I Messenger 11-12-21 by Cheryl Smith

I MESSENGER VOL XI NO 11 NOVEMBER 12, 2021

The Music Never Stops with YARBROUGH and PEOPLES

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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. November 12, 2021

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INSIDE

THIS DUO DOESN’T STOP

QUIT PLAYIN’ The Department of Justice issued a press statement that reintroduced and reassured me that White Privilege is alive, well, and functioning correctly at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Watching the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse in real-time proves the privileged status of white men exists, regardless of age.

The crowd of a few hundred was well-seasoned and well-dressed. Some showed up with the assistance of canes, while others moved slowly down the aisles to their seats. Still, they all stood and swayed when the hit by legendary couple Cavin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples of Yarbrough & Peoples fame came on.

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TO BE EQUAL Across the country, students are embarking on what is certain to be a third consecutive academic year that is compromised or disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While this is unfortunate for all students, it’s especially dire for students of color and low-income students, who experienced the steepest setbacks as a result of interrupted instruction.

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Baylor Scott & White Wellness and Health Center Healthy Harvest Festival Brief and Photos By Marva Sneed Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center’s Health and Wellness Expo on Saturday was an event for the entire family, complete with free Flu Shots and COVID-19 Vaccines, health screenings, fitness challenges, cooking demonstrations with Chef Carmen, packaged food samples and recipes, a farm stand with bags of produce, swag bags and giveaways. Founded in 2010, the Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center at Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center, formerly known as the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute (DHWI), is a collaboration between Baylor Scott & White Health and the City of Dallas to provide access to quality health care. The goal is to harvest healthy behaviors and attitudes, promote awareness and fund programs to help prevent and fight chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease, in North Texas. myimessenger.com

Chef Carmen made a vegetarian chili Michael Lightfoot from the neighborhood

Festival visitors Ted and Wilda Burns sporting their matching tees “We’re Stronger Together,” from the Bruton Terrace Neighborhood Association

Exercise Step Class

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MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith Publisher

MISSING and we care!

Dr. Ester Davis and Tonya Stafford

In the past I have discussed abuses of all kinds: against women, men, people of color, LGBTQX and children; among others. These abuses are the ones that we don’t focus on as

Rep. Carl Sherman and Dr. Keisha Lankford

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much as we should and if we review the numbers, clearly we might ascertain that we have a pandemic of sorts. Which brings me to my truth! Recently Dr. Ester Davis contacted me about the need to focus on our Missing Black Girls; many of whom have been trafficked, made sex slaves and even murdered. I agreed with Dr. Davis and told her that in addition to us highlighting Superb Women, we have begun focusing on the lost and missing in our communities. Dr. Davis hosted a town hall recently at Club Vivo, in Dallas. “Missing Black Girls” provided a very informed panel that discussed the issue as well as the disparity in media

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attention when the victim is Black. Moderated by Cedar Hill School Board Trustee Dr. Keisha Lankford, who is also an expert in a number of areas surrounding crises and healing; the event was emotional at times. Judge Sandra Jackson, of the 302nd Family District Court, said, “nearly a half a million people have gone missing. Nearly 350,000 children have walked away.” Citing several dynamics, Judge Jackson said she has toured Dallas and primary sex trafficking areas like hotels, apartment complexes, corporate buildings and in south, east, north and west Dallas. “The numbers are monumental, she added, as she

called on everyone to work together. “Dallas is probably one of the top ranking locations in our state. Someone has to take up the banner and become a voice.” Dallas County Constable Tracey Gulley - Precinct One talked about the issues she deals with and how she makes it her business to be aware of what is happening, especially since she deals with many issues involving home and school. Even her daughter realized the emphasis on missing white women in direct contrast to missing Blacks. Constable Gulley said she has also learned quite a bit from her teen daughter; especially how peer pressure is See MY TRUTH, page 28

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Delta Impact Day With The Dallas Alumnae Chapter Was An Epic Day Of Service! Starting early Team Roz Ann Burton was in Trinity Grove for “Walk A Mile with Delta” for Diabetes Awareness Month. Also, there were other walks in many locations across the metroplex; the Fortitude “Smoothie with Sisters” at “Fortitude Wellness Center” in Cedar Hill; the Pre-K Book-a-Thon in multiple locations across the city; and the Turkey Trot Food Drive! WOW what a great day of service for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority!

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VOTE

VOTE November 12, 2021

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Historic Forest Theater-The Reveal By Dr. Felicia Shepherd Texas Metro News

Leaders in the community were on hand for the long-anticipated Historic Forest Theater Reveal led by Forest Forward, the Non-Profit Organization, that owns the Theater.

Councilman Adam Bazaldua

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Forest Forward is working to bring healthy neighborhood revitalization to South Dallas by restoring the Historic Forest Theater and adjacent, abandoned retail spaces to build the Community Classroom. Forest Forward, a Purpose Built Community Member, utilizes a proven, successful, three-pronged approach to achieve its goals of healthy neighborhood revitalization: Economic Development, Cradle to College Educational Pathway (Partnership with Dallas ISD and the MLK Jr. Arts Academy), and Mixed-Income Housing. Carol Redmond Naughton, CEO of Purpose Built Communities, was on hand to explain the Purpose Built Model. “People deserve better than what is left over,” she said, as guests were invited inside to view the Theater, which has been closed to the public for years. The plans for the historic Forest Theaterwere revealed with a rich overview of the

Elizabeth Wattley

history of the theater and community presented by Elizabeth Wattley, President and CEO of Forest Forward, who also announced the Forest:75215 Comprehensive Capital Campaign. The campaign has an

ambitious goal of raising $75,215,000.00. To date, more than $25,000,000 has been raised for this project. To schedule a tour and learn more, visit www.forestforward.org.

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DFW/ABJ at Klyde Warren Park Purpose Fulfilled! Thanks to all Dallas-Fort Worth Journalism & Media professionals and students who came out to DFW/ABJ, DallasFort Worth Association of Black Journalists, and NBCDFWBEN for Purpose in the Park!

November 12, 2021

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Rittenhouse Trial: A Loaded System! QUIT PLAYIN’ BY VINCENT L. HALL The Department of Justice issued a press statement that reintroduced and reassured me that White Privilege is alive, well, and functioning correctly at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Watching the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse in real-time proves the privileged status of white men exists, regardless of age. Meanwhile the Justice Department settled the civil case involving the nine racially motivated murders by Dylann Roof. “Today, the Department of Justice announced that it has reached an agreement in principle to settle the civil cases arising out of the June 2015 Mother Emanuel AME Church mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina. These settlements will resolve claims by 14 plaintiffs arising out of the shooting. Plaintiffs agreed to settle claims alleging that the FBI was negligent when it failed to prohibit the sale of a gun by a licensed firearms dealer to the shooter, a self-proclaimed white supremacist, who wanted to start a “race war” and specifically targeted the 200-year-old historically African-American congregation. For those killed in the shooting, the settlements range from $6 million to $7.5 million per claimant. For the survivors, the settlements are for $5 million per claimant.” America’s courts are more myimessenger.com

Kyle Rittenhouse apt to settle civil cases involving racism than addressing the criminal elements of the same. In this case, Kyle Rittenhouse thought he was an adjunct super cop who could kill without consequence. Sadly, the criminal acts he stands trial for sound about as familiar as the police killings of far too many unarmed Black men. The judge in Kyle’s case ordered prosecutors not to describe Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum as “victims.” The judge in the George Floyd made a similar caveat; he didn’t enforce it. “Victim,” they contend, is a loaded word. Funny how loaded words are only offensive when loaded at the wrong people. If you visited Dallas County courtrooms tomorrow and got a nickel every time you heard “victim,” you could support yourself. You may even be able to afford the defense team that Rittenhouse’s supporters hired.

Paul Butler, former prosecutor, a frequent guest at MSNBC, and contributing columnist in the Washington Post, pointed out a few other possible injustices parsed out by Judge Bruce Schroder. “Over the objections of prosecutors, he will allow the jury to see a video of the police thanking a group of vigilantes and handing them bottles of water. The defense will use the clip to suggest that not only was Rittenhouse entitled to be in Kenosha with an assault rifle, but the local police were also actually glad he was there. Yet the judge turned down the prosecutor’s request to admit as evidence video of Rittenhouse beating up a teenage girl who got into a fight with his sister. Nor will the judge allow video of Rittenhouse stating, 15 days before the Kenosha shootings, “Bro, I wish I had my [expletive] AR, I’d start shooting rounds at them” about people he suspected were shoplifting.

Last winter, Rittenhouse flew to Miami, where he met with the leader of the Proud Boys, a white supremacist-adjacent organization that was active in BLM counter protests. Unfortunately, the judge won’t let the jury know about that or another occasion when Rittenhouse hung out with Proud Boys members at a bar. The prosecutors contend that all of this is compelling evidence of Rittenhouse’s propensity for violence and his criminal intent. The judge insists it’s irrelevant.” How this trial will end is beyond my ability to guess or prophesy. The defense attorneys have dressed up this police wannabee to resemble the young adult version of Beaver Cleaver. Contrast that to visuals of young Black and Brown males led into court in handcuffs and leg shackles. Even when minority and poor white perpetrators wear suits and ties, they look disheveled because the clothes are too tight, too loose, or too cheap. The judge’s position is that the word “victim” is loaded and prevents the accused from receiving a just verdict. Yet, daily, hundreds of young men and women suffer injustice. If you don’t believe me, look at the stats. America’s jails are “loaded” with individuals whose crimes are far less heinous than Kyle Rittenhouse. BTW, I guess the N-Word, used twice by Rittenhouse’s attorney wasn’t loaded at all. Justice…No Just Us! Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

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No big Special Session fight on this Senate Bill 8 OUR VOICES BY SEN. ROYCE WEST

Few bills have been more controversial than the Senate Bill 8 that was approved during the 2nd Called Session of the Texas Legislature. That was the “fetal heartbeat bill,” the SB8 that most agree, creates the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. Its fate will soon be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Arguments began November 1. Controversial in its own right, redistricting was the focal point of the 3rd Called Special Session of the Legislature that ended October 20. And while lawmakers in both chambers engaged in rounds of intense debate surrounding how new districts would be drawn for members of Congress, the Texas Senate and House, and for State Board of Education members, the Legislature more quietly, also decided - in a different Senate Bill 8 - how $16 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds would be divvied-up for various wants and needs. Needless to say, requests and suggestions for how such an enticing pie would be sliced numbered in the hundreds. The SB8 approved during the 3rd Special Session included $2.45 billion myimessenger.com

dollars in funds that will be used to directly assist a besieged healthcare industry that’s struggled valiantly in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic for the past 18 months and counting. In total, the Legislature appropriated in excess of $2.64 million dollars for healthcare, including funds for the Texas Child Mental Healthcare Consortium, enhancements to Emergency Medical Services programs and the creation of the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute. I heartily supported appropriating funds for the home health care industry, nursing homes, and hospitals. I advocated to make certain we made a substantial investment in mental health services within SB8. In addition, I was able to gain support to have some $237 million included for construction of the new North Texas State Hospital at Dallas that was approved by the Legislature during the Regular Session. When COVID-19 shutdown the economy in 2020, thousands of businesses were forced to close. Millions of Texans were put out of work and a historic number of claims were filed with the Texas Workforce Commission for unemployment benefits. The $7.2 billion SB8 appropriated for TWC will restore trust fund reserves and satisfy billions in loans from the federal government used to pay benefits. TWC will be

able to right the ship without filing against businesses for unpaid unemployment insurance claims. Too many Texans, particularly those in rural areas and urban communities, including in my district, discovered the shortcomings of our existing wireless communications and broadband infrastructure during the pandemic. During the Regular Session, HB5 established a statewide broadband plan. The bill allows cities to apply for grant funding to improve broadband capabilities. SB8 provides $500 million to improve broadband infrastructure. Retired teachers have always had my ear and I have worked to support issues they’ve advocated for, like the supplemental 13th check beneficiaries should receive early in 2022. Retired teachers were not forgotten by SB8. The bill provides $286 million to the Teacher Retirement System that will counter increases in health insurance premiums. COVID-19 and resultant unemployment combined to elevate existing problems of food insecurity. To make it plain, in arguably the richest state, in inarguably the richest country on the planet, more people were without enough food, placing more strain on food banks. SB8 directed $100 million to the Texas Department of Agriculture, which provides funding for food banks and home-de-

livered meals through the Texans Feeding Texans Program. Closely related, I spent considerable time working to get funds to address food deserts included in SB8. My goal was to secure $25 million to create a grant program to help cities and counties incentivize grocers to open stores in food deserts through a proposed Texas Food Desert Eradication Program. I used the USDA’s definitions of food deserts to map each state senate district by census block, including my own. The results were revealing. The overwhelming majority of Texas’ 31 state senate districts can be defined to have food deserts. Had the Texas Food Desert Eradication Program been adopted, I realize a single $25 million appropriation wouldn’t be sufficient to solve our state’s food desert problem. But it would have been a start; a pilot program whose progress could be monitored and assessed. As we work toward the 88th Legislature, I will make addressing food deserts a big part of my legislative agenda and hope to bring my colleagues onboard. We have many things we can do as a state to address problems of hunger in Texas. 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.

November 12, 2021

When Things Don’t Go as Planned FAITHFUL UTTERANCES BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW

There have been so many times in my life that I didn’t expect things to go the way that they have. I’ll never forget a few years ago, I was heading to the store to pick up some last-minute medicine on Christmas Day at CVS. I was visiting my mother in Louisiana. At the time, it was easier to use my daughter’s car since it was behind the other vehicles in the driveway. As we stopped at the light, a huge F150 hit us from behind. All I heard was the screeching of the tires and glass from the back window of her Scion flew everywhere. I was in the passenger seat and because of the impact, I was jolted despite the restraint of the seatbelt. I didn’t want to go to the emergency room—spending Christmas there didn’t seem like fun. So, I took pain meds and just took it easy. The next day I was in so much pain. I couldn’t immediately get back to Texas because of the drive. As soon as I was able to come back home, I visited a doctor only to find out I had two herniated discs. The pain was unexplainable and with meds, physical therapy, and

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exercise, I improved. As I reflect on that experience, in my wildest dreams, I would have never believed that my life would have changed in just a few minutes. I could not have predicted on Christmas Eve that the next day, I would be in a car accident. Life happens and things happen that we don’t expect. When I think about the disciples on the boat with Jesus, I’m sure that they felt safe and didn’t predict that danger was possible. Mark 4:35-40 begins, “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat,

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so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid...” They expected things go as planned. They had been out at sea many times as fishermen and were aware of the changes in weather to predict a storm on the water. Yet, in this situation, it occurred quickly without any notice or warning. Even with Jesus right there, they were afraid, wondering if Jesus saw what they were going through and didn’t care. I know through out my pain,

I wondered why God allowed that to happen. I’m much better but I still suffer ever so often with lower back issues. I couldn’t understand why it happened to me. Yet, as we go through these unexpected trials and tribulations that happen without warning, we must know that God isn’t ignoring what we go through. God cares. It’s learning that we have the power to speak to our storms and know that in the midst of the madness, we can trust that God is with us. The storm will go away, and that God is still in control even when it feels like everything is out of control. We all have plans that are not always God’s plan. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21 ESV). Life happens, plans change but know that whatever you are experiencing God is there with you, reminding you to speak to the storm when unexpected situations arise, and they will. 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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A New Chance for Child Care OUR VOICES BY MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN

As Congress debates over critical early childhood investments, I am reminded of 1971 when earlier efforts to enact a comprehensive child care system were toppled by regressive politics and am determined not to allow our nation to repeat the mistakes of the past. Fifty years ago a national moral commitment to children and families almost became the law of the land for young children. What a different country we would be today had millions of children received the carefully conceived high-quality early childhood and family support services in the Comprehensive Child Development Act of 1971. That act was designed to begin to meet the developmental needs of all children regardless of family income by investing major new federal funds to establish high-quality, comprehensive early childhood programs under a coordinated delivery system. During committee hearings, leading child advocates, developmental psychologists and pediatricians detailed the need for child development legislation. While none of the 1971 Act’s supporters, I among them, believed it perfect, its approach represented a vast step forward. myimessenger.com

The Washington Post called the bill “as important a breakthrough for the young as Medicare was for the old” and described it as “a vehicle for a new national effort to make childhood livable.” The Act passed the Senate on Dec. 2, 1971, by a vote of 63-17, with 39 Democrats and 24 Republicans in support. Five days later, it passed in the House. It passed because of strong bipartisan leadership and the enthusiastic support and hard work of the most broad-based coalition assembled since enactment of the social legislation of the early 1960s, including poverty, civil rights, children’s and women’s groups across the income spectrum, labor unions, faith leaders, educators, and community and citizen organizations. But President Nixon vetoed it on Dec. 9, 1971, capitulating to right-wing ideologues like Phyllis Schlafly and Patrick Buchanan. In addition to mischaracterizing the legislation’s provisions, President Nixon attempted to portray day care and other child care services outside the home as a radical new departure, ignoring the millions of mothers already in the workforce. In 1971, 40% of mothers participated in the labor force; today 71% do, including 66% of mothers with young children under 6. Yet, as a recent New York Times article reiterates, the United States remains “an outlier in its low

levels of financial support for young children’s care.” Fifty years after the Comprehensive Child Development Act was vetoed, child care programs are still available to only a fraction of the children and families who need them, and the quality of care provided through public and private means remains uneven, fragmented and often inadequate, especially for the poorest children. Our continued failure to invest in high-quality child care has exacerbated racial inequities and left millions of children without the strong foundation they need. Now the pandemic has put a harsh new spotlight on our nation’s child care crisis. Many child care providers have closed, denying children opportunities for learning and development, threatening an already under-resourced and undervalued workforce that employs large numbers of women of color, and forcing many parents, especially mothers, to leave their jobs because of caregiving responsibilities and uncertain access to child care. At the same time, we know even more today about early brain development that makes the investments in our youngest children all the more urgent and important. High-quality, comprehensive early childhood programs have been proven to buffer the impacts of poverty and provide lifelong benefits for children and their fami-

lies, and research and experience show that quality early childhood programs are one of the best investments the nation can make to improve education and societal outcomes. As former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke said at a Children’s Defense Fund event, “Economically speaking, early childhood programs are a good investment with inflation-adjusted annual rates of return on the funds dedicated to these programs estimated to reach 10% or higher. Very few alternative investments can promise that kind of return. Notably, a portion of these economic returns accrues to the children themselves and their families, but studies show that the rest of society enjoys the majority of the benefits, reflecting the many contributions that skills and productive workers make to the economy.” The children who might have benefitted from the Comprehensive Child Development Act of 1971 are now parents and even grandparents themselves. But Congress has another opportunity right now to make new strides forward. The investments in child care and early childhood education in the Build Back Better Act must be preserved. Let’s not waste time for another generation. Edelman is founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund.

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Yarbrough & Peoples celebrate 40 years of music

This Duo Doesn’t Stop

Yarbrough and Peoples accept Warren Production Studios award from Veynell Warren

By Eva D. Coleman Lifestyle & Culture Editor

The crowd of a few hundred was well-seasoned and welldressed. Some showed up with the assistance of canes, while others moved slowly down the aisles to their seats. Still, they all stood and swayed when the hit by legendary couple Cavin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples of Yarbrough & Peoples fame November 12, 2021

came on. It was a night in celebration of 40 years of music by the Dallas duo whose song, Don’t Stop the Music, has transcended ages. From city and state level proclamations, including presentation of a flag flown at the capitol in Austin from Texas House of Representatives member Yvonne Davis, many paid tribute in-person and via recorded testimonials. Special musical guests sang

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popular Yarbrough & Peoples’ hits as well as other music from the 1980s era in which their music topped the charts. This November 6, 2021 in the Naomi Bruton Theater at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) was deeply personal and intimate. Many recalled moments with the couple, of which they fondly referred to Peoples as “Lois” from her middle name Delois, and correctly said “KAY-VIN”

for Cavin’s name which is often mispronounced. Writer and actress Tammy Thomas offered a sneak peek into Yarbrough & Peoples’ acting debut in her upcoming film The Rings that Bind Us in which they both play her parents. The chemistry between them on-screen was just as heartwarming and entertaining as in real-life. They tried something new. They don’t stop. myimessenger.com

During music legend Bobby Patterson’s tribute, he jokingly shared how he was told by someone that “They won’t stop ‘til the casket drop” to which the crowd laughed. Legendary radio personalities Lynne Haze and Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez traded duties as event emcees. During the program, it was also shared that Yarbrough and Peoples both hold honorary doctorate degrees from Grace International Seminary. Veynell Warren, pastor of Believers International Ministries and founder and CEO of Warren Production Studios, presented them with an award. When Yarbrough and Peoples took to the stage to perform, Alisa’s first words were to “Thank God for the anointing.” They brought their undeniable talent and energy that brought the crowd to their feet. Don’t Stop the Music lyrics say, “I just wanna rock you all night long.” They did just that. Love live music.

Photos credit: Hollywood Hernandez

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November 12, 2021

We Said What We Said! By Noire Online

for Texas Metro News

This week, a cartoon depicting Grambling State University as a dangerous place ran in newspapers across Louisiana. Not only was the cartoon inaccurate, it was offensive and disrespectful to the legacy of the school. Take a look at Noire’s official response to the cartoon. This past week, Louisiana cartoonist Fred Mulhearn decided to push the bounds of satire too far with one of his syndicated cartoons. The cartoon in question depicted a road sign directing drivers to the exit for Grambling State University with a smaller sign below it emblazoned with the words, “Enter At Your Own Risk.” To top it off, the sign was riddled with eight gunshots. Yes, he did that. The misguided cartoon was a response to recent shootings at Grambling that left one dead and seven injured during the school’s Homecoming weekend. Earlier that week, another shooting on the campus resulted in the death of a 19 year-old and injury of a 16 year-old. None of those involved were Grambling students. After the incident, Grambling President Rick Gallot expressed his dismay at the incidents that occurred at the hands of people who were not directly affiliated with the school. “There was nothing out of the ordinary about outsiders, as you would say, being here,” Gallot said. “The difference now is outsiders who have November 12, 2021

a reckless disregard for the safety of others here on campus, and we are not going to stand for it. We will not spare any effort to ensure that our campus is safe.” Now back to the cartoon. Several papers ran the cartoon, and the reaction from Grambling’s students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters was swift. They rightfully expressed their anger and disappointment through social media posts, along with phone calls and emails to the newspapers who published the cartoon. Although some publications issued apologies for publishing the cartoon, the damage was done. What Grambling experienced last week is no different from what many other universities around this country experience in relation to crime. Universities utilize a great deal of resources to ensure campuses are safe for students, faculty, and staff. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, incidents happen. For instance, earlier this fall at Louisiana State University there was a shooting on campus involving three suspects who were also “outsiders.” Yet, there’s no cartoon to speak of, that portrays LSU as an unsafe place. Perhaps even more unsettling, LSU was the subject of a federal investigation earlier this year due to possible violations of the Clery Act, which requires all universities receiving federal funding to disseminate warnings to the campus community and make information on crimes public. Nope, no cartoon about that either.

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Mulhearn’s misguided and uninformed cartoon was more than just a cheap shot at Grambling. It reinforced the worst stereotypes about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Those who intimately know about what HBCUs stand for already know they are hubs of innovation and a safe haven for students who thrive in an environment where the people charged with their educational development look like them. They aren’t crime-ridden places where no one is safe. They are storied institutions that boast proud legacies. They are hallowed ground where our ancestors succeeded against all odds and paved the way for the generations to come. Mulhearn and those who made the callous decision to run his tone-deaf cartoon are obviously misinformed about HBCUs, so here are just a few things that illustrate what these institutions are about, and plot twist! None of them have anything to do with violence and mayhem. At Grambling, research that monitors the level of coronavirus in wastewater seeks to get a sense of the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community. The school is also collaborating with LSU Health Shreveport and Louisiana Tech to form one of the four Rockefeller Regional Accelerators for Genomic Surveillance. The genomic sequencing from this partnership allows health officials and scientists to study prolonged outbreaks, understand behaviors that spread COVID-19, and map coronavirus clusters.

Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge and Sasol, an international chemicals and energy company, recently announced a long-term partnership to establish an interdisciplinary academic initiative to provide research, career development and training support to Southern students. At Florida A&M University, the Center for International Agricultural Trade Development Research and Training will help lead global efforts to advance production, handling, and consumption of fruits and vegetables as part of a five-year $15 million award from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for its Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (a proud HBCU grad) visited Hampton University this fall to tour its four NASA-funded satellite mission projects, including the $140 million Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (A.I.M.) mission, the first only NASA mission totally controlled by an HBCU. Tuskegee University received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop, implement, and disseminate a model to increase the number of faculty members with expertise in Materials Sciences and Engineering. These tidbits are just a small sampling of the impactful and relevant work that happens daily at HBCUs across the nation. You don’t have to dig hard to find even more. It’s more than unfair that HBCUs myimessenger.com

Photo Credit: Denzel Dorsey.

easily become news when tragedy happens, but struggle for screen time or print space when it comes to the positive aspects. And that unfairness is rooted in another, equally dangerous problem: the lack of people of color in newsrooms around the nation. Sure, there have been some high-profile hires in the news industry, such as Kim Godwin’s hire as the president of myimessenger.com

ABC News and Kevin Merida’s selection as the executive editor of the Los Angeles Times. But those are not enough. Diversity is desperately needed at the local and regional level to bring to life the full picture of the Black experience. The Black people who work in newsrooms will be the people who can identify issues most impactful to the Black community when non-people of color dismiss them. Black

people in the newsroom will be the people who search out diversity of viewpoints. They will be the people who ensure positive Black stories are shared. And they will be the people who tell you that the cartoon you think is funny is hurtful, damaging, and offensive (and they’ll save you from having to write long apologies filled with meaningless excuses and finger-pointing). So, to Fred Mulhearn

and others who share his close-minded views of our beloved HBCUs, don’t put pen to paper to criticize or poke fun at an institution you clearly have no clue about. You lack the range and the capacity to do so. And as you see today, it’s not worth the bounty of criticism you find appropriately laid at your doorstep. Be blessed. And, WE SAID WHAT WE SAID! November 12, 2021

Our sister didn’t tell us our father had died ASK ALMA BY ALMA GILL Dear Alma, I have a terrible problem concerning my dad. My mother and father were married for more than 50 years and had four children – three girls and a son – all now grown. We all work fulltime jobs and live in different states. Only one – a sister – lives near my parents. She is not married and has no children. I recently called to wish my father a happy birthday, and my sister informed me that he was dead. She said she and my mother had him cremated and held a closed ceremony. She said that if the rest of us had called to check on him more frequently we would have known. We are all shocked, and some have vowed to never speak to her again. My dad had been sick for a while, and I know she felt that we all should have done more to help him and my mom. Still, she had no right not to tell us about his death. Neither did my mother, but

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she’s old and suffering with mild dementia. What should I do? Signed, Heartbroken Dear Heartbroken, My condolences to you and your family. Heaven help me, because I don’t know what to say next. When I read your email, I was completely stunned, so I read it again and again, and my brain wouldn’t take me to the next thought. I cannot imagine how you feel. Growing up, I often heard my mother say “death brings out the worst in families.” I had no idea what she meant, but as I’ve gotten older, the meaning has become clearer. At this stage of my life, I have lost my big sister, Kim, my father and my mother. As I continue this life’s journey, I have accepted that parts of my heart will be forever broken. I thank God every day for my husband, son, stepsisters, aunts, nieces, nephew, many cousins and BFFs. But there’s something special about immediate family – the people you grew up with. They know you better than anybody else, and they love you anyway. The

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term “Life is short” means so much more to me now. I suspect many of my readers can relate. I say all of this to let you know that I’m familiar with the valley you have entered. I occupy a condo there. The loss of a parent is piercingly painful. Until it happens to you, you just don’t get it. No matter how old you are, how old your parents are, or how hard you try, you can’t prepare for it, and you’re never ready for it. Let’s talk about your sister for a minute. I understand the position she held as the lone caregiver. That was me, too. It’s more work than anyone can imagine or explain. The roles regarding a parent’s care put you in a delicate and reversed position. You feel like you are trying to parent the person who parented you. Your sister, the caregiver, was overwhelmed, and I think she felt that you and your other siblings were not carrying this enormous load with her. You mentioned that she’s the one who lives close by, isn’t married and without children. I’m sure that’s why the rest of you thought she

could be more flexible. I understand that, but maybe you guys could have done more to let her know you were there to support her. It sounds like she felt alone in this situation. I could go on, but I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Once your father died, it seems to me, she should have put all those feelings aside. She should have contacted one of you to contact the others. All of you deserved the right to funeralize and mourn your father’s death. All of you deserved the right to support and be with your mother, and each other, during that time. I’d suggest you contact your family clergy and a mental health professional. I pray that all of you will come together, forgive one another and start to heal and love in a healthy, meaningful and respectful way. God bless you and your family. 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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DAN ABRAMS THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW BY VALDER BEEBE I had the distinct opportunity to have in the Valder Beebe Show studios, Dan Abrams, the Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent for ABC News. We’re talking about his newest project. Court Cam Presents Under Oath” tells the story of a crime from the unique lens of the accused as they take the witness stand. It is hosted by Dan, as each episode will cover everything from first-hand defendant testimony, juxtaposed with the contentious cross examination to the final verdict. There is a reason that taking the witness stand in your own defense is a gamble that very few criminal defendants ever take. In addition to interviews with

key members of the investigation, the series features original video from law enforcement, surveillance camera footage, 911 audio recordings, digital forensic evidence and some exclusive interviews and responses from the defendants themselves, to provide an in-depth look at dozens of raw and real cases. Dan Abrams is the founder and CEO of Abrams Media, and the host of SiriusXM’s The Dan Abrams Show: Where Politics Meets The Law. He was previously co-anchor of ABC’s Nightline, host of “The Abrams Report” and the acclaimed “Verdict with Dan Abrams” on MSNBC. Dan also served as General Manager of MSNBC, where he presided over a period of unprecedented growth. Dan’s many project include the new A&E series ; new book, Kennedy’s Avenger; A new Lifetime Movie, Gone Mom; and a new documentary on Lifetime, Beyond the Headlines: The Jennifer and Fotis

Dulos Case. Dan Abrams publicists provided text in conjunction with the Valder Beebe Show VBS: Dan Abrams, I love watching you on TV because it looks like you give unbiased information. It seems that you just give the facts. How do you do that when we are in a time when everyone has opinions? DA: I try. Particularly on legal stories when so much is at stake. VBS: How does Under Oath get to the truth and not succumb to the theatrics? DA: I guest having covered trails my entire career, many that have been televised, I find that defendants whose life is on the line is not playing to the camera. The last thing they are worried about is how they look on camera. They are playing to jury. VBS: There have been cases tried where the camera became a part of the trial. DA: My position is that most cases, exceptions yes; O.J. and

Dan Abrams

recently the Derek Chauvin trail. I would argue the Chauvin trial unfolded like it would have, with or without the cameras. VBS: Let’s move on. You’ve got a lot of good things going on; you’ve got a new book, a new movie and a new documentary. DA: Particularly for Dallas my new book on Jack Ruby……….. Dan Abrams complete interview…… YouTube.com/valderbeebeshow; SoundCloud.com/valderbeebeshow; more interviews: Broadcasting to a national & global audience: ValdeBeebeShow.com ; KKVI FM Radio, KRER FM, 411RadioNetwork, Streaming TV, Social Media, Print Publications IMESSENGERS, Texas Metro News, and Garland Journal News.

Young Black Protesters should know there’s a huge gap between a racist and the practice of racism OUR VOICES By Thomas Muhammad Yeah I know you didn’t ask, but this is my column and I can say whatever I want in this space right? Damn COVID concerns have kept my ‘old school’ butt on the sidelines, so it’s only now that I get share my 2 cents worth of knowledge on this misnomer; so hang out with me for a few, okay? It came to me when I saw that news clip of a white man causing a fuss among the so-called liberal Black and white leaders on today’s national scene. myimessenger.com

"If a white man wants to lynch me that’s his problem, if he’s got the power to lynch me, that’s my problem. Racism isn’t a question of attitudes, it’s about power!"

Chairman Stokely Carmichael Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

The old dude on the golf cart was screaming, “White Power!” One would of felt he was screaming FIRE! The liberal folks were calling him a Racist and a white nationalist! Immediately I asked myself what did they want him to say? He’s a white man. He’s supposed to call for white power, right? I’m Black and I believe in Black power and have been calling for that since high school at good old

James Madison High! Hell, I’m a long time and forever advocate of Black power because I’m a Black nationalist! So does that make me a racist? Of course it does! Oh damn! I’ve done what my favorite pastor Dr. Freddy Haynes would say, “I just got in somebody’s kool-aid!” Lol! Ok so go back to the top and re-read Chairman Stokely’s quote. Being racist isn’t a problem it’s when a racist person has

the power to carry out their racist agenda against another, that’s when it becomes a problem! Get it? Racism is power plus prejudice! Period! We all are racist at some point! We all love our race and believe it’s better than some one else’s! Ok, so maybe you still didn’t get it, so rather than being too much of a preacher here I’ll just tell you what my father would say when he’s tired of the matter! Boy just keep living! Until then the Struggle continues… Thomas Muhammad is a local Dallas activist who can be reached at tmuhammad2003@yahoo.com

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BIG MAMA SAID:

“KEEP ON LIVING” AS YOU SEEK YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING! THE BLACK CARD BY TERRY ALLEN I am fortunate to have many hats I wear. Over my lifetime I have been blessed with many roles: educator, manager, reporter, entrepreneur, mentor and event planner. The hat I am proudest of wearing is my Big Mama’s Baby Boy hat. That hat never fails me or others as we continue to pivot from the global effect of the health and racial pandemics. Without fail, Lucille Big Mama” Allen would quietly utter some mighty words that were steeped in her faith and her understanding of her own mother, Mary Bowdy’s biblical

meaning of “Keep on Living.”’ I was told by Big Mama that when others did two things 1) blamed everyone but themselves for what was going wrong and 2) thought they knew everything and had no need for advice—she would utter- “JUST KEEP ON LIVING.” Well, she was right. It came straight out of scripture, “And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.’” Luke 12:22 So as Big Mama uttered. “Keep on living,” she was giving her family a second chance to look at things from a broader perspective in this case, a God perspective.

So how does keep on living work for you? You have to use your spiritual wisdom over your conventional wisdom and apply that to our businesses. Here are a few tips to continue to do. 1. Consumers need to know you created a safe space for community engagement. 2. Use signage to show stakeholders you created a healthy environment. 3. Churches please know that church is not just a location. Visibly display distance spacers, post wipe downs cleaning schedule so members know you care. 4. Beauty shops, restaurant owners, medical professionals, be in control of your crowd. 5. As we return to in-person you must show us that you want us to “keep on living.”

Those of us who, in Big Mama’s words, fight disinformation, racial violence, and dismantling institutionalized supremacy that threatens to weaken our parity as well as take our moment to rise out the ‘Woke” impact of George Floyd and make it a movement. So this note from Big Mama’s playbook is telling us to think like a nation. It is saying prepare your current life for a “keep on living” situation. Use this to navigate the pandemic and keep on living. Call me at the paper or email me at terryallenpr@gmail.com and tell me that you will keep on living Big Mama Style. Terry Allen is a multi-media journalist and former board member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Inroads alums unite to support One Man’s Treasure FROM MARVA WITH LOVE By Marva J. Sneed

Inroads, a non-profit organization that creates pathways to careers for ethnically diverse high school and college students across the country is positioning graduates to advance in their careers and help employers foster diverse and inclusive workplaces. Christopher Plumlee is the president of Elevate Strategy Group and he sits on the board of One Man’s Treasure November 12, 2021

and he invited the DFW Inroads alumni for a meet up at Distinctive Vines Wine Lounge to “learn about a great mission, hang out with some old, dear friends and meet some new and great friends.” Jennifer Clubb, Executive Director of One Man’s Treasure, said they seeks to empower men recently released from prison, who come to the Dallas and Fort Worth area, by providing them with clothing and opportunities for networking. Ms. Clubb told the group that when a man is released from a Texas prison he is given four items: a used pair of

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Christopher Plumlee and Jennifer Clubb, One Man’s Treasure

pants, a used shirt, $50, and a bus ticket. When he attends his first meeting with his pa-

role officer, he is given another $50. If he has served all his sentence of imprisonment, he receives $100, in addition to the clothing and bus ticket. There are many ways to get involved with One Man’s Treasure by volunteering, hosting a clothing drive, giving a financial gift and becoming a shepherd. Visit the website: www.onemantr.org For more information, contact Jennifer Clubb at 1-888433-9826. Tune in to From Marva with Love Fridays 11am - 1pm on BlogTalkRadio and Facebook.com/ TexasMetroNews marvasneed@ myimessenger.com

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Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church Installs New Senior Pastor DALLAS, Texas – Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church will install its newly appointed senior pastor, Reverend Carlos D. Williams, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. The Installation service will begin at 3:30 p.m. and be held at the church, located at 1819 N. Washington Ave. in Dallas. Ministers from across the country and local community leaders will be in attendance. The installation celebration will kick off Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. with a DFW service featuring Pastor William T. Glynn of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Worth as the guest speaker. There will be two services on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. The 10 a.m. worship service will feature Pastor Marcus Davidson from New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Dr. A. B. Sutton, Jr. with Living Stones Temple in Birmingham, AL will speak at the 3:30 p.m. installation service. Dr. Williams will serve as the fourth senior pastor of Pilgrim Rest. He was preceded by founder and inaugural pastor Rev. S. G. Gooden, Rev. G. B. Prince, Jr., and Pastor Emeritus Dr. Curtis W. Wallace. The 86-year-old church has been a beacon of hope and a mainstay in the community, once known as “Short North Dallas”. Dr. Williams, a native of Shelby County, AL, comes to Pilgrim Rest from The Historic Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN, where he served as senior pastor for eight years. He was selected to serve as senior pastor of Pilgrim Rest earlier this year and began leading the church November 12, 2021

in August. Dr. Williams attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA but completed his Bachelor’s degree in TheolReverend Carlos ogy and Pastoral D. Williams Ministry from the Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College in Birmingham, AL. He also obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Faith International University and Seminary in Tacoma, WA. Pastor Williams enrolled as a Doctoral Student at Virginia University of Lynchburg, Virginia (HBCU) in 2018 and completed his Doctor of Ministry degree in 2021. Pastor Williams’ dissertation was “Equipping Informally Trained Christian Educators with the Principles of Biblical Exposition.” Rev. Dr. Williams is married to the former Joannie Dionne Holiday and they have two sons.

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My Truth cont. from page 4 amplified by social media and the flow of information. “I had no idea,” said Constable Gulley, as she talked about all the predatory language used in social media. “I thought edibles were the edible arrangements - today teens are focusing on sex smoking weed and edibles. That’s a lot of what is going on in homes and schools.” And then she dropped a tidbit that caused audience members to gasp, “There are areas in North Dallas where you train to become a prostitute!” Now the next speaker has made headlines before because she was actually held “captive.” Tanya Stafford is the founder of, “It’s going to be okay” and she told her story of being taken possession of by her rapist, impregnated three time. Now she works to save others from the life she lived for more than 10 years. And she said she needs volunteers: role models and mentors as she challenged everyone to get involved. She said it’s important also that we look for signs and act. Ask yourself: “How can you discern when people are being fast, but you can’t discern that they are being molested and raped? Good question. Actually on the OWN show Queen Sugar, there’s a woman who basically asked the same question because the entire town let her down because they just saw a “fast” young girl but they never addressed the pedophile. Former parole officer, now a truck driver, Beverly Pickens is the founder of The Real Promise. She has done undercover work looking for predators. To hear her candidly addressing those who target young girls and boys, was heart-wrenching. She is committed and she’s doing the work and like Ms. Stafford, needs support. And some support will come from legislators like State Rep Carl Sherman, who was in attendance and talked about his work with Rep Reggie Smith of Grayson County, “to get this issue on the front burner so we have equity and concern.” He encouraged attendees to call and email legislators, “The only people who get things done are those who push for change. Girls need to hear that we care. Make sure legislators are held accountable. His words were echoed by attorney Kevin Kelley, who was a sponsor of the event, and said, “This is an issue that is going to require support of our friends and family and the entire country.” We can’t wait for others or criticize others for speaking out about their own. We can be the voice. Are you ready to raise your voices? myimessenger.com

Leaders Make Matters Worse By Playing Politics with Students’ Health and Education TO BE EQUAL

“We cannot return to the classroom and do things the same as they have always been done and expect to see a different outcome. Instead, we must use this critical moment in education to radically rethink how programs, policies, and opportunities are designed and fiercely commit to prioritizing the communities most impacted by the pandemic and distributing resources accordingly.”

By Marc Morial Across the country, students are embarking on what is certain to be a third consecutive academic year that is compromised or disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While this is unfortunate for all students, it’s especially dire for students of color and low-income students, who experienced the steepest setbacks as a result of interrupted instruction. To make matters worse, students are being used as pawns by politicians more concerned with signifying partisan loyalty than with the health and education of public-school children. Twenty states have prohibited proof-of-vaccination requirements. At least eight states— Florida, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Iowa, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah—have imposed bans on school districts requiring masks. Florida and Arizona have gone so far as to threaten to withhold funding from districts that impose mask mandates. As U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has pointed out, these policies represent discrimination against students who cannot attend school because of the risk to their health. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is preparing to launch investigations in states block mask mandates – a move the myimessenger.com

– NWEA Center for School and Student Progress.

National Urban League emphatically supports. It’s appropriate that Secretary Cardona recognizes pandemic-related educational disruption as a civil rights issue. As I testified earlier this year to the House Education and Labor Committee’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood Elementary and Secondary Education, Black children are more likely than their White counterparts to lack the internet access and the devices necessary to receive adequate remote instruction. This “homework gap” affects one in three Black, Latino, and American Indian Alaska Native students. The effects on inequality have been stark. Research released last month showed students in majority Black or Hispanic schools ended the school year six months behind where they normally would have been in math, compared with four months for white students. Students

in low-income schools were seven months behind. “Put simply, the students who could least afford to lose ground relative to other students are those who were the most impacted,” wrote the authors of a similar report that reached the same conclusions. The educational research organization NWEA, which produced the report, offered several policy recommendations to support students’ health and well-being while at the same time expanding access to excellent educational opportunities. These include: • Re-engage for all students, with a focus on historically underserved students. • Continue to support access to remote learning technology for students and families. • Attend to physical, social, and mental health needs of students and families. • Measure student progress, rethink assessment sys-

tems, and use data to support recovery. • Support and train teachers and leaders. • Move from restarting to reimagining accountability and school improvement. None of these goals are served by endangering the health and safety of students and their families with anti-mask and anti-vaccine policies, or by inviting even more learning interruption by withholding school funding. These misguided, politically-motivated and racially-discriminatory policies can only serve to widen the already-alarming racial achievement gaps. The National Urban League and our network of 91 affiliates across the country stand ready to work with states and school districts on policies that uplift all students and expand educational opportunities for everyone. Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.

November 12, 2021

Briefs Local Teacher Observes National Stress Awareness Day In observance of National Stress Awareness Day, local educator and author Tracey Pugh, founder of Sociallywize. com (social and life skills platform) announced the launching of the first ever CalmCon2021 Conference scheduled for Nov. 13 to bring together parents, families, peers and experts for a virtual self-paced Social & Life Skills conference focused on coping and stress anxiety. According to ISMA stress management, “Chronic stress, that is, failure to deal with it for a long time and remaining in a prolonged and constant feeling of stress can lead to life-threatening problems. From hypertension, heart diseases, decreased immunity, loss of sociability, and decreased mental vitality, stress is not to be taken lightly,” (“National Stress

Awareness,” n.d.). Because of a lack of discussion around stress and anxiety, Tracey Pugh created the CalmCon2021 Conference, a virtual social & life skills conference, to create an open forum for parents and families to reveal, deal, and cope with stress to improve their child’s everyday mental health. CalmCon2021 will provide parents with a variety of resources, such as a discussion of youth anxieties, normalization of stress meditation, discussions

on how to deal with stressful situations, Q&A sessions, and more, to start the conversation around dealing with youth’s mental health. Parents can also expect to hear from a variety of social and emotional learning professionals and content creators along with Tracey such as, licensed therapist, Miki Johnston, Pediatrician, Dr. Karen McClard, Kendall Stafford, Student Body President at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (BTWHSPVA), Will Richey Founder of Journeyman Ink and Alexander Perez Jr., Creative Content Specialist for Journeyman Ink, and more. For more information on the CalmCon2021 Conference, visit www.sociallywize.com or contact Telea Stafford, at telea@ phenixx.com.

CENTER TABLE FALL HARVEST returns For a second year and just in time for the holidays, the Center Table Fall Harvest series – presented by The Mark Cuban Foundation, The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation and The Heroes Foundation – will kick off Friday, Nov. 12, from 9-11 a.m. at the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center (1800 Bonnie View Rd, Dallas, TX 75216). In partnership with the North Texas Food Bank and McDonald's Owner/Operators of North Texas, the drive-up event will offer free food boxes and turkey vouchers for 500 families. The second Center Table Fall Harvest drive-up event is slated for Friday, Dec. 17, from 9-11 a.m. Sponsored by The Mark Cuban Foundation, The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation and The November 12, 2021

Heroes Foundation, Center Table also will include several meal deliveries to senior citizens plus a December concert; in partnership with the North Texas Food Bank and McDonald's Owner/ Operators of North Texas. Both events are open to people who reside in the surrounding neighborhoods of the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center including Cedar Crest, south Oak Cliff, southern Dallas County and Joppa. Pre-registration is NOT required. Food boxes and turkey vouchers are limited and available on a first-come, firstserved basis. Volunteers from St. Mark’s School of Texas and staff from the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center will wear masks and gloves and will pracI MESSENGER

tice social distancing. In addition, as part of Center Table Fall Harvest, free chef-prepared meals will be delivered to senior citizens in the Center’s surrounding neighborhoods prior to Thanksgiving week and on select dates in December. (A limited number of meals will be delivered to a pre-selected group of senior citizens.) A Christmas lunch and concert is also planned in December for senior citizens and single parents. Made by The Bearded Chef, the meal packs – customized to each individual’s preferences and dietary restrictions – include a turkey, two sides, dessert and tea. For more info, go to markcubanheroescenter.org or call 214-379-7451.

City of Glenn Heights 14-YearOld Reunited With Family After Successful Amber Alert The City of Glenn Heights Police Department expect to successfully reunite 14-year-old resident Stevie Johnson with her family Saturday. Glenn Heights PD located the missing girl – who was the subject of Monday’s Texas Amber Alert – on Friday afternoon when officers in St. Louis County, Missouri stopped Johnson’s biological mother, 33-year-old Shawnice Hickman. Hickman was apprehended when officers from St. Louis County Special Response Unit observed her getting out of a vehicle that was parked around the corner from one of the residences they had under surveillance. Johnson emerged from the house and officers were able to recover her. Glenn Heights Police contacted St. Louis County authorities after Johnson was abducted. GHPD suspected that Hickman would be traveling to the St. Louis area based on tips gathered during their investigation. On Friday GHPD traveled to Missouri to bring Johnson back to Glenn Heights. “The department was notified by St. Louis County authorities yesterday that the child who was the subject of our amber alert had been located safely in St. Louis County Missouri,” Clayton Shields, City of Glenn Heights Deputy Chief of Police said. “We would like to thank all the authorities that worked with us in the location of this child; the FBI, the St. Louis County Authorities, the Hopkins County and Hunt County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety all working together to help locate

and recover this child safely. Our detectives worked diligently to continue to monitor and receive updates obtaining information that was valuable in the recovery of the child. The St. Louis County authorities did a great job locating the child and giving us a chance to reunite her with her family safely.” Johnson was taken by her biological mother in a black SUV Monday afternoon after exiting a school bus in the 800 block of Cascade Lane in Glenn Heights. Johnson’s mother was accompanied by her two sisters in the abduction who helped her take the 14-year-old across state lines. A Texas Amber Alert had been issued Monday and discontinued the following day. On Friday both Hickman and her two sisters were in custody. Warrants were issued for Hickman and her sisters by the Glenn Heights Police Department on charges of kidnapping. “This was great teamwork for the law enforcement community,” Shields concluded “We are also thankful to those who called us and provided tips and information that was valuable in assisting us with the positive resolution of this incident.” The City of Glenn Heights was incorporated in 1969 and is located along IH-35 East. A hospitable, business friendly and rapidly growing community divided between- Dallas and Ellis counties, Glenn Heights has a total area of 7.2 sq. miles. myimessenger.com

Briefs A Monumental Achievement

Ramon Flanigan, left, said that Dr. Basheer, right, was a ‘father figure’ who welcomes everyone into his heart and home By Arise Rejoice News Service

Former SMU standout quarterback, Ramon Flanigan, presented a ‘lifetime achievement’ award to Dr. Basheer Ahmed at the 25th anniversary banquet of the Muslim Community Center for Human Services (MCC) on Friday evening. The banquet, held at the DFW Hilton in Irving, attracted nearly 300 guests, including Tarrant County District Attorney, Sharen Wilson and former Euless City Councilmember Salman Bhojani. MCC, a non-profit, located in

Tarrant County, provides free and low cost medical services to people in North Texas without regards to ethnicity, place of birth or languages spoken. Physicians and dentists donate their time and their services to residents who would go without quality health care but for the organization. “Historically, our organization has been committed to those who find themselves on the margins of life, said Dr. Sheeza Mohsin, the executive director of MCC. “We are looking forward to doing more in the future.”

WILLIAMS NAMED SOLE FINALIST FOR UNT CHANCELLOR The University of North Texas System (UNTS) Board of Regents announced the selection of Dr. Michael R. Williams, current President of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC), as the sole finalist for UNTS Chancellor. The Board of Regents unanimously selected Dr. Williams after a months-long search process and thoughtful consideration. “The UNT System Board of Regents selected Dr. Williams as our next Chancellor because we believe in his vision for, and deep understanding of, our system and member institutions, as well as his proven track record transforming HSC,” said Laura Wright, UNT System Board Chair. “Dr. Williams’ innovative mindset, values-based approach and focus on customer service will be essential leading us into a changing future.”

Dr. Michael R. Williams

Dr. Williams is set to become the UNTS’s fourth Chancellor. At the request of the UNTS Board of Regents, Dr. Williams will continue to serve as President of HSC to lead the search for the next President of HSC and support the leadership transition. “I am grateful for the support of the Board of Regents and the confidence they have

in me to lead the UNT System as Chancellor,” said Dr. Williams. “I am excited and energized for the opportunity to lead these world-class universities forward. The potential has never been greater, and the opportunity is endless. I look forward to positioning the entire UNT System as a thought leader in higher education, and propelling meaningful, innovative ideas forward that will shape the future.” Dr. Williams practiced anesthesiology and critical care medicine in Texas for more than 20 years and is an experienced business executive and entrepreneur. Dr. Williams served as Chief Executive Officer of Hill Country Memorial Hospital, during which time the hospital received numerous state and national awards becoming a Truven Top 100 U.S. hospital in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Luka Dončić Donates Sneakers, Hoodies and More to CH Patients By Dorothy J. Gentry

Photo Credit: Children's Health

Sports Editor

Luka Dončić has made his home in Dallas the last four years as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. He’s now cementing his home in the hearts of its residents. He recently surprised patients at Children’s Health in Dallas and Plano with special gifts to uplift their spirits. To protect the health and safety of the patients receiving care at Children’s Health, Dončić arranged for Children’s Health team members to hand-deliver a bag of surprises to 80 patients yesterday. Each patient admitted in the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s myimessenger.com

Health received a pair of Jordan sneakers; Jordan drawstring bag, hoodie and socks; a letter from Luka; and a signed photo. “I really wish I could have been there to meet and talk to the kids but hopefully this surprise brought a smile to their faces and encourages them to stay strong,” said Dončić. “I just want all the kids and parents to know I’m thinking of them!”

Dončić also had individual pizzas – with the number 77 written in pepperoni – delivered to each patient and their family. (Pizzas were customized to meet each child’s preferences and dietary specifications.) Pizzas also were provided to the nursing and other staff members working the floors and helping with the deliveries. They also received heart-shaped, “77”-adorned frosted cookie.

Earlier this year he launched the Luka Dončić Foundation devoted to helping children. He won the Mavericks 2021 Off-Season Community Spotlight Award and was also nominated for the NBA Care’s Off-season Community Assist Award – one of the highest off-court honors an NBA player can receive – for his “tremendous work in the community and ability to unite a global audience through the game of basketball.” Dončić also made several monetary donations during the historic winter snowstorm in February to help Texans. He also supplied Air Jordan 1 shoes and Mavericks items to healthcare workers who administered vaccinations during the coronavirus pandemic. November 12, 2021

Howard University: “This is a difficult time”

Protesters call for president’s resignation By Valerie Fields Hill

News Editor, Texas Metro News

Protesters at Howard University want the president of the 150-year-old historically black college to step down as the bitter battle between students and their campus’s administration - a fight that has gained international attention –forges into a fourth week. Members of the Live Movement, #BlackburnTakeover Student Advocates, Howard NAACP and the Young Democratic Socialists of America at Howard University said President Wayne A.I. Frederick has failed students by refusing to personally come to the table to resolve their issues and by using “tactics” and “gas lighting” to minimize their concerns over unlivable conditions in the university’s dormitories. “For 24 days, Howard University students have slept on the concrete of the university campus and the floors of the Armour J. Blackburn student center and been met with blatant violence and callousness,” the four student organizations said in a news release issued Friday on one of the group’s official Instagram accounts. “Congressmen and Congresswomen, national civil rights leaders such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and celebrities such as Gucci Mane have rallied behind student protesters, yet still Howard University administration continues to step on their cries for help,” the organizations said in the news release. November 12, 2021

“Therefore, we are calling for the formal resignation of President Wayne. A.I. Frederick in a united student, alumni and faculty front.” The release was emailed to Texas Metro News just hours ahead of Dr. Frederick’s State of the University address at 5 p.m. Eastern time Friday. It was unclear over the weekend whether protest leaders had asked Dr. Frederick directly to resign – or whether he even knew of the call for his resignation prior to delivering his address. He could not immediately be reached Monday for comment. During his State of the University address on Friday, Dr. Frederick said the tone of the protest’s rhetoric bothers him. “I do want to encourage all of us, as a community, to be thoughtful about that, because that self-hate does bother me in terms of how we go at each other.” He said the university has addressed complaints of mold and other safety concerns in its residential housing communities and has a long-range master plan to add more dormitory rooms to address a growing demand for on-campus student housing. The projected upgrades and the planned new campus construction are costly, however, and cannot be achieved immediately, he said. “This is an aging campus, no doubt about it,” said Dr. Frederick, a surgical oncologist and medical researcher who is a double graduate of

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President Wayne A. I. Frederick

both Howard and its medical school. “That’s not lost on me at all.” He said Howard has a $804 million endowment. By comparison, Harvard University has a $42 billion endowment to address infrastructure, faculty development and for recruiting top research scholars. “That’s the difference in resources,” he said during the address. “That’s the difference between the haves and the have nots.” Regarding university housing, he said Howard had secured 5,714 beds for students this fall; 94 percent of them are occupied. Management of the university’s dormitories is contracted to Corvias, a private property management company that also manages housing on U.S military bases. For many of its upper-level undergraduate students, Howard administrators secured agreements with apartment complexes located in the District of Columbia and in Maryland. Still, Dr. Frederick acknowl-

edged, on-campus dorm rooms could be better managed. “Preventive maintenance has been lax,” he said, acknowledging that students had reported incidences of mold. He did not say how far back those complaints go. “If it happens in one room, that’s a concern,” he said. To address dorm maintenance issues, Dr. Frederick’s administration has set up an email address to receive student complaints. His office also has assigned administrators to each dormitory to streamline and expedite resolutions of any student complaints, he said. Friday marked the first time that Dr. Frederick, who serves in a dual role as president and as a professor at Howard’s medical school, has spoken in public about issues surrounding the protest. His address was delivered during an open forum attended by students and alumni. Hollywood director Debbie Allen, a Howard alumna, attended the forum. Her sister, the Tony Award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad, also a Howard alumna, is head of the university’s College of Fine Arts. In the past, Dr. Frederick has delivered his fall State of the University address during Howard’s weeklong homecoming activities, which were held this year on Oct. 18-23. He postponed this year’s speech because of the protests. The #BlackburnTakeover protest began on Oct. 12 when about 50 students staged a sitmyimessenger.com

Students camped out at Howard University.

in at the Armour J. Blackburn Student Center on the Washington, D.C. campus. They complained, among other things, about the upkeep and conditions of Howard’s residence halls. As examples, Howard students posted pictures on social media of mold growing out of vents, from walls and ceilings, and on students’ personal clothing and shoes. They also posted graphic images of yellow-ish brown water coming from a wash faucet in one of the campus’s science laboratories. Images of mold at Howard went viral under the hashtag “BlackburnTakeover.” Since Oct. 12, the sit-in has gained supporters, including an estimated 150 students who are camping outside of the Blackburn building in tents where they are sleeping on air mattresses in a communal “tent city.” Among the students’ other demands are that: myimessenger.com

Photo credit: Howard University News Service

• the Howard Board of Trustees restore student, faculty and alumni “affiliate” seats, with voting rights, to the board so that student concerns are addressed at the university governance level • academic and legal amnesty be granted to protesting students • implementation of a longrange plan to address insufficient on-campus housing at Howard. Currently, many juniors and seniors are forced to move off campus because they are prioritized lower than incoming freshmen for on-campus rooms • an in-person Town Hall with Dr. Frederick – not his Cabinet members - to address student and faculty concerns The sit-in has sparked international news interest: Al Jazeera Media Network, based in the Middle East, is working on a documentary, protesters have said. Meanwhile, U.S. television

and newspaper outlets, including CBS, NBC, CNN and ABC, all had covered the conflict as have The New York Times, the Washington Post, regional newspapers, digital shows, blogs and the NNPA, Black Press of America. Politicians and other public figures have entered the conversation as well, citing among other things, an underfunding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, in President Biden’s newest budget bill, and a trend among elite universities to privatize or outsource many of their services. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, former Presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the Rev. Jesse Jackson and other revered Civil Rightsera heavyweights have announced solidarity with the student protesters. Last week, Warren tweeted: “For 22 days now, Howard University students have

been protesting sub-par, private-equity managed campus housing. Corvias is responsible for these conditions & and its another example of why we need private equity reform. I stand in solidarity with the students,” Warren wrote on her official Facebook page on Nov. 2. Monday, Howard’s Communications office released an advisory to news outlets blaring the headline “Students Have Our Undivided Attention and Care.” The release highlighted, among other things, an announcement made last week by Vice President for Student Affairs Cynthia Evers that Howard University Student Association President Kylie Burke and Graduate Student Council President Ashley Grey both would be added as members of an unnamed committee on the university’s Board of Trustees. The latest announcements, however, may be too little, too late. Some students worried that daily media attention surrounding the protest, the longest in the university’s recent history, had stained Howard’s pristine reputation, its highly-marketable brand, and by association, all the nation’s 100 or so historically black colleges and universities. During Friday’s address, a student commented to Dr. Frederick that online criticism of the administration’s response to the protest did not live up to the elite private school’s reputation. Dr. Frederick appeared shaken by the comment. “Howard is the Mecca. This is the HBCU of HBCUs,” the male student told the president, explaining that the school’s presence is why he continue reading at www.myimessenger.com

November 12, 2021

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November 12, 2021

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HOMECOMINGS BY SCHOOL

Wear the masks, wash your hands and show love! myimessenger.com

ALABAMA A&M vs. Jackson State ALABAMA STATE vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff ALBANY STATE vs. Edward Waters ALCORN STATE vs. Grambling State ALLEN vs. Columbus State ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF vs. Southern BENEDICT vs. Morehouse BETHUNE-COOKMAN vs. Miss. Valley State BOWIE STATE vs. Johnson C. Smith CENTRAL STATE vs. Allen CHOWAN vs. Lincoln (PA) CLARK ATLANTA vs. Allen DELAWARE STATE vs. SC State EDWARD WATERS vs. Central State ELIZABETH CITY STATE vs. Chowan FAYETTEVILLE STATE vs. Johnson C. Smith FLORIDA A&M vs. Grambling State FLORIDA MEMORIAL vs. Webber International FORT VALLEY STATE vs. Clark Atlanta GRAMBLING STATE vs. Texas Southern HAMPTON vs. Kennesaw State HOWARD vs. Norfolk State JACKSON STATE vs. Alabama State JOHNSON C. SMITH vs. Saint Augustine’s KENTUCKY STATE vs. Lane LANE vs. Texas College LANGSTON vs. Texas Wesleyan LINCOLN (MO) vs. Missouri Southern LINCOLN (PA) vs. Elizabeth City State LIVINGSTONE vs. Saint Augustine’s MILES vs. Benedict MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE vs. NC Central MOREHOUSE vs. Fort Valley State MORGAN STATE vs. North Carolina Central NC A&T vs. Monmouth NC CENTRAL vs. Norfolk State NORFOLK STATE vs. Virginia-Lynchburg PRAIRIE VIEW A&M vs. Alabama State SAINT AUGUSTINE’S vs. Chowan SAVANNAH STATE vs. Clark Atlanta SC STATE vs. Morgan State SHAW vs. Johnson C. Smith SOUTHERN vs. Prairie View A&M TENNESSEE STATE vs. Murray State TEXAS SOUTHERN vs. North American TUSKEGEE vs. Lane VIRGINIA STATE vs. Lincoln (PA) VIRGINIA UNION vs. Lincoln (PA) VA. UNIV. OF LYNCHBURG vs. Univ. of Ft. Lauderdale WEST VIRGINIA STATE vs. UNC Pembroke WINSTON-SALEM STATE vs. Livingstone

Oct. 9, 2:00 p.m. CT Oct. 9, 2:00 p.m. CT Oct. 9, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 9, 1:00 p.m. CT Oct. 30, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 16, 2:00 p.m. CT Oct. 23, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 9, 1:00 p.m. ET Oct. 2, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 2, 1:00 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 1:30 p.m. ET Oct. 9, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 1:30 p.m. ET Oct. 16, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 30, 4:00 p.m. ET Nov. 6, 1:30 p.m. ET Oct. 23, TBD Oct. 16, 2:00 p.m. CT Oct. 9, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 1:00 p.m. ET Oct. 16, 2:00 p.m. CT Oct. 30, 1:00 p.m. ET Oct. 9, 1:00 p.m. CT Oct. 2, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 16, 2:00 p.m. CT Oct. 9, 2:00 p.m. CT Oct. 16, 1:00 p.m. ET Oct. 9, 1:30 p.m. ET Oct. 9, 4:00 p.m. CT Oct. 2, 1:00 p.m. CT Oct. 16, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 1:00 p.m. ET

Oct. 30, 1:00 p.m. ET Nov. 6, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 16, 2:00 p.m. ET Nov. 6, 2:00 p.m. CT Sept. 25, 1:00 p.m. ET Oct. 16, 3:00 p.m. ET Oct. 16, 1:30 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 1:00 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 6:00 p.m. CT Oct. 30, 5:00 p.m. ET Oct. 2, 2:00 p.m. CT Oct. 23, 1:00 p.m. CT Oct. 23, 2:00 p.m. ET Oct. 9, 1:00 p.m. ET Oct. 30, TBD Oct. 16, 1:30 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 1:00 p.m. ET November 12, 2021

November 12, 2021

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Virtual and liVe Community Calendar

Native American Indian Heritage Month Diabetes Awareness Alzheimer’s Awareness Month RECURRING

2021 Fall Exhibitions Line Up Sepia: Past. Pride. Power, Ruth Mae McCrane,The History of the Prairie View Interscholastic League at the African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave. 10 am-5 pm. Info & tickets: aamdallas.org.

NOVEMBER 11 Veterans Day

Happy Birthday to Virlinda Stanton Veteran’s Day Parade Dist. 4. Cedar Crest Cathedral, 1616 E. Illinois-Patrol Crossing, 4500 S. Lancaster Rd. 9:30 am. District4@dallascityhall.com. Facebook Live: Open Enrollment: What’s Changed in 2021 presented by ARRP Virginia. Facebook.com@ARRPVirginia 6-6:30 pm CST. HIRING EVENT: The Zan Holmes Outreach Center and Hudson Airport at Frazier House; 4600 Spring, 12–4pm. Reg: https:// www.zwhjcoc.org/jobs-2

Women’s Leadership Conference Summit, Chair Helen Giddings. “Who’s Leading Texas Newsrooms” Feat: Mollie Belt and Cheryl Smith. Reg: www.wlsummit.org.12 pm CST

UNT Dallas Black Graduate Student Association Bowling Party at AMF Richardson Lanes 2101 North Central Expy. 7 pm. Tickets: https:// bit.ly/3mRBEKq. Center Table Fall Harvest Mobile Food Pantry at Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center, 1800 Bonnie View Rd. 9-11 am.

NOVEMBER 13 Four Girls and a Guy at Cedar Hill Farmers Market, 300 Houston St. Cedar Hill. 9am-1 pm. Diaper Day at Dr. Linda Amerson’s LA’s Hair and Scalp Clinic 2304 W. Pioneer Pkwy. Pantego. 1011:30 am. Info: 800-569-5897.

Zan Wesley Holmes Outreach Center Lunch and Learn: Marketing Basics, Loretta Simon at Frazier House 4600 Spring Ave. 11 am-12:30 pm Reg: www.zwhjcoc.org/classes

NOVEMBER 12-13

For the Love of Jazz & Poetry at Sway’s Room Inside The R Lounge, 1175 N. Watson Rd Arlington. 9 pm. Tickets: www.instantseats.com. Step Into Health with Orange County, Fl. Deltas. Via Zoom bit.ly/OCACSIH21 7 am CST. UNT Black Alumni Homecoming at House of Blues, 2200 North Lamar St. bit.ly/3jTGjtk 10 pm.

River and Blues Festival at Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St. Fort Worth. Fri. 3 pm and Sat. 11am. Tickets: bit.ly/3nNH5cC.

NOVEMBER 12

Hat and Heels Women’s Empowerment Luncheon at Hilton Garden Inn 800 N. Main St. Duncanville. 12-3 pm Tickets: https://bit.ly/2ZBn94k

Sigma Gamma Rho Founders Day

J3 Presents The Harlem Nights Dance Event at Forever Swing Dallas, 2021 N. Hampton Rd. j3-music-productions.square.site. 8 pm.

Uptown Night Market at McKinney & Olive, 2021 McKinney Ave. 6 pm. https://www.mckinneyandolive.com/

Black and Gold Affair at TenTen Collins 1010 N. Collins St. Arlington. 8-11 pm. Tickets: https:// bit.ly/3mwBo3x

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

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

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

Omega Psi Phi Founders Day

Kevin Dedner Book Signing, The Joy of the Disinherited at The Dock Bookshop, 6637 Meadowbrook Dr. Ft Worth. 2-5 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/3038AXj.

Texas Live presents Jamming For The Troops. Rangers Parking Lot A,1650 E Randol Mill Rd, Arlington. 4-9 pm. Tamela Mann Live In Concert with Comedian Notkarlton Banks at Northwood Church, 1870 Rufe Snow Dr. www.ddentertainment.net 7 pm.

NOVEMBER 17

FEEDING THE FORGOTTEN At the Bridge Recovery Center, 1818 Corsicana St. 10 am-2 pm.

NOVEMBER 14 Elements of Styles Presents: “The Dream” at Unique Visions Upscale Events, 324 S. Hampton Rd. DeSoto. 6-11 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3pWB28m.

DJ’s Steak House Wine Down Wednesdays at 14925 Midway Rd. #101 Addison 3-5 pm. For Reservations: 469-914-0094 after 4 pm. The Brightest Show South of the North Pole at Lone Star Park, 1000 Lone Star Pkwy. Grand Prairie. 12 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3pYF5kv. Quentin Moore Live @ CANVAS, 1325 S. Lamar St. Dallas. 7 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3GCckjB. Ask Dr. Amerson with Dr. Linda Amerson.12 pm. CST @DFWiRadio.com, and Live on Facebook @ DrLindaAmerson.

NEO SOUL Sundays feat: N’Tense The Band at Lava Cantina, 5805 Grandscape Blvd. The Colony. 4 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3GG6X2U. PARKWHIZ BRUTON THEATRE at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Bruton Theatre, 650 S. Griffin St. Tickets: LiveNation.com 4 pm. Women’s Self-Defense at Vision Martial Arts Center, 3019 W. 15th St. Plano 2-4 pm. Tickets: bit.ly/3keLYup

NOVEMBER 18 Building & Brews - Romantic Era opens at 5:30 pm starts at 6 pm CST Virtual or in person at 201 Lipscomb St., Fort Worth. Reg: bit.ly/3FTeXwZ

NOVEMBER 18-21

NOVEMBER 15 2021 Denton County Alumnae Chapter of DST Town Hall Meeting on COVID-19 Part II. 7-8 pm. Reg: tinyurl.com/DCACTOWNHALL.

The 17th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair 2021 - The Virtual Experience. Times upon Reg: https://bit.ly/3CU76gP

NOVEMBER 19 Fuego-Fall Colors Affair Feat. Charly Black Live in Concert at Heroes Lounge, 3094 N. Stemmons Fwy. 10 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3H3RA4C

NOVEMBER 16 Disrupt Aging and Ageism, Part III with Dr. Geneva Williams by AARP Michigan. Via Facebook. com @aarp.michigan 10 am CST. Test and Learn Powered by JP-Morgan hosted by Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce. 5:30-7 pm CST. Reg: www.dallasblackchamber.org

Women’s Art Culture Showcase by Last Night in Black History - Arttitude Pro at Urban Arts Center 807 Hutchins Rd. 7:30-10 pm. bit.ly/2Yoctpp.

NOVEMBER 20

Oak Cliff Thrives with Oak Cliff Chamber of Comerce. 6-7:30 pm. Tickets: oakcliffchamber. org/oak-cliff-thrives.

Thursdays

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

Dallas Millennial Gala Benefiting Big Thought at Frontiers of Flight Museum 6911 Lemmon Ave. 7 pm. Tickets: bit.ly/3mSD3jS.

NOVEMBER 21 Black-Friday on a SUNDAY Expo at Mesquite Arts Center, 1527 N. Galloway Ave. 2-6 pm. Lady In Black at Painting with a Twist, 4001 W. Green Oaks Blvd. Arlington. 3-5 pm. Tickets: www.paintingwithatwist.com. The Black Mecca Pop-Up Expo, Day Party at Unique Visions Upscale Events, 324 South Hampton Rd. DeSoto 1-5 pm. Reg: bit. ly/3odTdnI

NOVEMBER 22 Dallas Black Dance Theatre presents Behind the Scenes at Dallas Black Dance Theatre, 2700 Ann Williams Way, 12 pm.

NOVEMBER 23 Oak Cliff Thrives with Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce.6-7:30 pm. Tickets: oakcliffchamber. org/oak-cliff-thrives. Soul Line Dance Tuesday-Live! Virtual, host BE Creative Arts Center. 7 pm CDT Reg: www.becreativeartscenter.com FREE

NOVEMBER 24 Ask Dr. Amerson with Dr. Linda Amerson.12 pm. CST @DFWiRadio.com, and Live on Facebook @DrLindaAmerson.

NOVEMBER 25 African American Genealogical Interest Group at J Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young St. 2-4:45 pm

Links Help: HIV Ladies Only Webinar. 7 pm CST Free Reg: https://tinyurl.com/4ktak3th. Wednesdays

Happy Birthday to Rosalind Vaughn

Dallas’ Adult Prom “21” at The Urban Creative Center, 201 Executive Way #100, DeSoto. 8 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3wo8XYT

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

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

November 12, 2021

THE HARDER THEY FALL AT THE MOVIES BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ THE HARDER THEY FALL is an updated version of an old school western. The characters, the dialogue, and the hip hop soundtrack produced by Shawn Carter aka Jay Z make for a very cool Western. Cool could be the one word that best describes the movie. There’s an excellent cast of Black Cowboys that include Idris Elba, as the legendary wild west outlaw Rufus Buck who in real history was known for his brutality and long list of dead bodies: Regina King, Delroy Lindo and comic actor Deon Cole. THE HARDER THEY

FALL is a very enjoyable modern Western with plenty of good guys and bad guys and cowboys out looking for vengeance. The characters in the movie were real Black cowboys but the entire story is a fictitious tale and not actually based on any truth. But Nate Love was a real Black cowboy who wrote his autobiography. It remains to be seen if THE HARDER THEY FALL will produce some more good Black Westerns based on true stories but this one is a heck of an enjoyable movie. THE HARDER THEY FALL is rated R for harsh violence and runs 2 hours and 10 minutes. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate the movie a JUMBO. It’s currently showing on NETFLIX.

www.grandpasecret.com November 12, 2021

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November 12, 2021

ARRESTED

HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST

He targeted members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. but this is more than about a sorority. We’re talking about a community.

Come on PEOPLE! Don’t you CARE? Will it matter when it is your sister, mother, aunt or grandmother or maybe YOU?

Crimestoppers 877-373-8477 November 12, 2021

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