See MY TRUTH

My Truth cont. from page 1

People respect him as a man and his work as a journalist.

Decades before the term “multi-media journalist” would become the latest craze in the industry; Bob Ray was a master communicator and used his talents working in radio, television and at a newspaper.

He could have worked anywhere in the country but he wanted to use his talents at home working for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, KERA-TV and KLIF-Radio.

A captivating speaker, thought-provoking moderator and engaging panelist; Bob Ray’s strong communication skills keeps him in demand today.

The recipient of numerous awards, and 52 years since he accepted a job at the Star-Telegram, Bob Ray will be saluted Saturday, April 23 as part of the 52nd Annual USA Film Festival at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas.

Which brings me to my truth.

Bob Ray Sanders is an all-around great guy; loved and respected by many. He’s honorable and a joy to know and work with as much as he is a joy to watch at work.

It is so fitting that he is being saluted and hopefully there will be a packed house to show this brother some love because he has definitely loved on so many for so long.

I’m also looking forward to the excellent programming for the USA Film Festival, which makes me think of another person who, like Bob Ray, did so much good; Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez, who transitioned earlier this year.

Hollywood would have definitely been in attendance, saluting Bob Ray and covering the various movies on display.

While Hollywood is no longer with us, we are so glad that we can share this special time with Bob Ray.

Just think, 50 years in the business.

Bob Ray, thanks for more than memories!

And you too, Peaches!!

52nd Annual USA Film Festival April 20-24, 2022 Saluting Bob Ray Sanders on Saturday, April 23rd, 5:30pm Angelika Film Center Dallas I.M. Terrell View the full schedule online here: http://www.usafilmfestival.com/images/USAFF52Flyer.pdf Tickets are FREE but limited - So don't wait to reserve yours! To reserve tickets, CALL the USA Film Festival at 214-821-6300. RESERVATION LINE OPENS after 10:30am. Mention D-FW Association of Black Journalists or Texas Metro News when you call. For additional information and to view the entire Festival program schedule visit http://www. usafilmfestival.com/images/USAFF52-Flyer.pdf

13

Welcome Safe, Nurturing Place for Mothers

Just shy of its Winter launch, Meet Akina announces new, ultramodern features on its app, as well as welcomes Actress and Singer Deborah Joy Winans as first celebrity brand ambassador

DALLAS, TX - Meet Akina -- a popular social platform (think Wakanda), for Black mothers, aunties, bonus moms and caregivers, announces its latest round of expansion, which includes the introduction of Co-Founder Stephanie Roberts, the release of app upgrades and advanced features, plus the reveal of its first celebrity brand ambassador, Actress and Singer Deborah Joy Winans.

Founded by veteran communications specialist and mother of three Leigh Higginbotham Butler, the all-in-one Meet Akina platform is a safe, nurturing space where mothers can come and garner support and essential resources -- something Butler desperately needed, following her own set of tragic circumstances that came just shy after the birth of her youngest son.

“As moms of Black children, we navigate a special set of circumstances. From doctors, to caregivers, to teachers, to principals, police, and other parents -- we have to advocate for our children in a unique way,” said Butler. “The truth is that it takes a village to raise a child -- and every woman deserves access to that type of community. This is where Meet Akina was born. Swahili for ‘strong family bond,’ Meet Akina is now that village realized.”

As the premiere hub for Black mothers and women, Meet Akina is migrating an international list of 30,000 women for beta participation, who are eagerly searching for community and connections via shared parenting experiences. Now adding entrepreneur and mother of

three, Stephanie Roberts to the mix, Meet Akina will undoubtedly have the leverage it needs for next-level success. Both Roberts and Butler, as Hampton University grads and as friends, share a unique bond.

As Butler was developing the Meet Akina platform, Roberts was right there from the beginning – lending her support, spreading the message, and recruiting moms in need.

“As a Black married mother of three children, I know firsthand the importance of sharing helpful information and simplifying the journey from one mom to another mom,” Roberts said, in her new role as Co-Founder. “Doing that on such a large scale is more than I could have ever dreamed possible. I’m excited to bring the vision of Meet Akina to fruition through strategic partnerships and by developing unique opportunities that can further enhance the impact of the platform.”

In addition to Roberts, Actress

(OWN TV’s “Greenleaf”) and Singer Deborah Joy Winans is the latest in influential advocates to give Akina the providential nod.

“As a Black woman, I believe in the mission of Meet Akina. Too often, we are ignored; our needs, our challenges and our concerns are dismissed by those we entrust with our health, our education and our children,” Winans said. “Meet Akina is on a mission to empower Black moms and moms of Black children to advocate for themselves and their families. "We deserve to do all that we can to not only make sure we are living our best lives, but that our children are thriving and becoming incredible, productive adults that will continue to shape this world and make it a better place.”

Meet Akina offers several interactive elements throughout the platform that cater to the needs of Black mothers and the unique challenges they face. In addition to chat spaces, meeting rooms, live streams, and events,

Meet Akina has now added a desktop version of the experience, an online marketplace, digital classes, on-demand content from yoga and fitness instructors, mental health resources such as meditations and expert weigh-ins, a Membership Program, and also Akina Circles – which allows users to interact in sub groups that further enhance their connections and overall networking capabilities.

The current Meet Akina village continues to expand and includes support by Milk Space, LLC, National Black Child Development Institute, Black Supermamas, Village Moms, The Allignment Chapter and a wealth of other brands. For more information or to join the community, visit MeetAkina. com or follow @MeetAkina on social media.

The Meet Akina app is available to download on devices globally via Apple and Google Play.

Stephanie M. Roberts Actress and Singer Deborah Joy Winans

15

WNBA Drafts First HBCU Player In 20 Years

By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor

Photos: Indiana Fever, Jackson State University

Monday night the WNBA drafted its first player from an HBCU in 20 years.

With the 25th overall pick in the WNBA draft, the Indiana Fever selected Ameysha Williams-Holiday, a 6’4 center from Jackson State University.

The Gulfport, Mississippi native is the first HBCU player drafted into the WNBA since 2002 when three HBCU players were selected: Andrea Gardner from Howard University, Amba Kongolo from North Carolina Central University, and Jacklyn Winfield from Southern University and A&M College.

Williams-Holiday is also the 2nd highest drafted HBCU player in league history. Only Howard’s Denique Graves (1997 WNBA draft; round 2, 15th overall) was a higher selection. Karen Wilkins, also from Howard was drafted in 1998.

In the WNBA’s 26-year history, only five HBCU players have been drafted.

Per HBCU Gameday: Williams-Holliday is a three-time first-team All-SWAC selection (2020, 2021, 2022) and a threetime league Defensive Player of the Year (2020, 2021, 2022). This year she became the first SWAC player since 2019 to win both SWAC Player Of the Year and Defensive Player Of The Year honors in the same season.

Interviewed last week in ESPN’s Andscape (formerly The Undefeated), Williams-Holiday – who transferred to Jackson State from the SEC’s Mississippi State – said:

“I think if I was at a Power 5 school, it would be a different story of me being drafted or trying to get my foot in (the WNBA). People think (HBCUs) can’t compete with other top institutions (or) a Power 5 school, but that’s not true,” she said.

“I think we deserve to be on the same level. I do think if I was still at Mississippi State, I would be a first-round draft pick.”

Ameysha Williams

Dallas Wings Select Three New Players In WNBA Draft

By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor

Photos: Dallas Wings

There are three new Wings in town.

In Monday night’s 2022 WNBA draft, the WNBA’s Dallas Wings selected Northwestern guard Veronica Burton (Round 1, 7th overall); Delaware guard Jasmine Dickey (Round 3, 30th pick) and North Florida forward Jazz Bond (Round 3, 31st pick) with the 31st pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft.

Burton, a three-year starting point guard for Northwestern University became the first player in program history to be named to an AP All-America team, earning a spot on the Third Team in 2022.

She was also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year three straight years from 2020-22, which was only the second time in Big 10 history this had been accomplished (Tanisha Wright, Penn State, 2003-05). During her senior year, Burton averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and dished out 6.4 assists while swiping 4 steals, all career highs for the four-year standout, and was one of just four NCAAW

Veronica Burton Rd. 1 Pick 7

players to average at least 17 points, five assists and five rebounds per game last season.

“I have been following Veronica for several years. I would say the last two years probably is when she was someone that really piqued our interest and coming into this year she certainly was at the top of our board as we started to think about how we would execute this draft,” said Wings GM Greg Bibb.

“What I love about her is she is super smart on the court and super smart off the court. She is the consummate teammate. She is a leader. She is in my mind, I think in all of our minds here in Dallas, what a point guard is all about. For us, I think she is going to come in – she is going to be a defensive presence from Day 1. She is going to be a floor general for us and she is going to make our potent offense even more dangerous.”

The Wings also added Dickey, who was the third-highest scoring player in the NCAA last year, averaging 25.2 points per game at Delaware. The 5’10 combo guard averaged 17.7 points, 9.3

Jazz Bond Rd. 3 Pick 31 Jasmine Dickey Rd. 3 Pick 30

rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game in her four years as a Blue Hen and was named the CAA Player of the Year in back-to-back years in 202021 and 2021-22. She was also named to the CAA All-Defensive Team, CAA All-Tournament Team and led the CAA with 67 steals. She her collegiate career with 1979 points.

Bond is a 6’4 forward who averaged 15.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists across her four years as an Osprey. She earned a spot on the Atlantic Sun All-Conference First Team, the All-Academic Team and All-Tournament team. She was also the Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and is the UNF career leader in blocks, rebounds (since the program became Division One) and free throws made. Bond shot 46.5 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three in her 103 career games.

The Wings open training camp on Sunday at College Park Center on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington. They open the 2022 season on May 7 at 7 p.m. at UTA.