Texas Metro News 11-17-22

MY TRUTH

By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER

Compassion

As I rode through Dallas last week, I was disgusted.

I actually felt sick to my stomach.

On street after street, I saw people sleeping on the side walks of the best city to live in the state of Texas, according to blogger Ryan Fitzgerald, writ ing for UpHomes.com.

All I knew was that it was hot and no one needed to be sleep ing on the streets in a country where people pick up stray animals and take them home, without reservation.

And there I sat in the comfort of my vehicle with the air con ditioning blasting.

This week, I had the same upset stomach because once again, I was riding through downtown and saw so many homeless folks making their beds on concrete.

This time, it was not hot. It was freezing and this time I had the heat blasting.

Just reliving both rides caused me pain.

No matter my situation, the thought that I would be exiting my car to go into the warmth of my home was enough to make me cringe!

People need help and not just during “Giving Day” or holiday seasons. Everyday something needs to be done to eradicate the homelessness issue.

I just can’t see how anyone of consciousness and conscience can not feel something about our homeless situation.

Sure we have organizations that are helping. Sadly, we have some that say they are helping but is the help really going to those really in need?

For example, I recently heard from someone who said

Johnny Graham? – Greatness! Historical Marker Planted in Honor of Businessman

By Vincent L. Hall

Johnny Graham was never fa mous, but he was undoubtedly a great man. His service is leg endary in Sunny South Dallas.

Thanks to a newly-minted marker planted at the corner of Robert B. Cullum and Albert Louis Lipscomb, the Graham name will be famous in the City of Dallas.

Johnny Crawford and his daughter, Sherri, made the No vember 14 dedication a raving success! And despite thunder ous downpours throughout the day on Monday; alumni, cus tomers, community members and elected officials showed up to pay homage to the man who educated and served several communities.

And rightly so.

In 1948, Mr. Graham moved from Florida to Texas and in

1951 opened his first shop at 2804 Southland. That one shop grew to two, then five, and eventually, it spawned a barber college.

Johnny and his wife, La

France, a beautician, were on their way to success.

Soon after, they purchased a small strip shopping center and, in their heyday, owned eight barber shops and had

140 employees on their roster. But, long before the chain bar ber shops, they were offering health insurance and other benefits.

See JOHNNY GRAHAM, Page

CIA Director and Russian Counterpart Discuss Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Senior Correspondent

CIA director Bill Burns and Russia’s spy agency boss Sergey Naryshkin planned to meet this week to discuss potential conse quences if nuclear weapons are used in the war against Ukraine.

But U.S. officials said Burns and Naryshkin, scheduled to meet on Monday, Nov. 14, also were expected to discuss the potential release of WNBA Star Brittney Griner and former U.S. military veteran Paul Whelan, both deemed by America as un lawfully detained citizens.

The Biden administration has maintained its determination to bring home Griner and Whelan.

Russian authorities recently transferred Griner to the coun try’s dreaded penal colony, where many prisoners have de tailed abuse along with a multi

tude of other human rights vio lations.

Russian officials jailed Griner in February when authorities arrested her at a Moscow airport after finding a small amount of cannabis oil in her luggage.

A court convicted Griner in August of trying to smuggle nar cotics. She received a nine-year

sentence, which an appeals court upheld last month.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said last week that President Biden had directed all in the administra tion to prevail on her “Russian captors” to improve Griner’s treatment and the conditions many must endure in the coun try’s penal colony.

Individuals who’ve spent time at one of Russia’s infamous pe nal colonies reported that pris oners aren’t allowed outside contact for weeks.

The colonies are notorious for corrections officers’ repeat ed abuse of prisoners, violence among inmates, lack of food, and inadequate sanitation.

Confirmed reports said the United States government had offered to swap the so-called “Merchant of Death” Viktor Bout for Griner and another im

prisoned American, Paul Whel an.

11

Bout, who’s serving a 25-year federal prison sentence and notorious for his desire to kill Americans, reportedly has been at the top of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s wish list.

“We communicated a sub stantial offer that we believe could be successful based on a history of conversations with the Russians,” a senior admin istration official said earlier this year. “We communicated that many weeks ago, in June.”

The families of Whelan, who Russia has held for alleged es pionage since 2018, and WNBA

Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Johnny Crawford

Brittney Griner

Johnny Graham

Biden administration has maintained its commitment to bringing home Griner, Whelan

BRIEFS

Dirk Nowitzki Statue To Be Unveiled Christmas Day At American Airlines Center

cheering them on.

By Dorothy Gentry

He’s the most beloved Dallas Mavericks player in the franchise’s 42-year-history.

He led the team to its only NBA championship and his loyalty to the franchise remains unparalleled – al most four years after retiring in 2019

He and wife Jessica still live in Dallas with their children and can be seen throughout the city at charity events, like his annual Tennis Classic which raises funds for area organiza tions.

Stars like Ben Stiller and Boris Kodjoe, and Mavericks players like star Luka Doncic, Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber all came out last month to support and raise funds for those less fortunate.

He is a special adviser to the Mavericks and can be seen at team practices giving advice and at games

His #41 jersey was lifted into the rafters of American Airlines Center earlier this year with NBA Commis sioner Adam Silver in attendance.

He’s a beloved athlete, family and community man and person.

And the wait is finally over.

To celebrate the legacy of Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks will unveil Nowitzki’s statue on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 at 11 a.m. The unveiling ceremony will take place at American Airlines Center South Plaza for invited guests.

Nowitzki Way will be closed to traf fic, where the general public will have the opportunity to celebrate this land mark Maverick milestone. Fans in at tendance for the Christmas Day game against the Los Angeles Lakers are encouraged to come early and watch the ceremony live from the jumbotron inside the arena when doors open at

10 a.m. A livestream of the ceremony will also be available on mavs.com.

“Dirk has done so much for the game and for our city,” said Mark Cu ban. “And to show our appreciation, we want to ensure his legacy and his jump shot will forever be remem bered in Dallas.”

Nowitzki is the only player in NBA history to play 21 seasons with the same franchise. In 1,522 total games, Nowitzki is the Mavericks’ all-time leader in points (31,560), games played (1,522), starts (1,460), min utes (51,368), rebounds (11,489), defensive rebounds (10,021), field goals made (11,169), 3-pointers made (1,982), free throws made (7,240) and blocks (1,281). As a 14-time All-Star and the first Euro pean-born player to be named MVP (2006 – 07), Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to its first NBA Champion ship in 2011.

The Artful Dream Fulfilled: The African American Museum Of Dallas

The African American Museum, Dallas unveiled a new documenta ry – The Artful Dream Fulfilled: The African American Museum of Dallas – debuted Friday, Nov. 11.

The Artful Dream Fulfilled: The African American Museum of Dallas highlights the remarkable histo ry – the challenges, the behindthe-scenes stories and the joyful achievements – of bringing the dream of a new museum to life.

As a cultural-historical land mark, the documentary film high lights only a few of the key early contributors and others who tell part of the museum’s 47-year jour ney from their perspective.

In addition to the perspective of Dr. Harry Robinson Jr., who found ed the African American Museum and continues to serve as president and CEO, the 37-minute documen tary includes the views of Billy R.

Allen, civic leader and former Dal las Park Board president; Dr. Mar vin Dulaney, a former UT-Arlington professor, African American histo rian and the Museum’s deputy di rector and chief operations officer; Helen Giddings, former member of the Texas House of Representatives; Dr. Starsky Wilson of the Children’s Defense Fund; and Amber Barbee Pickens, actress and producer.

Created by Dallas-based firm CinemaStory Productions, the film

was the brainchild of Dr. Helen Benjamin and Linda Dickerson Lamar, who graduated from Bish op College together in 1972. The women wanted to preserve the African American Museum history for the ancestors and future gener ations and pay tribute to the role that Bishop College played in the creation and development of the museum.

Learn more at aamdallas.org/ lectures-and-programs/.

Celebrating 30 Years of BLACK EXCELLENCE!

Brief by Marva Sneed

J. L. Turner Legal Association celebrated their 70th Anniversary on Saturday, Novem ber 5 at Hyatt Regency-Dallas. There was a Cocktail Reception, Dinner, and Casino Night. The Attire was Formal 70’s Glam and Disco. The event was sold out. The sponsors of J.L. Turner Legal Association helps them continue their legacy of supporting minority law students and recognizing their dedicat ed sponsor and annual awards recipients.

Ben Stiller and Boris Kodjoe

Dirk Nowitzki Tennis Classic Program

Dirk and Luka

Dirk Playing Tennis

Luka and Dirk – Tennis Tournament Press Conference

Dirk High Fives Wife Jessica

Theme “From Prison to Promise”

Miles of Freedom celebrated 10 years of service to individuals and families who have been impacted by incarceration. Bridg ing the gap, this year’s theme is “From Prison to Promise.” The event was held at the Arts District Mansion, located at 2101 Ross Ave., Dallas. The celebration included a seated dinner, music, and reception. The guests were dressed to impress. Richard Miles is the Founder of Miles of Freedom. He has walked the walk of the ex-offender. He has felt the burden of the label “ex-offender”, and for those reasons, creating this organi zation became his driving force. By founding Miles of Freedom, his dream became a reality to help others reach their promise and protect them against recidivism. The organization is now reaching out to help others come home, and in fact, tell them “welcome home.” Most importantly, it knows that housing, em ployment, and the opportunity to regain dignity and humanity are crucial to rebuilding lives. Miles gave his thanks saying, “The Miles of Freedom Family extends a gracious Thank you for your unwavering support.” “And to everyone that came out, donated, and participated in the silent auction we are forever indebted to you for your support.”

UNT Black Alumni Network Celebrates Homecoming Weekend

The Sweet Smell of Good Health

By Eva D. Coleman Lifestyle & Culture Editor

You can get hooked on this stuff! While we constantly hear “Self-care is the best care,” Vit aDrip & Wellness Spa in Dallas delivers an environment that helps get you there.

“I just feel so free,” Adrienne Christian said. “I think I want to go home and go to bed.”

Christian and others sat calmly and relaxed on stools at the bar. The lights were low with a hint of blue. Each per son that came in was hesitant to leave.

Many giggled at one wom an who proudly exclaimed she liked “Sex on the Beach” the best.

VitaDrip & Wellness Spa opens in Dallas

to “boost energy levels, provide stress release, increase con centration and ease headaches and hangovers.”

On the other side of the glass, some patrons were lounging in chairs and receiving intrave nous (IV) treatments. The IV Drip treatments range from hydration to immune support and more.

UNT Black Alumni Network (BAN) gathered in Denton at Homecoming on November 5th it was the Mean Green vs. FIU Homecoming game. There were sever al events before the game included in UNT BAN homecoming weekend. The alumni met for their annual meeting with updates on the UNT Alumni Association chapter along with presentations from UNT leader ship and Black Student Union leaders. The Homecoming Tail gate kicked off at 1:00 on Saturday. They enjoyed free food ca tered by Angelina’s Restaurant. The Mean Green won 52-14 victory over FIU. After the game it was time to celebrate and party.

For some, it was a new expe rience, while others spoke of their encounters in Vegas and Los Angeles.

While they wore tubing in their nose and looped around their ears that stereotypically is indicative of illness, they all seemed pleased and well with the flavors at the Oxygen Bar.

Some of the scents were sweet while others were more medicinal. With 48 flavored oxygen treatments to choose from, it’s easy to find a few fa vorites, which VitaDrip shared in a news release are designed

The combination of these styles of elective care in a single location is considered a rare find in Dallas. Local registered nurse Sylvie Enoh left her job during the pandemic to bring this concept to life. The doors opened Nov. 10, 2022 and its jovial approach to healthcare is bound to be worth trying and returning for the unique offerings.

Check out the opportunity to just breathe or sit and relax while infusion for your health takes you on a journey. They offer other services such as botox, platelets rich plasma and aesthetics too. VitaDrip & Wellness Spa is located at 7929 Brookriver Drive, Suite 170 Dallas, TX 75247. For more information, visit vitadri pandwellnessspa.com.

UNT Black Alumni Network Homecoming After Party at the UNT Union Ballroom featured entertainment from the David

Whiteman Band. There was great music, networking and reconnecting with fellow UNT alumni.

Brief by Marva Sneed

UNT BAN AfterParty with David Whiteman Band

UNT BAN Chapter Annual Meeting

UNT BAN Homecoming Brunch and Tailgate

Brief by Marva Sneed

Latoyia Dean-Dennis and Leah Frazier Co-Chair-Miles of Freedom

Photo: Latoyia Dean Dennis

Miles of Freedom

Photo: Akilah S. Wallace

Miles of Freedom

Photo: Richard Miles NL

Canisters from Oxygen Bar at VitaDrip & Well ness Spa

Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew at Oxygen Bar at VitaDrip & Wellness Spa

Twin sisters sitting at Oxygen Bar at VitaDrip & Wellness Spa

Patron getting IV Drip at VitaDrip & Wellness Spa

Dallas Mayor's 2022 State of the City Address

Madam Secretary, City Man ager Broadnax, City Attorney Caso, City Auditor Swann, Judge Robinson, members of the Dallas City Council, esteemed elected officials, board and commission members, city staff, honored guests, and fellow resi dents of the great City of Dallas: thank you for joining me this morning.

My duty here, under the Dal las City Charter, is to once again report to you on the state of our city, its financial condition, and our plans for the future.

And today, I can proudly say that the state of our city is stron ger than ever, and that Dallas is back.

We’re back because we con tinue to focus on our future while building on our past and addressing our challenges.

And that’s why I chose to again deliver this annual address at Fair Park, a uniquely Dallas ven ue that represents both our city’s past and our future.

Fair Park both serves our res idents and puts Dallas on the world stage. Every year, Fair Park hosts special events, concerts, musicals, and festivals. Every summer, more than 10,000 Dal

TEXAS

Metro

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

las residents come here to pick up school supplies during the Mayor’s Back to School Fair. And every fall, the great State Fair of Texas, which set a new attendance record this year, draws millions of people to Fair Park from all over our city, from across this region, and from around the world.

Fair Park has also been an in valuable asset for us during dif ficult times. Remember, just a year and a half ago, this park was a vaccination site for hundreds of thousands of people.

That collaborative effort helped us bring an end to those dark and desperate days when COVID-19 kept us apart, forced us into virtual meeting mara thons, and took our kids out of their classrooms.

Fair Park, in other words, is a place of hope, a place of op portunity, a place for fun, and a place that serves our families.

However, it is abundantly clear that we haven’t been put ting our best foot forward here at Fair Park. Unfortunately, like too many communities in our city, Fair Park and its surround ing neighborhoods have largely been underserved and over looked — and for far too long.

Today, I say to you: no more. Not here, and not anywhere in our city.

We’re committed to building a

Dallas where no community will be underserved or overlooked. We’re working to bring an end to the era of inequities. And we’re beginning a new era of opportu nity for all of our residents.

One week ago, Dallas voters took advantage of an histor ic opportunity. Through their overwhelming approval of Prop osition A, we are primed to make the single-largest investment in Fair Park’s 136-year history. And we’ll be able to revitalize Fair Park and make it — for the first time — a genuine asset to its surrounding community and its incredible people.

And that’s not all.

Our voters also supported funding that will help us expand and modernize the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Cen ter. That means we can bring new development and new life to downtown Dallas. It means

creating new places that can be enjoyed by both Dallas residents and visitors alike.

It also means we can do all of this for our city without raising taxes on our residents.

In fact, we’re making these significant investments as we work to reduce our residents’ property tax burden. I’m proud to say that just two months ago, this City Council voted for our largest tax-rate cut in at least four decades.

And we did that while still increasing our commitment to our top priorities. We’re boost ing spending to grow our police department, to reduce violent crime, and to support our fire fighters and paramedics.

We’re investing in new strat egies to reduce the scourge of homelessness. We’re fully fund ing the Office of the Inspector General to end corruption at City Hall. We’re demanding a more accountable and respon sive city government for our residents. And we’re adding new parks, trails, and green spaces at an unprecedented pace.

Our efforts are paying off. In the last four years, Dallas has welcomed $14 billion in new development, and we have bil lions more in the pipeline.

My friends, we’ve come a long way from the distressing

days of lockdowns, civil unrest, natural disasters, and other as sorted calamities.

Even in the face of today’s na tional and international chal lenges, the City of Dallas has been undeterred.

We’ve stayed focused. We’ve solved problems. We’ve kept promises. And we’ve empow ered our people.

As a result, Dallas emerged from the pandemic as a na tional leader — as America’s “Comeback City.” And we have an undeniable and irrepress ible spirit — or as some call it, “Big Dallas Energy.”

Don’t get me wrong: we un derstand that there is still plen ty of work to do. And we know that as we stand tall, the pendu lum will try to swing back and knock us on our heels.

But this is a city that embrac es challenges — and we thrive because of them. This great un finished metropolis continues to brim with potential because we acknowledge our imperfec tions and actively work to cor rect them. We’re ignoring the doubting Thomases, and we’re putting our faith in each other. Our hearts are full, our dreams are big, and this decade is ours for the taking.

Read Mayor Johnson's message in its entirety at www.texasmetronews.com

Now That the Election is Over…

OUR VOICES

By Dr. John E. Warren

Now that the election is over, this is a good time for reality checks.

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS

First, we must take a close look at the messages sent by all voters on election day. On the Conservative Right, we find people running for and getting elected to offices at all levels who clearly stated that they are “election deniers” in terms of the election of President Joe Biden.

Those same people have said they will not accept current

election results unless they win the offices for which they are running. Such people are be hind the voter suppression laws instituted around the country. Those who agree with them but not running for office have made their positions known by the re-election of such people as Governor Greg Abbot in Tex as, Governor DeSantis in Flor ida, Senator Marco Rubio in Florida over Congresswoman Val Demings, and a number of other such elections around the country.

The Conservative Right is now the Republican Party. The Democratic Party, expressing concern for democracy and the rule of law, regardless of who wins, is in danger of losing our precious rights, even though

"Now, 'We The People' must actively get engaged at all levels of government because those against whom we struggled in this election will not stop because this election is over."

they have made progress in this election, in some cases beyond what was expected.

“We The People” have demonstrated our faith in the democratic process by our re cord breaking turnout at the polls, with more votes to yet be counted.

Now, “We The People” must actively get engaged at all levels of government because those against whom we struggled in

this election will not stop be cause this election is over.

The key is not to lose sight of our local issues while fighting to protect our national interests. The issues of homelessness, in flation, unemployment, gas and healthcare must remain prior ities with all of us. The bottom line, we must stay engaged. This battle is ongoing.

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

- Dr. John E. Warren

Mayor Eric Johnson

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

By Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew

I will never forget that unique voice that was so soft, but you could always hear her joy. She was consistently kind, generous, and a fighter. Our grandmothers were best friends. Our grandfa thers were on the deacon board together. We were both in youth ministry as kids at First Baptist Church on Henderson Avenue in Shreveport, Louisiana. Al though our lives moved in differ ent directions after high school, she went on to become a fierce warrior in the domestic violence space advocating for women. She was well known and respected for the ways in which she served oth ers. Despite the media attention she received for being a change

agent, she was still down to earth and a true lover of people. It was painful to find out that she had become ill and that on Sunday, she passed away. It was a blessing to grow up with such a beautiful person who was always a light. The legacy she has left behind for her mother, two sons, family, friends, and those she served is monumental.

Death is something that we will ALL face. It is inevitable. The day will come when each of us will leave this body. We will leave be hind our possessions, our jobs, our relationships. My friend is the epitome of a life well lived. Her Facebook page is filled with trib utes of the kindness she displayed to others. I am sure this weekend at her services, the tributes of her character and compassion will continue to be shared.

Some of us get so fixated on the wrong things as we strive for success. We can get so focused on the end result that we don’t

think much about the process or the people. People don’t re member when you are gone what you wore, how much you made, or the titles you had throughout your career. People remember

By Dr. Julianne Malveaux

For African Americans, the pending Supreme Court deci sion on Roe v. Wade conjures up memories of the Plessy v. Fergu son case and the fight over seg regation and other previously denied equal rights. (Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

During this Supreme Court session, the justices will tackle affirmative action in two cases brought by Students for Fair Ad missions opposing affirmative action policies at Harvard Univer sity and the University of North Carolina. According to its web site, this group represents “20,000 students, parents and others who believe that racial classifications and preferences to college admis sions are unfair, unnecessary and unconstitutional.” Where were these people when African Amer icans were explicitly excluded from college admissions? Where were they when Black folks had to

sue to be admitted?

Consider the George McLau rin v. Oklahoma State Regents case, where McLaurin, an Afri can American man, was denied admission to a graduate program at Oklahoma University solely be cause of his race. In 1950, it was il legal in Oklahoma to attend, teach at or operate an educational insti tution that admitted both white and Black students. Taxpayers, including Black citizens, funded this university. This was affirma tive action for white folks, but no “Students for Fair Admissions” challenged the racist policy.

Anti-blackness was acceptable historically, and it is alive and well today. The bizarre concept of race neutrality in a racist society is nothing more than historical denial. Anti-blackness is woven into the fabric of our nation, and affirmative action, minority setasides, and other race-conscious remedies are merely the antidote to historical structural racism. These “Students for Fair Admis sion” have embraced the abso lute unfairness of how national public policy is tilted against Black people. Enslavement was not race-neutral. Jim Crow laws

how you made them feel. They remember what you said, how you treated them, your traits and the impact you had on their exis tence.

What will people say about you when you are no longer here?

Are you too busy building a life of success or one of significance?

The impact of my childhood friend’s life will reverberate for years beyond her time on earth. I am comforted in knowing that she lived a wonderful life but more so that because of her belief in God and strong faith, I know where she is. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

God has prepared a place for her. I am saddened by the loss of such a wonderful human, but my grief is different. “Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others

do who have no hope [beyond this present life]. (1 Thessalo nians 4:13, AMP)

Although the dates of January 14, 1972 — November 6, 2022 only share her birth and death, it doesn’t offer any indicator what happened in the dash. Her dash was one that was transforma tive. In her dash, she made those around her better. Her dash made a difference. What is happening with your dash?

Live a life that matters.

Live a life that blesses others.

The Dash is Very Important Race Neutrality is Anti-Blackness

were not race-neutral. Fair Hous ing redlining was not race-neu tral. But these Students for Fair Admissions want race neutral ity. They need the education in American history they missed since they did not study how socalled race neutrality has harmed Black people.

Once admitted to Oklahoma University, George McLaurin was segregated in the library, class rooms, and cafeteria. The lower court ruled that his “inconve nience” was minor. The Supreme Court found for McLaurin, but only after a multi-year battle. Meanwhile, Oklahoma Universi ty found his classroom presence so onerous that he was forced to listen to lectures in a closet that was separate from the classroom space for other students.

McLaurin was not the only stu dent who attempted admission to Oklahoma State University, nor the only one who challenged them in court. Ada Lois Sopuel Fisher applied to OU’s law school but was denied entry because of her race. Thanks to the NAACP and the McLaurin agitation, she was admitted in 1949 and gradu ated in 1951. She was appointed

to the OU Board of Regents in 1992.

In Oklahoma and many other states, justice delayed has been justice denied. Like many other plaintiffs, McLaurin was over 60 when he pursued his case. He held a master’s degree and was a professor at HBCU Langston Uni versity for over 30 years. But the Supreme Court case seemed to take its toll on him. There is no re cord that he graduated, although his wife, Peninah, earned a mas ter’s in Home Economics from OU in 1954. George McLaurin died in 1968.

Do these Students for Fair Ad missions know this? Do they care that George McLaurin, and so many others, experienced no fair ness? Does it matter to them that the antidote to this unfairness is affirmative action? Or do privi leged whites and white-adjacent people (like the Asian Americans who embrace anti-Blackness and white privilege) simmer in their faux superiority to attack Black people?

Affirmative action opened doors that had, for so long, been shut in the face of Black students. These “Students for Fair Admis

Most importantly, live a life of accepting, believing uncondi tionally, knowing intimately, and walking daily with God.

Rest well, my friend. Your lega cy of love lives on!

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy and the Founder of R2Foundation (r2fdn. org). She is the author of 4 books including the recently published, Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy and the host of The Tapestry podcast.

sions” want to close the doors again. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas has his fingerprints all over this. Two of his former law clerks are the attorneys for Stu dents for Fair Admissions. Thom as is a study of racial contradic tions, but the best analysis comes from Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall, who said that whether a snake is Black or white, it is still a snake. Thomas would describe himself as a constitutional strict constructionist. I’d call him an ex ample of how Black folk can em brace anti-Blackness and deny history in their effort to appease and embrace white predatory capitalists.

The Students for Fair Admis sions and their Thomas-con nected allies deny history, but they are not alone in their an ti-Black attacks. Let’s not fall for their rhetoric of “race neutrality.” Denying race history and racial oppression is nothing more than virulent anti-Blackness.

THE LAST WORD

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA. She is also President of PUSH Excel, the education arm of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. You may reach her at juliannemalveaux.com

Petrina Gay Jenkins

Ghost of Lee Atwater Haunts Midterm Elections

TO BE EQUAL

By Marc Morial

Violent crime, which fell during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, has re turned to a level last seen in 2016. A majority of the per petrators of violent crime are white. And undocumented im migrants are far less likely than native-born Americans to com mit violent crimes.

Political ads flooding the air waves, however, paint a starkly different and wildly misleading picture, “portraying chaos by depicting Black rioters and His panic immigrants illegally rac ing across the border,” the New York Times reports.

These ads aren’t really about crime or immigration, however. They’re about race.

The effort was especially pro nounced in the effort to defeat candidates of color. In Wis consin, opponents of Mandela Barnes, the lieutenant gover nor of Wisconsin, distributed a mailer in which the color of Barnes’ skin was darkened. An

other ad brands Barnes as “dif ferent” and “dangerous” while flashing the images of three Congress members of color, none of whom has campaigned with him.

In Georgia, images of gu bernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams have been darkened by her opponent’s campaign.

It’s not just the candidates

standard medical care. Respon sible public servants should work to counteract it. Instead, far too many are all too happy to exploit it for political gain.

Racism has always been present in American political campaigns, but the Willie Hor ton ads of the 1988 presidential campaign have gone down in history as a low point. Horton,

ing to wonder whether Willie Horton is Dukakis’s running mate.”

Photos of Dukakis paired with Horton’s mugshot flooded air waves and mailboxes. Yet few in the Dukakis camp or the media called out the obvious appeal to racism at the time. And that, in large part, was why it was so successful.

it Messages, and the Norm of Equality.” “When a society has repudiated racism, yet racial conflict persists, candidates can win by playing the race card only through implicit racial appeals. The implicit nature of these appeals allows them to prime racial stereotypes, fears, and resentments while appear ing not to do so. When an im plicit appeal is rendered explic it — when other elites bring the racial meaning of the appeal to voters’ attention — it appears to violate the norm of racial equal ity. It then loses its ability to prime white voters’ racial pre dispositions.”

whose images are being dark ened: An ad distributed in several House districts in New Mexico shows a barber with darkened hands and suggests that he is a sex offender.

Research shows that people subconsciously associate dark er skin with negative personal ity traits and crime. This bias is linked to deadly consequences like police shootings and sub

who was serving a life sentence in Massachusetts for murder, committed a vicious sexual as sault in Maryland after he ab sconded from a weekend fur lough. Candidate George H.W. Bush missed no opportunity to link Horton to his opponent, Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis. Bush campaign man ager Lee Atwater said: “By the time we’re finished, they’re go

“The most important and un derplayed lesson of the Horton message is that, in a racially divided society that aspires to equality, the injection of race into campaigns poses a great danger to democratic politics — so long as the injection of race takes place under cover,” political scientist Tali Mendel berg wrote in “The Race Card: Campaign Strategy, Implic

There is no question that many of the ads being used to stoke racial animosity “violate the norm of racial equality.” Pol iticians like Tommy Tuberville, who explicitly tarred all Black Americans as “criminals,” and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who invokes “Replacement Theory” conspiracy theory long promot ed by white nationalists, seem to have dispensed with the “im plicit” aspect of the strategy. By calling out racism, in all its forms, we can deflate the power of these repugnant appeals.

BLACK CARD

By Terry Allen

Big Mama never fails! Her wisdom transcends time. Lu cille “Big Mama” Allen’s birth in 1906 sparked a faith driven wis dom trail within the family. She created a process of self-aware ness, self-examination and spir itual alignment for all of her children.

She also once stated to me af ter I bought something via the mail from a magazine ad that did not look like its picture.

She quoted Maya Angelou, “Be careful when a naked per son offers you a shirt.” I learned that I had to examine the credi bility of the source, the reputa

tion of the product and the en tire relevance of the offering.

Let’s examine this African proverb in terms of the new DEI movement across the country and in other global spaces and platform. The proverb says, “Be careful when a naked person of fers you a shirt.”

I flip that to expand to this statement. It’s easy to talk the talk and give advice on how things should be done. But if the person giving the advice does not act in a way that agrees with the advice they are giving, the proverb implies that a per son should back up their talking with action.

In the DEI movement sparked by the global impact of the death of George Floyd, where we are giving ourselves a self-examina tion of “equity” and “belonging” in our organizations.

Yet here is the issue. A lot of

the green lighted programs are led by individuals that do not have the appropriate compe tency to execute and establish a presence of equity and belong ing.

In other words, the purveyors of DEI do not have any ‘skinthe-game” and the DEI process

to achieve DEI goals. The icon ic Dr. Claud Anderson called it meritorious manumission – a process where enslaved people of color received favor when they reported other enslaved people who they felt were a threat to the process and/or they were not aligned with their oppression.

I have received numerous emails and calls daily, where employees have been blocked and dismissed by appointed DEI team leaders as they are being minimized for no reasons other than at the discretion of the DEI appointed leadership.

tion with a parent-like scorn. All of this undermines the DEI movement. So, we now are seeing a failure of authentici ty. There are three key reasons why DEI initiatives fail: failure to explicitly connect DEI objec tives to the organization’s merit system, branding and values; lack of sustainable power from C-suite leadership; and absence of a cohesive competency in the staff charged with integrating DEI into all aspects of the busi ness.

is mired in House Negro and Field Negro situations. The Mal colm X definition of the “field vs house’ process is hard to identi fy, measure and diffuse.

It is dipped in an ineffective process fails to ensure that a person of color is competent

I have gotten examples where the DEI group leaders and allys began a series of actions like visibly not speaking, blocking any participation, creating new rules that were spearheaded to minimize targeted employees and scrutinizing their every ac

Self-hatred is real as people are being minimized by their own. Big Mama also said “ sometimes you have to D.U.C.K” Dodge Unhealed Coworkers Kindly. Thanks Big Mama!

Terry Allen is an award-winning media professional, journalist, and entrepreneur. He is also the founder of City Men Cook and 1016 Media. Reach him at terryallenpr@gmail.com

“It is not new to see antisemitism or overt racism in politics. What is new is after years … in which it was clear that to be credible in public life politicians had to reject prejudice, it’s now been normalized in ways that are really quite breathtaking.”

— ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt

Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.

Soul

Rep

Theatre Company

In December, Soul Rep The atre Company will kick-off its 2022-2023 season – TO DAL LAS, WITH LOVE – with Dallas native, celebrated television/ film actor and playwright, Wil liam Jackson Harper’s searing drama, TRAVISVILLE, inspired by Jim Schutze’s book, “The Accommodation.” The regional premiere production is directed by Soul Rep’s Artistic Director, Guinea Bennett-Price, and will run December 10 – 11 and 15 –18 at the Margo Jones Theater located in the Magnolia Lounge at Fair Park, 1121 First Ave nue. Tickets can be purchased at www.soulrep.org and range from $25 - $30. Group Tickets are also available.

TRAVISVILLE is a straight forward and brutally honest statement to the world by Afri can Americans of their plight in gentrification. Penned by Harp er, the play is set in 1960’s Texas, in a city (Dallas) that so far has avoided the tumult of the Civil Rights Movement. Through the efforts of an alliance of black church leaders, a wary peace has been maintained with the city’s white mayor and citizens. But when the mayor partners with a private developer to gentrify the black neighborhood and uproot its residents, and a movement organizer from Atlanta comes to town, the Minister’s Alliance will need to choose between the

nonconfrontational status quo and standing up for the interests of their community.

The relevance of Schutze’s book and this play in 2022 is as tounding! Soul Rep is privileged to be the first theater company

Kicks

off its Season with TRAVISVILLE, a Play Inspired by Jim Schutze’s THE ACCOMMODATION

Dee HunterSmith, will run Feb ruary 10 - 12 & February 15 – 18 at the Margo Jones Theater. On April 22, the company will de but THE TUCKER NEW WORKS PROJECT, an official play devel opment series, made possible by a generous TACA New Works Grant and named in memory of prolific area playwright and Soul Rep mentor, dianne tuck er. The “project” will include a staged reading of a newly com missioned comedic play about being Black and queer, by upand-coming Dallas playwright, Erin Malone. A full production of Malone’s play will be featured in Soul Rep’s 2023-2024 season.

in North Texas to produce TRA VISVILLE, of which the compa ny recently held staged readings at four area libraries, in collab oration with the Dallas Public Library and Big D Reads. The company will hold talk-backs with audience members after two of the performances.

Soul Rep’s season will con tinue in February 2023 with a two-week run of Canadian play wright, Michele Riml’s delight ful comedy, SEXY LAUNDRY, about a middle-aged couple’s attempt to revive their sex life. The production, directed by Co-Associate Artistic Director,

Soul Rep’s season will con clude with its well established biennial new play festival, THE SHINE PLAY FESTIVAL, in June 2023 at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. The festival will feature performances of sev eral short comedic and satiri cal plays exploring Black lives, Black history, Black love and so much more! It will also include a staged reading of company Co-Founder/Executive Direc tor, Anyika McMillan-Herod’s newest play, ELM THICKET, a two-person comedy set in Dallas. Herod’s critically ac claimed historical drama, DO NO HARM, was featured earlier this year as part of ATTPAC’s El evator Series to sold out perfor

mances at the Wyly Theater.

Season Passes for Soul Rep’s TO DALLAS, WITH LOVE sea son can be purchased for $65 or $80 at the company’s website, www.soulrep.org. The current season is sponsored in part by generous support from TACA, City of Dallas Office of Art and Culture, Moody Fund for the

Arts, and the Holloway Family Foundation.

SOUL REP THEATRE COM PANY’S MISSION & VISION

Soul Rep Theatre Company exists to provide quality trans formative Black Theater. Our vision is to shift the paradigm of how the Black experience is valued

Sen. West, Rep. Hull File “No Kids in Cuffs” Legislation

AUSTIN—In a bipartisan effort to protect Texas school children from needless trauma, Texas State Representative Lacey Hull and State Senator Royce West have teamed up to file legisla tion preventing children young er than 10 years old from being physically restrained in school settings.

The bills, HB459 and SB133, were filed early Monday, the first day bills can be filed prior to the upcoming 88th Session of the Texas Legislature that begins in January.

Rep. Hull (R-Houston) car ried this legislation last session during her first term, and se cured the bill’s passage through

the House, before it ran up against calendar deadlines in the Texas Senate.

"As I said last session when I filed this bill, we have heard too many tragic stories of children being unnecessarily restrained when there are less harmful methods to handle a behavioral situation,” said Rep. Hull.

Sen. West (D-Dallas), a long time champion for Texas chil dren, will team with Rep. Hull for the 2023 Session by filing identi cal bill language in the Senate.

“I’m glad to join Rep. Hull in this effort. This bill is one of my top priorities for this session. No child under 10 should be hand cuffed in a school setting. Re

search says that doing so could cause lifelong trauma to a child. Experiencing such trauma can lead to a greater likelihood of be havioral problems in later years, mental health issues and worse,” Senator West said.

“Oftentimes it is a student with an intellectual or developmental disability where handcuffs are only exacerbating the situation. I truly believe that no officer

wants to restrain a child. And officers hard at work protecting our communities should not be called upon to do so when the school can utilize other de-esca lation tools,” added Hull.

“This bill is how we can be gin to curb the school-to-prison pipeline,” adds Sen. West, who has worked on several pieces of legislation relating to school dis cipline and best practices in po licing during his 30-year tenure in the Texas Senate.

Sen. West also noted that chil dren of color are disproportion ally represented in school disci pline and in the juvenile justice system.

HB459 and SB133 are support

ed by a broad coalition that in cludes law enforcement organi zations, disability rights groups and other non-profit organiza tions.

The two legislators have also worked closely with the Min aret Foundation, an interfaith civic engagement organization.

Minaret Spokesperson Noor Saleh stated that "handcuffing children negatively impacts the mental health of everyone involved, and we’re long over due to acknowledge this crisis. Through this measure, we’re ensuring no child, teacher or officer is ever again traumatized by the decision to restraint chil dren."

William Jackson Harper

Sen. Royce West Rep. Lacey Hull

My Truth

cont. from page 1

they sought aid from an area church because a friend had received aid. The friend who received aid, lives with his spouse and two children in a home and he and his wife are working; making way above the minimum wage.

The person seeking aid was denied because the church representatives said the pro gram was out of funds.

Here was a widow not even living from paycheck to pay check because she was al ways behind, taking care of two children and working two jobs, but determined to stay off of government assistance. All she wanted was a helping hand, and instead she saw people cheating the system to get funds.

Interesting that I should hear that story the day after watching the CBS hit series, The Equalizer. In the episode one young lady asked her friend to help her complete an application to get into a pro gram.

When her friend began re viewing the application, she saw that the applicant used a Spanish surname so she asked her who the person was. It ap pears the applicant was using her grandfather’s name, which was actually her middle name and she felt she stood a better chance of getting into the pro gram if she were a minority.

“I’ve known you since sev enth grade and you have al ways been white,” her friend challenged her, telling her fur ther that she didn’t feel com fortable with the deception.

Well, there’s a lot of decep tion going on and unfortu nately the needy are remain ing in need.

Which brings me to my truth.

We have to care about the least of us.

Dallas has a Citizen Home lessness Commission that advises the City Manager and City Council on issues affect ing homelessness with focus on evaluating new and exist ing programs, coordinating with other local and regional bodies addressing homeless ness, among other duties.

I applaud those agencies

that are working to stem the tide.

Surely there has to be a solu tion.

Someone has to have an an swer for solving the homeless ness issue in Dallas and every where else!

It begins with each of us doing what we can do to help the least of us.

Are you willing to do something? We’re going to be sharing information to assist you in your efforts to help others.

Hopefully you will be in terested and you will do for others what you’d hope someone would do for you or someone you love!

Medicare plans change every year and so can your health. Now’s the time to compare your current Medicare plan to other options and choose the right plan for your health and your budget.

Use Medicare.gov to easily compare options for Medicare health and prescription drug plans.

Do a side-by-side comparison of: Plan Coverage

·

Medicare Savings Programs, run by your state, can help lower your healthcare costs.

If you’re single with an income of $20,000 or less, or if you’re married with an income of $25,000 or less, you may be eligible to save with Medicare Savings Programs.

Call your state Medicaid office at 1-800-252-9240.

“Cross Connection” Unexpectedly Ends

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Correspondent

Without detailed explanation and days before one of the most consequential midterm elec tions in recent memory, MSN BC decided to end its contract with MSNBC host Tiffany Cross. The staff who work on her show was informed of the change on Oct. 4.

Cross was host of The Cross Connection, which aired on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. The show was the highest rat ed weekend show on MSNBC, whose slogan is “this is who we are.”

The sudden end to Cross’ time at MSNBC is another mo ment in a string of examples of MSNBC parting ways with Black women who were either hosts or commentators at the network. The list of Black wom en who have departed over the last several years includes Tam ron Hall, April Ryan, Melissa Harris Perry, Karen Finney and Zerlina Maxwell.

In a statement posted on so cial media on the evening of Nov. 4, Cross reacted saying, “I am disheartened to learn of MSNBC’s decision to cancel The Cross Connection, at such a crucial time — four days before the midterm elections.”

“Fresh off the heels of ‘a ra cial reckoning,’ as so many have called it, we see that with prog

ress there is always backlash. Now is not the time to retreat to politics or journalism as usual,” Cross observed.

There has been a rise in polit ical violence and white suprem acy in the wake of former Pres ident Donald Trump’s rise to political prominence. Trump’s announcement he’d run for the presidency included a racist attack on Mexican immigrants, blaming them for crime in the U.S.

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not send ing you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those prob lems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I as sume, are good people,” Trump said during the June 16, 2015 campaign kickoff announce ment in New York.

Prior to that statement, Trump had spent years at tempting to falsely claim that President Barack Obama was born in Kenya and somehow elected illegitimately though President Obama was born in the U.S.

On June 17, 2015 a white supremacist, Dylann Roof, murdered nine Black people by shooting them to death at point blank range during a bi ble study at Emanuel African

Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Caroli na. Those murdered by Roof including the church’s senior pastor: State Senator Clementa Pinckney.

During his time in office, Trump hired two white suprem acist who often platformed and pushed policies and messaging that has been used by racists: Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller.

extremists and homegrown vi olent extremists… Individuals who commit violent criminal acts in furtherance of social or political goals stemming from domestic influences—some of which include racial or ethnic bias, or anti-government or an ti-authority sentiments.”

In 2017, a hate filled white supremacists riot broke out in Charlottesville, Va. and a count er-protester was murdered after a white supremacist deliberate ly drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters. President Trump did little to push back against the racist Charlottes ville rioters and instead said “there are very good people on both sides.”

presence pushing back against growing racist and fascist trends in politics. Cross was recently a target of Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The silence of MSNBC on Carlson’s attack was noted by many on social media.

“So just right before a cru cial election cycle the plug is pulled on @tiffanydcross? What’s going on @msnbc?! First @mharrisperry & now this….I know the numbers were right…. what’s goin on?” Wrote music artist and producer Questlove on twitter on Nov. 4.

The FBI has reported a no table uptick in political threats and violence and named the number one threat in the U.S: as politically driven domestic terrorism.

On Aug. 4, FBI Director Chris topher Wray told Congress that, “the greatest terrorism threat to our homeland is posed by lone actors or small cells who typical ly radicalize to violence online and look to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons. We see these threats manifest ed within both domestic violent

In Jan. 2021, the U.S. Capi tol was violently attacked by Trump supporters shortly af ter he incited them in a speech to go to the Capitol on the day President Biden’s 8 million vote victory over Trump was to be certified.

Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pe losi, 82, was violently attacked in his home by an intruder who struck him with a hammer. The individual trafficked in false on line conspiracy theories around election fraud and QAnon driv en paranoia.

At a time of rising political division and deliberate misin formation and disinformation, MSNBC is removing an on-air

“WTH?! First @ZerlinaMax well now suddenly @Tiffany DCross is out @msnbc? Pro Tip: Reversing 2020’s equality by ruthlessly purging people of color or taking hints on how to treat your hosts from Tucker & Fox News won’t appease Trump & the armed insurrectionists. They hate you,” wrote Malcolm Nance, a MSNBC contributor.

MSNBC announced Cross Connection’s debut in Decem ber 2020 along with a Sunday show hosted by Jonathan Cape hart. Moving forward, MSNBC will have different hosts in the Saturday 10 a.m. slot to replace Cross.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. She may be contacted at LBurke007@ gmail.com and on twitter at @ LVBurke

The Black Census Project Launches New HBCU Challenge

ATLANTA, Ga. — Over the past three weeks, the Black Census Project has recruited Campus Ambassadors at His torically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Campus Ambassadors are ramping up to ensure classmates, faculty, administration, and alumni are aware, excited, and engaged in the Black Census Project.

The 2022 Black Census is poised to be the largest nation al survey of Black people across class, disability, gender, geog raphy, immigration status, and sexuality.

The collected information will clarify the diversity of wants and needs that Black people imagine for our communities.

Leaders of the project see it as an opportunity for Black people to engage in a con versation together about the things that must materialize for all Black people across ex periences to have safe, thriving lives. “Too often Black people are spoken about or spoken for, but are not actually listened to,” said Alicia Garza, Founder of Black Futures Lab. “The Black Census Project is an offering that we hope will aid the work of building power for Black people in sustainable ways,

and connecting with Black col lege students and those work ing inside of historically Black institutions is an essential part of that work.”

The HBCU Campus Ambas sadors will begin engaging their schools to encourage their classmates in person and via social media to complete the Black Census.

The Black Census Project is dedicated to ensuring the voic es of Black students and the broader HBCU community are included. The school with the

most surveys completed will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship for the student ambassador at the end of the competition. The institution will also receive a $5,000 matching donation.

Black Futures Lab works with Black people to transform our communities, building Black political power, and changing the way that power operates— locally, statewide, and nation ally.

We work to understand the dynamics impacting our com munities, we build the capacity

of our communities to govern, and we engage and include Black people in the decisions that impact our lives.

Our mission is to engage Black communities year round, using our political strength to stop corporate influences from creeping into public pol icies, and combining technol ogy and traditional organizing methods to reach Black people anywhere and everywhere we are blackfutureslab.org

For more information about the Black Census Project or to connect with Alicia Garza and leaders of the partner organi zations, please contact Chelsea Fuller, chelsea@blackalderllc. com.

Tiffany Cross

HBCU Campus Ambassadors join the Black Census Project to get 250,000 Black people counted

Johnny Graham?

cont. from page 1

Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, Pastor of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, Dies at 73

By Jamila Bey

Rev. Calvin Butts, III, the church’s eminent pastor, did not shirk from the charges, but he cited several problems for the delinquency.

Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, pastor of New York’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, and former president of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury, died Friday (Oct. 28). He was 73. The cause of death was not immedi ately known.

“It is with profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, lll, who peacefully transitioned in the early morning of October 28, 2022,” the Harlem church announced in a Twitter post. “The Butts Family & entire Abyssinian Baptist Church membership solicit your prayers.”

The Texas Legislature decided in 1909 to regulate barbershops, but an error in the bill's content made it unenforceable until it was re-writ ten in 1929.

H.M. Morgan of Tyler Barber College was the first to open, but Graham followed the example and opened a barber college in Dallas. The school also maintains a gradu ation rate above 90%.

In 1969, Preston Smith, the 40th Governor of our state and a Dem ocrat, awarded Johnny Graham with the Texas Small Businessman Award. Just think about that.

That same year, I graduated from an Ivy League cut (short and fad ed) to having my newly-grown afro shaped and scissor cut. Graham Barber Shop was an institution then, and most of my political curi osity blossomed as I sat in his chair.

You ain't heard a heated political or social discourse until you watch the crossfire of ideologies in a bar bershop full of opinionated Black men. Damn! There is an old Jewish Proverb that comes to mind. You put three Jews in a room; you get four opinions."

Black men are no different. The celebration for this marker started with an exciting announce ment. Carol and Carl Frasure, the new owners of the College, received full accreditation for the school in July of this year.

That means future students can use Pell Grants, Student Loans, and Scholarships toward tuition. That is more important than most would understand.

Back in the day, that was all Black youth had. If you were “Wildin’out” your parents offered two choices: a trade school or the armed services. Those two institutions have grown

more poor Black people than any other.

One of the testimonies shared by Dennis Griffin will help you comprehend. At 26, when he was "Wildin' out," his mom, a barber, drove him to the school parking lot and announced that it was his last chance. He took her seriously and, as a result, made a good life for himself and his family.

Ray Schufford Jr. and his sister Natarsha also sang their praises. Their father had been a barber, and both were enrolled by age 13. Nartasha explained how a poor college student at the University of Texas at Austin became a business owner. Word got out that she could cut hair, and all the athletes made a beeline to her door. So much so that she was forced to open a shop off campus.

Ray Jr., her brother, now a retired firefighter with the Dallas Fire De partment, never stopped cutting hair. He is well known in Dallas for his "Mobile Barber Services," where he visits clients. The lessons they learned about business, cus tomer service, and professionalism at a young age have paid unimag inable benefits.

They are, like Johnny Graham, living examples of Dr. King's mes sage to the Black community of his day. You don't have to be famous to be great. The avenue to greatness open to all is in service to others.

Service is a staple and symbol we have forfeited, and we must learn how to retrieve it.

All Johnny Graham ever did was serve, and as a result, he will be re membered by one and all as a great man. No one can tell how many others achieved “greatness” be cause of his work.

Butts was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1949, and moved to Queens, New York, with his family. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Morehouse College in Atlan ta, a Master of Divinity degree from New York’s Union Theological Seminary in 1975, and a Doctorate of Ministry in church and public policy from Drew University. Butts joined Ab yssinian during his seminary years, eventually becoming a youth minister and, in 1989, assis tant pastor.

That year, he founded the non-profit Abyssin ian Development Corporation, which grew to become a multimillion-dollar economic advo cacy organization for the Harlem community,

Brittney Griner

star Griner, jailed in Moscow for drug possession since February, have urged the White House to secure their release, including via a pris oner exchange, if necessary, the report stated.

During her court testimo ny, Griner said she’s still un sure how cannabis oil ended up in her luggage.

with more than $37 million in total revenue.

Butts also taught urban affairs and African studies as an adjunct professor at City College of New York, as well as Black Church history at Fordham University in the Bronx.

Butts was among the most outspoken critics of police tactics in Black communities in the 1990s, blasting Mayor Rudy Guiliani over the killing of Amadou Diallo at the hands of New York Police Department officers in 1999. Those officers were acquitted the following year.

Butts is survived by Patricia, his wife, three children, and six grandchildren.

cont. from page 1

She said a doctor recom mended cannabis oil for her injuries on the basketball court.

“I still don’t understand to this day how they ended up in my bags,” Griner said, add ing that she was aware of the Russian law outlawing can nabis oil and that she had not intended to break it.

“I didn’t have any inten tion to use or keep in my possession any substance that is prohibited in Russia,” Griner said.

U.S. officials continue to wait for word from the Rus sian government on wheth er they will accept the swap, and now some are hoping that the planned meeting between the two Intelli gence officials could yield results.

Rev. Calvin O. Butts III

By La Juana Barton

CADNET CLASSIFIEDS

St. Philip’s School and Community Center

Annual Community Thanksgiving Feast

St. Philip’s School and Community Center to host Annual Community Thanksgiving Feast on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. Open to ALL! Inviting neighbors to come for dinner, prayer, fellowship and entertainment.

This longstanding tradition started in the early eighties with faculty and staff cooking dishes at home and serving a few immediate neighbors and has now grown to serve hundreds annually. Help us be a blessing to our neighbors as we celebrate the gift of life and abundance. There is so much to be thankful for!

Volunteers help us make this event a success. Sign-up: Community Thanksgiving Feast Volunteers (signupgenius)

We Are In Need of These Items for the Event: napkins, to-go-containers, utensils, plates, cups, water, soda, tea, lemonade, cranberry sauce, rolls, desserts

Food Pantry Needs: 200 whole uncooked turkeys and hams. Turkeys and hams will be collected thru November 18 at Aunt Bette's Community Pantry.

Sign up to donate: Community Thanksgiving Feast Donations (signupgenius.com)

Through our partnership with the Honeybaked Ham Co., 20% of your purchases will be donated to the Thanksgiving Feast! Learn more here: Help Us Be a Blessing for Thanksgiving! | HoneyBaked Ham Fundraising (honeybakedfundraising.com)

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TCU Honors James Cash ’69 with Statue, Honorary Doctorate

James Cash ’69, a lead er in sports, community and education, cemented his place in TCU history Friday. On the same day the university dedicated his statue in front of the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena, Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. presented him with an Honorary Doctor of Science, honoris causa.

“Through your courage and determination, you used your experiences and perspectives to move TCU — and other organizations you touched — forward,” Chancellor Boschini said at the statue dedication.

Cash was the first Black student-athlete at TCU, was the first Black basket ball player in the South west Conference, and has continued his leadership throughout his life.

“TCU helped me ac complish more than oth ers thought possible, by teaching me to care more than others thought wise,

which empowered me to take more risk than others thought was safe,” Cash’s quote reads on the plaque of his statue.

Following his bache lor’s at TCU, Cash earned master’s and doctorate de grees at Purdue. He joined the Harvard Business School faculty in 1976. Now the James E. Robi son Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, he taught in each of the school’s major programs and, in 1985, became the first Black faculty member to receive tenure. Chan cellor Boschini and sev eral members of the TCU

Board of Trustees traveled to attend the ceremony for Cash when he was honored by the universi ty by the naming of Cash House, a renovated build ing on the campus of the Harvard Business School.

Cash is on the board of directors of several cor porations, including Gen eral Electric; The Chubb Corporation; Phase For ward, Inc.; Walmart; and Veracode. He also served on the board at Microsoft.

In 2003, Cash joined the Boston Celtics’ ownership group, where he helped launch community-based initiatives focusing on rac ism and racial inequality.

At TCU, Cash, an Ac ademic All-American, was named First Team All-Southwest Conference in 1968 when he led TCU to the 1968 Southwest Conference champion ship. One of five players in program history with at least 1,000 points and 800 rebounds, Cash’s jersey is one of only four retired at TCU.

“Your achievements on this campus were just the beginning of what would become an extraordi nary career,” Chancellor Boschini said. “For TCU students, you are the ul timate role model for ethical leadership and re sponsible citizenship.”

The statue of Cash was dedicated Nov. 11 at a ceremony hosted by TCU Athletics welcoming Cash’s family and team mates, Fort Worth May or Mattie Parker, Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Brooks, TCU Board of Trustee President Mark Johnson, Director of In tercollegiate Athletics

Jeremiah Donati, TCU Basketball Coach Jamie Dixon and many other TCU leaders and alum ni. The statue was borne from one of seven rec ommendations present ed to the Board of Trust ees following the Race & Reconciliation Initiative’s First Year Survey Report in April 2021. The rec ommendations, all of

which were unanimously approved by the Board, included the suggestion to commemorate the ef forts of underrepresented groups who contributed to TCU’s development as an educational step to

ward creating a more in clusive community. Rath er than removing statues or other items, TCU has committed to honoring its diverse Horned Frogs through telling a more complete story.

New Dallas Wings Coach Attends Mavs Game

Dr. James Cash

Photos: Dorothy J. Gentry

Bally Sports Southwest anchors Dana Larson, Jeff Wade and Wings Coach Latricia Trammell

Mavs Asst. Coach Kristi Toliver, Wings Coach LaTricia Trammell and Wings COO Am ber Cox

Wings Coach Latricia Trammell and Big Rob Maiden, Mavs Maniaacs Cap tain

Wings Coach Latricia Trammell and Mavs Assistant Coach and WNBA Player Kristi Toliver

Wings Coach Latricia Trammell and Mavs Assistant Coach God Sham mgod

Latricia Trammell, the new head coach of the WNBA Dallas Wings, made her first public appearance at Saturday’s Dallas Mavericks vs Portland Trailblazers Game at American Airlines Center.

Trammell, a former assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks, was named Wings coach a week ago. She was also the special guest for the Mavs’ pre-game show on Bally Sports Southwest.

From Staff Reports

Lifestyle Metro Calendar powered by

NOVEMBER

National Hip HopMonthHistory

17

MyDearTheMovie.com.

A sneak peek of a new movie entitled “My Dear” written and produced by former Dal las Cowboy, Greg Ellis. This film tells the story through the eyes of a married professional football player and his daughter, Lilly. In “My Dear” the negative outcomes of untreated mental health issues are revealed as an All-American fami ly’s life is turned upside down and inside out. All proceeds from this event will be used to continue to bring awareness to mental health.

Red Carpet 6 PM

Video & Live Panel Discussion 6:45PM

Film Screening 7:30PM Website/Movement Launch 8:30PM

18

St. Philip’s School & Community Center presents the 7th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance “A Night Un der the Sea” at St. Philip’s - Snyder Activity Center, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Dallas 7-9p.m. This event is open to the community. $35 for Daddy & Daughter and $7 for addi tional daughters

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International sellout sensation Lightscape is coming to Fort Worth for the 2022 holiday season running through January 8 at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Ticketsfwbg.org/calendar-events/signa ture-events/lightscape

19

The Honorable Mayor Pro Tem Car olyn King Arnold, and Councilmem ber Casey Thomas invite you to the ceremony dedication of the Public Art piece, thehumanization by Jennifer Money Cowley, commem orating Arthello Beck, Jr. at 10am, Twin Falls Park, 6300 S. Polk Street in Dallas.

***

Dinner and Jazz Take a dash of Jazz, a Pre-Fixed menu, Wine pairings, a limited number of guests, and a featured musical artist... Hosted by Dinnerfour8.... Located at 1259 HARLANDALE AVE. Starts at 7:30

26

Dallas Comedy Club Presents: FON ZO CROW- See Fonzo Crow LIVE at Dallas Comedy Club, Saturday Nov. 26th! Dallas native Fonzo Crow is on FIRE! Located at- 3036 Elm Street, Dallas,75226,US.. Tickets $20 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM CST ***

9th Annual Coats & Cocktails 2022 at Virgin Hotels, 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd. Coats & Cocktails is a coat drive to collect outerwear for women, men & especially children during the holiday season. We invite you to bring new or gently used coats & outerwear for donation to Dallas Life Foundation, Dallas Independent School District & Austin Street Shel ter through Soup for the Soul Event. 29

A TASTE OF LOGISTICS

Dallas Holiday Parade in the Down town Historic District at Main Street Gardens for the 6th Annual Family First Dallas Holiday Festival! 7:00am-3:00pm 4

Family and Friends Day at New Birth Baptist Church, 444 W. Ledbetter 6

A TASTE OF LOGISTICS

WOMEN MOVING THE WORLD

Listen to the knowledge and experi ences of the women who found suc cess in this field.

South Dallas Training Center, 4915 Brashear Avenue

ZOOM: Meeting ID: 857 3474 8062 Passcode: 658479 5-7pm 8

10-12

BICA Legacy Weekend Skyline Ranch 13

A TASTE OF LOGISTICS

TECH MOVING THE WORLD

Technology makes the logistics indus try more efficient. In this session, find out what that entails.

South Dallas Training Center, 4915 Brashear Avenue

ZOOM: Meeting ID: 857 3474 8062 Passcode: 658479 5-7pm

14

Washington-Lincoln Alumni Asso

ciation, JINGLE AND MINGLE Christ mas Luncheon, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, 800 North Main Street, Duncanville at $35 Contact Veronica Mosley (214)4157503

16

Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists presents

READ & BLACK

A Journalist’s Holiday

Ella B’s , 1004 N. Collins, Arling ton. 6-9 pm Partner: NBC5’s Black Employee Network and Just CHILL Sports Admission - Bring a book suitable for 2-18 years old, to benefit homeless youth at The Promise House

The Legacy of Service Foundation in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Omicron Mu Omega Chapter presents the 2022 Image Award to Jill Louis and Ran dy Bowman, 12-2pm at the Dallas Arboretum

20

SO YOU HAVE A NEW JOB Let’s talk about communication skills, leadership, and conflict resolution. South Dallas Training Center, 4915 Brashear Avenue ZOOM: Meeting ID: 857 3474 8062 Passcode: 658479 5-7pm

A

TASTE OF LOGISTICS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Learn the dos and don’ts of starting a business, banking, credit and much more

South Dallas Training Center, 4915 Brashear Avenue

ZOOM: Meeting ID: 857 3474 8062 Passcode: 658479 5-7pm

WORLD AIDS DAY

UTA FAFSA NIGHT

Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presents a Pri vate Red Carpet Viewing of WAKAN DA FOREVER AT STUDIO MOVIE GRILL - ARLINGTON HIGHLANDS, 225 MER CHANTS ROW IN ARLINGTON. TICK ETS $33.15 FOR ADULTS AND $22.50 - CHILDREN UNDER 12

High school students and their families are invited to receive free assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Com pleting FAFSA is a requirement for receiving federal financial assistance to attend college.

Assistance will be offered during FAFSA Night from 5 - 7 p.m. Dec 1 on the UTA campus.

Metro Community Calendar powered by

NOVEMBER

American Diabetes Month

17

WorkSpace for Black Girls host Love Your Tribe. A space for Black women to discuss and heal workplace trauma, and advocate for change. From 6-8 pm CST Online. Reg: https://bit.ly/3gUJouO

***

“Why Women Trip” Movie Premiere by Snoop Robinson. Red Carpet starts: 6:45p Premiere Starts at 7:30p Texas Theatre 231 W Jefferson Blvd. Dallas. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3DUOgHV

18

Dallas Comedy Club Presents: TRIXX host Dallas Comedy Club at Dallas Comedy Club, 3036 Elm St. Dallas, at 7:30 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3DKY MTq ***

7 Steps for CEOs to Reset their Corpo rate Culture by Shan Foster. Explore 7 steps to reset corporate culture with an emphasis on commitment, evaluation, and execution. Online event from 10 to 11:30 am CST. Reg: https://www.vistage. com/event/ceo-reset/ 19

largest HBCU Classics between two giants: Bethune Cookman University and Florida A&M University

WOW

Women of Wisdom presented by Elite News DeSoto Civic Center Theater Room at noon

2022 Empower Series - Putting It All Together with War ren Broadnax, CEO of She’s Happy Hair Putting it all togeth er is the culmination of EMPOWER Series principles of success - the progressive re alization of a worthy ideal. Guest speak er, Broadnax will share his perceptions. He and his business partner, Marcus Bowers, began selling quality virgin hair out of the trunk of their cars. The Network Bar and EMPOWER Series YouTube Channel 331 Singleton Blvd Dallas, TX 75212

Bands of Hope 9th Annual Char

THE FLORIDA CLASSIC Orlando is the place to be for one of the

ity benefitting Bryan’s House, at the DoubleTree - Hilton Hotel Dallas-Campbell Centre, 8250 N. Central Expy at 6:30pm www.bandsofhope.org

Saxophonist Vandell Andrew Live at Fortunata Winery, 2297 FM2931, Au brey, (940) 440-9463. From 6 to 9 pm. Info: www.vandellmusic.com

***

Village Lights Hillside Village kicks off the holiday season in Cedar Hill 305 W. FM 1382 Suite 590 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

The Legacy of Service Foundation in collab oration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Omicron Mu Omega Chapter presents the 2022 Image Award to Jill Louis and Randy Bowman, 12-2pm at the Dallas Arboretum

***

Roseland Thanksgiving Feast

The Rose Community Center, 1949 N. Washington Ave 3-5pm

Come out for a delicious feast, crafts, family photos, raffles and more! To donate or serve, cocntact Tonia Dunlap at 214-823-7308 ext 310 or tdunlap@pilgrimrestdallas.org

20

Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presents a Private Red Carpet Viewing of WAKANDA FOREVER AT STUDIO MOVIE GRILLARLINGTON HIGHLANDS, 225 MERCHANTS ROW IN ARLINGTON. $33.15 FOR ADULTS AND $22.50 - CHILDREN UNDER 12

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The Black Wall Street Black Business EXPO by Hype Girl at Illusion Event Center 1201 West Camp Wisdom Road #Suite 340C From 1 to 5 pm. Reg. for the webinar here: bit.ly/rethink ingthanksgiving2022https://bit.ly/3zZ5Fya

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Rethinking Thanksgiving: From Land Acknowl edgement to LANDBACK This webinar is an invitation to interrogate socalled Thanksgiving and move beyond the myths

of America’s history with Indigenous People on Turtle Island. 3pm CST.

21

Open Mic Monday at Chocolate Secrets. Tell a friend to tell a friend that Open Mic Mondays are back at Chocolate Secrets!! From 7:30 pm. To closing at Chocolate Secrets, 3926 Oak Lawn Ave. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3QL59cT

22

Verb Kulture Poetry Night. Poetry Night at Chocolate Secrets with the fabulous Verb Kulture 7:30 pm. at Chocolate Secrets, 3926 Oak Lawn Ave. Dallas

DECEMBER 1 WORLD AIDS DAY!

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Doc Shep Speaks Show! A fresh perspective, but still entertaining! Welcome to The Doc Shep Speaks Show!!!. Tuesdays at 11 am. CST Live on Facebook/@TexasMet roNews, @fnsconsulting, and You Tube Live @docshepspeaks.

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