I M essenger VOLUME 8
AUGUST 2, 2019
ISSUE 50
JUDGE COLLINS
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Congratulations to Charlotte D. Berry. At the National Convention of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., in Shreveport, LA., last week, she was elected President-elect of the first African American Greek-lettered business sorority established by African American business women. She is a member of the Psi Chapter in Dallas, TX. Stay tuned. You’ll be reading a lot more about Ms. Berry and Iota!
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Established 2011 CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.
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INSIDE
FROM MARVA W/ LOVE
POVERTY
QUIT PLAYIN’
On From Marva with Love I interviewed Clifton Sneed, owner of The Trade Group; a private placement organization designed to help their members achieve financial independence in one year through their Forex trading platform managed account.
Mary Turner was lynched on May 19. 1918 because she dared raise her voice. Her husband, Hayes Turner, was among 13 people lynched in two weeks in and around Valdosta, Georgia.
If you want to talk about the gift that keeps on giving; Google “James Brown.” His musical exploits and larger-than-life persona are still paying dividends. When the dude died he did it on Christmas Day. Real fans like me weren’t sure whether it was safe to mourn or not.
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MY TRUTH Judge threatened and cyber bullied by Cheryl Smith, Publisher
Over the years I have seen people hide behind the most racist, hateful and stupid posts. And just when I think that some have sunken to the least common denominator, I find myself facing another coward. You see, the internet allows cowards to flourish and act big and bad. Folks posted offensive comments after the death of my friend, Carolyn Davis, who died a tragic death at the hands of a serial drunk driver, Jonathan Alger Moore. Ms. Davis, a resident of Sunny South Dallas; along with her daughter, were on their way to church on the evening of July 15, 2019. A former Dallas City Councilwoman, Ms. Davis was known for her advocacy efforts on behalf of her community, and almost anyone else who was in need of assistance. Hundreds attended the funeral and celebrated the life of Ms. Davis and her daughter, Melissa. My head continued to spin at the thought of saying farewell to someone who always had a kind word and expressions of support. Someone at the wake made me feel a little better as he talked about Ms. Davis’ love for her daughter. It was a love that was often challenged but one thing Melissa could count on AUGUST 2, 2019
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was the support of her mom. The speaker said that the two were together now, that Ms. Davis could rest well because of this. Shortly after Ms. Davis died almost immediately from the injuries she sustained, Melissa also transitioned. Still others talked about the
JUDGE DOMINIQUE COLLINS
man who killed the two. Some just couldn’t reconcile the loss. They felt he should have never been behind a wheel. Some wanted to attack him. And then too, others wanted to find someone to pay. They wanted to know who the judges were that allowed this menace to society to drive the streets. Why wasn’t he behind bars? Some turned their hurt and anger
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on Judge Dominique Collins. When I saw the posts on social media, I was shocked. Clearly these folks did not know her narrative. They couldn’t know the way they were abusing her was not the way to proceed. How many victims are we going to have in this saga? What good comes out of the savage assaults? Which brings me to my truth. You need to know what you’re talking about. Emotions alone can’t lead your battle. The misinformed have often been led into battles that had parties been equipped with the right information; some lives may not have been lost! It seems people took to social media after information was released that Jonathan Alger Moore’s probation ended just prior to the accident that took Ms. Davis and Melissa’s lives. Yes, it was Judge Collins who signed the order to remove devices to monitor his alcohol use and prevent his vehicle from starting if he had taken a drink. The external alcohol monitor tested his perspiration every half hour. On his car was an ignition interlock device (breathalyzer) that would prevent Mr. Moore from starting his vehicle. I’m told he had completed his probation. Previously, Mr. Moore had four myimessenger.com
Jonathan Alger Moore
drove his car into Carolyn Davis’ car
DWI convictions in Dallas County and one in Tarrant County. Despite guilty pleas and sentencing hearings that could have landed him in prison for up to 10 years, he has spent less than six months in the belly of the beast. And yes, people are wondering how he slipped through the system so many times. According to some reports, he joked, lied and joked some more; shortly after the accident. Even before he faced Judge Collins and before she became a judge, Mr. Moore has managed to evade prison. A glance at her bio will tell you that Judge Collins is the Presiding Judge myimessenger.com
of Criminal District Court 4. Prior to being elected in 2012, she served Dallas County as an Assistant District Attorney. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she has extensive experience and she worked with several specialty divisions within the DA’s office, including organized crime, intake/grand jury, public integrity, and the mental health and competency division. Judge Collins received her law degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and she served honorably in the United States Air Force. She’s the moderator of the Good Street Legal Clinic and also Presiding Judge for
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Jury Services. The judge I know is a Servant Leader. She is conscious and conscientious. She’s a consummate professional with impeccable work ethic. She is not deserving of the hateful words that have landed in her inbox. I will not repeat the vitriolic expressions. I will just say shame, shame, shame. We have work to do and justice reform has to be high on our list of priorities. And that list keeps getting longer and longer. We night need to add social media bullying. We don’t have time to waste on rhetoric. I Messenger
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Hollywood on the SCENE
IBBA to commemorate historic 400-Year Anniversary of first Africans to arrive in America Rob Neal, Executive Director of IBBA (International Broadcasters Association) and the Board of Directors are proud to announce several events they will be hosting in Norfolk, Virginia surrounding the 400th Anniversary year of the first Africans arrival to America. Mr. Neal says, "2019 is a pivotal year for the Fort Monroe National Monument, marking the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans to English North America. The entire year is dedicated to those “20 and odd� who were brought here on an English privateer ship named the White Lion." Interested members and participants are invited to join IBBA's annual event with this year highlighting this American story and the significant African and African American experience. IBBA will commemorate this historic 400-year event with panel discussion concluding with the IBBA 1619 to 2019 Dinner. The events will take place August 23 - 25 at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel located at 777 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, Virginia. Below is the schedule of events planned on Saturday, August 24, 2019, with more details to follow on ibbainc.com. Sat., Aug. 24, 2019 (10am-1pm ) Visit to the site where the first slaves arrive to English North America Sat., Aug. 24, 2019 (3pm - 4pm) Tony Gray, President of Gray Communications in Chicago, IL will Moderate the IBBA Broadcast Panel Sat., Aug. 24, 2019, (7pm) The Honorable Johnny Ford, former and first black mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama will be Keynote Speaker at the IBBA 1619-2019 Dinner
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WHO’S WHO
Featuring UBER EATS
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Comerica Bank launches financial education partnership with African American Museum
The African American Museum of Dallas is enhancing its programming by implementing Comerica Bank’s financial education curriculum, starting with Science of Art Summer Camp session. Members of the bank’s financial brigade volunteers facilitated workshops for close to 40 students, ages 8-15, teaching basic money management principles from the Comerica Money $ense curriculum. “At Comerica, we have a long history of investing in the communities we serve and supporting the African American Museum’s educational initiatives is another opportunity to raise expectations of what a bank can be,” said Brian Foley, Texas Market President. “We are committed to providing youth and adults, particularly from underserved areas, with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully navigate the increasingly complex financial world. Our partnership with the African American Museum empowers its myimessenger.com
program participants and patrons to become good financial stewards with the goal of laying the foundation for future generations.” Last month, Comerica served as the title sponsor of the African American Museum’s annual gala and auction, where the bank announced its yearlong
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financial education partnership with the museum. For the past three decades, proceeds from the gala and auction has allowed more than 50,000 disadvantaged youth from the southern sector to attend the Science of Art Summer Camp at no charge. I Messenger
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From Marva with By Marva Sneed
On From Marva with Love I interviewed Clifton Sneed, owner of The Trade Group; a private placement organization designed to help their members achieve financial independence in one year through their Forex trading platform managed account. Mr. Sneed says Forex is the most powerful financial platform in the world trading 5 to 6 trillion dollars daily. Becoming a member of The Trade Group will provide you money to invest in Forex. The Trade Group will set up a home base business that can make you a six-figure income.
organization? CS: A private placement organization is a company that requires you to be invited into a private placement it is not like a regular business to become a member. MS: How would you be invited to the Trade Group?
CS: We have Trade Managers all over the Country and not just in the U.S. We have Trade Managers in Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, China and others. The MS: Mr. Sneed what Trade Managers invest is a private placement in Forex which we have
the number one Forex trading platform, they would invite you to be a member. As a member you would not have to do the trading we will do that for you. MS: We have heard of Forex before and I know what the stock exchange is, but what is Forex trading?
you a Forex millionaire in 4 to 5 years, trading your Forex account. Once you become a member of The Trade Group, you will receive your Forex portal. Your portal will educate you on Forex trading. You will learn how you will become a millionaire in a very short time. However, our professional Forex traders will trade your account. You will never have to place a trade.
To learn more about Forex trading and becoming a member of The Trade Group, contact Mr. Clifton Sneed at 214-815-4428. www. infrastructurebanking. MS: How will we make com.
CS: Forex Trading is the trading of currency. It has nothing to do with stocks, mutual funds or bonds.
money off Forex trading? CS: Our goal is to make
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COMMENTARY by Dr. Julianne Malveaux
No more Mary Turners Mary Turner was lynched on May 19. 1918 because she dared raise her voice. Her husband, Hayes Turner, was among 13 people lynched in two weeks in and around Valdosta, Georgia. The lynchings took place because one brutal white man, who was known to abuse workers so severely that he was only able to attract workers by getting them through the convict labor system, beat the wrong Black man too many times. Sidney Johnson shot and killed the brutal Hampton Smith, and in response the white people of the area started apprehending, beating, and lynching Black men believed to be associated with Sidney Johnson (even though many of those lynched were not). Mary Turner was 21 years old and eight months pregnant, and her husband was lynched. She openly denounced the lynchings and threatened to have the men who killed her husband arrested. After Mary Turner’s lynching, an investigative reporter stated that Turner was lynched because she made “unwise remarks.” The mob, it was reported, “took exception to her remarks as well as her attitude.” Her “defiant voice” was the impetus for mob retaliation. The mob action was particularly brutal. Mary Turner was hung by her ankles, lowered face down from a tree. Her clothing was set afire while she was alive. When she was dead, one of the mobsters slit her belly open, and her fetus came out, landing in a pool of blood. Then the sick and brutal white men crushed the infant’s skull. Black women have been, too often, cautioned to be silent, to be demure, not to rock the boat. And Mary Turner’s lynching reminds us that mouthy Black women often suffer the consequence of their vocality. The 45th President of the United States stands in the shadow of the men who silenced Mary Turner with his vicious and vile attacks on Black women. From Congresswoman Maxine Waters to Congresswoman Fredricka Whitfield, to journalists April Ryan, Abby Phillips and Yamiche Alcindor, this man neither has the grace or the gravitas to interact with these brilliant and amazing Black women. Now, here he goes again, spewing his filth. myimessenger.com
He suggested that four freshwomen members of Congress, the self-described “Squad” of Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, “go back to where they came from.” He amplified and attacked the women so vociferously (and inaccurately, but that’s another story) that one of the mobs, I mean crowds, that attended one of his rallies began to chant “Send her home.”
Three of the four members of the Squad were born in the United States. Ilhan Omar is a naturalized citizen and member of Congress. The President is out of line and out of order, but that’s nothing new. What is new is that he’s stopped dog-whistling his racism and now just shouts it out. And sometimes retreats. Five days after his offensive tweets, he claims he did not incite his crowd and instead tried to shut the racist chants down. Films of the mob at his rally shows otherwise. Ilhan Omar and the other members of the Squad have had their lives threatened, sometimes by identifiable Trump supporters. We can’t expect 45 to repudiate the threats. After all, he thought there were “good people on both sides” in Charlottesville when Heather Heyer was killed. So we aren’t surprised that he let the vitriolic chants of “send her back” to go on for
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more than 13 seconds before they died down naturally (he did nothing to stop them, nor did he comment at the time). If something happens to Ilhan Omar, our 45th President will be responsible. If something happens to any of the Squad, it will be the result of our putrid President and the silent Republicans who are reluctant to tell this man he is wrong. It took a full day after his offensive “go back” tweet for a handful of Republicans to speak up and say something. Like the white men who lynched Mary Turner, our President “takes exception to her remarks as well as her attitude.” Without accusing Mr. Trump of lynching, one can accuse Mr. Trump of being a racist and hostile to Black women. Ilhan Omar isn’t the first he went after, and she won’t be the last. Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib had better not shut up. They need to continue to raise their loud, discordant, disruptive voices to make our country a better, more inclusive nation. They must raise their voices because Ida B. Wells did, and she paid the price. Because Shirley Chisholm did, and she paid the price. Because Barbara Lee did and got death threats as a result. Because Maxine Waters does, despite attacks and ridicule. Mary Turner chafed at her husband’s lynching, and she paid the ultimate price. But the story of her lynching should strengthen us all. We must surround the Squad with support. We need more mouthy women to challenge patriarchal predatory white supremacy. There must not be another Mary Turner. Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an author, economist, and social commentator.
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Women’s Suffrage forged by Founding Sisters: Happy Birthday to
By Gwen McKinney
the 157th anniversary of investigative reports that her birth. Blood, sweat, remain definitive sources “The people must know and ink sealed her legacy on racist violence more before they can act, and and the future of a nation than 100 years later. there is no educator to still struggling to be whole. Small in stature but compare with the press.” Ida B. revered the Black huge in courage, Wells, So proclaimed Ida press as an organizing tool. an emancipated slave, B. Wells-Barnett, who Though her newspaper joined a cadre of Black fearlessly shined a light The Memphis Free contemporaries – scholars, with words on the Speech was destroyed by activists, and thought abominable dark days racist mobs, she was never leaders – who pledged to after slavery and into the silenced. During her life, change the trajectory of 20th century. she would publish three bondage and demand that Journalist, publisher, newspapers and authored Black women have a voice. author, activist, and “Southern Horrors: Lynch They defy the clichés suffragist leader, Ida B.’s Law in All Its Phases” and caricatures planted spirit soars. July 16 marks and “The Red Record,” in popular culture with AUGUST 2, 2019 I Messenger 12
their searing voices. Their cadence would not be paraphrased or translated into the often quoted “Ain’t I A Woman” reprise. But forever burdened by their womanhood and Blackness, their path – then and now – is littered with obstacles. Educator and writer Mary Church Terrell observed, “Nobody wants to know a colored woman’s opinion about her own status [or] that of her group. When she myimessenger.com
dares express it, no matter how mild or tactful…, it is called ‘propaganda,’ or is labeled ‘controversial.’” Poet, teacher, and Baltimore abolitionist Frances Ellen Harper was among the suffragists who pleaded the case for linked fate unity. “We are all bound up together in one great bundle of humanity,” she said. “Society cannot trample on the weakest and feeblest of its members without receiving the curse in its own soul.” These Founding Sisters forged civil rights organizations with Black men, sororities, and service clubs with their women peers, and joined “woke” White women against lynching and disenfranchisement and for education and economic development. It was Ida B. and a coterie of Black women publishers, writers, and teachers of the era who led the movement for universal suffrage even when Black women were shunned and excluded. Nonetheless, women’s suffrage, deeply rooted in abolitionism, is depicted in a single dimension as the jumpstart for the white
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feminist/voting rights movement. Regarded as social reformers, White suffragist – many of them supporters of abolition – confronted a fork in the road, conflicted between the “Negro question” and universal suffrage. With passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870 granting Black men voting rights, universal suffrage would be sacrificed on the altar of patriarchy and white supremacy. Defended or oversimplified, the words of Susan B. Anthony, crowned the mother of women’s suffrage, illustrate the entrenched stranglehold of whiteness. Though she counted abolitionist Frederick Douglas as an admired cohort, Anthony’s contradictions can only be measured today in the context of racism and exclusion. “I would sooner cut off this right arm of mine before I would ever work for or demand the ballot for the black man and not the woman,” she said. One might conclude that she was seduced by the divide-and-conquer tactics of the male proponents
of the 15th Amendment. But Anthony’s view was widely embraced by the White women’s suffrage movement. Her friend and suffrage leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton, arguing against the 15th Amendment, protested: “It’s better to be the slave of an educated white man than of a degraded black one.” One year away from the centennial of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, how much ground have we gained as women and a nation? How much of the conversation about gender equality denies the overlapping impact of white nationalism, patriarchy, and privilege? Where and when do the voices of Black and Brown women enter? But first and foremost, when do Black women get the recognition that they have earned in their unbroken march to freedom? Our compass should be guided by that path forged by Ida B. Wells and other courageous Black women whose intersectional quest to make America stand upright changed the world.
This opening salvo embraces Suffrage. Race. Power. Spurred by my collaboration with a small collective of women that is Blackled, cross-generational, and supported by “woke” White women, we’ve named ourselves “Founding Sisters.” This space will offer regular installments that honor our Founding Sisters of the last centuries and spotlight the unfinished business of Suffrage. Race. Power. To kick it off: Happy birthday Ida B.! Gwen McKinney is President and Founder of McKinney & Associates Public Relations, for which she is responsible for translating the vision of “public relations with a conscience” into a sustained, bold and tested suite of communications services and activities. She is
also the founder and lead collaborator for Suffrage.Race. Power. As journalists prepare to gather in Miami for the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists, we must never forget this warrior!
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QUIT PLAYIN
by Vincent Hall
Use What You Got! If you want to talk about the gift that keeps on giving; Google “James Brown.” His musical exploits and larger-than-life persona are still paying dividends. When the dude died he did it on Christmas Day. Real fans like me weren’t sure whether it was safe to mourn or not. If you ever went to a James Brown ‘Revue” you know that he would die and then be resurrected after “Bobby” changed his cape! James’ gift was always magnified under the heat of the spotlight and so was his departure. James Brown is the Godfather of Soul, Disco, Hip Hop, Rap and whatever music genre comes along in the next generation. Musicians will be samplin’ this brother for another millennium. From “Pass the Peas” to “Funky Drummer,” James was a dancing dissertation on funky musicality. The bio-pic about him, “Get On Up” was successful. Recall that the orphaned Brown was born into poverty and second-class citizenship. But neither America’s racism or its caste system for people of color, could hold him down. In his 1971 hit; “Hot Pants,” he gave us a message in a four-beat measure; “Use what you got to get what you want.” Long before the street was renamed for Dr. King, there was a hangout known as “Sportsmen’s Rec” on Forest Avenue in Sunny South Dallas. It was a shooting range, but all of the hustlers there used a pool queue. I did a lot of growing up there with my daddy. There were life lessons between “Big Six” at the domino table and corner pocket right on those plush greens. AUGUST 2, 2019
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The men there were particularly kind to me. I was a brilliant little kid, and very well-mannered. But I could do the James Brown (yeah, he had his own dance) and they would pay me 10 cents a record. Using what I had taught me a lot about pride, presentation, and practice. My first concert was in the ’70s and I can still see the technicolored marquee placard. It read, “James Brown Hot Pants Tour.” I thought I knew everything about
him. That was until they draped that third cape on him and walked a weeping James Brown off the stage. Right before he ran back out screaming, “Please, Please, Please!” But in betwixt all of that, James Brown gave colored folks all over America something that can never be repaid. James Brown took us from Colored and Negro to Black. And if that wasn’t enough, he made us proud to be Black. “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” changed America. You may be too young or too Afro-centric to remember, but I can recall when being called “Black” could get you severely beaten. It was as almost as bad as the “N-Word” is today. But James moved Black from a pejorative to a privilege.
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James left more than Black and Proud and Hot Pants. He had another prophetic hit. Musicians have sampled “Funky President,” focusing on its soulful drum intro and some funky bass rifts. Funky President stays with me because the message goes beyond personal pride to communal responsibilty. “People people, We gotta get over before we go under. Listen to me! Let’s get together and raise. Let’s get together and get some land. Raise our food like the man. Save our money like the mob. Put up the fight, own the job. Country, do you know just what I meant? We just changed, got a brand new funky president.” James was referencing Gerald Ford, who was the funky successor to an impeachable Richard Nixon. Who knows what James would say of the White House today. But we can all agree that Donald John Trump is the funkiest resident to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and that all non-White people need to develop a plan! James Brown left the stage, and now he’s draped in a garment that he would plead to keep. The gift of racial identity and cultural pride he left us must be bequeathed to our children. We also need to gift our children with an economic plan. They must learn to use what they got to get what they want. This new funky president don’t give a damn about them! myimessenger.com
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Protection is key INTERLUDE By Cierra Mayes
Cierra Mayes is a 2019 graduate of the University of North Texas
Dear students, protect yourself at all times. Cierra’s Interlude is a podcast platform I created to give current college students and former students the opportunity to tell their truth. My show airs on blog talk radio every Wednesday from 2p.m. to 4p.m. Every week I talk about different subjects that are related to student experience on and off campus. I am a recent graduate from the University of North Texas with a focus in broadcast Journalism. Recently, I did a Q&A on the importance of budgeting your money and why it is important to save. During your transition years whether a student decides to go to a University or not, they will need to know how important it is to save money and to start building credit. That article is published in last week’s issue of Texas Metro News. On last week’s episode, I interviewed one of Powerplay Radio show hosts, Candy Jackson. We talked about the importance of safe sex and getting to know yourself better than ever. Candy created a platform to show others to be free in your sexual life as well as to be safe. Many shy away from this topic but she knew that if no one feels comfortable talking about it, how would we all be educated on what’s important? Many youth experience sexual engagement at a young age. This may cause trauma in your adult life or also affect you not knowing your body as you should. Everyone’s experience is different, no matter how you experience it’s important one myimessenger.com
knows self worth, communication, knowing what you want, and staying true to yourself. Cierra Mayes: What brought your interest in being a sex educator? Candy Jackson: I am a teacher already. I teach 7th grade, but I had a lot of things in mind but I knew I always wanted to be a teacher. I didn’t want to just be a teacher of students, I wanted to be a teacher to adults as well. When I became a veteran candy consultant, and how I did that was I went to one of my friend’s bachelorette party and the lady, who is now my sponsor, my friends told her that I was a sexologist and that I educated on sexual relations. At the end of the night she asked me if I wanted to become a veteran candy consultant and I said yes. I also was honored to become a sex coach at the Dr. Rachael Institute. Cierra Mayes: There’s a lot of students that are not comfortable with talking about sex. How would you go about getting a student comfortable about talking about sex? Candy Jackson: Let me start by saying that I am a pastor’s child. It didn’t discourage me from asking questions to anyone else but it discouraged me
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from asking questions to my mom. Don’t be scared to ask questions. Seek out people like myself that you can talk to and you should ask questions. You know the internet has a lot of stuff. It has some good information and it also has some false information as well. So you don’t want to get the wrong information and think you’re doing the right thing because when you are not. I’m all for aspiration, sex aspiration but safe aspiration. Cierra Mayes: How often would you suggest a sexually active person to get checked? Candy Jackson: I would say every three months. If you are really sexually active I would say every two months. Usually people go every six months, now with new sciences with HIV you can definitely tell sooner than later. I would say every three months, especially if you are changing partners, or you suspect your partner is cheating. Even if you are in a committed relationship, go get checked. It was a pleasure talking to Candy and hearing her advice about safe sex, talking to someone you trust about sexual relations, and to know yourself before making any major moves. It is important that everyone protects themselves. I Messenger
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THE HAIR SHIELD
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THE HAIR SHIELD Judge Shequitta Kelly hosted the Launch Party for The Hair Shield recently and to say it was a success would be an understatement. The Hair Shield is a satin-lined protective unit that stores, transports and restores the beauty to your hair extensions. It is small enough to fit nicely into your purse, gym bag or luggage so that when you’re on the go, you can take your #clipins or extensions with you. Check it out on Facebook at @thehairshield or www. thehairshield.com
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United to Learn holds Back-to-School Drive for 27 Dallas ISD Schools
Through August 16, United to Learn is hosting Learning Launch, an annual backto-school drive that accelerates student learning by equipping teachers and students with critical teaching supplies not met by limited public school budgets. Now in its third year, the drive focuses on 27 Dallas ISD schools located primarily in North Dallas. These schools represent 15,900 students, with nine out of 10 students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, along with 1,400 educators. Abby Williams, founder and executive director of United to Learn, said, “Learning Launch isn’t your typical back-to-school drive. With your help, we provide both students and teachers the launch they need in the new school year with targeted resources for rigorous instruction. We know that each of our teachers will personally spend up to $600 to provide these same items – classroom texts, writing journals and supplies, basic technology tools – when limited public school budgets can’t cover their needs. So we’re asking our neighbors to get involved, contribute to our Learning Launch and continue encouraging gains in literacy and learning.” With so many items under $50, Learning Launch is an easy and fun way to make a real impact. Those interested in participating can visit the website, http://www.unitedtolearn. org/learninglaunch/, then help in one of three ways: Make a Donation: People can make a cash donation, and U2L staff will purchase the most needed items for teachers’ classrooms and deliver them directly to the schools. Shop Online for Classroom Resources: People can select and purchase items from the Top Classroom Needs list or buy items for a specific school. Choose the United to Learn Gift Registry as the shipping address to have items delivered to the U2L office. AUGUST 2, 2019
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Buy Classroom Resources In-Store and Drop Off at United to Learn: For those who would like to purchase items
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at Lakeshore Learning, Barnes & Noble or Office Depot stores, refer to the Top Classroom Needs list. By August 16, they can drop off items at U2L’s office (5310 Harvest Hill Road, Suite 190, Dallas, TX 75230) Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. United to Learn is a coalition of public elementary schools, private institutions and engaged community members who have come together to create meaningful learning opportunities for every student to learn and lead. In North Dallas, where great privilege and poverty coexist but rarely overlap, many of the city’s most prestigious private schools and wealthiest neighborhoods are concentrated alongside public schools, where 9 out of 10 students qualify for free and reduced lunch. United to Learn builds relationships across our community and forges bonds to share resources and eliminate gaps in opportunity and understanding. For more information call 469-848-7420, visit unitedtolearn.org, myimessenger.com
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Anthony’s Leadership Council
Student-athlete discusses Overcoming Adversity
Sports has always been a great part of my life. From a trade or a championship, sports can change a city, a state or a whole nation. Sports are great and the teams even better but, what makes a great team? It's a great leader and there are many of them in every sport from Lebron, Tom Brady, or Derek Jeter. They are leaders on as well as off the court, field, and diamond. On my show Anthony’s Leadership Council, I spoke with Cash Merutka and he discussed how he has impacted his track team even while going through adversity during his last year of high school.
CM: One thing I've been able to do is to participate at Young Life, which is a program were high school students come and have a big party after school and kinda get energized with celebrating Jesus Christ. I'm a student leader there and just being there I've noticed that from being engaged in leading by example and showing the love the way that Jesus loved. Throughout the interview, we discussed the challenges that he faced throughout the season, from the beginning of the season when Cash pulled his hamstring and was out for most of the season. At that moment it was hard for him to trust God in that point because he had always been the example for the team by demonstrating what it means to have a hunger mentality, but in this new phase of his life, God had shown him another way to be a leader.
talk about the adversity and the change of direction of leadership you had to go through.
and look at different ways to lead as well to completely trust in him and believe the promise that he gave us. And then to keep fighting CM: Yeah going into my and from that my drive senior season I was very grew and grew. optimistic about this season knowing it was my last one AC: So what's next Cash, I was ready to work for after this crazy season from whatever, and like you said the injury and leading the that hunger and striving team to victory again for like you said you have to the second straight year in wake up every day and be track for Hebron? hungry. As well as learning a little And like you said I was that bit about yourself how to and striving for that. And become a better leader off even then from knowing the track, what's next? God, I know he works in mysterious ways. CM: Well by the grace of And just like that it God I will be running for happened and my Oklahoma State. whole drive to run track And with that, it's just collegiately fell apart I trusting in God and it didn't know what I could only takes one person do I just fell apart. Finding that he needs to influence out that from there the only sometimes it's all him and way is up I knew that I had through him anything is to trust in God to get where possible. he wanted me to be. Tune in to Anthony’s Leadership Council, AC: From that point what Tuesday at 2p.m. on did you think God was Cheryl’s World on Blog telling you? Talk Radio.
AC: How did it feel when AC: How have you been a you knew that you had leader off the track? CM: One, to slow down pulled your hamstring let's AUGUST 2, 2019
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ASK ALMA DOUBLE THE FUN Hey Alma,
morning. Make up your mind. but how do I get her to If you want him, work on the understand the position My boyfriend and I broke relationship. If it’s over, make she’s put me in? up 3 months ago. I don’t want your move. Name withheld to move and he won’t move. Alma I have asked him again and Dear Name, again to get out. What can I Dear Alma, do? Sister, sister, based on Name withheld My sister and I are very your relationship, I’d suggest close. We’re only three you be frank with her. Just Dear Name, years apart. Although not say, “I can’t afford to lose roommates, we do everything my secret clearance, so you If you don’t know, you together. She’s a free spirit, can’t bring your weed when aren’t ready to leave. You college professor and lives we travel.” guys aren’t done yet. You’re well. I am a government Remind her that you aren’t still playing games, acting employee that has a secret asking just because you like you don’t care when you clearance and I too make a don’t smoke, you’re asking really do. When a relationship good living. My sister and because she’s jeopardizing is over and you’re ready to I often take spa trips and your job. If she can lay off the move on, that’s what you luxurious vacations together. pot for a few days, as a peace do and no one can stop She was in a car accident offering add Colorado to your you. When it’s over, you and smokes marijuana for list of vacation spots, just to walk away, accepting the the pain. show her you can be a good unanswered questions Recently, she’s started sport, LOL! and non-existent apologies. bringing her weed on our If that’s not an option for When you’re done, like a trips. I don’t smoke and I her, here’s plan B. perfectly 20-minute baked can’t take the chance of Take a different flight and salmon patty, you leave being caught at the airport book a separate hotel room. with nothing. If necessary, with drugs. When I asked her Boom, it’s that easy. you’ll go back to your not to bring it, she says it’s She’s a smart woman, she’ll mama’s house, sleep on your no big deal. understand. cousin’s couch. Without any She and I have a trip What a double blessing, options, you hide under your planned, but I’m not sure a sister who’s like a best desk at night, and shower I want to go. I don’t want friend. It doesn’t get much in the gym before anyone to lose my job because of better than that. shows up for work the next her habit. I’m not judging, Alma AUGUST 2, 2019
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LIFESTYLE by Valder Beebe
That Celebrity Interview: MTV Ex on the Beach We are now living in a time when your personal life is on display for all to see via social media, reality TV and the media. If we are going to grant access to our interpersonal lives, use the model from Philippians 4:8 “ whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Splashed All Over the Internet!Multi-platinum selling artist and reality star Aubrey O’Day says Donald Trump, Jr is her “soul mate!” The former member of the allfemale group Danity Kane say she is a “Reality Royalty” and talks about her ex, Trump Jr in Season 3 of the Hit MTV Dating Show Ex On The Beach. The series brings ten celeb-reality singles to Malibu in the hopes of getting a fresh start at love... but when their exes wash ashore to rekindle an old flame or enact their revenge, will their Ex get in the way of their Next? Or will their Ex become their Next? Hosted by multi-platinum myimessenger.com
selling artist Romeo Miller, this season of Ex On The Beach features romantically embattled stars from Big Brother, Are You the One?, Inst@famous, The Challenge and others. Aubrey O’Day is an American singersongwriter, member of the duo Dumblonde , reality television personality, and a member of the girl group Danity Kane. O’Day has modeled for magazines such as Blender and Playboy, and performed on Broadway in Hairspray. In 2015, O’Day formed the electropop duo Dumblonde with her fellow Danity Kane groupmate Shannon Bex. Additionally, O’Day has made appearances on reality television shows, including the fifth season of Celebrity Apprentice, Famously Singleon the E! Network, and Celebrity Big Brother 18. Text provided by Aubrey O’Day’s publicity team. VBS: Thank you Aubrey O’Day for being my guest on the Valder Beebe Show. You are here to talk about your appearance on MTV Ex on the Beach and the controversial 29
comment. First, let’s chat about Ex on the Beach. What will we see from season 3 of Ex on the Beach? AOD: Everyone who appears on Ex on the Beach, is looking for love or looking for revenge. VBS: Will we see any of your ex’s or current love interests? I suggest our audience Google’s to find out who they are. AOD: Well, you will just have to tune in to see who shows up for me. VBS: What about the controversial comment that is throwing shade on someone in the White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave? AOD: When I was on Celebrity Apprentice, he and I made a soul connection, he’s ………………………. complete video interview ON-DEMAND at 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
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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