Texas Metro News 11-24-22

MetroNews

MY TRUTH

By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER

Hard heads make…

As World AIDS Day De cember 1, approaches, I can’t help to think about how “hard heads make soft behinds.”

It just seems human nature for folks to defy directives.

Remember Eve?! Well anyway.

PATRIOT

Congresswoman Johnson Photo a First in Science Committee Room

By Cheryl Smith

The clock is winding down as U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) pre pares to close out another chap ter in American History.

It was an emotional day as she awaited the unveiling of her portrait that will hang in the Sci ence Committee Room, along with previous chairmen of the Committee on Science Space and Technology.

It was about 40 years ago when many of us first heard about HIV/AIDS. We were initially told stories about the disease originating in Africa and only impacting gay, white males.

Well, you know human na ture tells some of us to go on about our business because we are not going nor have we ever been to Africa and we’re not gay, white, or male.

Fast forward, others are get ting infected and many are dying.

Folks are told to use con doms, along with other safe guards deemed appropriate for protecting yourself from contracting the disease. Using condoms, not reusing or shar ing needles are just a few mea sures that were encouraged.

Did people listen?

Clearly some didn’t as cas es increased significantly and especially in certain commu nities where there were no pre warnings!

Actually, according to UN AIDS, 1.5 million [1.1 mil lion–2.0 million] people be came newly infected with HIV in 2021. 650,000 [510,000–

Words like “great, courageous, powerful, honest and insightful” were used to describe the Gen tlewoman from Texas. She was called a “treasure,” and “hard working”… “results-oriented, while very strategic."

One speaker said Johnson didn’t have to wave her hands in

Witherite Law Group is Committed to Making a Difference through Mentorship

By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines

Homelessness, homicides, and hopelessness among Black youth are causing corporations and concerned community members to focus on mentor ship.

According to the US Justice Department, at current levels of incarceration, a Black male in the United States today has greater than a 1 in 4 chance of going to prison during his life time. Statistics like this have led the Witherite Law Group and 1-800-TruckWreck to focus on bringing Black male commu nity leaders together to mentor Black boys.

“We have been participat ing in the mentoring of both school-age and high school kids for years,” said Amy Witherite leader of one of the

largest female-owned personal injury law firms in the coun try, Witherite Law Group and 1-800-TruckWreck. “We have

chosen to do that for a number of reasons. We believe that edu cation is the best way to change family circumstances and to

make generational changes.”

She elaborated, “Through ed ucation, you can go from rent ing an apartment to the rental of a home to some sort of home ownership. There is no doubt that education is the best way.

“We have dedicated our selves for more than seven years to focus on kids from an educational standpoint. What we have learned as we have had partnerships at a variety of schools. It is also important that kids have the opportunity to learn life lessons. One of our programs, Dads of Dunbar is a breakfast between the male high school students and some of the lawyers and many com munity lawyers leaders in the Stop 6 area.”

The Dads of Dunbar Mentor ship Program is a collaboration

Family Members join Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for Unveiling of Portrait.

Photo: C. Smith/TMN

The Witherite Law Group is bringing together lawyers and community leaders with the Dads of Dunbar Mentoring Program to change the plight of local Black youth.

860,000] people died from AIDS-relat ed illnesses in 2021.

And if you were lucky, those not prac ticing protective sex measures came away with a negative HIV diagnosis but instead, a baby, or two or three.

What a relief, you said!

Fast forward to 2020.

There’s another disease: COVID 19.

This time, to prevent the spread, folks were told to do something they shouldn’t have had to be told: wash your hands with soap! They were also told that masks help with the spreading of the contagious disease.

Some immediately began wearing masks and still do, almost three years later; while some went to the grave, un fortunately protesting against and refus ing to wear a mask or get the vaccine.

Then in 2022, yet another disease and other variants of COVID 19 were shared. The dreaded Monkeypox had folks spreading the same alarm that was initially spread with HIV/AIDS.

What happens with these sometimes false narratives is that some communi ties begin preparing to protect them selves while others are late to the party and miss key opportunities to get ahead of the devastation.

Which brings me to my truth.

Folks like Imara Canady, and the AIDS Health Foundation, are doing the work that the Democratic Party could learn from. Canady realizes the impor tance of boots on the ground and meet ing people where they are with the cor rect and relevant messaging.

He realizes that it is time out for as sumptions and you can’t take anyone for granted.

You have to get your message out and you have to make sure you have the right messengers delivering that mes sage.

For decades Dr. Pamela Blackwell Johnson and others, like Abounding Prosperity, around the world have been educating us on HIV/AIDS. Still we have new cases!

I’m worried about what a democracy looks like when the folks don’t listen and refuse to take heed to those im portant messages.

There’s going to be another pandem ic and another and another because these societal ills seem to mutate a lot quicker than any other thing we have had to face.

If we want a better world, if we want to eradicate some of the ills that are threatening our very existence; we have to stop acting like children and begin listening and adhering to these oh so important messages. We also have to do our own research, rely on science and follow educated directives.

If not, then it’s our behinds!

23rd Annual Destiny Award Luncheon: - A Conversation with Sterling K. Brown

St. Philip’s School and Community Center will host its 23rd Annual Parrish Fam ily Destiny Award Luncheon featuring a conversation with Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Sterling K. Brown, Wednesday, March 3, 11:30 pm at the Hilton Ana tole. The Student Showcase is from 10:30-11:15 am.

Best known for his role in NBC’s critically acclaimed drama series THIS IS US, Brown also appeared in the blockbuster movie, Black Panther. A graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Stanford University, before receiving his master's degree in Fine Arts from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, he currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

In the last two decades Brown has been featured in over 15 films, 40 television shows, and six theater per formances.

His dedication to the craft is represented in the nomina tions and awards won from the Golden Globe Awards,

under a pact with 20th Cen tury Fox Television. The com pany’s chief mandate is to champion diversity through

Honorary Chairs: Diana & Todd Maclin

Mona and David Mun son Humanitarian Award Recipient: Ellen and John McStay

The Destiny Awards is an annual luncheon benefiting St. Philip’s School and Com munity Center. The luncheon features incredible scholars, athletes, and celebrities as keynote speakers and in moderated conversations. The Humanitarian Award is granted to a local individual or couple who has demon strated exceptional work bridging relationships be tween diverse communities.

The Matriarchs of the Holidays Can Worry Less this Year

By Paula Penebaker and Josephine McNeal

This is the time of year for grand family gatherings. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and when the aromas of the big turkey dinner have faded, mothers and families will begin prepara tions for the grand Christmas celebration.

Black moms account for many roles, sometimes therapists, motivators of males in the household, natural textured hair stylists, teachers, and more. When it comes to the holidays, they also become professional chefs, family gatherers and entertainers.

Screen Actors Guild Awards, American Black Film Festival, BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Critic’s Choice Tele vision Awards, and the list continues.

In 2018, Brown created Indian Meadows Productions

the development and produc tion of entertaining, educa tional and inclusive projects across multiple forms of media, including film, broad cast, cable and streaming.

Luncheon Co-Chairs: Kacy and Carter Tolleson

All funds raised will direct ly benefit services promoting Christian education, senior services, hunger, student en gagement, and athletics.

Sponsorships are now available

For more details click here https://www.stphilips1600. org/destiny/

No one, especially moms and grand moms, the great matriarchs of Black fam ilies far and wide, wants the gaiety of the holiday season to be overshadowed by COVID-19. We’ve learned so much over the last year and fortunately, more Black people have had vaccine(s). And while it would be even greater if more had gotten them, now is not the time for nagging.

People have grown weary of hearing about the virus. The incessant warnings, the issue of whether to wear/not wear masks, when to isolate, and even the hospitalizations and deaths have taken their toll. The good news this season is some young people may come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks ready to be protectors instead of spread ers.

Historically Black Colleges and Uni versities (HBCUs) have joined forces with the We Can Do This Campaign’s Stay Well Community Health Fairs on campuses like Grambling State and Texas South ern. An event is planned Dec. 3 at the SWAC Championship located at Jackson State University. As a result of the events many young people will leave for home to enjoy the holidays having had at least one vaccination. They will be protectors of their moms, grandmas, aunties and all the other Black women that hold half the sky. Dads and granddads will appreciate the protection too!

Every person in the country age 6 months or older—in every community, in every corner of America—is eligible to get vaccinated.

If you think you’d like to be vaccinat ed before the holidays and enter the New Year having protected yourself and your loved ones from serious illness, visit vac cines.gov.

Josephine McNeal is a public relations specialist at CMRignite, and Paula Pene baker is a writer at CMRignite, a strategic marketing agency and a partner of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services We Can Do This COVID-19 Pub lic Education Campaign.

Sterling K. Brown

Club Presents Documentary on Child Sex-Trafficking

By Godfrey Lee

“California’s Forgotten Children” is an award-winning, feature-length doc umentary directed by Melody C. Miller, and, according to the documentary’s website, exposes the commercial sexual exploitation of children in California.

Survivors shown in the documentary share their individual stories and help the viewer gain insight into this hidden world. Available online, the film can be shared with children who may also be facing such issues themselves wherever they live.

The resilient survivors featured in the film overcame the commercial sexual exploitation that they experienced as children. They are now changing the world by ensuring that no child is for gotten.

Stories from movement leaders like orator Withelma “T” Ortiz Walker Petti grew, attorney Carissa Phelps, academic

scholar Minh Dang, activist Leah Jonet Al bright-Byrd, therapist Nikolaos Al-Khadra, and educator Rachel Thomas, M. Ed., were featured in the documentary.

Current statistics and perspectives on

sexual exploitation from professionals in social services, law enforcement, advocates and child welfare were also shown in the film.

Through their honest, personal stories, viewers can see the real world of sex trafficking by uncovering every aspect of commercial sexual exploita tion. The film presents a better under standing of this crime, and encourag es people to act against the injustice, violence, and slavery, and keep chil dren safe from behind-doors rape.

Viewers also develop empathy for the children being unjustly arrested for prostitution and learn about how to help empower survivors on their path to freedom.

If you suspect human trafficking or recruitment and grooming in prog ress, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or the new San Francisco Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-415-907-9911.

Sleep disorders and obesity: A vicious cycle

By Zaiba Jetpuri, D.O. and Safia Khan, M.D.

Sleeping troubles and obesity are linked, so correcting condi tions such as sleep apnea could be an important step toward weight loss.

The health effects of sleep dis turbances are well-document ed, from recent news reports stating that getting 7-8 hours of good sleep nightly may decrease cardiovascular risk by 75% to tragic reports of fatigued drivers falling asleep at the wheel. In June 2022, the American Heart Association added getting bet ter sleep to its list of top hearthealthy behavioral factors.

The implications of chronic obesity are also well-document ed, as the condition has been associated in many studies with an increased risk of disorders such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and depres sion.

What might surprise people is just how closely the health epi demics of obesity and chronic sleep problems are linked.

Obesity can cause sleep dis turbances, which in turn in fluence weight gain through reduced energy levels and bi ological hardwiring that floods the body with stress hormones. But perhaps the most frustrating part of this vicious cycle is that poor sleep can be lifesaving in certain circumstances for peo ple with obesity. When breath ing is disrupted or when our legs unexpectedly twitch, the body releases stress hormones and quickens the heartbeat to wake us up. While this defense mech anism keeps patients breathing, it prevents deeper, restorative sleep and floods the body with

In the U.S., more than 40% of people have obesity and about 21% of people have a sleep dis order. Nationally, over 70% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a common and poten tially fatal sleep and breathing disorder, also have obesity.

Sleep and obesity are intertwined in a vicious cycle. Obesity can cause sleep disturbances, and sleep disturbances can influence weight gain through the release of stress hormones.

Safia Khan, M.D.

So, because sleep disorders and obesity are so common, where do we start in helping pa tients improve their health?

While there is no single chick en-or-egg scenario, we observe in our Family Medicine and Sleep and Breathing Disorders clinics that by the time a patient starts having sleep problems, they have already started to be come overweight or developed obesity. Troubled sleeping is often what brings them to the doctor – on their own or at the request of a bed partner who is fed up with loud snoring.

Also often, correcting sleep issues is the quickest win for pa tients, and that is where we start. But the key to long-term health is to help the patient understand what caused their sleep distur bance and weight management concerns in the first place – and to equip them with information to reduce hormonal, chemical, and cardiovascular risks associ ated with these dual epidemics.

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chemicals that drive us to retain energy stores instead of burning them.

A Thankful Thanksgiving

QUIT

PLAYIN’

By Vincent L. Hall

“For I have learned to be con tent, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult, and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general, and in particular, I have learned the secret of facing either poverty or plenty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me”.

- Philippians 4: 11-13

Whether you realize it or not, there is much to be thank ful for. Even if all you can do is read this meandering message, you should be grateful that you are not among the 14% or one in seven Americans who are termed functionally illiterate. I call them mis-educated.

This errant essay may come as you contemplate when and if you will find gainful employ ment. Or you may be working on a job far below what your resume dictates you are capa ble of doing. But if you're still looking, you count it a credit that you can salvage your sus

TEXASMetroNews

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tenance with unemployment benefits that your Republican friends would rather see you live without.

So, you’re not a great orator and rhetorical giant like the late Reverend Martin Luther King or the keeper of Camelot, for mer President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. However, it is better

rights of women. At least you have enough self-respect to be proud of who you are. You have character, class, and creativity, which is worth a lot more than proving that Negroes can still be rented. At least you don’t sound like you graduated from a Her schel Walker "Speedreading Seminar."

your child struggle with bully ing and identity issues. You're broke, but you're rich in a man ner of thinking. My God, that's a blessing and a reason to pray daily for children in your home and worldwide. Thank God for child advocates like Mari an Wright Edelman, who set a standard.

Brothers said it best; “You gotta love the one you’re with!”

Or maybe you’re mad at God, the world, the government, and yourself. But being mad re quires a considerable amount of cognitive and cerebral activ ity. Thank the heavens that you haven't lost your ever-loving mind. Surely, you've heard that a "mind is a terrible thing to waste." So please don't waste it being angry and argumentative.

None of us have all the an swers. We all have good and bad days. It rains on the just and the unjust. But whenever it gets ter rible, remember the New Tes tament sage, the Apostle Paul. Find a way to be content. You’ll be thankful you did!

You may never have heard of William Devaughn. He turns 75 this year, and you know his work without realizing who he is. Let me leave you with a sample.

to know your limitations and live within the confines than to prove to the world that you are a bumbling, stumbling, grum bling idiot, like Injustice Clar ence Thomas.

You may never care or crave to be a wannabee Gubernato rial candidate like that Geor gia Goober, Herschel Walker. But at least you respect the

Your house note ain't paid, and you're hiding your ride from the "Repo Man. "Your money is funny, your change is strange, and your credit won't get it. But your children are now safe from predators, peddlers, and perverts! So, keep a close eye on your babies!

Thank God you aren’t looking for a civil attorney or watching

It's not always a pleasant priv ilege to be with family members who grates your nerves and try your patience on Thanksgiving Day and any other holidays that tradition suggests you spend with them. But think about those unfortunate souls who spend every day lonely and alone.

Every family is dysfunctional to some degree. But the Isley

“Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac. Gangsta whitewalls with TV antennas in the back. You may not have a car at all. But remember, broth ers and sisters, you can still stand tall. Just be thankful for what you've got!”

If Paul’s words don’t help you, I pray that DeVaughn’s will. Be Thankful!

Tell the Supreme Court: We Still Need Affirmative Action

OUR VOICES

By Ben Jealous

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.

One of the great joys of my life is teaching.

I’m fortunate to teach classes on social justice at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most respected schools in the country. Penn has a longstanding com mitment to affirmative action, and I have seen first-hand how diversity in the classroom bene fits all my students.

There’s just no question that diversity is a core piece of a vi brant academic community and a critical part of the learning ex perience – for all of us. Bringing together students with different lived experiences forces students to think critically about their as sumptions, which is an essential goal of a university education.

That’s why I, like so many of us, am deeply concerned about two affirmative action cases argued at the Supreme Court just a few days ago. Opponents of affirma tive action have been trying to destroy it for years. And now it looks like they just might get their chance.

Two universities, Harvard and the University of North Carolina (UNC), are defending their ad missions programs against oppo nents who want them declared unconstitutional. (The university where I teach, Penn, and the or ganization I lead, People for the American Way, have both joined briefs supporting the universi ties’ positions.) Considering race as one of many factors in admis sions has been upheld by the Supreme Court for decades. The Court has said repeatedly that diversity in higher education is a “compelling interest.”

But today’s Supreme Court is different. It’s dominated by far-

right justices who have made it clear they don’t share this view. Chief Justice John Roberts’s fa mous quote, “The way to stop dis crimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the ba sis of race,” sums it up: conserva tives believe affirmative action is at best unnecessary and at worst just another type of discrimina tion. Some conservatives would like to retire affirmative action because they claim it’s accom plished everything it set out to do. But it hasn’t. Not even close.

In Texas and Michigan, appli cations and enrollments of Black and Latino students plunged af

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

Gangsta whitewalls with TV antennas in the back.

Fateful Frenemies

death as about 15 minutes and notes that Shanquella was found unconscious in the living room.

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

By Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew

I saw the video. It was difficult to watch Shanquella Robinson, 25, of Charlotte, beaten severe ly-- allegedly by one of her travel companions. Robinson traveled on Oct. 28 with six friends to the resort city of San José del Cabo. Initially, her mother was called by the friends and told that her death was the result of alcohol poisoning.

The death certificate instead revealed that the cause was a “severe spinal cord injury and atlas luxation,” an instability of the first two neck vertebrae, WSOC reported. Alcohol was not mentioned in the report on the death certificate, and lists the time between injury and

The video circulating shows Shanquella was being hit re peatedly in her head. She was not fighting back. Someone can be heard on the video asking if she “could at least fight back.”

The mother said she recognizes the people on the video as the friends Shanquella traveled with to Mexico and believes the video was shot during the trip. It was disturbing to see others in the video do absolutely nothing to break it up.

Although the investigation continues on this case, my heart aches for the family. As a moth er of an adult daughter, you hope that the people who are around your child, who profess to be their friends are actual ly people who will look out for your child. It’s sad that you must caution your children about the people that they are around and

that the world isn’t safe. Despite no matter how much you try to protect your child from stranger danger, it’s often those who are the closest that can cause harm.

I don’t know exactly what hap pened in this young woman’s assault and death but I do know that we live in a world with those who camouflage who they are. The lyrics of the famous O’jays song states—“They smilin' in your face, All the time, they want to take your place, The back stabbers.” The Bible affirms this: “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their par ents, ungrateful, unholy, heart less, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reck less, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” (2 Timothy 3:2-4)

As much as we’d like to believe in the good in everyone, the real ity is that everyone doesn’t have

the same moral code, ethics or integrity. Shanquella must have trusted these individuals to trav el out of the country with them. They obviously gained her trust only to betray it. We’ve all experienced believ ing that someone cared for us, had our best interests at heart only to discover otherwise. Be trayal isn’t new. Joseph was be trayed by his brothers, Potiphar’s wife, and the Pharaoh’s chief cup holder (Genesis 37:23-24, 28, Genesis 39:16-18, Genesis 40:23 NLT) King Saul rewarded David for taking Goliath down. Even after bringing David into Saul’s family and kingdom, Saul was determined to murder David. (1 Samuel 18-and 1 Samuel 19) Even Jesus experienced betrayal. Jesus was betrayed by someone close to him. “And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the

leading priests and elders of the people.” (Matthew 17:22 NLT)

Betrayal is devastating. It is not only a violation of trust but the consequences can impact our mental, emotional, spiritual and in some instances, physi cal well-being. We don’t always know who will betray us. The Bible reminds us to be careful: “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

I know that justice will be served for Shanquella Robinson. “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” (Galatians 6:7)

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, founder of the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation (r2fdn.org) and the author of 4 books including the recently released, Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy. She is also the host of the Tapestry podcast.

Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover Has Unleashed Worst Of Human Nature

Musk purchased Twitter, the use of the n-word spiked by 500%.

By Marc Morial

“It is possible that users as sumed that language use that could potentially cause a ban or suspension on the platform in the past was no longer a concern. Additionally, anticipation of an unmoderated platform was po tentially a source of excitement for certain Twitter users. By sharing epithets, it suggests that certain users were celebrating a reduction in perceived speech constraints on the platform. Re gardless, the data conclusively shows that there is correlation between Musk’s arrival and a broader perceived acceptabil ity to posted hostile content on Twitter.”

-- Montclair State University Center for Strategic Communi cation study, “From the Tweets to Hate Speech: Increases in Twitter Racist Content After Elon Musk’s Acquisition”

In the 12 hours after Elon

ADL’s Center on Extremism identified a coordinated cam paign to spread antisemetic content, launched by users of the largely unmoderated 4chan message board, that resulted in more than 1,200 antisemetic tweets and retweets in the 24 hours after Musk’s takeover.

Musk himself posted a con spiracy theory about the at tempted murder of Paul Pelosi; the tweet was shared and liked tens of thousands of times be fore he deleted it.

This painful and shocking increase in hate prompted me, along with NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, and National Action Network Presi dent and Founder Rev. Al Sharp ton, to request a meeting with Musk to address our concerns and to understand his plan to protect our communities from abuse by those who seek not simply to express controversial views, but to harm us and un dermine democracy.

In our letter to Musk, we wrote, “In flippantly declaring that, ‘the bird is freed,’ you might

have unwittingly freed people to unleash the worst of human na ture with communities of color and religious minorities bearing the greatest burden.”

We share Musk’s professed belief in the importance of free speech, but the fact remains that online hate speech, misin formation, and disinformation, posted by users intent on sow ing social and political chaos, have grave consequences for democracy, civil rights, and public safety.

The white supremacist who murdered 10 people in a Buf falo supermarket in May was inspired by conspiracy theo ries posted on 4chan. Content on white supremacist websites fueled the massacre of nine Black worshippers at Charles ton’s Mother Emanuel Church in 2015. The accused attack er of Paul Pelosi, the subject of Musk’s own false tweet, had posted “a mix of bloody images and hateful screeds aimed at a variety of targeted groups in cluding Jewish, Black and trans people, as well as Democrats,” according to The Washington Post.

“Whether you realize it or not, as the new leader of Twitter, you have new responsibilities, and one of those responsibilities is to ensure your platform is not used to harm people and the nation as a whole,” we wrote to Musk. “Another responsibility is to ensure your own words and behavior do not cause harm, especially to the communities of color and other underserved communities who have been long time users and who have made the company what it is to day. You have not shown a will ingness to meet these respon sibilities thus far, but we have hope and are willing to work with you do so in the future.”

Twitter needs strong content moderation standards to foster a safe and healthy online envi ronment. Yet Musk plans to fire fully half of the platform’s work force, according to Bloomberg

“We strongly urge you to maintain content moderation teams that are tasked with cre ating and implementing poli cies that provide a baseline for prohibiting content designed to threaten and harass people of color and religious minori

ties and suppress votes,” we wrote. “Indeed, we encourage you to strengthen these policies as there has been a rise in dan gerous rhetoric and violent acts that threaten our communities' ability to vote and otherwise fully participate in our society without fear for our safety.”

Lapses in content moderation are especially concerning with the midterm elections just days away. National security officials fear misinformation campaigns could ignite violence at the polls on Election Day. Disinforma tion campaigns waged on Twit ter and Facebook in 2016 and 2020 sought to depress Black voter turnout and sow social and political discord.

We wrote, “We implore you to show immediate leadership by directly addressing the spike in hate speech that occurred over the weekend and to dis courage vigorously and clearly those who would be influenced by your voice from using such speech in the future and from engaging in violence against anyone.”

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

Dallas College Launches Young Scholars Program

Starting in the Spring 2023 semester, Dallas College will launch a drop-in child care op tion for students attending its El Centro campus thanks to a $100,000 grant to Dallas College Foundation from The Dallas Foundation.

The Dallas College Young Scholars Program will lessen the expense of child care as a barrier to parents attending college and meeting their educational goals. Seed funding from Dallas Col lege Foundation’s new Dallas Foundation Community Impact Grant will help launch the pro gram in January 2023.

“We are excited to partner with Dallas College to provide students at Dallas College’s El Centro campus with free and reliable child care. Everyone de serves an equitable opportunity to unlock economic potential, and this project ensures that student-parents get that oppor tunity. The Dallas Foundation is proud to be a part of this ini tiative and looks forward to sup porting Dallas College in this much-needed work,” said Drex

ell Owusu, chief impact officer for The Dallas Foundation.

Low-income parents often spend over one-quarter of their annual income to afford cen ter-based child care, according to a Brandeis University study. One group of parents dispro portionately affected by the cost of child care is college students.

Following the COVID-19 pan demic, many student-parents opted not to return to the class room because they needed to tend to their parental and care

taking responsibilities given daycare closures and the rising costs of reliable child care.

“These funds will enable us to provide student-parents attend ing classes at El Centro with free and reliable drop-in child care. More importantly, this project eliminates another barrier to post-secondary access by en suring that student-parents get an honest chance at enhancing their journeys at Dallas College,” said Dr. Carlos Cruz, associ ate vice chancellor of student

well-being and social support at Dallas College.

Accessible and reliable nocost drop-in child care will be provided through a partnership with the T. Boone Pickens YMCA facility in downtown Dallas. The facility will promote early child hood development and provide enhanced learning experiences for children of Dallas College students. This initial implemen tation will accommodate up to 38 children at one time, with an estimated 75 children partici pating in the program over the course of the initial Spring se mester.

“We are deeply grateful for this game-changing grant from The Dallas Foundation. The

Dallas Foundation is a leader in advancing equity and opportu nity in our community. We are honored to be counted among the winners of their Community Impact Grant competition and to help Dallas College remove a major barrier to student suc cess,” said Josh Skolnick, exec utive director, Dallas College Foundation.

Dallas College intends to scale the Young Scholars Program to other campuses in a financially sustainable manner. Through this new program, Dallas Col lege will effectively increase per sistence and completion rates of student-parents at Dallas Col lege.

Witherite Law Group is Committed to Making a Difference through Mentorship

between Fort Worth ISD, com munity leaders, and the Wither ite Law Group. This program brings dads and father figures from the community together to mentor high school students who may not have a supportive environment at home.

“I think it is a twofold effort,” explained Witherite. “Clearly, with our scholarship program we have hundreds of kids that we have helped to go to college or to go to a vocational school. Just seeing that progression to graduation in itself is extremely rewarding. But I also say what is extremely rewarding is when we have begun to support these kids from a mental health standpoint whether they are in elementary or middle school.”

Talk about commitment.

“We step in when they don’t have clean clothes to wear,” she continued. “We provide those clothes and access to washers and dryers so that they can feel good about who they are. That is also why we do the back-toschool haircuts. We want kids to feel good about their inner

selves. We do not solely focus just on grades. If you don’t take care of the whole person there are opportunities for these kids not to excel as much as they possibly could.”

Witherite is also working with Dr. Carlos L Walker, Sr., director for the Family Action Center, in an interactive program with the Fort Worth Police and high school students to establish a healthy relationship between the two groups.

“We want to establish a healthy environment to begin a relationship with the police and students. We understand that the police should be there to protect and help these kids move forward in life. We don’t want the kids just to see the po lice as the enemy,” said Wither ite.

According to recent statics, 58.6% of all mentors are wom en, while 41.4% are men. The average age of an employed mentor is 41 years old. The most common ethnicity of mentors is White (61.7%), fol lowed by Hispanic or Latino

(15.5%), Black or African Amer ican (10.1%) and Asian (9.1%).

“One of our biggest chal lenges for all these programs is finding human capital volun teers. At our law firm, we have lawyers that dedicate time and show up for events and are available whether that is a Proj ect 16 event or simply reading books to elementary school children or going to the Dads of Dunbar mentoring breakfast. Our team is incredibly giving up their time.”

For Witherite, there’s plenty to do and much more is need ed.

“Quite frankly we need to do more, and the community needs to do more. If you could just give a couple of hours a month, you can really make an impact on children’s lives. With a small amount of time, you can develop a true positive mentor ing relationship and it does not have to be all-consuming.”

Nicholas Smith, who started out in the mailroom and is now a paralegal with the Witherite Law Group, is one example of

the impact that can be made when a local person gives back to the community.

“I am from the same commu nity that Dunbar High School is in. When they were looking for someone to volunteer and show up, I stepped up to the plate,” said Smith. “I showed up and once I actually partic ipated I kind of took it by the reigns and claimed it as my own personal thing. With me being from that community and knowing some of the kids that actually attended Dunbar High School it’s really became my own personal project.”

As a senior at the University of North Texas, Smith takes it as his responsibility to pour into young people in the commu nity.

“With me coming from this community some of these kids are nephews, they are sons of people that I went to school with. It is very personal for me. The Witherite Law Group is committed to being an inte gral part of this community,” he said.

cont. from page 1

Research shows these men toring relationships make a big difference to young peo ple. A study published by The National Mentoring Partner ship reports young adults with mentors are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer regularly, and 130% more likely to hold leadership positions.

According to Witherite, she is always looking into collabora tions and partnerships.

“We probably work with over two dozen organizations around the Dallas area and also in Atlanta where we have an additional office,” said Wither ite. “We are always looking for new partners where we can ex pand the financial reach tied to organizations with real money for real programs. Secondly, it is just the consistent presence of how our lawyers and our leaders show up to activities and give of their time. I think as we continue to increase both of those each year, we are winning and so are the kids.

What a victory!

Student parent at graduation

The $100,000 grant to Dallas College Foundation awards seed money for a pilot program providing free child care for Dallas College students

PATRIOT

cont. from page 1

the air or shout from the rafters to be effective.

It was even joked that her of ten quiet demeanor was in con trast from what you expected from Texans who could be con sidered to be somewhat loud and boastful.

Thursday’s tribute was one of many occurring since Waco’s proud “shining star” announced that she would not be seek ing another term in the United States Congress.

Her office, which is right down the hall from the Commit tee Room, had a revolving door as people came from across the country to witness the unveiling and express their thoughts and feelings about the senior states woman.

Bearing gifts and memories; dignitaries, family, friends, so rority sisters and colleagues shared their “EBJ”stories.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson; Workforce Dallas Czar Lynn McBee, who is President/CEO of Young Women’s Prep Net work; Marketing exec Shawn Williams of Allyn Media; busi nessman Ross Perot Jr.; Atty. DeMetris Sampson and NAACP State President Gary Bledsoe joined elected officials past and present in the filled-to-capac ity Science Committee Room as they also welcomed her suc cessor, Texas State Rep. Jasmine Crockett.

The Congresswoman’s de cision to retire stunned many who had become familiar with her over the years. January 2023 marks 30 years since she first took her seat, the first registered nurse to ever serve in Congress. For the 20 years prior she served

in the Texas House and Senate, where she also was the first reg istered nurse to serve.

She’s received numerous calls including one from former pres ident Bill Clinton and during the program letters were read from President Joe Biden andVice President Kamala Harris.

Luci Baines Johnson talked about the relationship her fami ly had with the congresswoman; most notably with her father, President Lyndon B. Johnson.

In a private moment in the Congresswoman’s office, the former “First Daughter,” who was also a nurse, in passing on gifts to the congresswoman, said, “You have always done the right thing by all of us.”

Sharing just how close the two Johnson families were, she said her father was fond of Rep. Johnson, who first took office in 1973, making her the first wom an in Dallas County elected to public office.

There were several high points during the program, in cluding words from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who earlier in the day announced that she would not be con tinuing in her role, although she would remain a member of Congress, Calling the congress woman a great pioneer, who was also dazzling and patriotic; Pelosi lauded her for her works and devotion to the sciences.

Speaking of science when the

popular movie, Hidden Figures, aired, the real story of pioneer ing women in the sciences and working at NASA introduced many to unknown or unshared history of the role of Black wom en in science and technology.

It was a special treat for the congresswoman to have one of the remaining living subjects of the movie, mathematician and NASA aeronautical engineer, Dr. Christine Darden, in atten dance.

There was also her dear friend, Ambassador Swanee Hunt, who although she had a speaking engagement at How ard University, made it in time for the unveiling.

Undoubtedly having her “be loved members" of the Con gressional Black Caucus in at tendance, was significant, as Congresswoman Johnson once chaired the group of mostly Af rican American members of the U.S. Congress and Senate.

She beamed with pride as Congressman Hakeem S. Jef fries (D-NY) came to the micro phone. Earlier in the day, she talked about how proud she was of him and how she would love to see him assume leadership.

“It will cap my career, if he as cends to leadership, “ she said. “He is definitely ready and he

will make us all proud.”

As he spoke, Jeffries called her a “living legend” and told of how she served as a mentor to him.

During her remarks at the un veiling, Cong, Johnson called on everyone there who had a vote to use that vote in support of Jef fries to succeed Speaker Pelosi.

Her next remarks were re ceived with a robust round of applause, as she praised past leadership but proclaimed, “It is time for some color!”

In addition to the portrait, which was the work of artist Ying-He Liu, the program for Stem women has been named in Congresswoman Johnson’s honor.

Clearly leaving her mark in the Capitol, back in Texas and internationally, Johnson could have served another term. In stead, she told Texas Metro News, “I know I am leaving at the right time.”

However, she said, there’s still work to do, especially within the Democratic Party.

So, if anyone thinks she’s returning to Dallas to sit and twiddle her thumbs, perish the thought. No one who truly serves anywhere for 50 years, disappears into oblivion, espe cially when “democracy” is in jeopardy!

Congresswoman Johnson joined by Congresswoman Nikema Williams (who succeeded the Hon. John Lewis) and CBC Chair Joyce Beatty with Congresswoman-elect Jasmine Crockett.

Photos: C. Smith/TMN

Congresswoman Johnson shares a moment with portrait artist Ying-He Liu.

Atty. and UNT Dallas College of Law Professor Cheryl Wattley visits with Congresswoman Johnson.

Dallas Police Officer Arthur Busby checks out pictures in Congresswoman Johnson's DC office. Congresswoman Johnson with her great grandchildren.

Lifestyle Metro Calendar powered by

NOVEMBER

National Hip HopMonthHistory

26

Dallas Comedy Club Presents: FONZO

CROW- See Fonzo Crow LIVE at Dal las Comedy Club, Dallas native Fon zo 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

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

DECEMBER

1

WORLD AIDS DAY

UTA FAFSA NIGHT

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. on the UTA campus.

2

Christmas

1527 N. Galloway Ave. Mesquite. Tickets: www.shadesofbrownt heatre.ticketleap.com/How-Ma ny_Frogs

Black Family Business Networking Event Have you been searching for the right online community for you?

1st Black Family Business Network ing Event with Alicia Beatrice. From 6 to 7 pm CST. Online. Reg: http:// bit.ly/3UIu6Ix

3

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

6

A TASTE OF LOGISTICS

WOMEN MOVING THE WORLD

Listen to the knowledge and experiences of the women who found success in this field.

South Dallas Training Center, 4915 Brashear Avenue

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

8

A TASTE OF LOGISTICS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Learn the dos and don’ts of starting a business, banking, credit and more South Dallas Training Center, 4915 Brashear Avenue

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

10

DeSoto. Tickets: http://bit.ly/3EM8GEE

10-12

BICA Legacy Weekend - Skyline Ranch 13

A TASTE OF LOGISTICS

TECH MOVING THE WORLD

Technology makes the logistics industry more efficient. In this session, find out what that entails. South Dallas Training Center, 4915 Brashear Avenue ZOOM: Meeting ID: 857 3474 8062 Pass code: 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 St, Duncanville at $35 Contact Veronica Mosley (214)415-7503

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

JANUARY

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023

13

The MLK Comedy Kick-Off Corey Holcomb & Friends hosted by Tony Roberts at the Majestic Theatre

14

105.7 Smooth Winter VII featuring Fantasia and Joe, with Special Guest RC Gritz at Texas Trust Theater at Grand Prairie 15

The R&B Kick Back featuring TYRESE, Anthony Hamilton and Donell Jones at Texas Trust Theater at Grand Prairie

18

Holiday Scholarship Benefit Perfor mance with Rick Bernard James and Robert Holbert Group at 5:30 pm host South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. Purchase Tickets: PayPal: southdallasbpwc.org or Zelle to: southdallas1954@yahoo.com

Ultimate Holi-Day/Night Party Toy Drive by DFW Social 40. Toy Drive benefiting: Awayoutproject.org. from 3-8 pm at Michael’s Las Coli nas, 925 W John Carpenter Freeway #100, Irving. Tickets: www.dfwso cial40.com

4

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

Christy Dean’s How Many Frogs Do I Have to F#@K to Get a Prince at 5 pm at the Mesquite Arts Center,

DBDT Presents The Espresso Nutcracker In person, On Demand, and Streaming 7 pm. at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St. Dallas. Tickets: www. dbdt.com

Musical by DeSoto Parks and Recreation Dept. from 8 to 10 pm. at DeSoto Corner Theater 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd.

Metro Community Calendar

NOVEMBER

American Diabetes Month

25

Poetry Night at Black & Bitter Coffee, 100 S. Main St. Duncanville. From 8 to 11 pm. https://blackandbitter.com/

9th Annual Coats & Cocktails 2022 by Coats and Cocktails DFW. This signa ture event to raise awareness for those in need. At Virgin Hotels Dallas, 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd. From 8 pm to 1 am. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3WJr2xb

27

Brunch on the West End. The hottest DJ in Dallas, drink specials, new brunch items, Sunday Funday 11 am at 3 Eleven Kitchen and Cocktails, 311 North Market Street #100 Dallas. https://bit.ly/3UD 9CjY

28

Black History Game Night: A Real Black Friday. Experience Black History Game Night with an online community as we learn and have fun testing our knowledge of Black History. From 7 to 8:30 pm CST. Reg: http://bit.ly/3OjjGwq

25 & 26

Black FRIDAY and SATURDAY EXPO a 2-day Shopping event. Largest shopping weekend of the year. 9 am to 3 pm Fri. and Sat. Small Business Expo - Popup Store (behind Navy Federal Credit Union) 1515 N Town E Blvd. #129 Mesquite. https://bit. ly/3UXswlZ

26

AHYONZ @ Ella B’s Restaurant 1004 N. Collins St. Arlington. 8 to 10 pm. Reserva tions: https://www.ellabsrestaurant.com/ or call: 214-288-0186

***

The History of Historically Black Colleges & Universities Lunch & Learn Sponsored by Mutual of Omaha. Online event from 12 to 1 pm. CST. Register: https://bit. ly/3NXVSy7

powered by

or artist. While jamming to all your 90s era favs. From 7 pm to 10 pm. at the Ur ban Arts Center, 807 Hutchins Rd. Dallas. https://bit.ly/3Tr0TAd

***

How to Have the Difficult Conversation between Parent and Child about Planning Documents by North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center. FREE webinar for family members and profes sionals. From 10 to 11:30 am Reg: http:// bit.ly/3XeH2aL

30

JAZZisLIT | LIVE JAZZ / R&B / SOUL 7 pm at Lit Kitchen & Lounge, 609 North Harwood Street, Dallas. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3fYi4uU

The Viola’s House presents “Pathways to Redemption” Inaugural Black Tie Gala featuring Adrienne Ban field-Norris “Gammy” at 7:00pm in the Statler Hotel Grand Ballroom, Dallas. 5

SAVE THE DATE for the upcoming informa tional sponsor happy hour and mixer for the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program. This information session will provide you with an opportunity to learn about our internship program, ask questions, meet past sponsors, and speak with alumni regarding their experience with the program. 5 - 7 p.m.

UNT Dallas Student Center, Reading Room, 4th Floor 7350 University Hills Blvd. Dallas, TX

Black Author: Connect. Black authors need a space a big one! One where we can share our stories, showcase our work, vent, get solutions and be inspired. Host Black Author Brand. 7 to 8:30 CST Re serve a spot: http://bit.ly/3tGedq8

29

90s Paint N Chill DFW Guests will paint a pic of a scene from a 90s tv show, movie,

How We Built This: Journalists Share Ways They’re Using a Fresh Funding Model to Meet a Community Need 6:30 p.m. (room opens 6:15) Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/89197420012

Join Fort Worth SPJ for a discussion with jour nalists who successfully transitioned to a new business model that emphasizes the commu nity need for local news. Students just starting out and midcareer professionals will learn what it takes to make a nontraditional format work in Fort Worth. Panelists include:

• Anjie and Shevoyd Hamilton with The Metro Re port, which they started in 2019. Shevoyd worked for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and both worked for the Fort Worth Business Press. They have three decades of combined news gathering and publishing experience.

• Chris Cobler, publisher/CEO of Fort Worth Report, the only not-for-profit news outlet in Fort Worth.

Society of Profes sional Journalists

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.

The World According to Andrew on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. CST. Sundays Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news and commentary. Join the call 646200-0459 on Andrew’s World.

COOL YULE

Joe T Garcia’s

I Was Just Thinking with Nor ma Adams-Wade “History Class is in Session” Join in on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com at 11 am -1 pm. CST. Wednesdays. Join the conversation call 646-200-0459.

Rainbow Push Auto Scorecard Shows Vast Improvement in Diversity Efforts

By Stacy M. Brown

National Newspaper Publish ers Association’s (NNPA) long time partner General Motors joined Toyota in helping auto makers set new ethnic diversity and inclusion standards in the United States.

Both automakers reflected best practices for ethnic diver sity in five of six categories, ac cording to the Rainbow PUSH/ Citizenship Education Fund Au tomotive Project’s annual Auto motive Diversity Scorecard.

“We have seen many auto makers take big steps forward with their diversity programs as they have come to see the value of diversity and inclusion pro grams truly,” said the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., the founder and president of Rainbow PUSH Co alition.

The scorecard provides a snapshot of each automaker’s

success at building and sustain ing ethnic diversity and inclu sion, primarily focusing on peo ple of color.

Jackson developed the score card in 2012.

The six areas under consider ation are employment, adver tising, marketing, procurement, dealers, and philanthropy.

The automakers earn red, yel low, or green grades, depending upon how well each performed in the six categories above.

A company earns a green grade when they’ve met the best practices for ethnic diversity.

Yellow grades signal some in dication of diversity goals, initia tives, and accountability.

A red grade is essentially a failure, meaning an automak er’s diversity “initiatives and investments were non-existent, not disclosed, or did not provide enough relevant information for scoring.”

Tell the Supreme Court cont. from page 4

ter state politicians banned the consideration of race in admis sion to their public universities.

That’s a huge red flag.

Nationally, there’s a big gap between the percentage of white and Black students who earn a bachelor’s degree. And that per petuates all kinds of harm and in equities in income, health, family wealth, and more. We still have a long way to go in building a fair society in which all our children can thrive.

And here’s an important point

that often gets lost. All students— no matter their race or color or creed—benefit from affirmative action.

Having diverse classmates pro motes a stimulating exchange of ideas and viewpoints. It prepares all students for living and work ing in our increasingly diverse society. The Supreme Court as a whole used to understand that. Today, I worry that only a minori ty of the justices do.

One of those justices is Ketan ji Brown Jackson, the first Black

For the first time during the decade the scorecard’s been is sued, no automakers received a red grade.

“We’ve made some progress over the last 12 months,” said NNPA President and CEO Ben jamin F. Chavis Jr. “But one of the things we learn from our his tory is that when you make prog ress, you must continue, or else you will slide back. So we join this coalition and the Global Au

woman on the Court and a per son of profound insight and wisdom. Her questions in oral arguments got to the heart of the matter. Imagine two qualified students applying to UNC, Jus tice Jackson suggested: a white North Carolinian student whose family members had attended the school for generations, and a Black North Carolinian whose family had historically been shut out.

The white applicant might make the case that attending UNC is deeply meaningful to her because it is a family tradition. The Black applicant might make

tomotive Summit in saying to all the auto industry that we want to make more progress.”

GM and Toyota received green grades in five areas and a single yellow grade in the sixth. GM earned its yellow grade in em ployment efforts, while Toyota’s was in the dealer network.

However, GM and Toyota scored the highest among the 12 automakers surveyed this year.

BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen scored the lowest, with yellow grades across the board. Between the high and low marks, Ford, Stellantis, Hon da, Nissan, Hyundai, Subaru, and Kia earned between four and one green grade.

“We cannot afford to be com placent — our work is far from being done,” Jackson said. “The automotive industry and the communities it serves would benefit from having more Blacks in the C-suites and as owners

the case that it is deeply mean ingful because her family was so long denied.

Jackson’s question made it clear what would happen if the Court adopts the Far Right’s po sition: the white student’s ap peal to family history would be allowed to help their chance of acceptance, while the Black stu dent’s would not. It would further institutionalize discrimination and the harm it has caused gen erations of Black Americans.

I am so grateful for Justice Jackson’s voice on the Court. I also know that the six right-wing justices expressed skepticism of

of dealerships. In addition, our advertising agencies need larger budgets, and, of course, we need to make sure minorities play a meaningful role in the emerging electric vehicle supply chain.”

Chavis noted a connection be tween the auto industry, its suc cess, and the African American community and young people.

“We present not just the past but the present and the future,” Chavis said.

Telva McGruder, GM’s chief diversity equity and inclusion officer, said the company stands proud because of its progress.

“We recognize that we are in the heart of our journey and con tinue to drive robust DEI con nection through our business actions,” McGruder said. “GM’s commitment to diverse-owned businesses and communities at large remains central to our overall strategy and ongoing in vestments.”

affirmative action at oral argu ments.

Many reporters are already writing its obituary.

I hope for the sake of our edu cation system and our next gen eration, that they will be wrong. The “compelling interest” that led the Court to uphold affirmative action in the past still exists – in fact, it may be stronger than ever.

Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and Professor of the Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. A New York Times best-selling author, his next book “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free” will be published by Harper Collins in January 2023.

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Photo: Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA

By La Juana Barton

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Canada.

Call issued to Support Black Businesses

EVA ESTELL SKINCARE

Haynes: "Buy Black"

By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News

When Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, of Friend ship-West Baptist Church, announced 100 Days of Buying Black in acknowledging the 100th Commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massa cre, we joined the movement. December 31, 2021 marked 100 days of featuring Black Businesses. and we decided that the struggle continues and we must also. So enjoy reading about more Black-owned businesses and please support.

HOPEBOYS KITCHEN

HopeBoy’s Kitchen is an all vegan/plant based restaurant.

Located at Tyler Station 1300 S. Polk St. Dallas. Hours of Operation: Monday CLOSED, Tue-Wed. 5-8 pm. Thursday CLOSED, Fri-Sun 12-5 pm. Call at 972-904-7537. Follow HopeBoy’s Kitchen on Facebook @HopeBoysKitchen and on Instagram @HopeBoysKitchen.

CJ’S SOUTHERN SEASONING

C.J.’s Southern Seasonings ``The Secret Really is in the Bag.” Owners Cedric and Joan Anderson. Serving Fried Catfish, Shrimp and Whiting Fillets along with Southern Style Po-Boys, C.J. 's quickly became a town favorite for lunch and dinner while in San Antonio, Texas. Cedric and Joan relocated to Mississippi yet the requests for their seasonings continued to grow. Get your orders by visiting the website: https://www. cjssouthernseasonings.com/ or call 1-888-799-7201.

THOMAS THERAPEUTICS, SOOTHE URSKIN

8000 Innovation Park Dr Baton Rouge, LA. 70820

Email: aunaturel@sootheurskin.com

Soothe UrSkin was formulated by a molecular, and microbiologist turned skincare entrepreneur.

Becoming Thomas Therapeutics LLC.

Soothe UrSkin is successful in healing the skin from dark, splotchy, adult eczema and inflamed skin. Thomas Therapeutic compounding formula heals your skin naturally and skin deep. Visit the website: https://sootheurskin.com/

Ava Estell Skincare, Yaw is owner and founder. AVA Estell Skincare is an all-natural wellness brand made with melanin in mind. The products work on skin conditions such as, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, blemishes, dark spots or dark areas (underarms, knees, bikini line, inner thighs), psoriasis, eczema and anywhere there’s an imbalance in pigmentation. If you’re looking for a way to bring your skin back to balance, or you simply want to feel more confident in your complexion, you’re in the right place. Visit the website: https://avaestell.com/ Follow them on social media @avaestell.

SHAVONDA WITH A V

ShaVonda with a V is a local Dallas Comedian, Radio and TV Host. She’s hilarious, captivating and entertaining. Shavonda developed her skill at connecting with audiences and listeners as a local radio personality in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. As a Special Event Host she can deliver when it comes to your event her unique style, it’s captivating, engaging, and leaves your audience wanting more. Book ShaVonda with a V for your next event. Visit her website: http://shavondawithav.com/

KING VISION LLC

Dr. Jacqueline L. Pierre-Adams, DO FAAO FACHE

King Vision is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, with a friendly eye doctor, Dr. Jacqueline L. Pierre-Adams. This is a veteran owned eye clinic. King Vision is a full-service eye and vision care provider. Walkins are always welcome. They will accommodate eye emergencies as well as scheduled appointments. Offering after-hours and weekend appointments. Patients in Nacogdoches and surrounding areas can expect to receive personal attention and professional eye care. Visit the website: https://kingvision.org/. King Vision 4810 North St, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965, phone 936-569-2015.

MAYVENN

Diishan Imira, I am the founder and CEO of Mayvenn. He grew up watching hairstylists in his family run their businesses and noticed something… all of the hair products that the Black community was buying – They weren’t selling. He created Mayvenn. Diishan said, “if people of color are spending billions of dollars on beauty products, we should also have ownership in the businesses that sell those products.” Shop with Mayvenn visit the website of a local hair dresser Kindra at https://flawlesshairbykindra. mayvenn.com/ or call her at 972-748-6085.

MENA FREEMAN Real Estate Agent

Are you ready to buy? Don’t have an inside track? It’s time to consult a professional like Mena Freeman. Moving to Dallas or Las Vegas areas? Mena is your expert. Home ownership is not out of reach. Contact Mena at 725-755-8286. Visit her website: Menafreeman.kw.com. Follow Mena Freeman on Instagram and Twitter @menafreeman.

KWEEN BEE SUGAR SCRUB

Cultivated by the founder, Kween Bee’s Sugar Scrub originated after years of work before family and friends. After going through a battle of breast cancer with her mom, Kimberly Bizor vowed to be the best version of herself mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Kimberly says the product is made with love. For your selfcare routine check out the website: https:// kweenbeesugarscrub.com/

OVER-TIME BUFFALO WINGS

blueberry lemon sea moss gel, strawberry sea moss gel and more. This is something for the whole family. Sea moss has so many health benefits including thyroid health, gut health, lowers blood pressure, it’s antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and more. Shop motherearthseamoss.com. Follow Mother Earth on Facebook.

AUNT LUV’S DELIGHTS

Aunt Luv’s Delights, Auntie is a 100% Retired Disabled U.S. Woman Navy Veteran, born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She’s Aunt to everybody who meets her. While serving she suffered severe lower back pain, PTSD, anxiety, and other medical issues that took toll on her body. The search was on for her to find something different. After going through several products before finding out that CBD Holistic Healing was a great route. She is now supplying CBD holistic healing through bath bombs, tinctures, essential oils, and much more. Visit the website: https://www.auntluvsdelights.net/

JESSICA LANG DFW REALTOR

Over-Time Buffalo Wings is owned by Charles and LaSonde Griggs. They’re mission is they're focus on excellent customer service, an awesome family run business and a great work environment. The wings are delicious. When you can’t get enough there’s always Over-Time. Call in your order today at 318-548-3553 for the next event or family gathering. Follow OverTime Buffalo Wings on Facebook and Instagram @ OverTimeBuffaloWings.

TEAL ANGEL’S BOUTIQUE L.L.C.

Jessica Lang is a DFW Realtor and owns EXP Realty. Are you looking to buy or sell a home? As an experienced Realtor and Apartment Locator, Jessica strives to use all the knowledge she’s gained to make your buying, selling, investing, or rental process as smooth as possible. Helping you achieve your goals is her mission.

Connect with me today at jessica.lang@exprealty. com and visit the EXP Realty website: https:// jessicalang.exprealty.com/

TACE BUDS

The CEO of Teal Angel’s Boutique L.L.C, is Keory Hawthorne and she started an online Women’s Boutique. She’s been in business off & on since 2019. Like a lot of businesses, she’s had ups and downs. Now she’s ready to focus 100% on being a business owner. Her goal is to get 5-10 orders daily. Check out her beautiful online boutique at: https://tealangelsboutiquellc.myshopify.com/

MOTHER EARTH SEA MOSS

Winter is around the corner. Start boosting your kids immune system with Mother Earth’s Sea Moss delicious

Tace Buds was established in 2019. They are famous for their 1/4 pound Jerk tacos, Jerk chicken, Jerk pizza, Grecian chicken and Chicago-style food in Dallas, TX. They talk about the catfish that’s really good. They are located at 6801 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas. Open Mon-Sat 11 am-9 pm. Sun-noon- 6 pm. They also do carryout and delivery. Phone 214-3779112. Visit the website: https://www.tacebuds.com/

Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III

Arthello Beck Jr. Public Art Tribute in Twin Falls Park

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Rashard Yosef and JacqueRae Sullivan 2 years

Mr. Larry and Leslie Wiley-Irving

Mr. and Mrs. Hill

Herbert and Tamorah Hawthorne-Murray

Mr. Eric and Veronica Moye'

Mr. and Mrs. Billingsley 26 years

Marvin and Cecka Green Jr. 26 years

Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Pruitt 35 years

Carl and Tanya Carroll Eldemire 13 years

Jack and Danielle Pinnock-Wallace 9 years

George and Betsy Helgager Hughes 17 years

Mr. and Mrs. Smith - 53 years

Edward and T’Edra Knox

Jaime and Bonnie Perez Ramirez 3 years

Mr. and Mrs. Long 37 years

Mr. Venson and Katy James Just Married

Walter and LeAnne Randolph 1 year

Sean and Kristy Lyles 5 years Vow Renewal

Angela and Chris Cohen 12 years

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Jones 11 years

Joke Silva And Olu Jacobs 37 years