MetroNews
T E X A S
2
BRIEFS
DELIVERING NEWS YOU CAN USE
• Vol-9
• July 29 - August 4, 2021
WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM
SADDLE UP! 32ND TEXAS BLACK INVITATIONAL RODEO “The Texas Black Invitational Rodeo was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, so the African American Museum is especially excited to bring it back in 2021,” said Dr. Harry Robinson, Jr., president and CEO of the African American Museum, Dallas. “This event is hugely popular, and we can’t wait to see our daring group of cowboys and cowgirls compete in the newly renovated Fair Park Coliseum.” Kicking off with the Grand Entry Parade at 6 p.m., this fast-paced sporting event also provides guests with a glimpse of the historical contributions that African Americans made in the settling of the western United States. The event also includes on-field kids activities, trick lasso performances, concessions, music and more.
Grab your cowboy hat, boots and buckles, and ride on over to the 32nd Texas Black Invitational Rodeo on Saturday, July 31, at 7 p.m. at the Fair Park Coliseum (the Grand Entry Parade begins at 6 p.m.). Presented by the African American Museum, Dallas, the rodeo off ers up an exciting family-fun night as approximately 300 African American cowboys and cowgirls compete for cash prizes in bronc and bull riding, calf and steer roping, barrel racing, a Pony Express relay race and more. The Coliseum is located in Fair Park at 1438 Coliseum Dr., Dallas, Texas 75210. “My family has been part of this rodeo since day one,” said cowboy Ke’Elronn Hatley who participates every year in the calf-roping events. “And as much my brothers and I love competing, we’re probably just as proud knowing we’re helping to tell the stories of the Black cowboy and keep that history alive.” Members from the Dallas Chapter and the North Dallas Chapter of the Na-
tional Panhellenic Council will serve as grand marshals. The title sponsor is Montgomery Law, PLLC/CarWreckCowboy.com. Bronco sponsors are the Law Office of Vonda Bailey, PLLC and Musume/Akai, Crockett 39 Properties, LLC. Cowboy sponsors are Judge Sandra Jackson 302nd Family District Court and AAA Data Communications, Inc. Media partners are Fox 4 and More 27 and Majic 94.5 and 97.9 The Beat.
CCBCC Business Blueprint Program - NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!
T E X A S
MetroNews DELIVERING NEWS YOU CAN USE
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.
WASH HANDS WEAR MASK
You have a business and it’s good, but you want to make it great. You’re overwhelmed and don’t have enough time, knowledge, or resources to develop a sound business foundation. That’s where the Collin County Black Chamber of Commerce’s (CCBCC) Business Blueprint Program, a program developed exclusively for existing businesses with less than $100,000 in annual revenue, comes in. The Business Blueprint program offers an exceptional opportunity for small businesses to learn the fundamentals of
running a successful business from experts in the field and is conveniently available on Saturday mornings for business owners who cannot take time off during the week. Let us help you lay the groundwork for the company of your dreams, focus more on your core business objectives and scale your business. This fundamentals program will reveal how to: • Strategically grow your business • Accelerate your marketing results • Consistently close more sales • Understand your financial statements
and fund your business • Efficiently manage your business operations • Protect your business INVESTMENT* CCBCC Members: $75. Non-CCBCC Members: $125. **If 5/6 sessions are attended, participant will receive a non-transferable $50. gift certificate towards 2022 CCBCC membership that expires on 1/31/2022.
Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support Bruncheon Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support’s fourth annual First Ladies’ Bruncheon on Saturday, September 25 at the Belo Mansion! Kicking off Domestic Violence Awareness Month, this spectacular “plum garden” affair, complete with the fanciest parade of hats, soulful gospel music and a powerful call to action: this celebratory event will recognize the courageous members of the faith community who are joining in one voice to declare that violence is never okay. Also Genesis is opening a brand new non-residential counseling and advocacy center in Southern Dallas on Lancaster Road! Just like at the Lemmon location, the site offers individual and group therapy with master’s-level counselors for women and children, access to civil legal services, domestic violence education, advocacy and on-site childcare for those in counseling sessions. Adjacent to this counseling location will be a new Genesis Benefit Thrift Store which will serve not only our clients, but the community as well. All funds raised from the First Ladies’ Bruncheon will underwrite the opening and operating costs of this new Genesis Outreach location; better serving the community of Southern Dallas.
Businessman Devoyd Jennings from page 1 Expressions of sympathy were quick in coming as many remembered their friend and colleague who missed a meeting early Saturday. According to businessman and former CEO of D/FW Airport Vernell Sturns, that meeting also included veteran journalist and FWMBCC Director of Communications Bob Ray Sanders, who he talked with in-depth as they tried to wrap their thoughts around the loss. “I am deeply saddened by the news I got this afternoon that Devoyd Jennings had passed,” said businessman Vernell Sturns, who has known Mr. Jennings for more than 40 years. “We have worked on many, many things in the community, trying to improve conditions especially for minorities. I am deeply grieved by the news today of a young man who has contributed so much to the Fort Worth community, to the Black community and was a special and dear friend to me.”
As late as a few days before his death, the champion of entrepreneurs and Black businesses saluted Black businesses on his Facebook page. “This is fantastic,” he wrote about a posting announcing A.S.A.P.P. Barber College offering classes and scholarships.
He attended George Washington Carver Elementary School. A proud member of the I.M. Terrell High School Class of 1966, he enrolled at Tarrant County College and later studied economics and marketing at Texas Wesleyan University, graduating in 1971. A former Energy Con-
Devoyd Jennings was a champion of Black Businesses and Entrepreneurs In an interview with NBC5 earlier this year, Mr. Jennings discussed the plight of Black businesses. “When there is a recession for the majority community a lot of times it is a depression for the minority community. At the end of the day, the color of freedom is green. And as long as we can create some green opportunities for all that want to be involved we make that difference.” Mr. Jennings is remembered for spending his life making a difference.
sultant\ Lobbyist at TXU Energy, Mr. Jennings was always on top of the issues and contributed his thoughts in columns that appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Honored by the City of Fort Worth with Devoyd Jennings Day, in 1991 he became one of the Colonial Country Club’s first Black members. A member of the Texas Association of African American Chambers. His extensive knowledge of public and private organization
Devoyd Jennings 1947-2021 Credit: Eva D. Coleman
efforts in the area of economic development is gained through more than 30 years of experience with economic development organizations in the metroplex. He has served on numerous boards including: The Texas Association of Business Texas Wesleyan University, North Texas Commission, and the Texas Association of African American Chambers. He resided in Forest Hills with his wife of 40 years, Gwen Barbee.
