Texas Metro News 9-29-22

MY TRUTH

By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER

Singing that same tune

Have you ever started to do something and then stopped because you suddenly feel stu pid as hell?

Well, welcome me to your club!

Today I feel totally stupid be cause here I go again, singing the same song and trying to get different results.

Didn’t someone say that what I am doing is the definition of insanity?

Somewhere inside of me, I believe that one day, some day, any day; I will achieve the de sired results.

I’ve begged, argued, urged, cajoled, and almost bribed. I’ve tried to shame and even asked what I could do to get what I want. There were also times I provided a history lesson, in hopes that a lightbulb would go off.

Unfortunately while there were times that I smiled broadly with optimism, there were also times that I seriously wanted to cry.

It’s simple.

I just wanted every eligible voter to exercise that important right.

Which brings me to my truth

There’s one thing I tried not to do and that was finger point. Playing the blame game was not going to bring anyone over to my side or make them em brace my way of thinking.

And I feel sorry for the poli ticians who are honest, sincere and really working to make this world a better place.

There they were, working

Story and Photos By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines

“It was scary, concerning, and shocking,” said National Football League (NFL) Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, regard ing his sister’s breast cancer diagnosis.

Holding the rushing records for the NFL, former running back Smith has taken a lot of hits in his 15-season career as a professional football play er. Yet, nothing prepared him

Lifestyle Metro Calendar

Curtis

The title of this let ter is inspired by a poem, “A Black Wom an Speaks,” written by the late poet, activist, and actress, Beah Richards.

We are the descendants of women who breastfed the slave master’s babies, then

for the impact of the hit upon hearing the news.

“When I first found out that she had breast cancer, I was like most people, a little shocked and concerned. At first, I was struggling to try to understand the depth of what we had to deal with. We knew that it was immediate, but it was still going to be a process,” said Smith.

Smith admits that his emo tions ran the gamut from frus tration to fear.

Nikole Roebuck

City of Dallas will host its 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Festival at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. CT. The festival is completely free to attend! Visit https://dallasmlkcenter.com/hispanic-heritage-festival/

Fri, Oct 7, 2022, 5:00 PM –Sun, Oct 9, 2022, 5:00 PM CDT Headquarters Dallas 2443 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas, TX 75229

Taste of Business Community 12 noon information. Dallas- Fort honors Singleton Candidate Central Community

By Cheryl Smith

of female band directors

Prairie View A&M University -Dallas Alumni

Anniversary Scholarship Gala and Silent Auction

Dallas Hotel - Mardi Gras Theme 6:30pm

When the Grambling State University (GSU) World Famed Tiger Marching Band takes to the field on Saturday for the State Fair Classic in Dallas, many will see something they’ve never seen before — a female band director!

College Fair & Career Expo - African American Museum: 2 Day Event Fri, Sep 30, 2022, 10:30 AM –Sat, Oct 1, 2022, 2:00 PM CDT

about her business with a smile and a resolve that comes with the knowledge that she is direct ing one of the premier marching bands in the world.

College Fair & HBCU Career Expo @ State Fair Classic 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210

Dr. Nikole Roebuck knows she is in an elite club, especially on the collegiate level and she goes

the babies they nursed became their abusive masters.

We are the descendants of women who kept their fam ilies togeth er, even when our men were systematical ly taken away. This country was built

Roebuck has the distinction of being one of only four women to serve as band director at an Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

TOBER

Tomisha Brock of Clark Atlan ta University and Dr. Kerry Anne

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala and After PartyMorton H. Meyerson Symphony Center 2301 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201

Leader

One of Americas’ biggest fears is that they will run out of money in retirement - with good reason. Most of us have

ment. And the pandemic made

State

Byron Channing Lattimore, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022. Byron was born July 20, 1969 in Dallas, Texas, he was 53.

A Real and Raw Conversation w/ Jim Schutze and Rev Peter Johnson

According to the Anytime es Survey, the financial stress resulting from the pandemic caused many people to either spend retirement savings or stop saving for retirement al together. Median retirement savings were only $71,000, but more troubling was that 27 percent of Americans have less than $50,000 saved for retire ment and 16 percent have noth ing saved.

Byron Channing Lattimore

Dr. Nikole Roebuck

NFL Hall of Famer, Emmitt Smith did not have a family history of cancer until his sister, Marsha Smith Hill was diagnosed 10 years ago.

Debra Peek Haynes

Each Tuesday at 1pm, Chef Isabel presents a delicious cooking demo featuring the weekly samples at the Tasting Pavilion at the Dallas Arboretum.

2022 TX/OU Alumni Weekend presented by BEST Dallas Black Ex-Students of Texas

The Global Evils of Predatory Capitalism

THE LAST WORD

By Dr. Julianne Malveaux

The world is mourning the demise of the United King dom’s Queen Elizabeth II, the long-serving monarch who died on September 8, and my mama always told me not to speak ill of the dead. I am sorry that her family endured her loss, as many of our families have.

My dear mom died at the same age, and my siblings and I are still managing our grief. So I extend compassion to her family.

Queen Elizabeth seems to have been a lovely, gentle, and caring lady, who loved her corgi dogs, and her children and grandchil dren, perhaps in that order, es pecially if they were mixed-race. Her death garnered gracious accolades from President Biden and former US Presidents, in cluding President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle, as they fondly recalled their visit with her.

At the same time, she presided

over a predatory and oppressive colonially-reminiscent "Com monwealth" where she was the "reigning monarch" over coun tries with a very different demo graphic than hers.

Are the people of Jamaica, Bar bados, and Tuvalu, among other countries, mourning with the same zeal as those in the United Kingdom?

While some weep for the wom an who reigned Britain and the countries it colonized, will they weep for the people who suffer from the mark of oppression from the British?

Some will say this is not the time to consider a colonial reck oning. When is the right time, then? As Charles III ascends the throne, does he get a pass be cause of his country's turgid his tory, or does it make sense, as the page turns, to confront coloniza tion and its aftermath?

The global racial wealth gap is a function of the ways that Europe an countries saw the African con tinent as a place from which they could extract surplus values. In his masterpiece, How Europe Un derdeveloped Africa, Sir Walter Rodney explains how European

prosperity was directly linked to African exploitation. Queen Eliz abeth, for better or worse, inher ited that legacy and did precious little to confront it.

She and her progeny, the Charles, Williams, and Kates of the world, seem to think that they are supposed to rule other peo ple's countries.

They were raised to believe ex ploitation is acceptable, so when William and Kate went to Jamai ca, they were stunned by de mands for reparations but could come up with nothing more than a tepid statement that enslave ment was "regrettable."

Regrettable?

The history of African ex ploitation and colonialization is, at best, deplorable. Its roots are global anti-Blackness and a non-Christian pope who saw the Black body (and mineral-rich Af rican countries) as something to exploit.

In 1493, Pope Alexander VI issued an encyclical (or Papal letter) that mandated that “Chris tian” Europeans “convert, col onize, and enslave” those who were not Christian. England was one of the most enthusiastic col

onizers, claiming parts of Africa and the Caribbean as part of their "Empire." Elizabeth II inherited this legacy and did nothing about it during her 70-year reign. Is it likely that Charles III will be any better?

The "British Empire" grew and prospered through colonization and exploitation. It owes several countries on the African conti nent reparations. Of course, not that they are not as dominating as they once were, with a falter ing economy and a diminished world footprint, they aren't likely to talk reparation now.

Yet there is never a "good time" to make recompense to the peo ple who have been exploited.

Queen Elizabeth II's death is a “good time” for a new king to re pair old wounds.

It is the height of white enti tlement that a British queen at tempted to rule countries that were colonized. It is the irony of white entitlement that some African descendant Caribbean natives sing "Hail to the Queen" with as much enthusiasm as their British cousins do.

But Queen Elizabeth's death is an excellent time to examine

global predatory capitalism and the evils it has wrought. When will the great colonizers come to grips with their evil and label it as something more than "regret table"?

If there is regret, Prince William shows it by becoming a champi on for reparations. Smiling and dancing through Jamaica does not offer a scintilla of remorse.

My condolences for Queen Elizabeth are muted by my con dolences for the exploited, those who live in “kingdom” countries who chafed under her domi nance.

The death of this monarch of fers us an opportunity to examine her reign, its awful impact, and the ways the UK colluded with global predatory capitalist forces to keep African and Caribbean nations subservient.

The mindless celebrations of her reign are also celebrations of worldwide capitalism and ex ploitation.

Business leaders struggling to figure out return to office and best approaches to engage employees

As part of a successful diversity strategy, corporate leaders must take the time to realign and shift workplace values and organi zational standards to support a positive, inclusive, and high-per forming work environment.

Corporate leaders are also struggling with how to develop return to office strategies, where many diverse groups say they want a more flexible schedule during this post-pandemic peri od, according to a recent McK insey study.

In this informative and instruc tive guide, “Achieving Culture Transformation Through Diversi ty, Equity and Inclusion,” KEIRUS by KJE, a seven-year-old strategy consulting, technology and lead ership development firm, offers business leaders recommenda tions on how to develop success ful DEI strategies and behaviors that lead to a winning culture.

In this informative and instruc

tive guide, “Achieving Culture Transformation Through Diversi ty, Equity and Inclusion,” KEIRUS by KJE, a seven-year-old strategy consulting, technology and lead ership development firm, offers business leaders recommenda tions on how to develop success ful DEI strategies and behaviors that lead to a winning culture.

“Ever since George Floyd, some companies have taken steps to address diversity and inclusion within their organizations,” said Kelley Johnson, the company’s founder and CEO. “But many are still stuck. That’s leaving a linger ing question for many of these business leaders, ‘Now what?’”

In the guide, Johnson clearly spells out what leaders can do to change. “Leaders committed to culture transformation value the business case for DEI and its influence on innovation and creativity,” she explains. “Trans formative leaders understand the

importance of modeling cultural agility and consistently embrac ing the arc of change.”

The guide lays out the role of the leader in driving culture transfor

when they can build trust. They can build more trust by spend ing more time exploring their employees’ personal beliefs and biases, embracing the value of everyone’s uniqueness, and cre ating “authentic and mutual con nections.”

KEIRUS’ experience working with companies of all sizes also shows that toxic workplaces cre ate tension, lack of trust, and ‘qui et quitting’ – ultimately leading to unhappy – and unproductive – employees.

guide urges leaders to identify areas to improve; collect data to measure, monitor and as sess progress; challenge limited mindsets to encourage diverse thought; change behaviors by “engaging heads, hearts and hands” and providing consistent feedback and commitment to its team members.

mation, what steps they can take to improve their corporate cul ture and employee engagement and how these changes have a di rect impact on improving a com pany’s ROI.

Johnson says leaders better engage with their employees

“When employees understand that it is okay to be different and authentic,” Johnson said, “you create a culture where everyone contributes fully and are more likely to embrace diversity, equi ty, and inclusion. These factors spark a transition in the work place culture where intersection ality and innovation are at the forefront.”

Additionally, KEIRUS by KJE’s

Johnson continued, “We know the culture transformation pro cess is not cookie-cutter or a check-the-box exercise. It should reflect the individual organiza tion as an integral part of their mission and values.”

Success does begin at the top, the guide asserts. “If leaders ar en’t on board with the vision, progress is limited. The leader must also understand that trans formation is a long-haul un dertaking and will not happen overnight; diligence, difficult conversations, and perseverance are critical to results.”

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

Kelley Johnson

QUIT

By Vincent L. Hall

Even though I can never find the story, I have a bril liant memory of it as read in an eighth-grade English class. I’ve searched the internet long and diligently in search of a very short story called “Clothes Make the Man.”

When it comes to the corpo rate arena, what a man wears, especially an African American man, is of great import.

The storyline went some thing like this.

Two hoods planned to rob a bank. Not only did they stake out the financial institution they planned to victimize, but they also decided what they would wear. The ringleader, a very short guy, told his very tall accomplice that they would don the police uniforms.

And oh, by the way, that ad age is true. Taller men and women generally go further to ward the top, but when you get to the top, it's usually someone short. The Napoleon Complex is real. And it’s a fact that tall people usually get bad knees.

The short ,bossy ringleader strolled into the bank with his duller counterpart. They rob the bank successfully and seem

TEXAS

Publisher : Cheryl Smith

editor@myimessenger.com

Address:

Website:

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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.

What’s in Yo’ Closet?

to be on their way to splitting the spoils of the heist.

Just then, a little girl tugs on the pants leg of the brainless tall man and asks him why he does not arrest the robbers. He looked at what he was wearing, succumbed to the uniform's suggestion, and arrested his partner.

What you wear makes a dif ference.

This plea may come off as bourgeoise or even offensive, but I gotta say it. No matter where I go these days, Black folks be lookin' a mess.

At church, at a banquet, it doesn't matter.

And please don't get me started with the grocery store. Grown ass men in pajama pants and Jordan's? In the words of Snoop Dogg, "y'all doin' too much!"

Save arguments about your freedom of self-expression and personal preferences. When you want a damn job, you go dressed to the "nines!" You fore go those freedoms when you put on a show for "The Man"! Why not do it just for you?

I was at a function recently, and if your Big Mama had been there with a switch in hand, she would have worked herself into a tizzy. We came from a tradi tion that says if you only have

one "suit of clothes," make it the best you can afford.

Over the years, I learned that Black men don't have ward robes. We wear costumes. You can literally and convincing

stereotypes and negative imag es of Black male masculinity. This pervasive ignorance that circumscribes and limits most of us to the predetermined pic tures of criminals, deadbeat

America is hard on Black men, and we have to deal with it realistically. Sometimes I get gussied up just to give myself a boost!

You must heed my warn ing if you’re Black or Brown and want to go up the chain. Clothes make an impression on how you feel about yourself. But the telling part of “Clothes make the Man” is that it makes an even more penetrating im pression on others who see you. Most outsiders expect you to act on your appearance, just as this little girl did.

My mother believes and has convinced me that nothing looks worse on a Black man than cheap shoes. I don't know if it's the big feet or the abili ty to see one's bone structure protruding through the fake leather. So, buy what you can afford to wear, but don't sac rifice quality for quantity or trends!

ly look like a professor and a preacher or look like a pimp or a professional athlete. But no body who makes decisions that can affect your livelihood and ability to ascend the ladder dis misses what you have on.

Sadly, America still clings to

dads, and laziness is alive and well.

Barack Obama could nev er wear a bowtie in the White House. They would have la beled him Hussein X and linked him to Minister Farra khan.

You don't have to wear ev eryone else's name on your breast pocket. You can have your suits made and wear your monogram on your cuffs.

Learn to pick the appropriate costume for every occasion.

What’s in yo’ closet Black Man?

Concerning the Homelessness Action Plan for Black San Diegans

By Dr. John E. Warren

The San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness with its San Diego City and Coun ty Continuum of Care is to be commended for the substance and level of involvement of community and its presenta tion of the historical context responsible for the disparities that have contributed to much of our homelessness among Black people, both here in San Diego and throughout the Unit ed States. The historical context of the report is without apology, as it should be. The community

engagement and methodology through the use of focus groups consisting of those who have experienced or are experienc ing homelessness is crucial to presenting so much of what has been an untold story of discrim ination, even today, by the very people who are supposed to be providing assistance to the un sheltered.

So many of us living in pres ent-day San Diego are too young to know what it was like for those who came before us, living un der “restrictive covenants” that not only determined where we could live based on the color of our skin but also provided legal ized racism and discrimination through “redlining lending pol icies and practices” that worked in conjunction with discrimina tory language written into deeds

"At some point, the issue of Rent Control will have to be put on the table along with any action items proposed for addressing Homelessness Among Black San Diegans since we know that discriminatory leasing is still a reality based on one's color, even in America’s Finest City."

preventing the sale of property even if some wanted to sale to us. While today restrictive cov enants have been found uncon stitutional and Redlining is offi cially off the table, the number of homeless people is being in creased by raised rents and the Black Listing of those who have faced evictions due to the pan demic, unemployment or forced evictions because they can no longer afford the rents. At some point, the issue of Rent Control will have to be put on the table along with any action items pro

posed for addressing Homeless ness Among Black San Diegans since we know that discrimina tory leasing is still a reality based on one’s color, even in America’s Finest City.

The 49% of our County’s res idents who are renters should look very closely at this report because they could very soon find themselves joining the ranks of the very people that this City and County Continuum of Care is attempting to address.

PLAYIN’

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

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

Chuck D of Public Enemy

Practice What You Preach: Check Your Bias

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

By Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew

It’s strange that there is a nar rative that racism only happens with Black and White people and yet, racism can happen between other ethnic commu nities.

You would think that because both groups experience oppres sion that they would be able to understand the challenges of the other. There is this per ception that because you are a person of color, you cannot dis criminate or have bias toward other communities of color.

That’s so far from the truth. The reality is that bias doesn’t discriminate. We all have biases that we need to unpack and ad dress as it relates to how we feel about those who are different than we are.

We will often lump every one into one group as if we are monolithic and there is diver

sity even within all of our com munities. When we don’t take the time to understand others, it’s easy to make assumptions and categorize people. If we want to build a more inclusive world, it’s more than training:

It will require each of us to examine our biases and blind spots.

It will require creating space to listen and learn.

encourages us to “recognize the differences that exist among groups” and consider “the differ ences between groups.”

Peter in the Bible allowed his tradition to affect his thinking. Just like God was teaching Peter, we are being confronted daily with the cancer of racism and discrimination. In Acts 10, Peter “became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the

Educating yourself isn’t reading one book. It’s a commitment to long-term listening and learning. It’s also ensuring that you are proximate to those who are different. You can’t listen and learn in isolation.

It will require us to listen to the lived experiences of others instead of making assumptions and relying on stereotypes.

No matter how open you might think you are, there is always work to do to unlearn some of the harmful ways of thinking and behaving we’ve adopted (some without even realizing). Wendy

Smooth, author of “Intersection ality from Theoretical Frame work to Policy Intervention”

meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” “No, Lord!” Peter an swered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean. “The voice spoke to him a sec

ond time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. “This happened three times, and all at once the sheet was taken back up into heaven.”

Many of us are like Peter. We will reject what God has creat ed because of what we’ve been taught. We see others’ differ ences as less than, impure, and unclean. Often, people believe because they are friends with someone who is different au tomatically erases any racist thoughts or actions. Under standing the components of white supremacy and its impact on us all is imperative. Other wise, we will perpetuate harm ful behavior on others that we may not realize.

Here’s how you can begin: It starts with holding your self accountable along with your friends and family. Paul called out Peter on his behavior. You’ve got to be willing to con front in a spirit of love.

Educating yourself isn’t read ing one book. It’s a commit ment to long-term listening and learning. It’s also ensuring that you are proximate to those who

are different. You can’t listen and learn in isolation.

Check your bias. Your bias could in fact be age, gender, ability, beauty, affinity, or even weight. Just because you are Christian does not prevent you from bias.

Through God’s instruction, Peter came to the realization that he was wrong. “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Je sus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:34-36) It’s time to prac tice what we preach. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the CEO of Soulstice Consultany (drfroswabooker.com) and the founder of the R2 Foundation (r2fdn.org). She is the author of four books including Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy by Baylor University Press and the host of the Tapestry Podcast.

NUL’s Urban Civil Rights Museum to Bring Little

Corners of History To Light

BE EQUAL

By Marc Morial

“Recognition of the price paid in human life and liberty for economic advancement — and the costs of resources extracted as nature’s systems were exploit ed — must inform and guide us as we work to transform our cit ies and regions. We must forge a new path illuminated by jus tice, respect for the dignity of each and every human being, and determination to maintain and restore the web of life as the foundation for health and sus tainability.”

— Carl Anthony

The history of African Amer icans in the North does not be gin with the Great Migrations

of the early 20th century, when millions of Black Southerners fled the white supremacist ter rorism of Jim Crow.

The institution of slavery was as critical to the development of the manufacturing economy of the North as it was to the ag ricultural development of the South. The oldest and largest known excavated burial ground in North America for both free and enslaved Africans was un earthed in lower Manhattan less than a mile from the Na tional Urban League’s current headquarters. Enslaved labor ers even built the wall from which Wall Street gets its name.

“It would be misleading to present the history of the north ern cities outside the context of the Atlantic Slave Trade and the institutionalized enslavement of African people and their de scendants,” said Jennifer Scott, the newly appointed executive director chief and curator for

the Urban Civil Rights Museum, New York City’s first museum dedicated to the American civil rights movement and one of the only museums in the nation to delve into to the movement in the North.

The museum will be housed in National Urban League’s new Harlem headquarters, the Urban League Empowerment Center, currently under con struction and slated to open in late 2024/early 2025.

Scott, most recently the Se nior Vice President of Exhi bitions and Programs at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, brings decades of expe rience to her new role — includ ing her many years as a public historian at Weeksville Heritage Center, a historic house muse um in Brooklyn that memorial izes a free Black, independent community in the 19th century.

The Urban Civil Rights Muse

um will illuminate the history of Weeksville and other similar communities across the North.

“What did it really mean to be a free Black New Yorker, pre-Civ il War when states as nearby as New Jersey were still enslaving people, and how complicated was the idea of freedom at that time?” Scott said.

The history of the National Urban League, which was born in Harlem in response to the Great Migrations, and its role in nurturing the Harlem Renais sance, will be interwoven in the museum’s sweeping narrative.

Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life, for many years the official monthly publication of the National Urban League, employed Harlem Renaissance writers, publishing their poetry and short stories and promot ing African-American literature through articles, reviews, and literary prizes.

The museum also will ex

plore the Black cultural, artistic, and political Renaissances that flourished in other communi ties like Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, Washington DC and in Los Angeles.

“We’re really taking a long view of civil rights, not just the period of the 1950s and 1960s that most people think of as the civil rights era,” Scott said. “We’re looking at it from the very roots of the urban north, all the way up through the present day and the Black Lives Matter movement. The policy deci sions and political decisions that have impacted northern city centers will be brought out, along with the different forms of injustices and inequity.

“We invite people to reflect on what brought us to where we are, and how that influences us and inspires us to move for ward,” Scott said.

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

Not Contributing cont. from page 1

Black Americans, mean while, often don't partic ipate in retirement ac counts. Only 44% of Black Americans have retirement savings accounts, with a typical balance of around $20,000, compared to 65% of white Americans, who have an average balance of $50,000, according to the Federal Reserve.

That’s one of the reasons so many Black seniors are dependent on Social Se curity for a large portion of their retirement income. That’s worrisome since the average Social Security check is only $1,542.

So, if you aren’t con tributing to your compa ny-sponsored 401(k) retire ment plan, you are making a big mistake. And on top of that, you are passing up free money, and the tax advan tages that come with your contributions.

Commonly the match works like this: Your em ployer contributes 50 cents for each dollar you contrib ute to your 401(k), up to 6 percent of your salary. Some employees offer matches of 5 percent, or even more. But, if you aren’t contribut ing to your 401(k) (or your 403(b) if you’re an educator or work at a non-profit), you don’t qualify for a match.

One financial planner had a client who was earn ing a six-figure salary at a company that had a large match. But she was only contributing two percent of her salary and thus losing out on thousands of dollars a year in both free money and the potential growth in her accounts.

Most financial planners suggest you save 10 to 15 percent of your salary. But people often put off retire ment savings because life gets in the way – marriage, buying a car, buying a home and having children.

Still, it’s important that you find a way.

The first step is to begin contributions. If your em ployer offers a 3 percent match, then you should contribute at least that much. You probably won’t

even notice the deduction from your contributions. And those contributions will reduce your tax liabili ty.

Consider auto escala tions. If your plan allows it, you can automatically in crease your contributions every year. Say you start out contributing 3 percent. That could increase to 4 percent next year and 5 percent the following year. Because it automatically increases, you don’t need to do any thing, and you will be dra matically increasing your retirement preparedness.

Invest in mutual funds. Black Americans tend to be super conservative in vestors, for various rea sons. But you should make sure you are invested in the stock market (with mutual funds). The market offers better long-term growth than any other investment.

If you don’t know what to invest in, get help from a fi nancial advisor.

Increase your contribu tion to your 401(k) when your pay increases. It’s an easy and painless way to increase your contribu tion. When you get that 5 percent pay raise, increase your contribution by 1 or 2 percent. You won’t miss it because it is new money. Again, it will make a big dif ference over time.

Do not use your 401(k) as a piggy bank. Avoid with drawals. If you are under 62 you will pay both taxes and a 10 percent early with drawal penalty. Additional ly, you will lose the precious growth of your portfolio. Most plans offer the option to take loans on your ac counts. Take loans only in emergencies or when you have to. Often people take loans to make a down pay ment on a home. But oth erwise, leave your money alone and let it grow.

Rodney A. Brooks is a Texas Metro News Columnist and Senior Fellow at Prosperity Now. The author of Fixing the Racial Wealth Gap: Racism and discrimination put us here, but this is how we can save future generations, he has written for USA TODAY, The Washington Post and National Geographic.

SURVIVING AND THRIVING cont. from page 1

According to a recent study by Science Direct, the family, not just the patient, experiences the crisis and impact of cancer. This includes emotional strain, uncer tainty, fear of the patient dying, and concern about finances due to medical costs.

“I think the initial surprise was because nobody in our family had breast cancer or any kind of can cer, period,” said Smith. “Then it was a big concern knowing how serious that cancer really is for a lot of people and that cancer has taken out so many people.”

According to breastcancer.org, about 85% of breast cancers oc cur in women who have no fam ily history of breast cancer. These diagnoses occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a re sult of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

“My mind was overwhelmed with questions. Where are we in this process? What stage was she in? What does she have to deal with? Then there was a major concern regarding how we are going to get through this. What is it that I need to do to help and assist her? What is it that we all can do to help and assist? Who is the best doctor? Can we get her to someone that I may know or peo ple that she knows? These were all things that were going through my mind as I contemplated the next steps that our family needed to take regarding my sister’s care,” recalled Smith.

Marsha Smith Hill had a rou tine that she deviated from.

“Normally my routine is to do my yearly examination with my OB/GYN. The year prior to go ing to her in 2010, I missed my appointment. I was dealing with a hyperactive thyroid issue,” she said. “The following year, I went to her for my annual check-up.

My Truth cont. from page 1

tirelessly day in and day out and come election time they still had to darn near beg people for campaign donations and their votes

And those elected officials are constantly under scrutiny and sometimes unfair criticism.

Now let’s stay focused. I’m well aware that there are some elected

She gave me my pink slip to go and get my annual mammogram. I went and got my mammogram, and they noticed that something was there.”

Several tests and follow-up doc tor visits later revealed the one thing that Hill was not prepared to hear – she had breast cancer. Once Hill received the news, she admits the first person she tried to reach was her younger brother.

and the help of her family and co-workers, she successfully came through her surgery and follow-up treatments. She has now been cancer free for over 10 years.

“I have learned so many valu able lessons through this process. My main word of encouragement to women going through breast cancer is that cancer is not a death sentence – it is a life-calling. Over the last few decades, there have been a lot of breakthroughs in technology and medicine. Per sonally, I know that breast cancer can be beaten, and I am a prime example of that fact,” said Hill.

According to recent statistics from the American Cancer So ciety, African American women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer even though their incidence rates are similar or low er than those of White women. Black women also have a lower five-year survival rate.

Smith, who had been a large fo cus of his family’s attention during his football career, was suddenly forced to be on the sidelines as his family supported his sister during her journey with breast cancer.

“When I initially found out what was going on, Emmitt was the first person that I called,” said Hill. “In the process of trying to hear what the doctor was saying, even though I was listening, I wasn’t hearing what he was say ing. I called Emmitt, but I wasn’t able to reach him. Then I called my sister-in-law Pat. But I wasn’t able to reach her either. It was then that I heard the voice of the Lord speak to me in a soft voice and say `put up your phone, I am here.'”

Although the next few months would prove to be challenging, Hill relied on her inner spiritu al strength. With prayer, faith,

officials that are deserving of scruti ny, criticism and even jail time. And they are definitely undeserving of any campaign contributions. Still some those crooks get votes also.

And that’s not right!

So therein lies the value of and the power of the vote..

That vote is so important as you choose between right and wrong; good and bad; two good candi dates; or, sadly, the lesser of two evils.

I could go on and on, citing rea

“You are watching someone ad dress a major health issue. I have had to address issues in sports, but nothing of this magnitude that could mean life or death," said Smith. "Life and death sit uations are completely different from a win or lose situation in a ball game. Seeing her not only take courage but walk in that power was encouraging to me.”

Hill will be the Kickoff Coach for the 21st Sister to Sister Fitness Festival on October 1st at the Alan E. Sims Cedar Hill Recreation Center, 310 E. Parkerville Road, Cedar Hill, Texas 75104. Further information regarding this event is available at www.celebratingli fe.org.

sons for voting.

I don’t want to give up and sur render to apathy and disinterest.

Voting determines everything — our very existence.

Some things, sadly, you have to learn on your own.

Take it from me, though. The re sult of not voting is an experience that you can learn from others' mis takes by looking at history.

History has shown us that voting does matter!

And, I. Am. Not. Crazy!

Marsha Hill Smith attributes her success as a survivor to her family’s support. Her family all came together in Tallahassee, FL to make sure she was not alone as she started her breast cancer journey over a decade ago.

She's A Lady cont. from page 1

Simon of Mississippi Valley State University who were appointed in 2017 and in early 2019 welcomed Roebuck later in 2019.

In November 2019, Roebuck and Simon made SWAC history as two female-led HBCU bands performed for the first time. Juliet Boykins of Elizabeth City State and Fayesha Cousins of Virginia Union round out the elite club.

Roebuck chairs the University’s Music Department, in addition to directing the band and under her leadership, in 2021 Grambling also named its first female drum major in its al most century of exis tence.

A graduate of GSU, Roebuck still remem bers her days in the band and participat ing in band camps. There were long nights and intense sessions that helped with develop ing work ethic and building charac ter; while also gaining friendships that last a lifetime.

Roebuck also says she realizes that the students today are some what “different” with “different” ways of processing information and taking instruction.

Her focus, she said during a re cent interview with Texas Metro News, has been on adapting and pivoting to ensure that the band experience is just as rewarding for students today as it was for her when she stepped into formation with the Marching Tigers.

Coming from the small Louisi ana town, Minden, which is locat ed 28 miles east of Shreveport and about 37 miles west of Grambling, Roebuck has traveled extensively and welcomed the opportunity to represent her alma mater and as sume the director position.

GSU is a place where not only did she meet her future husband and pledged her sorority, Delta Sig ma Theta; but it is also where she marched in the band and then re turned to teach and serve as assis tant band director.

A graduate of GSU’s Music Edu cation program, she received her Master of Music from the Universi ty of Louisiana-Monroe in 2005 and her Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Memphis in 2009.

And as someone who has achieved academic excellence, Roebuck shares her journey with

students as she encourages them to take advantage of any and all opportunities to better themselves and help others.

GSU is known for pouring as much into those students who are not athletes and those student ath letes, because, she said, “Gram bling is a school where everybody is somebody.”

Realizing that the band members must feel that they are valued, she explained that when they step out to perform anywhere it is because they are students first and they have to per form in the classroom in order to keep their scholarships and play in the band.

The motto for the band is “Always on time, in the right frame of mind and ready to go to work,” said Roebuck, adding that being in the band helps separate the “strong from the weak.”

She has also established lifelong relationships and being in the band taught her time management. “I have friends now, 26 years later, and it’s like we are sisters.

According to Roebuck, in addi tion to each band member being assigned a tutor, other measures are taken to ensure student success.

When they are traveling, there’s also a nurse practitioner, a trainer and a sports psychologist part of the group.

“I want to have a positive impact on every student,” she explained, noting that as she instills those traits into students that were in stilled into her, she does have to realize there are clear distinctions.

“I think the teaching methods our band directors had will not work for this new generation,” she said.

But as a parent of a teenager, she uses some of the same princi ples and techniques that she uses at home. “My ultimate goal is for them to come to school and grad uate. Whatever they need, if I don’t have what they need, we get it. That’s my job!”

And as the “World Famed” pre pare for this battle of the Bands, that balance of “fluffy love and tough love” will have them march ing on the field full of confidence and pride.

Proud of their school, proud of their band members and proud of their band director!

Servant Leader cont. from page 1

A graduate of Tyler Street Christian Academy in Dallas, Lattimore received a Bach elor's Degree in Marketing from Texas Southern Univer sity, where he represented his school as a member of a five-person team in a nation ally televised intercollegiate quiz bowl competition, and was selected as one of four Marketing/ Sales Interns for the Houston Astros, from a field of 5000 students.

After graduation he attend ed the University of Dallas and earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in financial services.

The 35th Polemarch (Pres ident) of the Dallas Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi

Fraternity, Inc., followed in his father's footsteps, as a leader in the organization and the community.

"B-Latt" as he was fondly known, spent more than a decade as a financial consul tant for TIAA-CREF, providing high quality retirement and financial counseling services

He also served as Chair of the Board of Faith Coopera tive Federal Credit Union, for the past 26 years; vice chair of the South Dallas/Fair Park Trust Fund.

Lattimore also enjoyed stints as an agent at ARGON, Aflac, and B-E World Travel; and in several positions for Bank of America.

A visitation hour for Byron will be held Friday, Septem

ber 30, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Friendship-West Bap tist Church, 2020 W. Wheat land Road, Dallas, Texas 75232.

A twilight service will oc cur Friday, September 30, 2022 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Road, Dallas, Texas 75232.

A homegoing celebratory service will occur Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 12:00 to 1:30p.m. also at Friend ship-West Baptist Church.

A committal service will oc cur Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. at Lau rel Land Memorial Park, 6300 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75232.

Fond memories and ex pressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurelland dallas.com.

Dr. Nikole Roebuck

Photo: Cheryl Smith

Lifestyle Metro Calendar

SEPTEMBER

City of Dallas will host its 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Festival at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. CT. The festival is completely free to attend! Visit https://dallasmlkcen ter.com/hispanic-heritage-festival/

8

Taste of Business Annual Community Networking Event - Free Community Pop Up at Woodhaven Community in Fort Worth, 12 noon - 3p.m. Call 817-438-6348 for vendor and sponsor information. Hosted by Ms. Angie and Music by DJ Special K

Mesquite NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet, Founders Classical Academy of Mesquite, 790 Windbell Circle, 6-7 :30 pm, featuring key note speaker, Sarah Collins Rudolph, The 5th Little Girl,” Survivor of the 1963 KKK Church bombing that killed her sister and three other girls. Hosted by Veda Loca. Theme: Forward Together, Not one Step Back. www.mffb.org

Each Tuesday at 1pm, Chef Isabel presents a delicious cooking demo featuring the weekly samples at the Tasting Pavilion at the Dallas Arboretum.

2022 TX/OU Alumni Weekend presented by BEST Dallas Black Ex-Students of Texas

Fri, Oct 7, 2022, 5:00 PM –Sun, Oct 9, 2022, 5:00 PM CDT Headquarters Dallas 2443 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas, TX 75229

Dallas- Fort Worth Association of Black Journallists (DFW/ABJ) honors NABJ award winners at

Singleton Blvd

Candidate

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DAILY REMEMBRANCE

The Strong One

By La Juana Barton

Check on the strong one. The one that is always standing. Always smiling.

Always checking on others. They're strength expended holding everyone else up.

Crying with others and wiping away massive amounts of tears that there are none left for them.

Answering every call.

No matter the time.

Because they really care.

Giving encouragement and all that they have.

Left empty by those not realizing they're empty.

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

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SEPTEMBER

Prairie View A&M University -Dallas Alumni 25th Anniversary Scholarship Gala and Silent Auction Renaissance Dallas Hotel - Mardi Gras Theme 6:30pm

October 1

21st Sister to Sister Fitness Festival, 5K Walk and Run at the Alan E. Sims Cedar Hill Recreation Center, 310 E. Parkerville Road, Cedar Hill. Featuring KRNB Radio’s Lynne Haze and WFAA-TV’s Tashara Parker. Register on line at www.celebratinglife. com.

State Fair Classic

Grambling State v. Prairie View A&M Universities at the Cotton Bowl. Game time 4p.m.

7

Friday night at Vinettis 14388 Midway, Addison, TX

5 PM until, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. James Price

13

The Press Club of Dallas 10th Legends of North Texas Journalism at Texas Theatre. LEGENDS: Ed Bark, Karen Blair (posthu mous), Karen Blumenthal (posthumous), Cheryl Hall, Molly Ivins (posthumous), Verne Lundquist, Murphy Martin (posthumous), Scott McCartney, Laura Miller, Liz Oliphant, Bob Schieffer and Brett Shipp.

****

PASTORS LUNCHEON

The Pastors Luncheon will be 11:00 a.m. Typically hosted during the State Fair of Texas, this event was designed to create an environment to celebrate congregations and invites clergy leaders from the community to fellowship.

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5th Annual Dallas Black College Expo at Paul Quinn College -10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Meet with colleges, communities colleges, universities, trade schools. Get incredible information on Financial Aid, 411 for the Student Athlete, Booming Careers, Internships, How to Start a Business and more!

***

Anna’s House 10th Annual Domestic Violence Gala 2022 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 7p.m. The keynote speaker is Judge Kim Brown with special guest speaker: His Royal Highness Prince Gharios EL Chemor Royal House of Ghassan www.awayoutproject.org or annashousegala@ gmail.com

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This invitational highlights HBCU Women’s Basketball programs over two days! Look forward to action-packed college basketball supporting the women’s sport and culture!

Four dynamic HBCU women’s basketball teams will go head to head during at Paul Quinn College in historic gymnasium.

December 3

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

Join Councilwoman Shaunte L. Allen from 9:00 am –12:00 pm for the “Parenting Under High Stress: Re sources for Relief” Summit at 1932 S. Hampton Road, Glenn Heights, TX. The Parenting Under High-Stress Summit offers resources for parents and teens. You will receive advice and encouragement from mental health experts and school counselors. And, you can participate in a meditative writing session or a yoga session. Free of charge. Refreshments provided.

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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.

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Comerica Bank Creates Business Banking Team to Serve the Southern Sector of Dallas County

Comerica Bank has named Trent Sampson, Jerry Collazo and Adriana Najera to its new ly-formed South Dallas Busi ness Banking Team led by Group Manager Derric Hicks.

“As the leading bank for busi ness, it is imperative that we raise expectations in all the communities where we live and serve,” said Comerica Bank Dal las Market President Amanda Mahaney. “For many years, we have provided retail banking services and made community investments in the South Dallas community. Now, Derric and his team will focus on finding access to capital solutions for underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses.”

Hicks, who joined the bank earlier this year, said he assem bled a team that best represent ed the diverse communities the

team will serve.

“This firm foundation will help our team build trust and cultivate key relationships as we continuously work to bridge the financial gap be tween conventional lending and meeting the needs of businesses in our footprint.”

Sampson, who will serve as the DFW South Senior Relationship Manager, has been a fixture in the North Tex as commercial banking community as well as at Comerica for more than 25 years. The Southern (La.) University graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics, and later com pleted his studies at Southern Methodist University South western Graduate School of

Banking. Sampson volunteers for the North Texas Food Bank and teaches personal finance courses in low- to moderate-in come communities as a mem

degree in Criminology with a minor in Spanish. Collazo is ac tive in the community, partic ipating in financial education panels for SCORE in Dallas and Fort Worth and the Dal las Mexican Consulate Office.

ployees, respectively.

The South Dallas Business Banking team is based in Co merica’s R.L. Thornton building (5201 E. R L Thornton; Dallas, TX 75223).

ber of Comerica’s Financial Ed ucation Brigade.

Collazo, a Business Bank ing Relationship Manager, has worked in banking for more than 15 years. A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, he holds a Bachelor of Science

Najera has assumed the role of senior lend ing assistant after work ing as a member of Co merica’s retail banking team for close to three years. In addition to her day-to-day responsibil ities, Najera is a mem ber of Comerica’s North Texas Women Forum and Mi Gen te employee resource groups (ERG), designed to recruit and retain talent as well as pro vide personal and profession al development opportunities among women and Latino em

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial ser vices company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategical ly aligned by three business seg ments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank and Wealth Management. Comerica focus es on relationships, and help ing people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, Califor nia, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comer ica reported total assets of $86.9 billion as of June 30, 2022.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOUR MAKES A STOP IN DALLAS TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE LACK OF HEALTH LITERACY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR

[September 22, 2022] —

Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21) is bringing its’ 4-city Health, Wellness and Education Tour to Dallas Sunday, October 2nd at Hamilton Park UMC, 11881 Schroeder Road in Dallas. The Build a Better You Tour is a free event de signed for pastors, leaders and community members to commit to healthier liv ing! The event is from 1pm – 3pm.

Organizers say they will welcome 86-year-old Er nestine Shepherd, the world’s oldest competitive body builder, Mr. Universe Yohnnie Shambourger, who is an advocate for healthy living and phys ical fitness and Pastor Telley Lynnette Gadson of Hartsville, South Carolina – each will share their health and wellness jour ney and testimonies of emo tional healing. Gadson has lost nearly 200 pounds and credits the weight of the pandemic to her losing the pounds.

The LUNCH EXPERIENCE and OLD SCHOOL DAY PARTY,

is FREE and will offer exciting activities and giveaways all to fulfill its’ mission to equip, ed ucate and encourage African Americans to BUILD A BETTER YOU.

prioritize our own health and wellness and much of that has to do with not being health lit erate. “I am so grateful that God has aligned this mission with the work being done at Hamil ton Park Church to ensure that our community and leaders are equipped with information to live healthi er lives,” he said.

The Build a Better You Tour is proud to partner with local United Methodist Pastors in each city who are active in the mission of vital ministry to build lives and strengthen communities and UnitedHealthcare.

“We are creating an experi ence for leaders and commu nity members to make a com mitment to themselves, said Rev. Dr. Michael L. Bowie, Jr. National Executive Director of SBC21. “I know personally that healthy leaders are more likely to inspire healthy congrega tions and I also know that Black people are more likely not to

Each transformative event features live DJ, 360 photo booth experience, swag and prizes, incredible networking and other special guest to inspire exercise and eating well tips.

About SBC21 SBC21 is a program designed to assist United Methodist Churches with predominately black congregations become vi tal and effective in mission and ministry. It does this through its Collaborative Coaching & Training network, Office of So cial Justice, Mass Incarceration and Transformation program, National Network of Young

Adults, Black Church Matters and through other innova tive partnerships to revitalized churches, strengthen leaders and transform communities.

South Dallas Business Banking Team

Telley Lynette Gadson Photo: UM Pastor/District Superintendent

A Call for New Leadership - Introducing Faith Johnson

I’m so excited to introduce myself to those of you I haven’t had the privilege to meet yet.

I’m Faith Johnson and I’m running for Dallas County Dis trict Attorney.

It is my great honor to be fea tured in the Texas Metro News, I Messenger and Garland Jour nal because these publications are a testament to the long standing and deeply-rooted talent and thriving nature of the Black community.

But there have been great injustices in our land and it is time for new leadership. This is not about politics, this is about our way of life.

The Black community has so much to offer our society and we cannot thrive and prosper if we are constantly buried under fear, oppression, and crime.

Our county and our nation needs us like never before to rise up and step out to sow our many gifts and abilities into our county.

That’s why I’ve decided to run for Dallas County District Attorney.

Please see my website at https://faithjohnsonforda. com/faith-johnson for my ex tensive qualifications for the position.

But today, I want to speak to you from my heart.

My love for this county and her people runs deep. I long to see justice truly served in this county because when justice, enforcement, and the rule of law reign, all our people have the opportunity to thrive.

Now, I’m talking about true justice and enforcement of the laws already codified and on the books. Our laws are solid.

There may be a few that need adjusting and I’m committed to that process where it makes sense, but we need enforce ment and to de-incentivize criminal activity.

The current DA has activat ed and instituted policies that actually incentivize criminal

Black Women Speak cont. from page 1

on our backs. As the mother of mothers that have endured violence, sexism, racism and still, we have always been in the struggle for equality.

We must recognize White Su premacy is real. We must fight for the rights of our children and generations coming after us.

Our vote is our weapon. We can’t legislate anti-hate, but we can regulate it so that it won’t limit our rights to equality and equity. We must educate our high school seniors and college students about what they can do about it.

Overturning Roe vs. Wade, championed by mostly white men, is a smoke screen.

Taking away a women’s right to choose and at the same time upholding the right to car ry concealed weapons, is not about life.

It’s about politicians paid by

gun manufacturers, encour aging the birth of white babies and Black and Brown people being killed by police and hop ing Black and Brown people kill each other as our communities suffer from trauma, poverty and lack of opportunity.

Since this country is being populated with more people of color, some frightened and greedy controlling people are restricting our rights just to re main in control.

Overturning Roe vs. Wade is a signal that other civil rights will be eroded if we don’t wakeup. If Roe is about the right of the unborn, why are Black and Native American women two or three times more likely to die in pregnancy than white women, according to the CDC?

Isn’t a woman’s life important?

If it is about life, why don’t all children have access to quality healthcare and food?

activity and we are all feeling the consequences of that type of leadership.

Our jails are overrun, un derstaffed, and falling apart. Our streets are plagued with violence and thievery because they know they can get away with it.

Cowardice, corruption, or incompetence all yield the same result: more crime, more insecurity, more fear, which in turn drive higher stress in all of us until we snap or move somewhere else.

Enough is enough. It’s time for bold, strong leadership for

all of Dallas County, but espe cially for our Black communi ties.

We have too much talent and too many wonderful things to offer this county to be buried under lawlessness.

None of us want that.

Please take the time to get to know me between now and November 8th.

I will absolutely be asking for your vote and asking you to share my message with your friends and family.

But more than that, I’m ask ing for your help. This county can be greater than ever—a

shining place on a hill—but it will take every one of us.

We must come together around the values we hold dear of safe, prosperous com munities, and work together or we’ll never get to where we all long to be.

Don’t take my word for it— talk to your neighbors, the shop owners, the small busi ness owners—ask them if they feel safer.

Ask your grandparents or your aunts and uncles about how they’ve seen the county change.

Ask them if they feel safe to leave the house once the sun goes down. The policies and lack of enforcement by my op ponent are not serving us and our great county -- they’re kill ing it.

Lawlessness does not bring freedom and it certainly doesn’t bring justice. It brings fear and death to us all.

Join me as we get to work and make this county a safe place for you and your family to truly thrive!

Have a blessed week!

Most sincerely, Faith Johnson, your next Dallas County District Attor ney.

Civil rights are improved or restricted depending on who is in office. Roe vs. Wade and gun laws are all impacted by voting.

No one agrees with any poli tician all the time. Decide if the overall record and plan of the political candidate reflects jus tice and equity for us.

We must be more intention al in educating our children about their power to change the course of history through their collective vote. We cannot get caught up in hopelessness.

We must galvanize our peo ple in the spirit of activists and educators like Fannie Lou Hamer, Ida B. Wells, Mary Mc Leod Bethune, Congresswom an Shirley Chisholm and so many more Black women that changed history.

I implore Black Women of conscious to:

1. Educate ourselves and our children about local, state and federal elections

2. Support politicians with a

track record of supporting justice issues

3. Encourage all people we con nect with to VOTE

4. Do not succumb to hopeless ness

5. Donate to candidates with a clear interest in equity for our community

6. Understand we cannot be a one issue voter. Look at the totality of the issues each can didate represents and if they

reflect justice for us.

Lovingly, Debra Peek-Haynes

Debra’s Healing Kitchen

DHK Wellness Strategies, Inc.

Visit these sites for information about issues affect ing our community: www.ncnw. org. https://actionnetwork. org/groups/sisters-lead-sistersvote, www.ColorofChange.org, https://www.ncbcp.org, www. naacp.org.

masks,

hands and show love!

Faith Johnson