I Messenger 10-22-21 by Cheryl Smith

VOL XI NO 8 OCTOBER 22, 2021

I MESSENGER

Colin Powell

Remembered for his leadership

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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. October 22, 2021

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Local Community Lender adds Comerica Bank Executive to Board Irvin Ashford Jr. lauded as national champion of diverse small businesses, financial inclusion DreamSpring, a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) that supports underserved small businesses throughout Texas, has appointed Comerica Bank’s chief community officer Irvin Ashford Jr., to its board of directors. DreamSpring strategically selected Ashford, who is based in Dallas, because of his national leadership experience with Comerica and his longstanding commitment to championing financial inclusion. DreamSpring has plans to rapidly increase its outreach and positive impact in Texas’ diverse communities, and in other states it serves. Ashford is uniquely qualified to help guide DreamSpring with strategic development, policy oversight, financial stewardship, and network development. “Systemic inequities in access to capital undermine local and national economies even in the best of times. The pandemic only exacerbated an existing problem,” Ashford said. “I believe more than ever that CDFIs are an essential part of the solution, and DreamSpring is a proven authority on advancing financial inclusion. I am thrilled to have this opportunity.” At Comerica, Ashford oversees community reinvestment nationally and leads the bank’s diversity business resource groups. He also serves on the board of directors for the Texas Women's Empowerment Foundation, the Dallas Theater Center, Kym's Kids, and Focus on Teens. Ashford has received accolades and awards from organizations, academic institutions, and publications nationwide for his contributions to community and economic development initiatives in diverse and underserved communities. “Our entire team at DreamSpring is honored to have such a distinguished leader and advocate of economic opportunity join our board,” said DreamSpring president and CEO Anne Haines. “Irvin has been a long-standing champion of our work to advance financial inclusion by providing business loans and support to underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs in hundreds of communities across the region.”

Irvin Ashford Jr

Since 2015, DreamSpring has issued almost 7,500 loans, totaling $56 million to 5,560 small businesses in Texas. Those businesses estimate nearly 14,000 jobs have been sustained or created as a result. “Irv’s depth of experience and personal interests align perfectly with DreamSpring’s mission and corporate culture. He simply is the ideal addition to DreamSpring’s board, and we are lucky to have him,” said Clarence McAllister, DreamSpring board chair and CEO of Phoenix-based Fortis Engineers. DreamSpring’s board of directors is comprised of volunteer leaders who exhibit national leadership in a range of relevant industries and also through their contributions to advance financial inclusion. Other board members are Yashoda Naidoo, president and owner of Annapurna's World Vegetarian Café in New Mexico; Michelle Coons, senior vice president and regional president of WaFd Bank in New Mexico; Betty Arkell, equity shareholder at Robinson Waters & O’Dorisio, P.C., in Colorado; Edmond Johnson, president and CEO of Premier Manufacturing, Inc., in Colorado; Greg Levenson, president and chairman at Las Vegas Bancorp – Southwest Capital Bank in New Mexico; Jerrie Merritt, senior vice president and community development manager of the Bank of Nevada in Nevada; and Bill Ridenour, attorney of counsel for Fennemore Craig in Arizona. myimessenger.com

INSIDE

THE BLACK CARD

QUIT PLAYIN

Most times, I indulge in a process I call a “parallel didactic.” My parallel didactics attempt to tell two stories at the same time and do both of them justice. The truth is, I got a little ADHD and can’t stay on one subject. So this is a two-tracked story about a song and the phenomenal woman who introduced me to it.

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WHAT’S ON MILES’ MIND I recently wrote an essay on the topic of books. I used the principle of forced obsolescence as a backdrop or canvas on which to paint a picture of a thing suffering from gradual or rapid decline, depreciation of purpose and the resulting loss of useful value.

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October 22, 2021

MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith Publisher

It had better be a hoax I love teaching! When I was eight-yearsold, my friends were playing “house” and “doctor.” I was in another room with my sister, two younger cousins and any neighborhood child I could round up on our street in Newark, NJ, and we were playing “school.” Of course I was the teacher I was good too. They listened and learned. Little did I know that I would eventually end up in a classroom as a college professor. It would be an understatement to say I was dismayed upon hearing about a challenge on social media that involved students filming themselves physically assaulting teachers. All I could think of was how underpaid teachers are and how there are some adults who live for and love being in the classroom, despite being underpaid and sometimes under-appreciated because of incompetent leadership. I thought about the teachers who use their salaries to help their students. Then too, there are the teachers who are more of a parent to students than the ones whose DNA is a match. And there are the teachers who are social workers, counselors, personal shoppers, tutors, UberEats, disciplinarians and more. October 22, 2021

Admittedly as children, there’s an expectation that there is a level of stupidity that all will experience. As I heard more and more about the “Slap a Teacher” hallenge, I tried to imagine what my reaction would have been had someone’s child hit me. Sure every generation thinks that the next generation is crazier but with the advent

the cell door behind me as I pondered receiving the stiffest penalty for opening a can of Whoop You know WHAT! I also thought about the parents who have let their children become kookoo for Cocoa Puffs. Sure some children are going to act out when their parents are not around but today it appears there’s no end to the drama, no stopping point, no voice of reason.

Everyone needs to decide what type of person they are going to be and what they decide should not be based upon how they are treated. of social media and camera phones, well, it’s easier today to have receipts in the form of inappropriate photos, messages and videos. Denial was easier for previous generations, but today, the proof is there and for generations to come; you are GUILTY. And speaking of guilty, I thought about a student hitting me and all I could hear was a judge, saying “guilty” and then the loud clanging of

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I contend that part of the reason is that so many young people are being taught that there are no boundaries, just as there are no standards. As one student told me, “My momma said I don’t have to respect anyone if I feel like they are disrespecting me!” Which brings me to my truth. Everyone needs to decide what type of person they are going to be and what they

decide should not be based upon how they are treated. If any child that participates in some of these stupid challenges has a conscience, they are going to have some serious regrets in the future. So I sighed with relief when I received reports that the Slap a Teacher Challenge was a hoax. Sure there have been reports of violence against teachers and the social media site has been quick to disassociate from any acts of violence. With all the other stupid gimmicks, I still wouldn’t be surprised if someone tried a stunt that could have a dramatic and devastating outcome. So, parents, talk to your children. Have a candid talk about acceptable behavior. Yeah, I know there will be the ones who are hell bent on being rebellious. We just don’t need you contributing to the foolishness because just like parents are held accountable for their children’s truancy, you need to be held accountable for letting your children grow up not knowing that there are consequences and repercussions for their actions and actions. The results won’t be funny because one day, they may run up on the WRONG PERSON! myimessenger.com

When 95 percent equals zero OUR VOICES BY SEN. ROYCE WEST Over the next week, it is likely that a new map which will determine district boundaries for Texas’ U.S. House delegation will reach the desk of Governor Greg Abbott. It will arrive over the protests of my Democratic colleagues in the Texas Senate, because the many factors to be considered in redistricting, including population growth, race and ethnicity, do not add up in the new map. It’s but another demonstration of a phrase used too often by me saying that ‘elections have consequences.’ 2020 Census results released in August say more than 29.1 million people now live in Texas. That’s a population increase of about 4 million since 2010. Census reports show that 95 percent of Texas’ growth is attributable to people of color. Because of Texas’ phenomenal growth, it’s the only state in the country that will increase its Congressional delegation by two members, from 36 to 38. So since people of color are overwhelmingly responsible for that growth, it would lead to believe that the groups responsible for the growth would have a reasonable opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice come election time. But not so. That’s where the math gets fuzzy. Because under the Senate bill’s formula, 3.8 million of 4 million new myimessenger.com

New Congressional map doesn't add up

Texans (95%), equals ZERO new Congressional districts that may reflect the people responsible for the growth. Census data released in August says non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics are each nearly 40 percent of Texas’ population, with Blacks about 12 percent. Half of the population growth can be attributed to Hispanics. About 558,000 more African Americans live in Texas now than in 2010. Currently, there are 19 majority White population Congressional districts. Ten U.S. House districts have majority Hispanic populations. Five African Americans represent Texas in Congress. The new Congressional map does not create any new majority Hispanic population districts. Those knowledgeable about redistricting expected a new Congressional district for North Texas with the other, near Houston/Harris County. Instead, SB6, the Congressional redistricting bill, drew a new district near Austin, even though population growth in North Texas exceeded 1 million, double that of counties surrounding Austin. In a state that has 36 incumbent U.S. House members, it doesn’t figure that the only two who were pitted against each other are Houston’s Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green. District boundaries were redrawn to move Blacks and Hispanics who live in the 18th Congressional District Jackson Lee now represents - including her home - into CD9, now represented by Green.

For the less familiar, two definitions common to redistricting are in order: packing and cracking. Packing occurs when more of a specific (ethnic) group are added (packed) into an already heavily minority district. Cracking takes place when a particular group who does not make up a majority of a district, but number sufficiently to influence the outcome of an election, are removed from that district and placed where their influence is diluted. There’s a device used where if something is said over and over again, after a while, that statement is taken as truth. Such was the tactic used by the author and proponents of SB6 who said repeatedly that “the maps were drawn blind to race.” Try selling that to those opposed. SB6 ‘packs’ minorities into predominantly, minority districts across the state and ‘cracks’ minorities away from swing districts where they may be able to influence the outcome of races and places them in districts where their impact will be diluted, creating safe Republican districts. While partisan gerrymandering has been deemed acceptable by the courts, racial gerrymandering or the altering of district boundaries based on race to obtain a desired outcome, is not. And while SB6 proponents say the bill is legal and blind to race, people of color appear to be

used as pawns to accomplish the goals desired in this redistricting Game of Thrones. Since the 2013, Shelby v. Holder ruling effectively eliminated Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act that required preclearance of changes in election law in nine states, including Texas, our hopes to thwart SB6 will depend on Section 2. Originally under Section 2, for changes in voting laws to be in violation, the “intent” or “purpose” of the change had to be found discriminatory. However Section 2 was amended in 1982 so that now, changes can be found in violation if the “effect” of those changes are determined to be racially discriminatory. To recap, 95 percent of Texas’ 4 million population increase can be attributed to people of color. The ethnic group responsible for half the growth does not realize a new opportunity to elect a Congressional candidate of its choice. And the only two of what will be a 38 member Congressional delegation who were redrawn into the same district happen to be minorities. Under SB6, numbers added don’t increase totals. Maybe in addition to math, Texas also needs instruction on “equal treatment under the law!” 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.

October 22, 2021

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October 22, 2021

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October 22, 2021

Wear the masks, wash your hands and show love!

Duncanville,

October 22, 2021

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BIG MAMA SAID:

“GET YOUR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER BEFORE YOU JUDGE MINE”

THE BLACK CARD BY TERRY ALLEN

Without fail, mighty words would always shoot forth when Lucille “Big Mama” Allen stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the “big room” speaking her own truth. This time she would speak to other women who spoke about another ‘sister’ and village member, particularly on two occasions that were never happy. One was when the member of the village was injured or showed up with bruises or Heaven forbid if one of the sisters in the village died from injuries. In Lucille “Big Mama” Allen, world domestic violence was real. It was called a date with the devil. My siblings and I were affected by domestic violence. Yet, I will not speak on those

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specific family-centric experiences as we all have different levels of healing in the family. I do know, thanks to Big Mama’s own journey, test and testimony; my sisters have not experienced domestic violence like the sisters in My Mama/Big Mama’s village. Childhood trauma is a byproduct of domestic violence. I am trembling as I write this now. My trauma resurfaced. One vivid memory sticks in my mind. Mama answered a call and she suddenly dropped the phone saying, “Oh God no!” I saw life leave her body as she fell in the chair, yet nothing was said that day, during the funeral and after the repast. That silence never changed. All I know is that a sister in the village was gone. And it hurts! I never felt so helpless! I vowed to never let any woman suffer those emotions and fears again. I got my house in order! I

created a fund with bestselling author, the late Francis Ray, and launched Sister CEO! Lucille “Big Mama” Allen’s platform was always steeped in the Biblical word. She had a song in the sister village, for those ‘incidents’ - “My soul looks back and wonders how I got over.” In those songs, I learned of other sister voices in the village, Mahalia, Aretha, Maya, Clara and the pensive Billie Holiday. Big Mama and the village sisters endured a lot to be women. Domestic violence rips open the finer tapestry of the village as it dismantles the joy in the family. Check the facts. 85% of domestic violence victims are women. Commonshelter.org says that the most common age when intimate partner violence is first experienced by women is age 18-24 (38.6%), followed by age 11-17 (22.4%), age 35-44 (6.8%) and age 45+ (2.5%).

For men the most common age is 18-24 (47.1%), followed by age 25-34 (30.6%), age 1117 (15.0%), age 35-44 (10.3%) and age 45+ (5.5%). These are real facts! The renowned Runoko Rashidi reminds us all that we are descendants of the Diaspora. He says women were revered in our ancestral past. We are not true to our African selves and the original role of women in our lives. Disrespecting your mother was not allowed in our village back then, so why now? Readers, take action do not harbor or protect perpetrators of family violence. It is unacceptable! Family, we need you. Let’s get our house in order! Call me at the paper or email me. I want us to join hands and do our part to end domestic violence now, not tomorrow! Terry Allen is a multi-media journalist and former board member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

October 22, 2021

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October 22, 2021

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The Dallas Morning News Recognized By NABJ For Partnership With Black-Owned Texas Metro News By Maria Halkias

The Dallas Morning News has received the National Association of Black Journalists’ Best Practices Award for the newspaper’s partnership with the staff of Texas Metro News. Texas Metro News publisher and editor Cheryl Smith has helped The News expand its coverage into communities, particularly in southern Dallas, said Jamie Hancock, The News’ North Texas editor, who led the newsroom partnership and spearheads the newsroom side of the relationship. As that effort to expand coverage of more communities in North Texas was getting underway, “so many people in the community told us you really have to meet Cheryl Smith,” Hancock said. The News has benefited in many ways, including access and sourcing information, she said. “We want to do more and strengthen the partnership to better reflect the communities we serve.” The partnership was formed in early 2020 and allows Texas Metro News to publish The News’ stories for free, while helping The News elevate its coverage of communities of color. myimessenger.com

Jamie Hancock, North Texas editor of The Dallas Morning News Photo Credit: Evans Caglage / 00024844A

The Dallas Morning News has partnered with Texas Metro News for more than a year. It has been recognized with the 2021 Best Practices Award from the National Association of Black Journalists Photo Credit: Tom Fox / Staff Photographer

The plan originally included community events, but the pandemic stalled those efforts, Hancock said. There were some virtual events and co-marketing, particularly for voter education efforts.

The News has helped Smith with distribution of her weekly newspaper and with launching a digital newsletter that allowed her staff to reach readers more directly once the pandemic started.

“The commitment is there. It’s authentic,” Smith said about her working relationships with Hancock, publisher and president Grant Moise, managing editor Keith Campbell, deputy publisher Leona Allen, former executive editor Mike Wilson and new executive editor Katrice Hardy. The partnership has gained broad interest from other journalism outlets, and a guide was created by the News Media Alliance. NABJ’s Best Practices Award is given to “a news organization for exemplary work in covering issues of great significance to the Black community or the African Diaspora and/or for its efforts in increasing diversity among its newsroom staff and management,” according to the organization’s website. The vote by the NABJ board was unanimous, Smith said. Founded in 1975, NABJ is an influential organization that advocates on behalf of Black journalists and media professionals in the U.S. and worldwide with 4,000 members. It’s headquartered on the campus of the University of Maryland. The award will be presented at the group’s annual program in December. October 22, 2021

Want God’s Best: Trust and Rest FAITHFUL UTTERANCES BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW

I’m so looking forward to my weekends. During the State Fair of Texas, my colleagues and I work seven days a week for almost a month. I don’t think you realize how precious something is until you have less of it, or it’s gone. Long work hours can leave you tired, irritable, and yearning for sleep. Although it’s temporary and something I was prepared for, it doesn’t remove what you experience physically, mentally, and emotionally. I think that’s the case for our lives. I think we realize that life will be hard and filled with challenges. We know that with our heads but when it happens, our hearts, emotions and even our bodies don’t often align. We know the pain we endure is temporary but at the moment, the pain supersedes everything. It is so easy to complain and whine about our circumstances because of how we feel versus what we know to be true. We know God is able and yet, we will doubt God’s ability to make things happen for us. We know that

October 22, 2021

God is the Creator of heaven and earth and yet, we act as if God is not in control. We know that God cares for us but when something happens to us that is not what we expected, we believe that God forgot about us or is punishing us. It’s easy to begin to place more confidence in ourselves than in God. When I focus solely on what is in front of me, I can miss all the things that are going on around me. I can find myself sad about a situation without seeing God’s goodness and the multiple blessings around me. Trusting my limited vision has set me up for disappointment. The Bible tells us that there are consequences in solely depending on ourselves and our limited vision. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8) When we trust God’s plan, put God first, we can rest in knowing that God will make things work out not because of our wisdom but knowing that God’s plan is greater than

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our own. When we trust in ourselves, it’s easy to make bad decisions and even do things that go against God and what’s best for ourselves. The challenge of being tired and weary is that we don’t always make the best choices. What would happen when we know that we are tired and worn out that we went to God instead of doubting, complaining, or taking things into our own hands to solve? The part of this scripture that isn’t emphasized is that there is a healing and rest that takes places when we trust God. I don’t think we equate trusting God to rest and healing. Doubt is often the result of disappointments that happen repeatedly causing anxiety. Can I really trust God with taking care of this for me? Just as there is a physical exhaustion, we can become mentally and emotionally exhausted affecting our relationship with others and with God. God knows the importance of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual rest. It is a matter of trusting God to be our source of replenishment when our tanks are low, and we can’t go further. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Trust and rest go together.

We must believe that God is able to give to do this for us, but it is contingent upon our willingness to surrender. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2) Trusting God is necessary for our rest. This has been such a difficult season for so many of us. We can not allow the pain of the past to rob us of the possibilities of our purpose. If God repeatedly shares the importance of rest, there are lessons for us to know that it is a part of our journey if we truly want to experience God’s best for our lives. “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:9-10). Want God’s best? Trust God and Rest. 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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October 22, 2021

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NABJ announces 2021 Honorees During its virtual awards ceremony, the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) will induct eight new members into its Hall of Fame and award 14 Special Honors to Black journalists and communicators from around the world. The virtual awards ceremony, which will feature special guests, entertainment and interactive features, will stream free on the evening of December 4, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The event link will be announced in the coming weeks. The awards ceremony will also highlight winners of NABJ’s Salute to Excellence Awards, which recognizes journalism and communications work that best cover the Black experience or address issues affect-

ing the worldwide Black community. Salute to Excellence nominees will be announced later this month. NABJ will also honor Black journalists and communicators lost over the last year with a special In Memoriam tribute. “Every year, NABJ pays homage to legendary Black journalists and media professionals who have made outstanding contributions to our industry,” said Dorothy Tucker, NABJ President. “We are honored to recognize the distinguished work of this year’s Hall of Fame class and the impact of the individuals and groups receiving our Special Honors awards. We also look forward to celebrating our 2021 Salute to Excel-

Grant Moise

Art Norman

Roland S. Martin

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Janis Ware

October 22, 2021

lence finalists and winners.” The winners of the NABJ Chapters of the Year Awards will be announced during the ceremony, where NABJ will also announce the recipient of the Thumbs Down Award; which is presented annually to an individual or organization for especially insensitive, racist or stereotypical reporting, commentary, photography, or cartoons about the Black community or for engaging in practices at odds with the goals of NABJ. The 2021 NABJ Awards is presented by FedEx and sponsored by Caesars Entertainment. Follow the hashtag #NABJAwards to stay updated on event information or visit NABJOnline.org.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees are:

Jenise Griffin

• A.J. Smitherman, Tulsa Star (posthumously) • Claire Smith, Temple University /MLB Writer • Cornelius “Neil” Foote Jr., Foote Communications, LLC/ University of North Texas • Kirk McKoy, Kirk McKoy Photography, Formerly L.A. Times • Monica Roberts, TransGriot (posthumously) • Rochelle Riley, City of Detroit/Author • Rodney A. Brooks, U.S. News & World Report/Author • Roland S. Martin, #RolandMartinUnfiltered/ Black Star Network

This year’s Special Honors recipients are:

Rochelle Riley

Sonny Messiah Jiles

• Libor Jany (Star Tribune) – Journalist of the Year Award • Malika Andrews (ESPN) – Michael J. Feeney Emerging Journalist of the Year Award • Art Norman (NBC Chicago) – Chuck Stone Lifetime Achievement Award • Jenise Griffin (Florida Courier/Daytona Times) – Journalist of Distinction Award • Janis Ware (The Atlanta Voice) – Legacy Award • Sonceria Messiah Jiles (Houston Defender) – Ida B. Wells Award • Anas Aremeyaw Anas ( Insight TWI) – Percy Qoboza Foreign Journalist of the Year Award • Dr. Sherri Williams (American University) – Journalism Educator of the Year Award • Aprill O. Turner (Higher Heights for America) – Patricia L. Tobin Media Professional Award • Tenisha Taylor ( Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation) – Angelo B. Henderson Community Service Award • Giulia Heyward (Hussman School of Journalism and Media) – Student Journalist of the Year Award • The Dallas Morning News – Best Practices Award • Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, Baltimore Association of Black Journalists, and Memphis Association of Black Journalists – Finalists for the NABJ Professional Chapter of the Year Award • Howard University Association of Black Journalists and University of North Texas Association of Black Journalists – Finalists for the NABJ Student Chapter of the Year Award

Cornelius “Neil” Foote Jr.

October 22, 2021

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God is Good to Chadney! QUIT PLAYIN’ BY VINCENT L. HALL Most times, I indulge in a process I call a “parallel didactic.” My parallel didactics attempt to tell two stories at the same time and do both of them justice. The truth is, I got a little ADHD and can’t stay on one subject. So this is a two-tracked story about a song and the phenomenal woman who introduced me to it. Chadney Christle, for lack of a more lucid term, is a beast. She is a rare combination of vocals, verve, and virtue that culminates in the purest form of musical performance and worship. Now I admit that I have a penchant for full-figured women with broad smiles and strong lungs. Chadney fits my fancy! She can rattle that raspy refined contralto like Lela Hathaway. However, she can utter the dulcet tones and croon like Kim Burrell. Chadney can go satin or sackcloth, but she will “go in.” She is a well-rounded musician who can traverse more than a couple of instruments and can blend and balance her own background vocals. If Prince Rogers Nelson had a sidekick, her name would be Chadney. Miss Christle sang BGV’s (that’s background vocals for you ushers and missionary leaders) with Kim Washington of Desoto and George Huff of American Idol fame for Jennifer Hudson. Their performance on “The Jeffermyimessenger.com

Chadney Christle

May your struggles keep you near the cross And may your troubles show that you need God And may your battles end the way they should And may your bad days prove that God is good And may your whole life prove that God is good -"God is Good", by Jonathan McReynolds sons” remake featuring Jamie Foxx landed Emmy awards for each of them. As a lifelong Baptist, who learned to crawl in my grandfather’s parsonage, I appreciate her Church of God In Christ roots. COGIC was generally misunderstood by the “mainstream Black Church.” However, no one can deny their passion for ministry, praise and worship. The same holy dance, tambourine beating, and loud hallelujahs Baptists used to scoff at is now considered “good church.” Chadney brings the fire with a “Holy Ghost” anointing and earnest spirit that goes past performance to prophetic postulation. In other words, it ain’t just a show; she sings a gospel that she know! (sic) When she presented us with this worship song, “God

is Good,” it beckoned me to look deeper. Worship music ought to make you look into your own soul. This song did. The late Dr. Manuel L. Scott Sr., former pastor of the Saint John Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, was famous for his sayings and admonitions. For example, he would often warn us to be careful “because every man and woman is carrying a heavy load.”

He said that before COVID-19, and it would serve us to remember that as we walk among one another. We have witnessed more deaths, sudden deaths, and early deaths than we have ever imagined. Between this pandemic and the usual march of what my grandmother called “The Death Angel,” most of us are devastated whether we realize it or not. This song, prayer, doxology speaks to God being in the midst of our struggles, troubles, and battles. Moreover, it teaches us to hold fast to our faith. “May your bad days prove that God is Good.” That was a sermon for me and maybe for some others. Chadney and I spoke about it and agreed that the last stanza took a turn that must not be missed or glossed over. “Let your whole life prove that God is good!” The first four stanzas are all about personal hardships. The last one points to your obituary. “Let your whole life prove that God is good!” The last caveat is satisfied by the goodness and blessings we bestow on others. The two-minute song seems simple enough, but it is more profound and paradoxical than most can truly fathom. This “parallel didactic” was meant to bring both Chadney and this song to your attention. It was designed to help you appreciate God, even in your worst times. God has been good to me, Chadney and to you! #imbouttoshout #chadneychristle Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

October 22, 2021

Soul Rep Theatre Company opens off features Shay Youngblood’s 2021-2022 Season Kick SHAKIN’ THE MESS OUTTA MISERY Photos by Anyika McMillan-Herod

In November, Soul Rep Theatre Company will kick off its 2021-2022 season – WAYS OF KNOWING – with four live performances of Shay Youngblood’s dynamic play SHAKIN’ THE MESS OUTTA MISERY, directed by Anyika McMillan-Herod. This ensemble piece, set in the mid-20th Century, explores a tapestry of Black southern women who unite to help raise an orphaned girl. The live performances will take place (with COVID precautions) Thursday, November 11 – Sunday, November 14, 2021, in the Pavilion at Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 S. Harwood Street, just outside downtown Dallas. Thursday - Saturday performances are scheduled for 8 pm, Sunday at 3 pm (matinee) only. Streamed performances of SHAKIN’ THE MESS OUTTA MISERY will take place December 20 – 26. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.soulrep.org. The season will continue in February with a world premiere short film written by co-founders Tonya Holloway and McMillan-Herod, FLESH AND BONE. Holloway, who now holds the position of Soul Rep’s Associate

Artistic Director of Film (a direct result of Soul Rep’s successful recent season of solely virtual offerings), will direct this heartwarming contemporary film set in a fictitious Dallas jook and chicken joint run by Puddin’ and Abe, a feisty middle-aged couple. The piece features a cast of eccentric characters who rely on the blues music they love and each other to express their love, fear, joy, and pain. The in-person premiere will be February 12, 2022 at 7 pm at The Texas Theater, in Oak Cliff. The film will then stream the remainder of the month. Soul Rep’s longtime company member and newly named Associate Artistic Director of Theater, Dee Hunter-Smith, will direct the regional premiere production of Ngozi Jane Anyanwu’s brilliant new play, GOOD GRIEF, that will be performed in person April 26 – May 1, 2022, at Dallas Heritage Village. The production follows a first-generation Nigerian named “Nkechi” or “N” – a would-be goddess – as she navigates first loves and losses, and tries to find answers in her parents, the boy next door, and the stars. This production will also be streamed May 23 – 29, 2022.

Members of the cast of Soul Rep’s upcoming production of Shay Youngblood’s Shakin’ The Mess Outta Misery.

The world premiere staged performance of DO NO HARM, which was presented as a film earlier this year, will serve as a bonus production for Soul Rep’s current season. Presented as part of ATTPAC’s 2021-22 ELEVATOR PROJECT, this celebrated new work written by co-founder Anyika McMillan-Herod and directed by Soul Rep’s Artistic Director, Guinea Bennett-Price, will run March 10 – March 19, 2022 at the Wyly Theater in the Dallas Arts District. Streamed performances will take place in April. DO NO HARM gives voice to three enslaved women - Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy - who were experimented on by “The Father of Gynecology,” Dr. James Marion Sims. A season pass is only $45 (ex-

Front Porch - (left to right) Natasha Wells as “Miss Corine”, LaHunter Smith as “Miss Lamama”, and Brittney Bluitt as “Daughter” Members of the cast of Soul Rep’s upcoming production of Shay Youngblood’s Shakin’ The Mess Outta Misery. in Shay Youngblood’s SHAKIN’ THE MESS OUTTA MISERY

October 22, 2021

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(Top) Natasha Wells as “Miss Corine” and (Bottom) Brittney Bluitt as “Daughter” in Shay Youngblood’s SHAKIN’ THE MESS OUTTA MISERY

cludes DO NO HARM) and can also be purchased at Soul Rep’s website, www.soulrep.org. Soul Rep’s dynamic 2021-2022 season is sponsored in part by the generous support of Texas Instruments, City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, Heritage Giving Fund, Moody Fund for the Arts, and TACA. SOUL REP THEATRE COMPANY’S MISSION & VISION Soul Rep Theatre Company exists to provide quality transformative Black Theater. Our vision is to shift the paradigm of how the Black experience is valued. myimessenger.com

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October 22, 2021

State Fair of Texas vendors donate food to local food shelves and pantries By LE “Lilly” Brown

It was the morning after more than 2.2 million attendees exited the State Fair of Texas’ grounds, closing out the 2021 season; but Big Tex was still standing tall for a noble cause, feeding the less fortunate. As has been the tradition since 2015, the State Fair Cares Initiative involves vendors collaborating with Fair Park administrators, local churches, food shelters and pantries to redistribute unused and leftover produce and non-perishables. “This is my second year at the kickoff and it has been amazing,” said Rev. Ronald Wright, of God’s Community Church of Joy. “People are really going to benefit from what is going on here. Since we have a food bank, we have had some of the items seen today donated to us before, but the stuff we get today will be awesome.”

Tammy Johnson, Executive Director of Empowering The Masses, poses in front of the community van with her daughter while the last of their donations are loaded for redistribution

Big Tex shows off the lastest Texas Metro News

According to Rev. Wright, the donation “will help many people who are struggling or just anyone who needs help with food or basic needs.” Food items such as milk, flour, bread and canned goods were donated en masse, but non-traditional items like Oreo Cookies, RAGU Pasta Sauce and Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup were also donated by vendors looking to redistribute their excess inventory.

State Fair of Texas staff members team up with community organizations and churches to distribute unused food donated by fair vendors the day after the closure of the 2021 State Fair of Texas exhibition

October 22, 2021

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State Fair of Texas volunteers help load a fleet of fresh strawberries onto an 18-wheeler for community redistribution efforts

Big Tex shows off the lastest Texas Metro News publication while lending a helping hand to volunteers loading a truck delivering food to the surrounding community

To the naked eye, there appeared to be endless boxes of fruits and vegetables. When asked about the undistributed leftovers, Karissa Condoianis, Senior Vice President of Public Relations, said, “As we gather this food right now from our concessionaires, the food will go directly into the South Dallas/ Fair Park community to feed people in need.” Just the thought of the good coming out of the benevolence of vendors who many last year suffered tremendous losses due to the cancellation of the Fair because of

COVID-19 is heartwarming. “The food that everyone is seeing packaged today may be feeding a family nearby tonight, and that is an incredible feeling for our vendors and the State Fair of Texas; knowing that we can have an immediate impact on this community to further help people in need,” continued Ms. Condoianis. “In addition to that, we have already started planning for our 2022 fair exhibition starting September 30, 2022. We cannot wait to be back and hopefully put this pandemic behind us, helping everyone get to a better place.”

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Let’s do without the self-cannibalism directed at Haitians doing their jobs By Garry Pierre-Pierre The Haitian Times

I was at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Detroit in 1992, desperately looking for a job in the northeast to be closer to my mother, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I had applied for reporter jobs at the Boston Globe and the now-defunct New York Newsday. Both dutifully turned me down. By the time I went to the convention, I was ready to move without a job. I couldn’t stand South Florida’s blatant racism and, despite Haiti being a frontpage story, I wanted out. I was chatting with a colleague inside the cavernous job fair when I looked up and saw a black banner with white letters emblazoned: The New York Times. Thinking I had nothing to lose, I sat down and handed the person at the booth my resume and clips. That person, the late Gerald Boyd, surprised me because he was reading my clips, a rarity during these dog and pony shows that these jobs fair tend to be. After about five minutes, Gerald looked at me and asked, “How did you learn how to write so well?” Dumbfounded because no one had ever said I was a good writer, I replied quickly, “I read a lot and I have good editors.” “How would you like to work for better editors,” he replied. I would become the first Haitian-born reporter at the New York Times and was quickly embraced by the Haitian community in New York. I became a sort of role model, which made me uncomfortable. But that comes with being at a place as august as The New York Times. During my time there, I had myimessenger.com

my share of both internal battles with editors and external fights with some community leaders who mistakenly thought that part of my job was to promote them in the pages of the then Gray Lady. I remembered these scars recently when the Haitian migrant crisis thrust a younger generation of Haitian trailblazers into the spotlight. As president Joe Biden began deporting thousands of asylum seekers back to Haiti, Haitians took to social media to denounce the move. Many targeted Karen Andre, a White House aide, and Karine Jean-Pierre, deputy press secretary. People reasoned that their proximity to power is akin to having power. I know both of these ladies and I imagine they’re not happy with the policy and have made their positions well known to whomever needs to know. But any public pronouncement would be ill-advised, and they know it. They have a job to do, and they do it. Unlike Daniel Foote, Biden’s special envoy to Haiti, these ladies did not resign in protest, nor should they. He has his own reasons for doing so. Furthermore, we don’t know what these women said and if they protested. We just assume that they agree with the policy since they didn’t denounce it. This also raises another issue for me because we Haitians think that just because a person is “Haitian,” they have to stick their neck out for Haiti or the community, no matter the personal sacrifice. It’s not realistic and most of the time, such a move is counterproductive. And frankly these two ladies have mid to low level influence with the president. JeanPierre is a spokesperson and not a policy advisor for Haiti and she’s not well versed on those issues to

Karen Andre (left) and Karine JeanPierre (right) are Haitian-American staffers working in the Biden White House. While they have access to power brokers in their roles, they are not US-Haiti policy advisors in these roles. Credit

(Andre):

public

domain.

(Jean-Pierre):

Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images on npr.org.

take a career ending stand. Andre, the daughter of legendary singer Farah Juste, also doesn’t work on Haiti policy. It is like asking me to resign over The Times’ coverage of the Palestinian story because I can relate to their mistreatment by the Israeli government. Not going to do it. I did leave the New York Times, as I knew I would eventually when I started working there on a cold January day in 1993, the week before Bill Clinton was inaugurated as the 42nd president of the United States. I always felt a debt of gratitude to the Haitian community. Despite their lack of sophistication and savvy, they managed to pull off one of the largest protests in the city’s history in 1990, snarling traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, disrupting Wall Street. That march paved the way for my being at the New York Times at the tender age of 30. Soon after I began working there, a few younger colleagues told me that that march spurred an emergency meeting with the metro staff. Editors were incensed that they didn’t know about this community. How were they able to organize such a huge event under the radar? Something was amiss and

the Times decided that it should never miss such a story ever again. This is why Gerald was reading my clips and asking whether or not I really spoke the Creole and French that were listed on my resume as language skills. I’m an outlier and I don’t begrudge anyone who has the opportunity to throw it all away for some nebulous principle. There are, currently and in the past, people in positions to help Haiti or the Haitian community who have done precious little for the cause when they clearly had the power. Some of them find their faux radicalism and speak out long after they no longer have any real access to the power brokers. In many ways, this dilemma is yet another crossroads that new Americans have faced as they chart their station in this complex and complicated country that is the United States of America. Immigrants — from the Irish to the Chinese to Eastern Europeans — have faced such a conundrum and addressed it differently. As Haitians, we need to learn that we are a relatively young group of Americans who need not cannibalize ourselves in our rush to force the American government to make policy decisions. Let’s remember that we’re in this predicament because Haiti’s leaders have failed to live up to promises they made to their people. Since I left the New York Times, there have been a few other Haitian American reporters, but their focus has not been Haiti. They’ve covered South Africa, politics, culture and other beats. I did the Haitian thing, so they didn’t have to feel compelled to write about Haiti as I did and continue to do. That’s progress and I’m pleased with it. October 22, 2021

U.S. Black Chamber Prez Talks Loss of African American Businesses and a Global Future for the Black Dollar By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire

During the first three months of the pandemic, approximately 442,000 – or 41 percent – of Black businesses shuttered. As COVID continues to hamper progress, the overall decline of small and minorityowned firms remains striking. Data culled from multiple studies revealed that Latinx business owners fell by 32 percent and Asian business owners dropped by 26 percent. Meanwhile, the number of White business owners fell by 17 percent. While the current climate has exacerbated the wealth gap and unveiled the unimagined financial straits of Black and other minority companies, studies also revealed that about 58 percent of African American-owned businesses were at risk of fiscal distress even before the outbreak of the pandemic in February 2020. “There’s no question it has been a challenge,” said Ron Busby, the president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. in Northwest, Washington, D.C. “Last year was a difficult time for the majority of businesses in America with COVID, the murder of George Floyd, and the Stimulus Package – or lack thereof, in our community,” said Busby, who visited the new stateof-the-art television studios of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) for an appearance on PBS-TV’s “The Chavis Chronicles.” NNPA President and CEO October 22, 2021

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. hosts the nationally televised program. “When you talk to Black business owners, very few received any stimulus money,” Busby continued. “We lost 41 percent of Black businesses, and many of them will never re-open, and many of those firms had employees, vendors, and customers.” Such losses critically hurt the tax base in Black communities while White firms have stepped in to replace some of the lost businesses, Busby noted. To better understand the alarming loss of Black-owned firms, some have reflected on pre-pandemic statistics, which revealed that between 2012 and 2017, Black-owned businesses with no employees in the United States increased 19.2 percent. According to BlackDemographics.com, receipts generated by Black-owned businesses with no employees during the same period increased from $46.8 billion in 2012 to $65.7 billion in 2017. Overall, Black-owned employer businesses in the United States increased 13.6 percent, while the number of employees at those firms rose by 23.9 percent. “It’s difficult to start a business out of the gate, and it’s going to be tough to try and have them come back,” Busby stated. He said the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. provides leadership and advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment. The organization supports African American Chambers of Commerce and business

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Ron Busby, the president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., said the U.S. Black Chamber also works with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by joining quarterly discussions on issues pertinent to African American business owners

organizations by helping them develop and grow Black enterprises. Busby said the U.S. Black Chamber also works with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by joining quarterly discussions on issues pertinent to African American business owners. “We also have an entire economic conversation about America,” Busby remarked. “For us to have a great America, there must be a great Black America. So, to have a great Black America, we’ve got to have great Black businesses,” he asserted. Busby also bristled at the continued conversation surrounding the more than $1 trillion Black Americans reportedly contribute to the economy. “It’s an interesting number,” Busby contemplated. “Usually, it’s corporate America saying Black consumers have $1 trillion. How can we market to them to make sure that they get their share? The U.S. Black Chamber says, ‘we as Black consumers have $1 trillion, how can we keep that in our community to make sure that our communities have

sustainability?’” Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Oakland, Calif., Busby said the Black Panthers, which his father served as a member, displayed a commitment to the Black community that has helped him keep his resolve to better the plight of African Americans. “I saw the impact that Black men have on communities, making sure that we are leading each other in a positive environment,” Busby reminisced. “That stayed with me all my life, and I’ve been involved in fraternities and 100 Black Men. Then, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where [Arizona Informant Publisher] Cloves Campbell allowed me to know more about the NNPA and national news. Then, in 2009, I got the call to come to Washington for the U.S. Black Chamber.” Busby added that the Black Chamber also focuses on expanding throughout the globe. “We think about the Black dollar globally because that’s the future for Black businesses,” Busby concluded. myimessenger.com

Glad My Mother Didn’t Get an Abortion OUR VOICES BY ASKIA MUHAMMAD

One of my first, and most chilling, experiences as a young member of the Nation of Islam, selling the Muhammad Speaks newspaper door to door, was about 52 years ago. A woman in Milpitas, California, a tiny suburb of San Jose, in tears when she saw me that day. She had purchased a newspaper from me and had been traumatized by an article by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, condemning abortion as “murder.” The article caused her to change her mind and not have an illegal (at the time) abortion she had contemplated. Then, she was afraid for her future, and uncertain if she had made the right decision to carry her pregnancy to term. Before that, I wasn’t aware of how gut-wrenching such a decision was in a woman’s life. Birth control, pregnancy, pregnancy prevention, and pregnancy termination were relatively fresh topics in the national conversation then. The Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision would not be rendered for another three years, and there was much mystery and intrigue involved. So-called “back-alley

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abortions” in unsupervised clinics were not only illegal, they were dangerous, even lifethreatening to the mother. A few years earlier, maybe it was my first serious girlfriend — the memories blur — I was told that she had gotten an abortion of our baby. I felt a dull ache at the news, but I supposed I was relieved, not necessarily sure I would want to have this person and our offspring in my affairs in perpetuity. Now, I get it. An abortion not only removes a fetus from a woman’s womb, it also severs the bond between the woman and her paramour. Often that is a good thing — for example, a pregnancy caused by a rape. During slavery, enslaved persons were often forced by the masters, often just for sport, and there was nothing those women could do except bear the unwanted child. Also, more often than we want to admit, family members, stepfathers, uncles, even older siblings force themselves on vulnerable girls, impregnating them. That’s incest, and it’s despicable. There should be a remedy in such tragic cases. But more often, even with widespread availability of contraception, abortions are performed as a birthcontrol measure, rather than as a sometimes-vital medical procedure. In other words, the abortion becomes the solution

to a bad boyfriend-girlfriend decision by a young couple. A child usually bonds the parents to the child and tangentially bonds the parents as well. I hadn’t given my own life and the abortion question much thought until my mother passed in 1985. She was a single parent, and I was an only child. Looking through my mother’s papers, I discovered childsupport court documents. My father — who was married to another woman at the time of my birth — contested his paternity. He did not want to have to pay child support. I later learned that it wasn’t personal with me — all his younger siblings thought him to be a stingy man who withheld help he could have provided to them when they were in college. But what I began to realize was the huge decision facing my mother. The time was World War II. She was a recent graduate of Jackson College (now Jackson State) in her home state of Mississippi, then working in the war effort, doing construction work at the Los Angeles naval yards. The humiliation. The shame of an unwed mother. Rather than struggle alone with a man who had seduced and abandoned her, my mother made the choice to return to her mother’s home in Indianola, Mississippi, and to deliver her baby — me — in the

loving embrace of her family. Abortions were available, but not as common as today. I can say — I can really cheer — because I’m happy that my mother, a proud college graduate and music teacher from a religious Deep South family, went back to retrieve her burden and rear me by herself on the mean streets of Los Angeles. Had my mother made the decision and gotten an abortion, there would have been no C.K. Moreland Jr., who became Charles 20X, who became Charles 67X, who is now before you, Askia Muhammad. I know it’s a hard choice. But the life that is terminated in an abortion has a life potential well beyond those first few months and years of infancy, potential shame, economic burden. I don’t judge women who make the choice to abort a pregnancy, which I would advise against. I’m just happy that my mother, Nola Mae Canteberry, did not take the abortion route, returning instead to her Mississippi roots, to give birth, and thus planting me firmly in that Delta soil. WPFW News Director Askia Muhammad is also a poet, and a photojournalist. He is Senior Editor for The Final Call newspaper and he writes a weekly column in The Washington Informer.

October 22, 2021

Words are important WHAT’S ON MILES’ MIND BY MILES JAYE I recently wrote an essay on the topic of books. I used the principle of forced obsolescence as a backdrop or canvas on which to paint a picture of a thing suffering from gradual or rapid decline, depreciation of purpose and the resulting loss of useful value. The combustion engine and automobile forced horses out as the number one mode of transportation. Gunpower and guns forced swords, knives and the bow and arrow out as weapons of choice. That’s forced obsolescence! Television and film forced books, bookstores and libraries out of their proper places of prominence and popularity in personal entertainment. Computers, smart phones and social media have made a bad situation worse by replacing books, bookstores and libraries as primary sources of information, learning, and knowledge. Truth is no longer vital, and facts are diminishing in significance and importance with increasing rapidity, and now words themselves are suffering the threat of extinction. How is that possible? How can it be that words are at risk of obsolescence? Words are the very measure of civilization. I would argue that without words there can be no culture. Without words there can be no science, philosophy, or law. Without words there could be no fiction or non-ficOctober 22, 2021

How is that possible? How can it be that words are at risk of obsolescence? Words are the very measure of civilization. I would argue that without words there can be no culture. Without words there can be no science, philosophy, or law. Without words there could be no fiction or non-fiction, comedy, history, poetry or prose-- no Shakespeare, no Baldwin. Would there be religion without the Torah, Bible or Quran? tion, comedy, history, poetry or prose-- no Shakespeare, no Baldwin. Would there be religion without the Torah, Bible or Quran? I make a distinction between Forced Obsolescence and Planned Obsolescence. For instance, one is the result of a natural progression made by advances and breakthroughs in science and technology. The other is by design-- intentional obsolescence, where a predetermined limited shelf-life is built into the product design, thereby reducing the replacement cycle. When you purchased your iPhone 13, you could be all but certain that the 14 is most likely already in pre-production and the 15 is not far behind! That’s Planned Obsolescence! Forced Obsolescence can end an industry like the horse and buggy, horse stables, carriage makers, or the Blacksmith, but not all forced obsolescence is bad. Simply put, forced obsolescence changes the way we see or do things. Garrett Morgan’s three posi-

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tion traffic signal has saved countless lives, as have his gas mask design and Dr. Drew’s blood plasma. These inventions changed our culture and altered our ways of life. How, though, can we lose the use of words? For starters, with the use of OMG! SMH! and WTH! We don’t write anymore, we send tags and abbreviations, but not words. The IM, text, email, and tweet are costing us the use of language as an art and as a skill. I write as a means of clutching onto the power of the word. I don’t want to lose it. I can’t afford to lose it. The power of expression is at the heart of the power to resist and to protest injustice, to educate our youth, to share beautiful sentiments, to thank, to promise, to praise, and to mourn. Words are immensely useful. Remember, the old adage, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Words are not unimportant, practice them and familiarize yourself with terms like syntax, linguistics, and lexicon. Read, and use

your dictionary and thesaurus. Make notes of synonyms and antonyms. Purchase a rhyming dictionary. Learn a foreign language-- for fun. Our language was taken away once, don’t allow it again. Finally, words express depression, despair and fear. Speak to one another. Words save lives. Have discussions with your children and ask them questions even if it annoys them. If a conversation could prevent a suicide, wouldn’t you have it? Just think, the very same digits you use to text can actually be used to make a call. The next time you receive a text from someone you care about, don’t text them back, call them back… and speak! It’s unlikely you’ll use abbreviations on a phone call and if you do all I have to say is… WTH? That’s what’s on my mind! Website: www.milesjaye.net Podcast: https://bit.ly/2zkhSRv Email: milesjaye360@gmail.com

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Saluting a GENERAL Colin Powell remembered for his leadership

From Staff Reports and historymakers.org

There has been an outpouring of expressions pouring in from around the world regarding the recent death of former US Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret) who succumbed to illnesses exacerbated by COVID-19. “General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” the Powell family wrote on Facebook, acknowledging he was fully vaccinated. “We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American.” In addition to suffering form multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that hurts the body’s ability to fight infections, Gen. Powell was also a prostate cancer survivor. “The passing of General Colin Powell marks a tremendous loss to our Nation and affects me deeply,” Colonel Willus Hall, Commander, 199th Regiment, Louisiana Army National Guard. “I have applied his teachings throughout my career and stand firmly by his quote, ‘The day Soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you stop leading them.’” For more than 50 years, Gen. Powell devoted his life to public service in senior military and diplomatic positions across four presidential administrations. He became the 65th Secmyimessenger.com

retary of State on January 20, 2001. As he stated at his confirmation hearing, the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy during his tenure was that “America stands ready to help any country that wishes to join the democratic world.” Former President Barack Obama praised the General’s service. “Michelle and I will always look to him as an example of what America—and Americans—can and should be,” said Mr. Obama. Powell brought extensive experience with him to his office. Before becoming Secretary of State, he served as a key aide to the Secretary of Defense and as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. He also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four-Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989 to 1993). During this time, he oversaw 28 crises including the Panama intervention of 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the victorious 1991 Persian Gulf War. That experience served him well, both before and particularly after the events of September 11, 2001, the day of the greatest tragedy on American soil since Pearl Harbor. As Secretary, he stood shoulder to shoulder with the President and the other members of the President’s cabinet in fighting the war on terrorism. As he often said, “winning that war is our first priority, and it will remain so for as long as necessary.”

Gen. Colin L. Powell

Angela Montgomery, U.S. Navy, Retired Chief Petty Officer, met the General and said it was an honor. “I was still active duty in the U.S. Navy and stationed at Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital,” she recalled. “I actually had to stand duty that day but made a deal with another Chief Petty Officer to cover for me, so I can go and meet General Powell at the Base Exchange. Attending a book signing for, “It Worked For Me,” Gen. Powell visited with those in attendance. “When it was my turn to talk with him, he held onto my hand like a comforting grandfather and told me he was proud of my service in the Navy,” she continued. “He told me to always strive for greatness, and lead by example. He asked if I had children, and where I was from, and he is sure my family is proud of me. He also said that he bet I was a ‘firecracker’ in the Navy because I insisted that he smile for my picture.” Montgomery said she shares their picture with friends and family. VR Small is the Founder/ CEO of Veteran Women’s En-

terprise Center and a proud veteran who said she was shocked to hear of the general’s passing. “Most importantly, as a Veteran, and as an African American, I am very proud of General Powell’s performance,” she said. “I did not always agree with his positions, but I respected them, and I believe he also respected opposing positions. In my opinion, General Powell led with integrity and honor, and his presence will be thoroughly missed. May he rest in peace, and we continue to pray for his family, friends, and colleagues.” Powell was devoted to grasping opportunities as well as to confronting the global and regional security challenges of the 21st century. He was at the forefront of the administration’s efforts to advance economic and social development worldwide – in the fight against HIV/AIDS, in the promise of the Millennium Challenge Account, the most significant change in helping needy nations since the Marshall Plan, and in pursuing a freer trading and investment climate worldwide. Born in New York City on April 5, 1937, Powell was raised in the South Bronx. His parents, Luther and Maud Powell, immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Powell was educated in New York City public schools, graduating from Morris High School and the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in geology. He also participatOctober 22, 2021

Some of the many expressions of sympathy and support DeSoto is saddened to learn of the passing of former United States Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. Secretary Powell, who was born to immigrant parents from Jamaica, was an American success story who proved that anything was possible in this country when someone is given a fair chance to succeed.

Gen. Colin L. Powell and Angela Montgomery (U.S. Navy, Retired Chief Petty Officer) at Gen. Powell's Book signing of "It Worked For Me." Photo Credit: Angela Montgomery

ed in ROTC at CCNY and received a commission as an Army second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1958. His further academic achievements include a M.B.A. degree from George Washington University. Powell is the recipient of numerous U.S. military awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. Powell’s civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President’s Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal. Over two dozen countries have bestowed awards on him, including a French Legion of Honor and an honorary knighthood bestowed by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Powell was the founding Chairman of America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth, a national crusade to improve the lives of our nation’s youth. Established at the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in Philadelphia in April of 1997, and endorsed by every living U.S. President, America’s Promise aims to ensure all children in America have access to October 22, 2021

the fundamental resources needed to build and strengthen them to become responsible, productive adults. He has also been a member of the Board of Trustees of Howard University and the Board of Directors of the United Negro College Fund. Powell also served on the Board of Governors of The Boys & Girls Clubs of America and was a member of the Advisory Board of the Children’s Health Fund. Since returning to private life, Powell has become a strategic limited partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the renowned Silicon Valley venture capital firm. He is also on the Board of Directors of Revolution Health Care, a company developing strategies for consumer-directed health care. Powell is the Founder of the Colin Powell Policy Center at his alma mater, the City College of New York, and he is helping to raise funds for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Washington, D.C. and for the construction of an education center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Powell is the author of his best-selling autobiography, My American Journey. Powell is married to the former Alma Vivian Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama. The Powell family includes son Michael; daughters, Linda and Annemarie; daughterin-law Jane, and grandchildren Jeffrey, Bryan and Abigail.

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Colin Powell served as both our nation’s first African-American Secretary of State and as our first African American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also served as a Presidential National Security Advisor. If I had to pick a role model for the children of DeSoto to emulate or give them an example of someone who put his country above all other considerations and served selflessly, Colin Powell would be my choice. He made this country a better and safer place to live and his wisdom, fairness, and his decency will be sorely missed. Mayor Rachel L. Proctor, DeSoto, TX, "Colin Powell's loss is truly heartbreaking. He will always be remembered as one of the most accomplished, most diplomatic and strategic thinkers of our time. He withstood the critics who questioned his success and constantly challenged his credibility. There will never be anyone to fill his shoes, but his legacy is - and has - inspired so many of us." -- Neil Foote, President, National Black Public Relations Society “Colin Powell was a giant in American culture. Not only did he serve the United States of America at the highest levels in government, he also made African Americans proud that he was a distinguished and honorable gentleman. We will miss his profound and intelligent thoughts on issues America confronts on a daily basis. My prayers go out to his grieving family. He will be sorely missed!" — Ron Carter, CEO, The Carter Agency “Leaders are measured by how they take care of their people, even if may cost them something…” — Ron Harvey, CEO, GCS Consulting, North Carolina “We lost a superhero today. A man who stood for integrity, honesty, virtue, servant-leadership, and grace.” — Christopher Plumlee, CEO, Elevate Strategies, Turtle Creek “General Powell shaped US history and represented himself and Black America in a most distinguished fashion; His influence will be truly missed,” - Reverend Mark Proctor, Dallas “General Powell’s book was the first military-related book I have ever read. He’s leadership principles and life experiences taught me how to be a better leader, mentor, and person. This quote sticks with me. “ Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” Gen Powell will be missed as a hero and icon.” - Jade Fulce, Publicist, Atlanta

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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

October 22, 2021

Nena’s Finds Boutique A Uniquely Stylish, Fashionable Boutique for women of all Sizes! Ranging from Pretti and Petite to Pretti and Plus! Nena likes to be a bit edgy, blingy ... But she keeps it Chic with Sophisticated Style! Nena’s Finds is your one stop shop for an Eccentric flare! 214.623.7314 nenafinds17@gmail.com Schedule your Sip n Shop, Trunk Show, Girls Nite Out or Wardrobe Revamp with Nena’s Finds today!

October 22, 2021

I MESSENGER

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October 22, 2021

Chicago Sky Win WNBA Championship By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor

On Sunday, James Wade, the head coach of the Chicago Sky, became the third Black head coach in WNBA history to win a WNBA championship when his team defeated the Phoenix Mercury 8074 in Game 4 of the best of 5 series. It is the first championChicago Sky Coach James Wade and Family ship for the WNBA team and fitting that they won it at home in Chicago’s Wintrust Arena in front of their fans. Kahleah Copper was named Finals MVP The Sky were led all year by Candace Parker, a Chicago native, who has now won two WNBA titles in her career. She won in 2016 with the Los Angeles Sparks. Parker signed with the Sky in free agency last spring. She finished the game with 16 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. “Everything that this team went through the entire year prepared us for Chicago Sky - WNBA Champions this,” Parker said.” We were down nine, we were down 11. We just got to stay with it, and that’s what we’ve done all season. I am so proud of this group, with our fight, next man up mentality. “My high school coach is here ...I mean, we got the whole city here and this is amazing how Chicago supports. I mean, we’re champions for life now.” Allile Quigley, Candace Parker, Kahleah Copper October 22, 2021

I MESSENGER

Photo Credit: Edwige Lawson-Wade

Photo Credit: Dorothy J. Gentry

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Virtual and liVe Community Calendar

Breast Cancer Awareness

Domestic Violence Awareness Mental Illness Awareness

OCTOBER 22 -23

TBAAL Presents Gutbucket Gospel The Musical, feat: Virlinda Stanton Naomi Bruton Main Stage at1309 Canton St. Fri 8 pm & Sat. 3&8 pm. www.tbaal.org.

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. Screams A Halloween Theme Park, Fri & Sat nights, 2511 FM 66, Waxahachie.screamspark.com.

OCTOBER 21 Wear Purple Day For Domestic Violence Awareness In-Person/Virtual Town Hall Meeting with, Commissioner John Wiley Price 5:30-8:30 at South Dallas Government Center, 8301 S. Polk St.

OCTOBER 22 Cutting Ceremony, Honey Springs Cedar Crest Trail. Commissioner John Wiley Price, Carolyn King Arnold & Park Board, Harrison Blair 10 am, 5510 S. Beckley Ave. Anniversary BAM: Black Artist Marketplace on Facebook Live @BlackArtistMarketplace 7 pm CST. www.BlackArtistMarketplace.com. Fort Worth Tarrant County NAACP 44th Annual Dr. George D. Flemmings Freedom Fund Virtual Celebration, feat: David & Tamela Mann. 7:00 -8:30 pm. CDT. Tickets: bit. ly/3aKm1h9.

OCTOBER 23

FedEx, in partnership with ZWHJCOC is hosting a hiring event at Frazier House, 4600 Spring Ave. 11 am-3 pm. Info & Reg: www. zwhjcoc.org. Premier Screening. The History and Legacy of The 1619 Enslaved African Landing. 6-7 pm CST. Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/3v6DV78 TBAAL & DSO presents: Master Improvisational Jazz Violinist, Regina Carter. 7:30 pm at Morton Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3aOa89P. Fort Worth Council Meeting-Redistricting Maps. 9 am at City Hall, 200 Texas St.

Block Walk with Judge Mike Jones at 501 E Wintergreen Rd, Desoto. 9 am. Black College Expo at Paul Quinn College, 3837 Simpson Stuart Rd. Tickets: https://bit. ly/3D9GtUO 21st Annual Chuck Burch Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament and Silent Auction at Country View Golf Course 240 West Belt Line Rd. Lancaster, 12-7 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/3ixU1BE

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

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Project Unity presents: Together We Vaccinate. Co-hosted by Rep. Toni Rose & Rhetta Bowers at Prosperity Bank, 3636 Shepherd Ln. Balch Springs. 10 am-1 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/3v1bDem. Tuesdays “DOC SHEP SPEAKS SHOW” with Dr. Felicia Shepherd, 11 am CDT,

OCTOBER 26

Oak Cliff Thrives with Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce. 6 pm. oakcliffchamber.org. Project Unity: Together We Dine, Virtually 5:30-7:30 via Zoom. Reg: https://bit.ly/3aLZXCZ. Hollywood Live! With Michael Hernandez on Roku TV on the WPS TV channel at 8pm and Hollywood Live YouTube Channel.

NC100BW, Dallas Metropolitan Chapter presents Strive for Life - Breast Cancer Awareness is Power. Feat: Na’Diah Smith. 2-4 pm. at Jam Box Fitness Lounge #3 921 N. Riverfront Blvd. Day of Dignity Drive-Thru Give Way at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 2922 MLK Blvd. 10-12 pm.

OCTOBER 24 Happy Birthday to Nena Hayden

OCTOBER 27 Women in Business and Leadership Conference Awards Luncheon. Speaker: Nadine S. Lee at Hilton Garden Inn, 800 N. Main St. Duncanville 11 am-3 pm. CDT Reg: gswbcc.com. Erykah Badu at The Factory In Deep Ellum, 2713 Canton St. 8 pm. Tickets: www.axs.com.

Family Black Light Party Holiday Nightmare at Painting with a Twist, 3201 Hardin Blvd. #204, McKinney “ For The Culture “ Pop Up Expo at VySion Events Center, 360 E. Beltline Rd. DeSoto. 1-5 pm.

Four Girls and a Guy at Cedar Hill Farmers Market, 300 Houston St. Cedar Hill. 9am-1 pm.

Breast Cancer and Below the Waist. Online, at 5 pm CST. Via Zoom Reg: https://bit. ly/3av8AS3 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.

Dallas Divas II presents: “Lets Cover Our Ladies with Blankets of Love and Socks” for Genesis Women’s Shelter at Lancaster Recreation Center, 1569 Jefferson St. Lancaster 1:30-4:30 pm. Info: Shanda Brown 214-288-2079.

Dallas Soul Food Festival Lofty Spaces, 816 Montgomery St. 12-6 pm. Eventbrite. com. BeatStreet Poetry Live Best Sunday Social and Open Mic, 5-8 pm. The Free Man Café, 2626 Commerce St. #115. Tickets: bit.ly/30C5gmw.

OCTOBER 25

OCTOBER 28-29 BFUTR 2021 Black Professionals In Tech Network Level Up. Speakers: Daymond John & DL Hughley. 28th 12-5 pm CDT, 29th 10-5 pm. CDT Get Pass: https://bit.ly/3mW0R5m.

OCTOBER 28 Cybersecurity Careers - A Day in the Life. Facebook Live @CiscoNetworkingAcademy 11:30 am- 12 pm.

OCTOBER 29

Trick-or-Treat on Downtown Streets! At the Main Street Garden, Downtown Dallas. 4-7 pm.

Majesty Monday 100% Raggae Patio Party & Game Night, at Heroes Lounge, 3094 N. Stemmons Fwy. 4 pm. Eventbrite.com .

Halloween Carnival, Charley Taylor Recreation Center, 601 E Grand Prairie Rd. 5-7 pm.

COVID-19 Vaccine in Fort Worth, 8-5 pm. at the TEXRail North Side Station, 3001 Decatur Ave. Info: https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/covid-19 COVID-19 vaccine for 12 and up no appointment needed. 7:30 am-4 pm at Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 S. Polk St.

Mike Guinn Ent. Presents Poetry on the Patio: Live at Black & Bitter Coffee, 100 S. Main St. #101c, Duncanville 8-10 pm. Reg: bit.ly/3lKSAlj. Spirit of Halloween - Movie Night at Omni Dallas Hotel, 555 Lamar St. 7-9:30 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3lRn9Ge.

Thursdays

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

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

OCT. 30- NOV.1

Texas International Beauty and Wellness Expo at Hilton Anatole Dallas, 2201 N. Stemmons Fwy. Opens 12 pm. Tickets: https://bit. ly/3v4DES2.

OCTOBER 30 47th Annual Harambee Festival Theme: Our Children Matter 10 am at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center 2922 MLK Blvd. Tickets: www.harambeedallas.org/shop. South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club presents: Domestic Violence “Finding My Way” 10:30 am. Reg: https://bit. ly/3lN1oY2. Project Unity presents: Together We Vaccinate Community “Boo” ster Vaccine Event at St. Luke “Community” UMC, 5710 E. R.L. Thornton Fwy. 10 am-1 pm. Reg: bit.ly/3v1bDem. Halloween in the Park at Farmers Branch Historical Park, 2540 Farmers Branch Ln. 5-10 pm. Tickets: www.fbspecialevents.com. Dallas Día de los Muertos at City of Dallas - City Hall, 1500 Marilla St. 2-10 pm. A free event. Trunk or Treat at Marsh Lane Baptist Church, 10716 Marsh Ln, Dallas. 4-7 pm Safe and fun for the whole family The Haunted Rooftop - Ft. Worth Halloween. 9 pm-2 am. At Free Play Ft. Worth, 1311 Lipscomb St. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3BNK8XW DFW Small Business EXPO at Music City Mall Lewisville, 2401 E. Stemmons Fwy. 11 am-6 pm.

OCTOBER 31 Introducing Borland Genetics & Virtual Ancestors’ DNA Results with Kevin Borland. 3 pm CST on Facebook Live @ https://bit.ly/2YIuM9c. Trunk or Treat at Lavon Drive Baptist Church, 1520 Lavon Dr. Garland 5-8 pm.

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

October 22, 2021

I MESSENGER

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October 22, 2021

HALLOWEEN KILLS AT THE MOVIES BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie Strode in the 12th Halloween adventure, along with Mike Myers, who’s back to terrorize the small Illinois town on Halloween night; as the escaped mental hospital patient who simply refuses to die. The movie starts with Curtis burning down her own house with Myers inside while she’s being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance after being stabbed by the maniac killer. But after being trapped in the burning house Myers ends up laying waste to the firemen who try to put out the fire and then he continues on with his maniacal killing spree. He simply cannot be stopped.

The latest HALLOWEEN saga is a much more brutal movie than any of the previous episodes. The violence goes all the way on tilt with hacked up bodies and gory smashed heads. There are also several characters from the original movie version to bring back a little insight from the first film. The movie also brings back more of the supernatural aspect from the original film, adding a great deal of creepiness that was in the first film. The movie does not end as expected but revealing how the film ends would be a spoiler alert and ruin the movie for you. So you’ll just have to watch it for yourself. However, I can say the ending will have you leaving, scratching your head. The movie is rated R for graphic violence and on my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate HALLOWEEN KILLS a LARGE.

www.grandpasecret.com October 22, 2021

I MESSENGER

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October 22, 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 October 22, 2021

I MESSENGER

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