T E X A S
MetroNews DELIVERING NEWS YOU NEED
• Vol. 10 • May 12 - 18, 2022
MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop!
WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM
Woman of the Year Kayla Tucker Adams See page 8
CAIR Welcomes Ruling that Tulsa Massacre Lawsuit May Proceed
Black Wall Street Times
While I could reference several pandemics that we didn’t identify as such while growing up in Newark, New Jersey; only slavery had such a devastating death toll on Black people, that is prior to COVID-19. As of May 7, 2022 the CDC reported 998,408 total deaths in America, with 15-20% being Black and still the World Health Organization reports a significant undercount. According to Dallas County Health and Human Services, “a total of 6,427 Dallas County residents have lost their lives due to COVID-19 illness.” And it’s not over. Daily I receive reports about the number of new cases and deaths related to COVID-19. My message to everyone, you’d better get to living because the reality of life and death has become more “real” since COVID. Which brings me to my truth. I received a purse for Mother’s Day and the message inscribed was so significant to me: “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.” A former editorial assistant, Marva Sneed, said that it was one of the more memorable quotes she has heard me use, at least that can be put in print! I’ve been saying “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” for years and while I would like to say the phrase was my own contribution to great sayings, I have to attribute it to the hip hop culture. Now when I think about what “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” means to me, it boils down to a simple premise, and that is how a person chooses to live their life.
It was a celebration of great artists in Congressional District 30 Saturday, hosted by the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson at the Meyerson! First Place - by Equally inspiring was Caroline Fletcher the message from the Congresswoman! Caroline will travel to Washington, DC to gather with other winners from across the country. Stop by the Meyerson for the next week to see the outstanding work.
See MY TRUTH, Page 11
See YOUTH AND CREATIVITY, page 3
See TULSA, page 14
Oak Cliff-Native Courtney Peace Is Making Waves With Bottled Water By Stephenetta (isis) Harmon Courtney Peace wants you to drink more clean water. And, while you’re at it, his water. “You gotta stay hydrated,” said the Oak Cliff native, while gulping down a bottle of his own Maji Pure alkaline water. Studies show that most of us aren’t. According to the CDC, 43% of Americans drink less than four cups a day (another survey put us at 80%). And, when we do drink enough, it’s not likely to be the cleanest or the safest.
By Deon Osborne
WASHINGTON D.C.,—The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, welcomed a ruling by Tulsa County District Court Judge Caroline Wall that a lawsuit seeking reparations for survivors and descendants of victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre may go forward. Judge Wall ruled against the City of Tulsa’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed under the state’s public nuisance law.
Congrats to Jarvis Christian College celebrating 110 years - is now Jarvis Christian University!
The last three living survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre enter Tulsa County courthouse for a hearing on Attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons’ public nuisance lawsuit on Monday, May 2, 2022. Photo: Mike Creef / The Black Wall Street Times
ENTREPRENEURS:
Two South Dallas Students Start Company To Bring Healthy Snacks To School Co-owners Christian Williams, 12, left, Vincent McNuckles, 10, of TK Snacks and More, inside the school cafeteria at St. Anthony Academy in Dallas, on April 27, 2022. The cafeteria at St. Anthony is one option for a landing spot for the student's vending machines titled TK Snacks that will offer students healthy options for snacks they can eat while at school. Shay McNuckles, not pictured, is helping the young boys with the business side of things. Photo: Ben Torres / Special Contributor
See HEALTHY SNACKS, page 14
Celebrating Youth and Creativity Photos and Brief
By Cheryl Smith
Courtney Peace
Photo Credit: Alex-Martin
That’s why Peace launched Maji Pure as one of a handful of Black-owned water companies in the country. “I had been drinking [my alkaline water] by myself for a minute,” he explained. Then, water shortages and boil notices during the pandemic (and 2021 snowstorm) helped him see a bigger vision. “It was kind of like a Godsend,” he said. “I was one of the few guys who could actually bring water to the community [...] in their time of need.” That’s when Peace knew he had to bring his brand to the masses. Overcoming adversity He initially started the venture with a few partners, but when they fell off, he knew he had to keep going. “I kept with the dream.” It took two years for him to
Third Place - Cindy Wong with family
See OAK CLIFF-NATIVE, page 7