-thon HYPE The Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists invites you to a forum answering a very important question:

SOLDIERS WITHOUT SWORDS

Why is the Black Press necessary?

p.m.

Drive

Darryl Blair, Sr.

mollie Belt

Shirley gray

thurman JoneS

cheryl Smith

Publisher

Publisher

Publisher

Publisher

Publisher

Elite News

Dallas Examiner

Dallas Post Tribune

North Dallas Gazette

Texas Metro News Garland Journal I Messenger

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 - 6-9 p.m.

InThe loving Blackmemory Academy of Arts and Letters Mr. Richard Claxton Gregory!

1309 Canton“Dick” Street, Dallas TX 75201 Evans Engraving

Patrick WaShington Publisher

Dallas Weekly

RSVP to: www.dfwabj.org or eventbrite.com Ramona Logan

I

am the

messenger

TEXAS METRO NEWS Garland Journal

I MESSENGER

Atty. DeMetris Sampson

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

ASSOCIATION OF

BLACK JOURNALISTS

DFW/ABJ

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Fun for the entire family!

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If I would’ve known then, what I know now INTERLUDE

By Cierra Mayes

Cierra Mayes is a 2019 graduate of the University of

College.

There is so much emphasis behind that one word.

When I was in High School, my teachers would mention that word around me and I would instantly get anxious.

My parents and I both knew I would go to college. It was just the thought of making it through those long four years.

For the most part, I thought college would be a long four years until I realized I was in my senior year of college.

College had come and was about to go!

I attended the University of North Texas in Denton, with a focus in Broadcast Journalism.

In my adolescent years, I always dreamt of being on television or a media mogul.

Being a role model and informing others about what’s going on in the world was very interesting to me.

My first two years of school, I had taken all of my basics before stepping into my major.

In order to get into my major, there was one requirement that I was not looking forward to.

Anyone that wanted to be a journalism major was required to take a GSP test. myimessenger.com

The GSP test focused on grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

If you failed the test more than three times you would not be allowed to be a journalism major.

Grammar, spelling, and punctuation is very important in journalism of course.

So, I prepared myself until the day it was time to take the test and I aced it.

I had worried for nothing.

My Junior year, I had entered my upper level classes and they were pretty interesting. I learned so much about the law and ethics side of journalism.

However, I wanted to be more on the entertainment side of journalism.

Entertainment news is more fun and interesting, especially when you have the chance to interact and network with people in the industry.

I knew in order to reach this goal I would need to get involved in organizations on campus that were related to the entertainment side of journalism.

I joined “NTTV” also known as “North Texas Television.”

Due to a conflicting schedule, I wasn’t able to make the audition for the entertainment show I hoped to be on.

Instead, I got involved with promotions and marketing for NTTV. I got to work with others and make creative content about

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ongoing issues on campus.

Over the course of my years, I did not realize how important it was to find an internship.

During the summer I had taken classes and kept a job, but neither was for an internship.

I knew that an internship would help me gain the experience I needed but only when it was my senior year.

I didn’t know that I could complete an internship while in my junior year because I thought I needed more school experience and resume building.

My senior year was the only time I gained “on set” experience.

I started to feel overwhelmed and as if I had waited too late to get an internship.

I thought to myself, who would hire a senior in college who doesn’t have an almost complete resume?

I knew that someone had to hire me because no one starts in their career as professionals.

I then thought about how I didn’t have anyone to guide me on what needed to be done during my early college years.

Here I am, post-graduation working at Texas Metro News as an intern.

I now believe that I wasn’t delayed on my career path.

It was all on God’s plan to put me where I need to be at the right moment and time.

JUNE 28, 2019

AROUND TOWN

BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

Whether it’s City Men Cook or feeding the homeless, Hollywood is on the scene!

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City Men Cook celebrates 20 years

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LIFESTYLE

by Valder Beebe

That Celebrity Interview:

Sir John Barnett, Disney’s The Lion King and Beyonce Passion is the fuel of dreams.

Daily, add passion to your life to conquer the unbelievable mountains that appear on our journey. How to have more passion? Spend time in quiet meditation, be grateful for all that God has given you (what you call the good and the bad). Now spend time envisioning your goals, dreams and desires. Make visioning a part of your daily life.

Sir John Barnett is a makeup and color artist who reveals and transforms, inspired by the essence of his clients’ natural beauty.

A consummate visionary, Sir John uses the power of cosmetics to exalt women to their highest impact.

While working with Pat Mcgrath and Charlotte Tilbury’s makeup teams during Fashion Weeks in New York, Milan and Paris, he quickly built his reputation for creative use of color.

Sir John has had the privilege to work with some of the most soughtafter fashion and beauty industry professionals from Mario Testino to Steven Meisel to Naomi Campbell.

In fact, it was at Tom Ford’s first womenswear show in 2010 where he was introduced to Beyoncé, and granted the opportunity to work with her. Shortly after, Sir John began working with Queen Bey on myimessenger.com

everything from album art to music videos, concert tours, superbowls and a history-making September Vogue cover in 2018.

Having fallen in love with the incredible imagination and storytelling of Disney’s original The Lion King in his youth, Sir John’s connection with the film and the world it takes place in was further heightened when his work took him throughout Africa.

In partnering with Luminess Cosmetics, known for their high quality & innovative products, Sir John was able to create a limited edition collection for Director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King.” The collaboration has created a one-of-a-kind makeup collection featuring highly pigmented formulas with colors curated from the African landscape to create equally stunning day and night looks.

The highly-pigmented rich formulas all come together in hand-designed etched packaging, inspired by the iconic scenes and characters from the film.-Text provided by Sir John Barnett publicists VBS: Sir John, I am so excited to have you in the Valder Beebe Show studios to share with my audience about Luminess Cosmetics launch of

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a limited edition collection inspired by Disney’s The Lion King.

SJB: Valder, as you are very familiar with the new Lion King, Beyonce’ playing the part of Nyla and me, Sir John have the privilege of applying her make-up. I asked myself who could live up to this opportunity and do it well? Luminess Cosmetics is my answer. Luminess Cosmetics, I’ve always used them. I like their packaging, branding and the colors themselves are luminescence.

VBS: You are a master of color.

What do you see that we do not see?

SJB: When I see a woman I don’t see the woman, I see beauty, in all women from the hues of the complex of Nicole Kidman to Lupita Nyong’o.

VBS: Sir John, applying making on a star is ‘up close and personal’. Tell me about this unique opportunity that you have with Beyoncé or Quee Bey as you know her………… view the video interview….

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

JUNE 28, 2019

In Memoriam DELBRA TRINNETTE WALKER BRISTOL, 63, was born on November 17, 1955, in West Palm Beach, Florida, the youngest of four daughters. She passed away peacefully and went home to be with the Lord on June 11, 2019, in Dallas, Texas, following a long illness.

Delbra was educated in the Palm Beach County public school system and excelled in academics throughout primary and secondary school, graduating in the top 20% of Twin Lakes High School Class of 1973. In May 1977, Delbra graduated Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Science degree, having completed course work for RadioTelevision-Film and Journalism majors.

Delbra was inducted into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Delta Chapter, December 7, 1975, and recently served as an active member of North Dallas Suburban Alumnae Chapter. She served on the Public Media Relations Committee, the Membership Services Committee, and “The Voices”- the chapter choir.

Delbra began her professional career as a staff writer for the Palm Beach Times. Within a year, she JUNE 28, 2019

became the first AfricanAmerican female news reporter at WPTV-NBC, West Palm Beach, Florida in 1978-79. She moved to Dallas, Texas in 1980 to the position of General Assignment Reporter to

she provided dedicated assistance to Dress for Success Dallas. She was dedicated in her worship as she and her husband Walter served at North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship for more than

Fort Worth city government for KXAS-NBC 5. Later, she joined the American Heart Association national office as a Public Relations and Corporate Relations Account Executive from 1991-1996 and concluded her professional career at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in 2006. She volunteered in numerous causes and activities that support and benefit women and youth.

Most enthusiastically,

14 years, as active members of the Marriage Ministry.

Delbra met Walter, her future husband, at the American Heart Association.

They bonded immediately. Their courtship included a weekly “date night” that continued each Friday night throughout their 24 years of marriage.

She loved going to the movies and enjoyed live performances. She loved taking long walks and the

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occasional bike ride around White Rock Lake. Delbra and Walter were married in 1995 on the beautiful island of Barbados and fell in love with Caribbean vacations.

They were blessed to retire early and indulge more in their passion for travel.

On her trips, Delbra always carved out time for hiking or long walks, a movie, a visit to the local museum of natural history, some shopping (Okay, lots of shopping), and date night. Delbra loved art and adorned her home with many beautiful pieces.

She loved to dance and was never shy about getting on the dance floor.

However, most of all, Delbra loved the Lord and was committed to daily devotion.

Delbra will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her husband Walter Bristol Jr., Walter Bristol III, her bonus son; and, her only living sister Mattye Walker, West Palm Beach, FL., along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Delbra was preceded in death by her parents Moses and Alma Walker, and sisters Shelia Diaz and Darlene Walker. myimessenger.com

Verna’s H.E.L.P. Foundation recognizes Verna's H.E.L.P. Foundation is a volunteer -non profit organization. Our Business Workshop; Super Weekend -Job Fair & Legal Clinic and Our Scholarship & Back to School Program are all free events. The Prayer Brunch on June 1st, is our annual fund-raiser. This event all proceeds goes toward our College Scholarship and Back to School program.

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ASK ALMA Sisterwife Dear Alma, I really enjoy your column and I could really use some advice.

I’ll try to keep this short. I had a long-term relationship and we broke up and he moved to a new state. After three year,s we started talking again on Facebook and then one thing led to another and we got back together. We were still having problems and we broke up again. Within a year he married someone else. I was heartbroken and couldn’t believe he married somebody else after all that we had. Fast forward, it’s been five years and I have not been in another relationship like the one we had. He and I started talking again, we met up and everything fell back into place.

Instead of leaving his wife and kids he decided we all should be together and his wife agreed.

Things have been cool for the last 8 months. I recently found out I was pregnant and I’m so happy and so is he. She, on the other hand, seems to be treating me differently. We are not jelling the way we were and I don’t understand. I was thinking maybe I should move out, what do you think?

Perplexed Sister-wife JUNE 28, 2019

Dear Sister-wife, I think somebody’s gotta tell you, so, it might as well be me—your boyfriend’s wife doesn’t like you; she never has, but she’s in “crazy” love with her husband. Unless I’ve been hit by a midnight train to Georgia and forgot about it, I can’t think of one woman, who willingly wants to share her husband. That doesn’t mean she won’t do it, just trust me when I say, that wouldn’t be her first option.

Nope, girl, a “clear headed, got it going on, ain’t got no time for foolishness” woman requires her man to love her with his whole heart, but that’s not what we have here.

Don’t get me wrong, if an open marriage is what you seek, more power to you, but that’s not what you’re talking about. You and he had a long-term “on-again, offagain” relationship, that didn’t work.

In my book, that makes this something else.

Your threesome has just become one too many, so I’d suggest you sleep with one eye open. If Mrs. #1, (um, that’s right) isn’t as happy as you are about the pregnancy, clearly, she will 28

soon bring this train ride to an end. The question is, will she ask you to transfer or make it your last stop. Then again, if she decides to disembark, hold off on your happy dance, ‘cause, to be truthful, you’ll never be enough woman for that man. He is using you and he is using her. One or both of you need to be sick and tired of being sick and tired—and shared.

My advice, move out of her house to your own place and make your baby a priority. There are no if, ands or buts about it.

Sometimes it’s difficult to love ourselves the way we ought but mothers can love their children better than they love themselves, you’ll see.

That, my dear, needs to become your new problem. As a matter of fact, you and I need a telephone call, email me your number.

Meanwhile, I hope you realize you’re sleeping with the frenemy and you don’t even know it.

Recognize and identify your worth, grab ahold of it. Your sweet new baby needs you to “woman up.”

Kick that brainwashing, cheating, deceiving holder of your heart to the curb. He’s used up enough of your time.

Alma myimessenger.com

Mavs Foundation and Justin Jackson unveil renovated basketball court

By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor

Over the past 23 years the Mavs Foundation has renovated dozens of basketball courts for kids throughout the Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex. The private foundation arm of the Dallas Mavericks recently unveiled its latest – the 25th one - at Voice of Hope Ministries in West Dallas.

“It’s not only a benefit to the kids we serve, but it’s a benefit to the community at large,” said Edward Franklin, the president and chief executive officer of Voice of Hope Ministries which nurtures and trains children through character models, life skills coaching and educational support, myimessenger.com

primarily through afterschool and summer programming.

“We open our doors to the community, so not only is it a place for activities, this is like our fellowship hall. It’s our gathering space, and we have community meetings in here as well. So, when the community comes in and sees how nice it looks, they’re going to be excited as well.”

The renovated court includes a new surface, basketball goals, wall pads, Mavs Blue paint and insulation replacement.

Tuesday’s unveiling marks the 25th renovation for the Mavs Foundation in the DFW Metroplex.

Mavericks player Justin Jackson and representatives from the Mavs Foundation, Wingstop, and other sponsors took part in the ceremonial net-cutting and inaugural free throw shooting. Afterwards, the Mavs Basketball Academy coaches and Jackson hosted a 30-minute mini-basketball clinic for approximately 50 kids.

Following the court dedication, Wingstop hosted a Mavs-themed community festival with the Wingstop food truck, Coca Cola beverages and Mavs entertainment including DJ Poizon Ivy and the Mavs Maniaacs.

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the Mavs Foundation has granted over $5 million dollars to nonprofit organizations serving women, children and families in need. The Mavs Foundation has built 42 safe Learn & Play spaces throughout the North Texas community, including 25 basketball courts and 17 Reading & Learning Centers.

These spaces are designed to expand learning opportunities for reading and education programs, as well as provide Computer Labs and access to technology to assist teens and adults with job-skill training and other valuable tools.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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