VOL.8 NO. 8 Nov. 20, 2019
Dawna Ray 1963- 2019
French L. Cowens
p12
1929-2019 page
MY TRUTH
By Cheryl Smith Publisher
Begin Today
Communication is key. I’ve talked before about how important it is to communicate and not assume. Recently I received clarity on an issue that I was totally clueless about. While in the airport, I needed to get to a gate that was a serious hike. I hopped on one of the mobile carts and when we got to my designated gate, I thanked the driver and ran to board the plane. I heard some grumbling and turned around and saw the female driver rolling her eyes and mumbling about a tip. I was in a rush so I kept going and later I asked someone if I should have given her a tip. I was told that it wasn’t required but some expect a tip for everything they do. Believe me, I didn’t know I was offending her. Which brings me to my truth. Recently, I had an “ah ha moment” in a class I teach. The discussion was about not assuming that someone has the same understanding as you do. Clarity is so important. Ask for what you want. Say what you want. When you say something, make sure you mean it and that the person you are saying it to understands exactly what you are saying. As an example, I asked if anyone in the class ever borrowed money from anyone. Of course, at first, they denied borrowing. So I asked if anyone ever borrowed from them and several hands begin waving wildly. So I asked what were the terms of the transaction and it was pretty much the same — you ask for money, if I give it to you, I want it back. One student said she borrows from her mother and never returns it. I asked why not? She responded, “Because it’s my mother!” Now her answer defied all logic for me. Several others said what I was thinking— If you have no intention of repaying, why do you say the word, “borrow,” why don’t you See MY TRUTH, page 7
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Respected, beloved pastor Karry Wesley dies
Dr. Karry D. Wesley
Dr. Karry D. Wesley, after battling
cancer, died last week. The founding and current Senior Pastor of Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, a progressively expanding congregation of more than 5,500 members. Delivering his first sermon at the age of 15 at the Zion Hill Baptist Church in his hometown of Camden, Arkansas, Pastor Wesley’s vision was to reach, teach, and preach to those who are a part of the Christian faith as well as those outside of the Body of Christ.
BBBS hosts Military Mentoring Gala
It was a packed house at the Big Black Tie Ball, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ largest annual fundraiser, highlighting Military Mentoring recently at the Hilton Anatole. The event, hosted by returning Ball Chairs Dr. Field and Sabrina Harrison, raised over $510,000 and brought out nearly 600 guests who were there to support one-to-one relationships in the Dallas community and the vision for all children to achieve success in life. The Great Defender Award was presented by Little Brother Roger to his Big Couple of 11 years, Dennis and James. The award recognized a key
Pastor Wesley’s journey in the ministry led him to study religion and psychology at Bishop College in Dallas. He received his BA degree in 1984 and just two years later, on that very campus, he began the trek that would lead to the founding of Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. After meeting with others who were concerned about the trials facing Christians, he began assembling with other like-minded Christians who See WESLEY, page 3
By Norma Adams-Wade
Strange Fruit in Dallas?
“Southern trees bear a strange fruit,” Billie Holiday sang in a 1939 song called “Strange Fruit” that also was a poem and a novel. Lady Day’s song lamented the “strange and bitter crop” of black bodies lynched and hanging from “southern trees” with “blood on the leaves and blood at the roots.” Dallas Black history sleuth Dr. George Keaton Jr. describes lynching, slavery, and racial violence as “hard topics” that the public discussed November 19 at a free community forum that explored Dallas’ deadly past related to slavery and that set a future path for memorializing victims of slavery.
Dr. Field and Sabrina Harrison and guests at Black Tie Ball
individuals in the local community who have exemplified and heightened the mission of mentoring. “When I was five years old, my life changed forever,” said Little
Brother Roger. “My dad passed away and health issues began to arise from internalizing grief. Then my mom signed me up for BBBS. I’m not sure See BBBS, page 8
Phenomenal women honored at Salute Her Awards
By Monique ”M.P.” Stone
Phenomenal woman were honored at the 2019 Salute HER Awards this past Friday, November 15. Adrienne Evans-Quickley, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Stacey
I WAS JUST THINKING...
Shelia Eldridge Founder
Dickson, Ebony Smith, Virginia Montgomery, Erica Campbell, Cheryl Polote-Williamson and Akwete Tyehimba were recognized for their beauty, talent and the impact they are making in their
respective communities. The event sponsored by Sisters From AARP, Cafe Mocha RADIO, American Airlines, The Black Professional Network, Luster's Pink and Majic 94.5FM was held by the Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas, Texas. See HER, page 9
Dr. George Keaton Jr.
A second forum seeking community input will be from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 4, 2019 at Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 S. Harwood St., just south of downtown Dallas. The City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture is the main host. Co-hosts are Dallas Heritage Village and the nonprofit Remembering Black Dallas where Keaton is founder and executive director. The forums are See THINKING, page 4