I Messenger 9-30-22

The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from ra cial 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

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

It’s strange that there is a narrative that racism only hap pens with Black and White people and yet, racism can happen between other ethnic communities. You would think that because both groups experience oppression that they would be able to understand the challenges of the other.

TO BE EQUAL

“Recognition of the price paid in human life and liberty for economic advancement — and the costs of resources extracted as nature’s systems were exploited — must inform and guide us as we work to transform our cities and regions. We must forge a new path illuminated by justice...

THE LAST WORD

The world is mourning the demise of the United King dom’s Queen Elizabeth II, the long-serving monarch who died on September 8, and my mama always told me not to speak ill of the dead. I am sorry that her family endured her loss, as many of our families have.

MY TRUTH

by Cheryl Smith Publisher

Singing that same tune

to darn near beg people for cam paign donations and their votes

That vote is so important as you choose between right and wrong; good and bad; two good candidates; or, sadly, the lesser of two evils.

Have you ever started to do something and then stopped be cause you suddenly feel stupid as hell?

Well, welcome me to your club!

Today I feel totally stupid be cause here I go again, singing the same song and trying to get differ ent results.

Didn’t someone say that what I am doing is the definition of in sanity?

Somewhere inside of me, I be lieve that one day, some day, any day; I will achieve the desired re sults.

I’ve begged, argued, urged, ca joled, and almost bribed. I’ve tried to shame and even asked what I could do to get what I want. There were also times I provided a history lesson, in hopes that a

lightbulb would go off.

Unfortunately while there were times that I smiled broadly with optimism, there were also times that I seriously wanted to cry.

It’s simple.

I just wanted every eligible voter to exercise that important right.

Which brings me to my truth

There’s one thing I tried not to do and that was finger point. Play ing the blame game was not going to bring anyone over to my side or make them embrace my way of thinking.

And I feel sorry for the politi cians who are honest, sincere and really working to make this world a better place.

There they were, working tire lessly day in and day out and come election time they still had

And those elected officials are constantly under scrutiny and sometimes unfair criticism.

Now let’s stay focused. I’m well aware that there are some elect ed officials that are deserving of scrutiny, criticism and even jail time. And they are definitely un deserving of any campaign con tributions. Still some those crooks get votes also.

And that’s not right!

So therein lies the value of and the power of the vote..

That vote is so important as you choose between right and wrong; good and bad; two good candi dates; or, sadly, the lesser of two evils.

I could go on and on, citing rea sons for voting.

I don’t want to give up and sur render to apathy and disinterest.

Voting determines everything — our very existence.

Some things, sadly, you have to learn on your own.

Take it from me, though. The re sult of not voting is an experience that you can learn from others’ mistakes by looking at history.

History has shown us that vot ing does matter!

And, I. Am. Not. Crazy!

Black Women Speak

The title of this letter is in spired by a poem, “A Black Woman Speaks,” written by the late poet, activist, and actress, Beah Richards.

We are the descendants of women who breast fed the slave master’s ba bies, then the babies they nursed became their abu sive masters.

We are the descendants of women who kept their families together, even when our men were sys tematically taken away. This country was built on our backs. As the mother of mothers that have endured violence, sexism, racism and still, we have always been in the struggle for equality.

We must recognize White Supremacy is real. We must fight for the rights of our children and gener ations coming after us.

Our vote is our weap on. We can’t legislate an ti-hate, but we can regu late it so that it won’t limit our rights to equality and equity. We must educate our high school seniors and college students about what they can do about it.

Overturning Roe vs. Wade, championed by mostly white men, is a smoke screen.

Taking away a women’s right to choose and at the same time upholding the right to carry concealed weapons, is not about life.

It’s about politicians paid by gun manufacturers,

encouraging the birth of white babies and Black and Brown people being killed by police and hoping Black and Brown people kill each other as our communities suffer from trauma, pover ty and lack of opportunity.

Since this country is be ing populated with more people of color, some frightened and greedy controlling people are re stricting our rights just to remain in control.

Overturning Roe vs. Wade is a signal that other civil rights will be eroded if we don’t wake-up. If Roe is about the right of the un born, why are Black and Native American women two or three times more likely to die in pregnancy

than white women, ac cording to the CDC? Isn’t a woman’s life important? If it is about life, why don’t all children have access to quality healthcare and food?

caught up in hopelessness. We must galvanize our people in the spirit of ac tivists and educators like Fannie Lou Hamer, Ida B. Wells, Mary McLeod Bethune, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and so many more Black women that changed history.

I implore Black Women of conscious to:

1. Educate ourselves and our children about local, state and federal elec tions

2. Support politicians with a track record of support ing justice issues

3. Encourage all people we connect with to VOTE

4. Do not succumb to hope lessness

5. Donate to candidates with a clear interest in equity for our commu nity

Civil rights are improved or restricted depending on who is in office. Roe vs. Wade and gun laws are all impacted by voting.

No one agrees with any politician all the time. De cide if the overall record and plan of the political candidate reflects justice and equity for us.

We must be more inten tional in educating our children about their pow er to change the course of history through their col lective vote. We cannot get

6. Understand we can not be a one issue voter. Look at the totality of the issues each candidate represents and if they re flect justice for us. Lovingly, Debra Peek-Haynes Debra’s Healing Kitchen DHK Wellness Strategies, Inc.

Visit these sites for information about issues affecting our community: www.ncnw.org. https://ac tionnetwork.org/groups/ sisters-lead-sisters-vote, www.ColorofChange.org, https://www.ncbcp.org, www.naacp.org.

Debra Peek - Haynes

Practice What You Preach: Check Your Bias

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW

It’s strange that there is a narrative that racism only happens with Black and White people and yet, racism can happen between other ethnic communities.

You would think that be cause both groups experi ence oppression that they would be able to understand the challenges of the other. There is this perception that because you are a person of color, you cannot discrimi nate or have bias toward oth er communities of color.

That’s so far from the truth. The reality is that bias doesn’t discriminate. We all have biases that we need to unpack and address as it re lates to how we feel about those who are different than we are.

We will often lump every one into one group as if we are monolithic and there is diversity even within all of our communities. When we don’t take the time to un derstand others, it’s easy to make assumptions and cate gorize people. If we want to build a more inclusive world, it’s more than training:

It will require each of us to examine our biases and blind spots.

It will require creating space to listen and learn.

It will require us to listen to the lived experiences of others instead of making

assumptions and relying on stereotypes.

No matter how open you might think you are, there is always work to do to unlearn some of the harmful ways of thinking and behaving we’ve adopted (some without even realizing). Wendy Smooth, author of “Intersectionality from Theoretical Framework

and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean. “The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. “This happened three

Educating yourself isn’t reading one book. It’s a commitment to long-term listening and learning.

It’s also ensuring that you are proximate to those who are different. You can’t listen and learn in isolation.

to Policy Intervention” en courages us to “recognize the differences that exist among groups” and consid er “the differences between groups.”

Peter in the Bible allowed his tradition to affect his thinking. Just like God was teaching Peter, we are being confronted daily with the cancer of racism and dis crimination. In Acts 10, Peter “became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being pre pared, he fell into a trance.

He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals

times, and all at once the sheet was taken back up into heaven.”

Many of us are like Pe ter. We will reject what God has created because of what we’ve been taught. We see others’ differences as less than, impure, and unclean. Often, people believe be cause they are friends with someone who is different au tomatically erases any racist thoughts or actions. Under standing the components of white supremacy and its im pact on us all is imperative. Otherwise, we will perpetu ate harmful behavior on oth ers that we may not realize.

Here’s how you can begin: It starts with holding your

self accountable along with your friends and family. Paul called out Peter on his be havior. You’ve got to be will ing to confront in a spirit of love.

Educating yourself isn’t reading one book. It’s a com mitment to long-term lis tening and learning. It’s also ensuring that you are prox imate to those who are dif ferent. You can’t listen and learn in isolation.

Check your bias. Your bias could in fact be age, gender, ability, beauty, affinity, or even weight. Just because you are Christian does not prevent you from bias.

Through God’s instruc tion, Peter came to the real ization that he was wrong. “I now truly understand that God does not show favor itism but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:34-36) It’s time to practice what we preach. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

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.

What’s in Yo’ Closet?

QUIT PLAYIN’

BY VINCENT L. HALL

Even though I can never find the story, I have a bril liant memory of it as read in an eighth-grade English class. I’ve searched the internet long and diligently in search of a very short story called “Clothes Make the Man.”

When it comes to the corpo rate arena, what a man wears, especially an African Ameri can man, is of great import.

The storyline went some thing like this.

Two hoods planned to rob a bank. Not only did they stake out the financial insti tution they planned to vic timize, but they also decided what they would wear. The ringleader, a very short guy, told his very tall accomplice that they would don the po lice uniforms.

And oh, by the way, that adage is true. Taller men and women generally go further toward the top, but when you get to the top, it’s usual ly someone short. The Napo leon Complex is real. And it’s a fact that tall people usually get bad knees.

The short ,bossy ringlead er strolled into the bank with his duller counterpart. They rob the bank successfully and seem to be on their way to splitting the spoils of the heist.

Just then, a little girl tugs on the pants leg of the brainless tall man and asks him why he does not arrest the robbers. He looked at what he was

wearing, succumbed to the uniform’s suggestion, and ar rested his partner.

What you wear makes a dif ference.

This plea may come off as bourgeoise or even offensive, but I gotta say it. No matter where I go these days, Black folks be lookin’ a mess.

At church, at a banquet, it doesn’t matter.

And please don’t get me

I was at a function recent ly, and if your Big Mama had been there with a switch in hand, she would have worked herself into a tizzy. We came from a tradition that says if you only have one “suit of clothes,” make it the best you can afford.

Over the years, I learned that Black men don’t have wardrobes. We wear cos tumes. You can literally and

mined pictures of criminals, deadbeat dads, and laziness is alive and well.

Barack Obama could nev er wear a bowtie in the White House. They would have la beled him Hussein X and linked him to Minister Farra khan.

America is hard on Black men, and we have to deal with it realistically. Some times I get gussied up just to give myself a boost!

You must heed my warn ing if you’re Black or Brown and want to go up the chain. Clothes make an impression on how you feel about your self. But the telling part of “Clothes make the Man” is that it makes an even more penetrating impression on others who see you. Most outsiders expect you to act on your appearance, just as this little girl did.

My mother believes and has convinced me that noth ing looks worse on a Black man than cheap shoes. I don’t know if it’s the big feet or the ability to see one’s bone structure protruding through the fake leather. So, buy what you can afford to wear, but don’t sacrifice quality for quantity or trends!

started with the grocery store. Grown ass men in pajama pants and Jordan’s? In the words of Snoop Dogg, “y’all doin’ too much!”

Save arguments about your freedom of self-expression and personal preferences. When you want a damn job, you go dressed to the “nines!” You forego those freedoms when you put on a show for “The Man”! Why not do it just for you?

convincingly look like a pro fessor and a preacher or look like a pimp or a profession al athlete. But nobody who makes decisions that can af fect your livelihood and abil ity to ascend the ladder dis misses what you have on.

Sadly, America still clings to stereotypes and negative im ages of Black male masculin ity. This pervasive ignorance that circumscribes and limits most of us to the predeter

You don’t have to wear ev eryone else’s name on your breast pocket. You can have your suits made and wear your monogram on your cuffs.

Learn to pick the appropri ate costume for every occa sion.

What’s in yo’ closet Black Man?

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

Chuck D of Public Enemy

NUL’s Urban Civil Rights Museum to Bring Little-Examined Corners of History To Light

TO BE EQUAL

BY MARC MORIAL

“Recognition of the price paid in human life and liber ty for economic advancement — and the costs of resources extracted as nature’s systems were exploited — must inform and guide us as we work to transform our cities and re gions. We must forge a new path illuminated by justice, respect for the dignity of each and every human being, and determination to maintain and restore the web of life as the foundation for health and sustainability.”

— Carl Anthony

The history of African Americans in the North does not begin with the Great Mi grations of the early 20th cen tury, when millions of Black Southerners fled the white supremacist terrorism of Jim Crow.

The institution of slavery was as critical to the devel opment of the manufactur ing economy of the North as it was to the agricultural development of the South. The oldest and largest known excavated burial ground in North America for both free and enslaved Africans was unearthed in lower Manhat tan less than a mile from the National Urban League’s cur rent headquarters. Enslaved laborers even built the wall

from which Wall Street gets its name.

“It would be misleading to present the history of the northern cities outside the context of the Atlantic Slave Trade and the institutional ized enslavement of African people and their descen dants,” said Jennifer Scott, the newly appointed executive director chief and curator for

bitions and Programs at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, brings decades of experience to her new role — including her many years as a public historian at Weeksville Heritage Center, a historic house museum in Brook lyn that memorializes a free Black, independent commu nity in the 19th century.

the Great Migrations, and its role in nurturing the Harlem Renaissance, will be interwo ven in the museum’s sweep ing narrative.

Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life, for many years the official monthly publi cation of the National Urban League, employed Harlem Renaissance writers, pub lishing their poetry and short stories and promoting Af rican-American literature through articles, reviews, and literary prizes.

The museum also will ex plore the Black cultural, artis tic, and political Renaissanc es that flourished in other communities like Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, Washington DC and in Los Angeles.

the Urban Civil Rights Muse um, New York City’s first mu seum dedicated to the Amer ican civil rights movement and one of the only museums in the nation to delve into to the movement in the North.

The museum will be housed in National Urban League’s new Harlem headquarters, the Urban League Empower ment Center, currently under construction and slated to open in late 2024/early 2025.

Scott, most recently the Se nior Vice President of Exhi

The Urban Civil Rights Mu seum will illuminate the his tory of Weeksville and other similar communities across the North.

“What did it really mean to be a free Black New Yorker, pre-Civil War when states as nearby as New Jersey were still enslaving people, and how complicated was the idea of freedom at that time?” Scott said.

The history of the Nation al Urban League, which was born in Harlem in response to

“We’re really taking a long view of civil rights, not just the period of the 1950s and 1960s that most people think of as the civil rights era,” Scott said. “We’re looking at it from the very roots of the urban north, all the way up through the present day and the Black Lives Matter movement. The policy decisions and political decisions that have impacted northern city centers will be brought out, along with the different forms of injustices and inequity.

“We invite people to reflect on what brought us to where we are, and how that influ ences us and inspires us to move forward,” Scott said.

Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.

Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life, for many years the official monthly publication of the National Urban League, employed Harlem Renaissance writers, publishing their poetry and short stories and promoting African-American literature through articles, reviews, and literary prizes.

Not contributing to your company’s 401(k)?

You’re throwing away money (and your future)

MONEY TALK

BY RODNEY A. BROOKS

One of Americas’ big gest fears is that they will run out of money in re tirement - with good rea son. Most of us have not saved enough for retire ment. And the pandemic made things even worse.

According to the Any time Estimate Retirement Finances Survey, the financial stress result ing from the pandemic caused many people to either spend retirement savings or stop saving for retirement altogether. Median retirement sav ings were only $71,000, but more troubling was that 27 percent of Amer icans have less than $50,000 saved for retire ment and 16 percent have nothing saved.

Black Americans, meanwhile, often don’t participate in retirement accounts. Only 44% of Black Americans have retirement savings ac counts, with a typical bal ance of around $20,000, compared to 65% of white Americans, who have an average balance of $50,000, according to the Federal Reserve.

That’s one of the rea

sons so many Black se niors are dependent on Social Security for a large portion of their retire ment income. That’s wor risome since the average Social Security check is only $1,542.

So, if you aren’t con tributing to your com pany-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan, you are making a big mistake. And on top of that, you are passing up free mon ey, and the tax advantag es that come with your contributions.

Commonly the match works like this: Your em ployer contributes 50 cents for each dollar you contribute to your 401(k), up to 6 percent of your salary. Some employees offer matches of 5 per cent, or even more. But, if you aren’t contributing to your 401(k) (or your 403(b) if you’re an educa tor or work at a non-prof it), you don’t qualify for a match.

One financial plan ner had a client who was earning a six-figure salary at a company that had a large match. But she was only contributing two percent of her salary and thus losing out on thou sands of dollars a year in both free money and the potential growth in her accounts.

Most financial planners suggest you save 10 to 15 percent of your salary. But people often put off retirement savings be cause life gets in the way – marriage, buying a car, buying a home and hav ing children.

Still, it’s important that you find a way.

The first step is to be gin contributions. If your employer offers a 3 per cent match, then you should contribute at least that much. You proba bly won’t even notice the deduction from your contributions. And those contributions will reduce your tax liability.

Consider auto escala tions. If your plan allows it, you can automatically increase your contribu tions every year. Say you start out contributing 3 percent. That could in crease to 4 percent next year and 5 percent the following year. Because it automatically increases, you don’t need to do any thing, and you will be dra matically increasing your retirement preparedness.

Invest in mutual funds. Black Americans tend to be super conserva tive investors, for various reasons. But you should make sure you are invest ed in the stock market (with mutual funds). The

market offers better longterm growth than any other investment.

If you don’t know what to invest in, get help from a financial advisor.

Increase your contribu tion to your 401(k) when your pay increases. It’s an easy and painless way to increase your contribu tion. When you get that 5 percent pay raise, increase your contribution by 1 or 2 percent. You won’t miss it because it is new money. Again, it will make a big difference over time.

Do not use your 401(k) as a piggy bank. Avoid withdrawals. If you are un der 62 you will pay both taxes and a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. Additionally, you will lose the precious growth of your portfolio. Most plans offer the option to take loans on your accounts. Take loans only in emer gencies or when you have to. Often people take loans to make a down payment on a home. But otherwise, leave your money alone and let it grow.

Rodney A. Brooks is a Senior Fellow at Prosperity Now and the author of Fixing the Racial Wealth Gap: Racism and discrimination put us here, but this is how we can save future generations. A former Deputy Managing Editor/Money at USA TODAY, he has written for USA TODAY, The Washington Post and National Geographic.

Servant Leader Remembered

Byron Channing

Lattimore, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022.

Byron was born July 20, 1969 in Dallas, Texas, he was 53.

A graduate of Tyler Street Christian Academy in Dallas, Lattimore received a Bach elor’s Degree in Marketing from Texas Southern Univer sity, where he represented his school as a member of a five-person team in a nation ally televised intercollegiate quiz bowl competition, and was selected as one of four Marketing/ Sales Interns for the Houston Astros, from a field of 5000 students.

After graduation he attend ed the University of Dallas and earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration

with emphasis in financial services.

The 35th Polemarch (Pres ident) of the Dallas Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., followed in his father’s footsteps, as a leader in the organization and the community.

“B-Latt” as he was fond ly known, spent more than a decade as a financial consul tant for TIAA-CREF, providing high quality retirement and financial counseling services

He also served as Chair of the Board of Faith Coopera tive Federal Credit Union, for

Byron Channing Lattimore

the past 26 years; vice chair of the South Dallas/Fair Park Trust Fund.

Lattimore also enjoyed stints as an agent at ARGON, Aflac, and B-E World Travel; and in several positions for Bank of America.

A visitation hour for Byron will be held Friday, Septem ber 30, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Friendship-West Bap tist Church, 2020 W. Wheat land Road, Dallas, Texas 75232.

A twilight service will oc cur Friday, September 30, 2022 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

at Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Road, Dallas, Texas 75232.

A homegoing celebratory service will occur Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 12:00 to 1:30p.m. also at Friend ship-West Baptist Church.

A committal service will oc cur Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. at Lau rel Land Memorial Park, 6300 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75232.

Fond memories and ex pressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurellanddal las.com.

Concerning the Homelessness Action Plan for Black San Diegans

OUR VOICES

DR. JOHN E. WARREN

The San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness with its San Diego City and County Continuum of Care is to be commended for the substance and level of involvement of community and its presentation of the historical context responsible for the disparities that have contrib uted to much of our homelessness among Black people, both here in San Diego and throughout the Unit ed States. The historical context of the report is without apology, as it should be. The community engage ment and methodology through the use of focus groups consisting of those who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness is cru cial to presenting so much of what has been an untold story of discrim ination, even today, by the very peo ple who are supposed to be provid ing assistance to the unsheltered.

So many of us living in pres ent-day San Diego are too young to know what it was like for those who came before us, living under

“restrictive covenants” that not only determined where we could live based on the color of our skin but also provided legalized racism and discrimination through “redlining lending policies and practices” that worked in conjunction with dis

criminatory language written into deeds preventing the sale of prop erty even if some wanted to sale to us. While today restrictive cove nants have been found unconstitu tional and Redlining is officially off the table, the number of homeless people is being increased by raised rents and the Black Listing of those who have faced evictions due to the pandemic, unemployment or forced evictions because they can

no longer afford the rents. At some point, the issue of Rent Control will have to be put on the table along with any action items proposed for addressing Homelessness Among Black San Diegans since we know that discriminatory leasing is still a reality based on one’s color, even in America’s Finest City.

The 49% of our County’s residents who are renters should look very closely at this report because they could very soon find themselves joining the ranks of the very people that this City and County Continu um of Care is attempting to address.

Dr. John E. Warren is publisher of The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint.

“At some point, the issue of Rent Control will have to be put on the table along with any action items proposed for addressing Homelessness Among Black San Diegans since we know that discriminatory leasing is still a reality based on one’s color, even in America’s Finest City.”

The Global Evils of Predatory Capitalism

THE LAST WORD BY DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX

The world is mourning the demise of the United King dom’s Queen Elizabeth II, the long-serving monarch who died on September 8, and my mama always told me not to speak ill of the dead. I am sorry that her family endured her loss, as many of our families have.

My dear mom died at the same age, and my siblings and I are still managing our grief. So I extend compas sion to her family.

Queen Elizabeth seems to have been a lovely, gentle, and caring lady, who loved her corgi dogs, and her chil dren and grandchildren, per haps in that order, especially if they were mixed-race. Her death garnered gracious accolades from President Biden and former US Pres idents, including President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle, as they fondly recalled their visit with her.

At the same time, she pre sided over a predatory and oppressive colonially-rem iniscent “Commonwealth” where she was the “reigning monarch” over countries with a very different demo graphic than hers.

Are the people of Jamai ca, Barbados, and Tuva lu, among other countries,

mourning with the same zeal as those in the United King dom?

While some weep for the woman who reigned Britain and the countries it colo nized, will they weep for the people who suffer from the mark of oppression from the British?

Some will say this is not the time to consider a colo nial reckoning. When is the right time, then? As Charles III ascends the throne, does he get a pass because of his country’s turgid history, or does it make sense, as the page turns, to confront col onization and its aftermath?

The global racial wealth gap is a function of the ways that European countries saw the African continent as a place from which they could extract surplus values. In his masterpiece, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Sir Walter Rodney explains how European prosperity was di rectly linked to African ex ploitation. Queen Elizabeth, for better or worse, inherited that legacy and did precious little to confront it.

She and her progeny, the Charles, Williams, and Kates of the world, seem to think that they are supposed to rule other people’s coun tries.

They were raised to believe exploitation is acceptable, so when William and Kate went to Jamaica, they were stunned by demands for reparations but could come

up with nothing more than a tepid statement that en slavement was “regrettable.” Regrettable?

The history of African ex ploitation and colonializa tion is, at best, deplorable. Its roots are global anti-Black ness and a non-Christian pope who saw the Black body (and mineral-rich Afri can countries) as something to exploit.

In 1493, Pope Alexander VI issued an encyclical (or Papal letter) that mandated that “Christian” Europeans “convert, colonize, and en slave” those who were not Christian. England was one of the most enthusiastic col onizers, claiming parts of Africa and the Caribbean as part of their “Empire.” Eliz abeth II inherited this lega cy and did nothing about it during her 70-year reign. Is it likely that Charles III will be any better?

The “British Empire” grew and prospered through col onization and exploitation. It owes several countries on the African continent repara tions. Of course, not that they are not as dominating as they once were, with a faltering economy and a diminished world footprint, they aren’t likely to talk reparation now.

Yet there is never a “good time” to make recompense to the people who have been exploited. Queen Elizabeth II’s death is a “good time” for a new king to repair old wounds.

It is the height of white en titlement that a British queen attempted to rule countries that were colonized. It is the irony of white entitlement that some African descen dant Caribbean natives sing “Hail to the Queen” with as much enthusiasm as their British cousins do.

But Queen Elizabeth’s death is an excellent time to examine global predato ry capitalism and the evils it has wrought. When will the great colonizers come to grips with their evil and label it as something more than “regrettable”?

If there is regret, Prince William shows it by becom ing a champion for repara tions. Smiling and dancing through Jamaica does not of fer a scintilla of remorse.

My condolences for Queen Elizabeth are muted by my condolences for the exploit ed, those who live in “king dom” countries who chafed under her dominance.

The death of this monarch offers us an opportunity to examine her reign, its awful impact, and the ways the UK colluded with global preda tory capitalist forces to keep African and Caribbean na tions subservient.

The mindless celebrations of her reign are also celebra tions of worldwide capital ism and exploitation.

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

Briefs

Dallas Wings Fire Head Coach Vickie Johnson

By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor Photo: WNBA

Vickie Johnson has been fired as head coach of the WNBA Dallas Wings, the team announced Monday.

A search for the organization’s new head coach will begin immediately.

Johnson just completed her second year as head coach of the Wings. She was one of 4 Black full-time head coaches this past season joining Chicago Sky’s James Wade, Seattle Storm’s Noelle Quinn and Atlanta Dream’s Tanisha Wright.

The Los Angeles Sparks and the Indi ana Fever had Black interim coaches to close out the season (Fred Williams and Carlos Knox) but neither of them was re tained and both teams are now searching for full-time coaches.

In a statement the team revealed it “has opted to not exercise the team op tion on Head Coach Vickie Johnson’s con tract in accordance with the initial terms of the agreement.”

“While our organization has taken steps forward this season, at this time I believe a change provides our team with the best opportunity to achieve our long-

term goals of advancing in the playoffs and ultimately competing for a WNBA

Championship,” Dallas Wings President & CEO Greg Bibb stated. “I would like to thank Vickie for her work on behalf of the organization and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

In her two years as head coach, John son compiled a regular season record of 32-36 while posting a 1-3 mark in the playoffs. She was the WNBA’s Coach of the Month for August 2022 and led the Wings to the playoffs for the first time since 2018 in her first season. She is a former WNBA player who has been a part of the league either as a player or coach for all 26 years of the WNBA’s existence.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOUR

Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21) is bringing its’ 4-city Health, Wellness and Educa tion Tour to Dallas Sunday, October 2nd at Hamilton Park UMC, 11881 Schroed er Road in Dallas. The Build a Better You Tour is a free event designed for pastors, leaders and community mem bers to commit to healthier living! The event is from 1pm – 3pm.

and wellness journey and testimonies of emotional healing. Gadson has lost near ly 200 pounds and credits the weight of the pandemic to her losing the pounds.

The LUNCH EXPERIENCE and OLD SCHOOL DAY PARTY, is FREE and will offer exciting activities and giveaways all to fulfill its’ mission to equip, edu cate and encourage African Americans to BUILD A BETTER YOU.

Organizers say they will welcome 86-year-old Ernestine Shepherd, the world’s oldest competitive body builder, Mr. Universe Yohnnie Shambourger, who is an advocate for healthy living and physical fitness and Pastor Telley Lynnette Gadson of Hartsville, South Carolina – each will share their health

“We are creating an experience for leaders and community members to make a commitment to themselves, said Rev. Dr. Michael L. Bowie, Jr. Na tional Executive Director of SBC21. “I know personally that healthy leaders are more likely to inspire healthy con gregations and I also know that Black people are more likely not to prioritize our own health and wellness and much of that has to do with not being health literate. “I am so grateful that God has aligned this mission with the work be ing done at Hamilton Park Church to ensure that our community and leaders are equipped with information to live healthier lives,” he said.

The Build a Better You Tour is proud to partner with local United Methodist Pastors in each city who are active in the mission of vital ministry to build lives and strengthen

communities and UnitedHealthcare.

Each transformative event features live DJ, 360 photo booth experience,

swag and prizes, incredible networking and other special guest to inspire exer cise and eating well tips.

Telley Lynette Gadson

Photo: UM Pastor/District Superintendent

A Call for New Leadership - Introducing Faith Johnson

I’m so excited to introduce myself to those of you I haven’t had the privilege to meet yet.

I’m Faith Johnson and I’m running for Dallas County Dis trict Attorney.

It is my great honor to be featured in the Texas Metro News, I Messenger and Gar land Journal because these publications are a testament to the longstanding and deep ly-rooted talent and thriving nature of the Black community.

But there have been great injustices in our land and it is time for new leadership. This is not about politics, this is about our way of life.

The Black community has so much to offer our society and we cannot thrive and prosper if we are constantly buried under fear, oppression, and crime.

Our county and our nation needs us like never before to rise up and step out to sow our many gifts and abilities into our county.

That’s why I’ve decided to run for Dallas County District Attorney.

Please see my website at https://faithjohnsonforda. com/faith-johnson for my ex tensive qualifications for the position.

But today, I want to speak to you from my heart.

My love for this county and her people runs deep. I long to see justice truly served in this county because when justice, enforcement, and the rule of law reign, all our people have the opportunity to thrive.

Now, I’m talking about true justice and enforcement of the laws already codified and on the books. Our laws are solid.

There may be a few that need adjusting and I’m com mitted to that process where it makes sense, but we need enforcement and to de-incen

tivize criminal activity.

The current DA has activat ed and instituted policies that actually incentivize criminal activity and we are all feeling the consequences of that type of leadership.

Our jails are overrun, un derstaffed, and falling apart. Our streets are plagued with violence and thievery because they know they can get away with it.

Cowardice, corruption, or incompetence all yield the same result: more crime, more insecurity, more fear, which in turn drive higher stress in all of us until we snap or move somewhere else.

Enough is enough. It’s time for bold, strong leadership for all of Dallas County, but espe cially for our Black communi ties.

We have too much talent and too many wonderful things to offer this county to be buried under lawlessness.

None of us want that.

Please take the time to get to know me between now and November 8th.

I will absolutely be asking for your vote and asking you to share my message with your friends and family.

But more than that, I’m ask ing for your help. This county can be greater than ever—a shining place on a hill—but it will take every one of us.

We must come together around the values we hold dear of safe, prosperous com munities, and work together or

we’ll never get to where we all long to be.

Don’t take my word for it— talk to your neighbors, the shop owners, the small busi ness owners—ask them if they feel safer.

Ask your grandparents or your aunts and uncles about how they’ve seen the county change.

Ask them if they feel safe to leave the house once the sun goes down. The policies and lack of enforcement by my op ponent are not serving us and our great county -- they’re kill ing it.

Lawlessness does not bring freedom and it certainly doesn’t bring justice. It brings fear and death to us all.

Join me as we get to work and make this county a safe place for you and your family to truly thrive!

Have a blessed week!

Most sincerely, Faith Johnson, your next Dal las County District Attorney.

Faith Johnson

SURVIVING AND THRIVING

His Sister’s Breast Cancer Was A Hard Hit for NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith

By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines

“It was scary, concern ing, and shocking,” said National Football League (NFL) Hall of Famer Em mitt Smith, regarding his sister’s breast cancer diag nosis.

Holding the rushing re cords for the NFL, former running back Smith has

taken a lot of hits in his 15-season career as a pro fessional football player. Yet, nothing prepared him for the impact of the hit upon hearing the news.

“When I first found out that she had breast can cer, I was like most peo ple, a little shocked and concerned. At first, I was struggling to try to under stand the depth of what we

had to deal with. We knew that it was immediate, but it was still going to be a process,” said Smith.

Smith admits that his emotions ran the gamut from frustration to fear.

According to a recent study by Science Direct, the family, not just the pa tient, experiences the cri sis and impact of cancer. This includes emotional

strain, uncertainty, fear of the patient dying, and con cern about finances due to medical costs.

“I think the initial sur prise was because nobody in our family had breast cancer or any kind of can cer, period,” said Smith. “Then it was a big concern knowing how serious that cancer really is for a lot of people and that cancer has

NFL Hall of Famer, Emmitt Smith did not have a family history of cancer until his sister, Marsha Smith Hill was diagnosed 10 years ago.

Story and Photos

taken out so many people.”

According to breast cancer.org, about 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no fam ily history of breast cancer. These diagnoses occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inher ited mutations.

“My mind was over whelmed with questions. Where are we in this pro cess? What stage was she in? What does she have to deal with? Then there was a major concern regarding how we are going to get through this. What is it that I need to do to help and as sist her? What is it that we all can do to help and as sist? Who is the best doctor? Can we get her to someone that I may know or people that she knows? These were all things that were going through my mind as I con templated the next steps that our family needed to take regarding my sister’s care,” recalled Smith.

Marsha Smith Hill had a routine that she deviated from.

“Normally my routine is to do my yearly examina tion with my OB/GYN. The year prior to going to her in 2010, I missed my appoint ment. I was dealing with a hyperactive thyroid issue,” she said. “The following year, I went to her for my annual check-up. She gave me my pink slip to go and get my annual mammo gram. I went and got my mammogram, and they noticed that something was there.”

Several tests and fol low-up doctor visits later revealed the one thing that Hill was not prepared to hear – she had breast can cer. Once Hill received the news, she admits the first person she tried to reach was her younger brother.

I heard the voice of the Lord speak to me in a soft voice and say `put up your phone, I am here.’”

Although the next few months would prove to be challenging, Hill re lied on her inner spiritu al strength. With prayer,

– it is a life-calling. Over the last few decades, there have been a lot of break throughs in technology and medicine. Personally, I know that breast cancer can be beaten, and I am a prime example of that fact,” said Hill.

According to recent sta tistics from the American Cancer Society, African American women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer even though their incidence rates are similar or lower than those of White women. Black women also have a lower five-year survival rate.

Smith, who had been a large focus of his family’s attention during his foot ball career, was suddenly forced to be on the side lines as his family support ed his sister during her journey with breast cancer.

“When I initially found out what was going on, Emmitt was the first per son that I called,” said Hill. “In the process of trying to hear what the doctor was saying, even though I was listening, I wasn’t hear ing what he was saying. I called Emmitt, but I wasn’t able to reach him. Then I called my sister-in-law Pat. But I wasn’t able to reach her either. It was then that

faith, and the help of her family and co-workers, she successfully came through her surgery and follow-up treatments. She has now been cancer free for over 10 years.

“I have learned so many valuable lessons through this process. My main word of encouragement to women going through breast cancer is that can cer is not a death sentence

“You are watching some one address a major health issue. I have had to address issues in sports, but noth ing of this magnitude that could mean life or death,” said Smith. “Life and death situations are completely different from a win or lose situation in a ball game. Seeing her not only take courage but walk in that power was encouraging to me.”

Hill will be the Kickoff Coach for the 21st Sister to Sister Fitness Festival on October 1st at the Alan E. Sims Cedar Hill Recreation Center, 310 E. Parkerville Road, Cedar Hill, Texas 75104. Further informa tion regarding this event is available at www.celebrat inglife.org.

Marsha Hill Smith attributes her success as a survivor to her family’s support. Her family all came together in Tallahassee, FL to make sure she was not alone as she started her breast cancer journey over a decade ago.

NAACP Garland Unit celebrates 31st annual Freedom Fund Brunch

COVID 19 sidelined a number of programs and activities so it hadn’t been since September of 2019 that the national award-winning Garland Unit of the NAACP held an in-person event. All ac

tivities had been relegated to virtual presentations but all that changed when close to 300 gathered on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Hyatt Place Hotel in Garland, Texas.

A dynamic duo of key note speakers in Drs. Latoya and Latonya Harris,

twins who are homegrown products of the Garland In dependent School District (GISD) and the grandchil dren of the late Mr. Gale Fields, who was a pillar in the Garland community. They electrified those in at tendance with their words of wisdom.

The 2010 valedictorian and salutatorian gradu ates of South Garland High School served up a double punch of inspiring words all centered around the NAACP’s Freedom Fund theme: “Coming Out of the Storm, Still Work to Do!”

After carefully explain

By Gwendolyn H. Daniels

Nine Scholars with Pres. Ricky C. McNeal, John Washington and Weldon Bradley

ing the characteristics of storms, how often storms occur in a period of time, and the varied severity of storms, they ended on a positive note by saying “storms are only tempo rary.”

Graduating top of their 2010 high school class was just the beginning for these big achievers. After gradu ating from the University of Texas at Austin, obtaining both their bachelors and master’s degrees Summa Cum Laude in sports man agement; they went on to Parker University where they made history again graduating as valedictori an and salutatorian of their class!

Currently they own a private practice (The Blue print) in chiropractic med icine. It services DFW fam ilies and local athletes.

LaKisha Culpepper, Gar land ISD’s Community Li aison to the African Amer ican community, served as Mistress of Ceremony and members of the Austin Academy A Cappella Choir led by Director Jonathan Coffield presented “Lift Ev ery Voice and Sing” while the Garland NAACP’S 2022 ACT-SO winner, Christina Reid, presented two classi cal piano selections.

Dr. Adrian Leday, GISD principal at Watson Tech nology Center for Math and Science received the Education Award, Consta ble Bill Gipson received the Community Service Award, Linda Johnson re ceived the Entrepreneur Award, former Policeman David Swavey received the

Bridge Builder Award; and Harry Hoskins received the 2022 President’s Award; all presented by Garland’s

Dean, member of the Gar land NAACP Youth Coun cil, recipient of the Elaine Bradley Scholarship, the

arship awarded for $500.

Six students received $800 scholarships for be ing the African American seniors with the highest GPA on their high school campus: A’Leena Brad ley, 4.32 (South Garland High); Prescilla Aniede, 4.47 (Lakeview Centenni al High); Yovia Mehretab, 4.70 (Sachse High); Soliya na Alemu, 4.31 (Naaman Forest High); Gloria Ukat tah, 4.32 (Rowlett High); and Tigest Demelash, 4.58 (North Garland High).

NAACP Unit president, Mr. Ricky C. McNeal.

The premier presenta tions of the morning came when the Garland NAACP announced winners of nine scholarships to deserv ing seniors in the Garland ISD. They included Mya

highest awarded for $1,250; Derek Onyia, recipient of the Goldie Locke Schol arship for $1,000 (African American senior with a 5.13 GPA, the highest in the Gar land ISD); and Camray’on Sanders winner of the John Washington Legacy Schol

Ruby Adams served as Freedom Fund chair; Car ol Blakes, co-chair; Robert Ben, served as silent auc tion chair; Honorable An nie Dickson, co-chair; and Ricky C. McNeal serves as president of the national award-winning NAACP Garland unit.

For more information on the NAACP Garland Unit, visit their website at: www. garlandtx.org.

David Gibbons, Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Morris, Mayor Scott LeMay

Drs. Latoya and Latonya Harris - Keynote Speakers

Cavett’s Day Party

By Eva D. Coleman

Everybody had a funky good time at Belinda Ram sey & Ronnie Cavett’s Old School Jam 70s Day Party on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 at Michael’s of Las Colinas! It definitely was not the place for wallflowers as so much fun was had on the dance floor. Kudos to this power couple on such an amazing event!

Call issued to Support Black Businesses

Buy Black!

By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News

If you are looking for a property to live in or an investment property to create cash flow President/CEO Tunita Bailey and her team can help you reach your goals. Her team is proud to say that they offer loan products, closing times, and customer service that is superior to the competition. To get started with funding your dreams contact Capital City Mortgage today.

Website: http://capitalcitymtg.com.

coast, with roots extending back to Germany, Cimone is well-traveled and well-versed in the world of design, connection, and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Frederick D.Haynes III

When Dr. Fred erick D. Haynes III, of Friend ship-West Bap tist Church, an nounced 100 Days of Buying Black in acknowledging the 100th Commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre, we joined the move ment. December 31, 2021 marked 100 days of featuring Black Businesses. and we decided that the struggle continues and we must also. So enjoy reading about more Black-owned businesses and please support.

THE EMPANADA COOK HOUSE

The Empanada Cookhouse is an exciting innovative empanada shop where we blend Latin inspiration with local flavors to create handcrafted, flavorful, and party ready empanadas. What is an empanada? It’s a Spanish or Latin American baked pastry turnover filled with a variety of savory or sweet ingredients. At The Empanada Cook House you can stop by the restaurant or order online. They also offer catering. Visit the website: https://theempanadacookhouse.com/

1001 Ross Ave. Suite 118, 75202 Dallas, TX

Contact us: freshlybaked@theempanadacookhouse.com (214) 812-9644

CAPITAL CITY MORTGAGE

Capital City Mortgage is one of the fastest growing mortgage brokerages in the country focused on streamlining the mortgage process to Fund the Dreams of Homeownership for homeowners, businesses, and investors.

Contact: Tunita Bailey 214-793-4831 or email tbailey@ capitalcitymortgage.com

HATCH VENTURE GROUP

Hatch Venture Group partners and integrates with your team to enhance your organization’s growth and innovation capabilities. They specialize in working with companies and organizations that are looking to expand their revenue profile by extending into new categories, attract new consumer targets or create new user experiences. They bring both creativity and structured processes to develop strategic plans and innovative solutions that unlock new growth opportunities. The Hatch Venture Group is led by CEO and Chief Strategist Toria Frederick says, “Our frameworks and approach can translate across any industry or company size.” Visit the website: https://www.hatchventuregroup.com/

Contact: contact@hatchventuregroup.com 5301 Alpha Rd. Dallas, Texas 75240

READY TO WORK PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT

Ready To Work specializes in providing workforce development services, college and post-secondary counseling services, and literacy training to student and adult learners throughout the state of Texas. Their work is planned, executed and evaluated with the improvement of people, organizations and communities in mind. President Lorene Smith and her team combine years of industry knowledge and a keen understanding of regional employment markets to design programs that produce outstanding results. Their strategy is simple to leverage public and private resources to develop a ready workforce with skills training that aligns with local and regional industry needs. Visit the website: http://rtwpeople.com. Contact: Cherri Darthard cdarthard@rtwpeople.com 1133 South Madison Ave. Dallas, TX 75208 Phone: (214) 944-1107.

CIMONE KEY CREATIVE STUDIO

Cimone Key is the founder and chief executive officer of Cimone Key Creative Studio. Growing up from coast to

Empowering Creative Leaders. Through her resilience and leadership, Cimone has emerged as a leading expert, advocate, and voice for the next generation of creative change-makers. By creating a table where all are welcome, she continues to spearhead a new direction for Dallas businesses, culture, and society. “When we support one another, great things happen.” - Cimone Key. To learn more about Cimone visit the website: https://www.cimonekey.com/ Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @CimoneKey

ALLIED SUPPLY CHAIN SUPPORT & SERVICES INC.

Allied Supply Chain Support & Services Inc. (Allied-SCSS) is a federally certified Black Owned Management Consulting firm established in 2013, that specializes in Business Development Consulting and Coaching. Allied-SCSS has a successful track record of managing risk, mitigating loss severity and consistently outperforming client and industry benchmarks. Their proprietary Follow the Blueprint Series Training Program was developed to ensure economic development, business capacity and technical performance. Visit the website: https://www.allied-scss.com/ Contact: 1402 Corinth St., Suite 143 Dallas, Texas 75215, 833.242.7277 info@alliedscss.com.

BLACKLIT

For the past three years, BLACKLIT has been home to the first monthly subscription box to exclusively highlight Black authors and entrepreneurs, helping to support, promote, and bring visibility to Black authors and Black-owned businesses. Inside every box, subscribers receive a book a Black author, a shirt, and 3-5 products from Black-owned businesses. Founded by local educator & diversity/inclusion advocate, Founder & CEO, NiaTayler Clark, BLACKLIT’s mission is to help close the literacy gap, to increase representation, and to cultivate conversations that bring unity across racial divides. Contact: Store 4050 McEwen Rd. Suite 9150, Dallas Tx. 75244, Store hours TueSat 11 am – 6 pm. Website: www.iamblacklit.com.

Autumn at the Arboretum: A Fall

Fairy Tale By the Numbers

DALLAS, Texas – Au tumn 2022 – For the 17th year, Autumn at the Arbo retum: A Fall Fairy Tale, presented by Reliant, highlights the nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Vil lage featuring pumpkin houses and creative dis plays utilizing more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash. This year’s fall festival opens September 17 and runs through Oc tober 31, 2022, in Dallas, Texas.

Years and Acres:

1984: year Dallas Arbore tum opened as a public bo tanical garden

66: number of acres at the Dallas Arboretum

17: number of years the Dallas Arboretum has had the Pumpkin Village

Pumpkin Village

100,000: total number of pumpkins, gourds, and squash at Autumn at the Arboretum

80,000: number of pumpkins, gourds and squash used to create Pumpkin Village

1,500: Bales of hay

54: Types of pumpkins, gourds and squash

6: number of pumpkin houses

Garden: 150,000: Fall blooming flowers and plants*

25,000: number of mari golds planted for the festi val

4,000: Chrysanthemums

*Flowers and plants: Marigolds, Chrysanthe mums, Dahlias, Pentas, Salvia, Sweet Potato Vine, Sweet Alyssum, Ornamen tal Peppers, Lantana, Globe Amaranth, Zinnia, Kale, Crotons and more!

Workers and Volunteers:

12: Semi-trucks it took to deliver the pumpkins, squash and gourds over 4

days, and 5 days to get all of them out

28: the number of days it takes to build the Pumpkin Village

40: number of workers and volunteers it takes to build Pumpkin Village

6,000: number of hours it took workers and volun teers to build Pumpkin Vil lage

Photos : Dallas Arboretum

TasteCommunity

Dallas African American Museum’s

“Best In Show” Opens

Compiled over 45 years, the exhibition features 24 works from a national bi ennial juried competition whose goal is to promote Black artists and help build the Museum’s permanent collection; 2022 artist sub missions are being accept ed now through Oct. 31

The African American Museum, Dallas presents “Best in Show – Carroll Har ris Simms National Black Art Competition and Ex hibition,” featuring a se lection of award-winning works from 1976-2021. Free and open to the public, the exhibition is on view now through Dec. 1, 2022, at the African American Museum, located in historic Fair Park at 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75210.

This year’s “Best in Show” exhibition consists of 24 works by artists including Sedrick Huckaby (Texas), Charles Humes, Jr. (Fla.), Jeremy Biggers (Texas), Billy Colbert (Va.), Asia Youngs-Bailey (Texas) and Reginald Gammon (N.M.). Reflecting Black American conditions and traditions, the exhibition features themes addressing poli tics, family values, identity and religion. The paintings, drawings and mixed media are part of the permanent collections at the African American Museum, Dallas.

The history of this ini tiative began in 1976 when the African American Mu seum, Dallas initiated the Southwest Black Art Com petition and Exhibition. The purpose of the juried

competition and exhibition stemmed from the Muse um’s need to build a distin guished art collection and to provide Black artists in the region a venue to show case their work.

Over the years, the South west Black Art Competition and Exhibition attracted the attention of artists beyond its geographical boundar ies. In 1999, the Museum’s board renamed the bienni al competition to the “Car roll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition” in honor of Carroll Harris Simms’ out standing contributions to art and art education.

Simms (1924-2010) was a master sculptor and cera mist, painter, jeweler and

author. He was a distin guished professor and ed ucator who helped shape Texas Southern Universi ty’s art department as well as the careers of many ac claimed Texas artists.

CALL TO ACTION – Mu seum accepting submis sions for 2022 competition through Oct. 31

The African American Museum is accepting artist entries for the 2022 compe tition now through Oct. 31. Artists may submit their en tries here (or go to callforen try.org and search ‘”Carroll Harris Simms.”) For more information, please email Gerald Leavell, Helen Gid dings Fellow, African Amer ican Museum, at gleavell@ aamdallas.org. The winning selections will be made by Nov. 13 and will be featured in the exhibition.

Season sponsors of the African American Museum, Dallas, are Atmos, Eugene McDermott Foundation, Fair Park First and Spec tra Venue Management, Friendship West Baptist Church, Oncor, State Fair of Texas, and the City of Dal las’ Office of Arts and Cul ture.

HOURS. The African American Museum is open Tuesdays through Satur days from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free self-parking is avail able in nearby lots.

For more information, go to aamdallas.org or call 214-565-9026 ext. 312.

FOR “BEST IN SHOW” IMAGES, GO TO tinyurl. com/BestinShowCarroll HarrisSimms

Leamon Green Halo Woman Mixed media

Reginald Gammon Our Family Acrylic on canvas

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! September 2022

Newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Demetrius P. Baker

William and Jeanette Robinson Wedding Anniversary

Newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Spates

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Davis Anniversary Newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Charles Griggs

Kerry and Sherry Cotton 1 year

Mr. and Mrs. Tova Celebrating their Anniversary

Danielle McCelland and Tony Larkins 20 years

Mr. Reginald and Patricia Coleman 36 years

Mr. Robert and Tonya Johnson Rushing Wedding Anniversary

Newlyweds Bishop Edwin D. Love and First Lady Love

Tommy and Dee Veron 50th Anniversary

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SEPTEMBER

Prairie View A&M University -Dallas Alumni 25th Anniversary Scholarship Gala and Silent Auction Renaissance Dallas Hotel - Mardi Gras Theme 6:30pm

State Fair Classic Grambling State v. Prairie View A&M Universities at the Cotton Bowl. Game time 4p.m.

October 1

21st Sister to Sister Fitness Festival, 5K Walk and Run at the Alan E. Sims Cedar Hill Recreation Center, 310 E. Parkerville Road, Cedar Hill. Featuring KRNB Radio’s Lynne Haze and WFAA-TV’s Tashara Parker. Register on line at www.celebratinglife. com.

Friday night at Vinettis 14388 Midway, Addison, TX

5 PM until, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. James Price

13

The Press Club of Dallas 10th Legends of North Texas Journalism at Texas Theatre. LEGENDS: Ed Bark, Karen Blair (posthu mous), Karen Blumenthal (posthumous), Cheryl Hall, Molly Ivins (posthumous), Verne Lundquist, Murphy Martin (posthumous), Scott McCartney, Laura Miller, Liz Oliphant, Bob Schieffer and Brett Shipp.

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PASTORS LUNCHEON

The Pastors Luncheon will be 11:00 a.m. Typically hosted during the State Fair of Texas, this event was designed to create an environment to celebrate congregations and invites clergy leaders from the community to fellowship.

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Join Councilwoman Shaunte L. Allen from 9:00 am –12:00 pm for the “Parenting Under High Stress: Re sources for Relief” Summit at 1932 S. Hampton Road, Glenn Heights, TX. The Parenting Under High-Stress Summit offers resources for parents and teens. You will receive advice and encouragement from mental health experts and school counselors. And, you can participate in a meditative writing session or a yoga session. Free of charge. Refreshments provided.

Register NOW: https://forms.office.com/r/ K9D8ADPDsX

5th Annual Dallas Black College Expo at Paul Quinn College -10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Meet with colleges, communities colleges, universities, trade schools. Get incredible information on Financial Aid, 411 for the Student Athlete, Booming Careers, Internships, How to Start a Business and more!

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Anna’s House 10th Annual Domestic Violence Gala 2022 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 7p.m. The keynote speaker is Judge Kim Brown with special guest speaker: His Royal Highness Prince Gharios EL Chemor Royal House of Ghassan www.awayoutproject.org or annashousegala@ gmail.com

Paul Quinn College  3837 Simpson Stuart Rd  Dallas, TX 75241  Tickets: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/2022-dallas-hbcu-invitational-tick ets-381336366337?aff=erellivmlt

This invitational highlights HBCU Women’s Basketball programs over two days! Look forward to action-packed college basketball supporting the women’s sport and culture!

Four dynamic HBCU women’s basketball teams will go head to head during at Paul Quinn College in historic gymnasium.

December 3

The Viola’s House presents “Path ways to Redemption” Inaugural Black Tie Gala featuring Adrienne Banfield-Norris “Gammy” at 7:00pm in the Statler Hotel Grand Ballroom, Dallas.

The World According to Andrew on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. CST. Sundays Tune in for

enlightening,

news

Join the call 646200-0459 on Andrew’s World.

Just Thinking with Nor ma Adams-Wade “History

is in Session” Join in on

and

at 11 am -1 pm. CST. Wednesdays. Join the conversation call 646-200-0459.

NOVEMBER

Lifestyle Metro Calendar powered by

SEPTEMBER

Curtis Derall Ferguson One Man Art Exhibition at Umbrella Gallery, 2803 Taylor St Dallas, TX

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The DFW Morehouse Alumni Association Golf Tournament by DFW Morehouse Alumni Association

8:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDT

The Golf Club Fossil Creek 3401 Clubgate Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76137

30

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City of Dallas will host its 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Festival at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. CT. The festival is completely free to attend! Visit https://dallasmlkcen ter.com/hispanic-heritage-festival/

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Each Tuesday at 1pm, Chef Isabel presents a delicious cooking demo featuring the weekly samples at the Tasting Pavilion at the Dallas Arboretum.

7

2022 TX/OU Alumni Weekend presented by BEST Dallas Black Ex-Students of Texas

Fri, Oct 7, 2022, 5:00 PM –Sun, Oct 9, 2022, 5:00 PM CDT Headquarters Dallas 2443 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas, TX 75229

Prairie View A&M University -Dallas Alumni 25th Anniversary Scholarship Gala and Silent Auction Renaissance Dallas Hotel - Mardi Gras Theme 6:30pm

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College Fair & Career Expo - African American Museum: 2 Day Event

Fri, Sep 30, 2022, 10:30 AM –Sat, Oct 1, 2022, 2:00 PM CDT

College Fair & HBCU Career Expo @ State Fair Classic 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210

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Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala and After PartyMorton H. Meyerson Symphony Center 2301 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201

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Taste of Business Annual Community Networking Event - Free Community Pop Up at Woodhaven Community in Fort Worth, 12 noon - 3p.m. Call 817-438-6348 for vendor and sponsor information. Hosted by Ms. Angie and Music by DJ Special K

Mesquite NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet, Founders Classical Academy of Mesquite, 790 Windbell Circle, 6-7 :30 pm, featuring key note speaker, Sarah Collins Rudolph, The 5th Little Girl,” Survivor of the 1963 KKK Church bombing that killed her sister and three other girls. Hosted by Veda Loca. Theme: Forward Together, Not one Step Back. www.mffb.org

5th Annual Dallas Black College Expo

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CDT

Paul Quinn College

Dallas- Fort Worth Association of Black Journallists (DFW/ABJ) honors NABJ award winners at Soiree Coffee Bar, 320 Singleton Blvd Suite 190, Dallas, TX 75212

Candidate Debate for TX Congressional District 30 at Disciple Central Community Church at 901 N. Polk St., DeSoto, TX from 10:30 am to 12 noon.

A Real and Raw Conversation w/ Jim Schutze and Rev Peter Johnson

Comerica Bank Creates Business Banking Team

to Serve the Southern Sector of Dallas County

Comerica Bank has named Trent Sampson, Jerry Collazo and Adriana Najera to its newly-formed South Dallas Business Banking Team led by Group Manager Derric Hicks.

“As the leading bank for business, it is imperative that we raise expectations in all the communities where we live and serve,” said Comeri ca Bank Dallas Market Presi dent Amanda Mahaney. “For many years, we have provid ed retail banking services and made community in vestments in the South Dallas community. Now, Derric and his team will focus on finding access to capital solutions for underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses.”

Hicks, who joined the bank earlier this year, said he as sembled a team that best rep resented the diverse commu nities the team will serve.

“This firm foundation will help our team build trust and cultivate key relationships as we continuously work to bridge the financial gap be tween conventional lending and meeting the needs of businesses in our footprint.”

Sampson, who will serve as the DFW South Senior Re lationship Manager, has been a fixture in the North Texas commercial banking com munity as well as at Comer ica for more than 25 years. The Southern (La.) University graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and eco nomics, and later completed his studies at Southern Meth odist University Southwest ern Graduate School of Bank ing. Sampson volunteers for the North Texas Food Bank and teaches personal finance

courses in low- to moder ate-income communities as a member of Comerica’s Finan cial Education Brigade.

Collazo, a Business Bank ing Relationship Manager, has worked in banking for more than 15 years. A grad uate of the University of Tex as at Arlington, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology with a minor in Spanish. Collazo is active in the community, participating in financial education panels for SCORE in Dallas and Fort Worth and the Dallas Mexi can Consulate Office.

Najera has assumed the role of senior lending as

sistant after working as a member of Comerica’s retail banking team for close to three years. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Najera is a member of Co merica’s North Texas Women Forum and Mi Gente employ ee resource groups (ERG), designed to recruit and retain talent as well as provide per sonal and professional devel opment opportunities among women and Latino employ ees, respectively.

The South Dallas Business Banking team is based in Co merica’s R.L. Thornton build ing (5201 E. R L Thornton; Dallas, TX 75223).

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquar tered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Com mercial Bank, The Retail Bank and Wealth Management. Co merica focuses on relation ships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Flori da and Michigan, with select businesses operating in sev eral other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $86.9 billion as of June 30, 2022.

South Dallas Business Banking Team

SHE'S A LADY!

By Cheryl Smith

When the Grambling State University (GSU) World Famed Tiger Marching Band takes to the field on Saturday for the State Fair Classic in Dallas, many will see some thing they’ve never seen be fore — a female band director!

Dr. Nikole Roebuck knows she is in an elite club, espe cially on the collegiate lev el and she goes about her business with a smile and a resolve that comes with the knowledge that she is direct ing one of the premier march ing bands in the world.

Roebuck has the distinction of being one of only four wom en to serve as band director at an Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

Tomisha Brock of Clark At lanta University and Dr. Kerry Anne Simon of Mississippi Valley State University who were appointed in 2017 and in early 2019 welcomed Roe buck later in 2019.

In November 2019, Roe buck and Simon made SWAC history as two female-led HBCU bands performed for the first time. Juliet Boykins of Elizabeth City State and Fayesha Cousins of Virgin ia Union round out the elite club.

Roebuck chairs the Univer sity’s Music Department, in addition to directing the band and under her leadership, in 2021 Grambling also named its first female drum major in its almost century of exis tence.

A graduate of GSU, Roe buck still remembers her days

Dr. Nikole Roebuck

GSU’s Dr. Nikole Roebuck joins elite club of female band directors

in the band and participating in band camps. There were long nights and intense ses sions that helped with devel oping work ethic and building character; while also gaining friendships that last a lifetime.

Roebuck also says she re alizes that the students today are somewhat “different” with “different” ways of processing information and taking in struction.

Her focus, she said during a recent interview with Tex as Metro News, has been on adapting and pivoting to en sure that the band experience is just as rewarding for stu dents today as it was for her

when she stepped into forma tion with the Marching Tigers.

Coming from the small Lou isiana town, Minden, which is located 28 miles east of Shreveport and about 37 miles west of Grambling, Roebuck has traveled extensively and welcomed the opportunity to represent her alma mater and assume the director position.

GSU is a place where not only did she meet her future husband and pledged her so rority, Delta Sigma Theta; but it is also where she marched in the band and then returned to teach and serve as assistant band director.

A graduate of GSU’s Music

Education program, she re ceived her Master of Music from the University of Louisi ana-Monroe in 2005 and her Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Memphis in 2009.

And as someone who has achieved academic excel lence, Roebuck shares her journey with students as she encourages them to take ad vantage of any and all oppor tunities to better themselves and help others.

GSU is known for pouring as much into those students who are not athletes and those student athletes, because, she said, “Grambling is a school where everybody is some body.”

Realizing that the band members must feel that they are valued, she explained that when they step out to perform anywhere it is because they are students first and they have to perform in the class room in order to keep their scholarships and play in the band.

The motto for the band is “Always on time, in the right frame of mind and ready to go to work,” said Roebuck, adding that being in the band helps separate the “strong from the weak.”

She has also established lifelong relationships and being in the band taught her

time management. “I have friends now, 26 years later, and it’s like we are sisters.

According to Roebuck, in addition to each band mem ber being assigned a tutor, other measures are taken to ensure student success.

When they are traveling, there’s also a nurse practi tioner, a trainer and a sports psychologist part of the group.

“I want to have a positive impact on every student,” she explained, noting that as she instills those traits into stu dents that were instilled into her, she does have to realize there are clear distinctions.

“I think the teaching meth ods our band directors had will not work for this new gen eration,” she said.

But as a parent of a teenag er, she uses some of the same principles and techniques that she uses at home. “My ultimate goal is for them to come to school and graduate. Whatever they need, if I don’t have what they need, we get it. That’s my job!”

And as the “World Famed” prepare for this battle of the Bands, that balance of “fluffy love and tough love” will have them marching on the field full of confidence and pride.

Proud of their school, proud of their band members and proud of their band director!

Dr. Nikole Roebuck

Photo: Cheryl Smith

Nikole marched in the World Famed Tiger Marching Band in the 1990s.