I Messenger 12-31-21 by Cheryl Smith

I MESSENGER VOL XI NO 18 DECEMBER 31, 2021

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INSIDE

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES I interview some amazing women on my podcast. Today wasn’t any different. Listening to their journey not only inspires me but provides so much food for thought. All four guests each shared details about the trials and triumphs they’ve experienced but the one thing they all had in common was that they had to take some risks.

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I WAS JUST THINKING... Part I asked why teachers are paid so poorly, seemingly ignored by legislators, and basically treated like second-class citizens when compared to professionals with similar education and experience. In Part I, an award-winning, 25-year veteran teacher who annually earned about $45,000 said of her engineer brother...

2001, the TRE finally realized its full vision. Stretching from EBJ Union Station all the way to the Fort Worth T&P Station by Downtown Fort Worth, the TRE became a commuter rail system that serves the needs of all of the residents across North Texas. As part of the celebration, the TRE is offering riders the opportunity to win 25 days of free rides. Participants who share their fondest TRE memories have a chance to win 25 regional day passes. Entries will be accepted through January 2, 2022 at www.trinityrailwayexpress.org.

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Trinity Railway Express celebrates 25 Years of Service When the Trinity Railway Express (TRE ) debuted on December 30, 1996, it was met with much fanfare and anticipation and on Tuesday, December 30, 2021 the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) celebrated 25 years of providing unparalleled commuter rail service across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Operating between what is now EBJ Union Station and South Irving Station, the 10-mile commuter rail line enjoyed more than 4,000 riders during its first day of operation. Five years later, on December 3,

AT THE MOVIES

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Dallas ISD school renamed for late U.S. Rep. John Lewis Oliver W. Holmes Humanities Communications Academy will be renamed John Lewis Justice Academy at O.W. Holmes. The renaming was announced by Dallas ISD Trustee Maxie Johnson, who said it was something he got done as part of his goal to "fight for equity in the southern part of Dallas." Also an $80 million investment was announced that will go for a new building for the school.

Rep. John Lewis

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December 31, 2021

MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith Publisher

Another one for the history books It’s about time to stick a fork in 2021. There were so many lessons in this year which was the first full calendar year of the COVID-19 pandemic; a time that provided a “new norm” for us all. Some have grown and evolved while others have not made the best of their time, resources and energies. There has been a team that has worked tirelessly this year to educate, inform, enlighten, inspire and entertain during these trying times. Which brings me to my truth. At the beginning of the pandemic, we at I Messenger Media stressed our commitment to not only maintain a commitment to journalistic excellence; but to also ramp it up, take things to another level, and make things better. December 31, 2021

Our philosophy focused on being there for our audiences during good times and bad, in sickness and in health until death do us part. From there, our work would live in perpetuity. We are married to our readers, to those who want to make this world a better place, and yes, to those who are thirsting for truth, justice and love. We love what we do and we love who we do it for. As we dealt with navigating through the unknown and the hype, we wanted to continue being a voice for the voiceless, soldiers without swords and warriors on the right side of history. That takes commitment, courage, dedication and fortitude. Fortunately I have assembled, and continue to build on, a team with journalistic

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integrity, excellent work ethic and a commitment to our mission. And we have collaborated with others to level the playing field and build on a rich history. Are the tasks confronting us easy? Not by a long shot! Are team members challenged? Heck yes! We’ll continue working with others who are interested in spreading the truth, highlighting our accomplishments and building a better world. We shout out the National Newspaper Publishers Association, National Association of Black Journalists, Society of Professional Journalists, The Dallas Morning News, University of North Texas, City University of New York, Texas Observer, Texas Southern

University, Paul Quinn College, Florida A&M University, for collaborating with us. That’s why I love the seven principles of Kwanzaa. We’re talking about Umoja — Unity. It’s a universal message. In order for this world to be a better place, we must realize that where there is unity, there is strength. If we haven’t learned anything from the past year, we need to spend some time deep diving into why we are even breathing. And we, here at I Messenger Media, hope that you will never forget that we were here during the worst of times; that we never forgot about you. We renewed our love of and support for you. Remember us in the coming years! 2021, thanks for the memories! myimessenger.com

In 2022 Frugal is all the Rage! QUIT PLAYIN’ BY VINCENT L. HALL

True story. When I was 30 years old, all I wanted to be was a six-figure “Nicca.” I know the N-word bothers you, but “Que es lo que es!” (It is what it is!) And that’s exactly what I wanted to be. But nowadays, $100,000 ain’t enough to keep up with the “Joneses.” Listen up if you’re 20 to 39 and think you’re a real “Henry” (high earner- not rich yet). Let me spit some real game. In 2022 you will have to get smarter. Frugalness is in vogue. It’s all the rage! “Don’t break a dollar to spend a dime” is what mama always quoted as a caveat of caution; think before you part with your hard-earned money. She also warned, “Always look for a bargain and remember that a bargain ain’t a bargain unless it’s something you can use.” Unfortunately, we spend money on conveniences that we can’t afford. For example, bottled water costs a buck, more if you’re “fashionably bourgeoisie.” On the other hand, fresh drinking water runs in your pipes and most public places. There’s $50 -75 dollars per month and some fluoride for your children’s dental health. In the late ‘60s in Big D, I recall how excited we were when UHF stations myimessenger.com

were added to our choices of channels 4, 5, 8, and 11. Today we have up to 400 options via cable, satellite, and video over the internet. We traded a free commodity for one that costs $200 per month. Most of us could slash half of that expense. Do you use even 10% of the channels you pay for? Savvy shoppers realize that it’s not a hobby; it’s a skill. Don’t buy anything that’s not on sale and not at

Financial institutions provide overdraft protection on your checking and credit card accounts at an average of $25 per occurrence. So a day in jail may have been cheaper, and it may have taught you some patience. Automatic bill pay shouldn’t preclude you from checking your monthly statements. Debit cards are convenient, but like credit cards, they make us spend more than we would part with if we shelled out cold hard cash. What’s, do you pay for your cell service? Is your family on a plan designed to get the providers rich quickly? A Smartphone ain’t smart when you’re dumb and broke. What about your bad habits? Cigarettes are $10 a pack or $300 per month. Coffee or “energy drinks” could cost $200 per month per household member. Booze at home is cheaper than at the bar. I know because the billboard says that a DWI costs $17,000! We spend money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like. We burn gas like we have stock in oil companies. We Supersize combo meals and eat ourselves into obesity, oblivion, and outpatient clinics. After you tithe---lol-there’s laundry, groceries, tuition, medical bills, utilities, prescriptions, entertainment, toll roads, and the list goes on and on. Not to mention your manicured nails and feet and

DeForest B. Soaries, Jr.

least 50% less than the original price. Those enticing signs read “BOGO” or “buy one get one half off,” only save 25%. “Buy two get one free” is 33% off and only qualifies as a bargain if you can use three. Banks, credit unions, and credit card intermediaries make upwards of 30% of their profit these days on fees. So they took down those signs warning “hot” check writers they could be prosecuted. As a result, bankers these days are much more demure and much more dastardly.

the maintenance on that head of hair you bought or were blessed to grow independently. Times are hard, and inflation ain’t no joke. Even rich people tone it down during these kinds of economic swings. Sacrifice and think before every purchase. Wastefulness and spending sprees are no longer stylish. Log what you spend each day and what you spend it on. Then, just like the original calorie counting system, you will come to understand what you can cut without losing what you need. Think before you spend. Don’t break a dollar to spend a dime. Every bargain ain’t a bargain! You may not read it in the trendy magazines, but frugal is the latest fashion buzz! Read this book by Reverend DeForest B. Soaries! #dfree #jointhemovement Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

December 31, 2021

VOTE

VOTE December 31, 2021

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December 31, 2021

A ward W inning

Sunday Brunch B U F F E T

M a k e Yo u r R e s e r v a t i o n s TO DAY ! 97 2 - 2 9 6 - 0 4 0 3

Wear the masks, wash your hands and show love! December 31, 2021

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Potter Convicted in Death of Daunte Wright By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

A jury in Minnesota on Thursday convicted former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter on multiple manslaughter counts for the killing of Black motorist Daunte Wright. Potter, who said she mistakenly grabbed her service weapon instead of a stun gun during a traffic stop, could face up to 15 years in prison when she’s sentenced next month. The maximum sentence for first-degree manslaughter is 15 years and a $30,000 fine, and 10 years and a $20,000 fine for second-degree manslaughter. Potter, who is white, and other Brooklyn

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Former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter cries while testifying during her manslaughter trial in Minneapolis on on Dec. 17.

Center officers pulled Wright over on April 11 for expired registration tags and an air freshener on the rearview mirror of his car.

Authorities said once they realized that he had outstanding warrants, they attempted to arrest Wright, who they said resisted. When he tried to get back into his car, Potter yelled “Taser,” Taser,” but shot him with her service revolver. She maintained that she mistakenly drew the wrong weapon, including during a tearful testimony last week. Assistant Minnesota Attorney General Erin Eldridge told jurors in her closing argument that the case is “very simple” and came down to “reckless handling of a firearm” and “culpable negligence.” “You don’t blindly pull your weapon, pull the trigger, without being aware of the risk,” Eldridge asserted. Potter will be sentenced on Feb. 18.

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In 2022, Count the Cost FAITHFUL UTTERANCES BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW

I interview some amazing women on my podcast. Today wasn’t any different. Listening to their journey not only inspires me but provides so much food for thought. All four guests each shared details about the trials and triumphs they’ve experienced but the one thing they all had in common was that they had to take some risks. All of them had struggles that included illness, childhood traumas, ignoring naysayers, experiencing the loss of relationships, and even losing material wealth. They risked relationships in order to have peace and sanity. They risked traditional career paths to pursue their passion. They risked the possibility of criticism, isolation, and acceptance to follow their calling. The call for something greater was more important than any of those circumstances. I noticed several commonalities that existed with my guests:

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1. The past was not allowed to dictate their present and destroy their future. 2. Recognizing the role of trauma is critical but doing the work is imperative to heal so that they could operate in wholeness. 3. Seeing the power of God

7. In everything you do, count the cost. With a new year upon us, many people are making plans about what they want to do differently in their personal and professional lives. In anything that we consider, it’s important to have a plan but it’s para-

There are costs to everything even our faith. Are you willing to give up and let go of bad ways of thinking, toxic relationships, or dead-end jobs to trust God for something greater? and God’s hand in everything is not only a must but a mindset. 4. Problems were lessons that served as a foundation for their future. 5. Being open to the possibilities and knowing that change is inevitable is a necessity for success. 6. Joy, Peace, and Humor are companions that you can’t live without, and Boundaries will be your best friend.

mount to pay attention to the risks. You need to analyze the pros and cons. You must count the cost. In Luke 25-33 (MSG), Jesus shares that even following him is a risk that you must be aware of: “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run

out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.” For many of us, we assume that when we become a Christian that life will get easier and/or better. That’s not always the case. One of my guests stated that she lost everything to gain something so much greater. There are costs to everything even our faith. Are you willing to give up and let go of bad ways of thinking, toxic relationships, or dead-end jobs to trust God for something greater? I hope that as you make plans for your possibilities that you don’t exclude God. Always examine the pros and cons-count the cost. Be willing to take the risk. As I tell my daughter often, be willing to bet on you. You are worth the risk to embody the greatness that God has placed within you. 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.

December 31, 2021

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December 31, 2021

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With Few Options, Undocumented Black Immigrants Face Difficult Choice By Sam P.K. Collins Upon immigrating to the U.S. from St. Lucia, Ronnie started an academic journey he thought would help him achieve his goals. However, more than 15 years after moving to Brooklyn, New York, with his mother and brother, Ronnie said he continues to experience firsthand the drawbacks of his precarious immigration status. In 2011, his visa expired. When he graduated from an aviation high school several years later, instructors couldn’t determine how to help him begin pilot training without permanent residency. After acquiring his bachelor’s degree in 2019, Ronnie faced more disappointment when he had to pass up on a job on Capitol Hill. As a beneficiary of Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA), Ronnie, who asked only to be identified by his first name, has temporary protection against deportation but no pathway to American citizenship. He, along with others covered by the 2012 program, has to reapply for protection nearly every two years in a process he describes as convoluted and increasingly costly. If he doesn’t complete the DACA renewal process by next year, Ronnie will have no safety net. “We’re living in the consequences of politicians who don’t act. I’m at a place where I have to dream less,” said Ronnie, who’s currently enmyimessenger.com

rolled in a graduate program at CUNY City College. “I’m thinking about whether I would stay 15 more years with dreams of becoming documented or go to Canada where immigrants have more accessible pathways to citizenship. I’m disappointed in the trajectory the United States has taken. It’s a deeper articulation of race.” On-the-Ground Organizing for Undocumented Black Immigrants Over the last several months, Ronnie and several other affiliates of UndocuBlack have organized to heighten awareness about the plight of undocumented Black immigrants, a constituency that members say has been marginalized in conversation about immigration reform. The latest juncture of UndocuBlack’s efforts involves the Build Back Better Act. On Dec. 15, UndocuBlack and other organizations led a march through Downtown D.C. to call for the inclusion of language that paves a pathway to a green card for millions of undocumented immigrants, including those hailing from Africa and the Caribbean. A provision of the Build Back Better Act, currently under debate in the Senate, protects undocumented immigrants who’ve lived in the U.S. for more than a decade and provides them with healthcare access and the ability to travel home without consequence. It has been estimat-

ed to affect 7 million illegal immigrants, many of whom count as essential workers, Temporary Protected Status recipients and DREAMers. Upon entering office, President Joe Biden (D) touted immigration reform among his administration’s top priorities. However, attempts to exercise executive power to make permanent policy changes have sparked pushback from federal judges. In Congress, Biden’s overhaul of immigration laws hasn’t found much traction. Earlier this year, the Senate struck down his attempt to forge a path to permanent citizenship. Meanwhile, Black migrants, specifically Haitians, continue to feel the wrath of border patrol agents and U.S. immigration agencies. In September, photos surfaced of U.S. border patrol agents on horseback whipping Haitian asylum seekers in Del Rio, Texas. Though Biden condemned the officers’ actions, his administration later ushered in the deportation of those Haitians. Critics have since pointed to Biden’s use of Trump-era legislation that has led to a surge of border patrol agents during the pandemic. As a cohort of undocumented and formerly undocumented Black immigrants, UndocuBlack Network has led several marches over years, including one in February to highlight the plight of Haitians. “We’ve been in the streets for Black Lives Matter, the

women’s march and immigration while all still fighting for Black immigrant-specific issues [and] we’re very drained. [But] the march was very rejuvenating,’ said Yoliswa Khumalo Hadebe, UndocuBlack Network’s director of narrative and media. “The Haitians’ pain isn’t separate from [the pain] of collective Black oppression,” said Hadebe who hails from South Africa. “There are other Black migrants left behind at the border and in detention who’ve had the same experiences, which is why we’ve asked for an expansive understanding of the issue.” An Issue Uniting Black People of Various Ethnicities Haitians count among 4.2 million Black immigrants living in the U.S., many of whom arrive in need of asylum or as refugees. Even though Black immigrants account for nine percent of those who arrived illegally, the Black Alliance for Justice Immigration estimates that one out of five illegal immigration cases involve Black people. Research shows that the majority of foreign-born Black people come from Africa and the Caribbean and tend to have a better command of English than their counterparts from Latin America and other parts of the world. The lack of a language barrier, in part, has been identified as a reason why Black immigrants’ strife hasn’t been deemed as dire as that of Latino immigrants. See BLACK IMMIGRANTS, page 30

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December 31, 2021

Reparations Rising with Robin Rue Simmons THE LAST WORD BY DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX

The Honorable John Conyers, who represented Detroit in Congress from 1965 until 2017, introduced HR 40 every congressional session from 1989. He worked to get cosponsors for the legislation for nearly thirty years, but not even the entire Congressional Black Caucus would cosponsor. Upon his retirement from Congress, he passed the baton to Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Thanks to her efforts and those of reparations organizations, including the National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC) and the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA), the number of cosponsors approaches two hundred members of Congress. With 218, the legislation could pass in Congress. Full disclosure. I serve as a NAARC commissioner, as does Kamm Howard, the co-chair of N’COBRA. With a Senate dominated by conservative Democrats and obstructionist Republicans, when HR 40 passes in Congress, it is unlikely to pass in the Senate. However, it is essential to acknowledge the enormous progress the reparations movement has experienced since Conyers first introduced HR 40. Then, if you mentioned reparations in some circles, including those dominated by African Americans, you’d be rewarded with an eye roll and a “reality” check. Movements don’t happen overnight, though, and the reparations movement is rising, thanks to the tireless work of committed activists, who have December 31, 2021

persistently raised the issue. Robin Rue Simmons, a former Alderman in Evanston, Illinois, shepherded reparations legislation in that city and helped design a program that will use money from legal cannabis sales to fund reparations. The program emerges from documentation of the ways local legislation widened the wealth gap between 1919 and 1969 and explicitly targets Evanston residents and their descendants for the initial round of reparations. Within the next several weeks, 16 families will get $25,000 checks to put a down payment on a home, reduce a mortgage balance, or do repairs that increase the value of their homes.

founding First Repair (firstrepair.org), an organization focused on helping state and local governments shape reparations initiatives. First Repair most recently (December 9-11) co-convened a symposium (along with NAARC) with state and local reparations leaders. Sixty people from twenty-five cities, including Boston, Asheville, North Carolina, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, gathered to discuss their efforts to implement local reparations. The activist Danny Glover spoke at a town hall meeting that included a telephone address by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. The fact that so many cities

Robin Rue Simmons

While these modest payments do very little to reduce the wealth gap, they improve the wealth position of these families. Evanston has taken a small but revolutionary step in the right direction. Robin chose not to run for reelection, although she would have probably faced only token opposition if she had. Instead, she has been working full-time on the issue of local reparations,

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and states are considering reparations initiatives and appointing reparations commissions is invigorating and encouraging. As Robin Rue Simmons said, change happens from the bottom up and not the top down. The more cities and states that have reparations conversations, the more awareness those at the top will have that this is an issue that is not going away. Our nation is culpable for the

exploitation of enslaved people and their descendants. We have gotten little more than a tepid apology. Our country must do more. While HR 40 calls for the establishment of a commission to make reparations suggestions, if President Biden really wanted to have our backs, as he so often says, he could, through executive order, establish such a commission now. I had hoped that President Obama might have done so, but that issue was such a hot potato for our then-President that he would not even consider it. The more talk there is about reparations, the more information is disseminated. President Biden, Vice-President Harris, can you take this step in the right direction? Meanwhile, I’m lifting up Robin Rue Simmons, a 45-yearold leader, activist, and tireless reparations advocate. She has dedicated her life to the reparations movement, using the Evanston experience as a blueprint for other municipalities considering reparations. It’s important to note that reparations are not just about a check. It is about healing, restoring, reclaiming what has been taken from the descendants of enslaved people. It’s not just about enslavement. It’s about laws passed after Emancipation that systematically robbed us of our rights, work, worth, and wealth. Thanks to folks like Robin Rue Simmons (also a NAARC commissioner), Kamm Howard, Dr. Ron Daniels, Sheila Jackson Lee, Danny Glover, and so many others, the reparations movement is rising! Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an author, economist, and social commentator.

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Let’s Get Right to It! WAKE UP AND STAY WOKE DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ.

There’s an obvious scheme afoot to return the United States to a period in time where we lived with a completely different social construct and contract. There are those who are diligently working to return us to a time before many of the hard-fought and recently won constitutional protections we (supposedly) now enjoy. The very ones who think we benefit disproportionately are the ones working overtime to steal our hard-earned gains. They pretend not to understand when we point to their efforts to oppress and diminish those rights. They seem to nonchalantly say, “We didn’t really intend for non-white people to ever become equal.” There is one political party that has fully embraced the political and social philosophies of white supremacy. Every time we see news reports, we know which political party that is! They’ve even found help among select people of color who have been adequately rewarded to “move on up and live high on the hog” as payment to deny the circumstance which the masses protest. They know better, but, at the expense of our people, are willing to go along for a self-serving purpose!

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Sadly, the other political party seemingly does not recognize the current and ongoing threat to our democracy. Their infighting and constant focus on two recalcitrant members provide the perfect example of an unforced, self-induced error. I do not negate the importance of the progressive work being done, but there is an unacceptable naivety of blindly working for progressive outcomes while the mechanics of their destruction are being codified daily by political opponents in increasing numbers of states. Even a blind man can see that Republicans are committed to converting our democracy into a fascist, permanent majority. True to his word, the disgraced, twice-impeached ex-president’s three appointees to the Supreme Court are intent on establishing a pathway to the elimination of Roe v. Wade. Although I value the sanctity of life, I equally value the right of a woman to make cogent decisions about her health and life. As an attorney, I see no clearer indication of their true intent than their allowing the Texas abortion law to stand, concurrently, in contradiction to decided law (Roe). Almost daily, we are witness to the imposition of new laws giving Republicans the authority and means to override voter outcomes that are unfavorable to them. In their flagrant attempt to overturn the 2020 elections, Republicans have assigned the label of “ille-

gitimate” votes and voters in areas occupied by voters of color. Their voter suppression laws and activities shout their belief that the votes of people of color matter less than those of their “white base.” Left unchallenged, the outcome is clear. We may not know how far some will choose to take us, but we understand the direction they will want to go. You must protest these negative eventualities. You don’t need flowery rhetoric or a well-designed script. We have no time to waste! Write or send your emails to: • Sen. Charles Schumer, US Senate, Washington, DC 20510 • Sen. Mitch McConnell, US Senate, Washington, DC 20510 • Sen. Joe Manchin, US Senate, Washington, DC 20510 • Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, US Senate, Washington, DC 20510 • The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, US House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 • Congressman James Clyburn, US House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 Explain that you support the John R. Lewis Voter Rights Act and want it passed into law, even if it requires a “carve-out” of the Senate filibuster. The future is critical. We can’t wait for others to act. Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. Contact her via www.nationalcongressbw. org.

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IN MEMORIAM: CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY

DR. YONDELL MOORE, SR. MD FREEDA LOIS BIGGS MOORE October 22, 1942 - December 18, 2021

November 16, 1936 - December 18, 2021 U.S. VETERAN

Thursday, December 30, 2021 11:00 AM New Hope Baptist Church 5002 S. Central Expressway Dallas, TX 75215 Born in Hallsville, Texas, Dr. Yondell E. Moore, Sr., MD, was the only child of the late Mrs. Lula Daniels Moore and Mr. Elvas Hubert Moore. Both parents were educators in public school systems of East Texas. He attended Atlas Elementary School in Hallsville through eighth grade. He then attended Pemberton High School, Marshall, Texas where he later graduated at the age of 16 years old.

Dr. Yondell Elvas Moore

While at Pemberton, he excelled in band, and won several interscholastic awards with his alto saxophone that he continued to play later in life. In 1958, Dr. Moore graduated from Howard University, Washington D.C. with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. After receiving a teaching certificate from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, he taught for three years at Sequoyah Middle School and James Madison High School in the Dallas Independent School District. “Bitten by the bug” of medicine from an early age, he returned to school, in 1961 and earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee in 1965. He then completed a rotating internship, followed by a residency in Urolmyimessenger.com

ogy and Urological Surgery in 1966 and 1970, respectively, at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Subsequently, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant Commander and a Staff Urologist at the Naval Hospital in St. Albans, NY. In 1972, Dr. Moore opened his private practice in Urology and Urological Surgery in Dallas, Texas. He was Dallas’s first African American Urologist, and the 16th African American Urologist in the Nation. Over the next 39 years, he continuously practiced medicine in Dallas. He has presented numerous seminars on urological issues to a variety of church, school, and community groups, as well as radio and television audiences. Although he retired from his urology practice, Dr. Moore continues to participate in prostate screenings to detect prostate cancer with Methodist Dallas Hospital Men’s Health Department. Additionally, he was a Medical Consultant to Region 6, Social Security Administration, where he reviewed disability claims. As only the second Black scout to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout in East Texas (1954), Dr. Moore’s interest in scouting continued throughout his lifetime. He served as Consulting Physician and Health and Safety Inspector for Comanche District, Circle 10 Council for many years. And, in 1992 he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award by the Boy Scouts of America. Hunting since he was old enough to hold a bow and arrow, Dr. Moore was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed archery and traveling. Dr. Moore was always excited to drive the open road to see God’s country! He was a founding member of the Buffalo Hunt Club established See DR. YONDELL MOORE, page 38

During the evening of October 22, 1942, in Tyler, TX, Freeda Lois Biggs, the third of seven children, was born to Walter and Arnesia Biggs. Freeda attended Mrs. McDowell's Nursery in the neighborhood located in North Tyler, T.J. Austin Elementary, and Emmett J. Scott Junior High in Tyler, TX. She played piano for the Youth Choir at North Star Baptist Church. In 1960, she graduated Valedictorian of her Emmett J. Scott High School Class. The first year of college in1961, Freeda attended Prairie View A&M College in Prairie View, Texas, majoring in Journalism and Pre-Nursing. However, she transferred to Homer G. Phillips Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, MO and graduated as a board-certified Registered Nurse. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in 1968 from St. Louis University, a major Catholic university in that city. She was often the only Black student in classes. Freeda taught Medical -Surgical Nursing at her alma mater for two years, including Operating Room Nursing, Orthopedics, Urological and Neurological Nursing - Theory and Clinical practice. Homesick for Texas, she moved to Houston, joined the surgical team at St. Luke's Hospital in the Houston Medical Center and worked directly with the internationally renowned Cardiac Surgeon, Dr. Denton Cooley, MD. Later she returned to nursing education and joined the teaching staff at Hermann Hospital School of Nursing. Freeda was offered a teaching position while pursuing a Master's Degree in MedicalSurgical Nursing at Texas Woman's University, Houston Campus. She accepted the challenge, however, after the first semester she changed her major to Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing and graduated cum laude in that specialty.

Freeda's career in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing began as Project Director Nursing of a pilot non-narcotic drug abuse unit - one of 10 nationwide funded by the US government. Afterwards she decided to enter Private Practice in Psychiatric-Mental Health as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) with two other Masters-degree leveled social workers in Houston. With their combined skills while presenting workshops, classes, etc, they captured audiences throughout Houston, TX and the Nation. She also wrote articles for newspapers.

Freeda Lois Biggs Moore

After the group practice disbanded, Freeda practiced solo, and joined the faculty of the Department of Education at Harris County Hospital District. In 1990, Freeda united in marriage with Dr. Yondell E. Moore, Sr, MD, Dallas' first Black Urologist, who literally "swept her off her feet.” She moved to Dallas where he had a thriving medical practice. While continuing her private practice in Psychiatric-Mental Counseling and Consulting, she also managed his medical office over the next 20 years. Together they united with New Hope Baptist Church and remained faithful members for many years until the present; he as a devoted Deacon and she as an elected member of the Board of Trustees. She also joined the Priscilla Art Club and Phillis Wheatley Literary Society. See FREEDA LOIS, page 38

December 31, 2021

IN MEMORIAM

Noted publisher, Mary Jervay Thatch, remembered The Black Press and African American community have lost a legendary leader, fighter and advocate for human rights, civil rights, and justice. Indeed, one of her most successful efforts made worldwide news. Mary Alice Jervay Thatch, the third generation editor and publisher of The Wilmington Journal, died December 28th at the age of 78. Mrs. Thatch was the proud daughter of publisher Thomas C. Jervay, Sr., and granddaughter of founder R.S. Jervay, a Black printer who started The Journal originally as the Cape Fear Journal in 1927. “T.C.” Jervay, as her father was known as, made The Journal a centerpiece of the civil rights struggle in Wilmington “without fear or favor,” so much so that in 1973, a white supremacist firebombed the paper because it supported 10 falsely criminally-accused activists known as the Wilmington Ten. Thatch would proudly tell how even being firebombed could not “run Daddy out of town” or stop the next edition. “That was the power of the Black Press,” said the woman who grew up at the Journal from the time she was a baby. Mrs. Thatch, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Elizabeth City State University, and a Master’s Degree from UNC-Greensboro before going into teaching, took over as Journal editor/publisher in 1996. Under her leadership, the paper continued its tradition of being a strong voice for Wilmington’s African American community with incisive reporting, and straight-forward editorials demanding

December 31, 2021

justice for African Americans, challenging the Wilmington/New Hanover County and North Carolina power structures, and maintaining, long, long before it was fashionable, that Black lives DO matter! “The first African American paper in the country was Freedom’s Journal,” Thatch one said. “The first line read something like ‘we are here to plead our own cause.’ That will always be the mission of the Black Press: to fulfill the needs of the community we serve.” She was tough on those who worked with her, because Mrs Thatch believed thoroughly in two things - the high standards set by her father in serving the community, and the belief that the African-American community always deserved the very best in effort and results. She was a visionary who saw The Journal doing greater and greater things to serve the community, all the while fighting growing economic pressures that threatened to close her doors. That didn’t stop her for using the paper to stand for voting rights, and demand that both the Democratic and Republican parties fairly patronize the Black Press with their advertising during election seasons. Thatch also led North Carolina Black Press in pushing voter registration, believing the Black voter empowerment was a key to freedom. But it was in 2011 when Mrs. Thatch convinced the National Newspaper Publishers Association, of which she was a member and her father formerly led, to advocate for North Carolina to pardon the Wilmington Ten, the 10 NC civil rights activists falsely convicted of firebombing a white-owned grocery store in 1971.

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Mary Jervay Thatch

All ten, including leader Rev. Ben Chavis, were sentenced to over 200 years in prison and had spent the last 40 years with the false convictions attached to their names. In 2012, Mrs. Thatch led a team of black journalists, attorneys and activists in uncovering proof that the Ten were originally framed. She also led a campaign that garnered over 150,000 petition signatures asking then Gov. Beverly Perdue to grant pardons of innocence to the Ten. On Dec. 31st, 2012, as the last thing before she left office, Gov. Perdue indeed issued 10 pardons of innocence to the Wilmington Ten, thus clearing their names. The official act cleared their names, and made worldwide news. But it all started with the unmatched determination of a single Black newspaper publisher. Mary Alice Thatch was honored as Publisher of the Year by the NNPA the following year, in the finest tradition of Black Press advocacy.

Mrs. Thatch was serving as the president of the North Carolina Black Publishers Association at the time of her death. She was also a past board member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), and past board member and secretary of the National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. “On behalf of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, we extend our heartfelt condolences to …the family of our beloved NNPA publisher and leader, Mary Alice Jervay Thatch (RIP),” said Rev. Ben Chavis, now president of the NNPA in a statement. “We will always fervently uphold her legacy and contribution to the Black Press of America and especially her leadership of the North Carolina Black Press Association (NCBPA). God bless.” “She lived a gigantic meaningful life and was certainly a voice for Wilmington,” said attorney and NCCU Law Professor Irving Joyner. “It is not an understatement to loudly proclaim that she spoke “truth to power” and did it in an unflinching manner.” P.R. Jervay, Jr., NCBPA Media Services said, “Mary Alice’s strength, commitment, and dedication to organization with a purpose was an inspiration to her fellow African American publishers around the state.” Mary Alice Jervay Thatch leaves to cherish her memory, a devoted husband, Rev. John L. Thatch, three daughters, Robin Thatch Johnson, Shawn Thatch, and Johanna Thatch-Briggs, along with a host of family and friends. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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December 31, 2021

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December 31, 2021

Teachers “Cain’t get no respect!”

P a r t II

I WAS JUST THINKING... NORMA ADAMSWADE

Part I asked why teachers are paid so poorly, seemingly ignored by legislators, and basically treated like second-class citizens when compared to professionals with similar education and experience. In Part I, an award-winning, 25-year veteran teacher who annually earned about $45,000 said of her engineer brother: “His bonus is more than my salary.” [Time magazine article] In part II here, we are at the cusp of the new year 2022. This is where we, the public, can get active in new projects and goals. Let’s put making life, salaries and work environments better for teachers near the top of our list of things to do. But first, let’s further explore more daily frustrations and emotional assaults teachers say they endure and have written about in teacher blogs and various media articles December 31, 2021

Teachers love what they do but deserve better pay. History of low pay for teachers dates back to the 1930s. Photo Credit: iStock Getty Images.

and interviews. 1. Principals who retaliate if the teacher sends unruly students to the office instead of the teacher handling the student in the classroom. 2. Recurring intercom an-

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nouncements that disrupt classroom instruction. 3. Not being allowed to give failing grades to students who do not perform. 4. Being pressured to “teach to the test” rather than put individual learning above

passing a test. 5. Sharing a classroom with an alternating teacher who leaves behind a mess and fails to put desks back the way they were. 6. Students who will behave at church but act like animals myimessenger.com

Teachers have bills to pay, too.

in school classrooms. 7. Having to stay for after-school and extra-curricular activities but not receiving extra pay. 8. While salaries stay the same, demands on teacher’s time have greatly increased; i.e., more meetings and less time to plan lessons and take breaks, more time dealing with students’ emotional issues, including homelessness and abuse at home. 9. Dealing with the many challenges that the coronavirus pandemic created. One abiding question is: how did this disdain for teachers develop? One available answer is sexism. Teachers largely are female and females notoriously are under-paid. Another theory is that teachers largely enter the field because they love teaching and helping youths, and are not in it for the money. Many educators agree that myimessenger.com

Photo Credit: iStock Getty Images.

they did not become teachers for the money – but quickly add that more equitable paychecks are deserved. How can the public help? Suggestions: all organizations and individuals should write letters and emails to their elected officials, urging that they increase teacher pay and improve work conditions. Also, on annual Teacher Appreciation Days, maybe instead of sending an apple or an energy drink, send a thank you card with money inside to help the teacher buy classroom supplies or simply a personal gift. Another abiding question is will teaching become extinct? Maybe not, but researcher say it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract young, talented college graduates to teaching careers. Graduates are well-aware of the poor conditions and low pay, so they choose more lucrative fields. A solution that might

attract these graduates? Make the pay more equitable with other fields. [[U. S. News & World Report] Also, even with all the headache associated with healthcare careers, researchers say nurses are paid higher than teachers. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that within the last three to four years, a registered nurse (usually a female) annually earned $73,550, compared to the $56, 383 to $58,950 we mentioned in Part I as the average teacher salary. [Time Magazine] Lastly, a number of lawmakers argue that the current status of teachers is just find: Their perks include that they get a summer break from teaching (even though a great number get second and third jobs), and that retirement and health benefits that teacher unions have negotiated seem satisfactory (on the surface). Teacher unions and re-

searchers counter that about 40 percent of teachers do not get social security – an oddity that dates back to the original 1935 Social Security Act, and involves state laws vs. federal laws. Texas is one of 15 states and the District of Columbia that chose not to accept when a 1950s offer was made to combine state pensions and federal social security. Many lawmakers felt the rejection would help avoid the threat of higher federal taxes. [www. TeacherPensions.org…and… www.time.com] So, again, how can you help in 2022? Get with your clubs, faith groups and various organizations – including individual letters and e-mails – and urge your lawmakers to do the right thing for teachers in 2022. Norma Adams-Wade is a veteran, award-winning journalist, Graduate of UT- Austin and Dallas native. One of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), she was inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame

December 31, 2021

A ward W inning

Sunday Brunch BUFFET

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I MESSENGER

December 31, 2021

M a k e Yo u r R e s e r v a t i o n s TO DAY ! 97 2 - 2 9 6 - 0 4 0 3

Wear the masks, wash your hands and show love!

Be the lifeline patients need.

Give blood or platelets.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS, use the Blood Donor App, or visit RedCrossBlood.org

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December 31, 2021

IN MEMORIAM

Joseph Bell JUN. 21, 1929 – DEC. 15, 2021 Joseph BELL, age 92, of Dallas, Texas passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Joseph Bell was born on June 21, 1929 in Hartselle, Alabama to Joseph and Melweda Bell. He was raised in Birmingham and graduated from Westfield High School in Brighton, Alabama in 1946. Joe was the eldest of seven children; Mary Helen Bell, Robert Bell (deceased), Josephine Riley (deceased), Alice Triggs (deceased), Zilphia Carter (James), and Quannie Johnson (deceased). Upon graduation from high school he enlisted in the Army where he attained the rank of First Lieutenant. After serving his country he enrolled at Tuskegee Institute earning a Bachelor’s of Science

in Education (‘53) and a Master’s of Education (‘56). Upon graduation from Tuskegee he served as a principal in Georgia before moving to Dallas. Joe also spent a summer as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Colorado-Boulder. In Dallas, Joe served as a teacher at H. S. Thompson Elementary School and assistant principal at Pearl C. Anderson Junior High School and Hillcrest High School. He ultimately transitioned out of education and became the program director at KDFW Channel 4 working there for 21 years. While at Channel 4 he spearheaded and served as the executive director of the first Black public affairs show, Insights. The show earned an award for the best public affairs program in the coun-

try by the National Association of Black Journalists and the Phoebe Award from the Texas Congress of Parent Teacher Associations. Joe was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, NAACP, and worked as a regional president of the Tuskegee Alumni Association. He also served on the board of the local YMCA and Urban League. While at Tuskegee he met his wife, Annie Baccus, whom he remained faithfully married to for 61 years. Joe and Annie were dutiful parents to their children Steven, JoAnn (deceased), Gregory, Sarita (Mario), and Barbara (Adolphus). He was fiercely independent and an avid reader of history, possessing an encyclopedic memory of events and people. Joe was especially fond of speaking of

Joseph BELL

all things Alabama. He was a confidante and mentor to many civic leaders in the community and a pillar of the Cedar Crest neighborhood. Joe leaves to cherish his memory his two sisters, Mary Helen Bell and Zilphia Carter; children Steven, Gregory, Sarita, and Barbara; and grandchildren Jeremy Bell, Jamar Root, Ayaana Root, and Brooke Davis.

Black Immigrants cont. from page 15 Juliette, Ronnie’s mother, called on Americans, particularly Black Americans, to better empathize with Black immigrants who enter the U.S. to improve their lives and that of their families. Several years ago, before sending for Ronnie and his brother, Ronnie’s mother left St. Lucia for North Carolina, and later New York. She, too, rose through the ranks of the American education system but not without being denied a driver’s license and academic scholarships and forced to endure the prejudice of employees in the university bursar’s office. However, Ronnie’s mother continued to press on, working 80hour weeks and paying for her education out of pocket, all while supporting her children December 31, 2021

and family members in her native country. Two years into her graduate program, she remains confident that she can eventually acquire the tools needed to help Black immigrants facing trouble along the U.S. border. “People look at us as coming in and taking what’s theirs but we’re doing the jobs they won’t do and we do it for less pay,” Ronnie’s mother said. “We’re not here to cause problems. We want to get into the system and achieve the American dream. We’re being ostracized because of the color of our skin. Our Black brothers and sisters need to identify with us more and understand we’re not here to fight but to improve the system.”

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December 31, 2021

A ward W inning

Sunday Brunch B U F F E T

M a k e Yo u r R e s e r v a t i o n s TO DAY ! 97 2 - 2 9 6 - 0 4 0 3

December 31, 2021

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December 31, 2021

AT THE MOVIES BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

A JOURNAL FOR JORDAN

Denzel Washington is brilliant as the director of A Journal for Jordan. It will make all single viewers green with envy with the relationship between Charles (Michael B. Jordan) and Dana (Chante Adams). It’s a romantic love story, but it also concentrates heavily on the sacrifices our military has to make when deployed overseas and the sacrifices of loved ones left back home as well. For example, when Dana gives birth to the couple’s son, Jordan, Charles is in the Middle East with no idea he will be allowed to come home. The relationship between the two is also realistic, showing the trials and tribulations of a new couple. Dana and Charles also have some funny moments, like the way she is always teasing him about his raggedy sneakers and the casual way he dresses (she eventually buys him a suit). Dana also has issues dating a military man because her father is a retired military officer who was unfaithful to her mother. The movie has substance. It’s not just two good looking people falling in bed with each other. The movie is based on a real army vet, First Sergeant Charles Monroe, who was killed in the Gulf War. While in battle, Charles keeps a journal for the unborn son teaching him life lessons like how to be a decent man and all of the philosophies of life that he believes in. His mother gives him the journal when he’s 16 and he stays engrossed in the journal learning about a father he never knew. Washington puts some really likable characters up on the screen. You root for Dana and Charles on their relationship and later in the film you root for young Jordan to learn all that he can about his deceased father. Denzel deserves an Oscar nomination for this film. There’s a lot of depth to this movie and it’s also filled with simple lessons of life, like the importance of having your affairs in order and keeping a will. The movie is a tearjerker and a very heartfelt look at military life. I’m going back to watch it again. The movie is rated PG-13 and runs a little bit over 2 hours. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate A Journal for Jordan a JUMBO. December 31, 2021

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December 31, 2021

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Virtual and liVe Community Calendar HIV/AIDS Awareness

Afro Soca Love: Dallas Black Owned Marketplace at Gilley’s Dallas, 1135 Botham Jean Blvd. 9 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3IMlWcs.

RECURRING 2021 Fall Exhibitions Ruth Mae McCrane, at the African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave. 10 am-5 pm. Info: aamdallas.org.

Revive 2022 at Concord Church, 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr. 7-11 pm. Tickets: https://bit. ly/33qgIDd

Thursday Night Jam Sessions with the Kappa’s at Daq’s Luxury Daiquiri Lounge, 8700 Preston Rd. Plano, 4-10 pm. Info: www.nikishaw.com Liquid Soul at Distinctive Vines Wine Lounge, 1110 S. Akard St. 5-10 pm. Tickets: https://bit. ly/3E7tkLV. 3rd Annual Jerry Pinkney Day and Kwanzaa Celebration at Dallas West Branch Library, 2332 Singleton Blvd. 11 am Tickets: bit.ly/3ewmXr6

Kuumba: Creativity Using creating and your imagination to make communities better Kuumba: Creativity - Using creating and your imagination to make communities better Poet-

BRIGHT LIGHTs- Child Trafficking Awareness at Angelika Film Center & Café, 5321 E. Mockingbird Ln. #230 6 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3erF95p

JANUARY 7

Truth’s Black And Gold NYE Party at Velvet Hookah Lounge, 2741 E. Belt Line Rd. #115, Carrollton. 9 pm-2 am. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3sC7nTs

Chocolate Secrets Open Mic Monday, Chocolate Secrets, 3926 Oak Lawn Ave. 7:30-11pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3mGIBN2.

First Friday + M.A.D.E. Dallas at Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S. Harwood. 7-10 pm.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre and AARP IL Presents a night of Jazz and Ballet Online at Facebook Live 7-8pm CST. Reg: https://bit.ly/3pxkS4R

VIRTUAL Black Abolitionist Tour of London host Dr. Hannah Murray, University of Edinburgh, Online event 12-1:30 pm CST. Tickets: bit. ly/3e9Jjyy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR Imani: Faith - Believing in people, families, leaders, teachers and the righteousness of the African American struggle.

Black Organization - 2022 Networking Think Tank at Waxahachie Civic Center, 2000 Civic Center Ln. 2-6:30 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3pcALNC 4th Annual Smooth Jazz New Year Day-Day Party feat: Natural Change Band, from 5-10:30 pm CST. Tickets: WWW.DFWSOCIAL40.COM.

“The World According to Drew” with Andrew Whigham, III 8-10 am CDT.

Tuesdays “DOC SHEP SPEAKS SHOW” with Dr. Felicia Shepherd, 11 am CDT,

The Black Magic Party Feat: Isis Brantley at Legacy of Love Art Gallery, 2423 Ann Arbor Ave. 9 pm-2 am. Tickets: https://bit.ly/313ZkDq. Parent Seminar “What About the Children?” For family law cases. Zoom Event 11am-2:15 pm CST. Reg: https://bit.ly/3sC1ndd

JANUARY 4

JANUARY 1

Sundays

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DFW’s #1 Lash Extension Class at Picture Perfect Lashes, 1216 Florida Dr. #140, Arlington. 9 am-4:30 pm. Tickets: bit.ly/3puFlar

Non-Tech Roles in Tech: How to Leverage your Transferable Skills, from 7-8:30 pm CST. Reg: https://bit.ly/32mda4P

JANUARY 3

Empowering The Masses Disaster Relief Drive Through Food Pantry at 3314 Detonte St. Dallas. 8 am-11 pm. Info: call 972-460-6316 or www. empoweringthemasses.org.

DECEMBER 31

JANUARY 6

The Art of Luxury Black & White NYE Affair at House Of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. 10 pm-2 am. Tickets: https://bit.ly/33C2S0p.

DECEMBER 30 Nia: Purpose - Remembering and restoring African and African American cultures, customs and history

Mi Amora Wednesdays at Amora Kitchen and Lounge, 12255 Greenville Ave. #130. 10 pm-2 am. Reservations: 469-844-8545.

Ubuntu Market for Small Business. Hosted by Pan African Connection, 4466 Marsalis, Dallas. 12-5 pm. For vendor Info: Email: adjwoahogue@yahoo.com

New Year’s Eve Worship Experience at Disciple Central, 901 N Polk St, DeSoto. 11:50 am.

DECEMBER 30-31

CHERYL’S WORLD Tune in to Cheryl’s World on BlogTalkRadio.com, FaceBook Live and Streamyard for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative and entertaining news and commentary. Call 646-200-0459 to join in.

JANUARY 2

ry Night at Black & Bitter Coffee, 100 S. Main St. Duncanville 8 pm.

Red Cross Blood Drive at Dallas County Democratic Party Event Center 1414 N. Washington Ave. 10-4 pm. Lasoa Cigar Lounge Ladies Wine Down Tuesdays at 2150 N. Josey Ln. 3109 Carrollton. 5-8 pm. Tickets: www.lasoacigarlounge.com/ Storytelling for Job-Winning Interview Skills Online from 7-8:30 am CST. Reg: bit.ly/3sBJY4c

Creating An African American Museum In Fort Worth Update |Panel Discussion 12-1:30 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/3mevlQr. The Schomburg Center ‘s 10th Annual Black Comic Book Festival, Online from 12-5 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/3z0NrKU

JANUARY 15

JANUARY 9

1619 Interactive Book Discussion an Online event. 5-7 pm CST. RSVP: www.womensdiversitynetwork/events-1

Chocolate Secrets Open Mic Monday. Chocolate Secrets, 3926 Oak Lawn Ave. 7:30-11pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3mGIBN2.

Wine Down Wednesdays at Distinctive Vines Wine Lounge, 1110 S. Akard St. 5-9 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3InI90b

JANUARY 11 Music Bingo at City Works Eatery and Pour House, 3680 The Star Blvd. Frisco. 7-9 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3nEeLe7.

JANUARY 12 Thursdays

2022 MLK Celebration with Divas of Blues, Downtown Cowtown at the Isis Theater, 2401 N. Main St. Ft. Worth, 8 pm. Tickets: bit.ly/3z51j7a.

Roundtable Breakfast - “Mercy For Judas” at TBAAL, 650 S. Griffith St. 10 am-2 pm. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com

JANUARY 10

“I was just thinking...” with Norma Adams-Wade, 11 am- 1 pm. CDT.

JANUARY 13

LSU Press Author Series on “Medicine and Healing in the Age of Slavery” From 2-3 pm CST. Reg: bit.ly/smithwilloughbymedicine.

JANUARY 5

Wednesdays

Don Diego Live at The Attaché Cigar, 4099 Camp Wisdom Rd. #101. 7-10 pm. No Cover Info: http://www. theattacheclub.com/

JANUARY 8

J3 Presents The 2nd Annual Black Out Affair Dance Event at 4791, S. Buckner Blvd. 8 pm12:30 am. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3sBCkXC .

IRS Information Session for Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A) Online from 121:30 pm CST Reg: https://bit. ly/314sSRo.

The Interview with: Then Black Press USA. Host Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire. Streaming live at 11:30 CST on www.facebook.com/blackpressusa/live.

“The Connection” with Debra BrownSturns, 7 pm. CDT.

National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum, MLK Jr. Day Of Service. 10 am-2 pm. at The Ranch 3534 E. Berry St. Ft. Worth. RSVP: https://bit.ly/322QmXu. National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum 2022 MLK Celebration Jazz Music. 8 pm12 am, Isis Theater, 2401 N. Main St. Tickets: bit. ly/3yZNZ3O. Your Health Matters MLK Health & Vendor Community Fair. 11 am-4 pm at The Warehouse, 1125 E. Berry St. Tann G: 214-924-98133

JANUARY 17 Realizing The Dream Healthy Living Expo host I Messenger Media L.L.C. at African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave. 10-5 pm.

Fridays “From Marva with Love” with Marva Sneed, 11 am-1 pm CDT.

December 31, 2021

Dr. Yondell Moore cont. from page 21 in 1982. From the club’s inception to his final days, he spent every birthday on the lease during the opening of turkey season. Dr. Moore truly loved the sport and hunted all species of wildlife. He shared his love with his children, grandchildren, and extended family. Dr. Moore’s professional organizations include Diplomat of American Board of Urology; Dallas County Medical Society; C. V. Roman Medical Society; National Medical Association; Texas Medical Association; American Medical Association; American Cancer Society - Prostate Cancer Committee - State of Texas and South Dallas Task Force. A 66-year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (1955, Keeper of Records and Seals, Alpha Chapter, Howard University, Washington, D.C.; Basileus, Delta Chapter, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN; 2012, received recognition for 56 years of membership presented by Theta Alpha

Chapter, Dallas, TX); and a 21-year member Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Grand Thesauristes). Dr. Moore was also a longtime member and past president of the Cotillion Idlewild Club. Organized in 1921, the Idewild was established to present to Dallas society the epitome of African American womanhood. During his time as a member of the club, Dr. Moore was blessed to see both daughters presented as debutantes, Yvonne L. Moore (1986) and Élan Moore-Jones, Esq. (2005). A faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church, Dallas, TX, Dr. Moore served as a Deacon, baritone in the Sam Stewart Male Chorus, and church choir. He was married to the late Freeda Biggs Moore. Dr. Moore leaves to cherish his life and legacy his five beloved children: Yvonne L. Moore of Denver, Colorado; Yondell E. Moore, Jr., of Denver, Colorado; Quentin A. Moore of Dallas, Texas; William A. Moore of Atlanta, Georgia; and Élan E.S. Moore-Jones, Esq. (Harun) of Houston, TX. Six grandchildren: Zsa’Necia Gray; Daylia Booker; Jalen Moore; Jamir Moore; Jada Moore; Shyaam Yondell Mpulubusi. One great-grandchild, Josiah Booker.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that friends National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) make donations to the following charities: Dallas Metropolitan Chapter Scholarship https://ncbwdallas.org/2021-scholarship/ The Priscilla Art Club - Please note that donations to To make a donation, visit their website at: https:// the Priscilla Art Club are not tax deductible. To make ncbwdallas.org/2021-scholarship/ a gift, please make checks payable to the Priscilla Art Alpha Epsilon Education Foundation - The Dallas Club and mail to: Shirley Ware, 10417 Sexton Drive, Boulé Foundation McKinney, TX 75070 Gifts may be made by credit card or check. To make

Freeda Lois cont. from page 21 They have remained happily married for over 32 years. Among other ventures, they enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, movies, traveling and group fellowships. During retirement, she published her first book in 2013, a lifelong professional dream, titled "When Feelings Speak, LISTEN!” Freeda is preceded in death by parents, Walter and Arnesia Biggs, four brothers: Billy Dan, Bobby Eugene, James Rogers; and Michael Wayne Biggs, her only sister and best friend, Jacqueline Biggs and her niece, Eyndia Elon Biggs. She leaves to mourn her earthly departure; one brother: Quintin Terence (Sheila) Biggs; four nieces: Keeli Biggs, Shaundra (Biggs) Jones, Chalamar Biggs and Avonda Rene (Jermaine} Biggs; two nephews: Michael Brandon Biggs and Quintin Michael Biggs, a host of caring cousins, other relatives and friends. a donation, visit their website at: https://www.dallasboulefoundation.org/ Theta Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Omega SPARKS Mentor Program To make a donation, please visit their website at: https://thetaalphafoundation.com/how-you-canhelp/ Read more at www.texasmetronews.com

www.grandpasecret.com December 31, 2021

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Reverend Needs Heavenly Advice ASK ALMA BY ALMA GILL Dear Alma, My brother in-law is a minister, but he’s also an oblivious, self-centered fool. At Christmas, he irritates people by doing things like sitting in my 94-year-old mother’s favorite chair and acts hurt when we tell him to get up. Or he goes shopping and is late for the big dinner. I said we shouldn’t wait for him, but that’s a hard one to enforce. I try to not let it get to me, but part of me says he needs to be told that he is not the center of our universe. My poor sister is constantly making excuses for him. How long should we suck it up, or is it time to finally dish some out? W.P., Springfield, Va. Dear W.P. Family gatherings; they’re

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a blessing, aren’t they? Some relatives come from far away; others just drive across the bridge. But, oh, what a time it is…for the first good hour. Which group will you hang with — the ones on the couch watching the game, the ones drinking in the basement and doing whatever, or the ones at the kitchen table? I’m a kitchen table kinda girl myself. That’s where you find out everybody’s business. LOL. Sorry, this isn’t about me; it’s about your BIL – the minister who wants all the attention. I can hear him now, “Hello, world. Yea, the one that revolves around me.” Sounds like your BIL is accustomed to having things go his way. Whatever he says, it’s fine. Whatever he does, it’s fine. Many in his congregation affirm that for him every Sunday, don’t you know. I know because my father was a minister, and I watched how he was treated. We sometimes discussed this

very topic while riding home from service or after visiting with church members. We’d talk about how ministers have to work on their humility. They’re local celebrities, and that makes it very hard. Since your BIL is a minister, I would be remiss if I didn’t refer to a Bible verse. The one that comes to mind goes something like, “God resists the proud or the scornful, but He gives grace to the humble.” We all could use some extra grace, can I get an Amen. Just like compassion, humility doesn’t always come naturally. I know I’ve taken the long road in answering your question, but I think it’s important to understand where your BIL is coming from. Clearly, the Reverend-Mister-LocalCelebrity in your family has taken it to the next level. Yes, you could have a talk with him, but not at a holiday gathering. Do it in smaller company, maybe even the next

time you call your sister and he answers the phone. Ask him, straight up: “What’s up, Chuck? Why you always taking Mama’s seat?” Then take two steps back and remind him of his ability to humble himself and acknowledge the needs of others. He’ll be shocked and taken aback but also wise enough to listen to what sounds, to him, like a compliment. Family gatherings and special events are just that – special events. It’s not the time to let him, her or them “have it.” Use these celebrations to build unforgettable memories and traditions that will live forever within your heart. Alma Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and twitter @almaaskalma.

December 31, 2021

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 December 31, 2021

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