Texas Metro News 5-4-23

MetroNews

By Cheryl Smith

I always vote and I always use my platforms to encourage others to do the same.

Usually I sing the same tune every year; sometimes two and three times as I encourage people to exercise this oh so important right, instead of seeing it as an exercise in futility.

And, yes, it does get to be somewhat cumbersome when you have to engage in the run-off and recall elections.

I can see how some people get confused and overwhelmed.

Already candidates are beginning their campaigns for the midterm elections and so I can see how it can be confusing for voters as they go to the polls for municipal elections.

As much as I try to be on top of the election cycles, I have been caught off guard at times because every time I turn around there’s another election.

So, as some have suggested, maybe we do need election reform.

Which brings me to my truth.

We must do a better job of speaking to the heart of the people.

We have a definite PR problem when you consider the number of eligible people in America who do not vote.

Many don’t know the who, what, where and why; so expecting that potential voters will know the when and the where is a problematic assumption.

We need the political parties to do a better job of educating voters even though some prefer lower turnouts and work to further disenfranchise a portion of the population.

There’s a lot of work to be done and it a non-stop assignment; no matter how tedious and overwhelming it may seem.

Voting is serious business and we need to get serious about our messaging so we can achieve a better outcome.

Our Superb Women!

April 2023

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 FOREVER! We love you Black Queens!

MICHELLE LONDON-BELL

By Dianne Solis The Dallas Morning News

The phone won’t stop ringing at Gloria Johnson’s home. This is the third call she’s received in the last hour. All three callers want to buy her home, and her answer is always the same.

“No, ma’am. The property is not for sale.”

Johnson’s house sits in one of

Jihra Grace Hill just became the first African American gymnast, at least in recent Texas history, (officials are trying to verify) to win the Girls All-Around state championship. Texas High School Gymnastics state competition.

the hottest real estate plays in Dallas — the West Dallas neighborhood of Gilbert-Emory. It’s named for Nathan and Margaret Gilbert, and Cecil and Helen Emory, the two Black families who owned grocery stores that helped keep community residents fed at a time when segregation didn’t allow them to shop in white neighborhoods.

Today, the rapid sweep of

gentrification — one of the fastest in Dallas — has already wiped away many of the old homes in the once redlined area. Johnson feels like developers have stolen the identity of the historically Black neighborhood.

“We actually feel like the place that time has forgotten,”

Michelle LondonBell, an entrepreneur, adjunct professor at Houston Community College and published writer, is a content, marketing and visual communications expert. She received her MBA from University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Houston. A member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the National Black MBA Association, she is the owner/ founder & creative director at Urban Media Group of Texas. A consummate professional who is highly respected, Michelle has enjoyed stints as a content strategist and marketing manager for Aquent; reporter for the Dallas Examiner and Dallas South News; campaign associate for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas; medical representative for Merck; marketing associate for Houston Symphony and Analyst at AIG.

DR. JACQUELINE

MCDOWELL-WALTON

Jihra also was just named the Debbie Eisenberg Johansen Scholar, which goes to the top scholar-gymnast in Texas!

Jihra is graduating from Trinity High School and will be attending Rice University in the fall.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Correspondent

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz was adamant that neither the people nor the House of Representatives should have the final say in who would be president in 2020.

After losing to Trump in the GOP primaries during the 2016 campaign, the Texas senator wildly expressed his reluctance to leave the decision of the 2020 contest between Trump and Joe Biden to the Electoral College.

Cruz, who once labeled Trump a “liar who

Dr. Jacqueline McDowell-Walton has had an impressive career as a Principal/ Assistant Principal/ Director of Curriculum/ Special Education Coordinator/Academic & Testing Coordinator/ Teacher. She has enjoyed stints as special education coordinator at Harmony School of Innovation, principal at Focus Academy. Dr. McDowell-Walton received a BA in Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas Woman’s University, a Master of Education from Texas Christian University and Doctor of Education from

A newly constructed home towers over a residence on Muncie Avenue at Conklin Street as a man sits on the porch in the Gilbert-Emory neighborhood.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Dallas Morning News

Sen. Ted Cruz

Jihra Grace Hill

Public Safety Academy opens to Glenn Heights residents

GLENN HEIGHTS – The City of Glenn Heights recently kicked off its first ever public safety academy offering residents a multi-department look at the inner workings of the city’s public safety procedures.

Open to 12 residents who signed up for the 2023 classes, the free class offered once a week for two hours, began April 6 and will take place over a period of eight weeks.

“We wanted to take this to the next level for our citizens by offering classes a resident over the age of 18 can attend in order to get basic knowledge and training of what law enforcement does as well as what our Fire Department

and EMS teams do as well,” said Glenn Heights Director of Public Safety, Keith Moore. “Overall, we determined what areas would be best for the public to learn about and we came up with this program, which will include four weeks of law enforcement and four weeks of fire department and EMS.”

The four weeks of law enforcement provides an in-depth look at what patrol officers do, how 911 calls are handled and responded to, what the criminal investigation team does including case management, fingerprinting and processing a crime scene, and the fourth week will be about the importance of animal control.

The four weeks pertaining to the Fire Department and EMS will feature a look at the department’s bunker gear, simulator training and a snapshot of how the department fights fires, handles certain rescues as well as

how the EMS ambulance functions, what equipment the city has in the ambulance, what types of calls are handled and what EMS personnel can and can’t do in the field.

“Both a classroom setting, and

Sen. Ted Cruz Caught on Tape Plotting

can’t accept defeat,” proved no different from the rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol, which led to the deaths of five police officers.

He wanted Trump to remain in office and was willing to set up a fake commission to do it.

Just two days before the January 6, 2021, riot, Cruz attempted to aid Trump by giving an unsupported evaluation of accusations of election fraud.

Abby Grossberg, a former Fox News producer, recorded all of this.

Special prosecutor Jack Smith is reportedly looking for the tapes as he continues investigating Trump’s actions following his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.

The recording from Jan. 2, 2021, with parts aired on national television by MSNBC’s Ari Melber and afterward sup -

plied to publications like The Washington Post by Grossberg’s attorney, significantly revealed an overall scheme to overturn the election results.

Clarifying the full extent of Cruz’s plotting to aid Trump in overturning Biden’s election win, the audio features a previously secret conversation between Cruz, Grossberg and Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo on the campaign to refuse the certification of Biden’s victory.

In the transcript, Cruz brags that he convinced 11 senators to vote against using electoral certification to form a panel.

After Arizona Rep. Paul A. Gosar (R) challenged the state’s electoral certification, Cruz became the first senator to object to the Electoral College results.

Cruz proposed delaying certification of the electoral col -

lege results to initiate a 10-day “audit” that could allow GOP state legislatures to overturn the election results.

“You need an adjudicatory body with fact-finding and investigative authority to consider the facts, examine the record and make determinations — that’s how they did it in 1877,” Cruz told Grossberg and Bartiromo, referring to the commission established to investigate voter fraud in the 1876 Hayes-Tilden election.

Cruz said he would have liked to see “these facts developed in a court of law,” but then he cast doubt on the Supreme Court’s ultimate decision to dismiss the lawsuits filed to contest the election Trump had lost.

Unfortunately, the courts that handled these cases “did not give us a full and thorough consideration,” Cruz stated.

In response to Melber’s broadcast of the video, Cruz tweeted: “This [MSNBC clown] is breathlessly reporting that I ’secretly’ said in a phone call… the EXACT same thing I said on national television the next morning! Repeated on the Senate floor four days later.”

Cruz suggested to Fox News that an electoral commission be established promptly, which would conduct a 10-day evaluation and report back by Inauguration Day, in case the majority of the House and Senate objected to the certification of the Electoral College on January 6, 2021.

If the panel finds “credible evidence of fraud that undermines confidence in the electoral results in any given state,” then the state would call a special session and recertify the results, as Cruz proposed.

“Is there any chance you

safe hands-on explanations will be offered to the students,” Moore said, adding that after graduation he hopes the students will be interested in taking their knowledge one step further by considering the city’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.

“The Academy will be held on an annual basis,” Moore said. “It is important that our citizens know what we do. Often, they see what is on television and that is not an accurate portrayal. The more they know the more they can tell their neighbors, the more we can educate our community and the better our residents can understand us, and we can understand them.”

cont. from page 1

can overturn this?” Bartiromo asked Cruz, to which he replied, “I hope so.”

Cruz presented his concept for an electoral commission to Fox News the same day he announced it to Republican members in Congress.

Despite criticism from some of his loyal supporters and Cruz’s aides, Trump noticed the panel and tweeted his approval of Cruz’s plan.

Melber claims the recording proves Cruz’s plans to aid Trump in seizing power and overthrowing the election if the previous president’s legal objections are dismissed.

“He literally explains it that way,” Melber said of Cruz. “Basically, they would hijack the certification and use their own made-up, fake commission to declare that the Biden win was fraudulent, and then that would decide who was inaugurated.”

CDC addresses heart disease risk factors in Blacks

By Ayesha Hana Shaji Texas Metro News Team

Heart diseases are the leading cause of death in America and one person dies every 34 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease, according to the CDC.

Black folks are at a higher risk than any other race to die from preventable heart diseases, said Booker Daniels, health communication team lead at CDC’s Division for Health Disease and Stroke Prevention, but it is not because of the lack of awareness surrounding the topic.

It’s because of the barriers and perceptions.

“Preventable heart disease exists in the context of a lot of different forces and factors,” Daniels said, adding that a few of those determinants are the social environment people are in; like social norms, social policies, and even climate change.

While heart disease is a clinical presentation, Daniels said, the risk factors that contribute to an individual's risk for heart disease exist in the context of where a person lives, where they learn, the food availability and recreational environments.

“All of those things contribute to a dispro-

portionate burden of heart disease and stroke among Black and African Americans,” he said.

“Our research revealed and really echoed, based upon what we've heard from the lived experience of folks, is that heart disease and stroke and the burden of heart disease and stroke is not new, and it is not news to Black and African Americans.”

Most folks have direct contact with the issue either through their own health or through family members or those in their communities, Daniels explained. Thus knowing about cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and heart disease is not the issue but accessibility and having a mindset to take incremental measures to improve your heart.

He said there are barriers and perceptions that result in the variation of numbers across demographics. Barriers include limited access to healthy and affordable food, and safe environments for outdoor recreation.

“Barriers include social structures that don't facilitate people leading healthy and active lives,” Daniels said, adding that it is an issue rooted in racism.

He said CDC boldly states that “racism is a public health issue.”

Perception is a factor because many per-

Wilmer Public Works Director recognized in Dallas County Commissioners Court

WILMER, TX – Public Works Director Wayne McCurley was recognized last month at the Dallas County Commissioners Court by Commissioner John Wiley Price for his outstanding service working alongside others in the area on the Dallas County Inland Port.

McCurley was awarded a 2022 Special Projects Award, Dallas County Inland Port with a nod toward his efforts. He was recognized by Commissioners Court for “being a faithful valued partner in the County's endeavor to take utility coordination to the next level. We look forward to many more years of working with Mr. McCurley and the City of Wilmer.”

McCurley played an intricate part in several key Inland Port projects recently including Sunrise Road, Fulghum Road and operating

the Pinto Road Pump Station in District 3.

The Public Works Director has been with the City of Wilmer for approximately three (3) years. “It is a great honor to be recognized for the special projects award for Dallas County Inland Port for 2022,” expressed Wayne McCurley, Public Works Director. “It couldn’t have happened without the outstanding and dedicated team members within the City of Wilmer. It an honor to work for this community and

ceive heart diseases as inevitable and just a matter of ageing.

“One may ask, why would I make an effort to change something that is going to be inev-

stroke can be deadly and disabling,” he said. “We know that there are things that you can do to live and you can live to the beat of your own life.”

itable? And we know for a fact that that's not the case,” Daniels said.

Incremental things such as managing stress, moving more, working with a health professional to understand your risk and to control high blood pressure and to manage cardiovascular disease risk can go a long way, he said.

While exercising is shown to be clinically beneficial, he continued, taking a 10-minute walk everyday and taking moments to practice healthy eating and active living contributes to improvements in one's heart health.

Booker Daniels is the CDC representative for the Live to the Beat campaign, which is led by CDC Foundation and the Million Hearts initiative and pushes people to take steps to prevent heart disease and stroke.

“It's not a coincidence that the first word in our campaign is live because we don't want people to continue to call attention to what people already know, that heart disease and

Daniels stressed that while not everyone has the same choices, everyone has choices and there is a way one can improve their cardiovascular health if they make smart choices. Finding those choices that make sense for individual lifestyles and circumstances is important and the campaign can help with that.

The campaign provides Black and African American audiences, ages 34 to 55, with information, tools, tips and resources that normalize and promote taking heart healthy steps during the course of the life cycle, he said.

“Blacks are dying at greater risk and having earlier events earlier in life, and the consequences of those events are more profound,” Daniels said. “So we're seeing increases in morbidity and in many instances, mortality.”

Live to the Beat is an effort to “get upstream of some of those forces and factors” to create model images, messages and activities backed up by data and science, he said.

strive to improve the beautiful City of Wilmer.

“Under Wayne McCurley’s leadership, the department always strives to offer our residents quality service and with that aim in mind the department continually maintains the city’s parks, streets, sewer system, water system and stormwater maintenance," said Mayor Sheila Petta. “It is with great pride we congratulate Wayne McCurley for his strong commitment to the City of Wilmer and the Inland Port.”

Booker Daniels Photo: CDC

Ayesha Hana Shaji is a 2022 graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, where she was on The Shorthorn staff.

Belafonte 1968 – Artistry, Acumen & Activism!

tained heavy losses.

By Vincent L. Hall

1968 was a tumultuous year. Historians have chronicled 1968 as one of the most tragic and traumatic in America's brief history. 1968 featured a complicated, convoluted series of events that created cataclysmic social repercussions.

Only God above knew that Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy would fall to assassins’ bullets. Although many conspiracy theorists believe the FBI had a good idea that King's assassination was imminent.

One article in “The Smithsonian” led with “1968, the year that shattered America.” Anti-war and civil rights protests, assassinations, and political upheaval ruled the day.

The year of “shock and awe” began in late January 1968, during the lunar new year (or “Tet”) holiday. North Vietnamese and communist Viet Cong forces launched a coordinated attack. As a result of the "Tet Offensive," the U.S. and South Vietnamese militaries sus-

MetroNews

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

Black and white glossies of pimply-faced soldiers and body bags on the daily evening news began to wear on Americans' frayed nerves. Teenagers and young adults who could be drafted into the Vietnam War were active and defiant in their public dissent.

After one battle at the Vietnamese village of Ben Tre, an American officer replied to Associated Press reporter Peter Arnett, "It became necessary to destroy the town to save it."

A few weeks later, approximately 700 unionized Memphis sanitation workers voted to strike in February. They held the formal blessing of the local branch of the NAACP soon after, and Dr. King arrived three weeks later to speak to an audience of 25,000. A few days later, 22,000 students skipped school to support the workers.

At the South Carolina State campus, police opened fire on students protesting segregation at Orangeburg's only bowling alley. Three protesters died, and 27 more were wounded. Nine officers were later tried and acquitted of charges related to using force.

In the same month, The Kerner Commission, appointed by

President Lyndon B. Johnson to examine the causes of race riots in American cities in previous years, declared the nation is..." moving toward two societies, one black, one white--separate and unequal."

On March 16, 500 New York University students picketed a university-sponsored recruiting event for the Dow Chemical

America asked if anything good came out of 1968.

Well, one thing did!

Indie Wire online published a story in 2020 about a Peacock documentary, “The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts “The Tonight Show.” The documentary was an eye-opener for most of White America. Blacks on television were still a rarity.

“In 1968, America was embroiled in protests over civil rights and the Vietnam War. In that tumultuous time, "The Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson turned over hosting duties to actor and activist Harry Belafonte for an entire week.

His guests included Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, just months before they were assassinated, during a week that's lost in American history.

night TV show — even if it was only for a week.”

His guests included Lena Horne, Nipsey Russell, Bill Cosby, and others, all engaged in searing, in-depth interviews in an America that was forced to contend with itself as a country on the verge of radical change.

The Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, for example, which still left Black Americans behind economically, signaled some progress, no matter how incremental.

Belafonte drew other big names like Petula Clark, Dionne Warwick, Robert Goulet, both Smothers Brothers and Sidney Poitier. But they all came out of respect and admiration for Belafonte’s artistry, acumen, and activism.

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.

Company, the principal manufacturer of napalm.

America was witnessing a war on the war!

Easter was near, but Jesus seemed so far away. So John 1:46 of the Christian Gospels posed a question. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? But by Good Friday 1968,

At the time, Carson's pioneering late-night variety show had become one of the country's most influential platforms. So the move to have Belafonte take this mainstream institution and transform it into a multicultural and political experience, introducing white America to his world of art and activism, was unprecedented.

Belafonte became the first Black person to host a late-

Harry Belafonte was the epitome of the Black Renaissance movement that merged with the Black Power movement while walking alongside the peaceful, non-violent Civil Rights movement.

Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. was an artist whose acumen spurred him to activism. His template is worthy of mass reproduction.

Senator Feinstein’s Retirement and The Governor’s Appointment

By Dr. John E. Warren

California Senator Dianne Feinstein has had a long and distinguished career. She has done much for the State of California and the nation as a United States Senator, but at the age of 89, with issues of health and the uncertainty of when she might return to a Senate much in need of every vote from the State of California, it is time for Senator Feinstein to join her former distinguished col-

league, Barbara Boxer, in retirement. Senator Boxer herself has also said it’s time for her colleague to step aside and allow an appointment by the Governor to fill the remainder of her term rather than have Republicans hold hostage her seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee in an effort to get Kyrsten Sinema appointed to that position. Let us remember that Senator Sinema switched from Democrat to Independent after the 2022 election gave Democrats an additional vote. It had become necessary for Vice President Harris to be the tie breaker in an evenly divided Senate.

Having given the reasons that Senator Feinstein should retire

now, let us address the issue of who should be appointed to take her seat for the balance of her term.

Governor Newsom should appoint Congresswoman Barbara Lee to the U.S. Senate to fill that position. Congresswoman Lee should have been appointed to fill the remainder of Vice President Harris’ term instead of Senator Padilla, who not only filled the balance of Vice President Harris’ term, but also got elected to a full term in the 2022 election. Congresswoman Lee is well qualified for the position, having served this state in both the Assembly and the State Senate. She replaced the late Congressman Ron Dellums from Oakland, California for whom she

worked as Chief of Staff during his years in Congress.

The appointment of Congresswoman Lee will reaffirm the Governor’s commitment and appreciation of the Black female vote, which has been so supportive of him through all his challenges. Congresswoman Lee should then be able to run for a full term of her own in the next election, just as Senator Padilla did, regardless of who else is running.

Senator Feinstein, please retire. Governor Newsom, please appoint Congresswoman Barbara Lee to fill the remainder of her term.

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.

Harry Belafonte

Sweep around your own front door before you try to sweep around mine

By Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew

I’ve noticed a trend. There is a mom influencer who was blasted because of her choice to travel and leave her kids with her spouse. She received messages criticizing her, labeling her as a bad mother. Frequently online, individuals are judged by strangers for their choices. This doesn’t just happen online, but I met a stranger who felt compelled to share their thoughts on something personal they knew nothing about but felt the need to give advice that was unsolicited. In all of these situations, people make assumptions without really knowing people, having the full story, and an understanding of the true context.

I see this play out increasingly with individuals who proclaim they are followers of Christ. We make the mistake of assuming people live in the world the way that we do. When others choose different paths and don’t follow what we do, instead of choosing to learn more and understand, our tongues and fingers become weapons of mass destruction. I’ve never seen a person change the way they live or change their beliefs from being belittled, interrogated, or put down. If anything, people become defensive and become more resolute in their decisions and behaviors. (Proverbs 15:1-2)

As a society, we have become so quick to judge others and feel that our opinions actually matter to strangers. The energy expended in criticizing the lives and decisions of others could be used to better our lives and conditions. I find that people

who are often so determined to get others told fail to see their own shortcomings. They don’t take the time to self-reflect. Maybe the reason why they are so willing to critique others is because they are unwilling to face their own mess.

The Bible is noticeably clear on the need for introspection.

“How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5 NIV)

What would happen if more people focused on becoming a better version of themselves daily? What would happen if we gave grace to others—the same grace we desire when we make a mistake or miss the mark?

It’s important that we take the

time to self-examine before we point fingers at others. As Believers, we cannot profess the word of God which is rooted in love and forget what God commands in how we treat others.

James 1: 23-25 states, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” We cannot talk about God’s forgiveness of our sins, put others on blast, and conveniently forget our mess. Matthew 18:23-34 is a parable that Jesus shares that is a reminder that the same judgement we apply to others will be applied to us.

This week, instead of finding fault in others, take the time to invest in becoming a better you. Ask God to “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Make it a priority to ask God to direct your life. If this becomes your focus, you won’t have time to look at what other people are doing (or are not doing.)

Decide to take the plank out of your eye before commenting on the speck in someone else’s and don’t forget to sweep around your front door first.

Clarence Thomas Does Not Belong on the Supreme Court

be? Even after the news of Crow’s largesse first broke, it got worse: Crow had also bought Thomas’ mother’s house in Savannah, a helpful real estate deal that Thomas never reported, either.

By Svante Myrick

It’s been over 30 years since Justice Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court seat once held by the great Thurgood Marshall, and it’s safe to say that his reputation for unethical behavior — which was poor to start with — has only gotten worse.

What are we supposed to think about a justice’s career that started with allegations of sexual harassment, moved on to extreme coziness with conservative political donors, then multiple instances of questionable gifts and payments to himself and his wife, and now revelations that years of free trips and perks lavished on him by right-wing billionaire Harlan Crow went unreported — despite laws that clearly say they should

We could think that Thomas either doesn’t know or doesn’t care about the ethical standards expected of a Supreme Court justice, or the laws that apply to him as a public employee. But Thomas is a graduate of Yale Law School.

Ignorance is not a believable defense here. So we have to conclude that Thomas just doesn’t care about the rules, or thinks that he can ignore them.

That’s not the kind of person who belongs on the Supreme Court. If he wanted to do the decent and honorable thing, Thomas would admit his wrongdoing and resign. Calls for him to resign are coming from pro-democracy groups including the one I lead, top media outlets, and members of Congress.

But Thomas doesn’t have a his-

tory of doing the decent and honorable thing. So that means others will have to hold him accountable. The question is how.

There are plenty of calls for impeachment, but with a Republican-controlled House the option would appear to be off the table. Meanwhile the Senate will hold hearings and may call Thomas himself to testify.

That is an important step. I would add that two other steps are absolutely essential right now: a Justice Department investigation and Supreme Court reform including an enforceable code of ethics.

The Justice Department has clear grounds to investigate Thomas under a federal disclosure law that applies to government officials including Supreme Court justices. The law authorizes DOJ to pursue both civil penalties and criminal fines from government officials who fail to report gifts as legally required.

Thomas has claimed that the

generosity he received from Harlan Crow was just “personal hospitality” — not subject to reporting. Even if some of that were true, some perks, like free use of Crow’s private jet for Thomas’ personal travel, and the real estate transaction in Georgia are, according to most ethics experts, clearly in a different category.

The Justice Department can give a definitive answer as to whether Thomas’ actions were not only unsavory, unethical, improper and all the rest — but also absolutely illegal. And it can call for imposition of a monetary fine. Even more important than the cash fine would be the impetus a finding of guilt would give to any effort to remove Thomas.

And then, to help ensure that trust in the court isn’t further eroded by scandal after scandal, we need to have Supreme Court reform. That means an enforceable code of ethics specifically for the court, written to address the full range of ethical questions

that could ever apply to justices’ behavior. In the longer term we should also have Supreme Court expansion, to counteract the farright capture of the court that was achieved by totally unethical means. But that is a larger conversation.

It has been painful to watch Thomas’ corrupt behavior and its effect on the Supreme Court. This is especially true given the historic significance of the seat he occupies. We need judges on all our courts — not just the highest — who act with humility and who understand the impact of their decisions on everyday Americans. Courts really do make a difference in the lives of everyday people. They should be led by trustworthy, fair-minded judges who value equality and justice, uphold the Constitution, and protect civil and human rights for all Americans. That’s not Clarence

Thomas.

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the President of Soulstice Consultancy, LLC and the Founder of the Reconciliation and Restoration (r2fdn.org) Foundation. The author of 4 books including Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy, Dr. Booker-Drew is also the host of the Tapestry Podcast.

Svante Myrick is president of People For the American Way.

You cannot climb a smooth mountain

BLACK CARD

By Terry Allen

Thank God, for Lucile “Big Mama” Bailey Robinson Allen.

Let me remind you again that Big Mama’s wisdom would now make her a TIK TOK, Instagram, Facebook and even Twitter sensation. This latest excerpt from her legendary verbal tome is “You cannot climb a smooth mountain!” .

Texas Metro News (TMN) does not entertain a smooth mountain at all. TMN gives the community at large the diverse narrative of our news and our stories. Check this, what I know.

What is its most used intent: There is a saying that a smooth

mountain cannot be climbed. The smooth, shiny surface of a rock mountain makes it impossible for you to climb upward if you cannot grab anything that gives you a handhold or foothold.

Even more so, I had the best experience of being in the room several times with Zig Ziglar, who used the statement: “You Can’t Climb a Smooth Mountain.” I am certain he had talked with Big Mama before I met him, since my connection to him came through her imprint on my life.

What else does it mean?

Big Mama wanted me to know that all those rough patches in your life and the bad, weakened times were actually opportunities for going “onward and upward.”

That message resonated in Big Mama’s love, helping those going through a rough time, yet

Legacy Principal remembered

“We have suffered a tremendous loss,” Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy Superintendent Mrs. Staci Weaver said Monday, about the unexpected death of Mesquite West High School Principal Javier Chaparro.

Mr. Chaparro was diagnosed with an aggressive illness. He was hospitalized and passed away shortly after.

Superintendent Weaver said, “the school community is in shock.”

Mr. Chaparro had been the high school principal at Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy for the past six years. He previously was a principal at Seagoville Middle School in Dallas ISD. Mr. Chaparro was a truly dedicated leader who was very humble and passionate. He instilled ethics and values into his scholars and made sure they were productive citizens of the community.

In a statement released by the District: "He was a leader who

they lost hope. She told all who would listen that you cannot appreciate the peak of the mountain until you have been in the pit of the valley!

Big Mama is the person who made me intensely, unapologetically self-aware and historically African inspired. She made me see the “value” in the valley and gravitate to the rough side of the mountain over the complacent, smooth mountain base.

Big Mama would always be on that front porch stoop where she delivered to her audience of sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, great great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and deliver her God Moment!

Big Mama expanded her smooth mountain story by saying, “You may not know you are in a smooth mountain move-

ment because you are continually walking around that smooth base of the mountain satisfied but never moving up!"

We don’t want rough patches but I know for sure you cannot see and look over the mountaintop if you have not had experience and undo the initial damage you see right in front and inside of you.

As you work through the process of a community-driven course correction, it is extremely common for you to initially experience an exacerbation of your current trials and tribulations or to even experience hopelessness.

Last week, I told the young men who wanted change to understand a few key steps: a) If you have no spiritual courage, stay on the smooth walk around the base of the mountain, especially if you are afraid of being a

game changer or if you think you cannot influence unhealthy status quo. However, understand that the mountaintop will never reach your hands.

If you are ready to move upward, know that the path will not always be smooth. Every dip and gutter you encounter serves a purpose and is an integral part of moving forward

So, in closing, I ask you to go look for that rough side of the mountain in our world, tackle it and give us a true democracy.

Who has a testimony? Email me at terryallenpr@gmail.com and let me know! We cannot go back to another Jim Crow error or era, at all.

Crockett Votes Against Default On America Act

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) has voted against the Default On America Act. This extreme MAGA Republican legislation presents Americans with a terrible choice: either House Republicans will wreck our economy or inflict cruel cuts that hurt everyday people.

at the expense of my constituents.”

By refusing to act now to prevent a default, House Republicans are threatening an

Veterans Affairs health benefits at risk for 251,000 people; and

• Jeopardize Social Security payments for 67,000 seniors. But the Default On America Act is no alternative. In Texas, the extreme House Republican scheme would:

had an immense impact and reach in the school and greater community. He will be greatly missed by the students and the staff here at Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time of loss."

Grief counselors and other support personnel will be available to assist students and staff. The district will provide further details as they become available.

“My constituents know that when they don't pay their bills, they get their lights turned off. House Republicans are acting like they've never lived through that experience - and their threat to default on our national debt if we don't make massive cuts to essential federal programs puts the financial security of every American at risk," said Rep. Crockett. “I'm ready to act now to prevent a default on our debt, continue our historic deficit reduction, and responsibly invest in America WITHOUT cutting SNAP, Head Start, Medicaid and other programs the people of my district depend on. This is not a game, and I will not give in to political blackmail

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett

economic disaster that will devastate everyday Americans. In TX-30, an extreme MAGA Republican default on our debt would:

• Double the unemployment rate;

• Threaten the retirement savings of 88,000 people near retirement;

• Put Medicare, Medicaid, and

• Threaten access to food assistance for 53,000 people aged 50-55;

• Eliminate preschool and child care for at least 27,400 children;

• Increase housing costs for at least 39,700 people; and

• Make college more expensive for at least 587,900 students.

House Democrats have already cut the deficit by historic levels and President Biden’s budget reduces deficits by $3 trillion more over the next 10 years while investing in America – lowering costs by making child care, health care, and housing more affordable, supporting better schools, and strengthening our infrastructure.

Terry Allen is an NABJ awardwinning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional and founder of the charity – Vice President at FocusPR, Founder of City Men Cook and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org

Principal Javier Chaparro

Gilbert-Emory neighbors watch their historically Black community vanish cont. from page 1

Johnson says. “Not important. Not significant. They don’t care.”

A decade ago, a 600-squarefoot shotgun house would have been valued at about $11,000. Today, it’s overshadowed by a $600,000 three-story townhome with balcony views of the downtown skyline. Within the last year, new townhomes went up, turning Johnson’s block into a dead end. One way in. No way out.

“They are building around us and, for me, they are trying to motivate me, aggravate me, stimulate me to move quickly because ‘we are going to get this community,’ ” she says of developers.

Most of the people Johnson grew up with no longer live here. In 1990 about half the neighborhood was Black, according to census block data. Now only one-fifth of residents are Black.

Johnson wants to stay. Her father worked two jobs to buy the land where her home now sits.

“We were here before the street was paved,” she says. “My mother was instrumental in getting donations to get the street paved. That was unity. That was community. Gone are those days.”

Dallas historian Donald Payton agrees. He has chronicled Dallas Black history for several decades.

“In just another few years, it’s all going to be dog parks and bike paths,” Payton says. “And, if we don’t work to preserve our stories, it’s all going to be forgotten.”

Payton says the struggle for residents of Gilbert-Emory is a story repeated throughout Dal-

las and across the nation. It’s about the struggle to persevere and preserve as pricey development threatens housing in historically Black neighborhoods.

“When you say gentrification, that’s a new word,” he says. “At one time it was called ‘urban renewal,’ then it was called ‘urban redevelopment,’ and then it all boils down to relocation.”

Research shows Black homeownership rates in Dallas are much lower than those of whites. Payton says the effect is loss of generational wealth, black culture and community.

He remembers visiting Gilbert-Emory in the 1950s when he was a boy. He would get his hair cut by the gregarious onearmed barber.

“Mr. Posey’s Barber Shop is where the men hung out,” Payton says. “Our culture is built around barbershops, beauty shops, cafés, and the church was our shelter in the times of the storms.”

Sunlight streams through the amber-colored windows of the Greater Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church on Bayonne Street. It’s the largest church in Gilbert-Emory. These days, most of the congregants don’t live here anymore. They have moved to other neighborhoods.

Even so, Pastor Ned Armstrong says, the church is here to stay.

“This has been a strong community for years,” Armstrong says. “The foundation was laid here.”

Armstrong says he’s reached out to their new neighbors, leaving fliers and information about the church, and he says they have had a couple of new visitors.

But he also says the church received a noise complaint from one of its neighbors a few weeks ago, and that hurt. Speakers sit outside the building, amplifying the sermons and songs into the parking lot for parishioners who prefer to

sit outside. Outdoor services were created during the pandemic.

Several years ago, Pastor Armstrong says, the church tried to buy the land across Bayonne Street that had housed the beloved Frederick Douglass school.

The Frederick Douglass school was so significant that many longtime neighbors, like Gloria Johnson, still use the abolitionist’s name when referring to the neighborhood. The school produced its own set of teachers and even a school principal.

After the school closed in 1980, some community members hoped to see the land turned into a city park. Armstrong wanted a community center. But six years ago, Dallas ISD sold the land to a private developer for $1.7 million dollars.

“They came in, and we can’t compete with those guys. They have millions of dollars,” Arm-

strong says. “Next thing we know, it was sold. Boom. No notice. Man, really. That was pretty cruel. They didn’t want to sell it to the church.”

Now the only way you’d know the school had once stood there is a street sign leading into the housing complex. Gloria Johnson says that’s not enough.

“Where’s the concern? Where’s the love?” Johnson asks. “If that was the concern, we would have had a street, a whole street. Not a block. But you didn’t. You do not care.”

Now there are 27 gray townhomes on the lot that was home to one of the oldest Black schools in Texas. Their price tags start above $500,000.

This article was reported and edited cooperatively by The Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Free Press and KERA, which participate in the Dallas Media Collaborative, a group of local news outlets, universities and nonprofits focused on covering affordable housing with a solutions-oriented approach.

A broken street sign topper signifies the “Gilbert-Emory Neighborhood,” a historically Black neighborhood in West Dallas where new development is replacing older homes.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Dallas Morning News

Four Black churches are the largest institutions remaining in GilbertEmory. The biggest of those is Greater Mount Pilgrim Church, whose congregants prayed during this service on Oct. 30, 2022.

Photo: Rebecca Slezak, Dallas Morning News

Gloria Johnson poses inside her Gilbert-Emory home. Johnson constantly receives phone calls from developers looking to buy her property.

Photo: Rebecca Slezak, Dallas Morning News

A shotgun house still stands next to a newly built home in the Gilbert-Emory neighborhood of West Dallas. Residential lots valued at $11,000 are now selling for $500,000 and up.

Photo: Rebecca Slezak, Dallas Morning News

New homes are reflected in the glasses of the Rev. Ned Armstrong as he stands outside Greater Mount Pilgrim Church. The pastor says he has turned down multiple offers from developers for the church’s property. Moving the church outside Gilbert-Emory would be too expensive, he says.

Photo: Rebecca Slezak, Dallas Morning News

Bobbie L. Lang Hall of Fame

Luncheon and Induction Ceremony

By Gwendolyn J. Brantley

It was an opportunity to salute educators as the African American Education Archives and History Program inducted and enshrined nine outstanding educators at the 2023 Bobbie L. Lang Hall of Fame Luncheon and Induction Ceremony, held recently.

This year’s honorees were Alene Baker, Dr. Lew Blackburn, S. Dean Hill, Earl A. Jones, Thelma Kelly, William S. Mitchell, Billie Kerl Roberts

(deceased) Dr. Juanita Cleaver Simmons and Eugene Young, III; recognized for outstanding contributions to the educational experience of African Americans in Dallas County.

Additionally, Judge Joan Tarpley was presented with the Trailblazer Award and all honorees received proclamations from Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, State Senator Royce West, and State Representatives Yvonne Davis, Toni Rose and Carl Sherman, Sr.

This year’s program was dedicated to three Hall of Famers

who transitioned this year: Dr. George Keaton, Jr, Stacy Mosley, and Dr. Claude Williams, Sr. and the Mistress of Ceremonies was Cheryl Smith, Owner and Publisher, Texas Metro News.

The following new students were presented $3,000 scholarships: Amaria Hubbard and Aujenae Jones. Christian Henry, Ariel Hubbard, Crystal Henry, and Rachel Clifton are continuing students and received $1,000. Christian will be a senior in the fall and will graduate a year early and Ariel will

be a junior in the fall; Crystal and Rachel will be completing “student teaching” in the fall and will graduate at the end of the fall semester. All the scholarship recipients are education majors with plans to become teachers.

Individuals who contributed to the scholarship program for 2023 are: Shirley Ison Newsome-$1000, Johnnie Brashear-$1,000, Robert Ward

$500-Book Scholarship, and Brian and Jordan Newsome

$500-Book Scholarship. Future scholarships to be given in

the name of Billie Kerl Roberts: Donors are Shirley Ison Newsome and Dr. and Mrs. Earnest Harrison.

The Outstanding Young Educator’s Award was presented to Brittney C. Johnson, a teacher at James Madison High School.

The efforts of AAEAHP volunteers have resulted in 175 individuals being inducted into the AAEAHP Hall of Fame. A permanent pictorial exhibition of inductees (2004-2023) is in the Helen Giddings Solarium in the African American Museum in historic Fair Park.

Special to Texas Metro News

Dr. Alfred L. Roberts and inductee Dr. Lew Blackburn

Inductee Alene Baker with Billy Allen

Inductee S. Dean Hill with Billy Allen

Dr. Beverly Brooks accepted for her sister, Billie Kerl Roberts.

Inductee Earl A. Jones with Dr. Alfred L. Roberts

Inductee William S. Mitchell with Dr. Alfred L. Roberts

Dr. William Lyons presented Brittney C. Johnson the Outstanding Young Educator Award.

Inductee Eugene Young, III with Billy Allen

Scholarship Recipients are Amaria Denae Hubbard, Aujenae Jones, Christian Henry, Crystal Henry, and Rachel Clifton. The Scholarships were presented by Lincoln Butler, Sr., AAEAHP First Vice President.

Dr. Andrea Hilburn. AAEAHP Second Vice President presented Judge Joan Tarpley the Trailblazer Award.

Inductee Dr. Juanita Simmons

Inductee Thelma Kelly with Billy Allen

Student Performers, La’Raya Hudson and Camden Anthony from Booker T. Washington HSPVA performed a musical tribute to the honorees.

Metro Community Calendar powered by

4500 Spring Ave, Dallas, TX 75210 at 10:00 AM 25

The BEATLEukemia Ball is the annual signature fundraiser for Leukemia Texas, held in Fort Worth, TX each spring. Guests of all ages travel from many locations to attend this fun event, and it is always a special night to remember. The featured entertainment is “The Fab Four” who are considered the finest Beatles tribute band in the world.

HYPE w/Cheryl Smith

Actor and philanthropist Dr. Lamman Rucker, began his career on the daytime soap operas “All My Children” and “As the World Turns” before roles in Tyler Perry’s films, “Why Did I get Married” and “Why Did I Get Married Too?”

Rucker also starred as Jacob Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, “Greenleaf.” He currently stars in the BET+ drama titled “The Black Hamptons.”

Happy Mother’s Day 20

11th annual Tux and Chucks Gala, a charity fundraiser event in support of Fit and Faithful Living’s mission of inspiring hope, vision, and possibilities for youth and families. This year’s event promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience for the whole family, featuring guest speakers Olympians Michael Carter and Michelle Carter, who will share their personal journey and insights on the importance of mental health in families and achieving goals.

6pm - 9pm at The Highland Dallas Hotel. In addition to the guest speakers, the event will include awards, live performances, dinner, silent auction,

Full day of FREE interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking events designed to empower and support those who want to grow their leadership skills or break into a new career.

http://www.goheroes.org/conference

8194 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas TX 75231

Ivy & Pearl Foundation of Dallas, in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, Alpha Xi Omega Chapter’s 2nd Annual Top Golf Tournament Scholarship Fundraiser 2:00 pm at TopGolf in Dallas, TX.

18

Weekday mornings on FaceBook

Bringing you hype you can believe!

GET READY to GET REAL

The Real Deal w/ The Reality Coach on BlogTalkRadio.com 11 am.- noon CST. and FaceBook, Mondays. Join the call 646-200-0459 on Cheryl’s World.

Miss Jabberwock Scholarship Pageant DoubleTree Campbell Centre, 8250 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75206 Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc at 5 pm

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS!

The Elusive Ladies of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. were introduced on the Florida A&M University Campus, in 1978.

JUNE

Black Music Month

Saluting Fathers

CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH

Have a great Father’s Day with City Men Cook - Stay tuned for information.

GET READY

The Don’t Believe the Hype Celebrity Bowl-a-thon is coming back. Stay tuned for more info!

The World According to Drew on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. CST. Sundays Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news and commentary. Join Andrew Whigham on the call 646-200-0459

SEND CALENDAR ITEMS TO

editor@texasmetronews.com or call 214-941-0110

Juanita J. Craft Open House

Lifestyle Metro Calendar

MAY

‘If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future’ – The Nando’s Art Collection World Debut at the African American Museum, Dallas 11am-5pm weekdays

Celebrating Mothers Congrats to the Class of 2023

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13th Annual Head for the Cure 5K –North Texas for UT Southwestern and The Gray Matters Foundation. Register today at headforthecure.org/northtexas.

Black Heritage Celebration Business Expo at the Dallas Arboretum

It in 2023! *Special Q and A session with WFAA’S legendary Sports Commentator Dale Hansen! Tickets available www. youcanliveagain.net, Gilley’s Dallas, 1635 Botham Jean, Dallas, Tx Portion of the proceeds benefit Boys and Girls Club Dallas

Kentucky Derby HBCU Jam

Michael’s Jazz Bar Los Colinas

6 - 7

A significant program for the Dallas Arboretum, the Black Heritage Celebration places the spotlight on the unique talents, art, products and services from the local Black community, amidst the beautiful backdrop of the Dallas Arboretum.

Philander Smith College’s 28th Annual Elijah Pitts Golf Tournament! Infohttps://www.philander.edu/giving/ elijah-pitts-golf-tournament 9

Re-Election Kickoff Reception for JOHN R. AMES Dallas County Tax Assessor-Collector

5:30-7:30pm

The Network Bar, 331 Singleton Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75212

YOUNG ADULT ENTREPRENEUR CONFERENCE & PITCH at SOUTH DALLAS CULTURAL CENTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ young-adult-entrepreneur-conference-pitch-tickets-604141622857?fbclid=IwAR1MWN24XOBHCsykyPeQnsSKJhbHvOcp3N3-ZKJCMmoDfHcrClKzyICtAaU 18

10th Anniversary of ReuNight for The Family Place. At this year’s event, at the Dallas Petroleum Club at 6:30 pm, guests will enjoy an evening of cocktails, exceptional cuisine, a luxury live auction and more. Support from this year’s event is critical, as one in three Texans will experience domestic violence during their lifetime- one of the highest rates in the country. Contact ReuNight@familyplace.org or call 214443-7717 for more information. 20

Learn the story of Icla da Silva, a young girl from Brazil who came to the U.S.

You Can Live Again Expo and Awards Announcements, 10am-3pm. Enjoy amazing celebrities, speakers, panelists, performers and fun for the entire family! Hear why Now Is The Time To Do

JUNE

Dallas Wings Open 2023 Training Camp With Theme: Locked In

By Dorothy J. Gentry

Sports Editor

The Dallas Wings opened their 2023 Season Training Camp on Sunday at UTA’s College Park Center with a new head coach, several new faces and a new focus and theme: Locked In.

New head coach Latricia Trammell is preaching defense, culture, focus and being locked in on what the team hopes will be a successful year with a long post-season playoff run.

“Well, I think that first day, culture is everything. We know that. I think that setting the standards and expectations on the first day of how it's going to be throughout the season is extremely important and it also gives players excitement to want to come back the next day,” she said Sunday after the team’s first day of training camp.

“I think the buy-in is when you have Arike [Ogunbowale] look at me after practice and say that's the best first day of training camp she's ever experienced. That's what it's all about.

We're talking about culture, right? And that's what you want

your franchise player saying before she leaves. We're always going to have some adversity throughout the season, but as long as we're doing it together and staying connected like we showed and displayed out here on the first day, we're going to be alright.”

Face of the franchise Ogunbowale is back for her fifth year and is looking forward to taking on a more vocal role as leader of this Wings team.

“I think just talking to them, showing with my actions, that’s

more important than anything,” she said. “I think they have a lot of respect for me and I respect them so I think yes, I am a leader but we’ve got Natasha (Howard) she’s won three championships and Diamond (DeShields) she’s won a championship. Satou’s (Sabally) been here awhile, Big T. (Teaira McCowan) so we have a lot of people who can support me while I support them. It’s really respect and what they give me I give back.”

The team released its Training Camp Roster – 16 players vying

for 12 spots. Awak Kuier, Kitija Laksa and Satou Sabally are set to join the team in the coming days after playing overseas. New draft pick Lou Lopez Senechal is sidelined to begin training camp as she recovers from a previous injury and will return to the court at a later date.

The Wings will play two preseason games, one at home on Friday, May 5 vs. Chicago Sky at 7 p.m. CT, open exclusively to season-ticket members and then will head to Indiana to play the Fever on Saturday, May 13 at

12 p.m. CT. The team’s regular season debut will be on Saturday, May 20 vs. Atlanta Dream at 12 p.m. at College Park Center and will be broadcast on ABC.

Meanwhile, they will continue with training camp for the next two weeks. Locked in and looking for their identity – something Coach Trammell says will largely be left up to the team.

“I'm going to ask the players that and I think this is what training camp is about. Now I have a vision of what I think that should be right, but I'm also going to tell you what I told them when I was first hired. I'm a player’s coach. I also want to hear their voices because they're out in the battle,” she said.

“Today we came up with our reset word after practice. They all had to get together and talk about that. But ask me that after training camp because I'm going to let their voice be a part of that.”

Ride DART for Free to Vote in the May 6 Election

How to Find a Voting Location

Click the link for your county to find information about the election and a convenient voting location.

• Collin County Election Information (Plano, Richardson, Carrollton)

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.

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Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is providing free transportation to polling locations for the May 6 election. Voters can ride at no charge on all DART buses, trains, GoLink, the Dallas Streetcar, Paratransit Services and the TRE between EBJ Union Station and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station.

Customers need to show a valid voter registration card to ride for free on the day of the election. GoLink riders can use promo code VOTE23 at checkout for a complimentary Adult Local Day Pass in the DART GoPass app on May 6. You can learn more at dart.org/vote.

• Dallas County (Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Rowlett, University Park)

• Denton County (Carrollton)

• Ellis County (Glenn Heights)

• Rockwall County (Rowlett)

Plan Your Trip on DART to a Voting Location

Riders who need customized trip planning can map out their ride with the "Plan" tool in the free GoPass app or use the Trip Planner on DART.org. DART Customer Service can also assist at 214-979-1111.

If you plan your trip directly in Google Maps, enter the voting location as your destination and choose the Transit option (train icon) to get travel directions using DART.

Arike Ogunbowale & Natasha Howard

Coach Latricia Trammell & Teaira McCowan Diamond DeShields

Photos: Photos: Dallas Wings

Dorothy Gentry is the sports editor for the Texas Metro News.

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TRACEY H. NEW

Tracey H. New is a storyteller, Emmynominated Journalist, food writer, content curator, multicultural DEI/Outreach Advocate, experienced Brand Ambassador, PR Executive, and entertainment publicist. A UNT Grad, she’s also a diehard Golden State Warriors fan. A member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Tracey has enjoyed stints as a contributing writer for the Dallas Morning News, Chief Creative Officer for Tracey New INK, social media manager for Hawks Select Basketball Club, adjunct professor at Mayborn School of Journalism, community services director for WFAA-TV/Dallas Morning News, senior entertainment editor

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SHERRYE ELLISON WILLIS

Sherrye Ellison Willis is the founder, president and CEO of Alliance for Greater Works. She also served as executive director of Esping Family Foundation where she directed over $10 million in assets and provided over $500K in annual grants to organizations that address social and education initiatives targeted to low-income communities. With more than 30 years’ experience in everything from leadership, business planning, fundraising and nonprofit management, Sherry is an expert, the go-to person. Sherrye received her BBA degree from Northwood University, an executive MBA from Grand Canyon University and is now a Doctoral Student, PhD - Intercultural/ Multicultural and Diversity Studies at Biola University.

Brooklyn, NY and raised in the midwest, she graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School where she was a studentathlete in track and cheerleading. Aliah received a BA in Sociology from Morris College. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and received an MBA from Texas Christian University, Neeley School of Business.

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Comfort is a servant leader. She has served as executive director of the community center at St. Anthony School & Community Center in Dallas and a community specialist for World Vision providing disaster relief throughout the state of Texas. She is passionate about the communities she serves and has extensive knowledge and expertise in areas of nonprofit leadership and management, cross-sector collaborative building, training and facilitation, resident community engagement/outreach.

an artist and owner of a decorating business and lifestyle blog - Interiors by Jacquin. She received her BA Degree in English from Davidson College, attended the School for International Training, and received her law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law.

PASTOR TONYA MCCLARY

Aliah Henry is the CEO of The Henry Group, a consulting firm specializing in Strategy, Fund Development and Communications for nonprofits and small businesses. An active community leader, serving on the board of Vogel Alcove and the executive committee for The Village Giving Circle; Aliah is the author of 31 Days to Live Your Best Life and she's the executive producer and host of the podcast, The Aliah Henry Show. Born in

Suzie Hill is a freelance call center operations manager, after spending more than 31 years at AT&T in communications and as manager; utilizing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management. Suzie is an experienced Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the telecommunications and security alarm industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Account Management, Internet Protocol (IP), Strategic Planning, and Wireless Technologies. She is a strong professional with collaborative leadership and management skills. Her colleagues describe her as pleasant, professional, and exemplary. Known as someone who promotes teamwork and gets the job done, her work and character is described as “exceptional” making her an asset in any environment.

Terry Wilson Gray serves as the Executive Director of the Bridge Breast Network (BBN) and has held this position for the past 18 years. Under her leadership, BBN has seen substantial growth in the number of individuals served. Terry has over 40 years of experience working with underserved population groups in both California and Texas. She is a 35-year cancer survivor and knows personally the journey of a cancer survivor. Terry has a Bachelor of Science degree in health science from San Jose State University and a master’s in public administration from California State University, East Bay. Terry also served as a Deaconess at Concord Baptist Church.

THE HONORABLE JACQUIN HEADEN

Tonya McClary is the 1st Police Monitor for the City of Dallas, TX and Director of the Office of Community Police Oversight. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, she is a servant leader, she is an experienced monitor with a demonstrated history of working with civic and social organizations, she was the 1st chief monitor in the Office of the Independent Police Monitor in New Orleans, LA. She also was an assistant public defender in Terrell, TX. She served as pastor of Ward Chapel AME Church and hailing from DC, attended La Reine High School in Maryland and then the University of Maryland and the University of Baltimore School of Law. She also studied at Payne Theological Seminary.

DR. NICOLE ROBERSON

Comfort D. Brown has enjoyed stints as a strategic program development professional and as a senior program manager for Alliance for Great Works, where she currently oversees the strategic implementation of Alliance’s Resilient Church Collective program initiative. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,

Jacquin Headen sits on the Grand Prairie City Council. She is a Co-Pastor of New Bethel Agape Church, a small business owner, and a community servant. Her service has included being a board member on Grand Prairie’s Library Board and Westchester Public Improvement District. An educator and certified mediator; she’s also creative –

Nicole Arleane Roberson, Ph.D. is the Director of Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). She also teaches graduate courses part-time for Amberton University. A Dallas native, she graduated with honors from the Business and Management Center High School. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of North Texas, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International

ALIAH M. HENRY

SUZIE HILL

COMFORT D. BROWN

TERRY WILSON GRAY

SUPERB WOMEN

Management from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). Dr. Roberson obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. A Certified Human Resources Professional (SHRM-CP) through the Society for Human Resources Management, Dr. Roberson is graduating with her second Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Keller Graduate School.

APRIL ALLEN

April Allen is the President and CEO of the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation. April received a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and an M.B.A from Harvard Business School. She is an alumnae of Leadership Dallas and The OpEd Project through the Texas Women’s University Public Voices Thought Leadership Institute. April was awarded the DCEO Leadership Excellence Award in 2022. A native of Toronto, Canada, this wife and mother is an active member of the Concord Church.

Toi Thurman is the Vice President and Assistant Controller at Santander Consumer USA. She has worked as Director of International Accounting for Blockbuster, supervisor of revenue accounting for VarTex Telecom, Senior Associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She has a reputation for being detail-oriented, competent, knowledgeable and professional. A graduate of DeSoto High School, she also graduated Magna Cum Laude from Jackson State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration- Accounting. A certified public accountant- certified by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, Toi is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

GIA MCCLOUD

Administration in Finance. Kimberly has assisted nonprofit organizations in Dallas/ Ft. Worth communities, including Mosaic (which advocates for adults with intellectual disabilities) and 3 to 1 Foundation (which educates individuals regarding financial principles). She currently serves as President of the Celebrating Life Foundation. Kimberly has worked in the corporate world of Human Resources, specializing in payroll, accounting, and employee relations. She has over 20 years of direct Human Resources experience with some of the top Fortune 500 companies. Kimberly enjoys live theater and traveling. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

CAMILLE ALICIA GRAHAM GRIMES

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potential. She is also a Sales Director of her Mary Kay business. She is currently working on her PH. D in Christian Counseling and Behavioral Science from American College Theological Seminary International of San Diego, CA. She has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Texas. Rochelle is committed to serving the community. She volunteers with the Christian Worship Center, National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), Special Olympics, Family Advisory Council, and Texas Rehab Action Network (TRAN), and serves as local precinct captain.

Dallas marketing & PR consulting firm. Previously she was an Account Supervisor at Cohn & Wolfe, Social Media Advisor at ExxonMobil and Senior Account Executive at The Axis Agency. She has served on the Press Club of Dallas board, as a marketing mentor at Yvonne A Ewell Townview Magnet Center, Board member of D/FW Urban League Young Professionals and UNT-NABJ Chapter. She is a member of VisitDallas, Dallas Women’s Foundation - XIX Society, American Marketing Association, and DISD’s Community Relations Committee. Ayona received her BA Degree in Communication, Public Relations from UTA, where she was also a member of PRSA. She is also a Digital Marketing Certified Associate from Simplilearn and Market Motive.

REGINALEA “REGGI” STURNS-KEMP

Chantell Upshaw is Chief of Middle Schools for Lewisville ISD. She began her public education career in 1993 as a teacher in Dallas ISD. A graduate of Prairie View A&M University, she received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a Spanish minor. She also received a master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas. A servant leader, Chantell has held numerous leadership positions as an educator. A wife and mother, she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Gia McCloud is the Founder and CEO of Glam Honey Studio based in Dallas and the Founder and Beauty Expert for, INC Beauty by Glam Honey, LLC. As a Texasbased makeup artist, she has more than 12 years of experience, specializing in on-location services for weddings, lifestyle, and special events. Gia graduated from Texas College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and later went on to complete facial specialty courses and graduated from Ogle Beauty School. Gia was raised in historic Hamilton Park. She is the niece of the late Rita Morgan of Rita’s Couture Collection. Gia volunteers her time with organizations that support domestic violence, breast cancer, and single moms.

KIMBERLY MCBRAYER

Kimberly McBrayer is from Oklahoma City, OK. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Business

Camille Alicia Graham Grimes, MD, MPH, Surgeon and Senior Partner at Allergy ENT of NE Texas. Dr. Graham is a board-certified otolaryngologist, and a native of Kingston, Jamaica. After completing her M.D., M.P.H at Harvard, she began her five-year Otolaryngology residency at Henry Ford Health System in Michigan. Dr. Graham has been in a successful otolaryngology practice in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 2001. She is currently the Senior Partner and President of a two office, four physician practice, and sees over 500 patients a month. She was also featured in D magazine’s Best Doctors in Collin County in 2011 and 2020. Dr. Graham enjoys traveling, visiting museums, Zumba and dancing.

ROCHELLE OWENS

Rochelle Owens is a Transitional Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor committed to helping others realize their

Paula Barre Jarmon hails from Tulsa, OK. She’s a transformative leader who is passionate about health equity. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Paula received a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from OU, where she was Miss Black OU and part of the President’s Leadership Class. She received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Management from Amberton University. Paula received a Nurse Executive Fellowship at Southern Methodist University and studied for a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Executive Leadership (DNP) at Baylor University. She has worked at Baylor Scott & White Health in several positions as Nursing Manager, Director of Nursing Education & Research and Regional Director Nurse Professional Development. Recently she was honored as a top nurse, because she is proficient, professional and committed.

AYONA ANDERSON

Ayona Anderson is the founder and CEO of EJP Marketing, a Millennial-led

Reginalea “Reggi” Sturns-Kemp is a creative director, entrepreneur and advocate. The Creative Director and Designer at A Claim Design and Development, Reggi is a native of Fort Worth and attended Everman High School. A Clark Atlanta University alum, she also studied interior design at the University of Oklahoma; receiving Bachelor’s degrees from both. Forever stylish, confident, committed and the epitome of excellence, Reggi is also a servant leader. Equipped with multiple certifications, she has won numerous awards and been recognized for her work internationally. She has served United Way of Tarrant County. She is an alumni of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses (10kSB), Women’s President Organization, Leadership Fort Worth, United Way Special

CHANTELL UPSHAW

TOI THURMAN

PAULA BARRE JARMON

SUPERB WOMEN

Allocations Committee on Homelessness, American Society of Interior Designers, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce-Huntsville, Ala., and the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce.

George Washington University. Also she is the former District Newsletter Editor at Toastmasters International District 47.

DOXIE MCCOY

Small Businesses Program. Chanel hosts a podcast, “Follow the Leader,” featuring dynamic women entrepreneurs, like her, and their journeys to becoming successful in business. She is also being honored as a “2023 Women’s Business Enterprise Star.”

DR. MONICA G. WILLIAMS

advertising executive, her portfolio and praise extends globally. She is a member of the Greater Denton County Chapter of Links Inc., Women’s Food Service Forum, Dallas Theatre Center Trustee Board, and Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce.

and educator and provides knowledge regarding accounting, wealth accumulation, and tax information through various forums including radio and seminars.

Dana James is an award-winning writer and journalist. The former Des Moines Register reporter and founder/publisher of the Black Iowa News was born and raised in Des Moines. Dana earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Grand View University. A member of Black News Link and Black Headline News, Dana is the host of the podcast, 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations. A strong advocate for journalistic excellence and integrity, Dana works tirelessly to cover Black Iowa and the world!

ANDREA ROBINSON

Hailing from Jackson, MI, Andrea Robinson is a graduate of Prentiss High School.

She also works as a Media Specialist in the U.S. Census Bureau and Region Information Officer at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She studied Strategic Public Relations at George Washington University. A former Area Director at Toastmasters District 47 in South Florida and The Bahamas, Andrea was an award-winning reporter and editor for the Miami Herald for 20 years. She is a proud graduate of Jackson State University with a Degree in Mass Communication. She received a Masters Degree in public relations at the University of Southern Mississippi and studied strategic public relations at

Doxie McCoy is a long-time award-winning journalist and media professional who is currently in the D.C. Office of the People’s Counsel as a Senior Communications Professional. . She has enjoyed stints at BET and also worked in the office of the Mayor of DC. She studied at the Columbia School of Journalism and Boston College; and also attended Ursuline Academy. She also worked as a press secretary in campaigns, as communications director for the U.S. House of Representatives, executive producer at Radio One. She is a highpowered and well-respected public relations expert communicator and writer. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the National Association of Black Journalists; Doxie is a consummate professional with a dynamic personality and a level of professionalism that is unparalleled.

CHANEL CHRISTOFF DAVIS

Chanel Christoff Davis is a founding partner of Davis, Davis & Harmon LLC — Sales Tax Experts. Specializing in refund recovery, Chanel has almost 20 years of experience managing client relations and management. For high school she attended McDonogh 35 where she was in the art club and on the yearbook staff. She then graduated from the University of New Orleans with a BS degree in accounting and where she was a member of the National Association of Black Accountants and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is also an alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10,000

Dr. Monica G. Williams has enjoyed stints as a professor at Texas Southern University, associate VP for development at Prairie View A&M University, Director of Development for Rice University, Director of Administration for Houston Works USA, Managing Director of U.S. Fund for UNICEF; and now she’s the VP for Advancement and President/ CEO of UNTD Foundation. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism/English and Master’s Degree in Communication with honors from Texas Southern University, and her Ph.D in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A&M University. A board member and fundraising volunteer of the Fountain of Praise and co-founder of the Women’s Leadership Summit, Dr. Monica is a fundraising strategist, who is skilled in program development, human resource management, donor development, and fundraising, to name a few.

ZENOLA CAMPBELL

Zenola Campbell is the Vice President of Concessions at DFW Airport. Previously she was a Marketing Director for McDonald’s Corporation and Director of Customer Segments for Blockbuster Inc. Hailing from East Orange, NJ, she is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s Degree, she received her MBA in International Marketing from the University of Dallas. A multiple award-winning

Catrina M. Craft is a CPA and business financial advisor who has been part of several start up companies. She has enjoyed stints at Fortune 500 companies. She created the “Wealth Intelligence Map” coaching course to help business owners achieve power and control over their finances. A graduate of Skyline High School, she attended Texas A&M University studying business, she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The contributing writer for Easy Accounting for Real Estate Investors by Diane Kennedy. She is also a speaker

Dr. Pamela Lear is the Chief of Staff and Racial Equity Officer for Dallas Independent School District. Pamela graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University. She received her Master’s Degree from St. Mary’s College of California and her doctorate in educational leadership from Texas Christian University. Dr. Pam is an educator, with experience spanning 30 years; starting out as a teacher in southern California. Previously she has served as an administrator in the Bay Area as a principal, director of Region IV System of District and Support, and executive director of Educational Services.

DANA JAMES

CATRINA M. CRAFT

DR. PAMELA LEAR