Texas Metro News 4-14-22 by Cheryl Smith

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MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith

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Black History First African American Woman to serve on Supreme Court

PUBLISHER

Finally -- Another First with the Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Sorry, “Ms. Jackson.” Those words ring in my ears to the tune of the same song by hip-hop's legendary OutKast. Yes, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is owed an apology for the treatment she received during her recent Senate confirmation hearings. I won’t hold my breath, though. While many social media posters questioned what messages our children would glean from “the slap heard around the world” at the 2022 Academy Awards, I Judge Ketanji wondered what Brown Jackson take-aways our children would glean from the awful “verbal slaps” of disrespect and mid-sentence cutoffs lodged against the brilliant jurist, Ms. Jackson. These jabs appeared OK to many. However, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), former mayor of Newark, my birth city, didn't have time for foolishness. He eloquently – and respectfully - addressed Judge Jackson, affirming her skills and abilities and, by extension, those of so many other accomplished women. I call it his finest moment. What will future generations say when they look back at these “slaps,” I wonder. Decades from now, my descendants will read my thoughts and feelings during the historic vote to confirm Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court. My heart raced at a faster pace than usual. See MY TRUTH, Page 4

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on the White House Lawn

Dallasite Featured in Showtime’s The First Lady By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News

For more than 40 years, a picture of Hollywood actress Regina Taylor hung in the Oak Cliff beauty salon of her cousin, Vera English. There, at The Pink Palace salon, English proudly dropped gems to her clients about Taylor’s childhood and, later, how she held her own

Showtime's "The First Lady" featuring Dallas' Regina Taylor, second from right

starring alongside leading men Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson.

Then, there was the time in the mid1980s, that English See THE FIRST LADY, page 11

Congrats Teaira!

Teaira McCowan

Congratulations to Teaira McCowan of the WNBA’s Dallas Wings, on being named the EuroCup Women's Player of the Year, Center of the Year, and Foreign Player of the Year!

Chris Howell Foundation helping Black and Brown communities with financial literacy With April being Financial Literacy Month, now is the perfect time to start taking control of your finances and create a plan for achieving financial freedom. Unfortunately, this may be challenging for many Black and Brown households across North Texas, especially those who’ve been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. So many households are still trying to put the pieces back together due to unemployment or crippling debt, which is why the Chris How-

Dominique and Chris Howell

ell Foundation is presenting a free financial empowerment See CHRIS HOWELL, page 16

Texas A&M Women’s Basketball Names Joni Taylor Head Coach By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor

Joni Taylor knows what it takes to be a winner. She was the 2021 SEC Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year after leading the Georgia Bulldogs women’s basketball team to a 21-7 record and to the SEC Tournament Championship game for the first time since 2004. She led the Bulldogs to four NCAA Tournaments,

including top-four seeds in 2018 and 2021. In addition, last year, Taylor, and South Carolina's Dawn Staley, became the first pair of African American female head coaches to coach against one another in the SEC Tournament title game. Her winning ways are now in Texas. Last week she was named head coach at Texas A&M, the school’s eighth women’s basketball head coach in program history.

"I am extremely excited and humbled to have the opportunity to lead the Texas A&M women's basketball program. You are talking about a program that is rich with tradition and an institution that leads not only in the SEC, but in the country. “I am excited to get there and meet the team and immerse myself and our family into Aggieland,” she said. Taylor, 43, told media during her introductory See HEAD COACH, page 10

A&M Coach Joni Taylor Credit: Texas A&M Athletics - Kate Luffman

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Obama Returns to the White House to Tout Affordable Care Act By Stacy M Brown NNPA Newswire

For the first time since he left office on January 20, 2017, former President Barack Obama returned to the White House to promote and recognize the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. The occasion marks Obama’s first appearance in Washington since the inauguration of his former Vice President, Joe Biden. The nation’s first Black president joined Biden and the country’s first African American vice president, Kamala Harris, at the event to deliver remarks. All three discussed expanding health care benefits and efforts to reduce costs. “Joe Biden, we did this together,” Obama said. “We always talked about how, if we could get the principle of universal coverage established, we could then build on it." On March 23, 2010, Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law, which most call Obamacare.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data revealed that at the time Obama signed the law, about 50 million Americans were without health insurance. In its most recent statistics, the Department of Health and Human Services revealed that a record 31 million Americans have health coverage through Obamacare. The 2021 report revealed drastic reductions in uninsurance rates in every state since the law’s coverage expansions took effect. “People served by the health Marketplaces and Medicaid expansion have reached record highs,” health officials noted. They said the data shows those individuals currently enrolled in health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces and Medicaid expansion under the ACA include 11.3 million people enrolled in the ACA Marketplace plans as of February 2021. The information revealed that 14.8 million newly eligible people enrolled in Medicaid through the ACA’s expansion of

Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid to cover adults under the ACA.

eligibility to adults as of December 2020. Additionally, 1 million are enrolled in the ACA’s Basic Health Program. Nearly 4 million previously-eligible adult Medicaid enrollees gained coverage under expansion due to the ACA’s enhanced outreach,

streamlined applications, and increased federal funding under the ACA. According to health officials, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have experienced reductions in their uninsured rates since the implementation of the ACA, with states that ex-

panded Medicaid experiencing the most significant decrease in their uninsured rate. For example, California, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and West Virginia have reduced their uninsured rate by at least half from 2013 to 2019 through enrollment in Marketplace coverage and expansion of Medicaid to adult populations. Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid to cover adults under the ACA. “The Affordable Care Act has not only led to enhanced insurance coverage and dramatically reduced uninsured rates – but it’s lowered barriers to care, reduced people’s medical debt burdens, reduced out-of-pocket spending for a lot of people who had pre-existing conditions prior to the Affordable Care Act’s reforms,” Dr. Sara Collins of the Commonwealth Fund, testified this month during a House Oversight Reform Committee. “So, this has been a substantial change – both for coverage rates and improving people’s financial security,” Collins said.

President Biden signs Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law THE AFRO — The Emmett till Anti-Lynching Act, passed by Congress on March 7, brings a 21 st century lens to the historic terrorism of lynching. The new law imposes criminal penalties up to a maximum of 30 years in prison on an individual who conspires to commit a hate crime offense that results in death or serious bodily injury or that includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO

More than a century after the first anti-lynching law was introduced in Congress, President Joe Biden signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law. On March 29 lynching became a federal crime for the first time in U.S. history. The Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, passed by Congress on March 7, brings a 21st century lens to the historic terrorism of lynching. The new law imposes criminal penalties up to a maximum of 30 years in prison on an individual who conspires to commit a hate crime offense that results in death or serious bodily injury or that includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an at-

Emmett Till with his mother, Mamie Till Mobley

tempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill. “The law is not just about the past, it’s about the present and our future as well,” Biden said in remarks to supporters of the bill including the family members of Emmett Till and Ida B. Wells,

the 20th century Black Press journalist who passionately wrote about the evils of lynching and launched a vigorous campaign against the practice. “From the bullets in the back of Ahmaud Arbery to countless other acts of violence, countless

victims known and unknown. The same racial hatred that drove the mob to hang a noose brought that mob carrying torches out of the fields of Charlottesville just a few years ago,” Biden continued. Vice President Kamila Harris weighed in on the bravery of anti-lynching activists who first spoke out about the horrors of lynching. “When we speak of Ida B. Wells, let’s understand the courageous nature of that incredible American who used her calling as a journalist to help open the eyes of our nation to the terror of lynching,” she said. Harris was a principal sponsor of anti-lynching legislation as a US Senator from California, and applauded the role of Ida B. Wells and the Black Press in shining a light on the horrors of lynching.

DHS Circle of Champions Parade DeSoto High School has so many awards and accolades to celebrate that we’re having a parade! The Circle of Champions parade is scheduled for Thursday, April 28, 2022, starting at 5:30 p.m. The parade route begins on the campus of Amber Terrace and proceeds east on Terrace to Hampton Road, north on Hampton to Eagle Drive, west onto Eagle Drive ending at Eagle Stadium. The entry fee is $10 with proceeds benefiting the Class of 2022. The many celebrants for this parade are spearheaded by the repeat State Champion Girls Basketball Team! The DHS girls basketball team made history in 2021 by winning the first state championship in the history of the district. Led by the seven returning seniors, who were all nominated for the McDonald’s All American team, they dominated on their “Legacy Tour” to win back-toback state championships. Joining the celebration is the Grammy Music Teacher of the Year Finalist directed DHS choir celebrating two-time State Honor Choir student Alexandria Ellison. The celebration also includes recognition of the choir's invitations to perform on national stages including this year's performances at the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association(SWADCA) in Arkansas and their Aloha Performance in Honolulu, Hawaii.

DHS band will not be left out of this celebration as they continue to revel in the accolades received after their recent invited performance during the HBCU National Band Directors Consortium Convention in Atlanta, GA. Students rehearsed on average 12 hours per week outside of school, sacrificing weekends, Winter and Spring breaks, to master the collegiate level pieces they performed. The overall performance was so well-received that students were offered scholarships on the spot! Where there is music, there is dance, and the DHS dance teams did not disappoint at the Crowd Pleasers Dance Competition in

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BRIEFS Grand Prairie. Many of these students were the legacy of alumni and former Eaglette instructor Kristi Freeman, who passed away suddenly and was being memorialized on the same day. The Eaglettes dedicated their season to her memory, and danced away with the varsity team winning Grand Champion and JV winning for their prop routine, along with academic achievement recognition. Additionally, our top ten students from the class of 2022 will be recognized along with several students who have received full-ride scholarships from major colleges and universities!

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Pittsburgh Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins Hit by Car, Killed in Florida By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was killed when he was hit by a car early Saturday in South Florida. He would have turned 25 on May 3. New of the former Ohio State star quarterback was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter who was told by Haskins’ agent of his death. Haskins was in Florida this week training and putting in offseason work with several other players for the Steelers. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement: “I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins. He quickly became part of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the field and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so, a tremendous friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kalabrya, and his entire family during this difficult time.” While at Ohio State, Haskins set numerous Big 10 conference records and finished third in the 2018

Dwayne Haskins

Heisman Trophy voting. He was drafted 15th overall in the 2019 NFL draft by Washington but was release during his second season in 2020. He was picked up by the Steelers last year and was competing for a starting job with the team.

City of Dallas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors Nomination Ed Bell Construction Company An Equal Opportunity Employer

On May 2, 2021, the City Council adopted recommendations to create a new economic development corApril 1, 2022 poration to support and enhance the work of the City of Dallas Office April 2022 is a Dallas based heavy highway contractor doing business in the North Texas Ed Bell 1, Construction of Economic Development. To learn market since 1963. With clients such as TxDOT, Dallas County Public Works, and the Cities of Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson, and Mansfield (plus many others), we have a strong backlog of work in the more about the City's current ecohighway market locally. development Ed Bell Construction is a Dallas based heavy highway contractor doing business in thenomic North Texas efforts please read the City of Dallas 2022-2032 market since 1963. With clients such as TxDOT, Dallas County Public Works, and the Cities of Dallas, We are currently hiring for the following positions: Policy, Fort Worth, Richardson, and Mansfield (plus many others), we have a strong backlog Economic of work inDevelopment the found here. highway market locally. • Pipelayer (Underground) The purpose of the Corporation • Form Setter (Structures, Paving) We• areRough currently hiring the following positions: is to support business developTerrain Cranefor Operator • Boom Mobile Crane Operator (CDL) ment and serve as a public devel• Motor Grader Operator (Earthwork) oper within the city of Dallas. The • Concrete Finisher (Paving, Structures) • Pipelayer (Underground) Corporation will be overseen by • Laborer (Earthwork, Underground, Paving) Form Setter(Earthwork, (Structures, Paving) a 15-member Board of Directors • • Loader Operator Underground) RoughOperator Terrain(Earthwork, Crane Operator • • Excavator Underground) who will contribute • • CDL Drivers (WaterCrane Truck, Haul Truck, (CDL) End Dump) Boom Mobile Operator to the new organi• Work Zone Barricade Servicer-must have DL and be bilingual with clear English zation's success by • Motor Grader Operator (Earthwork) representing a diver• Concrete Finisher (Paving, Structures) sity of backgrounds, • Laborer (Earthwork, Underground, Paving) Available: multiple openings perspectives, geog• Loader Operator (Earthwork, Underground) Rate: Negotiable raphies, and areas Operator (Earthwork, Underground) Must •have Excavator own transportation Years•of Experience required(Water will vary, Truck, from 6 months 2 years (depending on position) of expertise with CDL Drivers HaultoTruck, End Dump) Physical and Drug Screen Required the highest level of • Work Zone Barricade Servicer-must have DL and be bilingual with clear English Must have a Clear Background integrity and dedicaMust be at least 18 years old (CDL Driver, 21 yrs) tion to Dallas. Must APPLY IN PERSON at 10605 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75220 from 7am-11am Mon-Fri. Initial Directors Please visit our website: www.edbellconstruction.com/careers will serve an initial Available: multipleOropenings email your resume to: careers@edbellconstruction.com term of two-, three-, Rate: Negotiable Must have own transportation Years of Experience required will vary, from 6 months to 2 years (depending on position) Physical and Drug Screen Required

Ed Bell Construction Company An Equal Opportunity Employer

or four years and are eligible for reappointment for three-year terms. No director may serve for more than 8 consecutive years. Directors do not receive a salary or compensation for their services but are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred during official duties as a Director. Directors may be subject to a background check prior to confirmation. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to the Board of Directors, please fill out the information below to submit an individual for consideration for the Corporation's inaugural board.

If you are nominating more than one individual, please use one form per person. All nominated persons will be considered by a nomination committee that will present an initial slate of candidates to the City Council for approval in the spring of 2022. All nominations are due by 11:59 pm on Saturday, April 30. Additional information including the Corporation's bylaws and certificate of formation is available here. Contact ecodevinfo@dallascityhall.com if you have questions. https://survey.zohopublic.com/ zs/NNRx1g

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QUIT PLAYIN’ By Vincent L. Hall

What do you call a Black man with a Ph.D.? You call him a 'nigger'." - Malcolm Little/ Malcolm X/ el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. Ketanji Brown Jackson was duly-nominated, confirmed, and soon to be seated for the highest court in the land. Her place as America's first and only Black woman on the United States Supreme Court is historical. It is even a small indication that some promises have been kept. Like everyone, I am proud of Justice Brown Jackson and her ascent to the bench. However, most of us would be remiss if we did not acknowledge our angst in this bittersweet victory. I will allow thousands of other columnists to bask in the afterglow. But my mind is stuck in the dark moments of her hearings. The hubris and brutal ironies of her foes were not unexpected. In this present political environment, there is much to be gained by bashing minorities, women, and immigrants. The Republican Party has been built on it bashing “the others” since they swapped places with the Democratic Party.

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Publisher : Cheryl Smith Editor: editor@myimessenger.com

Address: 320 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 100 Dallas, Tx 75203 Website: www.texasmetronews.com Phone: 214-941-0110

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

During this days-long charade, the Republicans called Justice Brown-Jackson everything short of the "N-Word." In a post-confirmation article, The Root pinned the tail on the elephant rather than the donkey. “During her confirmation hearings, she endured attacks from Republicans over her judicial record, with several referencing her past sentencing decisions in cases that involved people convicted of child pornography offenses. Other judges across the ideological spectrum spoke in support of her judicial record. Her confirmation hearings also became a venue for Republicans to score political points by bringing up topics such as critical race theory, which is currently not an issue in any case before the court. But Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) also used the hearings to speak forcefully in support of Jackson and other Black women who have faced unfair treatment in their professional lives.” President Lyndon Baines

Johnson was generally right on the issues. But he underestimated the vileness, veracity, length, and breadth of America’s racism. After signing the 1964 Civil Rights Act, he declared, “We have lost the South for a generation.” It has been three generations now, and another two or three

would be humiliating and inglorious. Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn emerged early to let us know that they would lead the assault. That was another miscalculation LBJ made. LBJ may not have fully realized that the South/North battle had spread like a cancer throughout the continental U.S. He didn’t account for how many Southern/Confederate sympathizers there were from Utah to Utica and from Arizona to the Alleghenies. Two paragraphs from the bottom, though, contained one sentence that blew fresh oxygen on the simmering embers that singed my psyche throughout the "trial." “Finality of Jackson's confirmation was delayed by several minutes, as 99 Senators had cast their votes, but Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), wasn't on the Senate floor. He voted against confirmation. Republican SenSenator Tim Scott ators Susan Collins are on the horizon. (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski The hallmarks of American (R-Alaska), and Mitt Romney history ensured that Justice (R-Utah) all voted in favor of Brown Jackson's "perp walk" confirmation. Sen. Tim Scott

(R-S.C.), the only Black Senator, cast a "no" vote.” The “Lone Negro” of the Senate Republican Caucus voted no. We are talking about a shuffling colored boy who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Charleston Southern University. He was never an editor at the Harvard Law Review; he never received the Juris-Doctorate from the same or clerked for a justice on the court. Nevertheless, he saw the line the GOP wrote in the sand and knew not to cross it. It was "Hell Week" for African Americans, liberal whites, and the whole cast of us who gawked at the Senate's demeanor during this process. Malcolm X told us how far too many Whites devalue Black lives. But you can always predict that one of the "good ones" will come to their aid and rescue. I don’t know who leased, rented, or has a recorded deed on the Negro, “Shuffling Scott,” but it is apparent that he never disappoints his master(s). To channel the spirit of “Chicken George” in Alex Haley's classic Roots, "Him’s is a good Nigga boss!” What can you say about ol’ “Shuffling Scott?” Well, he’s quiet, and does what he’s told. Tim Scott is one of the “good ones.”

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

MY TRUTH: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson cont. from page 1 Which brings me to my truth. Part of me now wants to go into a secluded, dark room away from everyone, where I can just release every emotion imaginable. Poet extraordinaire Nikki Giovanni encourages this practice. I find it helpful for my balancing act and emotional stability. Tears, laughter, silence, screams, prayers! I would let it all out! At some point, I probably would dance. I would be cheering for Judge Jackson, this country’s first Black woman to serve as a United States Supreme Court judge. I would reserve some mo-

ments of elation for pioneering activist Constance Baker Motley; economist and attorney Sadie T.M. Alexander; trailblazing attorney Charlotte E. Ray; Judge Jane Bolin, the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School and the first to become a judge in the United States, and too many others to mention in this space. The Constitution does not require Supreme Court Justices to be lawyers or have attended law school. So I can’t help but question whether some Black women, including U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan of Texas; journalist Ida B. Wells Barnett; educator, activist and philanthropist Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune; and civil rights activist Dr. Dorothy

Irene Height all might have received the nod. That is had it not been for the racial norms of their day. There are many others who have come before us who were eminently qualified but denied opportunity. It’s important to pay homage to Black women who were refused the privilege of serving at higher capacities, including legal scholar Lani Guinier and professor and attorney Cheryl Wattley. I applaud efforts like “Because of Them We Can,” a digital space in which Eunice Jones Gibson devotes to teaching and refreshing “Black history while connecting the dots between the past, present and future.”

Because of Them We Can features “sheroes” like Judge Jackson. It serves as a reminder that we have so much to be proud of. I absolutely love that Judge Jackson publicly acknowledges the giants on whose shoulders she stands. Future generations, I believe, will view her with pride: She will serve as a role model to many. I know the work is not over. We must continue urging people to VOTE. On April 7, 2022, I needed a little time for "me." I needed to absorb the moment. I am, like philosopher, scholar and humanitarian Pastor Frederick D. Haynes III says, “feeling peacock proud and hyena happy!”

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Historic Progress Made by Black Women in America, But Work Remains TO BE EQUAL By Marc Morial “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well… Understanding the true history of our country will help us to comprehend the need for full equality under the law for all our people.” — President Jimmy Carter, proclaiming the first National Women’s History Week This goal can be achieved by ratifying the 27th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which

states that “Equality of Rights under the Law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” When labor activist Theresa Malkiel established the first official Women’s Day in 1909, only four states and four U.S. territories granted women the right to vote. The 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law, did not apply to women. Two years later, some European countries joined the United States in the observance of International Women’s Day. The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day in 1975, and in 1987 Congress designated March as Women’s History Month for the first time. Throughout much of America’s history, the advancements of women’s rights applied only to white women. The National Women’s History Alliance, which was instrumental in establishing Women’s History Month, declared, “Despite our best intentions, we have not done enough to challenge racism within the sphere of women’s history. In

the past we have failed to effectively speak out against racism in our collaborative spaces.” So, it is especially significant that the first Black women nominated to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday as the first step in the confirmation process. This Women’s History Month also has seen the confirmation of the first Black woman to head Office of Management and Budget, Shalanda Young, and the confirmation of Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, is imminent. Beginning with his historic selection of Kamala Harris to serve as vice president, President Biden has appointed a record number of women — and women of color — to key roles in his administration and nominated more Black women to the federal courts than any president in history. National Urban League and the Urban League have long shared this commitment to gender equality. From Harriet Tubman and So-

journer Truth to Rosa Parks and Fannie Lou Hamer, women have been the driving force in the fight for equal rights. The National Urban League was co-founded by philanthropist and social activist Ruth Standish Baldwin in 1910. More than half of our 91 affiliates are led by dynamic women CEOs, and nearly 70 percent of the National Urban League’s senior vice president and vice president positions are held by women. Women’s History Month is not only a celebration of women’s achievements of the past, but of women who are making history today. Among the honorees at the National Urban League’s most recent Women of Power Awards were Stacey Abrams, who confronted voter suppression in Georgia and inspired an estimated 800,00-plus new voters to register through her efforts; immunologist Kizzmekia S. Corbett, whose research was central to the development of the COVID-19 vaccines and treatment; and Amanda Gorman, who inspired the nation as the young-

est poet to read at a presidential inauguration and became the first National Youth Poet Laureate. As we celebrate the progress women — especially Black women — have made in recent years, it’s important to recognize the work we have yet to do. The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries, and Black women are about three times more likely to die during pregnancy or shortly after birth than white women, yet reproductive rights are under attack across the nation. Women still are paid only 84 cents for every dollar paid to men, and Black women are paid only 63 cents for every dollar paid to white men. President Obama once said there is no greater form of patriotism than the belief that “it is in our power to remake this nation to more closely align with our highest ideals.” Achieving and protecting the equal rights of all women is among the most sacred of those ideals. Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.

Honoring Black Women WAKE UP AND STAY WOKE By Dr. E. Faye Williams Will Smith yells at comedian Chris Rock (not pictured) from his front-row seat at the 2022 Oscars after taking the stage and slapping him for a joke about Smith's wife during the March 27 ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. There are right ways and wrong ways to accomplish most things. A few days ago, the world witnessed the wrong way to defend and honor women, if that is what Will Smith thought he was doing. For sure, walking on stage after laughing at a joke, slapping someone, speaking, and going back to his seat yelling an

obscenity for all to hear, by no measure is the right way. We have watched Will Smith grow up into what we thought was a real man, only to find out he still acts like an unruly kid. Watching him slap Chris Rock for no reason must have sparked memories in the minds of every woman who has been domestically abused by a man who assumed the woman would not fight back. It’s best that she wouldn’t because fighting back physically would have invariably caused her more slaps, kicks and a significantly longer beating because the man in question would become even more enraged. I know because I have been there. It’s never been a secret that I am a survivor of domestic abuse. I compliment Chris Rock for not escalating Will’s insane behavior. Many women sat won-

dering if after “floor showing” about protecting his wife’s honor, he’d ever shown that kind of behavior toward her. Chris could have responded, causing a brawl that would have embarrassed most Black people. This was to have been a night of pride for us with so many Black participants, probably hoping Will Smith would win the Oscar, only to be shocked and embarrassed by Will’s thuggish behavior over a joke. Chris Rock is a comedian. Comedians tell jokes and many of us were honored to have him at the awards ceremony. After Will’s horrible behavior, he eventually went to the microphone and had an opportunity to cool his hot temper and apologize to all of us, including Chris. Instead, he went to the microphone, all teary-eyed, without the necessary courage to apologize to

Chris or to those who thought the “apology” he gave as insufficient. Dr. Christian Gregory, I am glad you so eloquently discussed the issue concerning Will Smith slapping Chris Rock. As you stated, your dad taught how fear, hate, jealousy, anger and the danger to ourselves when we surrender to violence. He taught me that “anger can consume and destroy us” and, that by acting under the influence of anger, I relinquish the authority of my own self-control. Dick Gregory taught valuable “character lessons” to young comics and others. Even though Chris Rock was the victim of violence, I am grateful he reacted as he did! We, Black people, did not need the unnecessary humiliation of Will’s actions amplified by a response in kind from Chris. If he had truly wished to honor his wife, Will could have emulated the actions of Senator Cory Booker. By not doing so,

he missed the unfulfilled opportunity to make all Black women proud of who we are — not just his wife. Yes, during the confirmation hearings for our sister, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Senator Booker taught a master class of what a Black man could and should do to honor a Black woman. Booker’s eloquence in responding to “real” racially motivated verbal attacks stood head and shoulders above Smith’s “contrived” and unrestrained response to a joke at which he initially laughed. Before this is over, I think Smith will indeed recognize that “anger can consume and destroy you.” I fervently pray that he learns something positive from his unwarranted behavior. Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. Contact her via www.nationalcongressbw.org.

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Don’t Miss Him FAITHFUL UTTERANCES By Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew

I’m no stranger to a Judas. I think we’ve all had our moments with the individual who represented themselves one way only to turn out to be something totally different. Judas was the disciple responsible for keeping the money. There was something that made the disciples comfortable in trusting his skillset or a belief that he was capable. Somewhere along the way, his desire to serve became clouded in a willingness to steal. As someone who saw the miracles Jesus performed and his commitment to serving God, he got lost and allowed himself to be used as an agent of evil. For example, the time that he was upset about Mary using perfume on Jesus’ feet was shieled in an attempt to portray his concern for the poor but was rooted in his desire for money. (John 12:1-6) This was a man who saw Lazarus raised from the dead (v. 9) and even with the ability to witness miracles, he still sought short-term gratification instead of seeing salvation right in his presence. How often are we faced with miracles from God only to rationalize it as being something else? As much as we are critical of Judas, it is important that we evaluate that spirit within ourselves. For many, we have witnessed the goodness of God only to question it or the messenger because it did not meet our expectations. As the celebration of Passover occurred, Judas was preparing to turn Jesus over to the Pharisees. He not only ate with Jesus but had his feet washed by our Lord. It's interesting that Jesus knew that Judas would betray him and still allowed him to be a part of the group. There is a lesson for all of us in this. We must know that there will be those who start the journey with us with good intentions that allow themselves to

be compromised because their focus is no longer on the Savior but the satisfaction of whatever they seek. The Bible accounts that on several occasions Satan entered Judas. How is it possible that one can be close to Christ and fall for the temptation presented by Satan? Judas “watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.” Judas had been walking with the Light of the World and yet, when he removed himself from the light, he was in the darkness making deadly decisions. He did not want others to see what he was doing. When we remove ourselves from the work of our Savior and entertain the darkness, we also have the tendency to move away from the community that will hold us accountable.

Judas realizes his fault far too late. The people that he sought to impress and the temporary satisfaction of the 30 pieces of silver were not enough. “…he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders...So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:35) Jesus’ gave his life and Judas lost his. The kiss of betrayal isn’t something that happens immediately. Judas allowed his resentment and greed to go unchecked. Instead of recognizing his need for the Savior who was right there, he was easily sedated by momentary musings of wealth. The real wealth was in his presence, and he missed it. I hope as we celebrate the res-

The kiss of betrayal isn’t something that happens immediately. Judas allowed his resentment and greed to go unchecked. Instead of recognizing his need for the Savior who was right there, he was easily sedated by momentary musings of wealth. If we are not careful, it is easy to solely see Judas as the betrayer and not a part of God’s ultimate plan for salvation. It’s also easy to miss that we have the impression that we are walking with Christ and yet fail to realize how we allow ourselves to be instruments of the Devil. When we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on material things such as money, we can jeopardize the lives of those around us and impact our destiny. The response of Jesus’ to the upcoming betrayal was not one of condemnation. He could have told Judas off, revealed his plot, or even stopped him. Instead, Jesus prayed for his disciples (including Judas) and followed God to the end.

urrection of our Savior that we don’t miss Him. What we don’t bring into submission to the Holy Spirit— jealousy, envy, gossip, greed, selfish ambition, etc.---can lead us down a path of destruction… and we miss the true relationship that is available to each of us with Jesus. Excerpt from the article, Don’t Miss Him in the Baptist Standard, March 28, 2022 (https:// www.baptiststandard.com/ opinion/voices/dont-miss-jesus-like-judas-did/) Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the host of the Tapestry Podcast and the author of three books for women. She is also the Vice President of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas. To learn more, visit drfroswa. com.

Lessons Republicans Can Learn From Ukraine The good news is that we, the American people, still believe in democracy, our constitution, and equality for all. Like the people of Ukraine, we can unite and fight the inhumane and conspiratorial conduct of our Republican Russians. Like the people of Ukraine, we must rally around democracy and fight with the weapons of our institutions and our votes to remove the Russians among us.

OUR VOICES By Dr. John E. Warren While Russia brought almost 200,000 troops against the people of the Ukraine, the most impressive thing was not the numbers of the attackers, but the unity of the people who rose up to meet the assault on their culture and their way of life. The Republican Party here in the United States is much like the Russians, attacking a way of life without regard for life or property. The destruction of life and property is much like the assault on our democratic institutions such as the fair election of a President of the United States, according to our own Constitution. Yet, the Republicans, much like the Russians, have no regard for anything that exists outside of their own marching orders. Just take a look at the hearings to nominate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court. Like the Russians looking at the institutions and culture of the Ukraine, yet bent on destruction of the same with no regard for their value, the Republicans understand the value of the U.S. Supreme Court and the importance of those who serve. These same Republican senators have twice voted to confirm Judge Jackson to two courts, yet, this time, Senators like Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham, who have voted twice for her in the past, now refuse to

vote to confirm this Black woman to the highest Court in the land. To support their insanity, they created concepts like Judicial Philosophy, which have nothing to do with service. Interestingly enough, the Constitution does not even require that a Supreme Court Justice be a lawyer, just get confirmation. As the Russians left and are continuing to leave the bodies of men, women, and children in the streets as symbols of the human carnage of their war crimes, so are bodies being left in the streets of this country as the result of mass shootings by weapons so many Republicans refuse to outlaw like AK47 assault rifles, which have nothing to do with the Second Amendment Right to keep and bear arms. Yes, like the Russians, the Republicans do not care about the threat to democracy and the way of life it guarantees to all Americans. While some allow the use of bullets others prefer Voter Suppression, the removal of polling sites, and penalties for eating or drinking while waiting in long lines to vote. The good news is that we, the American people, still believe in democracy, our constitution, and equality for all. Like the people of Ukraine, we can unite and fight the inhumane and conspiratorial conduct of our Republican Russians. Like the people of Ukraine, we must rally around democracy and fight with the weapons of our institutions and our votes to remove the Russians among us. Dr. John E. Warren is publisher of The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint.

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BIG MAMA SAID

• April 14 - April 20, 2022

IF THE GRAVY ON YOUR PLATE DON’T FALL ON MINE THEN YOUR GRAVY IS NO GOOD BLACK CARD By Terry Allen Lucille “Big Mama” Allen wanted us to know that no matter, if we were not being a servant to others then our own prosperity would be in default and personal benefits would fail. “Big Mama said you have to have two learnings, one from mankind and One from God. She also took a deeper dive and told me that mankind's lessons have to come from a mankind that looked like you and uplifted you. Right after she stated that she said, “because all skinfolk ain’t kinfolk” so she was headstrong about having self-love of our authentic culture and origins. My 6th grade-educated Big Mama read a lot. She and I traded books and magazines throughout my time at SMU. Big Mama loved Ebony, Time and

Newsweek magazines and she and my Mama, Betty, loved Jet magazine. She said this about Jet, “those are some real Black folks in those stories!” If she was here today, she would be excited about every issue of Texas Metro News, from Superb Woman to Norma Adams-Wade and Cheryl Smith’s columns. One day she handed me the book “The Miseducation of The Negro.” I was drawn to Woodson’s statement. “Philosophers have long conceded that every man has two educations: “that which is given to him, and the other that which he gives himself. Of the two kinds the latter is by far the more desirable. Indeed all that is most worthy in man he must work out and conquer for himself. It is that which constitutes our real and best nourishment. What we are merely taught seldom nourishes the mind like that which we teach ourselves.” Carter G. Woodson I am charged and reminded of the scripture that Big

Mama added about faith without works. James 2:17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Big Mama lifted up the forgotten and neglected just by proximity – being with them when no one else would be. She said believers have to know that to serve others renders God’s promise for us. Scripture: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:18 Hallelujah! Lucille Bailey Allen. Big Mama’s Playbook was the foundation for my team taking 59 women off welfare and making them CEOs. Judge Brown-Jackson does not need bad gravy from the majority of the 47 nays who walked out

during her confirmation. Nor does Will Smith need the “Academy” to confirm his journey and devalue his apology

with their unbalanced action. Some ‘kinfolk” do not help and do not share gravy. There are those who need a Peer to Peer gravy intercession! Congrats to Publisher Smith. She built a platform to use the gifts of others to shine!

Let me name a few who have poured into others. (Check the website for my larger list) Shout out to Ken Carter, CEO, Focus Communications ; Anthony Boyce, CEO, Kut Konnect; Pastor Keith Lofton, Memphis; Andrew Boykin, Executive Director, The Restoration Project; Norma Adams-Wade, Founding Member, NABJ; Johnny Foster, CEO, Dallas-based MCS Devices; Oliver Sims, CEO, Venture Capitalist leader; retired highly-decorated NYPD Police officer, Thomas Higdon and Shannon Cannon, Faith and Fitness guru. I close with this: How do you show your faith with works? Email me at the paper. Terryallenpr@gmail.com Terry Allen is an NABJ awardwinning Journalist, PR professional and founder of 1016 Media, the charity - City Men Cook and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS-DFW

NANBPWC Founders’ Day to be held

Wathenia Clark, Founders' Day Chair

Bianca Davis

BJ Williams

Reuben Lael Griffin

President Bennye Bryant

Mrs. Culpepper

The Garland Club will host its 40th annual Founders’ Day Virtual Celebration on Saturday, April 16, 2022. This Year’s Celebration is honoring 41 years of its existence. Educator LaKeisha Culpepper will keynote the Garland Club’s 40th annual Founders’ Day Virtual Celebration on Saturday, April 16, 2022. The Founders’ Day Celebration will begin at 10:30 am with silent auction bidding, and the program will begin promptly at 11:00 a. m. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite.com under Annual Founders Day NANBPWC, INC. The Garland Club. Tickets are $25.00 online or by phone at (214) 477-7520. An experienced public-school educator with over 20 years of experience, Culpepper is a kingdom builder, master teacher, school leader, life coach, and

friend. She is pursuing her doctoral degree and is currently the Garland ISD Community Liaison to African Americans. The Honorable B.J. Williams, Garland City Council District 4; Ms. Bianca Davis, CEO of New Friends New Life; and Reuben “Lael” Griffin will be honored at this virtual event. The silent auction opened online Saturday, April 8. The exceptionally talented actor, singer, public speaker, community activist, and a Garland High School graduate, Reuben “Lael” Griffin will perform and scholarships will be awarded to GISD seniors. Dr. Bennye Bryant and Wathenia Clark are the 2022 Celebration Chairs. In addition, Dr. Bryant serves as the Garland Club President and Mrs. Clark serves as Director of Membership.

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Metro Community Calendar powered by Black Lives, Black Letters: Primary Sources in African American History Until Apr 15, 2022 · 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM at Fondren Library at SMU This exhibition features rare books, p a m p h l e t s, broadsides, sheet music, prints, photographs, manuscripts and ephemera documenting aspects of the Black experience in America from the colonial period to the present. It includes artifacts from Phillis Wheatley, Toni Morrison, Frederick Douglass and Barack Obama as well as from less familiar, sometimes anonymous, figures from the past, in literature, education, politics, religion, business, sports, the performing arts, domestic life, and popular culture.

APRIL 14 Dr. John Hope Franklin was appointed to faculty of the Univ. of Chicago on 4/14/1963. In 1982 he became the James B.Duke Prof. Emeritus of History and Prof. of Legal History in the law School at Duke University. DeSoto ISD opened the Parent Resource Center in partnership with local 501c3 organization, Serving with a Purpose (S.W.A.P.), to assist families with practical as well as educational needs. The open house is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 pm at the former East Middle School campus, 601 E. Belt Line Rd., in DeSoto.

See Eric Bellinger & Sammie Live in Dallas, April 14th @ The Echo Lounge & Music Hall

1960: Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee ( SNCC) was formed in North Carolina. It advocates militant direct action instead of nonviolence.

1978: Reporter Max Robinson becomes first Black network news anchor.

Good Friday Passover

1914: Musician and bandleader Lionel Hampton is born.

Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 11:00am

Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre Hotel

1975:Lee Elder becomes first Black golfer to qualify for Masters Tournament.

The Dallas Farmers Market is open Easter weekend and full of Easter-themed activities. Enjoy natural Easter egg dyeing for Little Farmers, an Easter Egg hunt at City Futsal and an Easter photo opportunity. Local farmers, makers, and artisans will be in The Shed 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1922: Musician and composer Charles Mingus is born.

Underground Movement Festival · 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM at McCall Plaza Urban Movement Festival brings the culture of underground hip-hop movement out into the open skies of Downtown Plano. Join us for 2-versus-2 Dance Battles, B-boy/B-girl battles and dance team showcases.

17 1758: Francis Williams, first U.S. Black college graduate, published a poem in Latin.

THE FULL CIRCLE TOUR: The Smooth R&B 105.7 Smooth Spring Groove with KEM and Babyface and special guest host Sherri Shepherd at the Texas Trust CU Theater

5410 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Dallas, TX 75240

Formal invitations will soon follow

1947: Famed basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is born.

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Benefitting the Education and Scholarship Fund

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Awards Luncheon

DFW South Carolina State University Alumni Chapter Golf Tournament at Bear Creek Golf Club - 3500 Bear Creek Ct. For more information: contact Chris Sales at (214) 597-3550 19th Annual First Amendment Awards and Scholarship Banquet sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists -Fort Worth Pro Chapter, 6-9 pm at the Rolling Hills Country Club in Arlington,. The keynote speaker will be former WFAA-TV Sports Anchor Dale Hansen. There will be a special tribute to legendary Texas journalist Mike Cochran. For info, contact Kim Pewitt Jones at 817-480-1229.

The World According to Andrew on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. CST. Sundays Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news and commentary. Join the call 646200-0459 on Andrew’s World.

23 1856: Granville T. Woods, inventor with 50 patents, was born in Columbus, OH. Died 1/30/1910.

Doc Shep Speaks Show! A fresh perspective, but still entertaining! Welcome to The Doc Shep Speaks Show!!!. Tuesdays at 11 am. CST Live on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews, @ fnsconsulting, and YouTube Live @ docshepspeaks.

1959: “Youth March for Integrated Schools” drew 30,000 students to Washington, D.C. 1977: Author Alex Haley received special Pulitzer Prize for Roots.

Saturday, April 23, 2022 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mercer Business Park 12121 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75234 (Northwest corner of I-35 and I-635) Help support the North Texas Food Bank with a suggested donation of two nonperishable food items For more information, go to comerica.com/ShredDayDFW

BENEFITING

MEMBER FDIC. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER. CB-5222000-02 03/22

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SPECIAL THANKS

24 1944: The United Negro College Fund is founded

I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade “History Class is in Session” Join in on Facebook/@ TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com at 11 am -1 pm. CST. Wednesdays. Join the conversation AVANCE Latino call 646-200-0459.

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Wear blue for Child Abuse Awareness

DeSoto ISD Parent Resource Center open house scheduled for 6 to 7:30 pm at the former East Middle School campus, 601 E. Belt Line Rd., in DeSoto. *** Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center Egg’stravaganza Dallas Park and Recreation welcomes families to a citywide Easter event where children will receive candy-filled plastic Easter eggs and other goodies., at 4p.m. Treats will be available while supplies last. Registration is requested; call the recreation centers to sign up.

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Denton’s MHMR LOSS Department is hosting a Music and Art Fest at Red’s Yard, 410 N. Bell Ave., Denton from 12 pm – 4 pm in efforts to provide outreach to local suicide survivors.

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Keller Spring Fun Festival at Keller Town Center This family and pet-friendly festival will feature vendors, shopping, food and an Easter egg hunt. 9a-3p 1100 Bear Creek Pkwy, Keller

Author and applied architectural researcher Ronald Rael will be giving a presentation at the University of North Texas, University Union Lyceum, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, at 7:30 pm over his book Borderwall as Architecture in which he discusses the divide between the United States and Mexico.

The Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra performs at The Black Academy of Arts and Letter, at 5p.m.

May 10

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ernie Roberts Park, 515 E. Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto, TX 75115

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Easter Weekend at the Arboretum April 15-17, celebrate Easter at the Dallas Arboretum with fun activities for the whole family.

The Greater Denton Arts Council is hosting a Denton Makers Festival at Armadillo Ale, 221 South Bell Ave., Denton, from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm with to provide an event in which local bands and artists can showcase their work.

April 29-May 1 Dan’s Silverleaf will be hosting a 3-day Made In Denton Music Event at 103 Industrial, Denton, starting at 7 pm Friday and lasting through Sunday at 8 pm to raise money for the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival.

30 The Fellowship for the Advancement of Cultural Education of Students (FACES) organization at UNT is putting on a Worldfest from 11 am – 2 pm at 1800 Chestnut St, Denton with entertainment booths for different cultures to bring cultural awareness to students and to promote diversity.

The 4th Annual Denton Freedom Charity Golf Tournament is being hosted at Wildhorse Golf Club at Robson Ranch, 9400 Ed Robson Blvd A, Denton to help raise awareness for homelessness and hunger and freedom from addiction.

JUNE 4 ‘Live Out Proud’ at the Dallas Pride Music Festival & Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade in Fair Park June 4-5. Dallas Pride readies for its return to Fair Park June 4-5 to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and its allies with a weekend of events with the theme of “Live Out Proud.” Tickets are on sale now at dallaspride.org for the Dallas Pride Music Festival

City of Denton Parks and Recreation is hosting 5K and 1 mile Honey Runs beginning at the Denton Civic Center, 321 E. McKinney St., Denton and winding through Quakertown Park and the Texas Woman’s University campus to celebrate Earth Day.

As part of a special spring concert, the Denton Black Film Festival is featuring Grammy Award-winning MonoNeon during this exhilarating evening of music hosted by famed DJ Frances Jaye. The concert will take place at 8 p.m., at the Margo Jones Performance Hall, 1100 Oakland St, Denton, TX 76201, located on the campus of Texas Woman’s University.

• April 14 - April 20, 2022

DBCC 37th Annual Quest For Success 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM CST On The Levee, 2525 N Stemmons Frwy Dallas, TX 75207

Send your calendar items to: editor@texasmetronews.com at least 2-4 weeks before your planned event

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Motown Legend Smokey Robinson Causes Social Media Stir Saying He Resents Being Called African American NNPA NEWSWIRE — “I consider myself to be a Black American, and I enjoy being called Black, and Black has been so negativized as a color down throughout history by those who wanted to negativize it,” Robinson explained, adding that contributions by Black people should be recognized similarly to their white peers. “And so, it spilled over into the Black community and to the Black people. And even Black people back in the day calling each other Black was a sign for a fight.” By Stacy M Brown NNPA Newswire

Legendary singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson has come under fire – at least on social media – because the icon said, “Black is a race,” and that “I resent being called African American.” “I resent being called African American because Black people have contributed so much to the development of the United States of America,” Robinson, 82, stated during a virtual appearance on The View, which has since gone viral. “I think that when you do that, you’re disclaiming all the things, the contributions that Black people have made to America,” he said. The icon’s comments reflected those he made nearly two decades ago during an appearance on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry when he recited a poem that he hoped would educate individu-

als about the Black experience. While some backed the entertainer, others trolled him. “The facts that ‘Black is a race’ and ‘African American is an ethnicity’ really whoops y’all’s asses,” Twitter user @_Elle_ Spencer_ wrote in response to Robinson, calling him an “idiot.” Twitter user @LifeDutchee, a self-described retired drug dealer, also went in on Robinson. “A man born in the 1940s is on the internet telling people to drop the African and just call him Black American. Cause he had never been to Africa. What’s the stages of Dementia?” the social media user replied. Others objected to the icon’s Once identified by Bob Dylan as America’s “greatest living poet,” legendary recording artist, lyricist and composer Smokey Robinson, is a Rock’ n’ Roll Hall of Fame and detractors. “I understand what Smokey Songwriters’ Hall of Fame inductee. Photo: Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden greets Smokey Robinson at the Kennedy Center Honors Medallion Ceremony at the Library Robinson is explaining,” Twitter of Congress, December 4, 2021. Credit: Shawn Miller/Library of Congress user @gracefully_Tori wrote. “I Once identified by Bob Dylan ers’ Hall of Fame inductee, still love being called Black American as well. I thought I was the as America’s “greatest living stuck to his guns. “I consider myself to be a only one who didn’t like to be poet,” Robinson, a Rock’ n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Songwrit- Black American, and I enjoy becalled African American.”

ing called Black, and Black has been so negativized as a color down throughout history by those who wanted to negativize it,” Robinson explained, adding that contributions by Black people should be recognized similarly to their white peers. “And so, it spilled over into the Black community and to the Black people. And even Black people back in the day calling each other Black was a sign for a fight.” He concluded: “I resent being called African American because Black people have contributed so much to the development of the United States of America. The wonderful Black American, who served in the armed forces and gave their lives in all the wars. “They did not do that for Timbuktu or Capetown, or Kenya. They did that for Louisiana and Mississippi and Texas and Virginia. Okay? So that’s how I feel about it.”

Texas A&M Women's Basketball Names Joni Taylor Head Coach cont. from page 1 press conference at College Station that she and her family plan to be very visible interacting with the fan base and the Bryan/College Station community. “We are excited about getting here and getting ourselves immersed. In Athens (Georgia), we were very, very visible and we plan to be the same here. We've got a lot to learn. And, again, we want to lean into the Bryan/College Station community, to Aggieland, to show us the way. “But you're going to see us around. You're going to see my kids around, our family, our parents around. We're going to be recognizable and involved. And we want to help. We want to serve our community and do what we can to help.” Taylor succeeds longtime

Head Coach Joni Taylor and AD Ross Bjork

head coach and Hall-of-Famer Gary Blair who led the Aggies for 19 years. Over those years the Aggies won five conference titles, reached the NCAA Tour-

Credit: Texas A&M Athletics - Kate Luffman

nament 16 times and won the NCAA Championship in 2011. "Texas A&M women's basketball stands for excellence and integrity on and off the court. As

we began our search to replace Coach Blair, it was so important that we found the right leader and person who would exemplify these same qualities and someone who understood what being an Aggie is all about,” said Texas A&M Director of Athletics Ross Bjork. "As the process evolved, and the more we got to know Coach Taylor, it became crystal clear that she is the right coach to lead our program into this new era of Aggie basketball. Her passion, energy, knowledge of the game, recruiting acumen, experience in the SEC and leadership in modern day college athletics are all the characteristics that make Coach Taylor the perfect fit for Texas A&M and our basketball program.” Taylor said she has known

Coach Blair since she was a player at the University of Alabama, and he was a coach at Arkansas and has always respected him and his basketball acumen. "The way he led young women on and off the court and was a steward of our game is something I have always admired,” Taylor said. “He created a National Championship program during his 19 years at A&M and to be able to continue that legacy is an honor.” Taylor, a Meridian, Mississippi, native, spent the first seven years of her head coaching career leading the Georgia women's basketball program. She amassed 140 victories with a .651 winning percentage and 64 wins in SEC play. She is married and has two children.

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Dallasite Featured in Showtime's The First Lady cont. from page 1

Regina Taylor and Cheryl Smith during recent interview

couldn’t hold back sharing the news that Taylor had become the first Black woman to play Juliet Capulet in Romeo and Juliet on Broadway. Sunday, English, now in her late 80s, will get a chance anew to brag on Taylor, a Southern Methodist University graduate, who will portray Marian Shields Robinson, the mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, in the new Showtime limited series, The First Lady. “I am so proud of my niece,” Mrs. English said. “She always takes care of home and she is such a beautifull, multi-talented person.” For her part, Taylor, reached in New York where she is working on several projects, said taking on the role of the former “First Mother” was sobering. “It was humbling playing this woman because I remember when she stepped onto the world stage and walked into the White House,” Taylor said. “(I said to myself,) ‘You know what Michelle, you brought your mama with you to keep things stable, to bring continuity, lineage, legacy and stability.’ You want that stability up in there!” The First Lady chronicles Obama and former First Ladies Betty Ford and Eleanor Roosevelt in Season One. Celebrated Hollywood veterans Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Gillian Anderson play the first ladies, respectively. “Viola Davis does a smash up job playing Michelle Obama and I am very happy to be playing Marian Robinson,” Taylor said. The series offers viewers a peek at very distinguished women in very different times, how they became who they are and the people who shaped

and supported them, Taylor said. The ensemble cast also includes Saniyya Sidney as Sasha Obama; Julian DeNiro, as a young Barack Obama; and Evan Parke as Michelle Obama’s longtime security agent, Allen Taylor. Lexi Underwood (Little Fires Everywhere, Will Vs. The Future) portrays Malia Obama, the former First Family’s eldest daughter. “I’m so honored to be in this series with so many actors who are doing what they love to do and they are excellent,” said Taylor, a graduate of Dallas’ L.G. Pinkston High School. Taylor grew up in West Dallas with her mother, an educator who later worked as a social worker, and she was very close to her first cousin, who she calls Aunt Vera. It was Taylor’s mother who introduced her daughter to the arts. Taylor said she often thinks of her mother, who is now deceased, and the influence she had on her life. “My strength and focus come from my mother,” she said. Her mother loved gardening and Taylor would often visit her mother’s garden because she enjoyed viewing “those plants that she (her mother) planted with her own hands; searching for my roots, my stability, my heartbeat, which began with hers.” She said, “I think Michelle (Obama) is always saying that source of strength for her was her parents.” There’s also that special cousin, Aunt Vera, whom Taylor said took a more prominent role in her life after her mother’s passing. A self-described “chocolate girl with pigtails,” Taylor also loved to write.

She thought of becoming a journalist and landed in the classroom of celebrated D/FW journalist Bob Ray Sanders, who at the time, worked as a television commentator, newspaper writer and frequent guest on Dallas area radio shows. He also taught a class at Texas Christian University. Sanders remembered a young Taylor, who grew up on Dallas’ West side, as “talented, intelligent, motivated and ready to work to do her thing.” “She represented herself well,” he said in an interview this week with Texas Metro News. “That is who she was and I am honored to have been a little part of her life. I’m just proud of her.” Instead of journalism, Taylor found her niche, however, in theater. She and her mother visited museums and community centers, became familiar with Ann Williams of Dallas Black Dance Theatre and she recalled cultivating many of her talents at the Jr. Black Academy of Arts and Letters with founder Curtis King. Barbara Steele, former chair of the Academy’s board, remembers when Taylor first came through. The budding actress was talented and humble, Steele said. “I always knew Regina was going to be a star,” said Steele, who is also a close friend of “Aunt Vera.” “What strikes me is how unpretentious she has always been. She has a heart of gold and she is so generous with her time and resources.” Taylor will return to Dallas soon when the new Fine Arts Department at Pinkston High School will be named in her honor. Taylor said her first film was the made-for-TV movie Crisis at Central High, starring Joanne Woodward, in which she portrayed Minnijean, one of the first Black students to integrate the Arkansas school system. According to her bio, Taylor next garnered praise for her role as Mrs. Carter, a drug-addicted mother in 1989's Lean on Me, alongside Morgan Freeman. Other film roles include

In March DISD Board Trustees voted on several name changes, including: School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center

Marvin E. Robinson School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview

Sarah Zumwalt Middle School

Dr. Frederick Douglass Todd Sr. Middle School

Robert L. Thornton Elementary School

Otto M. Fridia Elementary School

William Hawley Atwell Law Academy

Judge Louis A. Bedford, Jr. Law Academy

Bryan Adams High School

Bryan Adams High School Leadership Academy

n/a

iLearn Virtual Academy at Dallas ISD

n/a

Biomedical Preparatory at UT Southwestern

H. S. Thompson Elementary School Cafeteria

Jacqueline Mixon Cafetorium

Library at Thornton Elementary School

Emma Rodgers Library at Otto M. Fridia Elementary School

Fine Arts Department at Pinkston High School

Regina Taylor Fine Arts Department at L. G. Pinkston High School

L. G. Pinkston ROTC Wing

LTC. Retired Raymond Castillo ROTC Wind

Spike Lee’s Clockers, Saturday Church and Losing Isaiah. More recently, Taylor was seen in the mind-bending Lovecraft Country (Jordan Peele, J. J. Abrams, Mischa Greene); The Wonder Years (Saladin K. Patterson, Lee Daniels, Marc Valez, Fred Savage); Red Line (Ava DuVernay); All Day and a Night (Joe Robert Cole, Jeffrey Wright, Ashton Sanders); Blue Bloods (Tom Selleck); Black List; and Dig. The winner of numerous

honors, including two NAACP Image Awards and a Golden Globe for the TV series I'll Fly Away (with Sam Waterston), Taylor said she is honored and humbled by the recognition and opportunities coming her way. Taylor, like Obama, has had the undergirding and support from women, much like Marian Robinson, and both women have reached unimaginable heights while also remaining true to their roots.

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Mayor Eric Johnson announces creation of Mayor's Distinguished Service Award DALLAS — Mayor Eric Johnson on Thursday announced that he is officially creating the “Mayor’s Distinguished Service Award.” The award will honor the notable service and significant contributions of Dallas residents to the City of Dallas. During the inaugural year, Mayor Johnson — the 60th Mayor of Dallas — will name 60 awardees. The new award will be considered the highest honor — other than the Key to the City — that can be bestowed on civilians by the mayor, who is the “official head of city government” under the Dallas City Charter. “Dallas is a dynamic city that serves as the economic and cultural engine of the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country. But our greatest asset is our people,” Mayor Johnson said. “Through the Mayor’s Distinguished Service Award, we can properly honor those individuals who have strengthened our city in truly extraordinary ways.” To be considered for the award, nominees must: • Currently live in the City of Dallas; • Have a distinguished record of service and/or meritorious achievement over multiple years in the City of Dallas; • Demonstrate a standard of excellence; and • Display good moral character. Nominations are now open and can be submitted through this form. To be considered for an award, nominees must be current City of Dallas residents. City employees are ineligible to receive the award. The nominations are due by 6 p.m., April 29, 2022. To help him select awardees, Mayor Johnson has assembled a committee of distinguished community, civic, and business leaders, who will review nominations. • Craig Holcomb (co-chair) - Civic leader and former Dallas City Councilmember • Sarah Jackson (co-chair) - President, The Texas Lyceum and Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs, Dallas Citizens Council • Jason Villalba (co-chair) - CEO and Chairman, Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation, and former Texas State Representative. • Agustin Arteaga - The Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art • Willie Mae Coleman - South Dallas neighborhood leader • Betty Culbreath - Former Director, Dallas County Health and Human Services and incoming Chair, Dallas Housing Authority • Florencia Fortner - President & CEO, The Concilio • Mita Havlick - Executive Director, Dallas Education Foundation • Chris Heinbaugh - Vice President of Ex-

ternal Affairs, AT&T Performing Arts Center • Lee Jackson - former Chancellor of the University of North Texas System and former Dallas County Judge • Lelious Johnson - Pastor, St. Paul Baptist Church • Ben Leal - President, The Addy Foundation • Andrew Paley - Senior Rabbi, Temple Shalom • Mary Poss - Realtor and former Acting Mayor and Dallas Mayor Pro Tem • Barbara Steele - Dallas civic and political leader "The esteemed members of this inaugural selection committee have my sincerest

gratitude," Mayor Johnson said. "I trust their judgment, I know that they will represent viewpoints from all over this diverse and vibrant city, and I am thrilled to work with them to honor some of our most deserving residents." "This prestigious award provides us with the opportunity to recognize those residents of Dallas who have made a deep and lasting impact on our community and in some cases, beyond," said Holcomb. "I want to thank Mayor Johnson for inviting me to help spearhead this process, and I am excited to help honor some genuinely amazing people in our city." "Dallas is a great city with some out-

standing leaders," said Jackson. "The Mayor's Distinguished Service Award is a long overdue way for the City of Dallas to officially recognize the work our many civic leaders do every day to make Dallas the incredible place that it is." "Like Mayor Johnson, I grew up in Dallas, and I love this city and its people," Villalba said. "I am grateful to the mayor for this opportunity to help lift up our city's best and brightest. I know there are many people in our city who deserve to be honored in this way, and I look forward to working with this committee to help select the inaugural group of individuals to receive this truly special award.”

Previously, the Office of the Mayor had only four ways to honor civilians in Dallas: through formal letters, special recognitions, proclamations, and Keys to the City. Mayor Johnson has presented the Key to the City on only four occasions: to survivors of the Holocaust during the opening of the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum; to His Majesty King Oyo of the Tooro Kingdom during an official visit; to the South Oak Cliff community, represented by head football Coach Jason Todd, after the high school team won the state championship; and to recent NBA Hall of Fame inductee and Lincoln High School graduate Chris Bosh during a special ceremony last month.

South Carolina State University National Alumni Association DFW CHAPTER

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER GOLF TOURNAMENT

You are Invited!

Friday, April 22, 2022 Bear Creek Golf Club 3500 Bear Creek Ct Dallas, TX 75261 Registration begins at 10:00 A.M. Putting Contest starts at 11: 00 A.M. Golf Shotgun Start at 1:00 PM Format: 4 Person Scramble Please join us for a relaxing round of golf at DFW’s preeminent resort golf and event venue $100/player, (early bird by Mar 1, 2022- $90.00) Cost includes 18 holes of golf, cart, dinner (following tournament) & prizes RSVP by Friday, April 1, 2022 For more information: Contact Chris Sales at (214) 597-3550

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Chris Howell Foundation helping Black Communities cont. from page 1 Remembering “a” event that will provide participants with practical skills to help shape critical financial decisions. On Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Chris Howell Foundation will host its inaugural “Health Dollars Financial Literacy Symposium” at Dunbar High School, 5700 Ramey Avenue, Fort Worth. This event, which is open to the general public, aims to help attendees tackle financial concerns such as family budgeting, credit management, banking relationships and affordable housing. While this event is free, registration is required. Please visit chrishowellfoundation.org to register. The Howells – Chris and his wife Dominique – hope people walk away from the symposium with a healthier, wealthier money mindset that shifts from simply surviving to thriving. Why is this so important? The average Black family’s wealth is eight times lower than the wealth of an average White family. A lack of financial literacy has led to the racial wealth gap in the U.S., and the Chris Howell Foundation would like to change the narrative. “We believe the best way to serve the Metroplex is to help Black and Brown families realize their financial goals,” said Chris Howell, author and co-founder of the Dallas-based non-profit. “The Chris Howell Foundation is grateful for the support of NBC 5, State Representative, Nicole Collier, and Dunbar High School as we promote financial literacy and encourage families to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.” Many communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area struggle with food security, income, unemployment and other life issues that can have a long-lasting impact on families. The Howells expect the April 23 event to help people develop strategies for pursuing financial independence. “Attendees will get the opportunity to learn more about our B.E.T. On Yourself, The Ultimate Money Management Course,” an outcomes-based

program that features four modules: Building a Household Budget, Elevating Your Savings, Taking Action in Credit Management and Building Banking Relationships. One of the program’s key benefits is the live 1:1 mentoring, which helps to keep people engaged and motivated. Having a mentor who not only “talks the talk” but also “walks the walk” through the coursework with the attendees, is the Foundation’s secret weapon to teaching financial literacy. More than 250 people have participated in the financial literacy program since its 2018 launch. Coursework has been delivered through the Dallas Veterans Treatment Court, UNT Dallas, a State Rep. Nicole Collier Town Hall, and throughout the Metroplex. The goal, according to the

Howells, is to make financial literacy a “core value” in Black and Brown communities throughout North Texas. That’s because Chris and Dominique are not that far removed from the poverty of their childhood. Chris is the last of six children that grew up in a single-parent household in West Dallas. Dominique, the last of 11 children, grew up in what would become a single parent household after her mom passed away when she was nine-years old. Chris and Dominique were teenage parents with their first child at 16 and their third at 18, so they understand the importance of

budgeting and saving. “It doesn’t matter how much money you make, what matters is how you manage the money that you make,” said Dominique Bryant-Howell, who is President/Executive Director of the Chris Howell Foundation and a financial advisor. “As Black and Brown people, it is vital that we truly understand the power of our dollar.“ The Howells understand that financial literacy isn’t being taught to those most in need, and there is an audience for their programming. While serving families at food drives during the pandemic, the Chris Howell Foundation has been able to hear from families firsthand about a willingness to change their situation, but simply not knowing how to do so.

“We have served right at 100,000 families over the last 18 months, providing roughly 3 million pounds of food,” said Howell. “Our financial literacy symposium is just another way to help those families and countless more.” The Chris Howell Foundation’s programs and services empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency through skills development, increased knowledge, and access to necessary resources. According to recent media reports, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is poised to become an economic powerhouse by 2030; however, the story for

people living in South Dallas and southeast Fort Worth is very different. For example, research shows that 80% of African Americans are more likely to say that they live paycheck to paycheck and are 2.5 times more likely to overdraft on a bank account. Overdraft fees take a heavy toll on families living paycheck to paycheck. African Americans in the Dallas-Fort Worth area make up the second largest group of unbanked individuals and are twice as likely to utilize pre-paid debit cards that include additional fees. Furthermore, Latinos and African Americans are 74% of payday loan customers, meaning these borrowers are trapped in a debt spiral. To combat this obstacle to wealth creation, the Chris Howell Foundation strives to make impactful, quality financial literacy education available to as many people as possible, free of charge. Since launching in 2016, the Chris Howell Foundation’s work has been recognized by multiple entities for its work. In addition to financial literacy education, the Chris Howell Foundation offers programming focused on health and wellness, HIV prevention, male empowerment and food insecurity. The organization has partnered with area food banks and other community partners to host food drives at multiple sites throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “If there was ever a time to hit the reset button, and put some sound practices in place on how to manage your money, the time is now,” said Bryant-Howell. “Meet us at Dunbar High School on April 23rd, we want to take this journey with you.” Visit chrishowellfoundation. org for details on how to donate, volunteer or to view upcoming events Healthy Dollars Financial Literacy Symposium Saturday, April 23 at 10 a.m. Dunbar High School 5700 Ramey Avenue Fort Worth, TX Registration is free at chrishowellfoundation.org.

December 3, 1956 - March 9, 2022

"a" a special letter, a special being, a special Brother. Brilliantly intelligent, he graduated from Gabriela Mistral High School in San Juan, Puerto Rico within two years, in 1973. He was accepted into Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. While there, he pledged the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, Rho Sigma Chapter in 1975 and before finishing his degree, he entered the US Marines. He was a “Mystic Soul” with an infinite love for music, coinciding with his Line Name: "Mystic Q.” He was preceded in death by his Father, Juan Curet-Alvarez in 2013 and his Mother, Zenaida Geigel-Andino in 2014. His mother never stopped praying for his well-being and

hoped that some day he would be willing once again to connect with his family. “a” is survived by his brother, Stewart Curet-Geigel, and his sister, Ivette Curet-Geigel. He is survived by an uncle, cousins, nieces, nephews and members of Omega PsiPhi Fraternity, Inc. who will cherish his memory forever. We have always loved him and will love him forever. We wish our destiny would have been to spend more time in touch with each other, but God had special plans for a special brother, a special being, a special letter! "a" _ Rest In Peace. Rest In Power. "Rest In Omega, with God's Grace & Protection...Bruh." Services will be held Friday at the VA Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.

Texas Metro News 4-14-22

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