Texas Metro News 3-2-23

By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER

Forever Black History

Another Black History Month, come and gone. But, as the Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. said, during a recent visit to St. Luke ”Community” United Methodist Church, the struggle continues.

The struggle is in the classroom, the courts, the streets, out in the community, and yes, in the homes.

We are fighting against enemies known and unknown, as well as those that are in our head.

Which brings me to my truth.

Opal Lee is the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”

During a Black History Month program hosted by the cIty of Dallas, Ms. Lee called on each of us to do our part in solving the problems of the world.

For more than 40 years Ms. Lee led the charge to make Juneteenth a nationally recognized holiday.

For her, it was a labor of love, all for freedom.

Ms. Lee, Lula Briggs Galloway and Clara Peoples (Mother of Juneteenth) were known across the country for their efforts on behalf of the day when enslaved Africans in Texas received word of their emancipation.

While Ms. Galloway died in 2008 and Ms. Peoples in 2016; Ms. Lee was here to see their dream become a reality when in 2021 Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday; with the signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act by President Joe Biden.

I first met Ms. Lee more than 25 years ago when I attended

Changemakers discuss Dallas and the civil rights movement

By Norma Adams-Wade Texas Metro News Correspondent

Can we talk? To borrow from a classic song lyric, there was “a whole lot of talking going on” during Black History Month 2023. For their part, three local changemakers shared important memories during a February 11 “Community Conversation” at the African American Museum at Fair Park. The African American Museum and the 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza that houses artifacts about the 1963 Pres. John F. Kennedy assassination co-sponsored the event.

Former Dallas deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Diane Ragsdale, community organizer Marilyn Clark, and arts and culture adminis-

trator Vicki Meek said much of the civil rights movement has been forgotten, but still is relevant today and can help guide future changemakers. Meek

led an audience Question and Answer session after Ragsdale and Clark spoke. Others at the program included a group of young change makers headed

Holmes brings strong message at St. Luke

by younger activist Amber Sims. “Where are we falling short?” Meek asked concerning veteran activists.

Dallas presents Black History Month Program

Sharing stories of his tenure as senior pastor of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church, Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes Jr., Pastor Emeritus told a filled-to-capacity sanctuary that "these are some challenging times."

"If we remain where we are, we won't get very far," he said. "The worse thing we can do is say we have arrived, that we have overcome. Our nation is struggling!"

Rev. Holmes returned to St. Luke for Black History Month and to kick off the church's 90th anniversary celebration which will culminate with a huge event in December.

Instead of a sermon, after several musical selections, Dr. Holmes and Senior Pastor Richie Butler sat down for a conversation, which was more like a history

When Ms. Opal Lee speaks, everyone listens. The "Grandmother of Juneteenth" was the featured speaker at the City of Dallas' Black History Month Event on Monday at City Hall.

The event, sponsored by the Office of Community Police Oversight, Office of Equity & Inclusion and Office of Arts & Culture also featured the Rob Holbert Band, dinner and presentations

St. Luke Leadership, past and present: Rev. Zan Holmes Jr. and Rev. Michael Bowie with Rev. Ritchie Butler (c) Dallas City Manager T. C. Broadnax

Three changemakers on stage Feb. 11, 2023 in the African American Museum auditorium discuss Black Women in the Dallas civil rights and Black Power movement. (Lt to Rt) Arts and culture administrator Vicki Meek, former Dallas Deputy Mayor ProTem Diane Ragsdale, and community organizer Marilyn Clark.

Comerica introduces new venture for businesses

By Ayesha Hana Shaji Texas Metro News

Collaborative, connective and community.

The three words VR Small, founder and CEO of Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center, uses to describe Comerica Bank’s new venture - Business HQ.

Comerica Bank transformed idle real estate at their East R.L. Thornton location into a collaborative community space for small businesses.

The Business HQ will operate as a part of the Dallas Small Business Ecosystem and will help small businesses with capital, cultivation and connectivity, according to Brandon Jones, vice president of regional external affairs at Comerica Bank.

For Jones, wanting to do more and leveraging the

Forever Black History

cont. from page 1

her Juneteenth program where comedian/activist Dick Gregory was the speaker. Her spirit was beautiful then and today.

I still remember joking about the idea of celebrating such a notion but then I came to the realization that there was no other day that celebrated our freedom, and it was worth celebrating so I never joked about Juneteenth again.

And I don’t take kindly to anyone else joking about this monumental time in history, especially when they don’t joke about the Emancipation Proclamation; which if you study history, you know that there’s so much more to the story and what happened years and decades later, leading to the further oppression, torture and disenfranchisement of people of African Ancestry (well those who couldn’t deny or hide their lineage).

bank’s resources to benefit the community was inspiration enough. “I think it all boils down to we have to help small businesses in South Dallas, we really have to do a much better job at supporting small businesses in underestimated communities.”

The 8,000-square-foot space offers incubator offices, conference rooms, administrative offices, coworking spaces, private rooms and even a content creation room with sound-defining paint, insulated doors, teleprompters, ring lights and green

screens available.

All the rooms in the space are named after a Southern Dallas neighborhood or a Dallas neighborhood, Jones said.

Memberships are available after a vetting process done by the Business HQ team and they are needbased and the membership is for one year.

Members can book the room spaces through an online reservation system, said Kayla Nimer, Business HQ success manager.

Jones said one-third of the room spaces are held by the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center.

“Comerica has been an amazing partner. Last year when we were kind of pushed out of our original space, Comerica was a godsend,” Small said, adding they’ve been “homeless” and had to work remotely for a while.

Since their partnership with Comerica, they were able to move into the new space completely free of charge and with additional grants to help shift back to in-person mode.

“I really believe Comerica values us,” Small added.

Harrison Blair, president of Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce said many of his partners come to him saying they don’t have spaces to hold business meetings or access to basic resources to help get on their feet.

“Sometimes you need

to just shred a document for your security and safety, sometimes you need to come access Wi-Fi or the printer,” Blair said. “This could be amazing for somebody to really step into business.”

The opening of the Comerica Business HQ in the

South Dallas neighborhood is a positive development for the community, which has historically been underserved by financial institutions and resources for small businesses. The Business HQ will be open and functioning in May.

Ayesha Hana Shaji is …

This Black History Month was so rewarding for me. It began with Dr. Ben Chavis providing a lesson on the Black Press and its relevance over the past 196 years and Chuck D talking about the 50year history of Hip Hop, to messages from Atty. Ben Crump at the NAACP Image Awards or the Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson and Rev. Holmes and culminating with Ms. Lee’s heartfelt expressions.

We must do, as all of the aforementioned said, in so many words, continue to tell our stories and shine a light on the rich and glorious past of our people.

Unfortunately, parts of that past are not so nice and sweet. Actually there are parts, many parts that shine a very negative light on others and if it were me; I’d probably not like for people to know either.

But guess what? It happened and no one should be allowed to erase history.

Actually I am so glad that we had valiant women like Mamie Till Mobley, Harriet Tubman and others, in America.

Still, long before 1492, African People had a history and we absolutely can not let anybody, elected or not, stop us from the truth.

In fact, to keep this narrative in the proper perspective, there’s some work we can do as the Black Press.

First, just as we say the names of the “victims,” we need to say the names of the perpetrators. We need to post the pictures of Carolyn Bryant Donham, the woman whose lie led to the savage murder of Emmett Till.

Post her picture, along with others who should be in a hall of shame for their descendants to have to learn about.

You say, what good would that do?

Well, just like Ms. Mobley told me that she wanted the world to see what had been done to her son; the world needs to continually see who was at the center of the cruelty.

While we are saying their names, we need to also show “their” faces!

History is important but it has to be truthful. We must continue to tell our stories.

And, more importantly, we have to do the things in our lives that will help us to grow and be in a better position to combat those who want to destroy the past to protect their interests and images.

All the more reason to keep the month going, FOREVER.

The Business HQ space

Comerica executives Kayla Nimer and Brandon Jones

View of Comerica Bank's Business HQ.

Comedy and music artists encourage community to Fall Back in Love

By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines Texas Metro News

Comedy and rhythm and blues might not sound like the ideal combination, but for the Fall Back the Love Comedy & Music Jam it was a winning combination.

More than 10,000 fans turned out to the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas, to hear comedians: Brandon T. Jackson, Daphique Springs and Zoie Fenty; and listen to the music of Trey Songz, Jacquees, August Alsina, Monica, Trey Songz and Mario, among artists in the star-studded lineup.

“It was important to do this tour. I believe that comedy and music have always been synonymous,” said MTV comedian Rip Michaels. “I think the way to a woman’s heart is by making her laugh and good music. When I first put this concept together, they said it could not be done.”

After no-one seemed to latch on to his vision, he reached out to promoter Eugene Parker, the CEO of 5120 Entertainment, and a few of his friends to get things rolling.

“I wanted to bridge comedy and music with the metropolitan communities across the country. It has been my object to help bring jobs and other financial opportunities to these areas as we also touch the culture of the community,” said

Parker, who is already looking at expanding the tour.

The tour is currently scheduled in Houston, New Orleans, Detroit, and San Francisco.

“The Fall Back in Love Tour is all about bringing comedy and music together in a way that is safe. Our community needs to laugh, and we need love right now. We are in such a bad place, especially in the urban communities,” said stand-up comedian, Brandon T. Jackson, who has several movies

to his credit including the movie, “Lottery Ticket,” with Ice Cube.

“We have to laugh with each other and at each other with the understanding that it is all good. Comedy is very important and vital for the African American family. Laughter is a way for us to stay connected,” said comedian Emmanuel Hudson from Wild N Out.

The audience was captivated by a surprise guest appearance by Grammy award-winning DJ, and producer Kid Capri, who is globally known as a pioneer of the DJ Culture. He has been called the guru of mixtapes and is known for his crowd-hyping performance.

During the highlight of Capri’s performance, he dimmed the lights and had the audience swaying with the lights from their cell phones; which completely lit up the arena.

“I was so excited to see DJ Kid Capri,” said Shannon Wilson,

who attended the event with a few friends. “There was never a dull moment during the concert. The comedians kept things moving between artists.”

Although Daphique Springs was the only female comedian on the roster, she didn’t miss a beat as she made a joke referencing rapper, August Alsina, who has been romantically linked with actress, Jada Pickett Smith.

Spring attributed the overall successful attendance of the concert to the promoter’s ability to keep the price of the tickets affordable for everyday people; starting as low as $50.

“At a time like this with everything going on around us, mental health is important,” said Michaels, who wants to see the tour reach at least 10 cities. “It only takes five seconds to laugh and get rid of the pain. I think that is why this tour is so amazing.”

Rip Michaels

August Alsina

By Vincent L. Hall

“Let us be those creative dissenters who will call our beloved nation to a higher destiny, to a new plateau of compassion, to a more noble expression of humanness.”

– M.L.K. Community or Chaos – 1967

In a critically-acclaimed book during the Civil Rights struggle, Dr. Martin Luther King warned Black America and the world that we would either build “community” or risk a total immersion into chaos.

He also prophetically predicted a Black president “within the next 40 years!”

Dr. King was right on both counts!

Most of us refer to “The “Black Community” as if it has borders with latitudinal and longitudinal lines. In pre-integration, there once was such an organism, order, and orientation, but there is little evidence of it now.

Today's Black Community la-

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Publisher : Cheryl Smith

Editor: editor@myimessenger.com

Address: 320 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway

Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75203

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Phone: 214-941-0110

A Community Lost?

bel refers to the 13% of America's population with no homogenous movement, momentum, or mandate. We traded our solidarity for sole proprietorships. The Black Community was never impenetrable, but its power was at least identifiable and measurable.

Whites, by virtue of their power and population, still enjoy the trappings of America’s community. Their commune is fortified by wealth, White Privilege, and majority in number.

Latinos are culturally well-connected and enjoy an explosive population growth that will construct a formidable political and social nest. Whether legal or illegal, their significance to the overall health of the American economy is inarguable. Asians are on the rise everywhere. The Vietnamese population in Dallas reached 5%, and that’s why you see voting materials in their language.

The LGBTQ community has flourished on the urban and national fronts because it adopted and repackaged our fight for the “underdog.” Gays have fused their fiscal strength to create an anvil of activism for unmatched causes.

The Trump Republicans have amassed their own monolith

and community. Both groups operate under the thematic thrust that the time is now or never. That “sense of urgency” is what created the original Black Community.

But today’s “Black Community” is at a loss to define or

Du Bois, without question, one of Black America's foremost intellectual and insightful voices, could very well have been the basis for some of King’s thoughts on community. In a lecture delivered on February 23, 1953, on his 85th birthday,

Even if ten-thousand men combined, and in sweat and sacrifice, make steel, wheat, corn, meat, or shoes, the result of a combined labor belongs to one or a few of them, while the others scramble to keep from starving. What has gone wrong?

It is clear that the workers do not understand the meaning of work. Work is service, not gain. The object of work is life, not income. The reward of production is plenty, not private property.

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.

defend itself. We languish in a state of chaos that threatens both our reputation and future viability.

And while many learned and unlearned critics would assail the idea of “community” as socialist or anti-American, King did not. King realized that for the fiber of America to be strong, each thread must be coarse enough to support all the hems in the singular garment.

William Edward Burghardt

Du Bois sounds like he taught M.L.K.

W.E.B. outlines the need for all humankind to sacrifice for their own and on behalf of one another.

“All that is asked is that each of us do what we can; first to supply our own wants in food and shelter, health and learning. But more than that, that we do for others what they need done and cannot do for themselves, and yet which must be done lest we suffer.

We should measure the prosperity of a nation not by the number of millionaires, but by the absence of poverty, the prevalence of health, the efficiency of the public schools, and the number of people who can and do read worthwhile books.”

W.E.B. was right! We need to read some worthwhile books, and Dr. King’s “Chaos or Community” is a great place to start. Reading history that fuels activism will lead us to “a new plateau of compassion, a more noble expression of humanness.

We need to build community!

Jim Crow Battle Against Black History

OUR VOICES

By Dr. John E. Warren

The current battle to remove books and any discussion about slavery and the treatment of Blacks is not new. This is what we call “Jim Crow,” now presenting himself as “James Q. Esquire”, the legislator. For those who might have forgotten, Jim Crow was often the name used to describe segregation; laws, customs, and rules that arose in the South after Reconstruction ended in 1877.

“Reconstruction” is what efforts to rebuild the South were called after the Civil War. It was

an effort to put the South back together, economically, without the benefit of slavery, which had been its most precious product.

Newly freed slaves were finding ways to buy land, start farms, run for office as was the case. During Reconstruction 16 African Americans served in the U.S. Congress, more than 600 were elected to the state legislatures, and hundreds more held local offices across the South.

White Southerners were not pleased with either the independence of Blacks nor their efforts to own land, get educated and achieve, at the very least, equal status with Whites.

While we celebrate Black History month, and hopefully the resurgence of a study and appreciation for Black History, it’s im-

portant that we use our knowledge of past efforts to suppress or erase us to fuel our present desire to do more and go further, collectively, than those who came before us.

Whatever title the racist put on “Voter Suppression”, and the battle against “Critical Race Theory” – which most can’t spell or define – we must recognize all efforts to curtail our freedom or to create a new legal “White Zone”, as the Mississippi legislature is attempting to do, all amount to “Jim Crow” efforts under new names and titles.

The good news is that we overcame past efforts at segregation and Jim Crow laws. With the knowledge, education and skills we now have at our disposal, we, the Black People of this country, born with rights of equality guaranteed under the Constitution, will neither abandon those rights nor have them taken from us. If we look at Black History everyday, we will recognize the revised efforts to suppress or eliminate us and we will prevail.

W. E. B. and M. L. K.

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

Dr. John E. Warren is publisher of The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint.

"If we look at Black History everyday, we will recognize the revised efforts to suppress or eliminate us and we will prevail."

- Dr. John E. Warren

Just Like Us

sons for us today:

By Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew

As a kid, I always wondered why the Israelites couldn’t get it right. God was providing food, clothing, and all of their needs. I couldn’t understand why they were constantly disobedient and doubting God. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized the story of the Hebrew children moving into the promise land is an example of our lives. It’s very easy to find fault with others and not see the mirror reflecting back a picture of who we are.

Despite this Biblical story being recited for generations, we don’t see ourselves in this story. There are so many les-

• “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” (Exodus 13:17-18)

Lesson 1: In my life, I know that when doors have closed, I became frustrated. I wanted God to answer my prayer in the way that I thought was best. God sees circumstances and situations we are often unaware of. We can see it as a door being closed when in reality, it is protection. Sometimes, we want the quick, short path to our destiny without realizing that we are not prepared for what we might face on that route. God doesn’t just respond with yes or no. Delays are not denials.

Facing conflicts can often cause us to have more faith in

our fear. Is it possible that the journey you are presently on is not moving as fast as you’d like because God knows you will return to what he’s trying to move you out of? If things get too tense, you might abandon the call. Stay the course and allow God to lead you to your next.

• “By day, the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” (Exodus 13:2022)

Lesson 2: Even in our desert experiences, God protects us. God will go before us to guide us and gives us light if we choose to travel with it. God never leaves us. Even though God had delivered them from Egypt and

demonstrated that He was with them, they doubted his ability when the trouble came.

Exodus 14:5-12 reveals that when the going gets tough, it’s easy to run back to what’s familiar, to run from what we know God said. The Egyptians decide to attack and go after the Israelites and instead of trusting God, they would rather go back to being oppressed than believing God for the greater. Don’t we do the same? We will return to situations that do not serve us well just because it is what we know-instead we choose the familiar over our faith.

• “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.” (Exodus 14:15-16)

Lesson 3: Sometimes we are crying out to God to fix things, to change our situation. Yet, instead of moving forward

and believing who God is, we doubt. God used Moses’ staff as a tool. Just as Moses had this in his hand, what’s in your hand that God has given you—is it a talent, an idea, a dream? And if you have it, why are you not using this tool to open the door to your freedom? God doesn’t move the obstacles in front of us but will grant us tools that can be used to open and move them aside.

The Book of Exodus is full of examples of God’s power and provision. Despite all of these opportunities to witness God’s greatness, they still doubted. And so do we. My prayer for all of us:

“I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24)

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy and the founder of the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation (r2fdn. org). She is the author of four books including Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy (Baylor University Press, 2022) and the host of the Tapestry podcast.

It Shouldn’t Take a Fiery Crash and Toxic Spill to Push Action on Railroad Safety

By Ben Jealous

People around East Palestine, Ohio, have been warned not to run their vacuum cleaners.

That was the reality two weeks after a train derailment in the village of about 4,700 people near the border with Pennsylvania that damaged public health and the environment in ways that still aren’t fully known.

Pennsylvania’s health department has told residents that data from its air quality monitoring “do not indicate a potential for long-term health effects,” but if people choose to vacuum after their evacuation they should do so “small amounts at a time and take frequent breaks by walking outdoors.” As confusing as those messages may be, Ohioans have gotten even less information from that state’s government.

Five of the derailed cars contained nearly 1 million pounds of vinyl chloride, a toxic flammable liquid; other cars carried butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acry-

late, and isobutylene. The spills from the wreck have left a long chemical plume moving down the Ohio River at about a mile an hour. The result has been at least 3,500 fish killed. The train’s owner Norfolk Southern said it is removing contaminated soil at the crash site, which can leach toxic chemicals into the water and air, after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raised questions.

The immediate need is to respond to make sure that harm to people, wildlife, and waters now and in the future are limited to the extent we are able. As a starting point, residents need clear, understandable answers about risks they face and support to which they are entitled. While federal authorities generally defer to state officials in disasters, the simmering mistrust caused by the strange odors residents say they smell, the soreness of their throats, and the aching in their heads seems to cry out for a different response.

The EPA and Transportation Department must ensure that Norfolk Southern meets its obligation to make things right. The Sierra Club’s Ohio director Ericka Copeland captured it: “East

Palestine and the surrounding communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania deserve full transparency from the EPA, Norfolk Southern, and state leadership. … Residents deserve to be able to safely return to their homes and access drinking water without the risk of everyday activities like vacuuming exposing them

through places like East Palestine, a working-class white village where median household income is about two-thirds the Ohio average. They are places that historically get overlooked.

The best news is we already know what to do. While the cause of the Ohio derailment hasn’t been determined officially, re-

the huge cloud of smoke when vinyl chloride was burned off to prevent an explosion may be shocked to learn that the wrecked train wasn’t designated a “high-hazard flammable train,” which would trigger additional safety steps and more notice to state and local officials. This is an easy step to take. These remedies have been proposed before. The railroad industry calls them too costly. But that claim must be weighed against nearly $200 billion in stock buybacks and dividends for the nation’s biggest rail companies since 2010 as they also cut their workforces.

further to these chemicals.”

Moving forward, we need to do more to protect people and places from hazardous materials that move in more than 2 million freight cars each year. To be fair, reports show that freight rail spills happen less often than spills from trucks or planes. But we know those trains don’t run through posh suburbs. They run

ports indicate a wheel bearing in the car that caused the accident overheated; there are sensors for that we can require. Similarly, we can replace braking technology that dates back more than a century with newer brakes that even Norfolk Southern said cuts stopping distances by 60%.

Anyone who saw videos of the burning cars after the crash or

We can start by restoring brake system and other safety rules rescinded during the Trump administration. Once we push for all these common-sense measures to protect ourselves and our neighborhoods, we should start asking another question — what was going to happen to all those toxic chemicals once they reached the rail yard where they were headed?

Freight Train through Turves

Photo: Ashley Dace is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and Professor of Practice in the Africana Studies Department at the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches leadership.

Dallas Civil Rights

cont. from page 1

“We did not document our work,” Ragsdale lamented concerning a perceived gap between veteran and current community activists. “But we’re going to do it.”

“The hard work of movement building was done by ordinary people,” Clark said, adding that the public too often believes the erroneous claim that there was no civil rights movement in Dallas.

The women spoke on the topic of Black Women in the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement in Dallas. But they also recalled movement efforts of men and women who strove to make a difference.

MARILYN CLARK

Clark described the late Ruth Jefferson today are little-known yet a powerful force. Jefferson was a bold, outspoken women who fought to improve the lives of mothers who received government aid to support their children. Jefferson was a key player in the National Welfare Rights Organization. (NWRO) She led protests against what the mothers said was discrimination treatment of African-American welfare mothers. One example was that no fathers or adult males could live in the residence of women who receive government aid. The women said this practice contributed to the “absent father” syndrome in Black homes. The mothers also claimed various other discriminatory practices by caseworkers who regularly visited the women’s homes to investigate the conditions there. Protests activities involved a three-night sit-in at the federal welfare office in downtown Dallas. It is important to share that these activities took place, Clark asserted.

“Remembering is a form of resistance,” Clark said.

During the question and answer segment, Clark said today’s music often fights against progress of the people. She said today’s music is different from ‘60s, ‘70s’ and ‘80s when the music was more revolutionary and moved civil rights efforts forward.

DIANE RAGSDALE

Ragsdale spoke of growing up in the Dallas civil rights movement She said she was mentored by civil rights heroes and heroines, including Juanita Craft, Albert Lipscomb, Elsie Faye Heggins, and Kathlyn Gilliam. She chronicled a select few of Dallas-chapter civil rights groups and their achievements here: including SCLC that sponsored Operation Bread Basket that fed under-privileged persons, NAACP and its Youth Council of which she was a youth member, SNCC, Black Women’s United Front, People United for Justice for prisoners, South Dallas Information Center, and the Frederick Douglass Voting Council,

Ragsdale said Black women played key roles in local and national movements. Men usually were out front, but the women staffed the headquarters. Some history books say this model was true even during the time of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Ragsdale mentioned two nationally prominent Black women in the movement -Angela Davis from Birmingham and Erika Huggins with the West Coast Black panther Party. Huggins and co-author Stephen Shames co-wrote the book Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party.

“Without Black women, there would not have been a civil rights movement,” Ragsdale stated. “Whatever we do has to be institutionalized…. and the movement has to be staffed.”

Trying to work within existing political systems can be futile, she said: “We have to realize that we cannot work on a foundation that is rotten.””

VICKI MEEK

Meek spoke of her own involvement in the movement:

“I was on the picket line at age five,” said Meek who was born in Philadelphia and moved to Dallas as an adult.

Meek mentioned that local civil rights icon Ernie McMillian, who has worked with the three women, is set to soon release his biography.

Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes Jr.

lesson as the elder statesman talked about his college years, serving in the Texas Legislature and pastoring at St. Luke. When asked about the future, he said, "God has a brand new future for St. Luke and that future is taking place now."

Dr. Holmes repeatedly referenced a "brand new future,"

from page 1

from the Youth Commission, under the leadership of Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold.

Tonya McClary, Martine Elyse Philippe and Dr. Lindsey Wilson shared information about their departments and encouraged public/communi-

as he praised St. Luke for it's work in the past.

"The struggle continues. We (congregation with other clergy) came together and made a difference in the city," he pointed out, adding that the Church must always be in the forefront of any efforts dealing with racism; as well as the political and economic climates.

ty participation in a discussion moderated by Assistant City Manager Liz Cedillo-Pereira.

City Manager T.C. Broadnax introduced Ms. Lee and videos about her work.

Sharing that she was 96 years old, Ms. Lee talked about the

His advice was to work with others to deal with the problems of the world, "We need coalitions. Throughout the conversation, which lasted over an hour, Rev. Holmes praised the congregation and those who pastored since he retired, including Pastor Michael Bowie, who was also in attendance. "I shall ever be grateful to this congregation."

Cheryl Smith

page 1

need for everyone to work together and for each person to make an effort to solve the problems of the world, She also praised shared information about the Juneteenth Museum coming to Fort Worth, but will require $70 million.

Cheryl Smith

Dallas ACM Liz Cedillo-Pereira

Media and the Mean Green UNT celebrates alumni and industry professionals

By Eva D. Coleman Lifestyle & Culture Editor

From giants to emerging professionals, the University of North Texas (UNT) Mayborn School of Journalism celebrated alumni and industry greats in part one of their Celebrate Mayborn series of events on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 in Denton, Texas.

Once part of an extended program that presented scholarships to students, UNT Mayborn dean and professor

Andrea Miller announced the separation of the programs to adequately honor recipients in a special way. The Student Scholarship Gala will take place April 20, 2023 with plans to award a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships and honor their 2003 and 2022 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) student chapters of the year.

UNT President Neal Smatresk provided opening remarks, marveling at the amount of journalism and media profes-

sionals the Mayborn School has produced. He expressed pride in alumni doing great things around the globe.

Industry icons and alumni celebrated this evening included NABJ Hall of Famer Neil Foote who received the C.E. Shuford Award, and The Dallas Morning News Executive Editor and NABJ member Katrice Hardy as a recipient of the Distinguished Professional Achievement Award. CBS News producer Cydne Robinson was celebrated among the Rising

Star Award Winners, and National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) Hall of Famer Rebecca Aguilar was one of two recipients of the Super Alum Award. Congratulations to all for their commitment to the journalism and media industry.

A complete list of winners is below:

• Mayborn Medallion Award Winner

• Liz Carter & Scripps Howard Foundation

• C.E. Shuford Award Winner

• Neil Foote

Distinguished Professional Achievement Award Winners

• Nicole Paquette

• Gilbert Bailon

• Katrice Hardy

Rising Star Award Winners

• Hailey Sutton

• Daniela Ibarra

• Cydne Robinson

Super Alum Award Winners

• Rebecca Aguilar

• Jo Ann Livingston

Obesity Care Week begins as report reveals nearly 50 percent of African Americans are obese

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Obesity Care Week 2023 (OCW) kicked off on Monday, Feb. 27, with a focus on the disproportionate impact of obesity on communities of color.

Health officials responsible for OCW said racial and ethnic minorities have a higher rate of chronic diseases. African Americans have the highest rate of chronic diseases.

According to recent data, almost 50% of African Americans have obesity, and approximately 4 out of 5 Black women have overweight or obesity.

The causes of obesity are complex, and a person’s access to healthy food, safe places to exercise and play, stable and affordable housing, access to quality health care, and social attitudes about body weight all play a role in whether a person will have obesity.

However, communities of color face unique challenges in each of these areas, health officials stated.

For example, in the United States, only 8% of African Americans live in a census tract with a supermarket, while 31% of white Americans have one.

This means that minorities more often shop in small

stores or bodegas or eat at fast food restaurants. These places usually have less fresh food and more processed food.

Cultural attitudes about body weight also play a role, with non-Hispanic white women more satisfied with their body size than non-Hispanic Black women, and Hispanic women more interested in losing weight and eating healthy.

Evidence shows that the African American population has less of an impact on existing weight loss interventions, with Black men and women achieving smaller weight losses.

Health officials noted that this suggests that intensive behavioral programs result in lower levels of adherence in Black people than whites.

Founded in 2015, Obesity Care Week has a global vision for a society that values science and clinically based care and understands, respects, and accepts the complexities of obesity.

Organizers have focused on changing the way society cares about obesity and have worked to empower individuals by providing affordable and comprehensive care and prevention programs, increasing awareness of weight bias, and working to eliminate obesity.

Researchers said obesity not only affects overall health, but it also increases the risk of complications from COVID-19.

According to a recent study of hospitalized patients in the US, obesity may also predispose patients to getting the virus and is the strongest predictor for COVID-19 complications.

Unfortunately, African Americans are also disproportionately affected by COVID-19. According to the CDC, 33% of those hospitalized with the virus were African Americans, compared to 13% of the US population.

Inequities in access to and quality of care result in poor overall health and many chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.

This can affect individuals’ chances of getting COVID-19.

The communities in which African Americans live may place them at greater risk for developing chronic illnesses. For example, they may not have access to healthy foods or safe places to play or exercise.

For people who try to eat healthy, living in a food desert means that they must go to a grocery store.

They often must do this by public transportation.

These disparities need to be addressed so that all

communities have the resources and support they need to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

“Obesity Care Week 2023 highlights the need for comprehensive and inclusive approaches to obesity care that consider the unique challenges faced by communities of color,” organizers stated.

UNT President Neal Smatresk delivers opening remarks at Celebrate Mayborn Feb. 26, 2023 in Denton, TX

Award recipient Katrice Hardy after receiving Distinguished Professional Acheivement Award at Celebrate Mayborn Feb. 26, 2023

Award recipient Neil Foote receives C.E. Shuford award during Celebrate Mayborn Feb. 26, 2023

Award recipient Rebecca Aguilar delivering remarks during Celebrate Mayborn Feb. 26, 2023

Superb Women February 2023

Our Superb Women!

By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News

2021 was the "Year of the Woman," especially the Black Woman! For 10 months we dedicated this space to uplifting Black women and spreading a message that we need to show love and empower people with love instead of destroying them with hate and disrespect. We celebrate Black Women and call them SUPERB! AND WE ARE KEEPING THE CELEBRATION GOING IN 2023!

Cheryl Smith

Theta Sorority, JoAnne Slaughter Brunson was initiated in the Spring of 1973 at Alpha Chapter, Howard University, where she received a BS in Microbiology. The Vice President of Brunson Construction Services, she is a member of Concord Church. JoAnne is involved in the Trinity (TX) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated; Dallas Chapter, Jack & Jill – Associate Member; and she is the Past Secretary of Frederica Chase Dodd Board of Directors. She and her husband, who she met her freshman year in college are proud parents and grandparents.

A multiple award winning journalist who has worked for The New York Times, ProPublica and The Oregonian, Nikole Hannah-Jones started her journalism career at The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. During her three years there, she wrote extensively on issues of race, class, school resegregation and equity. The creator of the 1619 Project, Nikole is a native Iowan, graduating from West High School. She received her BA Degree in History and African American Studies from the University of Notre Dame and her MA in journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There is so much more about this dynamic sister!

KRISTEN GUILLORY

Dr. Kristen Guillory is an author, performance and speaker coach, business strategist and self care and mental health consultant. The president and chief consultant of KSGuillory Enterprises, Dr. Kristen is the founder and director of Cozy Convos, a faith-based initiative for women, providing a safe space for some necessary conversations. She received her BS in Psychology from Texas Christian University, a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work from UTA. She has been an adjunct professor at UNT Dallas and Texas Christian University, a consultant for Healthways and evaluation specialist for Dallas ISD. Dr. Kristen has also enjoyed stints at Fortress Youth Development Center and Department of Justice. Her commitment to volunteering is extensive.

A Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Cafea Harrell was initiated in the Fall of 1972 at the Beta Gamma Chapter at Dillard University where she served as chapter president and received a Bachelor of Arts in English Education. She later received a Master of Education in English Education from Mississippi State University. A Teacher/ Central Administrator, she is a member of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church and a past president of Dillard University Alumni Association. Cafea is a Girl Scout Leader; Texas Democratic Party - Voter Registration Volunteer; and Children Ministry, Stewardship and Church Council Chair, St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church.

CAT SATTERWHITE

Cat Satterwhite is an arts and entertainment journalist who specializes in lifestyle and luxury copywriting and crafty content. She’s a multi-talented writer, blogger and influencer. A part time writer for the Dallas Weekly, she has served as a project manager for Super Purposes in Seattle WA.. Cat received her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Marketing from American InterContinental University. Cat is into fitness, reading and antiquing. In addition to writing, interior design and decorating, and vlogging, she is a show host and was the co-host of Black Health Media, focusing on mental health in the Black Community and spirituality. SHe is also the creator of The Bubble Phase Fragrance.

JOYCE GIBSON

Joyce Gibson is celebrating 50 years as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. A devoted member of the Texas Southern

University National Alumni Association (TSUNNA) - Dallas Chapter, Joyce is a former Friendship-West Baptist Church Usher Board Member, Lancaster Spring Creek Homeowner Association Board Treasurer; Dallas County Volunteer Deputy Registrar; and MLK Center Volunteer. She was TSUNNA, Dallas Chapter – 2013 Alumnus of the Year Honoree and TSUNNA, National Convention – 2022 Inaugural President’s Award Recipient.

JACQUELINE D. HOYT

Jacqueline D. Hoyt Is a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Jacqueline was initiated in 1972 at UT at El Paso, where she received a Bachelor of Science. She is a retired Vice President of Bank of America and a member of Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. Jacqueline works with Citizens on Patrol (COP), Desoto, Texas; DeSoto Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association; Transforming Network Together (TNT); Lynwood Estate Neighborhood Association-Street Captain and Texas State Technical College, Women’s Resource Center, Waco, Texas- Financial Chair of Advisory Board. An outstanding Texas Delta 1999 she won the Volunteer of the Year Award-DeSoto Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, 2011; Woman of the Year-American Businesswomen’s Association; and Sisterhood Black Heritage Image Award-UT at El Paso.

BARBARA MORGAN PUNCH

Barbara Morgan Punch is a Speech Pathologist/Montessori Educator and a member of Singing Hills Baptist Church. She is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University where she received a Bachelor of Science in

Speech Pathology and a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education. She is involved with Dallas Retired Teachers Association, Texas Retired Teachers Association, Texas Woman’s University Black Alumni (TWUBA) Lifetime Member, as a Past MemberScholarship Committee of TWUB, Women’s Missionary Union of Texas (Dallas Baptist Association), Couples Sunday School Class, Co-Teacher and World Vision Child Sponsor (since 2012). A wife of 48 years, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for 50 years, the mother and grandmother loves to read, bake, listen to music and loves calligraphy.

Hailing from Sioux Falls, SD, Dee Dee James Kong is a 2022 graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies. While in school she was involved in the Black Student Union, Sydney Gray Student Development Program, as Women of Gold Treasurer, Miss White 2019, Zeta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Order of Omega: Beta Xi Chapter, and Kappa Delta Pi: Alpha Iota Chapter. She is the current Miss Carrollton of the Miss America Organization and former Miss Space City 2022 and former Miss Aubrey. A committed volunteer and born leader, she also serves as the National Second Vice President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Upon graduation she joined the U.S. House of Representatives as a Staff Assistant.

GAIL O’BANNON

Gail O’Bannon is the Dallas Mavericks’ Chief Diversity Officer. She is one of the longest-tenured women of the Dallas Mavericks after starting her career in the

NIKOLE HANNAH-JONES

JO ANNE SLAUGHTER BRUNSON

A Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma

DR.

CAFEA HARRELL

DEE DEE JAMES KONG

experience. A wife and mother, she loves to sing, dance and play the piano. Check her out at http://www.allinonetourservices.com/.

Foundation, and sits on the California Advisory Board for The Trust for Public Land. Miki is a fourth-generation graduate of Hampton University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She recently joined the Challenger Center Board of Directors.

BETTY CULBREATH

ticket sales and service department more than 20 years ago. She has also enjoyed stints as the Founder of My Sisters & Me Women of Color Photographers, and Black Butterflies Photography She also worked at Wise DFW, Texas Women’s Foundation, Sabre Corporation, American Airlines and A-1 Sundown Travel. Gail attended Cameron University studying Business Administration and Management, Cornell University studying Diversity and Inclusion and Oklahoma State University studying Accounting and Business/Management.

Advisory, Wealth Management, Career Development Coaching, Management Consulting, and Brand Design.

A Golden Life member initiated in the Fall of 1972 at the Zeta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at the University of North Texas (Denton), where she received a Bachelor of Political Science, Oretta Johnson is a retired, Information System Technology Manager. A member of Concord Church, she has served as President-Elderwoods Neighborhood Association; Board of Directors-Dodd Education & Support; Heads UP! Foundation Board; Group LeaderBible Study Fellowship; Mayor’s Rebirth of Redbird Community- City of Dallas; General & Primary Election Clerk (Dallas County); Member, UNT Black Alumni Network; Concord Church Expository Preaching Conference Staff; and I.D.Ministry LifeMinistry Oretta has been the recipient of Concord ChurchDeborah Award for Christian Sacrifice and Elderwoods Neighborhood AssociationPresidential Award.

DAISHA BOARD

Daisha Board is the Owner and Curator of Daisha Board Gallery, a Contemporary Art Gallery representing BIPOC ARTISTS locally and abroad. She hails from Queens, NY and studied political science at Bethune Cookman University. Daisha is the founder of Black Sheep Art Culture and she also provides Public Relations, Marketing Consulting, Brand Consulting, Visual Design, Financial

Mary Ann Wallace is a 50-year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She was initiated in Spring 1973 at Iota Psi Chapter at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She received a BA in Education and became an educator. A member of Bibleway Bible Church of Dallas, she is a community servant, working at Life 180 Prison Ministry and a Bible Teacher at the Youth Village. Mary organized the Personal Item Drive for the Genesis Women Shelter, Organized Clothes and Goods for Turn Around Store at Oak Cliff Bible Church. A tutor and past secretary of Skillful Living Center, she was the Pearl C. Anderson Career Academy PTA’s Teacher of the Year and Mother of the Year at Bibleway Bible Church.

ALICE RIGGINS STEVENSON

A writer, editor and communications coordinator, Tina Pania is communicators coordinator at Dallas ISD and she has enjoyed stints as a communications consultant for Health Care Service Corp; assistant international editor at the Dallas Morning News; copy editor for the Los Angeles Times National/Washington wire editor for the San Jose Mercury News. She graduated with highest honors in journalism from University California, Berkeley. A lover of art, books, music and travel, Tina is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. https://www.facebook.com/tina.pania linkedin.com/in/tinapania

fitness administration/management from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She later studied Health Kinesiology Sport Studies/ Sport and Fitness Administration and Management at Texas A&M -Commerce. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Alice Riggins Stevenson works at All in One Tour Services as a tour operator. She hails from Dallas, TX and studied midmanagement at El Centro College where she graduated in1973 after graduating from Franklin D. Roosevelt High School. A lover of arts and culture, she is committed, conscientious and a joy to be around with her vibrant sense of humor. She is also praised for her wonderful tours because she is knowledgeable and provides a rewarding

Linda Manuel-Fonteneaux is a Golden Life and 50-year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, initiated in the Fall of 1972 at Delta Gamma Chapter, Texas Southern University where she was chapter president and received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. She is a member of The Village United Methodist Church and her community Involvement: includes being an active member of Women of Faith-North Texas Conference; Reading Partners of Texas - Student Tutor; Methodist Hospital of Dallas Auxiliary and Charlton Methodist Auxiliary.

BRIANNA MATHIS

Brianna Mathis is the Dallas Mavericks Sponsorships Activation Coordinator. Previously she worked as Executive Assistant Project Manager for Hall of Fame Village powered by Johnson Controls; Gameday ticketing customer service for Houston Texans Athletics Sales and Promotions Assistant for Texas A&M University-Commerce. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and

Cheryle was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in the Fall of 1972 at the Theta Nu Chapter at East Texas State University (now Texas A & M University-Commerce), where she received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Education in Elementary Education. Now a retired educator, she is a member of Saint John Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, TX. She was a charter member of the Southwest Dallas County Alumnae Chapter (SWDCA), where she also served in leadership positions.

Betty Culbreath was born and raised in Dallas, TX and attended Booker T. Washington High School. She graduated from Huston Tillotson University, where she studied sociology and education. Betty served as chairwoman of the Dallas City Plan Commission, Dallas County Health and Human Services director, and chairwoman for the D/FW International Airport Board. She is a recipient of South Dallas Business and Professional Women Trailblazer Award, the Linda Keithley Award for Women in Public Management, the FAA Minority Procurement Award, and the 2002 Texas Black Women in Health Matters Award. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Betty served as a member of Dallas County Hospital District Board and vice chair of the Duncanville Plan Commission. She has been named a Tri-chair of Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s HOPE Task Force on Homelessness Organizations, Policies, and Encampments.

TIFFANY EGAN

Michelynn “Miki” Woodard is Texas Women’s Foundation’s President and CEO. Miki served as Head of Social Impact, Diversity and Inclusion for Bad Robot Productions, Inc., and Senior Advisor of the Katie McGrath and J.J. Abrams Family Foundation. Miki co-founded The Artemis Agency. She served as President, Philanthropy at JCPenney; Managing Director for Be the Change, Inc.; and at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Miki is the immediate past board chair of Community Coalition, a board member for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, a founding board member of The Papa John’s

Tiffany Egan is a leader in the Xi Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Arlington Foundation for Excellence in Education. Tiffany received her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a licensed clinical social worker at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Fort Worth ISD and she owns Paramount Affairs Event Planning Company, specializing in party planning and wedding coordination. Tiffany is former Texas Director - Little Miss Perfect at Citrus Pageant and Model Search and Texas Perfect Pageant at World’s Perfect Pageant. See SUPERB WOMEN, page 16

ORETTA B. JOHNSON

MARY ANN WALLACE

TINA PANIA

LINDA MANUELFONTENEAUX

CHERYLE GAIL FLEMING

MICHELYNN WOODARD

AAEAHP Founders' Day at African American Museum

By Norma Adams-Wade Texas Metro News Correspondent

February – the month of Black History and Valentine’s Day love tributes – was also the perfect time for the African American Education Archives and History Program (AAEAHP) to celebrate their Founders’ Day.

That’s exactly what the group of veteran Dallas-area educators and their supporters did on Feb. 13 at the African American Museum at Fair Park.

The group of mainly elder Dallas-area teachers, principals and other education staffers celebrated 20 years of activities since Dr. Alfred Roberts facilitated founding the organization two decades ago in 2002. The Founders’ Day program was dedicated to Dr. Harry Jr., African American Museum founder who AAEAHP says has been a staunch AAEAHP supporter and founding member.

The group’s mission is to make the public aware of the importance of the African-American education experience in Dallas County and to recognize outstanding individuals

who historically and currently have supported educating Dallas County Black students. AAEAHP inducts these individuals into its Hall of Fame, collects artifacts and an oral history about them, and exhibits their histories at the African American Museum. The Bobbie L. Lang HOF, named for the event’s first chairperson, also presents scholarship to selected, aspiring students.

Various founding members were in the audience for the Feb. 13 Founders’ Day program. Second VP Dr. Andrea Hilburn moderated the program where Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney shared history about notable African-American educators and

African-American leaders in Dallas County.

Dr. Dulaney is a noted local historian and national president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the stellar organization in 1915, then 11 years later founded Black History Week that became Black History Month.

Using a PowerPoint screen behind him, Dr. Dulaney also reviewed local Black educators’ and leaders’ struggles to gain equal pay and benefits for educators and to gain Black citizens voting rights. These crusaders include Minnie Flanagan, Thelma Page Richardson, N. W. Harllee, and a roll call of others.

For instance, the brilliant and high-achieving Harllee was born into slavery in North Carolina in the 1840s. After he moved from North Carolina to Dallas in the late 1880s, Whites and Blacks alike recognized his genius, despite Jim Crow restrictions of the time. He held many prominent roles in education and civic affairs.

“N. W. Harllee (in 1927) was the first living person and first Black

Bevy Smith to host Big Thought's 2023 Big Night

Big Thought, an impact education nonprofit, proudly announces that multi award-winning media personality, author and actor Bevy Smith will be the esteemed host for its BIG NIGHT fundraising event, taking place on March 4, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Factory in Deep Ellum. The Gracie Award winner and Sirius XM “Bevelations'' host is slated to grace the stage, to honor numerous creative visionaries and community leaders for their commitment to BIG ideas and their Big Thought Impact. The evening will include a cocktail reception, seated dinner, youthled entertainment, and a vibrant live auction of experiences with an impactful paddle raise.

“I wear many titles - author, tv host, motivational speakerbut the title I love most is that of mentor. Mentoring young people (especially from disadvantaged communities) is my greatest accomplishment,” said Bevy Smith. “Giving them access to art through ‘Cool Culture’ - an arts education program based in New York, hosting the Ali Forney Center awards

gala which helps LGBTQ youth find a voice, or working with the WEEN academy - a mentoring program for young ladies looking for a career in entertainment - this work has been my passion! I look forward to adding Big Thought to my list of philanthropic endeavors.”

In addition to Bevy Smith, big names have gathered in support of BIG NIGHT, including the distinguished set of honorary and event

chairs who have demonstrated influential leadership of significance throughout the Dallas community. The 2023 chairs include:

• Honorary Chairs: DeMarcus & Sasha Lawrence and Donna Wilhelm, and

• Event Chairs: Lynn & Allan McBee and Christa & Ketric Sanford

“The programs and services that Big Thought provides helps to close the opportunity gap for our youth that need it the most,” said Lynn and Allan McBee. “The money raised from BIG NIGHT will go far in helping to achieve that goal,” Christa and Ketric Sanford added. “We hope to have a great response from new and steadfast Big Thought supporters to make this event a success.”

DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys Defensive End and Honorary Chair for BIG NIGHT further adds, “I understand what it means to come from a tough background, and I want to help kids become leaders. That’s why I chose Big Thought and what they represent and stand for.”

person in Dallas who had a school named for him,” Dr. Dulaney told the audience. “It is still on 8th Street in Oak Cliff.”

Dr. Dulaney also pointed out that many people today do not realize that before Thurgood Marshall became a Supreme Justice, the thenNAACP attorney spent time in Dallas working on local civil rights and voting rights cases with his comrade in the struggle, businessman and civic leaders A. Maceo Smith.

AAEAHP will present its annual Bobbie L. Lang Hall of Fame ceremony at noon April 8, 2023 at Hil-

ton Garden Inn, 800 N. Main St. in the Duncanville, southern suburb. COVID-19 safety protocol will be practiced. Retired judge Joan Tarpley Winn will receive the Trailblazer Award. Nine educators will be inducted in the Bobbie L. Lang Hall of Fame: Alene Baker, Dr. Lew Blackburn, S. Dean Hill, Earl Jones, Thelma Kelly, William Mitchell, Billie Roberts, Dr. Juanita Simmons, and Eugene Young.

Tickets are $75. To order and learn more, visit www.aaeahp.org or call 214-478-7228 or 972-2986980.

Three AAEAHP elders -- Dr. Harry Roberson Jr., Dr. Alfred Roberts and Dr. Jesse McNeil – attended the Feb. 13 Founders’ Day observance at the African American Museum.

Photo: AAEAHP

Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney spoke about the history of African-American educators and leaders in Dallas County. Photo: ASALH

Bevy Smith

The Art of Sound

African American Museum’s Music Under the Dome provides weeknight entertainment

By Eva D. Coleman Lifestyle & Culture Editor

It’s a Thursday night and this building inside Dallas’ Fair Park is rockin’. Through the glass windows on both sides of the heavy, metal doors of the African American Museum, there’s a glimpse of Rob Holbert playing his saxophone. Once inside, hands are clapping, heads are boppin’ and toes are tapping to the Music Under the Dome.

This second installment of the five-monthlong music series was filled with excitement as nearly 80 patrons took it all in, participating when asked by Holbert to join in. From classic grooves to mellow tunes, the crowd seemed pleased with the band’s sound. Some were coupled up, while others sat alone, however all seemed to love the rhythm and vibe.

African American Museum President and CEO Dr. Harry Robinson fondly watched from afar. He’s a master curator of not only fine art and artifacts, but of experiences as well. The two-hour set was just enough to hype people up, then wind them down.

Mahogany The Artist performed in January. Sherel Riley will perform March 23, and Reuben Lael on April 27. Holbert will return to close out the series on May 25. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

With tables adorned with black linens and candles, and the lights down low, Music Under the Dome is an intimate evening of upscale entertainment. The event features a cash bar and food for purchase as well. The artistry of sound from featured performances under the backdrop of the historic African American Museum is worth checking out.

St. Philip’s to host Spring Parent University

St. Philip’s School and Community Center will host Parent University on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, a fun-filled, educational event for parents, students and educators. Workshops presented by R. Patrice Dunn, Chris Wheel, Cheryl L. Wesley and Tizita Seifu will focus on mental health and wellness for children & adults. The informative and engaging workshops will begin at 5:15pm and run concurrently. There will be food available for purchase, as well as mental-health related vendors.

For more information about becoming a vendor or attend-

ing the event please visit www. stphilips1600.org/pu.cfm.

At St. Philip’s School and Community Center we recognize the importance of equipping parents and caregivers with the resources, knowledge, and skills needed for children to be successful in their varying development phases. Those development phases are the spaces of life: Spiritual, Physical, Academic, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social (S.P.A.C.E.S.). One way we provide these developmental opportunities is through Parent University. We collaborate with families to cre-

ate and implement strategies for supporting student learning and development at home and school.

Since its establishment in 2005, Parent University has reached over 2,900 adults and 1,300 students. We are glad to be recognized by educational and religious entities as a hub for family engagement, student support, and parenting educational opportunities.

Some of the previous engaging and insightful topics have encompassed single parenting, learning differences including ADHD, cyberspace safety,

21st-century technology education, bullying, standardized assessments, grandparents raising grandchildren, boys to men, girl matters, the impact of a man, summer learning strategies, disciplining, mental health and wellness, and more.

About the Workshops: Building the Village: What Single Parents Need to Know About Mental Health, a workshop led by R. Patrice Dunn, is intended to equip single parents with the tools to recognize, understand and address their child’s mental health needs.

Rev. Christopher Wheel will encourage fathers to become active role models in his Workshop for Dads, addressing their children’s mental health through a Godly lens.

Tizita Seifu will lead Managing Behavior: Helping Your Child Make More Desirable Choices, a workshop for parents interested in learning to provide sound guidance for their youth.

In the Workshop for Grandparents, Cheryl Wesley will discuss ways that grandparents can model healthy mental health practices and become more engaged in their grandchildren’s lives.

African American Museum exterior doors with Rob Holbert playing saxophone inside during Music Under the Dome

Dr. Harry Robinson poses with guests at Music Under the Dome

Jazz saxophonist and vocalist Rob Holbert and band perform at Music Under the Dome

Jazz saxophonist and vocalist Rob Holbert and band perform at Music Under the Dome

Dr. Harry Robinson smiles with guests at Music Under the Dome Music Under the Dome lineup flyers

Lifestyle Metro Calendar powered by

MARCH

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Brain Injury Awareness

Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Kidney Month Nutrition Month

LGBT Health Awareness Week Tuberculosis

This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles! See what more than 17 million women and fans worldwide have been laughing about for over 20 years! It’s the Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change! Wyly Theatre, 2400 Flora St in Dallas at 8p.m.

12

Black Press Week

The Black Press is celebrating 196 Years of “pleading” our own cause!

17

Joseph Smith, the first Black man to receive ICC rights in the US, was born in 1927

Juan Curet, Puerto Rican Boxer, competed in 1952 Olympics, born in 1928

Universoul CircusNow playing at Red Bird Mall

Dallas Black Dance Theatre: Encore! Dancing Beyond Borders, W.E. Scott Theatre in Fort Worth at 7:30pm Get tickets at DBDT.com

Multi-award winning media personality, author and actor Bevy Smith, will be the host for BIG NIGHT fundraiser, 6:30 pm at The Factory in Deep Ellum

The Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce presents its monthly POWER BREAKFAST at 7a.m. at the Soiree Coffee Bar, 320 Singleton Blvd. Suite 190 Register at dallasblackchamber.org

SOS North American Tour

featuring SZA and Omar Apollo at American Airlines Center in Dallas at 8p.m.

KINGS OF SOUL

JEFF TYZIK conducts DARREN LORENZO soloist CHESTER GREGORY soloist MICHAEL LYNCHE soloist With Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik at the helm, Kings of Soul shines a spotlight on the music of legendary artists Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Temptations, Al Green, Barry White, Smokey Robinson and Curtis Mayfield in an evening of soulful rhythms and melodies, at Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2308 Flora St., Dallas - March 10-12

The Tradition is back - The Best St. Paddy’s Day Race in Texas! The St. Paddy’s Day Dash Down Greenville 5K is back in Dallas and so is the Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival that follows. Dress up in your luckiest gear and join the sea of green for the best 5K and post-race party this side of the rainbow. ‘Twill be a fine morning to celebrate with lots o’ beer, food, great music and prizes. Energy Square Dallas, 4925 Greenville Avenue at 6:30 am.

BLACK PRESS LUNCHEON at National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, 13TH Floor, Washington DC 20045. The luncheon, in acknowledgment of Black Press Week, will be live streamed on NNPA platforms, and is themed “State of the Black Press.” The keynote is National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin Chavis.

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Taste of the Bishop Arts District Tour

1:00 PM Dallas Bites & Sights Tours

Sample the charm of the Bishop Arts District, a neighborhood known for its

totally unique shops, foods and colorful past. Follow in the footsteps of Bonnie & Clyde, Oswald and Batgirl on this fun walking tour, as we slip into fascinating galleries and shops, and stop at great eateries. These may include a Texas BBQ legend that’s the pitmaster’s choice for Best BBQ in Dallas, a Bonnie & Clyde shrine/restaurant and much more! Drinks beyond water are on your own. 4925 Greenville Avenue, Ste 255, Dallas

21

Seattle Kraken at Dallas Stars

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Hit the road to adventure when Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures skates into your hometown! Exciting

twists and turns await as Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends embark on a wild ride to your favorite Disney destinations at American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas.

Business CommUNITY Clean Ups Register at dallasblackchamber.org ***

The Power of Community Creating Social Change Appreciation Gala, 2501 North Harwood St. at 7p.m. ***

Trinity (TX) Chapter - The Links, Inc presents the 14th annual Diamonds & Sneakers Gala, supporting scholarships and community outreach programs, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, at 7pm

Menopause The Musical – Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra AND memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more!

America’s premier comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, comes to Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Texas, to perform his newest stand-up routine at 2403 Flora Street, 7p.m.

13th Year Anniversary of AIDS WalkSouth Dallas! This event fund raises will support the programs and services of AIDS Walk South Dallas, Inc. whose mission is to empower persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS through prevention, advocacy, education, peer support and emergency financial assistance. Headquarters is the historical Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center located at 2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Dallas. This will be a 5k walk/run and at the conclusion, there will be entertainment and other various activities for adults and children alike.

Sports Round Up from Dorothy J. Gentry

Dallas Wings Guard Arike Ogunbowale Meets US Women’s National Soccer Team

Dallas Wings All-WNBA guard and former high school standout soccer player, Arike Ogunbowale, watched training and met with members of the United States Women’s National Soccer team Tuesday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.

The USWNT is in town participating in the SheBelieves

Cup, an annual four-team tournament hosted by the U.S. Soccer Federation for the USWNT during every February. They will play against No. 9-ranked Brazil in Frisco at Toyota Stadium on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CST). It will be broadcast on TNT and HBO Max in English, Universo and Peacock in Spanish.

Ogunbowale presented midfielder Rose Lavelle with a customized ‘Lavelle’ Dallas Wings jersey and Lavelle presented Arike with an official USWNT kit. Lavelle, a University of Wisconsin alum, attended school with Arike’s older brother, Dare Ogunbowale, who currently is a running back with the Houston Texans.

Dirk Nowitzki Among Hall of Fame Finalists

Beloved Dallas Maverick legend Dirk Nowitzki was named as a finalist for the 2023 Class of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The announcement came as part of NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Nowitzki is No. 6 on the NBA's alltime scoring list with 31,550 points, was named league MVP in 2007 and won a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, when he was named Finals MVP. A statue of him was unveiled in front of American Airlines Center in December.

Named as a coaching finalist was San Antonio Spurs’ head coach Greg Popovich, the NBA's all-time leader in coaching wins who has guided the Spurs to five championships.

Other player finalists include Miami Heat legend Dwayne Wade, former Laker Paul Gasol, former Spurs point guard and 2007 Finals MVP Tony Parker; Becky Hammon, a six-time All-Star in her WNBA career; and Jennifer Azzi, a collegiate national champion at Stanford, an Olympic gold medalist for USA Basketball in 1996 and a five-year WNBA veteran.

Other coaching finalists include Purdue men's basketball all-time wins leader Gene Keady; Marian Washington, who amassed 560 wins in 31 years coaching the University of Kansas women's team; Gary Blair, who led Texas A&M to the women's championship in 2011; Gene Bess, who won 1,300 games and two national championships with Three Rivers Community College; and David Hixon, who won 826

games in 42 years at Amherst College.

The inductees for the August ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts, will be announced as part of the NCAA Final Four festivities in Houston in April.

Gene Bess - All-time winningest college coach (1,300)

Pau Gasol - 6-time All-Star, 2-time NBA champion, 2002 Rookie of the Year

David Hixon - 826 wins, 2-time D3 national champion, 2-time D3 Coach of the Year

Gene Keady - 7-time Big Ten Coach of the Year

Dirk Nowitzki - 14-time All-Star, 2006-07 MVP, 2011 NBA Champion

Tony Parker - 6-time All-Star, 4-time NBA champion, 2007 Finals MVP

Gregg Popovich - Winningest coach in NBA history, 5-time NBA champion

Dwyane Wade - 13-time All-Star, 3-time NBA champion, 2006 Finals MVP

This year’s Women’s Committee finalists (in alphabetical order):

Jennifer Azzi - 1990 Naismith Player of the Year, 1990 national champion

Gary Blair - 852 wins, 2011 national champion

Becky Hammon - 6-time WNBA All-Star

Marian Washington - 560 wins, 11 NCAA apps.

NBA Legend Pau Gasol Receives 2023 Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy

NBA legend and six-time All-Star Pau Gasol has been named the recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award for his significant contributions to the advancement of girls’ and women’s basketball, and advocacy for the WNBA.

The WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, and Vanessa Bryant presented Gasol with the award during the NBA All-Star 2023 Game in Utah on Sunday night.

Pau Gasol is the second recipient of the award after Chris Paul was named the inaugural recipient in 2022.

The Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy award

aims to honor advocates and influencers who use their time, talent, and platform to raise awareness for the WNBA, and women’s and girls’ basketball in various ways, like Kobe was so committed to doing.

The Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award highlights Kobe’s legacy as a coach and mentor and Gigi’s inspirational, relentless commitment to playing at the highest levels of the game.

Dallas Wings Arike Ogunbowale and the USWNT Dallas Wings Arike Ogunbowale and USWNT

Dallas Wings Arike Ogunbowale and Rose Lavelle USWNT soccer player

WNBA Comimssioner Cathy Engelbert, Vanessa Bryant and Pau Gasol Photo: WNBA

Dirk Nowitzki

Dorothy J. Gentry is sports editor of Texas Metro News.

HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST

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DAILY REMEMBRANCE

The Strong One

By La Juana Barton

Ed Bell Construction Company

An Equal Opportunity Employer

March 1, 2023

Ed Bell Construction is a Dallas based heavy highway contractor doing business in the North Texas 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 highway market locally.

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

• Mixer Operator (Earthwork)

• Laborer (Earthwork, Paving)

• Loader Operator (Earthwork)

• Form Setter (Structures, Paving)

• Excavator Operator (Earthwork)

• Paving Machine Operator (Paving)

• Boom Mobile Crane Operator (CDL)

• Concrete Finisher (Paving, Structures)

• CDL Drivers (Water Truck, Haul Truck)

Available: multiple openings

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

Must have a Clear Background

Must be at least 18 years old (CDL Driver, 21 yrs.)

Must APPLY IN PERSON at 10605 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75220 from 7am-11am Mon-Fri.

Please visit our website: www.edbellconstruction.com/careers

Or email your resume to: careers@edbellconstruction.com

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Attention Homeowners! If you have water damage and need cleanup services, call us! We'll get in & work with your insurance agency to get your home repaired and your life back to normal ASAP!

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MobileHelp, America's premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you're home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure!

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Free high speed internet if qualified.

Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/ one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom!

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Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the above classifieds. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunder-standings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guaran-tee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it is illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in US dollars. Toll free numbers may or may not reach Canada.

Metro Community Calendar powered

Celebrate women this month and every month!

2-4

by

HER VOICE. HIS VISION. THEIR STORY. ON YOUR FEET! is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent - and each other - to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan. March 2-4 at Winpear Opera House 2403 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201 3

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience 8:00 PM9:30 PM Daily, starting from Mar 3, 2023, until Mar 5, 2023

St. Philip’s School and Community Center will host its 23rd Annual Parrish Family Destiny Award Luncheon featuring a conversation with Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Sterling K. Brown, 11:30 am at the Hilton Anatole. The Student Showcase is from 10:30-11:15 am.

Afrobeats pioneer Wizkid has announced a spring 2023 tour across North America supporting his brand new album ‘More Love, Less Ego’.

Wizkid - More Love, Less Ego Tour 7:25 PM –10:30 PM The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory ***

LoveShackFancy Dallas - HerStory Trunk Show! Join in sipping Socorro Tequila cocktails and shopping HerStory brands. We will have Corazón Playero hats, Akola hatbands and jewelry, Paleta accessories, and Mignonne Gavigan jewelry onsite for customers to shop. LoveShackFancy Dallas, 29 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX, 75205 29 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205

Bo Johnson is a comedian from Seattle, Washington. His stand up was featured on season two of Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City on Comedy Central. Dallas Comedy Club, 3036 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75226, Upcoming Shows March 3-5

Texas Wall Street Women Dallas Golf Clinic at Tenison Park Golf Course, 3501 Samuell Blvd in Dallas. 10am-1pm

Showtime Saturdays at Galleria Dallas

11:30 AM –12:00 PM Galleria Dallas

DFW families’ favorite free performance series, Showtime Saturdays, continues throughout March! Showtime Saturdays at Galleria Dallas provides a variety of captivating shows by professional circus clowns, magicians and kid-friendly comedians. Every Saturday

Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers

7

Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks

Chicago Cubs at Texas Rangers

8

Legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy has announced an epic farewell tour across North America Check him out at Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St, Dallas at 7pm

Center 5

Visit the virtual gallery of Delta Artists! Have you ever wanted to collect art? The National Arts and Letters Commission brings you this dynamic event to learn about visual artists and get tips on the art of collecting! https://deltasigmatheta-org.zoom.us/w/92484577158?tk=limmCrVZomcaiCkujWQqhSGbptBLKEX4ILqqV6MyvPk. DQMAAAAViIKnhhYyeVR5ZmNZUVE1VzVyUkY4N19jOU

APRIL

2

See New Edition live w/ special guest Tank, 7p.m. @ The Dickies Arena in Fort Worth

The Potter’s House for the Wheel-U Network event! Register at http://Solo.To/TheWheelAtTPH

18th Annual Dallas Blues Festival at the Texas Trust Theatre in Grand Prairie

Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars - American Airlines

Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks

SUPERB WOMEN

February 2023 cont. from page 9

A U.S. Navy Veteran and experienced and result-producing supply chain manager, AunDria received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration and Management from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She has enjoyed stints at Career real, Medline Industries, Inc., Dallas VA Medical Center, The Henry Dean Group, Parkland Hospital and U.S. Navy.

al! She received her Associate of Arts Degree from Tarrant County College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Northwood University and Masters in Public Administration, Economics and Nonprofit Management from the University of Texas at Arlington College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs. She is the investor, founder and CEO of VIGCE LLC (VISION Group Cleaning) and Fleetwood Cleaning Services of GA. She operates the 7-day a week service cleaning office buildings, schools, university, medical center, apartments and more. Lorri is also a member of Top Ladies of Distinction and Who’s Who of Business Executive Professionals.

Upon graduation she became a teacher and school counselor. A member of St. John Unleashed Church (Grand Prairie) she has assisted in organizing health and job fairs. She loves reading, traveling, walking, baking, and watching crime shows.

Hailing from Dallas, Lenora Lindsey attended Skyline High School and Lincoln Humanities and Communications Magnet. She works at the U.S. Department of Justice and she is also in real estate. Lindsey has worked as business specialist at Business Specialist at ARMY & AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE - AAFES, also worked as a payroll supervisor at Citigroup and Call Center Administrator at AT&T She attended Dallas Baptist University, studying business administration and management. The founder and CEO of Sisterhood, Inc., she focuses on children, education and health.

A resident care associate at Bochy’s Place and public speaker at Mosaic Mission Network; she has also worked as an administrative assistant at Texas District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; local missionary at Peace Lutheran Church; PR coordinator at ISO Sports International; and receptionist/ accounting clerk at The Dallas Weekly. Her book, One Thousand Elsewhere: A True Survivor Story is available for purchase on Amazon. Keeya is a survivor and she shares her story to help others. Beautiful, talented and smart, Keeya works to strengthen fundraising efforts for organizations in the human trafficking space, bringing awareness to the horrors of human trafficking globally by sharing survivor stories.

LINCOLNETTE LOCKRIDGE

Lincolnette Lockridge received a Bachelor of Arts in Education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where she was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority the Spring of 1973 at Iota Psi Chapter.

Rev. Felecia Anderson Brewster received her Bachelor’s degree education from Texas A&M University - Commerce, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Doctor of Education - EdD in Educational leadership and Administration from Dallas Baptist University. She has worked as a site coordinator in DeSoto ISD and a program coordinator for Dallas College. Rev. Felecia is a mentee of Dr. Sheron Patterson and a member of the #PulpitTeam, serving as part of Hamilton Park UMC’s Pastoral Team. She has been in leadership for more than 20 years and has provided a 10-week journey of coaching, mentoring and leadership for women who’ve said, Unapologetically, ‘Yes!’

Evangelist and Minister Schneil Dunn Clark is an author, speaker, prayer warrior, podcaster and teacher. Beautiful, smart and inspiring, she received a BS Degree in Sociology from Jarvis Christian College and a Masters degree from Amberton University. Hailing from East Saint Louis, IL, where she graduated from East Side High School, she is a wife and family person who loves uplifting people and especially WOMEN! She’s a member of Squad Check and Women of Esteem Ministry and you can check them out on Facebook Live.

AUNDRIA CYRS

LENORA LINDSEY

LORRI DOTSON

Lorri Dotson is a consummate profession-

KEEYA VAWAR

REV. FELECIA ANDERSON BREWSTER

MIN. SCHNEIL DUNN CLARK