Thomas
I MESSENGER VOL XI NO 50 August 19, 2022
Muhammad Remembering
myimessenger.com The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from ra cial 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 (903) 450-1397 1 Year Subscription $45.00 Garland,RowlettMesquiteRichardsonE.Dallas Free - Take One (903) 450-1397 1 Year Subscription $45.00 Garland,RowlettMesquiteRichardsonE.Dallas Free - Take One I MessengerAnIMMLLCPublication MAILING ADDRESS 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 220 Dallas, TX WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM75203214-941-0110 Cheryl stewartcuret@myimessenger.comeditor@myimessenger.comPUBLISHERSmith-EDITORwww.myimessenger.comS.CuretGENERALMANAGEREDITORIALASSISTANT Marva Sneed EDITORIAL TEAM Chelle Wilson Dorothy J. Gentry Eva RebeccaLajuanaColemanBartonAguilarVincentHall DESIGN/LAYOUT FzanStudio WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTIONEDITOR MB Distribution Editorial submissions editor@texasmetronews.com 2 Wear the masks, wash your hands and show love!
August 19, 2022myimessenger.com INSIDE 3 QUIT PLAYIN’ While Critical Race Theory is undoubtedly the buzzword of these times, let me introduce you to a different and lesser-known counterargument. In a scholarly piece, he wrote in 2017, Dr. Duane Loynes Sr. introduces us to Critical Race Theology. It’s always wonderful to connect with people from your hometown. I had lunch with a friend. It was a time of reminiscing and talking about mutual points of reference like various neighborhoods, schools and politics. Leaving home for both of us was important for our growth. p6 p25 p32 UTTERANCESFAITHFUL THE LAST WORD Unquestionably, Venus and Serena Williams revolution ized women’s tennis. With serves that approached the speed of light, fantastic agility, exceptional athleticism, and the grace of gazelles, they changed how women played tennis.
This is a significant time in my life and while there has been much to celebrate, there have been some tumultuous times, as well. During the past decade there have been births and deaths, joy and pain, love and happiness. Which brings me to my truth. Ten years ago, I was broached about purchasing two newspa pers.Atfirst, I said I wasn’t interested, but after careful consideration and talks with folks who put their mon ey where their mouths are and gave sound advice and support; I made the choice and stepped up to utilize the business degree that I received last century. That business degree, along with my journalism degree from Flori da A&M University, and years of training and experience equipped me with what I needed to be a suc cessfulTexasentrepreneur.MetroNews
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first began publishing in August 2012, along with the Garland Journal; and joining the digital publication, I Messenger.Thegoal then, as it is today, is to proactively address issues and also provide balanced coverage and analyses of news and events. We wanted to be like the fore runners of the Black Press, telling the stories of Black people from birth to death, from the rooter to the tooter. We hoped that the people, those muted voices, would see us as the vehicle for telling about the new borns, the job promotions, gradua tions, marriages, and yes deaths — of which we were counting on funeral
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August 19, 2022myimessenger.com 5 homes to help with. After all when people ask us for a funeral home, we send Black people to Blackowned funeral homes! The Texas Metro News’ mission is to inform, ed ucate, enlighten, inspire, entertain, educate and empower, by lookingwaitpeoplethat,munitysorswe’resioncasts,andphotos,thought-provokingprovidingnews,videos,storiescommentary.Wealsoproducepodradioandteleviprogrammingandhostsoforsponofnumerouscomevents.Weproudlyproclaim“wegowheretheare.”That’sbecausewedon’tforyoutocomeforus.Andthiswasespecial ly evident when COVID 19 hit. Instead of scaling back, we ramped up so that we could be there for YOU!Texas Metro News is published weekly on Thursdays and is dis tributed to an extensive list of social media sites, media lists and the Texas Metro News database, as well as to several distri bution points across the state; and, the daily digi tal newsletter — that you can subscribe to today awardsorJournalFridayspublishedcom.www.texasmetronews.atIMessengerisalsoweeklyonandtheGarlandisbi-weeklyand/on-demand.We’vewonnumerousandwewillcon tinue striving for excel lence.Inaddition to provid ing scholarships, fellow ships and internships, we have provided a training ground for aspiring jour nalists and other profes sions; while also starting a youth likewithThroughsection!partnershipsotherorganizationsthe
5. He, the religious advocate of marriage, robs whole millions of its sacred in fluence and leaves them to the ravages of wholesale pollution. 6. The warm defender of the sacredness of the family relation is the same that scatters whole families — sundering husbands and wives, parents and chil dren, sisters and brothers — leaving the hut vacant and the hearth desolate.
While Critical Race Theo ry is undoubtedly the buzz word of these times, let me introduce you to a different and lesser-known counter argument. In a scholarly piece, he wrote in 2017, Dr. Duane Loynes Sr. introduces us to Critical Race Theology.
10. Revivals of religion and revivals in the slave-trade go hand in hand together.
11. The slave prison and the church stand near each other. The clanking of fet ters, the rattling of chains in the prison, and the pi ous psalm and solemn prayer in the church, may be heard simultaneously.
7. We see the thief preaching against theft and the adul terer against adultery.
CRT? – Which One!
8. We have men sold to build churches, women sold to support the gospel, and babes sold to purchase Bi bles for the poor heathen! All for the glory of God and the good of souls!
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Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.
America’s history must be told truthfully and with can dor. We must mention the name of slaveowners like George Washington, Thom as Jefferson, James Madi son, and nine other sitting U.S. presidents who owned slaves.Likewise, we have to tell the stories of death-defy ing abolitionists like John Brown, William Lloyd Gar rison, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. There are stories of how local United Methodists at SMU segregated their halls long before most in Texas. Both versions of CRT hinge on the truth. It’s time to tell it.
4. He who proclaims it a re ligious duty to read the Bi ble denies me the right to learn to read the name of the God who made me.
3. He who sells my sister, for purposes of prostitution stands forth as the pious advocate of purity.
Dr. Duane T. Loynes Sr. is an Urban Studies and Af ricana Studies professor at Rhodes College. He resides in Memphis, Tennessee, with his wife Ericka and their son Duane Jr., and is an ac tive member of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Although right-wing cyn ics and rabid Trump wor shippers point to CRT as the greatest evil, there is another CRT you should know First, listen to how Dr. Loynes started his scholarly work.“The relationship between Christianity and people of color in the United States has been characterized by injustice. For example, in his classic Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Fred erick Douglass described the Christianity of his day as a “corrupt, slavehold ing, women-whipping, cra dle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity.” Writing about how Chris tianity has been deployed in North America, Douglass reflects on some obvious oddities in the slave master’s 1.theology.“Theman who wields the blood-clotted cowskin during the week fills the pulpit on Sunday, claim ing to be a minister of the meek and lowly Jesus.
9. The slave auctioneer’s bell and the church-going bell chime in with each oth er, and the bitter cries of the heartbroken slave are drowned in the religious shouts of his pious master.
Frederick Douglass’ mis ery-filled musings are hard to hear, but they were much harder to live. Critical Race Theology, ac cording to Loynes, contends that any theology that seeks to speak to the marginaliza tion of people and systems of inequity is valid. “A critical race theology would articulate a method ology in which each disci pline was oriented toward fashioning an intelligible un derstanding of the Christian faith. Christianity must be presented in a manner that generates informed dialogue about true racial equality as the fruit of genuine Christi anity.Heends his eloquent mis sive with a final thought I would leave to you. To con struct a critical race theol ogy, a scriptural interpreta tion of racial equality must be the priority and the goal.
BYPLAYIN’QUITVINCENTL.HALL
2. The man who robs me of my earnings at the end of each week meets me as a class-leader on Sunday morning to show me the way of life and the path of salvation.
Dr. Duane T. Loynes Sr. Frederick Douglass
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Dr. King said she believes there is the ability to create a world where love prevails wand hate is diminished, but every one must do their part. “We must make a conscious decision to choose love in ev ery interaction we have with each other,” she explained. “We must learn how to solve problems and resist injustice without resorting to violence or inflicting harm or damage on someone, whether verbal, emotional, or physical. When everyone chooses love, even in our policy-making deci sions, we all win!”
By Cheryl Smith
When the Rev. Bernice King comes to Dallas this week end, she’ll be reading from her children’s book, “It Starts With ME!” And she’ll be pro moting a movement and message that’s a universal one for all “Whenages.I first envisioned And I wanted to target a younger demographic be cause I believe that if we truly want to change the dynamics of our world we must show and teach our children how to be compassionate, under standing, and love-centered individuals,” Rev. King told Texas Metro News. “However, this message is for all people. In order for us to build a be loved community, one must embody these attributes to help create a just, humane, equitable, and peaceful world.”Galleria Dallas is hosting Dr. King, along with her co-au thor Dr. Kimberly Johnson on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240 in level 3 near the Children’s Play Place. According to Dr. King, in the book, young Amora encour ages her friends to BE LOVE™ and shows them “how to open their hearts and minds by allowing love to drive their words, actions and thoughts.”
movementexploresbookNewanew
Dr. King is CEO of the Mar tin Luther King Jr. Center For Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) and she has continued the legacy of her parents, Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King; teaching nonviolent social change.InItStarts With Me, there’s the premise that through love, a world can be created where everyone feels like they be long, in the Beloved Commu nity, a place where each per son finds what inspires them to make the world a better place.More importantly, it is where everyone has an op portunity to live and grow. It Starts with Me! is a reminder that while we all can contrib ute to making the world bet ter, we have to know that it starts with each of us taking a stand and finding our voice. For Dr. King, much like her parents, love is important es pecially when you consider the “polarization and the divi siveness and the vitriol” in the nation.“Atime may arise where we are faced with conflict from a group or individual whose main goal is to upset us, sup press our freedom and priv ileges, or who is just plain mean spirited,” she said. “We must learn how to respond to the conflict and/or injus tice in a love-centered way by addressing the conflict or injustice without demeaning the other person or attacking their“Tocharacter.BeLove, your objec tive is not to defeat or destroy your opposition or adversary, but to come up with a just solution that is a win-win for both sides. When we act out of anger or seek to retaliate, we tend to attack the person in stead of the true issue, which can lead to more violence and destruction; something that we should try and avoid.” She continued, “My father said that ‘Power at its best is love implementing the de mands of justice, and justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.’”Itis with that spirit that the BE LOVE™ movement is a pri ority for Dr. King. “The world is full of so many damaged and hurt people who want to show love, but do not know how because all they know is pain, whether internally or externally. I want this next generation to un derstand it is okay to be loved and to BE LOVE,” she added. “We don’t have to wait around for anyone to make the first move, it starts with each one of “Thatus! is one of the messag es I hope our young readers learn from, ‘It Starts with ME!’” A special kiosk will be on site adjacent to the Play Place on both Friday, Aug. 19 and Saturday, Aug. 20, selling the book and other merchandise affiliated with the BE LOVE™ movement. All proceeds from sales of the book and other merchandise go to The King Center to further the mission of creating a more inclusive, just, humane and equitable world.
King legacy of peace and love continues with daughter
Dr. Bernice King
WHAT: It Starts with Me! Book reading and signing featuring authors Drs. Bernice King and Kim berly 11:30Saturday,WHEN:JohnsonAug.20,2022a.m.bookreading12:00p.m.booksigningWHERE:GalleriaDallas3350DallasParkway,Dallas,TX75240Level3neartheChildren’sPlayPlace.COST:FREEBooksandothermerchandisewillbeavailableforsalebyTheKingCenter
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August 19, 2022myimessenger.com 9 Wear the masks, wash your hands and show love! Make Your Reservations TODAY! A Wward inning Sunday Brunch BUFFET 972-296-0403
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August 19, 2022 I MESSENGER myimessenger.com HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! August 2022 Half Price Books 50 years Mr. and Mrs. Graham 2 years Keith and Yolanda Smith 30 years Norman E. and Cynthia Redd Williams 51 years Al and Carole Lowe 64 AnthonyyearsSr. and Kristi Jones 3 years Hon. Carl O. Sr. and Michelle Sherman 35 years Daniel and Joyce Brooks Happy Anniversary Calvin and Minnie Riley 49 years James and Frances Cudjoe Waters 26 years Kenneth and Keniysha J. Watts 8 years I Messenger Media Prints Texas Metro News and Garland Journal-10 years 12
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An argument over a youth football game in Lancaster turned deadly Saturday when a fight es calated into a fatal shoot ing.The shooting happened just before 9 p.m. at the Lancaster Community Park, said Scott Finley, a spokesman for the city. Finley identified the sus pected shooter as Yaqub Salik Talib — brother of former NFL cornerback AqibPoliceTalib.are still search ing for Yaqub Talib. Multiple people on social media identified the victim as Mike Hick mon. The Dallas County medical examiner’s of fice confirmed a Michael Hickmon, 43, died at a hospital Saturday eve ning. A cause of death has not been determined, ac cording to the examiner’s office.Ina video of the inci dent shared on social media, a man who is wearing a shirt that reads “North Dallas United” is seen arguing with a ref eree. Several yards away, the video shows what ap pears to be a fight start ing, and shortly after ward several gunshots can be heard. In a statement provid ed to TMZ, Aqib Talib’s lawyer said the former NFL player was present during the shooting and “is very distraught and devastated over this ter rible loss of life.” “He would like to con vey his condolences to the family of the victim and to everyone who wit nessed this unfortunate tragedy,” the statement said.Tevar Watson, owner of North Dallas United Bob cats, said he was aware of the shooting and con firmed that the incident was connected to an ex hibition match that his team was competing in. He said did not know any details related to the incident because he was cleaning up on a differ ent“Wefield.don’t condone any of that, there is no place for anything like that to happen in youth sports — in any type of sport,” WatsonWatsonsaid.said he wants to offer counseling for any children who wit nessed or were close to theAqibshooting.Talib went to Berkner High School in Richardson before at tending the University of Kansas. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bucca neers as the 20th pick in the 2008 NFL draft, and also played stints for the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos, where he was part of a Super Bowl-win ning team. He retired from football in 2020. In a 2007 Topeka Cap ital-Journal profile, Aqib Talib said he grew up close with his older broth er“MyYaqub. parents, they worked a lot and stuff, so my big brother was al ways kinda the one at the house, telling me what to do,” Aqib Talib said. “He kept me out of a lot of trouble and kept my head on straight.”
Aqib Talib’s brother named as suspect in shooting of Lancaster youth football coach
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By Hojun Choi and Michael Williams
This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
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Dr. Stanley McKenzie un derstood the importance of education and was com mitted to providing scholar ships for college-bound stu dents; specifically through TenthFuture, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit las,3501atzie10thTenthFutureTuesday,organization.August22,2022,willhosttheAnnualDr.StanMcKenClassicGolfTournamentTenisonParkGolfCourse,SamuellBoulevard,DalTexas.
By Asia Nicole Alcorn Dr. Stanley McKenzie
Suspect Turns Himself In By Michael Williams
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Photo: Andy Jacobsohn / Staff Photographer
The man suspected of killing a youth football coach during a game in Lancaster over the weekend turned himself in to face a murder charge on Mon day, according to authorities. Yaqub Salik Talib, 39, turned himself in to the Dallas Coun ty Jail on Monday, Lancaster police spokesman Scott Finley said in an email. Jail records indicate Talib was not imme diately booked; a lawyer for Talib did not immediately re spond to a request for com ment.Talib is suspected of killing youth football coach Michael Hickmon during a game in Lancaster on Saturday. Vid eo of the incident shared on Facebook shows a group of men fighting, followed by the sound of several gunshots. Talib, the brother of former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib, was named as a suspect short ly after. An arrest affidavit for Talib was not immediately available.According to Finley, wit nesses told investigators the fight was prompted by a disagreement the opposing coaching staffs had over a call made by the officiating crew. “The altercation became physical leading to the sus pect pulling out a firearm” and shooting Hickmon multiple times, Finley said. The shooter then fled in a car. Finley added that sever al witnesses — both adults and children — were present during the shooting. Records show that Yaqub Talib was recently indicted on gun and drug charges. Last Wednesday, just three days before Hickmon’s slaying, Tal ib was indicted on a metham phetamine charge. In March, a grand jury indicted Talib on an unlawful possession of a gun charge. Those cases are stillInpending.2014,Yaqub Talib made news after being arrested after a fight at a Dallas nightclub. Witnesses reported a heavily intoxicated Talib was throw ing bottles and fighting peo ple. A Dallas police employee mistakenly named Aqib Talib as being involved in the fight — and the department pub lished Aqib Talib’s name on social media in connection with the incident. Dallas police later apol ogized to Aqib Talib for the mistake. Yaqub Talib was ar rested on a public intoxication charge; the results of that case were not immediately known.
Scholars benefit from McKenzie Classic Tournament
The tournament was named in memory of McKen zie, a retired NBA player and Episcopal Supervisor, who was formerly the Special Ad visor to TenthFuture, Inc. and provided numerous schol arships to graduating high school seniors in his time. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., and the tournament will proceed at 9 a.m. Lunch and awards will follow the tour nament. Golf registration in cludes a green fee and cart, a gift for each golfer and door prizes. TenthFuture uses proceeds from the golf tournament to benefit Paul Quinn College, student scholarships and community-based organi zations furthering the work of community development and social justice across Tex as.As of April 2022, Tenth Future has distributed over $462,000 toward its charita ble causes and over $209,000 to Paul Quinn College. To ensure the work is ongo ing, TenthFuture is continu ing its search for corporate sponsors for the tournament. For any questions or ad ditional information, call 214-333-2632 or visit ww w.10thfuture.org for registra tion.
Lastly, as our nation prepares for the upcoming Midterm Elections in November, there are many who are predicating low overall voter turnout. Millions of dollars will be spent on Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) campaigns. Those who desire to increase GOTV among African- Americans and other communities of color will have to engage Black owned media as the “Trusted Voice” of Black America in order to increase voter turnout.
Jim Winston is President and CEO of the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) headquartered in Washington, DC. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) headquartered in Washington, DC.
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Diversifying American Media Ownership Must Become a National Priority
OUR VOICES BY JIM WINSTON AND DR. BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS JR. Thus far, 2022 has been a year of multiple socioeco nomic and political challeng es for all Americans across the nation. Yet for African Americans and other com munities of color, this year represents both challenges and opportunities from a business ownership perspec tive. In particular, for Blackowned media businesses there is a growing sense of resilience even in the face of continued profound racial disparities and societal ineq uities.The communications and media industry in America especially should be one of the leading industries that adopts the “good business” sense to embrace the values and benefits of Diversity, Eq uity and Inclusion (DEI). This is not about charity or benev olence. Diversity is objective ly good for business. The National Newspa per Publishers Association (NNPA) and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) are working together to encour age the media and adver tising industries to become more proactive and com mitted to diversity from the C-suites to the decision-mak ing managers. But more needs to be done to increase and to enhance the owner ship of media businesses by African Americans and other minorities.Economic equity in me dia requires equal access to investment capital, techni cal advances in communi cations infrastructure, and inclusion in other industry innovations. As increased changes in the racial demo graphics of the nation con tinue to accelerate in the United States, American me dia must be more represen tative of the growing diversity of the nation. It is noteworthy, therefore, that one of the recently an nounced major media merg ers has Standard General, a minority-owned firm, pend ing regulatory reviews and approvals by the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commis sion, acquiring TEGNA, a company owning 64 tele vision stations around the country. Soo Kim, a success ful Asian American business leader, who serves as Stan dard General’s founding and managing partner, empha sized “We’re open to explor ing new partnership models to get diverse viewpoints and perspectives on the air and to make sure people have the resources to do it.” We agree with this sen timent as multiracial own ership of American media businesses will continue to be viewed as a strategic fore cast for the future economic well being of the nation. We intend to raise our voices in support of the positive eco nomic and social-equity consequences of diversifying American media. The Leadership Confer ence on Civil and Human Rights has pointed out, “Ac cess to the media by the broadest sector of society is crucial to ensuring that di verse viewpoints are present ed to the American people, but racial and gender dispar ities in media ownership dat ing back to the beginning of the civil rights era continue to persist.” Again, overcom ing these disparities should be a national media industry priority.“Ata time when more people, particularly Black people, are distrustful of the media, diversity in media ownership,” the Leadership Conference argues, “has be come more important than ever for the functioning of our democracy. Diversity in ownership is part of that solution.” We agree with the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ po sition on this issue. Lastly, as our nation pre pares for the upcoming Mid term Elections in November, there are many who are pred icating low overall voter turn out. Millions of dollars will be spent on Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) campaigns. Those who desire to increase GOTV among African- Americans and other communities of color will have to engage Black owned media as the “Trusted Voice” of Black America in order to increase voter turnout.
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Terry Allen is an award-winning media professional, journalist, and entrepreneur. He is also the founder of City Men Cook and 1016 Media. Reach him at terryallenpr@gmail.com
Big Mama’s investment in me has inspired me to invest in others. I rarely refuse to spend time with those who may need some guidance or encouragement, although I have nothing obvious to gain.
hercloudsers.arieshaveencouragement,mayspendinmecup.theyattackgivingersandtionswhodisconnectedDEIinatedFloydroomThechangeandbroughttheirrest!anddisinformation,communications,mentoring,bestpractices.Guesswhat,GoddidtheMytribebroughtforthtribeandtheirtribeforththedata,tipsthenetworkstocreatethatliftedothersup!tribecreatedstandingonlyevents.Inthisnewpost-Georgemomentwehavecreso-calledDEImomentscorporateAmericaandthewarriorsaresometimesfromthosehave“skininthegame.”IhavehadmanyconversawithmultipleveterancrucialcommunityleadandorganizationsthatareatalltimesduringanontheirlivelihoodyetsaidGodhasfilledtheirBigMama’sinvestmentinhasinspiredmetoinvestothers.IrarelyrefusetotimewiththosewhoneedsomeguidanceoralthoughInothingobvioustogain.ImaintainhealthyboundfueledbyhelpingothTryit!BIGMamaisdancingintheofheavenrightnowascupisfull! 20 BIG TERRYSAIDMAMABYALLEN
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I told you many times over, if Lucille “Big Mama'' Allen was alive in this digital sea son, then her playbook would be a TikTok sensation, trend ing every week and a top tier influencer.Herlesson for me today is Pour into others without a hidden agenda and God will do the rest. Lucille “Big Mama's Allen said pour into others selflessly and God will make sure your cup is full. Big Mama's meant it is God who uses our weakest times, the times when we need Him most, to minister to others. In order to be willing vessels, we don't need to fill up our cups first.Big Mama knew the Bible showed here a very clear ex ample of this wisdom. The Apostle Paul, author of a huge portion of the New Tes tament, gave Big Mama this rule:“Iam already being poured out as a drink offering…” (2 Timothy 4:6). The key is in the “drink offering.” Paul was referring to a sac rificial offering, well known to the Jews. His journey was an ongoing sacrifice. He was imprisoned, beaten, aban doned…and he still poured himself out as an offering. Throughout his ministry, Paul faced pushback and hardship. And yet he deliv ered and left so many of the great scriptures that have in structed and encouraged to day’s faith filled communities for over 2000 years. As leadership servants we often put ourselves last. But Big Mama said, “Pouring into others will not break my soul.” She spoke, “Give all you got and God will then pour into me.” Lucille “Big Mama” Allen wanted me to know you are asked to share the Gospel and be a servant. I under stand and I acted in kind. With the loss of my former employment, in the midst of pivot, and without a leader ship tag and under visible opposition, I charged for ward. I made sure that those members of my tribe had the dialogue, presence and tools to grow and sustain my in dustry. That campaign came with pushback and opposi tion, but I had no personal agenda. I succeeded in cre ating a platform that gave six professional developments offering in DEI, AI, Job transi tion, crisis
Big Mama Said Pour into Others Selflessly and God Will Make Sure Your Cup is Full
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TV Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story
Chaz Lamar Shepherd stars as the adult Marvin Sapp, whose chance en counter in a church park ing lot 20 years ago initiat ed their Shepherdconnection.sharedthat he often jokes with Sapp, “We went from the parking lot to the red carpet with your story.”Ambre Anderson stars as Melinda Sapp and empha sized during the Q & A the magnitude of Melinda and Marvin’s love story. “We wanted to do some thing refreshing that would touch people,” Parr said. Bishop Sapp appears throughout the movie, providing context between scenes. From his parents, friends and others that have shaped his being, there are revelations of their influence in the on screen journey. “I chose at 10 that I was going to sing the gospel and I ain’t never sang anything else,” Bishop Sapp said, as he shared that his mother made him choose to sing the gospel or the world’s music, and not both. As his music constantly heals and uplifts, the world is greater because of his de cision.
The story behind a song makes you appreciate it even more. On Sunday, Aug. 21, take your praise a little higher by watch ing the premiere of Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story on TV One at 8 p.m. Central. The advance screening at Bishop Sapp’s The Cho sen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth on Friday, Aug. 12, with cast Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Ambre Ander son, Bishop Marvin L. Sapp and legendary radio personality/movie direc tor Russ Parr was heaven ly. Texas Metro News was there along with a few hun dred others who filled the sanctuary for the biopic of the church’s leader and his story of emotional trials overcome by faith. When Bishop Sapp opens his mouth to speak, he cap tures your attention. Just as he did at the beginning of the screening advising all to turn their cell phones off and put them away. When he opens his mouth to sing, he captures your soul. His music has topped charts. His life story on screen pro vides an intimate glimpse of his journey to the per son he is today, including becoming a widower after losing his wife, Melinda, to colon“Onecancer.ofthe things that I wear as a badge of hon or is my faithfulness and commitment to my mar riage,” Bishop Sapp told the crowd.Themovie reveals his late wife’s contribution to his success as a husband, fa ther and gospel artist.
One’s
By Eva D. Coleman Lifestyle & Culture Editor Chaz Shepherd, Ambre Anderson, Russ Parr on the Red Carpet
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Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the Founder and CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, specializing as a Partnership Broker and Leadership Expert for companies and organizations to thrive with measurable and meaningful impact. She also is the VP of Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances for the State Fair of Texas. It’s always wonderful to connect with people from your hometown. I had lunch with a friend. It was a time of reminiscing and talking about mutu al points of reference like various neighborhoods, schools and politics. Leav ing home for both of us was important for our growth. It was difficult to leave be hind our families, friends and the experiences that shaped us. At the time, it was fright ening to leave the familiar but sometimes to get to the greater, you must walk out on faith. Leaving Louisiana at almost 18 years old was a walk of faith that was a road of so much uncertain ty but I’m so glad I believed God enough to go. Walking out on faith is hard. It’s hard to leave be hind those things that give us a sense of security. The Bible shares a fitting exam ple of what happens when we choose to hang on to that which is familiar. Jesus had a conversation with a youngAfterruler.the young ruler asked about what it takes to go to heaven, Jesus re sponded to follow the com mandments. “The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sor rowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19:16-26)Theyoung ruler’s secu rity was in his ‘stuff’. He trusted what he had in stead of believing that in leaving some things be hind, we can gain so much. For many of us, we are held hostage to what others tell us is important or what society has placed value upon. Instead of listening to the call of God and walk ing out on faith, we allow others to tell us what isn’t possible.Webecome afraid of los ing the familiar because the uncertainty requires us to lose control. We would rather stay in situations that do not serve us well because it is more com fortable to do so than trust God, step out on faith and believe the promises of God. The Bible says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuter onomy 31:6) God is with you even when you aren’t sure where you are going or where the road will take you.The “them” that make us doubt and afraid aren’t always the folks that are our enemies. The “them” can sometimes be the folks that are closest to us who project their insecurities and fears upon us. It isn’t always them though—it could be “us”. Our refusal to let go blocks God from taking us to the new and different. We must be will ing to go with God even when we don’t have all the answers and it requires us to give up something that weWhatvalue.would have hap pened if the young ruler would have been willing to walk away from what was familiar? He was more focused on the here and now instead of imagining the impossible when you choose to go with Christ. Is it possible that he could have gained even more if he trusted God? Are you holding on to something that is keeping you from God’s best for your life? Is there a rela tionship, a job, or a situa tion that you need to let go of but because it supplies some level of security, you remain only to lose your peace? Your security is in your relationship with God, not the ‘stuff’. It’s okay to leave what is “home” for you. God has something so much better for you when you are willing to let go, trust, and walk with God to your next which requires you to move—in your thinking, in your actions and in your behaviors.
When it’s time to leave
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“If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19:16-26)
UTTERANCESFAITHFULBYDR.FROSWABOOKER-DREW
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August 19, 2022 I MESSENGER myimessenger.com28 Nena's Finds 215 W. Tyler St. Gilmer, Texas 75644 (903) 680-3333
When Renters Become Voters
August 19, 2022myimessenger.com Wear the masks, wash your hands and show love! 29
Dr. John E. Warren is publisher of The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint. As we move toward Midterm elections, and continue to struggle with evictions and rent increases mostly based on greed and not need, it appears a good time to once again make the connection be tween those who vote and the quality of life, or the lack thereof, for so many. Con sider the following fact. Forty nine per cent of the residents of San Diego County and its cities are renters. While new con struction continues to grow with more highrise apartments and condos, and the homeless rate continues to increase, the average person will not be able to afford to live in one of these new structures. The reality is that most renters throughout San Diego County and the state of California are not voters. Land lords not only vote, but also contribute to candidates who run for office. Consider also that no one appears to have looked at how many of our Judges themselves areOncelandlords.again, I would like to remind you of what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said about the power of the voter eight years before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted. In May of 1957, Dr. King said: “Give us the ballot and we will fill our legislative halls with men of good will……”“Giveus the ballot and we will place judges on the benches of the South who will do justice and love mercy…..”
Fifty seven years later, we have the vote, but no longer use it for the pur poses that Dr. King spoke of. If we did, we would have city, county, state and national elected officials who would see the relationship between the lack of rent control and homelessness. We, the peo ple, have the right and responsibility to make the issues before our elected bod ies and not have them determined for us.
DR.VOICESOURJOHNE.WARREN
In 90 days this country will have a Mid term Election in which those who bought the Big Lie with Donald Trump are plan ning to use to further do away with vot ing rights and the democratic process. Mainstream media is not talking about voter registration. No one appears to be placing dollars in our communities to get out the vote. But it is up to each of us to determine that “Black Votes Matter”. While Black voters may not be as many in number as White and Latino voters, there are still enough of us to determine the outcome of any election as proven by our electing President Joe Biden in 2020. As of this week, this newspaper will have voter registration cards available for those who choose to stop by and pick one up or need help filling out one. We encourage those of you who read this, no matter what state you are in, to get involved in voter registration and the concerted effort to get out and vote in November 2022, just a little more than 90 days away. We still have time to make Dr. King’s words of 1957 a reality in 2022.
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DESIGNZ BY GATES
When Dr. Fred erick D. Haynes III, of Friend ship-West Bap tist Church, an nounced 100 Days of Buying Black in acknowledging the 100th Commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre, we joined the move ment. December 31, 2021 marked 100 days of featuring Black Businesses. and we decided that the struggle continues and we must also. So enjoy reading about more Black-owned businesses and please support. Buy Black!
DALLAS/FT. WORTH BLACK BUSINESS NETWORK GROUP, DALLAS BLACK EXPO AND DALLAS BLACK BUSINESS. Lydia Randle is the founder of Dallas/Ft. Worth Black Business Network Group, Dallas Black Expo and the President of Dallas Black Business. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Lydia is a life coach, aviation safety specialist, spa owner and more with Bachelors degree from Southern University and an MBA from the University of Houston. Find out more at facebook.com/groups/935495459851576/https://www.
Dr. Frederick D.Haynes III By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News
With Kayla Tucker Adams at the helm, KTA Media Group is comprised of a rockstar team of highly skilled public relations professionals who deliver results. With associates in Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C., KTA Media Group serves clients all over the United States and abroad. Check her out at www. KAYLATUCKERADAMS.COM DFWIRADIO.COM Since 2009, DFWiRadio has provided an internet broadcasting platform to our local clients as well as clients located around the world! Whether you need a studio to record your podcast, wish to broadcast live, or you have podcast files you’d like to share with this worldwide audience, they are happy to discuss your content placement. Reach out to info@DFWiRadio. com. The brainchild of Pearal one ODOM’S BAR-B-QUE Odom’s Bar-BQue is a familyowned business with a rich and impressive history and tradition of serving great food! Odom’s has been named Best Ribs and Best Neighborhood Restaurant1971Singleton Blvd., Dallas, Texas (214) 631-3538 Check them out!
Call issued to Support Black Businesses
Designz by Gates Statement Tees that represent the Culture! Their mission is to educate, motivate and celebrate Black culture. Check Jullian Gates out at www.designzbygates.com. Jullian is a young entrepreneur working to get his business off the ground. The messages are profound and the product quality is great. Get your Black Men are Dope shirt today.
CANDY KALEIDOSCOPE Military veteran Shealynn Smith and her husband are the owners of Candy Kaleidoscope. She has created her own brand of chocolate from scratch that she hand makes and she proudly proclaims that Candy Kaleidoscope is the only BLACK OWNED business that makes this type of chocolate and the only chocolate business that offers over 50 colors including Glow in the Dark. Check Candy Kaleidoscope out at candykaleidoscopebytcc.com
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KTA MEDIA GROUP
SOLD BY NETTE Jeanette Campbell got into real estate at age 21. At that time, she was a single mom struggling to keep the lights on. She desired so much more for herself and her daughter. She heard one of those “get rich quick schemes” by Robert Kiyosaki on the radio one day and decided to check it out. She had nothing to lose, and it was free. Fast forward, she passed her real estate exam days before her daughter’s first birthday. She knew then they were on their way to a better life, though she had no idea it would take so much time. Becoming a Realtor has taught her patience, persistence, and steadfastness. Looking for your first home? Visit Sold By Nette at www.flowcode.com/page/soldbynette or by calling 469-766-5049
Unquestionably, Venus and Serena Williams revolution ized women’s tennis. With serves that approached the speed of light, fantastic agil ity, exceptional athleticism, and the grace of gazelles, they changed how women played tennis.Furthermore, they were outspoken about issues like pay equity, advocating that women tennis players should earn as much as men. While they were graceful, they were not gracious, sometimes be cause of the hateful, racist barbs lobbed at them. Serena had a couple of famous melt downs and shouting matches with referees. She paid the price for them, and, often, she wonAndanyway.she’s given us many magic tennis moments. Con sider the iconic black catsuit she wore in 2018 as a new mom. Conventional tennis was aghast, and the French Tennis Federation went so far as to ban the look.
Venus and Serena’s pres ence in championship tennis was an irritant to those who once saw tennis as a narrow white occasion, and their appearance was harshly crit icized when, as teens, they sported beaded braids. Some criticism was so ugly and vociferous that one won ders if the protest was on the Williams sisters’ fashion or their simple presence. While Serena has been well-sponsored, I don’t think she’s ever gotten her “due.” I’ll never forget the 2006 US Open “I Feel Pretty” campaign cele brating Maria Sharapova and her white blondness. The siz zling Serena is the antithesis of white blondness, and there has never been such a cele bration of her Black beauty. Despite slights large and small (and it was rather dis gusting to see all these Shara pova look-alikes sprinkled throughout Manhattan and on television “feeling pretty”), Serena has been the personi fication of Dr. Maya Angelou’s poem, “And Still I Rise.” “You can write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies; you may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I rise.” Serena says she is “evolv ing away” from tennis and toward other things, includ ing her venture capital firm. After winning 23 grand slams, the most in the Open era, she says she will likely hang her racket up after this month’s US Open. Many say she is un likely to win it – she’s not won a tournament since winning Wimbledon in 2016. More recently, she gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian in 2017 and has since been plagued with injuries.Still,she has continued to compete and speak out about Black maternal health after her harrowing birth experi ence. She continues to grace magazine covers and remains an advocate for women, civil rights, and human rights. Serena will be 41 on Sep tember 26. Her evolution is timely. She and her husband want to expand their fami ly. She has other fish to fry in the sizzling grease of life. And she continues to inspire young people, not only tennis players but many others who admire her persistence, resil ience, and presence. Indeed, Serena’s evolution reminds us all about the sea sons of life and the transitions we all experience as we age. Our movements are evolving, too. Even our methods of or ganizing are evolving. The in ternet has changed the ways we communicate, organize, and interact. It has changed how we view politics, eco nomics, and even race mat ters.The combination of com munications shifts and COVID has revolutionized the workplace, with only the most turgid bureaucracies insisting that things must be as they al ways were. Hybrid schedules and hybrid learning are more the rule than the exception, with employers learning that they can expect more produc tivity from workers who can enjoyAdditionally,flexibility. our planet may benefit from the new workplace flexibility as our carbon footprint shrinks when we do less commuting. Serena Williams and her sister, Venus, revolutionized tennis as we knew it fifty years ago when Martina Navratilo va and Chris Evert dominated the sport. The Williams wom en opened the door for a gen eration of more diverse and hard-hitting players. Now Serena is doing an other kind of role-modeling. She is modeling balance, the art of aging gently and grace fully, and the magic inherent in second and third acts and new life chapters. Serena has not always gotten her due, but she will always be an icon ic champion, a tennis GOAT (greatest of all time). In her evolution, may she forever rise.
THE DR.WORDLASTBYJULIANNEMALVEAUX
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Revolutions, Evolutions and Serena Williams
Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA. Juliannemalveaux. com Williams sisters
In fact,
Our
August 19, 2022myimessenger.com 33 Briefs FAMU School of Journalism & Graphic Communication gets $50K from Crump
Mayor Eric Johnson proclaims Dallas Aquatics Day
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson thanked staff ers and officially proclaimed “Dallas Aquat ics Day” recently. Many other cities had to close pools this year because of a lifeguard shortage. But that wasn't true in Dallas. aquatics centers provided a safe, fun place for kids to play and learn this summer. more than 200,000 people visited our aquatics centers this summer. Bahama Beach actually set a new record in revenue. Dallas Park and Recreation Depart ment taught kids to swim and gave people a low-cost respite from the summer heat. I'm proud of their work.
Dean Mira Lowe and Atty. Ben Crump Atty. Ben Crump announced the donation of $50K with Dean Lowe to the J-School during the #NABJNAHJ22 screening of his Netflix documentary, Civil!
Our
In this Black Headline World News Report, news producer, Julia Dudley Najieb, reviews the world, national and state governments declaring a public health emergency concerning the monkepox virus spread. Dudley Najieb revisits an Ethnic Media Services briefing from this summer that featured two medical experts and a vi rologist who explain the mon keypox virus in detail, along with dispelling myths that this disease is only relative to LGBTQ communities. On July 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) direc tor-general, Dr. Tedros Adha nom Ghebreyesus, declared the escalating global monkeypox outbreak a “Public Health Emer gency of International Concern” (PHEIC). Now, the U.S. Depart ment of Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Xavier Becerra announced this week that he will declare the ongo ing spread of monkeypox virus in the United States a Public Health Emergency (PHE). Under the International Health Regulations, WHO’s Dr. Ghebreyesus is required to con sider five elements in deciding whether an outbreak consti tutes a public health emergency of international concern. “First, the information pro vided by countries – which in this case shows that this virus has spread rapidly to many countries that have not seen it before,” said Dr. Ghebreyesus. “Second, the three criteria for declaring a public health emer gency of international concern, which have been met; third, the advice of the Emergency Com mittee, which has not reached consensus; fourth, scientific principles, evidence and other relevant information – which are currently insufficient and leave us with many unknowns and fifth, the risk to human health, international spread, and the potential for interfer ence with international traffic.” Dr. Ghebreyesus said the WHO’s assessment is that the risk of monkeypox is moder ate globally and in all regions, except in the European region where they assess the risk as high.On the other hand, the Unit ed States under the Biden-Har ris Administration intends to get ahead of the virus after wit nessing the setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic national response.Theannouncement comes on the heels of President Biden appointing Robert Fenton of the Federal Emergency Manage ment Agency as White House National Monkeypox Response Coordinator and Dr. Demetre Daskalakis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as White House National Mon keypox Response Deputy Coor dinator.“Ending the monkeypox out break is a critical priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. We are taking our response to the next level by declaring a public health emergency,” said Secretary Becerra. “With to day’s declaration we can further strengthen and accelerate our response“Presidentfurther.”Biden has called on us to explore every option on the table to combat the mon keypox outbreak and protect communities at risk,” said White House National Monkeypox Re sponse Coordinator Robert Fen ton. “We are applying lessons learned from the battles we’ve fought – from COVID response to wildfires to measles, and will tackle this outbreak with the ur gency this moment demands.”
By Julia Dudley Najieb
Dr. Gregg Gonsalves Dr. Ben Neuman Dr. William Schaffner
The Biden-Harris administra tion said the PHE declaration is in concert with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) work to explore new strategies that could help get vaccines to affected communities across the country, including using new dose-sparing approach that could increase the number of doses available, up to fivefold.The public health emergency also carries important implica tions for data sharing with the federalFifty-onegovernment.jurisdictions have already signed data use agree ments that will provide the Cen ters for Disease Control and Pre vention (CDC) with information related to vaccine administra tion. Declaring the outbreak an emergency may provide the justification that the remaining jurisdictions need to sign their agreements. Additionally, it pro vides authorities to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Ser vices to collect testing and hos pitalizationAccordingdata.to NPR, gover nors in California, New York and Illinois have already de clared state of emergencies in response to the monkeypox outbreak. Some cities, including New York City and San Fran cisco, have also made their own emergency declarations. As of this week, HHS has shipped more than 602,000 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine to states and jurisdictions, an increase of 266,000 in the past week. HHS has allocated 1.1 million doses to states and juris dictions in total and is making more doses available as juris dictions use their current sup ply.HHS also announced that it has accelerated the delivery of the U.S. is officially declaring it a ‘PHE’
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WHO declared monkeypox a ‘PHEIC’ in July ; Now
• Direct skin-skin contact with rash lesions
• Always talking to your sexual partner/s about any recent illness and being aware of new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including on the genitals and anus
• Walking by someone with monkeypox, like in a grocery store Prevention There are number of ways to prevent the spread of monkey pox, including:
• Avoiding contact with infect ed materials contaminated with the virus
• Sharing towels or unwashed clothing
• Respiratory secretions through prolonged face-toface interactions (the type that mainly happen when living with someone or caring for someone who has mon keypox) Monkeypox is NOT spread through: • Casual brief conversations
August 19, 2022myimessenger.com 35 an additional 150,000 doses to arrive in the U.S. next month. The doses, which were slated to arrive in November will now arrive in the U.S. in September. In an Ethnic Media Services (EMS) briefing this summer, two medical experts and a vi rologist explained the intricate details about the virus, expelling any myths and misinformation concerning the virus being only relative to the LGBTQ commu nities: Dr. William Schaffner, Dr. Ben Neuman and Dr. Gregg Gonsalves. In the world news report on Black Headline News, Dudley Najieb recapped on the EMS briefing, which highlighted the most common method of con tact the virus is being transmit ted through, as well as who is at risk of getting the virus. The three experts further dispelled the myth that the monkeypox is only a significant risk if one is a part of the LGBT communi ties--this is a false notion. Dr. William Schaffner is Pro fessor of Preventive Medicine in the Department of Health Policy as well as Professor of Medicine in the Division of In fectious Diseases at the Vander bilt University School of Medi cine, Nashville, Tennessee. After graduating from Yale in 1957, Schaffner attended the Univer sity of Freiburg, Germany as a Fulbright Scholar. He graduated from Cornell University Medical College in 1962 and completed residency training and a Fellow ship in Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt. Dr. Ben Neuman is the Chief Virologist at the Global Health Research Complex at Texas A&M University, having joined the Department in 2021. He received his B.S. from the Uni versity of Toledo in Biology, his Ph.D. from the University of Reading (UK), and his Animal and Microbial Sciences Post doctoral Research at the Scripps Research Institute, Virology. Dr. Gregg Gonsalves is an expert in policy modeling on in fectious disease and substance use, as well as the intersection of public policy and health eq uity. His research focuses on the use of quantitative models for improving the response to epi demic diseases. For more than 30 years, he worked on HIV/ AIDS and other global health is sues with several organizations, including the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, the Treatment Action Group, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, and the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa. He was also a fellow at the Open Society Foundations and in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School from 2011-2012. He is a 2011 graduate of Yale College and received his PhD from Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences/School of Public Health in 2017. He is cur rently the public health corre spondent for The Nation. He is a 2018 MacArthur Fellow. NOTE: Story updates on 8-6-22 to include specific information from the California Department of Health concerning monkeypox symptoms, preventions and precautions. About Monkeypox Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkey pox virus belongs to the Ortho poxvirus genus which includes the variola (smallpox) virus as well as the vaccinia virus, which is used in the smallpox vaccine. Monkeypox is of public health concern because the illness is similar to smallpox and can be spread from infected humans, animals, and materials con taminated with the virus. Mon keypox is less transmissible and usually less severe than small pox.Monkeypox was first identi fied in 1958 and occurs primar ily in Central and West African countries. Historically, monkey pox cases have rarely occurred in the U.S. and had mostly been related to international travel or importation of animals. There is a recent significant increase in reported cases where monkey pox is not commonly seen, in cluding in Europe, Canada, the United States and California. Symptoms Monkeypox might start with symptoms like the flu, with fe ver, low energy, swollen lymph nodes, and general body aches. Within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the appearance of fever, the person can develop a rash or sores. The sores will go through several stages, includ ing scabs, before healing. They can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful and itchy. The rash or sores may be lo cated on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagi na) or anus (butt) but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, and face. They may also be limited to one part of the body.People with monkeypox may experience all or only a few of these symptoms. Most with monkeypox will develop the rash or sores. Some people have reported developing a rash or sores before (or without) the flulike symptoms. Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until all sores have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take several weeks. Transmission Monkeypox spreads primar ily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids, including during sex, as well as activities like kissing, hugging, massaging, and cud dling. Monkeypox can spread through touching materials used by a person with monkey pox that haven’t been cleaned, such as clothing and bedding. It can also spread by respirato ry secretions during prolonged, close, face-to-face contact. Monkeypox can be spread through:
• Avoiding contact with infect ed animals
• People who become infect ed should isolate until their symptoms are improving or have gone away completely. Rash should always be well covered until completely healed.
• Avoiding close contact, including sex, with people with symptoms like sores or rashes
• Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone
• Practicing good hand hygiene
• Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (like a mask, gown, and gloves) when caring for oth ers with symptoms
• Sexual/intimate contact, including kissing
Thomas Muhammad Services held for activist, servant, humanitarian
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Thomas Ali Muhammad, a man who wore many hats and is often referred to as an historian, activist, Mus lim scholar, warrior, writer, servant leader and friend, diedBornMonday.inDallas, TX on January 12, 1951, Mr. Mu hammad was an Orthodox practicing Muslim who made his journey to the Holy City of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for Hajj (Religious Pilgrimage) in July 1990. A student of religion, he was also a friend to many in the Nation of Islam (NOI) as well as other religious and community-based com munities.Overthe years, he was involved in numerous or ganizations, activities and movements. As a teenag er attending James Madi son High School in South Dallas, he was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).From that point on, if there was a cause that he believed in, he was defi nitely on the front lines; advocating, picketing, fundraising, organizing and working in front of cameras or behind the scenes to effect change. He wasn’t trying to win any popularity contests.
Thomas Ali Muhammad By Cheryl Smith
August 19, 2022myimessenger.com 37 He was about the work, making a difference and changing things; while also shaking things up a bit, he would laughingly say. During the 1990s, in ad dition to being a tri-chair of the Dallas Community Leadership Luncheon with Dallas County Commis sioner John Wiley Price and Attorney James Belt, Muhammad was also a reg ular on picket lines as The Warriors spoke out about everything from bias in the media and police brutality to unfair hiring practices and racism. He also served on the inaugural Kwan zaaFest MuseumtheonforpionandSelma,tohomeorganizationgrassrootsmentalandThealsotyParkofandchapterBlackatherePrice.nity,”advocaterelentless,mad“Thomascommittee.AliMuhamwasawarriorandaunapologeticforthiscommusaidCommissioner“WhengoingtowarwasnoonebetterinfoxholethanThomas.”ThechairoftheNationalUnitedFront’sDallasandco-founderboardvicepresidenttheSouthDallas/FairInnercityCommuniDevelopmentCorp,heservedonboardofBlackAcademyofArtsLettersandwasinstruinstartingthefirstMuslimpoliticalinDallas.Muhammadlovedhisbuthealsotraveledotherhomes,namelyALtobewithfamilyalsoserveandchamcauses.Anoutspokenadvocatevotingrights,heservedtheExecutiveBoardofNationalVotingRightsandInstitutefor
more than 20 years. The Museum hosts the histor ic “Selma to Montgomery” March across the Edmund Pettus Bridge each year. The annual event com monly known as “Bloody Sunday” became famous after 600 civil rights march ers were beaten and tear gassed on Sunday, March 7, 1965 by Alabama troop ers for simply marching for the right to vote in elec tions in America. It was a cause he was passionate about right up to the time of his death. A student of Malcolm X, who he affectionately called, “Brother Malcolm.” he put his efforts and re sources into telling a side of the human rights activist that he felt was not being adequately portrayed and shared with youth. “If I left the planet to morrow, the one contribu tion that will last forever is Thomas Ali Muhammad
August 19, 2022 I MESSENGER myimessenger.com38 this film,” Muhammad told Norma Adams Wade of the Dallas Morning News, describing his many expe riences while traveling the country doing filming and later at private screenings for the documentary, Mal colm X: An Overwhelm ing Influence on the Black Power Movement. He was an organizer. He loved planning events and inviting notable folks from across the country, and around the world to share their stories with Dallas.
bonddistrict’sseeingteeBondSchooltheMaximizethe(CACR),vancementthehecatorsationDallas/FortJournaliststionalInstitute.andEnslavement&inginvolvementtyCo-Chairemployee,and“Hefidantelong-timeupwhowas“Thomasfriends.MuhammadaSupremeServantconfrontedinjusticetohisfinalbreath,”saidfriendandconDianeRagsdale.lovedAllah,hisfamilyhumanity.”AretiredCityofDallashewaselectedoftheGreenParofTexas.HisothercivicincludedbeFounderofAfricansAfricanAmericansforReparationsAfricanArabForumAlsoamemberoftheNaAssociationofBlack(NABJ)andWorthAssociofBlackCommuni(nowDFW-ABJ),wasalifememberofCoalitionfortheAdofCivilRightsandamemberofCoalitionofBlackstoEducationandDallasIndependentDistrict(DISD)AdvisoryCommitresponsibleforoverspendingofschool$1.3billion2002funds.
“I will miss my brother,” added Steptoe. “We were more than close friendswe were Family,family.”especially his wife Ameenah and those who proudly called him, “Unk,” was important to Muhammad, as were sev eral friends, fellow free dom fighters, Warriors and childhood
“Our local and nation al communities have lost more than an organizer and an activist. We have lost a champion,” she said, adding that he defended and worked for the rights of the impoverished and the wealthy, the disenfran chised and the privileged. “It didn’t matter to him who benefited - only that his work helped to make life better for everyone.”
Thomas Ali Muhammad
Although not related by blood, they had a special bond and without fanfare or publicity, they would meet regularly and as was the case with many, they could discuss the issues and disagree without be coming enemies.
For him, sitting down to take someone to task in one of his insightful, cut ting edge commentaries brought him so much joy. For years, he wrote for the Dallas Weekly, North Dal las Gazette and I Messen ger Media and he proudly shared his works on social media; oftentimes crack ing up at his own analyses! Longtime friend Berna Dean Steptoe said he will be “sorely missed.”
“Thomas Muhammad was a Supreme Servant who confronted injustice up to his final breath,” said long-time friend and confidante Diane Ragsdale. “He loved Allah, his family and humanity.”
August 19, 2022myimessenger.com 39 Muhammad has been awarded numerous com munity service awards, including: Texas Peace Officers Association Un sung Hero, Operation Relief Center Man With A Vision, The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development’s Strongest Supporter, Sister Clara Muhammad School Com munity Service, Inner-city Community Appreciation,Corporation’sDevelopmentVolunteerIslamicAs
sociation of North Texas’s Community Leadership Recognition Award, the Greater Dallas Communi ty Relations Commission’s Outstanding Community Services Award. He has received dozens of proclamations and cer tificates from many prom inent Texas elected leaders such as former Texas Gov ernor Ann Richards, for mer Dallas Mayors Annette Strauss, Steve Bartlett and Ron Kirk, as well as proc lamations from former Dallas City Council mem bers Diane Ragsdale and Al Lipscomb and awards from prominent leaders such as Kathlyn Gilliamformer DISD School Board Trustee and John Wiley Price, Dallas County Com missioner District 3. Muhammad battled ill nesses for several years, although he rarely talked about his challenges and when his health allowed he not only, continued to write commentaries for Texas Metro News; he also loved going by the ICDC office, Pan African Con nection Bookstore and Re source Center and Sunny Side Athletic Club; where he loved to workout. He transitioned in his sleep on Monday morning, Aug. 15, 2022 and was bur ied at Laureland, follow ing a traditional Islamic Janazah service, Tuesday, Aug. 16 at the Duncanville Masjid.There has been talk of plans for a community rec ognition of Muhammad. Many might say that if he had any parting words, they would be of encour agement to keep doing as he did, fighting; because as he ended his column, “The Struggle Continues.”
August 19, 2022 I MESSENGER myimessenger.com40 LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Teens from around the coun try are trying to put their best foot forward in hopes of be ing among the 100 students selected for the 2023 Disney Dreamers Academy. Appli cations are now underway for the inspiring and transforma tional mentorship program at Walt Disney World Resort for Black teens and students from underrepresented com munities.Theapplication process for the 16th annual program, set for March 23-26, 2023, runs through October at experienceDisneyersnextencedreamscanstudentsthecommunitiesmentantMagicalucationbinationFloridaWaltonepense-paidticipantsemy.com.www.DisneyDreamersAcadhttp://The100teenparreceiveanall-extripalongwithparentorguardiantoDisneyWorldResortintoexperienceacomofinspiration,edandfunatTheMostPlaceonEarth.TheprogramisanimportpartofDisney’scommittosupportingdiversebyencouragingnextgenerationofBlacktothinkbig,sotheyrelentlesslypursuetheirandmakeadifferinthelivesofothers.“We’reexcitedtofindthegroupofDisneyDreamandwelcomethemtoWaltWorldResortforantheywon’tsoon
forget,” said Tracey D. Powell, Disney Signature Experienc es vice president and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “If there is a teen in your life who has a dream, I would highly encourage them to apply. Taking a first step to wards your dream is a hugely powerful moment. And, for those who are selected, the experience can be life chang ing.”Since 2008, Disney Dream ers Academy has inspired more than 1,400 students from across the country who were selected from thousands of applicants who submitted written essays about their personal stories and dreams for the Duringfuture.the four-day event, the students interact with community and business leaders, Disney cast mem bers, celebrities and other special guests while partic ipating in sessions teaching valuable life tools such as leadership skills, effective communication techniques and networking strategies. Past celebrity participants have included stars from the big screen and television, noted sports figures, popu lar musicians as well as per sonalities and cast members from across the Disney fam ily, including “Good Morn ing America,’’ ESPN, Disney Channel and the TV series “black-ish” and “grown-ish.”
By NNPA
High School Students Nationwide Now Applying For Popular Disney Dreamers Academy Mentorship Program
Newswire/BlackPressUSA
Application process for 2023 event now open for teens from across America; Mentorship program with all-expense-paid experience at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida aimed at fostering the dreams of Black students and teens from underrepresented communities
After taking part in the academy, graduates have gone on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, journalists and more, and some have transitioned into mentors to the Disney Dreamers who followed them.
The students also take part in career workshops cover ing a variety of disciplines aligned with the students’ dreams. These workshops in troduce the Disney Dreamers to diverse career paths within business, entertainment and sciences, including career op portunities within The Walt Disney Company. After taking part in the acad emy, graduates have gone on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, journalists and more, and some have transitioned into mentors to the Disney Dreamers who fol lowed them. For more information, dreamersacademy/.andter.com/DreamersAcademyeyDreamersAcademy,diacom,DisneyDreamersAcademy.visitorfollowonsocialmeatFacebook.com/DisnTwitInstagram.com/disney
The city of Laredo shares the river with the booming 70-mile stretch of suburban sprawl that sits 100 miles downstream, near the Gulf of Mexico, in a re gion known as the Rio Grande Valley. This most populous stretch along the river includes large Mexican cities like Mat amoros and Reynosa and some 40 smaller ones in Texas. Most major cities here have doubled in population since the 1980s. Since then, the water supply has only shrunk. Seventy per cent of the water that reach es the valley flows from the mountains of Northern Mex ico, which are gripped by 20 years of Mexicodrought.owesa third of the water that falls in those moun tains to Texas under a 1944 treaty, which outlined how the two countries would share the waters of the Rio Grande and the Colorado River. But for almost two years, Mexi co hasn’t been able to supply that amount. Its last attempt to do so sparked a riot of local farmers who halted the release of their water to farmers 500 miles downstream in Texas. Since then, drought has only deepened. Mexico’s third larg est city, Monterrey, about 100 miles from the Texas border, has been rationing water all summer. The Rio Grande Val ley has no reason to believe they’ll be getting water from Northern Mexico soon. Meanwhile, a summer of record-breaking heat in Texas means the region needs more water than ever to keep its crop fields and lawns alive. Only massive rains will turn this sit uation“We’rearound.praying for a hurri cane,” said Jim Darling, former mayor of McAllen, Texas, and head of the Region M Water Planning Group, which covers the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. The region doesn’t have many other options. Emergen cy plans call for drinking water to be trucked in. Other plans to run pipelines to distant aqui fers are years from realization. In the past, big rains have al ways saved the day when water scarcity approached. But the dry bouts have hit harder and more frequently since the mid-1990s. The Rio Grande reservoirs hit danger ously low levels in 1999 and 2013, but never as low as they are“Totoday.actually wish for a hurri cane is pretty odd,” said Sonia Lambert, manager of Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2, which provides water to farm ers in the valley. “But at this point that’s what’s going to save us. It is a very scary situation.” This disaster didn’t sneak up on anyone. More than a century of development along the Rio Grande’s banks have changed it from a wild torrent to a tamed channel in a ditch. The old Great River has been gone for a long time. This sum mer, it stopped flowing entirely through more than 100 miles of its most rugged reaches where it had never been known to dry upYet,before.solutions have evaded authorities in the border zone, due to the challenges of bi-na tional management and the re gion’s historic marginalization as a largely Spanish-speaking periphery of the United States. Now, solutions are desper ately“Theessential.bucket is almost emp ty,” said Castro in Laredo. “We are headed towards a point of no return.”
By Dylan Baddour Inside Climate News
August 19, 2022myimessenger.com
41 This story is a collaboration of The Texas Observer and In side Climate News. Northern Mexico’s water cri sis is spilling into Texas, drying out the two bi-national res ervoirs of the Rio Grande, on which millions of people and $1 billion in agriculture rely. One reservoir, Lake Falcon, is just 9 percent full. Nearby communities are scrambling to extend water intakes and install auxiliary pumps to cap ture its final dregs. The other reservoir, Amistad, is less than one-third full. “It’s reached its historic low,” said Maria Elena Giner, commissioner of the Interna tional Boundary and Waters Commission, which manages the touchy business of water sharing with Mexico on the Rio Grande. “This is a historic moment in terms of what our agency is facing in challenges.”
In far South Texas, the two most populous counties issued disaster declarations last week, while others struggle to keep up with the unfolding crisis. If big rains don’t come, current supplies will run dry in March 2023 for some 3 million people who live along both sides of the river in its middle and lower reaches.“That’s it, it’s game over at that point,” said Martin Castro, watershed science director at the Rio Grande International Study Center in Laredo. “And that’s six months away. It’s not looking good.”
Photo: Dylan Baddour
Stagnant pools filled the dry bed of the Rio Grande when it stopped flowing for several weeks this May in the Chihuahua Desert.
Mexican Drought Spurs Crisis
This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here.
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Metro Community Calendar powered by The
Shep Speaks Show!!!. Tuesdays at 11 am. CST Live on Facebook/@TexasMet roNews, @fnsconsulting, and You Tube Live @docshepspeaks. I Was Just Thinking with Nor ma Adams-Wade “History Class is in Session” Join in on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com at 11 am -1 pm. CST. Wednesdays. Join the conversation call 646-200-0459. Send your calendar items editor@texasmetronews.comtoorcall214-941-0110 WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKERS BETO O'ROURKE, CECILE RICHARDS, FEATURING REP. COLIN ALLRED THE FAIRMONT HOTEL, 1717 N AKARD ST, DALLAS, TX 75201 VIP RECEPTION AT 5:30 PM DINNER AT 6:30 PM
SEPTEMBER18 FridayGramblingStateOcto23ber1FairClassicv.PrairieViewA&MCottonBowl7night-Vinettis14388Midway,Addison, TX
August 19, 2022 I MESSENGER myimessenger.com46 AUGUST 19
The University of North Texas at Dallas and the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) will partner to bring a mobile food pantry to campus from 8-11 a.m. (or until the food runs out.) The free, drive-through service is open to the public and any community members in need of food support. Participants will be asked to complete a sim ple intake form while remaining inside their cars. UNT Dallas volunteers will then load a box of food into the trunk and securely close it. 7300 University Hills Blvd., In Business Luncheon
2521 Women
A luncheon celebrating all 25 Women in Business honorees will take place at the Fairmont Dallas Hotel. Tiffaney Dale Hunter and the other honor ees will be featured in the September 2 issue of the Dallas Business Journal. 5 PM until hosted by Mr. and Mrs. James Price 13 World According to Andrew on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. CST. Sundays Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining commentary. Join the call 646200-0459 on Andrew’s World. Doc Shep Speaks Show! A fresh perspective, but still entertaining! Welcome to The Doc
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August 19, 2022myimessenger.com 47 Someone Like Me, is a panel with eight queer femme and non-binary artist sworking across mediums and cultures. It will be at the Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak Street, Tx 75404 through August 20, 2022.
AUGUST19 LaWonda’s Forever7640EVENTFULLYBirthday61stYOURSNELoop820,Suite110NorthHillsVillageNorthRichlandHills,TX76180CateringComplimentsofCastYourBread(ReginaHightower);MusicComplimentsofDJLemonPeppa;DecorComplimentsofBalloonsbySaundra(SaundraDanmola);MargoAnthony;InvitationComplimentsofMidnightHourDesigns(ReneeThomas);PhotographyComplimentsofFilms(FreddieWatkins);360PhBoothComplimentsofD’AmazingMemories(Vinita Walker) 19-208pm Afro Soca Love Shop Black and celebrate Black 1135 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas Music Show on Friday from 9p-2am Marketplace- Saturday 11a-6p 22 TenthFuture, Inc. will host the 10th Annual Dr. Stan McKenzie Classic Golf Tournament at Tenison Park Golf Course, 3501 Samuell Boulevard, Dallas 27 Building Homes for the Heroes fundraiser event at the Redefined Coffee House, 200 W. Northwest Highway, Grapevine, TX 76051 SEPTEMBER102022 UNCF National Walk for Education – North TX 7:00 am - 11:00 am LAKE CLIFF PARK 300 E. COLORADO BLVD. DALLAS, TX 75201 23 FREE Grant Writing & Business- Workshop with co-host GSA-Albert Garza and SBA-Nancy Alvarez which will be on September 23 and the last Legal Clinic will be October 22. 24 30 Prairie View A&M University -Dallas Alumni 25th Anniversary Scholarship Gala and Silent Auction Renaissance Dallas Hotel - Mardi Gras Theme 6:30pm OC TOBER15 23 Soul Food 816 Montgomery St., Dallas 27-30 Join journalism professionals, students, advisers and educators at MediaFest22 in Washington, D.C., Oct. 27-30! Registration is now open! Lifestyle Metro Calendar powered by Send your calendar items editor@texasmetronews.comto McKinney Oktoberfest SEP 23 AT 12 PM – SEP 25 AT 7 pm Historic Downtown McKinney 111 N. Tennessee St.
**** Sweet Tooth Hotel is presenting their newest exhib it Rewind through August 31. Located at Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm, 970 Garden Park Dr. Allen, TX 75013. Ticket prices range from $15-$35.
**** The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, located at 2201 N. Field St. Dallas, TX 75202, celebrates its 10th Anniversary with the new exhibit, “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall.” Starting July 9-September 5, world-renowned conservationist and ethologist Dr. Jane Goodall – who has famously studied chimpanzees in the wild for more than 60 years – will be celebrated in this special exhibition, produced in partnership with the National Geographic Society and the Jane Goodall Institute.
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August 19, 2022 I MESSENGER myimessenger.com52 ARRESTED HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST He targeted members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. but this is more than about a sorority. We’re talking about a community. Come on PEOPLE! Don’t you CARE? Will it matter when it is your sister, mother, aunt or grandmother or maybe YOU? Crimestoppers 877-373-8477
