Texas Metro News

Spreading Holiday Love

VOL.8 NO. 12 Dec. 18, 2019

p9

MY TRUTH

DCCCD Foundation announces new board

By Cheryl Smith Publisher

It’s getting worse Sadly the issue has not gone away.

Truth in advertising. It’s simple. I don’t mind paying for what I get, but you need to give me what I pay for.

There are more and more restaurants that are passing off a popular fish, Swai, as catfish.

That’s a no-no for a number of reasons. First it is unethical.

What’s the big deal? Well, if it

Billlion dollar question: Is this CATFISH or SWAI? weren’t a deal, then why are business owners not informing consumers that they are serving something other than what appears on the menu? Would you not like to be informed if you order chopped beef but the server brings out chopped horse?

Some have started referring to Swai as catfish because it is similar.

Trust me, it is not the same.

Nearly 90% of the catfish (Swai) imported to the U.S. comes from Vietnam, where the use of antibiotics that are banned in the U.S. is widespread, according to consumer reports. Furthermore, the two varieties of Vietnamese catfish sold in the U.S., Swai and Basa, aren’t technically considered catfish by the federal government See MY TRUTH, page 4

Manuel Diaz founder, Diaz Law Firm

Chad Houser founder of Café Momentum

From Staff Reports

The Dallas County Community College District Foundation has announced the appointment of five business and civic leaders to its board of directors.

The new members are: Manuel Diaz, founder and lawyer at Diaz Law Firm in Dallas; Chad Houser, founder, CEO and executive chef of Café Momentum; Alicia Makaye, founder and co-owner of GXA; Ann Margolin, an investor and non-profit consultant;

Ann Margolin, an investor and non-profit consultant

Alicia Makaye founder and co-owner of GXA

and Alfreda B. Norman, senior vicepresident at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

Created in 1973, the DCCCD Foundation offers more than 400 scholarships to students at the district’s seven colleges. The DCCCD Foundation is governed by a board of business and civic leaders who support educational programs that help remove barriers for students allowing them to earn a degree or college credential, start a career or transfer to a university to further their education. The

Alfreda B. Norman svp, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

DCCCD Foundation also identifies and develops resources that help solve problems in the community that the district serves.

“We are thrilled to have these dynamic individuals join our Board,” said Debbie Taylor, DCCCD Foundation’s board chair. “The diversity of their experience and skills will be a tremendous asset as we continue the work of supporting our outstanding district.”

“We are excited to have these See DCCCD, page 7

Laugh to Keep from Dying

WORDZ OF WILSON

BY CHELLE LUPER WILSON

I've watched and re-watched the documentary, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, more times than I can count.

The scene that stood out most recently was one featuring poet, activist, and scholar Sonia Sanchez, who also happens to be one of Morrison's closest friends.

She explained how Morrison's work made you feel a full range of emotions.

She talked about being so mad reading The Bluest Eye that she just threw the book against the wall. As only she can, Sanchez then described the tears that flowed from her eyes as she came back the next day to read more. She says,

"You read Toni and you cry and you gotta laugh...If you don’t laugh; you don’t survive."

Her words, "If you don’t laugh; you don’t survive," have haunted me ever since.

As most children of Black parents, there have been times when we as kids, didn't see the funny in many situations that amused the elders.

However, I remember hearing my mother say a lot, "Sometimes you just have to laugh to keep from crying."

In the times we now find ourselves in, there are plenty of outrageous things happening that ordinarily would warrant a good laugh, but right

Olivia Frazier Kerr to be eulogized

now, all I want to do is cry.

Finding something that really made me laugh has been a challenge, until Eddie Murphy returned to my screen.

I honestly didn't know how much I See WORDZ, page 10

Olivia Frazier Kerr July 27, 1956 - December 11, 2019

Services will be held for longtime educator, businesswoman and community servant Olivia Frazier Kerr, who died recently after a lengthy illness.

Known for her effervescent smile and giving heart, Ms. Kerr began teaching Office Technology (now Business Office Systems and Support (BOSS) courses at Brookhaven College in 2002 as an adjunct instructor. Also in 2002, she began teaching Basic Skills/GED and Office Technology courses in the Contract Training area within the Continuing and Workforce Education Department at El Centro.

From 2004 through 2006, she was a visiting scholar at Brookhaven in the Business Studies Division. She moved to El Centro College in 2006, first as an adjunct instructor and then as a full-time faculty member of the BOSS. She served as the coordinator of the BOSS program at El Centro College.

Ms. Kerr holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in administrative office management from Bishop College, a Masters of Business Administration degree in strategic leadership from Amber University (now known as Amberton University) and has done additional graduate work at See KERR, page 5

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DECEMBER 18, 2019

INSIDE EDUCATION

pg. 3

EDITORIAL

pg. 4

PERSPECTIVE

pg. 5

CALENDAR

pg. 8

EVENTS

pg. 10

MAILING ADDRESS 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM 214-941-0110 Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER - EDITOR

editor@myimessenger.com Free -Free Take- One Take One

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rdson Richardson & E.Dallas Dallas

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS Fax (903) 450-1397 1 Year Subscription 50-1397 1 Year Subscription $45.00 $45.00

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.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR THE LIVING The Purpose of Funerals A funeral is a ceremony to honor, remember, and celebrate the life of a lovedone. A funeral can come in many forms, but the primary purpose is to memorialize a person who impacted your life through a meaning relationship. There is hurt when a loved-one passes, but we should look for ways to celebrate how someone contributed to our lives and society.  Funerals can offer continuity and hope for the living.

The memorialization of some one allows the grief or hurt we feel on the inside to begin to come outside and start the process to recover from the loss. When we love or cherish someone, a funeral allows us to say goodbye.

Funerals also brings family and friends together to remember how all these relationships started while recognizing the importance of the similarities of shared experiences and passages

rethink how to make our own life more meaningful and make every day we have be significant.

A ceremony allows us to express individually and collectivity in many forms

in life. This point of remembrances motivates us and gives us the will to live not just for ourselves but for others.

A funeral allows us to reflect on the meaning of life and death. We realize we are here temporarily and

what a person has meant to us. Expressions can come in the form of a speech, a poem, music, dance, or social gathering. Public expression relieves grief and promotes sharing a common belief, thought, and feeling.

At Black and Clark Funeral

Home, we work for you to have a meaningful funeral. We spend all the time you need to plan a program and memorialization that fulfills your family's form of expression. Using visuals, a program, and/or a various form of social media; we communicate the news of the passing of your loved-one and when the eremonyl will occur. A funeral is part of the living experience. We want your funeral to be meaningful and successful.

Black and Clark is located at 2517 East Illinois Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75216. The office phone number is 214376-8297.  Next month we will discuss making funeral arrangements.

Check out The Kinsey Collection at the African American Museum in Dallas 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210 214-565-9026

3

DECEMBER 18, 2019

Impeaching a President FROM THE CAPITOL

BY CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON Congresswoman Johnson represents the 30th congressional district of Texas in the US House of Representatives.

Until now, there have only been three instances in the history of our great nation when members of the House of Representatives have had to consider impeaching an American president.

Most recently members of the House Judiciary Committee, whose task it was to consider the articles of impeachment brought against President Trump, found themselves having to pray

before voting, seeking guidance, asking God what they should do in the midst of a turbulent national crisis.

Away from the cameras and distant from the rancor of debate they bowed their heads and tuned their hearts to seek a higher guidance, to search for a greater peace that had eluded them in the precedent hours, weeks and months.

And now members in the House of Representatives

have made day occupy the their decision, highest office sending the in our land issue to the they would not United States have included Senate where a procedure in its members will our constitution decide whether identifying steps or not the 45th to remove him president of or her from the United office.

The House States should be President Donald Trump has charged removed from President Trump with abuse office.

It is indeed a sad and of power and contempt of stressful time in the history Congress. In the first instance of our democracy. Had the it is alleged that the president founders of our country not asked the president of Ukraine believed that a discreditable to personally assist him in his chief executive would one bid for reelection by producing

unfavorable evidence on a political opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden.

The second charge alleges that the president refused to allow aides in his administration to give sworn testimony before congressional panels, even though they received valid subpoenas.

Even in the face of a ruling by a federal district court judge stating that the president was not a “king� who acts without constraints, President Trump decided to abandon prudence and insisted that his aides not appear, defying Congress.

The power to issue subpoenas is a critical function of the

S.M. Wright Foundation to bless over 15,000 Families and Seniors Over 18 semi trucks are headed this week to the Fair Park Automobile Building filled with thousands of toys, bicycles, groceries, coats and beds for the 21st Annual Christmas in the Park hosted by the S.M. Wright Foundation. The Wright Family started the community outreach event over 20 years ago helping approximately 200 people. This year's event will bless over 15,000 less fortunate families and seniors for the holiday season with an anticipated attendance of more than 45,000 children and adults. The holiday event will feature live musical performances by local artists, school choirs and bands and a visit by Santa Claus for the children to visit and take pictures.

"We recognized a need years ago that so many families in our South Dallas/Fair Park community simply were not celebrating Christmas because of their family's financial situation," says Reverend S.M. Wright II, president of the S.M. Wright Foundation and pastor of People's Missionary Baptist Church in South Dallas. "We started providing toys for the children which expanded to providing a hot meal that day.

Now Christmas in the Park provides toys, bicycles, groceries, coats and hot meals. A few years ago we learned that children were sleeping on the floor and we began providing new beds to the families. We also realized there were some seniors that needed help as well, so we now include them. We work to bring joy into the homes for less fortunate families and seniors for Christmas."

Congress as a component of government, equal to both the presidency and the Supreme Court. That much is taught in high school civic classes.

The authority and power of Congress are constitutionallybased, and cannot be voided by the whims of any single individual, even if that person happens to be the president of the United States. Certainly President Trump should understand that.

Congresswoman Johnson represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas in the House of Representatives where she chairs the Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

Executing an event of this magnitude is made possible by the help of thousands of volunteers and donations from area churches, schools, organizations and businesses.

Preparations for the event will begin on Thursday, December 19th, transforming the the Fair Park Automobile Building into a winter wonderland along with the semi truck deliveries. On Friday, December 20th, Foundation workers and volunteers will begin setting up the building to open doors on Saturday morning for the event.

Local celebrities, athletes and elected officials with their families volunteer each year to help distribute the toys. Last year's volunteers included Emmitt Smith, Dirk Nowitski, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Senator Royce West, Judge Staci Williams, Judge Lisa Green, County Judge Clay Jenkins, Mayor Mike Rawlings and others. This year's list includes Mayor Eric Johnson and many more of Dallas' high profile business and community leaders.

Saturday, December 21, 2019 | Doors open at 8:30am and the ends when the last family is served Fair Park Automobile Building 1010 First Avenue Dallas, Texas 75210 ***Preparations for the event happen Thursday, December 19th and Friday, December 20th at 10am each day at the Automobile Building For more information on the S.M. Wright Foundation Christmas in the Park or to volunteer and make a donation, please visit online www.christmasatfairpark.com. For media inquiries, call Winsor Barbee of The Marketing Collaborative at 212-920-9147.

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EDITORIAL

QUIT PLAYIN’

By VINCENT L. HALL Vincent L. Hall is

an author, activist

and award-winning columnist

The older and more sophisticated I become, the more I realize the genius that resided in our mothers, fathers, and grandparents. When I was eight at Goodwill Baptist Church, listening to Reverend J. C. Huey preach and the choirs sing, I didn’t always understand.

Now I do.

There was a woman at the piano named Miss Dorothy, and I never could quite make out what she was saying. She could invigorate them ivories, and she used the ball of her foot against a hollow wooden floor for percussion. I love having drums as we do in most churches now.

However, Miss Dorothy’s homemade metronome on that thinly varnished wood floor, was priceless!

Now that I am older and slightly

MY TRUTH continued from front page

and therefore aren’t held to the same inspection rules that other imported catfish are.

Well, try telling this to the restaurants that have sold Swai, passing it off as catfish. On the occasion when I have been served Swai, I have immediately let my server know that the fish before me was not catfish.

I’ve been served Swai at seafood, Chinese and neighborhood restaurants.

Some of my favorite catfish joints, that actually have “catfish” in their name, do not serve catfish anymore because they can hoodwink customers with Swai.

Heck, put some hot sauce, ketchup, mustard or tartar sauce on it and who can tell the difference?

I can and more and more frequently others are recognizing and sharing their displeasure.

DECEMBER 18, 2019

A Way Somehow...

religious landscape,” the state of church membership and attendance looks bleak.

“The religious landscape of the United States continues to change at a rapid clip. In Pew Research Center telephone surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019, 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christians when asked about their religion, down 12 percentage points over the past decade. Meanwhile,

the religiously unaffiliated share of the population, consisting of people who describe their religious identity as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular,” now stands at 26%, up from 17% in 2009.

Among white adults, the share of people who say they attend religious services a few times a year or less now exceeds the share who attend monthly or more (57% vs. 42%); a decade ago, the white population was evenly divided between those who went to church at least monthly and those who did not.

Regular churchgoers still outnumber those who infrequently or never go to religious services among black Americans (58% vs. 41%), though the share of people who say they attend religious services a few times a year or less often has risen over the last decade among Black Americans, just as it has among the population as a whole.”

To marry the numbers to the times, consider that the last time we impeached a president, 11% of the nation declared that they never attend church. As we

approach the constitutionally mandated impeachment and removal of Donald J. Trump, 27% of the country is proud to say that they never attend church.

What that means to White folks is kinda beyond me. If they truly believe Donald Trump is the “Chosen One,” we must agree to disagree on who God is. A book by Bebe Moore Campbell, “Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine,” brought me to the realization that everybody’s God ain’t my God. However, for Black folks who shun Christianity and or Spirituality, it explains our feelings of defenselessness and despair.

If you never hear or conceive that the “Lord will make a way somehow,” dealing with racism, sexism, climate change, or an orange-tinged White Nationalist could scare you to death.

This holiday season happens to be the most political in our history, but shouldn’t be jaded by our national predicament.

My hope is built on nothing less than Rev. Huey’s God; who has, can, and will make a way…Somehow!

makes the distinction between the two?

That’s right, you know you are getting Swai, and not catfish!

Deception is not an admirable trait.

Imagine my surprise when I was told by a Joe’s Crab Shack manager that they cook their crabs along with their pork sausage. I asked the manager what do they do when serving Jewish customers. To say they cared would be a gross over-statement. His response, to me, was disrespectful. It was also unconscionable as I thought about people of the Jewish and Islamic faith who haven’t a clue about Joe’s Crab Shack’s disgusting practice.

While I won’t begrudge anyone else the pleasure of eating at Joe’s; now that I know what they do in the kitchen, I won’t be eating there anymore and I want to make sure I share what I know and consider to be bad business.

With dietary, religious and health restrictions, you have to be careful today.

When my brother and I told my mother that we would no longer eat

pork, she supported our declaration.

She did tell us however, that we had better not forget how we were raised and that if we went to anyone’s home, we were never to question what they put into their pots. Instead of asking if there was pork in those collard greens, we needed to say “no thanks,” and pass.

Since we were so adamant about keeping pork out of our bodies, she altered our menus to accommodate us.

She began serving beef and smoked turkey, although she never stopped eating her ham hocks, center cut pork chops and neckbones.

And we honored her edict. If we even thought something was seasoned with pork, we politely passed.

I remember sitting at the table of someone I was dating and his mom was clearly outdone because all I had on my plate was potato salad, yams, macaroni and cheese and turkey. She called me out, pointing that her son “didn’t eat pork but he eats chitterlings!”

I politely responded, “Then he eats pork!”

Then I added, “And no, I can’t eat the Jiffy cornbread, because it is made with lard!”

I felt so uncomfortable and I told myself that day that I refuse to be put in situations where people attempt to make me feel bad because I don’t eat or do things the way they do.

Just like my mom would have considered it rude for me to ask about pork, I think it is rude for people to mock others or trivialize their feelings by saying something like, “it won’t hurt you. Just eat a little bit.” Or worse, “Just pick it out.”

Unfortunately over the years I have seen pork eaters attempt to deceive non pork eaters.

Honesty is the best policy and respect is an admirable trait. I think it is important that in all you do, you do the right thing. I don’t care who you are!

So if your company is “CATFISH” anything, you need to serve CATFISH! Like Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes sang in the 1970s, “Be For Real!”

sophisticated, I know that I’ve probably always been ADHD. While all the singin’ and shoutin’ was going on, I was distracted. My mind was somewhere between fantasizing about a brownskinned girl with “water-waved” pigtails, or begging my mama for peppermint.

Either way, I missed the verses of most songs.

Whatever lyrics were sung before the chorus was lost amidst my physiological unrest. Nevertheless, the universal message of the song; the tag line if you use today’s vernacular, stuck with me.

Whatever else Miss Dorothy belted out, she had my full attention when she repeated the refrain; “The Lord will make a way somehow.”

Songs like those are making a comeback for African Americans in and out of the church. Churches in every community are losing membership in large numbers, and the messages of hope that kept our spirits for 400 years are reaching fewer and fewer people.

The stats published in a Pew Research

article in late October, reflect what local and national church leaders are seeing or not seeing in their pews. In “U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace, An update on America’s changing

To date there’s never been an issue when I whisper my concern. Actually they quietly try to resolve and address my concerns, without bringing attention to our interactions.

Swai is native to Southeast Asia— Viet- nam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia—and sells locally for around $3.99 a pound, according to Tod Marks of Consumer Reports.

You’re going to pay as little as $1 to up to $4 a pound more for catfish.

Clearly Swai is cheaper. So wouldn’t you think that the savings should be passed on to consumers?

Instead you have business owners who have no issue with violating truth in advertising policies, in addition to being completely deceptive.

Now, full disclosure: I like Swai. I especially like it grilled or blackened.

But I want what I order.

I was pleased to see that Rocking Crab at 775 W Wheatland Rd, Duncanville, TX 75116, where they have some of the best crabs and special sauce in the Metroplex, has a sign that

5

DECEMBER 18, 2019

KAMALA HARRIS – STILL A WINNER THE LAST WORD DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX

California Senator Kamala Harris (D) threw her hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination for President before more than 20,000 people in Oakland, California.

She made the announcement on the official Dr. Martin Luther King holiday, January 21, 2019.

She jumped into the race with enthusiasm, and many had high hopes for her. Unfortunately, she suspended her race basically because she lacked resources.

Negative media coverage, perhaps informed by race and gender bias, along with rumors of discord in her campaign were being circulated widely. While I was sorry to see Senator Harris

Kerr,

exit the field, I’m still a fan, and I think she is still a winner.

Harris has three more years in her Senate term. Until 2022, she can continue to slice and dice witnesses in the Senate, advance legislation “for the people”, as her campaign slogan suggests, and solidify her base in California. Hopefully, then, she can be reelected and look at Presidential possibilities in 2024 or 2028. And she can use her most recent experience to guide her in her next national campaign. Few candidates for President collect the nomination on their first time out.

President Barack Obama was an exception, but this is Vice-

continued from front page

Northcentral University in Phoenix, Arizona.

With more than 20 years in the corporate workplace as a consultant and technical writer for companies such as IBM, Verizon, Sprint, Motorola, GTE, Ericsson and Burlington Northern Railroad, she has served on several boards and committees in the business and arts communities as well as within the colleges of DCCCD. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she also was an active member of the National Business Education Associations, the International Business Education Association, the International Virtual Assistant Association, and the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

Most recently, she had become a CTFO Independent Associate.

Services will be held Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 11:00a.m. at First Baptist of Hamilton Park. The viewing will be from 10:00-11:00am.

President Joe Biden’s third bite at the apple, and many (including Bill Clinton) tried at least once before winning.

Kamala was the third Black woman to vie for the Democratic nomination.

Shirley Chisholm’s historic run in 1972 inspired Black women all over the country. She was the first Black woman to sit in the United States Congress, and is well known for her motto, “unbought and unbossed.” She made it to the convention floor with 152 delegates, some who had been pledged to Hubert Humphrey until he released them.

Chisholm said she ran because she had the “sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo.”

Carol Mosley Braun, the first Black woman to serve in the United States Senate, attempted a presidential run in 2003 and dropped out in early 2004.

John Kerry ended up with

the Democratic nomination that year, but thanks to Republican dirty tricks, the electoral count wasn’t even close. Mosley Braun had a handle on the issues, especially issues about women’s financial security.

But she had neither the resources nor the support to make it to the convention.

Now we have Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor and California Attorney General who burst onto the Senate scene with skills and focus.

Few will forget the way she made Attorney General Jeff

Flow of Ci and Co On Wednesday, December 4th’s episode, Cierra and Courtney start their podcast with a “Quote of the week.” These quotes help motivate ourselves and others to push through a rough week. “You can rise up from anything. You can completely recreate yourself. Nothing is permanent.”

A quote from Cierra, as she talked about becoming the person you want to be in life. Recreating yourself is always needed in order for you to grow. “You need to ignore what everyone else is achieving. Your life is about breaking your own limits and outgrowing yourself to live your best life.” A quote from Courtney, as

mentions to never forget about the path that God has for you and to always stay focused on you.

On the tenth episode of the Flow of Ci & Co, we discuss many topics from: Thanksgiving weekend, Thoughts about friendsgiving and are we losing the meaning of family value, Black Friday meaning and why it exists, Cyber day sales, and a social media debate the correct way to place tissue on its holder. A topic that took our interest was the meaning of friendsgiving and why it is important.

Cierra: There has been some chatter about “Friendsgiving” becoming more popular than

Sessions look like a bumbling fool.

And her cross-examination of Brett Kavanaugh was masterful.

As she crisscrossed the country, she inspired Black women and girls, and others. Indeed, she garnered the support of Higher Heights, a Black women’s PAC that endorsed her in early November, despite her low polling numbers.

I was saddened to see Kamala leave the race. I would love to have seen her debating 45. I bet he wouldn’t have rattled her the way he pushed Hillary off her game.

I’d like to have seen her with a smaller group of Democrats so that everything didn’t seem so rushed, and people could answer questions more expansively.

Kamala’s’ withdrawal from the race is not her loss but the nation’s.

The way we are going, the next debate will be a white-only

Thanksgiving. There was a post I ran across that said, “Friendsgiving” is becoming more popular than Thanksgiving. It tells us that family doesn’t link up anymore.

America is losing their value of family and they’ll rather work or do friendsgiving. I have to disagree because I believe that everyone’s family is different, and it is okay to do family things with friends.

Courtney: I think I’ll have to agree with you. Some people consider their friends family.

Everyone may not have family around to celebrate so to be able to create that feeling with friends is wonderful. I have never done a friends-giving, but I think it would be nice to have one.

It is not about who you are around. If you are celebrating with the people you love that’s all that matters.

Cierra: I definitely agree. I also want to mention that some people travel for Christmas and not

affair unless Tulsi Gabbard or Andrew Yang qualify.

In the last debate, Kamala Harris talked about the fact that Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party.

You wouldn’t know that from the representation on the debate stage, or in party leadership.

Black women have been loyal to the Democratic Party, but the party has not been faithful to us.

Kamala Harris is still a winner. Like Shirley Chisholm and Carol Mosley Braun, she refused to accept the status quo.

Her withdrawal from this race is not the end; it is a new beginning for the tenacious Senator who will undoubtedly continue to fight “for the people.”

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, media contributor and educator.

Her latest project MALVEAUX! On UDCTV is available on youtube.com. For booking, wholesale inquiries or for more info visit www.juliannemalveaux.com

thanksgiving or vice versa. I can say that’s a reason why friendsgiving may have been created and that’s because some people aren’t able to be with their families.

Courtney: For example, I wasn’t able to spend time with my family this year, but I enjoyed spending thanksgiving with my friend’s family.

I chose to spend Christmas with my family.

Cierra: I’m glad Friends-giving is a thing because it’s cool to cherish the ones you love including your friends. Do you think America is losing their value of family?

Courtney: I don’t think America is losing their value of family. I do think that we are losing the value of marriage and how to love one another. Now people are more focused on their career and starting businesses.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and hooray to the holiday season.

6

DECEMBER 18, 2019

From Marva with

By Marva Sneed

On "From Marva with Love", I interviewed Daniel Mofor of an award-winning Blackowned custom menswear label Don Morphy. Daniel Mofor, began his career as a engineer for Walmart. Daniel is from Cameroon, Africa.

He left Walmart to pursue his dream of becoming a menswear fashion designer.

New to the fashion industry Daniel has now hit several incredible milestones: Fashion Group International's Rising Star Award Winner of 2019 in Menswear, Fashion Group

International of Dallas Rising Star Award Winner of 2019 in Menswear. He is, Custom Suit Clothier to the Stars: Tyra Banks, Diddy, Emmitt Smith, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Dwight Howard, Tyson Chandler, etc. And still pending he is named One of Dallas' Top 50 Innovators of the Year for 2019-2020. Daniel Mofor is the only small label (as a black-owned business) to ink a major deal with Kathy Ireland and her global brand, MIVI and now he is the exclusive menswear designer for her Weddings and Resorts location

METRO BRIEFS

Allstate Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters partner to ignite potential in youth Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Dallas (BBBS) recently received a $100,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation’s Good Starts Young® program. This funding will help pair children in the Greater Dallas community with a positive role model to defend their potential and help them reach their biggest possible future.

Through Allstate’s Good Starts Young® initiative, the Allstate Foundation supports BBBS Greater Dallas’ mentor2.0 program The program is designed to help students reach their biggest potential through post-secondary success and utilizes technology by centering the matches around weekly emails, making it more convenient for mentors and students to connect with each other anytime. High school students across the metroplex have embraced the advanced online mentoring program.

“What I noticed immediately was Aimee’s energy, it was a positive, motivating force that I lacked and desperately needed,” says Odalis, a recent mentor2.0 graduate. The two Sisters set a goal at their very first meeting for Odalis to make straight A’s and with Aimee’s help and the support of her mentor2.0 Partnership Specialist, Odalis made straight A’s for the next three years. Throughout her high school career, Odalis was constantly encouraged by Aimee to keep studying and was even inspired by her to run for Student Council President. There are currently 400 students participating in the mentor2.0 program. In 2018, mentor2.0 students achieved the following: · 95% improved or maintained their grades · 92% improved their scholastic competence · 89% improved attitudes towards risky behaviors · 92% improved or maintained their parental trust 97.5% of students we surveyed, who were part of a BBBS mentoring program when they graduated, are either enrolled in college, enlisted in the military, or employed in their first year after high school. The support of The Allstate Foundation’s Good Starts

around the world.

MS: Daniel let’s talk fashion.

Tell a little about how you started your company.

in their headquarters. I worked for them for 11 long years. So up until 2017 that is two or three years ago that is when I moved to Dallas. And now I am a full time designer.

kinds of fashion, men's shoes, men's suits, men's overcoats.

Fashion colors, fabrics. Since I started Don Morphy I have been lucky and blessed that it is paying my bills right now.

DM: I am the founder and lead designer of Don Morphy.

MS: So up I am originally until a couple from Cameroon of years ago that is in West you were Africa.

I've working for been in the Wal-Mart. Is Daniel Mofor United States fashion your for 19 years. I went to school passion? in Houston, Texas. I didn't go to school for fashion. I was DM: Yes, fashion has been a computer engineer. I have my passion all my life. When my bachelors in computer I small, I wanted to always be engineering and a MBA. So the best dressed guy, to all the after school I moved to Arkansas events an all the parties. So I where I worked for Wal-Mart have loved fashion. I've loved all

MS: Being from Cameroon, I can imagine how beautiful the colors are although I have never been to Africa. Do you bring that to your fashion style?

Young® initiative is critical to continuing success of North Texas youth and students, like Odalis.

The Allstate Foundation Good Starts Young® initiative empowers youth to reach their fullest potential and achieve their dreams by providing youth empowerment-focused organizations with grants.

Good Starts Young is designed not only to help children thrive as students, but to develop as future leaders, entrepreneurs and citizens. It challenges barriers more than ever before and empowers youth to serve causes greater than themselves as a way of improving the world around them.

“At Allstate, we firmly believe that good starts young and our goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders to reach their full potential,” said Roberto DeLeon, Allstate Corporate Relations Senior Manager in Texas. “We’re proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters to provide a brighter future for youth in North Texas.”

To provide ongoing awareness of mentoring in the community, Allstate has also partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters for National Mentoring Month. Launched in 2002 by The National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR) and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, National Mentoring Month is all about communities coming together to increase the number of mentors and ensure positive outcomes for youth. This campaign celebrates the lasting effects mentoring has on youth and encourages adults to learn about mentoring and how to get involved.

To learn more about how you can become a mentor, and ensure youth are placed in the lives of caring mentors, visit https://www.bbbstx.org/dallas/

a major depressive episode. During the holidays is when people feel their loss the most. Brokenhearted Disciple is a guide to coping with grief. Its principles are biblicalbased,” Miles said.

Miles is the founder of Everyday Solace, a Texas nonprofit, that provides education and grief support through its website www. everydaysolace.org.

Author signs copies of book A book signing for Dallas resident Shinita Kimbrough Miles will be held Saturday, December 21, at the Logos Bookstore located at 6620 Snider Plaza in Dallas.

The public is invited to attend, buy a book and have it signed. Copies of her book Brokenhearted Disciple: Confessions for Overcoming are $20.00 each. The event will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Brokenhearted Disciple is for people who are in the process of coping with the death of a loved one.

“The death of my mother was one of the most traumatic events in my life,” said Miles. “My grief morphed into depression. I cried all the time. I felt depressed at night. I had trouble sleeping. I had no appetite. I didn’t feel like doing anything. I didn’t take pleasure in anything.”

Miles said recording her thoughts in a journal helped her get her feelings out.

“Approximately 2.5 million people die in the United States every year,” Miles said. At 1 month after the loss, about 40% of the bereaved meet criteria for

DM: Yes, yes I do. That's where I get most of my colors from. So when it comes to men's fashion, when we talk about men's fashion we talk about Italian, that is the best when it comes to men's fashion. And that is where I get my inspiration. So what I do is my whole company we goes to Italy, we go to France and we go to Europe. Top fashion is from there and we go

Ceremony celebrates Dallas ISD students with special needs The Multiple Career Magnet Center (MCMC) celebrated the achievements of 40 students who are currently employed or studying in a community college.

MCMC is a Dallas ISD campus that helps prepare high school students with special needs to thrive in careers.

This year, the Dallas ISD Special Education department partnered with Eastfield College. This campus will teach special courses where students can receive a Certification on Customer Service upon completion of the program.

The school offers several programs that simulate a job site, such as Culinary Arts, Hospitality & Tourism, Dry Cleaning and Laundry, Business Technology, Childcare, Building Maintenance Technology and Construction Technology clusters.

The students were greeted by their families and by potential employers during a graduation-like

to the factories. This where we get our fabrics from and that is how we get our inspiration to design our suits.....

We talked about so much more in today's men's style. To here the rest of the interview go to BlogTalkRadio.com Cheryl's World on "From Marva with Love."

Don Morphy is located in Dallas. Daniel says you can get your New Years Eve suit “custom fit” by New Years Eve. You can find Daniel at DonMorphy.com and Don Morphy on FB & IG. Tune into "From Marva with Love" Fridays on BlogTalkRadio.com Cheryl's World from 11 am.

-1 pm.

ceremony. They signed an agreement where they promised to complete any program or job that they enter, to the best of their ability.

“Today is about recognizing how much they had to do to get to that point,” MCMC Director Kim Wheeler said. “Some kids, it may take them longer than others because they have to learn the skills that they may lack. We wanted to recognize them. And they were honored to be recognized, because they’re achieving something they might have not done if they hadn’t come to this program.”

The campus also offers training program for students 18 or older who have met all their high school requirements and need job readiness training.

A Career Preparation program is designed for students who have earned enough credits to graduate but can use further career-skills development.

“Let’s say they work on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” Wheeler said. “On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they have to come to school because there are skills that we’re still working on.”

Photo courtesy: Dallas ISD

7

DECEMBER 18, 2019

The 411: Top Five Beauty Dislikes of Men-Part 1 ABOUT YOUR HAIR

BY DR. LINDA AMERSON www.hairandscalpessentials.com

Beauty comes in many sizes, shapes and ethnicities. Women spend so much money on themselves for beauty from head to toe to attract men.

In addition, women look at celebrities as role models, when they hire a team of specialists to keep them looking glamorized.

Sadly, children and teenagers are also copying the looks of celebrities with starvation diets, and bulimia to stay a certain size…then plastic surgery as a graduation request!

Everyday beauty advertisers show images of women of what society perceives as beautiful, and acceptable.

Therefore, I asked several men to share their beauty viewpoints.

They have shared the top five things they regard as a ‘turn off’ regarding a woman’s beauty.

Read the interesting answers shared to enlighten women.

Talance Sawyer, Retired NFL Player

for the Minnesota Vikings

1) A woman that’s wearing costumes not showing her natural God given beauty creating

false illusions.

2) A woman that does not take her health serious.

3) A woman that is always judgemental base on her past experiences.

Every man is not the same!

4) A woman who’s conversation is mostly about finances.

5) Last but not least, a woman who doesn’t like to cook and constantly wants to eat out.

Kenneth Earl Davis, supervisor at a Residental Treatment Center for Boys ‘Beauty Has It’s Own Destiny!’

1) TOO much MAKEUP is a MAJOR Turn Off…Natural is better.

2) HAIR is something that is a MUST! NO HAIR is a turn off as well!

3) Super long NAILS is another.

4) Tattoos that are on the NECK or FACE AREA is another one.

5) Bodypercing in face or eye area.

G r e g Jo h n s o n , R a d i o Personality 1) I’mturnedoffby a negative attitude. It takes away the inner beauty of the woman, w h i c h m a k e s the outer appearance ugly to me.

2) Wearing too

DCCCD, continued from front page

much makeup. You want to enhance the beauty not take it over the top.

3) A selfish woman is a turn off. If she’s not a giver, if she expects anything in return from a person. Do it because you want to.

4) Hair extensions should blend with your skin and your natural hair. Ex: Over the top blondes, not all skin tones works with. I like natural, but if you’re going to wear a weave, please do it right.

5) A woman with no drive. Waiting on the man to take care of things. Have some goals and work to meet them…set new goals and continue.

6) I have to add this…a woman that does not know how to communicate in an adult manner! Listening skills is a MUST!!!

It’s the biggest part of communication.

Percy Ray, A.M.P. Marketing, Promotions

Advertising,

1) Hair extensions - hate them… too many styles to choose from while staying natural (too costly) 2) Makeup – zero to none…want to see what I will wake up to!

3) Fragrance a must! Wake up smelling good and go to bed smelling angelic!

4) Feet and hands have to be well manicured, anything else uncivilized.

5) Inner beauty (spiritual) goes further than exterior beauty…that fades away!

new board members join the foundation,” said Dr. Pyeper Wilkins, DCCCD’s chief advancement officer, who also serves as executive director of the DCCCD Foundation.

“We count on their expertise and passion for education to guide us in our support of the district priorities, serving the needs of our students and our community.”

In 2019, the DCCCD Foundation awarded more than $1.3 million in scholarships and has secured $83 million in private funds since it was founded.

The DCCCD Foundation currently has five major funding priorities: • Emergency Aid Fund assists DCCCD students who are on the verge of suspending their educational pursuits when financial emergencies arise; • Food Pantries are located at all seven of the DCCCD

colleges to help ensure DCCCD students have access to nutritional foods and never go hungry; • Culinary, Pastry and Hospitality program, so it can meet industry and workforce demands; • Early Childhood Education, expansion of early childhood education across all DCCCD colleges in order to meet education, community and workforce gaps; and •LevelUp Scholarship, which funds the Parent Promise that helps put adults on the pathway to an in-demand career immediately after they complete their studies.

For more information, contact Pyeper Wilkins by email at pwilkins@dcccd.edu or by phone 214-378-1536; or Kathye Hammontree in the DCCCD Foundation office by email at khammontree@ dcccd.edu or by phone at 214378-1536.

John Boston, Naturally Skintelligent Products 1) Bad attitudes 2) Too tightly fitted clothing…buy your size please!

3) Smoking 4) Too much MAKEUP 5) Bad teeth…get them fixed!

Conclusion, men like and look for certain qualities in a woman. We hope this information enlightened you to stop stressing excessively about your image!

Live, Love, Laugh!

All questions should be forwarded to world renown Trichologist, Dr. Linda Amerson 817 265 8854. www.hairandscalpessentials.com FB: www.facebook.com/Hair-and-Scalp-Essentials Twitter: @ScalpDoctor

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8

DECEMBER 18, 2019

CALENDAR

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

December 20-23

Diabetes Awareness Month

The Polar Express, In the Omni Theater, Ft. Worth Museum of Science & History, 1600 Gendy St.11:15a-1:15p. Tickets: fwmuseum.org.

Family Caregivers Month

December 20

Recurring Events

The Last Live Jam of the Decade, The Attache Cigar Lounge, 4099 W. Camp Wisdom Rd. #101.

Feeding The Needy, Host: Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez, 1641 Corsicana St, Dallas. 3-5p., Sundays.

The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection, A. A. M. 3536 Grand Ave. till 3-1-20.

If Scrooge Was A Brother, Jubilee Theatre, 506 Main St. Ft. Worth. 8-10p. Tickets: www.jubileetheatre.org. 11-2212-22-19.

2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade: Sign Up, for info contact: La Ronda Bacon or Natashia Cooper at the King Center, 214-670-8418.

December 18 Once On an Island, Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. 7:30p. Tickets: attpac. org.

The MLK Fresh Produce Distribution Ctr, Bldg. A 2929 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Wed. 10:30a. Sat. 10a.

Animated Christmas Tree in the District, The Shops at Willow Bend, 6121 W. Park Blvd. Plano. 6a-12a.

December 19-22 Black Nativity By Langston Hughes, African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave. Times vary. Tickets: At the door only.

Regional Premiere of Colman Domingo’s DOT, South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave. Thur. 7:30pm, Fri 7 Sat. 7:30p Sun. 3pm. Tickets: www.soulrep.org

December 19 Ginuwine, House of Blues, 220 N. Lamar St. 7p. Tickets: LiveNation.com.

Holly Jolly Kick Back Sr. Benefit, a new pair of socks.

3315 S. Lancaster Rd. 5-8p.

RSVP: district110.Rose@house.texas.gov.

Night of Lights, The Point Event Center, 1511 FM 664, Waxahachie. 5-7:30p.

LCUPN Holiday Appreciation Mixer, Fogo de Chao, 5908 Headquarters Dr. #K150, . 5:30-10p Christmas Performance, St Phillips School & Community Ctr. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 6:30p.

Happy Hour w/ A Purpose, Brick House Lounge, 2021 N. Hampton Rd. DeSoto. 5-10p.

December 21 The MLK Fresh Produce Distribution Center, Bldg. A, 2929 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Sat. 10a.

Christmas in Auto Bldg.

the 101

Park, Fair 1st Ave.

Park 8:30a.

Christmas Gala for all ages, DeSoto Civic Ctr., 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd. 7-10p. Bring an unwrapped toy.

Cowboy Christmas in Joppee, South Central Civic League, 811 Pemberton Hill Rd. 7-11p. Info: joppee1872@gmail.com.

Christmas Candy Land 2019, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. 9a-2p.

Breast Cancer Holiday Charity Event, The Quixotic World Theater,2824 Main St. 12-4p.

Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

December 24

Vitruvian Lights, Vitruvian Park, 3966 Vitruvian Way, Addison.

5-11p.

Animated Christmas Tree in the District, The Shops at Willow Bend, 6121 W. Park Blvd. Plano.

6a-12a. 12-28-19.

December 25 Christmas Day Holiday Brunch, Omni Ft. Worth Hotel, 1300 Houston St. 10:30a-2:30p. RSVP: 817-350-4106.

Holiday at the Arboretum, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Rd. 9a-5p. 12-31.

December 29 Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics 2nd Annual Pre New Year’s Eve Smooth Jazz, DFW Social 40, DFW Airport, 2400 Aviation Dr. 7p-12a. Tickets: www.dfwsocial40.com.

Jeff Aycock Presents: “Jazz for the Season” Red Carpet Invitation, Black Box Theatre, 211E. Pleasant Run Rd. DeSoto.

Christmas One Service, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. 10a.

December 30 Nia - Purpose Gary Owen’s DFW-NYE Take Over IV, The Theatre at Grand Prairie, 1001 Performance Pl. 7p-2a. Tickets: AXS.com

December 31

December 26

New Years Eve

Kwanzaa Begins Umoja – Unity

Kuumba - Creativity

December 22

Simple & Health Cooking Classes, Foremost Family Health Center, 2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Bldg. B. 1-2p.

New Beginnings NYE 2020 Celebration, NYLO Hotel, 8201 Preston Rd. Plano. 6p-1a. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

She Shines Like A Diamond, Unique Visions Upscale Events, 324 S. Hampton Rd., DeSoto. 5p. Info: 817-680-0782.

Conversations at The West, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 Wheatland Rd. 7p.

NYE Party Hosted by: African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave. 8:30-12:30a.

Arthello Beck Gallery Presents: Nitashia Johnson The Self Publication, South Dallas Culture Center, 3400 Fitzhugh Ave. 11-9-1-4-20.

Christmas One Service, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. 10a.

December 23 Dallas Zoo Lights:

by Reliant, Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy. 5-9p.

Tickets: mydallaszoo.com.

Now till 1-5-20.

Prairie Lights-Holiday Lights Experience, 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy. 6p. Tickets: Prairielights.org.

11-28-12-31.

Linny Nance’s Hour of Power, Balcony Club, 1825 Abrams Rd. #B. 8:30-9:30p.

December 27 Kujichagulia Self Determination Jokes & Smokes Comedy Show NYE Pre-Party, Host: Flo Hernandez & Uncle Hollywood, Allure Lounge 110 S. Cockrell Hill Rd. 8p.

Pajama Vision Board Party, Bishop Arts District, Host: Brown Sugar Beauty Supply. 7p- 11a. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

December 28 Ujima – Work & Responsibility Rhythm, Jazz & Vibes w/Saxophonist Marcus Anderson, Sway’s Rm. in The R Lounge, 1175 N. Watson Rd., Arlington. 9p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

The MLK Fresh Produce Distribution Center, Bldg. A 2929 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Wed. 10:30a. Sat. 10a.

Pre New Years Eve Soul Bash, The Warehouse, 1125 E. Berry St. Ft. Worth. 8p. JimAustinonline.

NYE in Dallas: Party On The Plaza, 1500 Marilla St. 7p-12:30a.

NYE 2019 Living My Best Life, The Attache Cigar Lounge, 4099 W. Camp Wisdom #101. 9p.

The Jazz Jam, Jazz BeCuzzArt Center, 9319 LBJ Fwy. Ste. #120. Tickets: via Eventbrite.com. Tuesdays.

Karaoke Night $2 Tuesday’s, Hero’s Lounge 3094 N. 35 Fwy. 7p-2a. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Free Dance Classes, Ballet Classes South Dallas Culture Center, 3400 Fitzhugh Ave. 6-6:55p. Tuesdays, Ages 11 & up.

Register: www.becklesdancingco.org.

January 1 Happy New Years Imani - Faith

9

DECEMBER 18, 2019

Spreading Holiday Love

Road And Bridge District 2 - Dallas County

CAAPCO Concord

DALLAS LGBTQ Bar Association

U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson

Adoption

Garcia & West

MOCCA Cosmetics

10

DECEMBER 18, 2019

WORDZ,

continued from front page

needed a good laugh until I had one—a really good one, the kind that makes you spit out your drink, causes your eyes to water, and requires you to hold on to your sides because they hurt from laughing.

Recently, several people have told me I needed to see Dolemite Is My Name.

I knew the story of Rudy Ray Moore wouldn't be appropriate to watch as a family but finding time away from the kids to "Netflix and Chill" isn't easy.

On a 6am flight, a week or so ago, I paid for Wi-Fi and started watching it. I laughed out loud (and I do mean loud) so many times.

Ordinarily, I'm a quiet flyer, especially at 6am, but the laughs came louder and quicker than I could stop them. It didn't seem to bother the beautiful and distinguished seasoned Black woman seated next to me, and as we were landing, I said, "I hope my laughs did not bother you. I just watched Dolemite Is My Name." She turned to me and said, "You did not bother me, and listen honey, I understand. I watched it last night."

Yes, Dolemite Is My Name, is very funny. The cast is phenomenal, Murphy has brought so much Black excellence together in this one film.

I kept saying, "Wait, was that?" Yes, it was.

Let me tell you, Wesley Snipes delivered as D’Urville Martin and said aloud what everyone, outside of the cast, had to be thinking. Surprisingly, it is also very heart warming. It is a story of belief in self no matter what. It is a story of authentic friendship. It is a story of representation. It is a story of community—the way we come through and show up for one another.

It is a story that visually depicts our experience, “when they slam doors, go find another, or build a window...do whatever it takes to keep going.”

This movie is all of that, and did I also mention it is funny?

When I think about the African American experience in a historical context, one of the factors that I

believe has contributed to our resilience and survival, is that despite our circumstances, we have somehow always been able to find joy. Those who held racist beliefs rooted in white supremacy couldn't fathom the concept that enslaved persons could still find reasons to smile, and so, they concluded this happiness must mean those of African descent were childlike with lesser developed minds. After all, how could

anyone find happiness within a life of bondage, sorrow, and pain. What those racists couldn’t understand was the fact that while my ancestors' bodies were bound, their minds were free.

Their minds were able to tap into a metaphysical connection that allowed them to transcend present circumstances and as real as sunshine and rain, they conjured joy from pain (shout out to Frankie Beverly).

The ability to separate the spiritual from the physical was not only an ability that far exceeded average levels of mental comprehension; it was also necessary for survival.

However, I like to think it wasn't just about their survival, but the joy that

resonated from the depths of their souls soared as the ancestors visualized us, not just surviving but thriving. They could find ways to laugh, and dance, and sing because they knew this life was not our end.

In times like these when seemingly everyone and everything is working against our ability to survive, sadly sometimes even ourselves; we must find sources of joy.

Richard Pryor once said, "All humor is rooted in pain." With climate change, global unrest, voter suppression, senseless violence, chaos in the Oval Office, there is more than enough pain to go around. It is enough to break your spirit all the way down and for many people, it has. You can see its effect on their faces, bodies, minds, and spirits.

Sanchez tried to tell us, "If you don’t laugh; you don’t survive."

Before Sanchez, the Bible told us that “A merry heart doeth good, like medicine (Proverbs 17:22). Medical studies have proven that laughing boosts the immune system, decreases risk of heart attacks, helps reduce blood pressure, and can aid in weight loss (I'm trying hard to fit in my new jeans so I'm gonna start laughing right now).

If you haven't seen the movie, I know by now I've piqued your interest. Let me know when you get to the scene in Dolemite when Murphy as Moore brings in the idea of including Kung Fu, that part WILL make you laugh out loud.

I'm taking Eddie Murphy's energy with me into 2020, because even though he said these words as Dolemite to Mighty Donald, I know he was talking to both himself and us when he said, "Don't never let nobody tell you, you can't be anything you wanna be.

Understand?" Like Anita Baker, these words bring me joy! This holiday season, I ask that you join me in finding at least one thing that brings you joy, not just the type of joy that makes you smile, but the kind that makes you laugh out loud.

Chelle Luper Wilson is a writer, motivational speaker and activist. She is the International Secretary of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

11

DECEMBER 18, 2019

Have your

TEXAS

METRO NEWS

delivered to your home!

Call 214-941-0110

DALLAS/FORT WORTH CHAPTER 2020 Scholarship Luncheon

“Diversity and Inclusion:

Our Industry Professional Honoree

Mr. Craig Dunn Executive Vice President and Texas Region Leader AmWINS Brokerage of Texas, Inc.

Our Keynote Speaker

Ms. Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre Motivational and Educational Speaker

January 10, 2020 11 AM -1:00 PM Doubletree Hotel Campbell Centre 8250 N Central Expressway, Dallas, Tx 75206 Tickets $50 @ naaiadfw.org For additional information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Machelle Allums 972-768-3650 or mallums@senecainsurance.com

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DECEMBER 18, 2019

TITLE SPONSOR: ROLAND PARRISH & PARRISH MCDONALD’S RESTAURANTS

TICKETS + SPONSORSHIPS INFO AT WWW.ZWHJCOC.ORG TICKETS ARE $35 ON EVENTBRITE.COM GO TO HTTPS://INCONVERSATION2020.EVENTBRITE.COM

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13

DECEMBER 18, 2019

Jumanji: The Next Level

MOVIE REVIEW

BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

Jumanji: The Next Level is a remix of the original Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle. It literally “remixes” the original concept to come up with a new movie. In the new movie, Spencer, played by Alex Wolff, goes missing and his friends re-enter the game to rescue him. Two new characters who are added to the movie are Eddie, Spencer’s grandfather, played by Danny DeVito and Milo, Eddie’s long-time friend and former business partner (Danny Glover). Also joining the cast is Awkwafina, from the movie Crazy Rich Asians who plays Ming.

The new characters give a real punch to the script, which was written at a recordsetting pace in order to get the film back out to audiences again. The previous movie was released in 2017. That’s a quick turn-around for a sequel.

But it’s Dwayne Johnson,

Jack Black, and Kevin Hart who carry the movie. The two big-name actors, Johnson and Hart, do a great job of picking fun of their real selves and Hart made me howl with his dead-on impersonation of Danny Glover. Johnson is extremely adept at doing action scenes that are filled with comedy. Although it’s more of the same from the first movie, there are some fun plot twists as the movie goes from the desert to snowcapped mountains on this fun adventure ride.

While it’s not the best sequel ever made it is an entertaining family film that I think will leave you laughing in your seat. The movie is a quickpaced 1 hour and 59 minutes and it’s rated PG-13.

On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate this movie a LARGE.

ASK ALMA

THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Romeo Miller

By Alma Gill

Guess what time it is...

Dear Alma, I'm 28, and I ended my last relationship about three years ago. I had been dating this guy since college and thought he would be the one I'd marry and have children with. Shortly after college, I moved to his hometown while he stayed in the area where we'd attended college (my hometown). We had a great relationship for several years before he became frustrated with our long-distance status. I made the very difficult decision to move back to be closer to him - don't worry; I nailed an awesome job before I made the trek. You probably saw this coming: We broke up about a month after I'd moved back. Only we didn't actually break up - we took "a break" and maintained an on-off relationship for the next two years. It was only last year that we finally admitted that we weren't going to make it work. We met up, talked for over an hour, cried a little and shared a kiss. During our conversation, he confessed that he'd met a woman he really liked during an out-of-town trip for work. I wished him well and soon found out that they were officially dating. He informed me that he wasn't sure he could just be friends with me and that she probably wouldn't like it if he and I maintained a friendship. It hurt, because we had been so close. I stopped talking to him and blocked him on social media so neither of us would be tempted to reach out. Earlier this year, I received a Facebook message from his new girlfriend, basically asking if he had cheated on her with me. I balked at being involved in their drama (especially while I was doing my best to forget about him and the loss of our relationship) and told her she needed to ask him if she had doubts. I emailed him to let him know what was going on and asked him to make sure I was left out of it. Fast forward to last week when one of my best friends called to ask if I'd heard the news: they're engaged. Alma, I know this isn't the guy for me, but I'm still devastated. I can't believe he's engaged to this woman he's known for barely a year. It adds insult to injury that their relationship was even more long-distance than ours, and I'm skeptical about anyone who Facebooks an ex to find out if their partner is being faithful. Why am I so upset? And how do I get out of this funk?

Unsigned

(Clutching my pearls) Lawd, have mercy; you’re still pinning for that man!

You and I both know that you’re not over him.

Clearly you had him pegged as your husband and the father of you children. But you didn’t mention when and how he proposed to you. That leads me to believe that this is a situation where he knew you were his Eva while you thought you were his Eve. I’m sorry, Sweetie; he still holds the keys to your heart. I can understand your heartbreak at the thought of him marrying someone else. It feels like she’s walking down your isle, but, she’s not. He’s no longer your boo. He told you that. But it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.

I can’t sugar coat this thing because that’s just not the kind of girlfriend I am. If a man tells you he doesn’t want to be with you, believe him. Your purpose-filled path in life is never connected to anyone who can walk away.

Be it The Hilton or The Heartbreak Hotel, check in for a moment, but don’t try to live there. Pull back the covers from over your head. Wipe your eyes, blow your nose, pack up your heart and check out.

Ready to release and let it go.

Never convince yourself to settle for a one-sided relationship. We all deserve an Oleda Adams, “You can reach me by sail boat, climb a tree and swing rope to rope” kind of love.

Over the years, I’ve discovered the loves that I found weren’t always the best loves for me, but the love that found me – oh girl! You ain’t seen nothing yet. You hear what I’m saying…………??

Go have lunch or drinks with that guy who asked you and stop texting the one that won’t text you back. Open yourself to receive the kindness of that guy you won’t give a second glance and see where it leads. Take a step off your “comfort-zone” doormat. Maybe he speaks another language, or is possibly from another country. The world is your oyster.

There’s a fantastic man out there waiting to meet you. If necessary, he’ll move or maintain a longdistance dance, just for you. You will hold the keys to his heart and you’ll quickly recognize and appreciate his efforts, birthed from the pain of this life lesson.

Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans over 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@ yahoo.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and twitter @almaaskalma.

By VALDER BEEBE

The Artist Romeo Miller is a returning guest on the Valder Beebe Show and he’s back as Host of MTV’s latest dating sensation hit global franchise “Ex on the Beach” and spinoff “MTV Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love”. Romeo will guide 10 celebrity reality show singles to New Zealand as they search for love.

MTV is taking dating to new heights this winter with “Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love.” The series brings 10 international celeb-reality singles to the mountains of Queenstown, New Zealand as they search for their true love, only to be unexpectedly confronted by their past relationships.

Since its launch in 2014, “Ex on the Beach” has become MTV’s most widely traveled and locally adapted show, with 15 versions and over 580 episodes created around the world.

Romeo Miller is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur and model. He gained fame as a rapper in the early 2000s after signing for a label owned by his father Master P. Under the stage name Lil Romeo, he released his debut single My Baby in 2001, which went on to be certified platinum. Later the same year, Miller released his debut album Lil’ Romeo, which charted the US Billboard 200 at number six and went on to be certified gold, selling over 500,000 copies.-Text provided

by Romeo Miller’s publicists in

conjunction with the Valder Beebe Show.

VBS: Romeo welcome back to the Valder Beebe Show. It’s been a while since your last interview.

RM: Valder! What’s going on! D Town Baby!

VBS: Thanks for being here once again. We did a Q&A of you and your famous father Master P with our audiences on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and beyond. They know a lot about you. You are the host of MTV’s latest sensation Ex On The Beach, you also host the latest spinoff, Ex On the Beach: Peak Of Love. It’s global. Congratulations!

RM: Thank You. All on God’s timing. It’s very interesting because I never wanted to get into hosting except when MTV came to me with this show I was like ‘I’m down’. Like, I love being able to inspires people.

Look, my name is Romeo, my friends have called me Cupid.

I could be the Dr. Phil of this show. Years later I’m a part of one of the biggest sensation on MTV. Now we have a new spin with Peak Of Love.

VBS: OK, Romeo aka Cupid, give my audience one thing that you have learned about love?

RM: How much time do you have? They call me Dr. Phil on the show because this is what I do. I’ll tell you the main thing and what I learned about love in general………Romeo Miller’s full interview…….YouTube.

Valder Beebe Show THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW On-Demand video: ValderBeebeShow.com, 411RadioNetwork. com, Youtube.com/valderbeebeshow; PODCAST audio: Soundcloud.com/valderbeebeshow, Soundcloud.com/kkvidfw; Broadcast:KYBS FM Y99.9, KRER FM 102.5, Streaming TV PChatman Network and VBS affiliate broadcasters; On-Demand 411 RadioNetwork.com,. – Now available on 411RadioNetwork APP (download free in Google Playstore); Valder Beebe Show is a Power of 3 Women media influencer consortium partner

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DECEMBER 18, 2019

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