I Messenger 7-16-21

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I MESSENGER VOL X NO 43 JULY 16, 2021

Legislators speak out about voter suppression

Messed with the Wrong

Messed with the Wrong

TEXANS!


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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. July 16, 2021

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INSIDE

Sunday, July 18

Faithful Utterances

What’s on Miles’ Mind

Join Dr. E. Faye Williams at book signing at the African American Museum in Dallas at 4 pm.

A friend of mine recently shared her struggles at work with dominating, manipulative, and mean-spirited leaders. I was stunned that a leader would be concerned with such insignificant details. Micromanaging is more about the leader’s self-confidence, fear of being exposed for what they don’t know and feeling a sense of control.

Consider this… If God made man to love one another, why isn’t hate an anomaly, abnormal, a malfunction of the human mind? Imagine, if hate were not accepted as a norm, but a departure or deviation from what is normal, a disorder, a mental illness, it might be treated appropriately, as such.

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MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith Publisher

The Real Dick Gregory To be recognized during your lifetime has to be a great feeling. If folks didn’t learn anything as a result of COVID-19, showing love and appreciation should have been on the list. Sadly, however; so many missed the memo and therefore grace is not in their vocabularies. To Dr. E. Faye Williams’ credit, it didn’t take a pandemic for her to realize how precious life and friends are. She had a friend in Dick Gregory and while he is no longer here to be showered with love, when he was alive Mr. Gregory knew he had a friend in her. And that is so important! Actually it is powerful. And, Mr. Gregory said that information was power! The author of several books, Dick Gregory was about sharing information. Get him talking and you were in for a treat, because it was like having your own personal lecturer. Rapper and businessman Killer Mike said that when Mr. Gregory died, it was like an entire library burned down. Which brings me to my truth. Dr. Williams is also a library and she is continuing in the same mode as her longtime friend; by writing books, hosting and appearing on radio shows, speaking at lecturns to speak truth to power, and being a voice for the voiceless. Her latest labor of love is: “Dick Gregory, Wake Up and Stay Woke: Running for Life.”

Dr. E. Faye Williams July 16, 2021

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Dick Gregory Believe me when I tell you, you need to read this book! Much like Mr. Gregory, she candidly discusses issues and provides a history lesson for readers. This is Black History! And guess what? Folks are going to be writing about Dr. Williams also. Who is she? She’s all that and more! The National President of the National Congress of Black Women, Dr. Williams is the president of the Dick Gregory Society and a board member of the World Conference of Mayors. She’s a former Professor of International Law at Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. She previously served as Chief of Staff for the late Mayor Marion Barry and she served President Barack Obama as a member of his Presidential Scholars Commission. An ordained minister, Dr. Williams served as president of the Grambling State University National Alumni Association and she was inducted into The HistoryMakers and the Grambling State University Hall of Fame. Armed with numerous degrees and certifications from Grambling, USC, Howard Univ. School of Law and City University of Los Angeles; as well as, Atlanta Law School, Univ. of Michigan, Peppermyimessenger.com

dine and George Washington universities. A proud life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the NAACP, she was one of Mr. Gregory’s “running buddies.” In her book, Dr. Williams talks about “the real Dick Gregory” who was so much more than his comedy or his fiery speeches. She met him in 1986 when she ran for Congress to represent her home

state, Louisiana. She didn’t win the race but she was victorious as she walked away with a friend for life. There’s so much to share about Mr. Gregory and Atty. Williams, but I’d rather you come out and meet her. Join me on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at the African American Museum. Let’s join together in the spirit of staying woke.

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WHAT: “Dick Gregory, Wake Up and Stay Woke: Running for Life” WHO: Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. WHEN: Sunday, July 18, 2021 4-6 pm WHERE: African American Museum, 3536 Grand Avenue, Dallas

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The Road to Recovery has Potholes There is lots of great news in the June Employment Situation report (https://www.bls.gov/ news.release/empsit.nr0.htm). Eight hundred and fifty thousand jobs were created! And while the unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged at 5.9 percent, the labor market is showing signs of life. The Biden-Harris administration doesn’t mind crowing about it, either, noting that the three million jobs that have been created since they took office in late January is the best running start that any administration has experienced in modern history. The legislation that has pumped money into the economy and quickened the pace of COVID vaccinations is working, even though the vaccination pace has slowed and the administration has missed its July 4 goal of two million vaccinations. A careful look at the data, though, show that a rising tide doesn’t lift all boats, and in the boat called this economy, some folks are riding and some are rowing. Some are enjoying the benefits of economic recovery, while others are waiting for the benefits to trickle down. The pace of recovery, not unsurprisingly, has been more rapid for whites than for African Americans. July 16, 2021

not working in June 2020 is illustrative (45 percent of whites were not working). How does one recover from long-term unemployment. To its credit, Congress put money in people’s pockets last year, and the Biden-Harris administration has followed up with significant legislation to assist those economically affected by the pandemic. Some of the protections are expiring, though, including the protection against eviction. People are simply camping out on the street because housing has become unaffordable and they have nowhere to go. This problem will get worse before it gets better. Meanwhile parsimonious members of Congress raise the possibility of inflation as a reason to offer less relief to those who are in economic distress. It is delightfully true that wages are rising, up by more than 3 percent last month. But the myth of labor shortages is exactly that, a myth. The reality is that the pandemic forced people to reevaluate their work and family choices, with many women choosing to stay home instead of returning to work because of limited child care options. Others are rethinking work,

THE LAST WORD BY DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX

The unemployment rate for whites dropped from 10.1 percent a year ago to 5.2 percent last month, a reduction by almost half. In contrast, the Black unemployment rate was 15.3 percent in June of 2020, and it dropped to 9.2 percent last month – a less steep drop than the white rate. White women’s unemployment rate more than halved from 10.7 percent to 5 percent, while Black women’s rate dropped from 14.1 percent to 8.5 percent, a reduction of 65 percent, which is much lower than the 114 percent reduction white women experienced. The uneven rate of recovery is a pothole that the Biden-Harris team must acknowledge. It isn’t enough to talk about equity. Solid proposals to both close the unemployment rate gap and to increase the pace of recovery among African Americans is imperative. We haven’t fully studied the ways COVID affected Black people, but the fact that fully half of all African Americans were

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especially when their old jobs required 60 or 80 hour workweeks. The Biden-Harris focus on caregiving jobs and the human infrastructure is most welcome now. Inflation is certainly real, especially in some sectors. That’s partly because of pandemic uncertainty and poor forecasting. Who knew that the Biden-Harris team could get shots in arms so quickly that the nation is opening back up? Who knew, American Airlines, that passengers were so eager to get out of their homes and into the unfriendly skies that they’d fill seats on planes to the brim? I think inflation will shake out in a few months as people, in some cases motivated by incentives, return to work. The Biden-Harris team has much to celebrate. Unfortunately, the uneven pace of recovery means that Black America has less to rejoice about. President Biden says he has Black America’s back. Now is the time to prove that by closing gaps, and increasing the pace of recovery for those who elected him. Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an author, economist, and social commentator.

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Toxic Leaders Need to Take a Seat A friend of mine recently shared her struggles at work with dominating, manipulative, and meanspirited leaders. I was stunned that a leader would be concerned with such insignificant details. Micromanaging is more about the leader’s self-confidence, fear of being exposed for what they don’t know and feeling a sense of control. Because of the lack of identity and control they often experience in their personal lives, work becomes a place to command others. Their importance is rooted in position—not who they are without the title. It’s sad to say I’ve had my share of bad bosses whose insecurities created toxic work environments. They saw leadership as an opportunity to control, manipulate and dictate using power as a weapon instead of an instrument to cultivate talent, mentor, and guide. In one of my favorite books, “Leadership for the Disillusioned: Moving Beyond Myths and Heroes to Leading That Liberates” author Amanda Sinclair, discusses the leaders of Enron and WorldCom, two major corporations that fell because of unethical and power-hungry leadership. Sinclair documents the difficult childhoods of the leaders and demonstrates that because they did not deal with the wounds of their past, they recreated a narrative that hurt others. This happens all the time. Toxic leadership is detrimental on so many July 16, 2021

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW

levels. According to Gallup, “active disengagement from a toxic boss costs the U.S. $450 billion to $550 billion per year. A Harvard Business School study discovered that avoiding a toxic hire, or letting one go quickly, will save you $12,500 in cost.” The cost of toxic leadership has psychological, emotional, and physical implications.

“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. It is God who judges: He brings one down, He exalts another.” (Psalm 75:6) As Believers, the model for leadership must be Christ. “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26–28). As leaders, the responsibility is great and the requirement for

“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. It is God who judges: He brings one down, He exalts another.”

— (Psalm 75:6)

It’s even worse when toxic leaders are in professions that are designed to help others like healthcare, nonprofit management and the church. Places that are designed for healing become battlegrounds of depressed individuals who suffer with a deflated selfimage, devastated aspirations, and destroyed dreams. Leadership is not to be taken lightly. I think we fail to realize that we will be held accountable by God for the way we steward relationships not just in our homes but even in the workplace. We must recognize that leadership is something God is interested in and as we are elevated into roles, we must know that God will hold us accountable and there are consequences.

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how we care for others that we are leading is not to be taken lightly: “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” (Luke 12:48) Leadership requires humility. We often hear the expression, “There is no ‘I’ in team. This doesn’t mean that we don’t have expectations of others or there is no accountability, but it does mean that we recognize the gift of those who we work with. We see their value. They are not below us—we are in partnership. When we study and pour into our teams, set a vision with clear, measurable directives with open, twoway communication, the

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possibilities for success are unlimited. “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:13–17) Jesus understood his role as leader and the power of the position. He did not use it to harm but to edify and encourage others to fulfill their God-given abilities. I think for many people, we don’t want to see others shine and our inability to see who we are because of unprocessed and unresolved pain jades our vision to fully see others the way God created them. Great followers are not cultivated under poor leadership. If your team isn’t thriving, maybe it’s time to examine your leadership, the way you view your team and your understanding of power.

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.

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The real hoax; Claims of widespread voter fraud

OUR VOICES BY SEN. ROYCE WEST

Personal Message from Senator Royce West “The battle against voter suppression starts anew this week and I encourage every citizen, every Texan, to get involved by testifying, calling and emailing elected officials to protest the proposed elections legislation and ask them to vote against these JIM CROW bills.” — Sen. Royce West

A former U.S. Commanderin-Chief has made it his habit to immediately label any claims, no matter how factual, not aligned with his branding of information as “a witch hunt” or “a hoax.” But a bill that will if passed - create confusion for voters and reject ballots for reasons now legal under law under the guise of ensuring voting integrity, that’s the real hoax. The Texas Attorney General’s website says that since 2005, the office has successfully prosecuted 534 offenses related to election fraud involving 155 persons. A tally of the number of votes cast in statewide elections over the same period totaled 83,933,740. Finding widespread voter fraud in Texas can possibly, if not rightfully, be called a witch hunt. I’d bet more than 534 people claim to have seen Bigfoot! myimessenger.com

Longstanding claims of voting improprieties were breathed new life by a Presidential candidate who lost the popular vote in the last two elections. They can be seen as the impetus for nearly 400 bills filed in state legislatures in 2021, including SB7, which was thwarted by my colleagues in the Texas House during the final hours of the 87th Regular Legislative Session. By the end of May, 14 states had passed new laws that place more restrictions on voters. During the pandemic, some Texas jurisdictions passed rules that helped voters feel safe, such as creating mobile or temporary voting locations and expanding provisions that allow curbside voting. SB7 and its Special Session successor will eliminate “drive-through

voting” by banning the use of “moveable” structures or tents or parking lots or garages as voting locations. No known reports indicate fraud. Voters who are mobilitychallenged are able under current state law, to vote from their cars or the vehicle they are riding in. The proposed legislation would allow only the voter or an accompanying child to remain inside the vehicle while their ballot is being cast. Even the driver, must get out. Over the years, civicminded Texans have helped their neighbors, including seniors and others who do not drive, by giving them a ride to polling places. Churches and other organizations across the country have helped get voters to the polls. SB7’s heir will discourage citizenship and kindness by forcing good neighbors to complete a form that must be submitted to election officials if they carry three or more people to a voting site. I’m glad that a provision in an early version of the elections bill that could have created chaos at voting sites by allowing poll watchers to record voters was removed. But the bill still gives poll watchers near unfettered ability to have too much of a presence at polling places, with only their pledge that they will not disrupt voting activities. The bill creates a Class B Misdemeanor for election workers who deny poll watchers free movement at a voting site. This week, reports

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emerged that two more bad policy choices will not be part of the new voting bill. One provision would have allowed a judge to overturn the results of an election based on assertions that the votes were illegally cast, without actually counting the votes. And bill supporters and the Lt. Governor say language that would have not opened polls on the last Sunday of early voting until 1:00 p.m. will not be included this time. Shouts raised the roof at the thought of limiting “Souls to the Polls” efforts historically supported by Black churches. But another part of the bill may likely remain. It calls for the Secretary of State to monitor county voter rolls to determine if the number of voters registered in a county exceeds the number of voters who are eligible to vote in that county. The problem is that from year-to-year, there is not an official instrument that tabulates how many persons are eligible to vote in a particular county. Officially, how many people moved to Dallas, Bexar, Harris or Travis or Tarrant counties last year? When the departing Secretary of State’s office said the 2020 Election was “smooth and secure” and turnout in Texas was higher than it had been since the 1992 Election, any talk of widespread voter fraud sounds suspicious, at least to me. You might call it fake news.

Royce West was first elected to the Texas Senate in November 1992. He represents the 23rd Senatorial District on behalf of the citizens of Dallas County.

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Ida B. Wells honored with monument in Bronzeville By Tammy Gibson Chicago Defender The Ida B. Wells Monument was unveiled Wednesday at 37th & Langley among a crowd of spectators, public officials, Bronzeville, and former Ida B. Wells Home residents. The 20-foot-tall sculpture “Light of Truth” was designed by Chicago artist and sculptor Richard Hunt. The monument has three bronze columns, with spirals, coils, Ida B. Wells biographical facts, and one of her famous quotes, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” The monument is the first in the City of Chicago to honor a Black woman. The monument was commissioned by the Ida B. Wells Commemorative Committee. Michelle Duster, the great-granddaughter of Ida B. Wells, had to let the ceremony sink in that after 13 years of support from donors and hard work, the monument has become a reality. “After working on this project for over a decade, the reality that it is finished is still sinking in. I realized the other day that if the project were a child, it would be graduating from 8th grade now. I truly hope that the monument will be a source of pride for the Bronzeville neighborhood where my great-grandmother lived for over 35 years, as well as the whole city, state, and nation. “Ida B. Wells spent her entire adult life fighting for justice and equality. This awe-inspiring monument, created by world-renowned Chicago native Richard Hunt, should inspire people to see their own power and continue her work,” said Michelle Duster. At the Ida B. Wells Dedication Ceremony, violinist Windy Indie open the program with her performance of the hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Bryan Stevenson, of the Equal Justice Initiative, actress Tika Sumpter and Mariame Kaba, organizer & author, paid virtual tributes and congratulations on the historic moment. Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, 4th Ward Alderwoman Sophia King, and journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones made July 16, 2021

The Ida B. Wells Monument was unveiled Wednesday at 37th & Langley among a crowd of spectators, public officials, Bronzeville, and former Ida B. Wells Home residents. The 20-foot-tall sculpture “Light of Truth” was designed by Chicago artist and sculptor Richard Hunt.

remarks about the life and legacy of Ida B. Wells and the lack of monuments and statues honoring Black women. “It’s important who we celebrate and who we choose to celebrate. I feel Ida B. Wells’ spirit here today,” said Ald. King. “We are all standing on her shoulders. The ground that she walked on, the legacy, and the history that she carved into this country. We are the beneficiaries of her life and legacy, and we dare not forget that” said Mayor Lightfoot. “What’s troubling in this country is the extent to which we honor not just a very small segment of our population, white men, but white men who were slaveholders,” said Preckwinkle. “You know if you think about Washington Park and Jackson Park, they’re named after presidents of the United States, for sure. But slaveholding presidents of the United States, which I would argue is an affront to all of us. What is this? Why are we lifting up slaveholders? So, I’m very grateful to be part of a celebration that lifts up a fighter for justice.” “We are about to unveil a monument to a Black woman who actually did believe in the ideas of this country,” said Hannah-Jones. “We create monuments because we want monuments to tell us publicly how we see ourselves as a nation. So, the fact that across this country we don’t have monuments to the enslaved, but we have monuments to those that enslaved them. Monuments to enslavers, bigots and colonizers are coming down all across the country. We

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have to not leave an empty space there. We have fill in those spaces with the spaces of the true Americans who actually fought for the ideas of liberty and freedom, and that’s what we are doing today with the Ida B. Wells monument.” The great-grandchildren of Ida B. Wells, Dan, and Michelle Duster, were emotional about the overwhelmed turnout for the dedication ceremony for their great-grandmother. “We are all here to celebrate her HERstoric moment,” said Michelle Duster. “Rosa Parks was the mother of

the Civil Rights Movement, Fannie Lou Hamer, Sojourner Truth were the grandmothers, Ida B. Wells was the great-grandmother, and it goes on and on. To have a monument that can tell people her story and not just her name is powerful,” said Dan Duster. Wells was born in Holly Springs, MS, in 1862. Wells and two of her siblings moved to Memphis after their parents died from the Yellow Fever Epidemic in 1878. Wells became part owner of the Memphis newspaper Free Speech and Headlight to denounce racial injustice. Wells began her anti-lynching crusade when three of her friends were beaten and lynched for defending their Memphis grocery store on March 9, 1892. Wells left Memphis and moved to Chicago. In 1895, Wells married journalist Ferdinand Lee Bartnett. From 1919 to 1929, the couple lived at 3624 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago. The Ida B. Wells-Barnett House is a National Historic Landmark. Wells died on March 25, 1931, and is buried at Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago. Tammy Gibson is a Black history traveler and author. Find her on social media at @SankofaTravelHr.

ZWHJCOC HEALTH IS WEALTH LUNCH & LEARN TO BE HOSTED IN SOUTHLAKE The Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Community Outreach Center, in partnership with Food Saved Me, will host its first in-person event since the start of the pandemic, at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 22 in Southlake. The event is being hosted by Food Saved Me, which is located at 535 S. Nolen Drive, Ste. 400, in Southlake 76092. Hosts Katherine Lawrence and Terry Nelson Bell of Food Saved Me will teach principles of eating healthy while preparing a meal for participants. The focus of this session is how healthy cooking and eating contribute to good health. Food Saved Me is a team of nutri-

tionists and cooking coaches who teach thousands of individuals annually about how to eat better and prepare their food in a faster, easier and healthier way. They offer several nutrition classes that address various health topics such as Cancer Prevention & Survival, Diabetes Prevention & Reversal and Heart Disease Prevention and Reversal. To learn more about Food Saved Me and their nutrition classes, go to: www.foodsavedme.com. To register, go to www.zwhjcoc.org and click on Classes. For more information about this session, contact Jasmine Anderson at jasmine.anderson@ zwhjcoc.org. myimessenger.com


New Mount Zion 75th Church Anniversary The New Mount Zion 75th Church Anniversary 3-Day Celebration will be Friday, July 30; Saturday, July 31; and Sunday, August 1: • Friday, July 30 – 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. – Will feature NMZ Youth groups (Mime, Praise Dancers, and Steppers); Gospel Artists: Stellar Award Nominated Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis and Antwan Jenkins & Campfire Music; Gospel Rap Artist, Herschel Jorden; Spoken Word Artist, Monica Daniels; DJ Warren Brooks; games; food and fun; we will also be featuring a Black Greek Fraternities and Sororities Step Show and Stroll; and locally well-known food trucks. • Saturday, July 31 – 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. – Will include an old-fashioned picnic on the grounds; Grammy Nominated Gospel Artist, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise; Local Gospel Artists: Eric Houston & Stronger, Kim Washington, and Pastor Chris Wesley & Undignified Praise; Actress and Spoken Word Artist, Sha Bailey; more food and games; Dominoes, Spades, Bible Bingo; a Rock-Climbing wall and Zip- lining. **Note: Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, tents, grills, fish fryers, and picnic baskets filled with your favorite foods. • Sunday, August 1 – 10:30 a.m. – Will feature Actress and Spoken Word Artist from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sha Bailey; Guest Minister, Pastor Chris Wesley, Senior Pastor of Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas; and Gospel Artist, Antwan Jenkins & Campfire Music from Indianapolis, Indiana. myimessenger.com

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Messing with the wrong

TEXANS!

Members of Texas Delegation with Senator Cory Booker

By Valerie Fields Hill News Editor North Texas civic and community leaders applauded Democratic state legislators yesterday after at least 50 members of the House of Representatives left Texas in protest of two Republican-backed bills they said suppress minorities’ voting rights. “I stand in solidarity with myimessenger.com

the Texas House legislators who are fighting to empower the voices of Americans, so we continue to have basic constitutional rights,” said Glenn Heights City Councilwoman Shaunte L. Allen. “This bill disenfranchises a very specific demographic and is steeped in the hatred of the Jim Crow era.” Allen made the statement Tuesday afternoon, shortly after news reports that more

than 50 Democratic representatives left the state ahead of an expected vote on the Republican-supported bills making their way through this week’s special Legislative session. The lawmakers’ absence ensured the House of Representatives could not reach a quorum to vote on the proposed bills. The representatives boarded a pair of planes bound for Washington, D.C. where they

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later held a press conference at the Capitol building detailing their opposition to Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 3. Allen said the boycott was necessary to protect her constituents’ and others’ rights to vote. “For Governor (Greg) Abbott to call this extra Legislative session to push through personal agendas is deplorable,” Allen said. “We know see TEXANS on page 20

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Legislators decry suppressive voter bills, head to D.C. forced to fight against these measures in a court of law,” that not voting means not said Jane Hope Hamilton, having a voice in the commu- co-founder of the Barbara nities in which we live.” Jordan Leadership Institute. She was not alone in her “Our most sacred right to vote support. is under attack and legislators Allen was among a bevy of must employ drastic means to North Texas African Ameri- fend off such efforts. can and Latino leaders who “We must use any measure favored Democratic legisla- we have, including abolishing tors’ tactics – specifically their the filibuster, to protect our use of a boycott - to stymie ef- right to vote,” Hamilton said. forts to pass Senate Bill 1 and “The time to act is now.” House Bill 3. Earlier Tuesday, the TexThe two pieces of legisla- as Senate passed its version tion prohibit the opening of of the voting legislation; but drive-through and 24-hour the House of Representatives voter locations and add new could not reach a quorum requirements to mail-in vot- due to the exit of the Demoing, among other mandates. cratic legislators. “Unfortunately, now we are Although a vote had been taken by the 31 member Senate, Texas State Sen. Royce West traveled to Washington to support his colleagues, in “our effort to stop the passage of these laws in Texas.” “We’re resolved to do what we were elected to do,” he said, adding that it was important to be in Washington to share their message with not only the President and Vice President, but the entire country. Gov. Abbott moved to have State Rep. Carl O. Sherman leaves Texas to take the lawmakers arcase against voter suppression to the White House. rested when they

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return to Texas. This move, said critics, was nothing more than a publicity stunt because Texas has no jurisdiction in the nation’s capital. It was also pointed out that efforts to “track” the legislators down and bring them back to Texas brought back memories of ads and bulletins that called for the return of runaway enslaved Africans to their “Massas.” Sen. West shrugged off threats of jail saying the governor’s remarks were just for media consumption. For both West and Rep. Carl O. Sherman Sr., they said they recognized the correlation between the Fugitive Slave Act signed by President George Washington in 1793 and Abbott’s efforts today. Sherman said he and his colleagues saw no alternative to their decision. “We had no choice but to bring this to Washington,” he told Texas Metro News. “The

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only way we have a chance is if we fight. We demand that President Biden be the Lincoln (President Abe) of our time!” Decrying the partisan efforts to disenfranchise voters, he invoked the name of Fannie Lou Hamer and others who fought for voter and civil rights. “We’ve really got it easy,” he continued. “We can’t be delusional about the spirit of these laws. I believe in the resurrection and we have demons of our past trying to run things today.” Democratic lawmakers released a statement through the Texas House Democratic Caucus. “Today, Texas House Democrats stand united in our decision to break quorum and refuse to let the Republican-led Legislature force through dangerous legislation that would trample on Texans’ freedom to vote,” the myimessenger.com


Members of Texas Delegation with Sen. Elizabeth Warren

statement read. “We are now taking the fight to our nation’s Capitol. We are living on borrowed time in Texas. We need Congress to act now to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to protect Texans — and all Americans — from the Trump Republicans’ nationwide war on democracy.” Across the nation, national civil rights organizations and others praised the Texas lawmakers’ stand and pledged support. National NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson immediately sent an email to media and the civil rights organization’s members saying the NAACP would “bail these lawmakers out of jail, if necessary.” “The Texas Legislature’s efforts to silence the voices of its own constituents is an assault on our most fundamental values,” Johnson wrote in myimessenger.com

the email. “We will not stand idly by as partisan politicians dismantle our system, oppress our voices and suppress our votes. People have fought and died for the sacred right to vote. This is a time of crisis. Our constitution is being tested and we need all hands on deck.” President of the National Council of Negro Women, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole said that “enough is enough.” “American Democracy is under attack,” she said, as she criticized what she called a vicious set of practices and encouraged Black women to move to action; including calling their legislators at 202224-3121. Texas State Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Mesquite, who represents District 107, posted Monday to her Instagram account, @victoria4texas, that she was aboard one of the reported two planes that carried Democratic lawmakers

to Washington. “I was appointed last week to serve on the Texas House Select Committee on Constitutional Rights and Remedies which this weekend had a nearly 24-hour-long hearing to, in part, ban 24-hour voting, refer potentially hundreds of thousands of people for criminal prosecution, make it harder to vote, among other terrible things,” she wrote in her post. “Witness after witness helped prove the points I and my colleagues tried to raise all day— that Latinos, African Americans, people with disabilities would be detrimentally and disproportionately impacted. “As a Latina, I can’t let that happen,” she said. “That’s why we have to do everything we can to use the Rules of the House and urge Congress to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.” Dallas attorney Vicki Blan-

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ton, who chairs the Connection Committee, a non-partisan arm of the Omicron Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and who brings educational issues to Black voters, said the voting bills go “against the principles that democracy stands for.” “Your voice is your vote; your vote is your voice. You take that away and that is essentially taking your voice away,” she said. Certainly, the efforts that are being made to make it harder to vote shows the importance of it. “People shouldn’t take it lightly. When they have the opportunity to vote, no matter what the election is, they should exercise that right because it’s a fundamental right to being a U.S. citizen.” Texas Metro News Staff writers Eva D. Coleman, Dorothy Gentry, Marva Sneed, Kenedi Houston and Ania Jackson all contributed to this report.

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On Voting Rights “Certainly, we believe in being lawabiding and so the actions now being taken show desperate times calls for desperate measures; and, so we certainly hope that everyone is able to get to one accord and do what’s necessary. We hope that everyone is able to come together and govern appropriately and accordingly to allow everyone to exercise their fundamental right as a U.S. citizen.” -- Dallas attorney Vicki Blanton, who chairs the Connection Committee, a non-partisan arm of the Omicron Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ************** “Texas has a long history of voter suppression dating back to the end of the Civil War. Once the Supreme Court overturned Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in 2013, people of color were no longer protected from suppressive Republican attempts to deny our vote.” -- Jane Hope Hamilton, co-founder of the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute ************* “Although the 15th amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race, color, or condition, House Bill 3 is doing exactly that! To limit voting-by-mail obstructs those who may not have transportation to the polls or are sick or disabled.” – Glenn Heights City Councilwoman Shaunte Allen ************* “Y’all, this law is Jim Crow 2.0, all because of the Big Lie and because some think that Donald Trump is the President.” -- Rep. Victoria Neave ******************* July 16, 2021

Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Chris Turner, Mexican American Legislative Caucus Chair Rafael Anchía, Texas Legislative Black Caucus Chair Nicole Collier, Legislative Study Group Caucus Chair Garnet Coleman and Dean Senfronia Thompson released the following statement on the decision to break quorum: “Today, Texas House Democrats stand united in our decision to break quorum and refuse to let the Republican-led legislature force through dangerous legislation that would trample on Texans’ freedom to vote. “We are now taking the fight to our nation’s Capitol. We are living on borrowed time in Texas. We need Congress to act now to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to protect Texans — and all Americans — from the Trump Republicans’ nationwide war on democracy.” ********* Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Chris Turner released the following statement: “Early this morning, Republicans voted to advance a bill to ban 24hour voting, following an overnight committee hearing that lasted nearly 24 hours. You just can’t make this up: Republicans are passing anti-voter legislation overnight to prohibit Texans from casting a ballot overnight. “Republican leaders want to restrict your freedom to vote, all because of the ‘Big Lie’ they keep repeating. Just yesterday, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told CPAC he was ‘convinced’ the election was stolen from the disgraced former president, Donald Trump. “Until Republicans are willing to tell their supporters the truth – the last election wasn’t stolen and our

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elections are safe, smooth and secure – they are going to continue to push these anti-voter bills. “Thank you to the Democratic Members of the House Select Committee who worked all day and all night. They asked tough questions and tried to improve the bill, even though their amendments were rejected along party lines. I thank all of them for fighting for the rights of all Texans.” ****** Texas Freedom Network Executive Director Val Benavidez: “This is a historical day for Texas. Advocates, voters, and friendly legislators have spoken out for months against the voter suppression efforts of the Republican Party, and this second walkout is an example of how much we will all fight to protect our democratic right to vote. “Governor Abbott and Lt. Governor Patrick have proven willing to take extreme measures to advance an agenda that attacks Texans’ rights and diminishes Texas’ democracy. And extreme measures call for an extraordinary response. Today’s action by more than 50 Democratic lawmakers rejects their patently corrupt special legislative session, and is a critical step toward blocking this assault on Texans’ rights in its tracks. “By denying a quorum to a blatant attempt at a power grab by Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick, these Democratic lawmakers are listening to Texans and taking a critical stand for the future of our state’s democracy. The Texas Freedom Network applauds them, and will similarly not rest until our lawmakers once again focus on the issues actually facing Texans today, like our crumbling power grid.”

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*************

State Sen. Jose Menendez: “Many of us have stories of immigrant parents or grandparents, but few of us get to hear of the time when your father and mother had recently been married, and your father’s painting the house in Mission, Texas, and the Border Patrol rolls up and by the time Mama comes out with the limonada que le traía a papá, ya casi lo -- they had him in the back of the car. All because his wallet was inside. The reason I share this story is because as soon as my parents could become naturalized citizens, they never missed an election….As they got older, they needed more help [to go vote]. There’s a reason why MALDEF and the NAACP testified that there is a federal assister law in place today -- and the [Republican] bill that’s being proposed breaks federal law….We are here to represent the millions who may have their right to vote be infringed upon….We ask, how many people are you willing to rob of their vote?” Rep. Vikki Goodwin: “The rights of voting Texans live on borrowed time under Texas Republicans. We are here to implore Congress to pass sweeping voting rights legislation. We heard from over 400 constituents back in Texas who came to testify about the elections bill….We are doing everything in our power to fight back. We’re not going to allow Abbott to corral and cabin us. We are here to fight.” Follow the conversation, by following these hashtags: #ForthePeopleAct #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct #ProtectOurDemocracy #quorumbreak #democrats #txlege myimessenger.com


No Family Affair here ASK ALMA BY ALMA GILL

Dear Alma, After 26 years of marriage, last year my husband had an affair, divorced me and married his mistress. We have two adult daughters and two grandchildren. One of our daughters is very close to her father and insists that, despite what has happened, we must all spend special holidays together as a family. She insists the both of us – her parents – come to the family Christmas dinner at her house and remain civil to each other. I am completely devastated by my divorce, and I don’t think my daughter understands the position she’s putting me in. How do I get her to understand? Mrs. Bowman, Orlando, Fla. Hello Mrs. Bowman, If I recall correctly, life’s commandment goes something like this: Honor thy mother and father, not thy son and daughter. When and

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how exactly were these roles reversed? Experiencing adultery and divorce is devastating, and to compound the pain and humiliation, your husband married his mistress. I’m stunned that somewhere in your daughter’s Hallmark Family Holiday, she thinks that you should graciously sit across the table from this woman and break bread. Ahhh, I think not. That request is unconscionable and absolutely insane. At least this year it is. Who knows what future years may bring. Is your daughter really that spoiled to think that providing grandchildren, a turkey and trimmings on a Christmas tree trumps the embarrassment and resentment your broken heart endures? Really!? Who taught her that? If it was you, now’s your chance to make it right. Tell her, clearly, and in no uncertain terms, that you will not attend a holiday dinner with her father and her new stepmother. She doesn’t need any further explanation; she knows why. Because of her father’s choice to leave the family, here’s my suggestion: Her father and his

new wife can host a Christmas Eve brunch for his adult children and grandchildren. You will attend the Christmas Day dinner at your daughter’s house. If one year she’d like to flip the switch, that’s fine with you, but all three of you, at this time, will not celebrate together as a family. Let me remind you that you are not alone. Many celebrities, athletes, military personnel, out-of-state college students and service industry professionals are unable to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Day with family. Listen to your heart and determine what your soul will bear. Right now you’re resting in the slumber of a broken heart. You’ll wake up one day. Your spirit grieves for now, but it will grow; I promise. None of us should ever live to lay claim to a love that can’t requite. Just as you wouldn’t wear a pair of shoes that hurt your feet, your heart deserves the same consideration. Rid yourself from mindmeddling. You know what that is, when you just can’t stop thinking about how it could have been. What could have been is what it’s not. Stay in

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the reality. You’ll move through it much quicker. I’m sure you thought you and your husband would be married forever and live happily ever after. That didn’t happen. Life doesn’t always offer us a fair playing field. Put one foot in front of the other and make the best of the rest of your life. This isn’t about how to make things comfortable for your daughter. The focus and consideration should be on you. I’d also suggest you connect with a DivorceCare Group. Pick up a copy of “Peace From Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through” by Iyanla Vanzant. Another really good read that will fill your spirit is “Just Enough Light for the Step I’m On” by Stormie Omartian. Help yourself to help yourself. Most of life’s storms require more than a raincoat and umbrella. This is one of them. 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.

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Hate is an illness! WHAT’S ON MILES’ MIND

MILES JAYE Consider this… If God made man to love one another, why isn’t hate an anomaly, abnormal, a malfunction of the human mind? Imagine, if hate were not accepted as a norm, but a departure or deviation from what is normal, a disorder, a mental illness, it might be treated appropriately, as such. In this modern, 21st century world, hate is as pervasive as any previous time in human history-- it’s not new, but just as corrosive to a society. Hate is a thought-born illness, spread by hate-promoting books, hate-slanted media, and charismatic leaders espousing evil, xenophobic, racist, sexist rhetoric about a particular group. If hate is a loudly accepted psycho-pandemic, impervious to reason, logic or rational thought, why then haven’t the brightest scientific minds at top pharmaceutical firms, Moderna, Astro-Zeneca, J&J,

“If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother and sister, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother or sister.” This is the powerful admonition offered in 1 John 4:20-21 regarding love and hate.

Bristol-Myers Squibb, been deployed to research, discover, and develop a safe and effective cure? A vaccine to eradicate this monster once and for all-- a vaccine, the sole purpose of which is to save mankind? Why rely on megalomaniacal, self-serving politicians and ineffective policies for an antidote to this poison-- hate? As prevalent as hate is throughout America, pitting races against races, and throughout the world, pitting nations against nations, it’s also a very personal matter, a very personal malady. Just as it creates dangerous, war-torn barriers, borders and territories around the globe, it also creates toxic divides within families, friendships, churches, businesses and neighborhoods. Envy, anger, jealously, resentment, hostility, indignation, and spite can bring out the worst in any one of us. We’re all susceptible! Deep within the trenches of intolerance, and the unwillingness or inability to forgive, we fall victim to the infection, the virus, the lethal venom of hate.

Who do you despise? Who do you refuse to forgive? Who will you stubbornly vow to never speak to again? Whose name is it, the very mention of which, invokes a feeling of disgust within you? It’s that feeling within you should hate, not that person. When the Word says, there is a time for love, and a time for hate, the reference is not to a person or people, but to their sins, it’s their evil deeds we should despise. Amos 5:15 tells us to “Hate evil, love good,” therefore, it’s the racism we should hate, not the racist. It’s the injustice we should hate, not the perpetrator of injustice. Hate the corruption, not the corrupt cop. What if there were no reasons for envy, jealously, resentment? John Lennon says in his song “Imagine”, “Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, no need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man.” Galatians 5:13 says, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free; but do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” It can be said of us that we

love the wrong things too much, material comfort and possessions, and hate what is deserving of our disdain far too little. Do you love everything about yourself? Are there not any qualities or characteristics within you that are deserving of reproach? God wants me to hate any spirit of anger, resentment, envy, jealously, resentment, or hostility within me. I want to pull the weeds of indignation out of me by the roots. I hate the hate in me! I pray that He removes it as if it were cancerous tissue caught up in my bones. Only then can I love completely as intended in Genesis 1:26 when God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, and in Our likeness,” but how is that possible? How could we ever imagine ourselves in the image of God? Through kindness and patience, through a spirit of mercy, grace, and forgiveness-through love. That’s what’s on my mind! Website: www.milesjaye.net Podcast: https://bit.ly/2zkhSRv Email: milesjaye360@gmail.com

Your Ad belongs here, Contact: 214-941-0110 myimessenger.com

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TRAE BODGE

Trae Bodge My featured guest in the Valder Beebe Show studios is Trae Bodge, an accomplished lifestyle journalist and TV commentator who specializes in smart shopping. Trae was in the studio to share Product of the Year, the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation that has changed the game of shopping by awarding brand recognition to the products that deserve it. Backed by the votes of 40,000 consumers and the familiar red logo, shoppers can cut through the cluttered store shelves and purchase the best products for their family in store or on line. We revealed the 2021 Product of the Year Award winners and share tips on how to bring home these top-rated and most innovative products of 2021. Trae, an expert of personal finance, parenting, and retail, has appeared on Good Morning July 16, 2021

THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW BY VALDER BEEBE

America’s GMA3, NBC Nightly News, Inside Edition, The Valder Beebe Show, CNBC, and network affiliates nationwide. She has been named a Top Voice in Retail by LinkedIn and a top personal finance expert by GoBankingRates and FlexJobs. She is a regular contributor at Marketwatch, MSN, Grow by Acorns / CNBC, and Millie Magazine for Synchrony, and her writing and expert commentary have appeared in Forbes, USNews.com, Kiplinger, Yahoo Finance, and numerous others. Trae Bodge publicists provided text in conjunction with the Valder Beebe Show VBS: Trae, thanks for being

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here. Are you ready to announce the products of the year? Also give a little back story on the products of year selection process. TB: Being a product of the year is so important because it helps consumer’s cuts through to the latest and greatest products in the market place. VBS: How is the ranking done? TB: The survey is conducted by Pantar (a global leader in research) and 40,000 consumers get to voice their opinions about products that you and I will buy in the market place. I have five winners here in the studio today. You can find the other forty winners on-line at productoftheyearusa.com. VBS: Give my audience a peek at the products of the year 2021. TB: 3M has the incredible product, it’s simply a picture hanger that can hold an

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incredible amount of weight. I call it gravity defying. Great for heavy frames and heavy mirrors, it’s easy to install and use. For dishes Dawn power dish wash solution; a really great healthy breakfast option winners comes from Aldi. A really innovative product is the Hum by Colgate, a really smart electric tooth brush with blue tooth capability. VBS: Do they get an award for being product of the year? TB: Yes, know to look for the red seal of approval it is indicating……… Trae Bodge complete interview…… SoundCloud.com/valderbeebeshow; more interviews: YouTube.com/valderbeebeshow: Broadcasting to a national & global audience: ValdeBeebeShow. com ; KKVI FM Radio, KRER FM, 411RadioNetwork, Streaming TV, Social Media, Print Publications I MESSENGER, Texas Metro News, and Garland Journal News.

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Dr. Amerson adapts to Temporary Business Closure Dr. Linda Amerson, Board Certified Trichologist, has adapted to the temporary closure of LA's Hair and Scalp Clinic. We continue to offer our award-winning products to consumers. Our exclusive products are manufactured by a facility in Garland, TX. Premium quality natural ingredients are used to assist with dry, oily, itchy, flaky, inflammed scalps, as well as hair breakage, hair thinning and regrowth. Everyone may order from our website, and we will ship your product order to you. http://www.hairandscalpessentials.com We need your support. In addition, we offer Video Consultations globally! We will schedule an appointment, give a diagnosis, them make a recommendation. We are available to serve you in the comfort of your home. Call us today - 817.265.8854 http://www.hairandscalpessentials.com We need your support.

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Nena’s Finds Boutique A Uniquely Stylish, Fashionable Boutique for women of all Sizes! Ranging from Pretti and Petite to Pretti and Plus! Nena likes to be a bit edgy, blingy ... But she keeps it Chic with Sophisticated Style!

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nenafinds17@gmail.com Schedule your Sip n Shop, Trunk Show, Girls Nite Out or Wardrobe Revamp with Nena’s Finds today!

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Black Widow AT THE MOVIES BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

In the movie Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson finally gets her turn to shine in the Marvel Comics Universe. The first third of the film features a young Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow and it delves into her family history and her early years, training to be an assassin and super spy. The movie also features Natasha’s younger sister, Yelena, played by Florence Pugh. The two sisters were separated during their spy training and Yelena still holds a grudge about being left behind by her older sister. Their first scene together is a huge fight, almost to the death, but Black Widow, who has her sister in a death grip, asks her sister for a truce and allows her to live. The chemistry between the two sisters is great, with Yelena picking fun at her sister every chance she gets. In one of the funniest scenes in the movie, she makes fun of her sister’s “superhero stance.” There’s even been talk that Pugh will replace Johansson as Black Widow in future Avenger movies. A lot of time is spent on the dynamics of the family between the two sisters and the two Russian spies who act as their parents. But there is plenty of action in the movie as well. With plenty of fight scenes, explosions, people falling out of buildings, and helicopters falling out of the sky there is plenty of high-octane excitement for action junkies (like myself ). As with all movies from the Marvel Universe, there is a bonus scene after the movie credits roll, so don’t get up until the very end. This scene is a real shocker that will affect future Avenger movies. Black Widow is rated PG-13 and has a run time of 2 hours and 13 minutes. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate this movie a LARGE. myimessenger.com

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Virtual and liVe Community Calendar

Minority Mental Health Month UV SAFETY The Black Church Month JULY 15-16

NABSW Annual Conference: Wellness Warriors for Social Work Actions. Host National Assoc. of Black Social Workers. Online, Reg: bit.ly/2SNK7lF. 8 am. CDT.

JULY 15-17 Business Building – Asset Protection, Conference Workshop. MC: Chris Howell. At The Westin Galleria Hotel. Reg: www.Trustup.biz.

JULY 15 Deep Ellum Wine Walk: Summer in the City! Host Discover Deep Ellum. On 2650 Main St, Dallas, 6-9 pm. Tickets: https:// deep-ellum-wine-walk.square.site/ Real Men Real Talk Virtual, - Our State of Mind. Feat: Royce Da 5’9”. Host The African American Male Wellness Agency. Online: realmenrealtalkvirtual.eventbrite.com 6 pm. CDT. The Connection with Debra Brown-Sturns. Guest: Nikquisa Nunn, Female Professional Bodybuilder. Facebook.com/TexasMetroNews & BlogTalkRadio.com. 7-8 pm. 646-200-0459. Cardio Dance Party! Main Street Garden Park, 1950 Main St. Dallas. 7-8 pm

DOC TALK // Live Town Hall on Glaucoma at the Cooper Clinic Auditorium 12200 Preston Rd. 2-3 pm. RSVP: Jennifer, 817.269.3254 or cure@cureglaucoma.org.

JULY17 R+B Brunch: Rhythm & Booze at DAQ’s Daq’s Luxury Daiquiri Lounge, 8700 Preston Rd. 12-3 pm. Tickets daqsallfolks.com. 2021 Trap Paint Dallas. Host Green Light Events. The Empire Room,1225 N. Riverfront Blvd. 2 pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. The Dallas Pancakes & Booze Art Show, at Deep Ellum Art Co. 3200 Commerce St. 8 pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Destiny Pointe Christian Center Monthly Food Pantry, at 2350 East Mayfield Rd. Arlington. 1-2:30 pm. Volunteers are needed send contact info: info@monaheartoutreach.com.

AMOC Presents: Amplify at Arts Mission Oak Cliff, 410 S. Windomere. 8-9 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3xyS5yp.

Arts Vision Preforming and Visual Arts Summer Camp. Welcomes youth from 4th-9th grade. Mon-Fri. 8 am-4 pm. Reg: www.artsvisiondfw.org.

JULY 23-24

JULY 19

$300 Poker Tournament at Texas Billiards! Grand Opening! Texas Billiards Bar & Grill, 6651 Watauga Rd. #117. Watauga. 7-10 pm. Info: ahlpoker.com. 2nd Annual Black Family Home-school Educators & Scholars Virtual Teach-In, Host Black Family Home-school Educators and Scholars. Online. Reg: bit.ly/3k9CotE 11 am CDT. Black Boys Code Technology Summer Camp- Edmonton, Host Black Boys Code Online. Reg: bit.ly/3yEidbc. 10 am. CDT.

JULY 20 Happy Birthday to L. Diane Evans

Day Trippin Ft. Worth Rooftop DAY Party @ Seven Lounge, 3017 W. 7th St. 3-8 pm. info: daytrippin2021.Eventbrite.com. It’s a Democratic Family Reunion! East Dallas Democrats 11 am-3 pm. at Samuel Farm, 100 US-80 E, Mesquite. Reg: https://bit.ly/2Vy5tVl. AMOC Presents: Amplify at Arts Mission Oak Cliff, 410 S. Windomere. 8-9 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3xyS5yp. Southwest Dallas County Democrats Meeting Guest: Kristy Noble, Dallas County Democratic Chair. At the Ernie Roberts Park, 515 E. Pleasant Run Rd. Pavilion #2, DeSoto. 10 am.

THE DOC SHEP SPEAKS SHOW! From 11 am. CST on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, @ fnsconsulting, and You Tube @docshepspeaks. Soul Line Dance Tuesday - LIVE! Host BE Creative Arts Center. 7-8 Pm CDT. Reg: www.becreativeartscenter.com. Reimagining Resilience 1: Using a Trauma Lens, host Sound Discipline. Online. Reg: https://bit.ly/3k52pKn 11:30 am. CDT.

JULY 21

Back to School Supplies Drive! Host Dallas Harley-Davidson, 1334 Centerville Rd. Garland 10 am-3 pm. Eventbrite.com.

The Present is Female - Campaign Kickoff Event, CANVAS Dallas, 1325 Botham Jean Blvd. 5 pm. Fundraising event for Judge Kelly, Judge White and Judge Huff.

JULY 16-19

I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade. From 11 am -1 pm. CST On Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

JULY 18

4th Annual Apartment Investor Mastery National Conference. In Person & Online in Dallas. Reg: https://bit.ly/3k4FoqX

The World According to Drew, host Andrew Whigham, III on BlogTalkRadio 8-10 am. CDT Thought-provoking, informative news commentary. Call in 646-200-0459.

JULY 16 Happy Birthday to Becky Lewis Jam to Give - Party Machine presented by Emerald City Bands-Bridges Safe House / Cedar Hill Shares, at Hillside Village, 305 FM 1382 #590. 7-9 pm. From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed. 11 am -1 pm. CST, Fridays on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459. Happy Hour Fridays Live DJ. Host Off The Cuff, 2901 Elm St. 5-8 pm. RSVP: offthecuffdallas@gmail.com. Black Creativity and Mentor-ship. Host Palo Alto Art Center. Online Event. Reg. Eventbrite.com. 2-3-pm CDT.

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JULY 19-30

Dr. E Faye Williams - Book Signing-Dick Gregory at the African American Museum of Dallas, 3536 Grand Ave. 4-6 pm.

From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed. 11 am -1 pm. CDT, Fridays on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459. Happy Hour Fridays Live DJ. Host Off The Cuff, 2901 Elm St. 5-8 pm. RSVP: offthecuffdallas@gmail.com Key’s 50th Chocolate & Champagne Souree. Host Keisha Williams-Lankford at 316 Cooper St, Cedar Hill 7-10 pm.

JULY 24 In Remembrance of Santos Rodriguez 2021, host Santos Vive and Dallas Peace & Justice Center. At Pike Park in the Little Mexico neighborhood. 8:30 am-12 pm. Love, Dating and Kingdom-Marriage Singles Small Group, host The Temple of Restoration. Online via Zoom. 6-7:30 pm. CDT. Reg: https://bit.ly/2TRDvn5. NWHM Presents: The 2021 Summer Educators Institute, host National Women’s History Museum. Online event. Reg: https://bit.ly/36tgRno 8 am. CDT.

JULY 25

Diversity & Inclusion Series Part II: Creating Community within Ourselves. The National Society of Black Wedding & Event Pros. Online: https://bit.ly/3e882ne. 5 pm. CDT. Trans-National Institutes of Health Workshop on Sickle Cell Disease Pain, host National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Online. //bit.ly/3hzq586. 10:30 am CDT.

West End Association Outdoor Market, Host The West End, 607 Corbin St, Dallas. 1 am-5 pm.

JULY 22 Happy Birthday to Jihad Muhammad

BRIO SUMMER JAZZ SERIES presents... “Tatiana Ladymay” Mayfield, Live Concert at Nack Theater, 6500 Preston Rd. #101 Frisco. 6 pm. Tickets: www.brioexecutive.com.

The Connection with Debra Brown-Sturns. On Facebook@TexasMetroNews & BlogTalkRadio.com. 7-8 pm. 646-200-0459

Texas Voter Suppression 101 Forum Facebook Live. Host The DFW Area Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 3-5 pm. CDT. Info: http://www.deltasigmatheta.org/

BLACK LIVES MATTER

Next Level Business Hour. Host LiftFund US (DFW Women’s Bus. Center) at 6-7 pm CDT. Online at: https://bit.ly/2VDXupT.

Texas Food Fest DFW, by Elite Events Group Cultural Org. at Mar Thoma,11500 Luna Rd. 1-6 pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

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The World According to Drew, host Andrew Whigham, III on BlogTalkRadio. com 8-10 am. It’s thought-provoking, informative, & entertaining news commentary. Join in at 646-200-0459.

2021 Trap Paint Dallas. Host Green Light Events. The Empire Room 1225 N. Riverfront Blvd. 9 pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Art Overdose DTX. Host Eye Opener ENT at SANDAGA 813, 813 Exposition Ave. 4-9 pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Desperate For Jesus Women’s Conference, at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Worship Center. 23rd at 7 pm & 24th at 9 am. Reg: Visit ocbfchurch.org/watchparty.

Cardio Dance Party! Main Street Garden Park, 1950 Main St. Dallas. 7-8 pm.

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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 July 16, 2021

I MESSENGER

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myimessenger.com


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