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VOL IX NO 46 JULY 10, 2020

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HALL OF FAMER CHRIS ARNOLD

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

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The Measure of a President WAKE UP AND STAY WOKE DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ.

TriceEdney – As a student of philosophical principles, I am aware of the school of thought that does not believe in the existence of “NORMAL� as a universal state of being. A testament to that idea is the fact that each of us has a unique set of experiences that shape differences in our definitions of normal. However, living among others with as little conflict as possible requires a standard of conduct with written and unwritten principles to which most consent. We label those who do not consent or who behave outside of the parameters which we consider in order as abnormal or, more commonly as criminals.

A RESPONSIBLE HUMAN’s comportment reflects character, honor and is respectful of the personage and rights of those with whom she/he must interact. Without those character traits it’s unlikely that any person could rightly ascend to a position of LEADERSHIP. I define a LEADER as one who assesses the impact of circumstances upon a group and, through the powers of discernment, persuasion and/or inspiration, navigates and guides that group to/through a course of action that results in the greatest benefit for that group.

Not all Presidents of the United States have conducted themselves as responsible humans. An even smaller number have demonstrated qualities of leadership that have been predicated on the “common good.� The implications of their leadership (enlightened, dishonorable, failed or otherwise) set the tone for their time in office and beyond. It is expected and hoped that anyone willing to run for the office has a character rooted in the foundations of honesty, selflessness, character and compassion. Until now, we have generally rejected an abject liar, a person devoid of compassion, and one motivated only by self-interest. Somehow,

the current officeholder slinked in the door.

I know many sycophants of #45 will vehemently reject my assessment of their ‘boy,’ but facts support my position. These facts are no longer based in “he said, she said� dialogues. His current incompetence has now resulted in the loss of American lives. Lives lost that he is supposed to value above all others. Lives for which he is expected subordinate personal interests and which he is expected to defend. Lives which depend on his leadership. Lives which he has abandoned at the altar of “What’s Good for Trump.�

Failing the creation of a comprehensive or cogent national strategy to combat COVID-19, #45 has begun to ‘reinvent’ his belief that COVID-19 will miraculously “disappear.� Failing to set an example of behavior endorsed by medical science, he presents to the public without masking and ridicules those who do.

Simultaneously, he lies to the American public, stating that “more testing creates more infections� and that infections are on the decline.

Meanwhile, the US, whose population is roughly 5% of the world’s population, has suffered 25% of COVID-19 worldwide fatalities. #45’s most recent and most egregious act is his ongoing and public support of Vladimir Putin while US intelligence sources have disclosed that Russia paid bounties to the Taliban for the lives of US servicemembers serving in combat in Afghanistan. According to sources, Taliban combatants were paid $100,000 per each American life.

Once again, #45 does not believe US Intelligence sources and labels reports of bounties as “fake news� and “a hoax.� He has laid these American lives on the altar of his reelection.

These are just two of the myriad offenses of character and leadership he presents to us. After assessing the carnage in the wake of his disastrous term of office, is there anything he can offer us in a second term that will justify the butchery of his first term? The choice is yours! It can only be made with your vote!

Dr. E. Faye Williams is National President of the National Congress of Black Women and Host of “Wake Up and Stay Woke� on WPFW-FM 89.3.

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INSIDE

MY TRUTH

THE LAST WORD

QUIT PLAYIN’

Unfortunately, in many relationships, disputes arise because someone believes that no one else could possibly have had the same experience. You’ve heard the arguments from children before.

Socially isolated and alone in my home, I lifted my fist into the air when I learned that the Mississippi legislature voted to remove the Confederate stars and bars from their flag. As NACCP President Derrick Jackson said, “it’s been a long time coming.”

This is the fourth and final installment in this protest series, “The Warrior Model.” No one, as my dear Brother Cornel West has said, can save the nation of the world.

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JULY 10, 2020

MY TRUTH

by Cheryl Smith, Publisher

What if you asked?

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NEWSFLASH! For anyone reading this, the world did not begin with you!

Huge surprise for many, I bet.

Unfortunately, in many relationships, disputes arise because someone believes that no one else could possibly have had the same experience.

You’ve heard the arguments from children before. Parents couldn’t possibly know anything, The Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff articulated the premise in their hit record, “Parents Just Don’t Understand.“ Does anyone really understand?

Another hit song explains it all to me. Jerry Butler and Brenda Lee Eager sang, “Ain’t Understanding Mellow?”

Which brings me to my truth!

First and foremost, I must say, history is important.

Years ago I was charged with working with my students at Paul Quinn College to start a newspaper. Now I could have done like so many who don’t do their research, and published our newspaper immediately.

Nope. Couldn’t do it.

I directed my students to research OUR school and see if there had ever been a newspaper.

Guess what? There was.

So, as much as we had wonderful names on the drawing board, I went with history and we published The Quinn Quill.

It was then and still today a decision I am proud of. A small but important act for what was the right thing to do.

So, as we move forward, in this righteous fight, it is imperative that we realize that we are able to do what we do today because of what others did in the past.

To negate their efforts and contributions is insulting, disrespectful, and most of all, counterproductive.

The focus must be on the real enemy and just like children must realize that most parents are acting in their best interest; in this fight we can learn much about what we need to do today by studying our past, asking questions and being open to the realization that you do NOT have all the answers. myimessenger.com

Black has been Capitalized. Now what?

THE BLACK CARD BY TERRY ALLEN

I called one of my community moms, Mary McFall, Esq. I celebrated with her that, as a NABJ Board member, we had issued a statement updating our policy and practice and we will be integrating the capitalization of the word ‘Black’ in our communications.

As a student at SMU, Mary introduced me to Kwame Ture and collectively the three of us shared a long conversation over dinner, after a speech at St. Luke Community UMC, about the transition from Negro to Black. So, I was excited to call her and inform her of the national movement to capitalize Black. I asked if she had my old copy of the Browder files. She smiled! We chatted about that conversation. I was off to the bookstore.

I am just standing there looking to replace my copy of Anthony T. Browder’s From The Browder File: 22 Essays On The African American Experience and I saw her follow me from aisle to aisle. I pretended I didn’t notice being followed in a retail store but you and I both know better. So, like many times before, when I had to diffuse the fear of a Black man in the room, I smiled jubilantly and spoke in my best Chicken George voice, “Hello how are you today?”

She stood there, smiled and after a long pause, she said, “I just want to say I am sorry.”

I continued to smile and raised my eyebrows projecting my safe myimessenger.com

non-threatening “what for” look.

She sensed that was a nonverbal question and said, “I am so sorry for what happened to Black people.”

I paused as well and stated, “I am sure your apology is sincere. Can you reach your friends, employers, clergy and take action as you apologize? Have a nice day.”

Purposely, I did not wait for a response and intentionally stopped shopping and walked to my car. As I walked to the car another white friend of mine texted me,“Thanks for taking my call yesterday, I am just checking in with you to see if you are OK. I just did not know.”

Another apology! Oh my! I am happy to live in this moment that has awakened others to the racial pandemic that has a 400+ year institutionalized foundation. I am happy to live this moment but how do we really capitalize on the capitalization of the word Black?

Here are my thoughts, while companies are posting their newfound awareness and issuing updated positioning statements we must move swiftly to action. While we are civically changing core social services and ‘reforming’ police reform. We must focus on the underlying economic layer of the racial pandemic. The Defund and Invest cry has resonated with promises of boycotts and buying blackouts. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s House of Representatives delegate, informed an NFL team that their nickname needed changing or do not return to the District. Nike has pulled the same team’s merchandise. Quaker Oats has pulled a long-standing syrup off the shelf.

What next? It is now our time to

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chip away at the horrible economic disparities that racism created for Black folks.

Here is just my shortlist of things I want to see happen today, not tomorrow: • Corporations open your supply chain to Black owned businesses and vendors.

• Corporations and organizations, immediately let your C-suite staff reflect the diversity in the country, • Institutions of education & training, please place the truth in all textbooks and curriculums. Un-erase History.

• Completely redesign the credit scoring system to reflect a real payment rating and stop giving positive scores for open debt history and negative scores for satisfactory paid debt history.

• Buy, contract and engage viable Black businesses owners on a large scale.

• Mentor existing Black entrepreneurs and the next generation of Black game changers.

• Engage culturally-competent Blacks who represent the Black experience beyond their melanin, because my Big Mama told you, “All skinfolk ain’t Kinfolk” • And lastly this one is for my Black people, embrace solidarity over personal preference and use your double-digit trillion-dollar purchase power to buy or boycott.

You have more to add to the list?

Email me with your list at Terryallenpr@gmail.com or call me here at the paper.

Terry Allen is a multi-media journalist and board member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

JULY 10, 2020

Chair issues message as publishers salute 80 years of NNPA at annual convention

KAREN CARTER RICHARDS Publisher of the Houston Forward Times

To our esteemed publishers, staff, guests and volunteers, I want to welcome the Publishers, Sponsors and Online Viewers to the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) first-ever, Virtual 2020 Annual Convention. The NNPA Planning Committee has worked tirelessly to put together this unique Annual Convention, with “TRUST, HOPE AND RESILIENCE: Overcoming COVID-19” as this year’s theme.

This year’s NNPA Annual Convention is definitely not the type of convention we initially planned. However, we know how important it is to provide the publishers of our esteemed organization an avenue to be uplifted and encouraged while dealing with one of the most dangerous pandemics in the history of this country – known to us as COVID-19.

African Americans, including many of our Publishers, their staff and our readers, have been hit hard by COVID-19.

Many of our Sponsors and Partners have also been severely impacted.

Not only are we dealing with COVID-19, we are also having to deal with having to report stories about the continual murders of Black people all across this country.

The killing of George Floyd on video has rocked this nation in a way that has further solidified the importance of why JULY 10, 2020

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the Black Press of America is needed, now, more than ever.

The Black Press of America remains resilient in the midst of these challenges, and I believe there are great opportunities that lie ahead for all of us after COVID-19 and as we deal with our current racial climate. Continuing on with this Convention was a MUST, and it is CRITICAL to ensure our NNPA Publishers receive the necessary information and resources they need to successfully navigate in the midst of these troubling times.

This year, we are excited to celebrate 80 years of this powerhouse of an organization, the National Newspaper Publishers Association. We must continue to build upon our strong foundation by educating, equipping and empowering our Publishers, while making them stronger

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as we march towards celebrating 100 years as an organization and more. The world is getting to know the Black Press of America through digital capabilities.

As part of this Virtual Convention, we will discuss different ways in which we as Publishers, and as an organization, can solidify a brighter future for the Black Press.

These are some challenging times for our industry and for our country, but it is imperative that all of us realize the important role we, the Black Press of America, must play during this pivotal moment in history. This country needs US! Being that this is our first-ever Virtual NNPA Convention, I want you to engage and provide us with the necessary and relevant feedback we need to get better.

Enjoy the Convention! God Bless you and God Bless the NNPA!

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A millennial’s take on becoming the Watch Dog in the era of BLM

By ALLANA J. BAREFIELD Staff Writer

The power of social media from hashtags to trending topics has shined light on the Black Lives Matter Movement for users to initiate change. Recent graduate, Alexus Christian is proud to be a millennial in this era.

Christian who studied mass communication at University of Houston–Clear Lake understands that you don’t have to be a reporter in order to report on events that are happening in your community.

“I see our everyday people becoming activists,” she said. “It’s not only reporters or news channels, it’s your neighbors and young people becoming more aware of the climate around them.”

Christian also said she noticed that protestshave evolved. Not only does social media play a component but there is

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more inclusion.

“Almost all of the people who are not part of the Black race feel like this is an obligation,” she said. “You don’t have to be the one affected to be a part of the movement.”

As someone who is Black and Mexican, she sees the protests as an opportunity to have people who are not Black become allies and create a Alexus safe place.

Christian “To see Hispanics, Mexicans, people nationwide, to step up for Black people, I really applaud them for that,” Christian said.

Acknowledging the educational significance of tweets and videos going viral discussing the importance of Juneteenth and tearing statues down, many say that

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social media while a platform to inform, is not enough. Teachers have become the “middle man” and need to adjust the curriculum through the board of education.

“We’ve been digging into what we have been taught,” she said. “Our youth are so much more aware than when I was in high school, I believe things will change even in our education.”

Christian accepts that racism is deeply rooted in the United States and will take years for a shift. But in the meantime, social media is where people can lean on. For instance, social media users reopened the Elijah McClain case, who was also mishandled from the police.

“We all have a little power but when we all come together in the public eye it’s amazing what we all can do,” she said.“Everyone has become watch dogs.”

JULY 10, 2020

The Warrior Model Size Matters!

QUIT PLAYIN’ VINCENT L. HALL

“Do we have the intelligence, humor, imagination, courage, tolerance, love, respect, and will to meet the challenge? Time will tell. None of us alone ...can save the nation or world. But each of us can make a positive difference if we commit ourselves to do so.”

-Cornel West, Race Matters This is the fourth and final installment in this protest series, “The Warrior Model.” No one, as my dear Brother Cornel West has said, can save the nation of the world. However, my commitment to making a positive difference has been lifelong and enlightening.

Week one, we dealt with the difference between rallies and sustained protests. In other words, one hit does not a fix make.

Then it was “Organic and Organized.” The thrust was that movements should stir from the ground to the mound, and the surge must be symmetrical. Thirdly, my caveat was to “Take a Knee.” The spirituality that drives you to the protest line can keep you safe and sane.

Lastly, you must remember and never forget that size does matter. There are two things I know about life in Maya Angelou’s “Yet to be United States.” Race matters and size does too.

Any of the Warriors can attest that our most significant breakthrough came via a Dallas Morning News article that broke in the mid-1990s. The City Council and DPD needed to do something about John Wiley Price and the Warriors.

The meat of the matter was that when the receipts were tallied, and the numbers were in, the Warriors had cost the City of Dallas $1,000,000 in police overtime, tactical preparedness, and other residuals.

Hint: Your oppressors don’t give a damn how many times you march around that wall until it becomes costly to their bottom line. The “Empire” will always strike back, but there are some monetary limitations.

Size matters because if you mount a movement, every iota of data that you can scrape up lends a significant hand to your stated goals. Showing up and listening to some “midnight militant” spit hatred through a bullhorn is baseless. You cannot engage, enact, or negotiate any cause without the requisite stats.

During our fight against the Dallas Police Department, we did some data mining. We knew how many minorities

and women were on the force and at each ranking. We knew how their salaries ranked against White men in the same rank. We knew who the real Rednecks were, and we searched out and publicly taunted every Uncle Tom! We knew DPD had roughly 2400 in its employ and how many were commissioned law enforcement officers. We knew how many were behind desks and how many were on patrol. We knew by substation how many officers reported per shift and their report times. We knew there were never more than about 360 officers on the streets of Dallas at one time.

Our New Year’s Day protest at the 1993 Cotton Bowl game was a double whammy. Lorenzo Gray led the chant. “Welcome to Dallas. Have you heard, Dallas is just like Johannesburg.”

Not only did 50 of us cause the city to bring in more officers, but also we showed the world that Dallas was still the hub of racial hatred and animus.

Those Notre Dame fans were in shock.

We hit the pocketbook and the image simultaneously. In America, size matters because money matters!

The call for the reallocation of resources (aka Defund the Police, aka a lousy choice of words) requires that we understand the size of the problem and potential cures in our urban centers. Policing models have been stretched past crime to social services.

Dallas County, pre-pandemic, played host to almost 6,000 people weekly at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. Our daily jail population is bigger than 90% of the towns and hamlets in Texas.

More than 40% of those inmates require prescription drugs. A little under 30% have mental issues. Juvenile facilities, intense counseling, and reentry services are underfunded by the tens of millions.

Race Matters, Size Matters, and Black Lives Matter, no matter what that “Whipcracker” in the White House says.

Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

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Symbols, statues and substance THE LAST WORD DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX

Socially isolated and alone in my home, I lifted my fist into the air when I learned that the Mississippi legislature voted to remove the Confederate stars and bars from their flag. As NACCP President Derrick Jackson said, “it’s been a long time coming.” A long time since the songstress Nina Simone put it out there with Mississippi G—damn. A long time since Emmett Till was massacred for “reckless eyeballing.” A long time since James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were murdered. It’s been a long time coming, but has Mississippi changed?

I’m an economist, so I have to go with the data. Mississippi is the most impoverished state in our nation. It also has the highest percentage of African Americans – 37 percent. Still, the state voted in a racist white woman – Cindy HydeSmith, who joked about lynching in the days leading up to her election. Mississippians found such jokes acceptable since they rejected Mike Espy’s candidacy for the Mississippi Senate seat that Hyde-Smith now occupies. He garnered 46 percent of the vot4e in what was described as the closest Senate election in Mississippi since 1988, still, his defeat speaks to the intransigence of racism in his state. Perhaps his 2020 candidacy will yield different results. From my perspective, though, it’s not the symbolic flag, but also the substantive racial inequality in Mississippi.

So while I also cheered that the Princeton University Board of trustees finally agreed to remove the nation’s racist 28th President’s name from its public policy school, I wonder if anything else has changed at Princeton. Students have demanded a more diversified faculty and curriculum and funding for research on reparation. The name change is the first step. What is the next step?

In Virginia, Governor Ralph Northam myimessenger.com

(D) said he would remove the statue of Jefferson Davis, the traitorous President of the Confederacy from Richmond’s Monument Avenue. As soon as he announced it, there was a lawsuit challenging his decision, and the matter is headed for court. Rita Davis, the Black woman who is Northam’s legal advisor, said the statue was designed to minimize “a devastating evil.” If you walk down Monument Avenue, evil abounds. Taking the statue down is a first step for the blackface-wearing governor, but again what’s next?

Even as the winds of change are swirling, there are dinosaurs who cling tenaciously to our nation’s racist past. I do not understand why Confederate loyalists seem to have forgotten that THE CONFEDERACY LOST THE CIVIL WAR. Except to stir up his racist base, I don’t understand why a man who was born and raised in New York has such loyalty to the Confederacy.

On June 26, the 45th President issued an executive order “protecting monuments, memorials, and statues and combatting recent criminal violence.” The executive order is replete with combative and incendiary language, describing protesters as “rioters, arsonists, and left-wing extremists.” It uses terms like “Marxism” and “agitator” to describe those who oppose historic racism as “ignorant of history.”

Because of this “ignorance” (look in the mirror, Mr. President), the executive order says the Feds will prosecute people who “destroys, damages or desecrates a monument on federal or state property,” and their “accomplices” and imposes criminal penalties of up to 10 years in jail. Really? If our nation’s founders had been held to the same specious standards, there would be no United States of

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America.

The folks who are clinging to statues are clinging to a way of life where Black people are supposed to bow and scrape and accept any kind of treatment from “powerful” white people. In adhering to the Confederacy and folks like Woodrow Wilson and Andrew Jackson, they are clinging to Presidents who were oppressive segregationists. Wilson’s legacy is especially egregious as he deliberately attempted to reverse Black progress by resegregating the civil service. Now, we have a President who would do it all again by embracing racism, retweeting a “white power” video, demonizing protesters, and using language designed to divide.

Some of the symbols of racism are being erased, albeit slowly, but little has changed about the substance of ra-

cial inequality. People should not be celebrating symbolic victories unless they are prepared to challenge structural inequality. I cringe when I walk in downtown DC, looking at signs that proclaim “Black Lives Matter,” knowing that many of these stores have exhibited racist behavior toward Black neighbors.

Don’t eradicate the symbol, Mississippi, Princeton, commercial establishments, if you aren’t also willing to eliminate the substance of racial inequality.

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

JULY 10, 2020

Re-Opening a Trichology Clinic during COVID-19 ABOUT YOUR HAIR

BY DR. LINDA AMERSON

There are a small number of credible board-certified Trichologists in the world. Two Trichology colleagues: Dr. Nikkie Lee, Seattle, WA and Dr. Germaine Williams-Beckles, Trinidad and Tobego were asked to share about the changes made for re-opening their Trichology Clinics.

My name is Dr. Nicole Lee. I have been an Accredited Board Certified Trichologist for four years. However, I have studied trichology for over 11years. I am the owner of Seattle Trichology and Innovative Hair Designs in Seattle Washington.

On March 16, the governor ordered all non-essential businesses to close, including hair loss clinics, so I had to get creative during this time. I offered virtual consultations, which have been great for my practice.

Since re-opening June 6, I now provide every client with a face mask and I wear a mask also during their visit.

All clients are required to sanitize their hands when entering the clinic.

Some clients willingly prepaid for services and products. A touchless checkout option.

I also offer non-surgical hair replacement services for clients and other beauty professionals.

Seattle Trichology/Innovative Hair Designs www.seattletrichology.com 1417 NW 54th St Ste314 Seattle, WA 98107 (206)854-1424 My name is Dr. Germaine Williams-Beckles. I have worked in the JULY 10, 2020

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beauty industry over 35 years, been a Board Certified Trichologist for the past 20 years and opened my clinic (Rayogee Wellness Lifestyle Hair and Scalp Clinic) 15 years ago.

I live in Trinidad and on May 30, 2020 the Prime Minister closed down everything. Yes, the borders, as well as all non-essential businesses (which my company falls under), were ordered closed by the Prime Minister, to contain the spread of COVID 19.

With my business closed, my regular stream of income was nonexistent. However, online programs and product sales continued throughout this pandemic.

Personally, time spent with family was priceless, keeping in mind the fragility of life.

I reopened on June 6. To minimize the potential risk, daily appointments were reduced, hand-washing and mask-wearing protocol implemented. The clinic is already divided into specialized areas, which allowed for social distancing by default.

I have spoken to other Trichologists or Beauty Professionals about what they are doing in their clinics differently since COVID-19 is a health crisis. Other practitioners have invested in temperature scanners and various PPE equipment to protect themselves and their clients before reopening.

I offer other services, such as online classes for beauty professionals interested in growing their hair loss business and I also offer custom-blend hair & scalp products for consumers and professionals.

For more information: drgeeslinks. com Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/GermaineWilliamsBeckles/ Instagram: https://www.instagram. com/geewilliamsbeckles/ Contact: 1-868-627-4659

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Dr. Germaine Williams-Beckles

Dr. Nicole Lee

Dr. Linda Amerson, Board Certified Trichologist, 817 265 8854. #39yr Veteran Hairandscalpessentials.com

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Hall’s Honey Fried Chicken

(214) 371- 3020 4845 S Lancaster Rd. Dallas, TX 75216

Hall of Famer

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JULY 10, 2020

Essential worker gifted van

By MARVA J. SNEED Texas Metro News Sheriff Marian Brown, Commissioner John Wiley Price, and other Dallas County officials joined with area car dealers on Thursday to present essential worker Devon Gabriel with a 2017 fully-equipped, wheelchair accessible Dodge Caravan.

“Good corporate citizens continue to create ways to give back to this community,” said Commissioner Price, as he praised members of the North Texas Automobile Dealers (NTAD).

“Their willingness to enrich the lives of others has taken many forms and has intensified during this COVID-19 pandemic.“ President C. Brent Franks, along with other members of NTAD, including Tom McCollum, President and

CEO of Goodson Acura and Don Herring, CEO of Don Herring Mitsubishi expressed their commitment to giving back to those in need, like Mr. Gabriel, who was joined by his mother, Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Catrina Gabriel.

“This was a collaborative effort of North Texas Automobile Dealers,” Mr. Franks said. “We came together to solve a need for an essential worker.”

Dep. Sheriff Gabriel was moved to tears. Their family was sorely in need of a new vehicle and to have one handicap accessible, which can be very costly, was definitely a blessing.

“The only words I have is, thank you.”

Those words were also echoed by Mr. Gabriel, who said, “I love you and thank you.”

Commissioner John Wiley Price and C. Brent Franks, President of North Texas Auto Dealers

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Deputy Sheriff Catrina Gabriel and son Devon

Commissioner Price and Kevin Quesenberry of United Access talk about features of the donated van.

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Unimaginable Love FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW

Lately, I find myself staying up later than I should. I’m by nature a night owl. When I was a little girl, my mother worked late and I would be up with my dad listening to music. Before my daughter was born, I would work really late because for some reason, I had more clarity and the ability to focus.

Even when I was pregnant, I remember staying up watching “Martin” until about 2:00 am. No, it wasn’t the best habit but it’s been a challenge for years and for a period, I had gotten so much better with going to bed before 11:00 until the other night. I made the mistake of reading the news while preparing for bed. That was a huge mistake.

I read about the murder of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old beautiful soul who was killed on his way home by police for looking suspicious in 2019.

In his last words, he said this to the three officers: “I can’t breathe.

I have my ID right here. My name is Elijah McClain. That’s my house.

I was just going home. I’m an introvert. I’m just different. That’s all. I’m so sorry. I have no gun. I don’t do that stuff. I don’t do any fighting. Why are you attacking me? I don’t even kill flies! I don’t eat meat! But I don’t judge people, I don’t judge people who do eat meat. Forgive me. All I was trying myimessenger.com

to do was become better. I will do it. I will do anything. Sacrifice my identity, I’ll do it. You all are phenomenal. You are beautiful and I love you. Try to forgive me. I’m a mood Gemini. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Ow, that really hurt. You are all very strong. Teamwork makes the dream work. Oh, I’m sorry I wasn’t trying to do that. I just can’t breathe correctly.”

I found myself heartbroken, incensed, and irritated once again.

I then saw the video of a lady screaming at a Starbucks employee in California because he asked her to wear a mask and another lady going ballistic on a Trader Joe’s employee for the same reason. All of these situations involved young people all under 25 who were being mistreated by those who obviously are older and should know better. I found myself furious. I found myself questioning God for allowing this behavior.

And in that moment, I realized that love allows you to continue giving. Giving us chances to get it right. How God’s heart must be broken to see those that He’s created continuing to abuse others created in His image?

And no matter how technologically advanced we’ve become, we are no different than Cain and Abel. The blood of more Abel’s continues to cry out from the soil.

(Genesis 4) We have become tone deaf to the sounds of violence and to God’s voice.

I was reminded of the scripture in Genesis that captures a conversation between God and Abraham.

We know that God experiences anger, that God sees the actions

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of humanity and hears the cries of those that are treated poorly. Several things. We do know that God’s love is all encompassing. God sacrificed His son for us which is the ultimate expression of reconciling us to Him. This is Atonement.

Maybe what’s keeping the world from completely imploding on itself are those 10, 50, or more who are righteous, those who are upright in 2020. Is that you? Righteousness is not perfection. But are you one of the folks that God counts on to live in peace with others, that intercedes, that seeks justice and speaks truth? Are you exhibiting God’s love in a time when love is cold even to those who don’t deserve it? Is your heartbroken by the things that break God’s heart?

If not, it’s time for some introspection.

As much as I’m angry at the world, it’s time for me to look inward and begin to reflect and strive to be one of those that God finds when He is seeking for those who truly love Him. One of the most powerful prayers I’ve ever prayed was the prayer by Bob Pearce, the founder of World Vision. It’s time we all pray this: “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God,” So we know God’s heart.

How’s your heart?

And are you one of the 10 (metaphorically) that’s left who can be counted on?

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.

JULY 10, 2020

St. Philip’s has contactless temperature scanning systems Josey George, owner of Dolphin-Digital stressed the need for the contactless system especially as the world deals with the coronavirus pandemic.

“The temperature scanner is touchless and it will read your temperature as you’re standing in front of it,” he explained, adding that the machine detects whether or not you’re wearing a mask.

“The scanner can be used any where; schools, offices, any business that serves the public. The Dolphin Scanners can help America open up again.”

Shane Hefner of BBD said more businesses are utilizing the scanners because not only do they provide a much-needed service they also are a great advertising

Dr Terry Flowers, St. Philip’s HeadMaster

By MARVA J. SNEED Texas Metro News St. Philip’s School & Community Center has implemented a Contactless Thermal Scanning Temperature Measurement Systems which they unveiled during their 6th grade graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

With COVID-19 and rising concerns regarding health precautions and safety measures that need to be in place for the “new norm,” school officials say there was a need to incorporate advance technology to help students, parents and staff to feel safer and to help assist with returning students and teachers back to the classrooms.

JULY 10, 2020

According to Dr. Terry Flowers, Headmaster of St. Philip’s, ”The scanners are there to help provide a safe environment for the children and their families, because we believe in safety first.”

Collaborating with the Black Business Directory (BBD) and Dolphin-Digital, St. Philip’s decided to use the Contactless Scanner with everyone completing a medical sheet and getting checked by Nurse Fatina Ekwenugo.

The next step involved getting your temperature read by the scanner. Students and guests, all with their masks on went through the process which included a few squirts of hand sanitizer before heading to the gym where the ceremony was held.

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tool especially in this new age of digital advertising; an area where BBD has grown exponentially since its inception in 2007.

Founded in 1959 and located in “sunny” South Dallas, St. Philip’s, apopular private non-denominational school for Pre-K to 6th grade,has gained a reputation for promoting academic excellence and preparing its students to pursue a college education.

Equipped with a multifaceted Community Center that in addition to fostering a spirit of financial literacy and entrepreneurship, also stresses parental and community engagement and cultural growth and development.

St. Philip’s student being scanned

myimessenger.com

Hamilton on Disney

By EVA D. COLEMAN Lifestyle Editor Oh, what a difference a year makes!

Almost a year ago, I had the pleasure of meeting creative soul Leslie Odom, Jr. at the National Association of Black Journalists #NABJ19 of which I served as convention co-chair. NABJers are

now gearing up for a virtual convention.

Having not seen Hamilton in person, watching the hip-hop and history collaboration he and the entire cast delivered on screen, via Disney+ was an epic viewing experience I’ll never forget! The diversity of the performers telling the story of a founding father was enlightening as they took us through conflict,

loss and forgiveness. I highly advise you to watch and discover the parallels of laws and unrest we are still facing today.

History sure does repeat itself... As a journalist, my favorite line in the Hamilton film - “I’ll write my way out.” Magic can definitely happen via a screen.

Hope to see you for #NABJNAHJ2020, August 5-8.

Fund supports local business Guns and Roses Boutique has been a staple in Dallas, TX for more than eight years.

On Friday, May 29, 2020 the boutique was destroyed by selfish looters who took advantage of the protest. The restoration of Guns and Roses Boutique starts NOW! Princess Pope, owner and leader has been a prominent pillar in the community, and often praised for her support.

As a fashion industry leader, she provides education and mentorship to aspiring myimessenger.com

fashion designers and entrepreneurs.

A donation campaign was started to help cover damages to Guns and Roses Boutique.

The donations will be spent to cover any expenses the insurance does not cover, including but not limited to: inventory, property damage, merchandise and loss of use for the business.

The GoFundMe link is https://gf.me/u/x5qxji for Rebuild Guns and Roses Boutique.

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Princess Pope stands in front of her boutique shortly after fending off looters JULY 10, 2020

www.grandpasecret.com

Please wear your mask and wash your hands!

JULY 10, 2020

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Broadcast Legend named to Texas Radio Hall of Fame Chris Arnold began career as a teen

By DOROTHY J. GENTRY Sports Editor Think back to when you were 14 years old.

For some of you that may be easy, for others – like me - it may take a minute.

Chris Arnold was on the radio in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 14. He has worked nonstop in radio ever since.

“I’ve been on the radio nonstop for 40 consecutive years in a top five market,” Arnold recalls. “I’ve been on four shows, three different stations and all four of those shows went to No. 1.”

Arnold, who turns 62 in September, is a radio legend nationally but is most well-known and beloved in the Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex where he’s been a household name for four decades. His stints include 30 consecutive years at the venerable K104-FM, serving as sports director and broadcasting the morning show with the legendary Fly Jock Tom Joyner, and the award-winning Skip Murphy & Company.

Arnold has also hosted his own #1 sports talk show on 1310 the Ticket and joined 105.3. the Fan in 2011, as part of the Gbag Nation and on-air sports talent.

As a result of this ilmyimessenger.com

lustrious career, the long-time DFW radio, sports, and entertainment icon has landed in the prestigious Texas Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

“I’m so honored.

I was like ‘how, how did this happen’,” Arnold told Texas Metro News. “I mean, going up against country and music DJ legends, rock and roll and pop, legends…throw in general managers; how in the world? I never expected it.”

Is it his greatest career achievement?

“Yes, I guess it’s the crowning achievement.” Arnold said.

“The Texas Radio Hall of Fame; I’ve always admired it. But Texas is such a large state with so many markets and so many different radio stations in it and there are so many genres of radio – music, news, talk, sports - here’s just so many different people that could be eligible or in it.

“It’s a reflective moment where you reflect on your career and I’ve never really reflected a lot. I’ve always just moved forward. This is special.

“It’s humbling to think about, but 40 years, wow, time flies.

When I first started in radio, Jimmy Carter was president. That’s how long I’ve been on the air in Dallas/Fort

Worth,” said Arnold, who was the only journalist inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

Locally he is best known as a member of Skip Murphy & Company; one of DFW’s most popular programs – consistently ranking No. 1 among morning shows in the Metroplex.

“We were number one for eight years and at one point we were number one for 36 consecutive ratings periods and that was unheard of in a major market, Arnold said.

“We won every national award you can think of and we had so much fun. It was historic.”

Arnold recalled waking up daily at 3:30 a.m. to head to the infamous Grand Prairie studios for the show, “You don’t get used to it (the time) but I knew we were going to have fun when we got there.

That’s what made it easier to get up. I knew when I walked in the door it was going to be crazy and fun.”

Arnold also acknowledged “the late great Chuck Smith,” longtime general manager at Service Broadcasting, which owned the station, and its owner Hymen Childs with helping his career.

“They helped me have an interesting life.

Chuck also encour-

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aged me and basically dared me to top the last thing I did,” Arnold said of Smith who died in 2017. “‘I bet you can’t do that again,’” Arnold said Smith would say to him. “He loved me telling stories about what happened at events I was at. And he always wanted me to cover these different things.”

Station management was very supportive, acknowledged the University of Oklaho-

ma alum.

“Hymen is the one who put it in the budget and let me keep doing it,” Arnold said. “And he was proud that I was putting K104 on the sports map. I had pressure on me to maintain it – like Chuck said, ‘You done started it now; you gonna be able to keep it up?’ That was a challenge and I love challenges like that. I was like oh yeah, I ain’t never getting tired of this.”

JULY 10, 2020

sion Ambassador.

“Chris Arnold has been a part of the Mavs organization since 1996 and a staple at Mavs games since 2005, and one of the hardest working people I know,” said Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks.

“We are so proud of his induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, but it’s not a surprise. He is talented, dedicated and a true joy to work with. We are just so glad the Hall of Fame has recognized his talents and will honor him this year.”

Star-Studded Career

Impact Arnold’s longevity in the ever-changing radio broadcast business is what resonates many of his colleagues, friends and admirers.

“Chris Arnold is an absolute legend.

He is personable and has provided me with so much advice in this business,” said Kevin Gray, an on-air radio host for 1053thefan where Arnold currently works. “It’s an honor to work with him and know that he continues to impact this business in the myriad of ways he does. Absolutely incredible.”

Dwain Price, former long-time Dallas Mavericks beat writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and now writer for Mavs. com, recalls hearing about Arnold when he (Price) first moved here.

“This is a terrific honor and a well-deserved honor for one of the quintessential pioneers in the radio industry,” Price said. “When I moved to Dallas in 1990, it seemed like Chris was always in eight or nine places at the same time. That’s how versatile he is, and how well he is at his craft.

“And his voice and knowledge sort of draws you into whatever it is that he’s saying, because he always left you hanging on the edge of your seat and with something to remember him by. Again, congrats and hats off to a gentleman and a true professional.”

Since 1996, Chris has been an integral part of the NBA’s 2011 World Champion Dallas Mavericks broadcast team. First serving for eight years as their courtside analyst for Fox Sports Southwest and currently since 2005, serving as the Mavs game night emcee. He was also selected to emcee the 2010 NBA All Star Game in AT&T Stadium in front of a crowd of 108,000 people.

His duties with the Mavericks have expanded to include work as their Inclu-

In addition to his Mavericks correspondence, his television experience included five years working as a sports reporter at ABC affiliate WFAA TV in Dallas. Chris’ work garnered an Emmy.

Before going to WFAA, Chris worked on a tv show he wrote, produced, and hosted. “On The Beam” a syndicated African American entertainment television show that was seen by more than 20 million households in 46 cities across the US, Japan, the Caribbean, and in 17 countries in Africa. That show won an Ace award for Cable Television excellence in 1991.

A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, Chris has covered every major sporting event the world has to offer: 28 Super Bowls, 21 NBA Finals, two Olympics, 15 Final Fours, eight World Series, 26 Championship Box-

Dallas Mavericks JULY 10, 2020

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ing Title Fights, 25 NBA All Star Games, eight Baseball All Star Games, five Pro Bowls, 15 College Football Bowl Games and even the World Cup. He is also a very popular speaker, host and emcee.

He’s spoken at major corporate seminars, civic groups, schools, charities, churches, sports banquets, golf tournaments, and more. He also mentors and provides guidance to youth; making sure he reaches out and helps change lives.

When asked how he connects with his listeners Arnold said he simply talks to them in a normal manner.

“I always talk to the listeners like I’m talking with them, like I’m their friend and not like they are listening to me and I’m on a perch,” he said. “I always make it conversational. I always tell this to other people wanting to get into radio too; you try to make it conversational and that’s what I try to do.

“And I talk exactly the way that I talk in public,” he continued “I don’t have a different voice on the radio. And that’s the way I talk when I’m interviewing players. I talk with execs the exact same way when I’m on the radio.”

What’s his favorite career memory?

“There’s been so many. So, so many. I can’t even tell you what’s the favorite,” Arnold said. Some memories he did share include being at the World Series in San Francisco in 1989 when the earthquake hit and he was ringside in 1997 at the Mike Tyson/Evander Holyfield fight

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when Tyson infamously bit off Holyfield’s ear.

“When I think about all the things I’ve been to. I got to travel the world – local, state, national, the world,” he said. “I’ve covered the Olympics, I’ve been to almost every stadium in America – Australia, Mexico, Tokyo - everyone can’t say that.”

And as the husband and father prepares to be inducted into the Hall of Fame – an upcoming virtual ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic - Ar-

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nold reflects back on his time and says he wouldn’t change a thing.

“I’ve been on radio since I was 14-years-old, every single year; from 1973to 2020. I’ve never not been on radio. In September it will be 47 years on the radio, non-stop.”

“I have zero regrets about anything that has gone on because whatever successes and failures, it has allowed me to be where I am now.” Arnold has served as mentor and inspiration for many including Ro Parrish, Emmy award-winning TV host, Turner Sports, who first met Arnold in his teen years growing up in DeSoto. He met Arnold through his parents who had connections with the popular Skip Murphy and Company Morning Show.

Knowing his love of sports they ensured Parrish had interaction with Arnold who did the show’s sports segments. “I knew who Chris was and I was extra excited to meet him because I heard him doing the sports every morning,” Parrish recalled.

The two forged a close friendship and always kept in contact, so much so that during his senior year, right before he was to leave for college, Parrish was scheduled to shadow Arnold for the day not just at K104 but also at Chris’ sports show on the Ticket.

“Forget Cloud 9, I’m on Cloud 25,” Parrish recalls. He spent the evening full of energy and excitement and didn’t make JULY 10, 2020

it to sleep until 2 a.m. – two hours before he was to be up and headed to the station. He made it to the station and with adrenalin kicking in – made it through the show.

But that didn’t last.

After signing off at K104, Parrish and Arnold set off for the Ticket in separate cars with Parrish trailing Arnold. Stop and go traffic on a heavy, under construction I-30, along with a fresh case of sleepiness caused Parrish to doze off and run into the back of Arnold’s vehicle.

“I just rear ended him. Chris got out of the car to make sure I’m alright,” Parrish said. Arnold’s gold Landrover had “a little scratch” while Parrish’s Nissan sustained slightly more damage. “He asked was I ok and I was. My pride was hurt more than anything. Obviously I don’t want to get in a wreck but I was thinking I missed an opportunity. This was going to be the best day of my life.”

Arnold remembers that day as well.

“Ro was eager and hyped up to spend the day with me. He didn’t get much sleep. I wasn’t mad at all,” Arnold said.

“My car was fine. I knew where his

JULY 10, 2020

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heart was.”

The bond between the two grew.

“CA is one of those guys who served as a mentor; him showing me, especially as a man of color, that you can have success, do sports, hang out with Michael Jordan, etc he’s showing me pictures and telling me stories. That was like a light bulb; it was like, wow.

I’m passionate about this, maybe I can have a career doing this.

“He definitely served as motivation to give me the inspiration to do what I do now,” said Parrish, who pledged the same fraternity as Arnold, and his father, businessman and philanthropist, Roland Parrish Sr. “CA has always been there; he’s been supportive and I’m definitely happy for him. CA is my guy. I’m not where I am now without seeing what he did and him giving me feedback and just the whole relationship. I’m always appreciative of everything CA did for me.”

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JULY 10, 2020

Mo’Bettah Wings -- Carl Moore On “From Marva with Love,” we recently heard from Mr. Carl Moore owner of Mo’ Bettha Wings. Mr. Moore is from Shreveport, Louisiana, and a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I am also an Army Veteran and Elementary School Teacher. He also has a nonprofit organization in Shreveport, COOPER ROAD USA, that promotes unity in the community. He says,”We are responsible for telling the proud past of one of the largest African American communities in the United States.”

MS: I am really intrigued by Copper Rd. USA. Please tell us a little about it.

CM: Copper Rd. is a proud, predominantly Black community in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was established in 1928 it was established outside of the city limits. So for the first 50-55 years, we had our own police department our own sheriff department, our fire department, schools, and stores. We were very similar to Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In 1978, we joined the city of Shreveport we were annexed to Shreveport. Before that, we were self-sufficient you could actually go from kindergarten to college right there in the community. Southern University-Shreveport is located inside

From Marva with

BY MARVA SNEED

Carl Moore

the perimeter of Cooper Rd., a proud place to be from.

MS: Tell how you got started on this journey to have Mo’Bettah Wings?

CM: Actually many years ago I helped my nephew finance a business in Shreveport. His name is Richard Washington. We call him Snapper. He started a wing business and it has been very successful for the last 15 years. So last year I asked him if he would come out to help me. My son, who’s 28 wants to have his own business. My nephew came out and got us started and so far business has been really good. The first year was rough like most businesses when they start. As we became apart of the community people came and they have been eating our food and they love our customer service.

We have over 30 flavors of wings, tenders, and po’boys. We are blowing up over in that corner in Oak Cliff.

There was so much more to the interview with Mr. Moore. Go to BlogTalkRadio.com/Cheryl’sWorld Link: https://bit. ly/31n15Jr Mo’Bettah Wings is located at 2860 East Ledbetter, Dallas, Texas. They have a great take out menu.

Call your order in 214-964-0082. You will enjoy it.

Tune into “From Marva with Love” Fridays from 11:00 am-1 pm. on BlogTalkRadio.com/Cheryl’s World.

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Change “gonna” or has come?

I WAS JUST THINKING...

By Norma Adams-Wade

3.

Texas Metro News

Songster Sam Cooke promised us in his hopeful lyrics and haunting vocal rendition that “a change is gonna come.”

“It’s been a long, a long time coming,” Cooke crooned, “But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will.”

By the same uplifting tone, before Barack Obama became our 44th POTUS (President of the United States), he gave the nation and the world a prescription for change and a better America in his best-selling book The Audacity of Hope.

After George Floyd’s Memorial Day death under the cruel and heartless knee of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, Floyd’s six-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Floyd gave the world a prophetic and proud declaration with no hint of doubt: “Daddy changed the world!” Gigi exclaimed as media captured the moment and reported and broadcast it around the world.

Gigi was giving her take on the astounding positive, global reactions as protesters took to the streets and individuals, businesses, and people at all levels of power began to reexamine and restructure their deep thoughts and operations related to racial issues.

I was just thinking.... what do some of these signs of change look like? Here is just a summary list of untold change that already has occurred in America and the world.

1. People demonstrating in our nation’s streets are far more diverse that ever before.

2. Supportive demonstrations in myimessenger.com

4.

5.

6.

7.

foreign countries are happening as never before.

Police departments are responding to community demands for police policy and procedure reforms – specifically halting choke holds and excessive force.

More whites are discussing whether white privilege does or does not exist.

Diverse groups, though reluctantly, are opening up to discuss whether systemic racism exists.

Entertainers are apologizing for past skits where they wore blackface makeup that they now say they realize was offensive.

People generally seem more open to considering race-relation points athlete Colin Kaepernick attempted to make when

George Floyd, indeed, has changed the world as we know it.

he consistently knelt during the National Anthem, although still a divisive issue.

8. Kaepernick’s once-vilified takea-knee gesture has become an accepted rallying symbol, even used in the halls of Congress.

9. Numerous corporations are airing consumer advertisements calling for racial unity.

10. Manufacturers are changing

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George Floyd

names of products that are deemed racially offensive.

11. Sports franchises are discussing more seriously what personal freedoms to allow players and teams.

12. Confederate statues, monuments and portraits are being removed nationally as a way to avoid offending various ethnic groups. This, too, still is a divisive issue.

13. Leaders are listening to requests that names of various buildings be changed because they honor ole south persons who many consider were racist.

14. The Black Lives Matter movement seems less berated than before.

15. People of various races are wearing “I can’t breathe” and Black Lives Matter T-shirts that represent racial causes.

Cooke said a change “gonna come.”

Gianna said change has come.

Let’s all do our part. Will you help?

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

JULY 10, 2020

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JULY 10, 2020

NBA, Mavs prepare for social justice initiative

By DOROTHY J. GENTRY Sports Editor

As the NBA prepares to resume its 2019-20 season later this month in Orlando, Florida, it will do so with racial injustice and how to combat it on their minds.

During a Zoom session with media, Dallas Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle – who is also president of the NBA Coaches Association – shared plans his organization has to work for social justice and keep the conversation and push for equality going.

“We decided to create an initiative to educate and take on the long fight against racial injustice,” Carlisle said of the NBA Coaches for Racial Justice initiative. The coaches crafted a statement after the killing of George Floyd that said in part: “Witnessing the murder of George Floyd in cold blood and in broad daylight has traumatized our nation, but the reality is

JULY 10, 2020

that African Americans are targeted and victimized on a daily basis. As NBA coaches, we cannot treat this as an isolated incident of outrage.

“We are committed to working in our NBA cities with local leaders, officials and law enforcement agencies to create positive change in our communities. We have the power and platform to affect change, and we will use it.”

Carlisle confirmed the NBA plan to paint Black Lives Matters on all the courts in Orlando,” which is great. This is as great opportunity to keep this conversation going about a problem that’s been going on for over 400 years.”

“This platform in Orlando is going to be a great opportunity for us to talk about the history of racial injustice. We plan to revisit it on a daily basis,” he said.

The committee is also planning solutions within its member NBA cities.

“This is a long-term initiative that we are getting

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into. We have a high level of motivation and are looking forward to Orlando being a real jump start,” he said.

Locally, Carlise said he and assistant Mavs coaches Stephen Silas and Jamahl Mosley, along with Mavs player Dwight Powell, have met with representatives of Dallas’ Mothers Against Police Brutality chapter, along with Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax, Mayor Eric Johnson and Police Chief Renee Hall to begin conversations around social justice reform.

“I’m proud that in our market we’ve partnered with Mothers Against Police Brutality and we are going to be working locally with them,” Carlisle said.

“We’ve had great conversation policy wise on ways that we can all work toward to make our city safer.”

Carlisle also said if players choose to demonstrate during the playing of the national anthem while in Orlando by kneeling or in any way, “we will support

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our players 100 percent.”

Mavs GM Donnie Nelson, on the same Zoom call, said the country still has a long way to go with racial inequality.

“Racial injustice is paramount in all of our minds.

As everyone knows, we’ve come a long way, but we’ve got a long way to go, and that’s never been more evident in terms of the recent developments,” Nelson said.

“As a country, as a community, as an individual across the board, I think we have an incredible platform by which we can put the spotlight on some issues that are paramount to all of us.”

Every individual has to look internally and ask some questions, Nelson said. “We have to ask ‘what can we do better?’ We have to hold each other accountable, and there just really isn’t anything that is more front-of-mind important to us as a league, as a team and individually as that.”

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Mavs Star Doncic: “I miss basketball.”

By DOROTHY J. GENTRY Sports Editor

For months, athletes in every professional sport spent their lives quarantined just like the rest of the world as the Coronavirus pandemic began spreading.

Mavs star and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic was no different. He was in Dallas when the outbreak first hit and the League suspended its season on March 11, but was able to make it home to

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Slovenia before the whole world shut down.

“I was really glad to go home to see my friends and see my family, and now I’m back,” Doncic said. “There were a lot less cases of Coronavirus there. But I’m glad I got to go home.”

The 21-year-old NBA star talked briefly with Dallas media during a Zoom session last Thursday afternoon. All NBA teams are in Day 2 of mandatory workouts as they all prepare to head this week to the Arena at the Walt Disney World

Resort in Orlando, Florida and the NBA “bubble” where the 2019-20 season will resume.

Players had the opportunity to opt out of playing in the bubble as the nation sees a surge in Covid-19 cases, most notably Florida. Doncic said it was never a consideration.

“I never hesitated. I always wanted to play,” Doncic said. “I miss basketball a lot. I just want to play. There was no question about me.

I was going to play.”

Doncic, who was averaging 28.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game when the suspension hit, also touched on several topics during his media availability including life in quarantine, his physical health and the absence of fans.

On what he did during quarantine: “I was playing a lot of sports. I played tennis and soccer.”

On Michael Jordan’s documentary: “The Last Dance”: “The Last Dance was something amazing. Something all basketball players should see. It was a mustsee show. I really, really enjoyed it.”

On his physical health: “I am in good shape. I’ll just get better until the Orlando games but I’m in good shape.”

On challenges of quarantine life: “Not being able to play basketball. Obviously not

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Luka Doncic

being able to go out as well, everything was close; but the big thing was not being able to play basketball.”

On what the Mavericks need to do to move up in the standings: “Win as many games as possible. We are going there without pressure, having fun, playing basketball and hopefully we can reach our goal.”

On the absence of fans: “Honestly, I don’t know.

I’ve never experienced this. It’s going to be weird.

I enjoy very much the fans, There’s always noise. It’s going to be weird so I don’t know how I’m going to feel.”

The Mavs will face the Houston Rockets in the first of their eight-game NBA restart schedule on July 31st at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Dallas went into the NBA hiatus with a record of 40-27 (.597) and currently sits in seventh place in the Western Conference entering the restart.

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MAY 20, 2020

Virtual and liVe Community Calendar

JULY 8 DCDP Virtual Town Hall: Criminal Court 3 Run-Off Candidates Q&A, The Town Hall will also be streamed on Facebook Live. 4 pm-5pm. Register: Zoom https://bit.ly/2YAnilt Meet A Black Mental Health Professional: We Are Here, hosted by Dr. Tanisha Guy. 7 pm – 9 pm. A 2-hour event will introduce you to 20 Black mental health professionals. Register: Eventbite.com.

Virtual Community Conversation-Southeast, Texas. 7 pm. Join Senator Royce West on a Virtual Community Conversation across Texas. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Senator West’s experience, his vision for Texas, and ask questions.

Register: www.mobilize.com Hollywood Live! With Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez and Co-host Shavonda with a “V” Fields, Guests: Singer/Songwriter N’qya and Wellness Coach: Olivia Ibezimon on Hollywoodlive.com.

From 2 pm – 4 pm.

hosting a Hiring Fair on July 9, 2020 on the arena floor from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. This hiring fair is for Part Time Food & Beverage Positions Only which are posted on www.dickiesarena.com.

Please pre-register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dickies-arena-food-beverage-hiring-fair-tickets-111308932012 Please bring your own pen to fill out a paper application in order to limit contact within the event. Must wear a mask.

July 10 Curbside Market by La Francaise Bakery 10 am – 2 pm Curbside Market @ La Francaise Bakery 201 Gold St., Garland.

From Marva with Love with Marva Sneed 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.

Guests: David Reeves, Community Engagement & Program Manager of Education is Freedom and Founder & host of Mentor Connector App & Podcast. Catina Wilburn of Glen’s Kitchen.

Online Spiritual Care Sessions with Rev. Dr. Melanie Harris.

Fridays at 1 pm via Zoom. Friendshipwest Baptist Church. Join in on the session by click the link below and make sure you enter the access code. https://zoom.us/j/8567036848? Access Code: 856 703 6848.

July 9-11 Live Music at the Warehouse -Hosted by Jim Austin Online. The Warehouse & Who Daq? Daiquiris invites you to a collaboration of Live Music, Daiquiris, Wine and Good Eats (7/9, 7/10 and 7/11). Live Stream Ticket-7/9-11/2020 The link will be emailed to you to view the concert. Evedntbrite.com

JULY 9

His, Hers, and Ours: A conversation on Blended Families. Live Video by LFS Consulting. 9 am. LFS Consulting Features: Women Entrepreneurs A special charity episode! Donate here: www.sosphilippines.org/donation. Guest Speaker: April Crimbley, Author / Entrepreneur, Dallas, TX, USA. Author of “From Me to Us: 4 Steps from Single to Married Life” www. aprilcrimbley.com

Happy Birthday

July 13

Live Music Concert Thursday Night. Host The Black Academy of Arts and Letters Inc. 7 pm – 8 pm. Online Event at http://www.facebook.com/tbaaldallas.

LH Chamber ZOOM Conversation with U.S. House Rep Colin Allred. Zoom call RSVP: https://www. lhchamber.net/calendar.html 11:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Voting At The West, Friendship West Baptist Church is a voting precinct 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. Dallas. 8 am – 7 pm. Dallas County residents can cast their ballot at any voting precinct in the county.

STEWART CURET

Bastille On Bishop (Apart but Together.) Host Go Oak Cliff. This year we are celebrating our favorite French holiday, Bastille Day, a little differently. While we won’t be able to host our in-person block party/celebration, we are offering ‘Bastille in a Box’: A little taste of Bastille on Bishop to enjoy in your home. Place your pickup order for your box here: https:// form.jotform.com/201666111024037 7 pm – 11:30 pm.

Fellowship of Professional Women July Meeting via Zoom.

Join us for the inspirational Dr. Estrelita Bruce “Dr. E” is a Life Coach, Therapist, Author, TEDx and International Speaker. Join Zoom Meeting https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/84053842761?pwd=NEFOclZ0aG8rOVAvdkx2SkFGQnRMdz09 at 12 pm – 1 pm.

July 15

July 11

Betty “Boo” Smith and Happy 40th Deltaversary

Happy Birthday

Fluffy-N-Fitness in the Park Host Lisa Caraway FluffyN-Fitness outdoor sessions are popping up at various parks throughout the DFW area! These classes are free with plenty of room to S P R E A D out. Bring your weighted hand gloves, Water, and face towels. Fluffy-N-Fitness. https://www.facebook.com/groups/740819836077340/ SJ Stoval Park, 2800 W. Sublett, Arlington at 7 pm.

Black Teens in America Share Perspectives Hosted

by Dallas Professional Women - DPW. Roundtable discussion + live chat Participants will be: - encouraged to educate themselves on Black history - able to celebrate Black heritage, culture, and influence and more. FREE ADMISSION Ages: 15 18 to participate in roundtable Adults can observe (listen in), but will be muted. Tickets: https://us02web.zoom.us/

Meet A Black Mental Health Professional: We Are Here, hosted by Dr, Tanisha Guy & Megan Pickens, LPC-S. 7 pm – 9 pm. A 2-hour event will introduce you to 20 Black mental health professionals. Register: Eventbite.com.

Hollywood Live! With Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez and Co-host Shavonda with a “V” Fields, on Hollywoodlive.com. From 2 pm – 4 pm.

July 16, 2020 Happy Birthday Becky Lewis Build Your Own Business Free Webinar Series by The Boss Business Coach. Start and Grow Your Own Business. Join the series of free classes. Register today, classes begin July 9! Tickets by Eventbrite.com.

JULY 14 Democratic Primary Runoff Election Day

Dickies Arena Food & Beverage Hiring Fair Hosted

by Dickies Arena. The Dickies Arena Food & Beverage team is

JULY 10, 2020

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BLACK LIVES MATTER #NationBuilding w/ Michael Sorrell, at 12:30 pm. CDT, Wednesdays on Facebook & Twitter. Follow Paul Quinn College’s President, Michael Sorrell on all social media platforms. @MichaelSorrell on Twitter & Instagram and @Michael J. Sorrell on Facebook.

A Message For You, with Anthony Council Morehouse student and I Messenger Media intern. Tuesdays at 11am Anthony brings that perspective from those born in this century. Live on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews & Blog Talk Radio.com Join the conversation.

Andrew’s World with host Andrew Whigham III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. Sundays Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news and commentary. Join the call at 646-200-0459 The Stimulus Show, hosted by Cheryl Smith publisher of Texas Metro News, Garland Journal and I Messenger. She is a FAMU grad and secretary of the National Association of Black Journalists. Join in on Facebook/@CherylSmith and BlogTalkRadio.com at 11 am Mondays. Call 646-200-0459.

SIP and Eat with LaShante’ “The Lifestyle Chef.” LaShante Williams, Every Thursday at 7pm CST on FB live and IG live and https://www.instagram.com/ lashante@thelifestylechef/

A Message For You, The Stimulus Show with Marva Sneed from11 am -1 pm. CST, Wednesdays and Fridays on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com.

Call in and join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

A Message For You, with I Messenger Media multi-media journalist Allana Barefield and the legendary Norma Adams-Wade.

Mondays at 11am. Live on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews & Blog Talk Radio.com Join the conversation.

myimessenger.com

2020 State Fair of Texas canceled due to COVID-19 concerns After extensive consideration of the current landscape related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the health and safety of all fairgoers, staff, business partners, and overall community, the State Fair of Texas Board of Directors has voted to cancel the 2020 State Fair of Texas.

“This was an extremely tough decision. The health and safety of all involved has remained our top priority throughout the decision-making process,” said Gina Norris, board chair for the State Fair of Texas.

“One of the greatest aspects of the Fair is welcoming each and every person who passes through our gates with smiles and open arms. In the current climate of COVID-19, there is no feasible way for the Fair to put proper precautions in place while maintaining the Fair environment you know and love. While we cannot predict what the COVID-19 pandemic will look like in September, the recent surge in positive cases is troubling for all of North Texas. The safest and most responsible decision we could make for all involved at this point in our 134-year history is to take a myimessenger.com

hiatus for the 2020 season.”

The Fair’s commitment to our nonprofit mission of promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement will continue.

The Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and livestock shows, Big Tex Scholarship Program, Big Tex Urban Farms, and our community outreach initiatives will continue to have funding and we commit to maintaining as many participation opportunities as possible as it relates to livestock and creative arts.

While the State Fair of Texas is canceled for 2020, the NCAA, respective conferences, and participating universities – the University of Texas & University of Oklahoma and Prairie View A&M University & Grambling State University – will be in charge of making decisions regarding the football games that occur at Cotton Bowl Stadium during this unprecedented time of COVID-19.

Should football be played this fall, the schools will be playing in the Cotton Bowl as scheduled, despite the cancellation of the 2020 State Fair. We will share those details as soon as we know more.

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We’re open and ready to serve you!

Elaine’s

Jamaican Kitchen

(214) 565-1008 2717 Martin L. King Jr Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215

JULY 10, 2020

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FEBRUARY 8, 2019

I Messenger

Do you know this man?

POLICE have not apprehended “Pookie” the serial rapist.

We know he has attacked members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and there is a $5,000 reward offered by Crime Stoppers.

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?

877-373-8477 JULY 10, 2020

I MESSENGER

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myimessenger.com