Texas Metro News 9-9-21

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• Vol. 10 • Sep. 9 - 15, 2021

MY TRUTH

By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER

I am not a scientist

If you can wear this mask...

I’ve been in the air quite a bit recently: Miami, Chicago, DC and Fort Lauderdale. It has been important for me to mix pleasure with business as we continue to navigate and survive as we strive for a peaceful existence during these times of a pandemic, social injustices, headline-grabbing trials and mask mania/rage/hysteria.

Wherever I go, when I mention that I live in Texas, the conversation takes on a different tone. The tone is not unfamiliar to me because there have been so many times that I have been asked to speak for Black people.

But to speak for Texans, to explain some of the nonsensical actions of those in power; well I “ain’t got time for that!”

• I do not, cannot, will not speak for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

• I do not, cannot, will not speak for the Texas Republicans who are annihilating Democrats in Austin and further disenfranchising Texas voters.

• I do not, cannot, will not speak for Texas Democrats who boldly left the State to avoid a vote on suppressive voting only to have some abandon the leverage they had and return home to pass the bill.

• I do not, cannot, will not speak for Texans who don’t vote.

See MY TRUTH, page 2

MUCH RESPECT! Dallas' own Skye Dakota Turner, who plays Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in movie, to be honored by City of Dallas today!

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CLASSIC AFFAIR More than 30,000 gathered for HBCU Battle Scenes from 2021 Orange Blossom Classic which coaches agree was more than a game!

Photos Credit: Richard A. Moore/TMN

Photo Credit: Cheryl Smith/TMN

When Domestic Violence Ends in Death — A Tribute to Banking Exec Michelle A. Avan

By Karen Earl

Special to Black Media

Hundreds gathered online and in person at Faithful Central Bible Church in Los Angeles for the home-going celebration of Michelle A. Avan on Aug. 27.

The 48-year-old senior banking executive was found beaten to death in her Reseda home on Aug. 5.

Viewers of the livestream expressed prayers and condolences, and especially shared how beautiful the celebration of her life was.

Their sentiments reflected the beauty and solemnity of the invocation, songs by an all-female youth ensemble, and a video presenta-

Michelle A. Avan

tion of the beloved mother, daughter, sister and friend in her personal and professional life experiences.

Avan’s son Trevon Avan and daughter Nyah Avan shared some of their endearing and humorous moments with her. They were best friends, more like sisters, said her daughter,

as she took deep breaths.

She loved to dress up in her mom’s clothing, and grew to love to pick out Avan’s attire, especially for award ceremonies and galas.

“I know her spirit will still continue to help me through my own award ceremonies, because she’ll give my aunties, my uncles, my cousins, my grandparents, my dad, her sister-friends, her village, the strength to help carry me and my brother on during these difficult times,” said her daughter, brimming with pride.

“I never thought that this would happen to someone like her; someone who beSee DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, page 13

By Cheryl Smith Labor Day weekend has become even bigger for HBCUs and their football programs, especially those participating in classics.

Spirited rivalries, as well as a different level of safety and security has been the catalyst for more fans donning masks, and even getting shots so they can participate in the HBCU classic experience; especially after over a year hiatus for many because of the pandemic.

See CLASSIC AFFAIR, page 12

Triumphing by FAITH DeSoto honors local hero, Corey Borner

DeSoto Mayor Rachel Proctor, Michael Borner Sr. Charlotte Borner and Corey Borner

During Tuesday’s DeSoto City Council Meeting, Mayor Rachel L. Proctor honored local hero Corey Borner with an Official Proclamation declaring Tuesday, September 7, 2021, “Corey Borner Day” in the City of DeSoto.

Corey’s inspirtional story, including his most recent graduation from UNT and his efforts to walk again after a devastating 2009 high school football injury is worthy of coverage.

You can also view footage via the City of DeSoto’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/desototx or on the website http:// www.desototexas.gov/desototownhall.

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South Dallas BPW ends year awarding $41,600 in scholarships; begins 34th administration

Community Engagement Day Speaker

Dr. Y. Falami Devoe

SDBPWC Membership

The national award-winning South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. Ended its 33rd administration, led

by Dr. Lindy M. Perkins, by awarding $41,600 in scholarships to nine worthy

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Publisher : Cheryl Smith Editor: editor@myimessenger.com Address: 320 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 100 Dallas, Tx 75203 Website: www.texasmetronews.com Phone: 214-941-0110

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.

WASH HANDS WEAR MASK

Dr. Lindy Perkins, 33rd President

high school seniors in the Dallas metroplex.

Scholarship recipients were: Chloe Brackens, Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Cen-

ter; Javon Brown, DeSoto High School; Evan Davis, Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center; Aislyn George, Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center; Lakyria Jones, Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center; Michelle Kalu, DeSoto High School; Jada Leonard, Village Tech Schools; Shannon Lewis, Cedar Hill High School; Marcie McCorkle, Duncanville High School; Erin Renfro, Duncanville High School; and Elsabet Samuel, Lakeview Centennial High School.

President Perkins did not stop at the Club’s impressive $41,600 in scholarship donations, she continued soliciting donations from corporate and community partners up until the last week of her role as the 33rd club president. With her passion for educating youth, Dr. Perkins exceeded the Club’s 2021 goal by surpassing $50,000 and providing a great start for the upcoming 2021-2022 scholarship presentations.

Ollie Gilstrap, the incoming 34th club president, held a virtual President’s

Retreat on August 28 and presented an impressive platform that promises to move the historic South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club to higher heights in quality community programs and scholarship donations for 2022.

Mrs. Ollie Gilstrap, 34th President

For more information on the South Dallas Club, visit its website at www. southdallasbpwc.org, or Facebook and Instagram sites at southdallas1954.

My Truth Ed Bell Construction Company An Equal Opportunity Employer September 1, 2021 Ed Bell Construction is a Dallas based heavy highway contractor doing business in the North Texas market since 1963. With clients such as TxDOT, Dallas County Public Works, and the Cities of Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson and Mansfield (plus many others), we have a strong backlog of work in the highway market locally.

We are currently hiring for the following positions: • • • • • • • • • •

Pipe layer (Underground) Concrete Finisher (Paving) Dozer Operator (Earthwork) Loader Operator (Earthwork) Form Setter (Structures, Paving) Laborer (Earthwork, Underground) Boom Mobile Crane Operator (CDL) Motor Grader Operator (Earthwork) Excavator Operator (Earthwork, Underground) Work Zone Barricade Servicer-must have DL and be bilingual with clear English

Available: multiple openings Rate: Negotiable Must have own transportation Years of Experience required will vary, from 6 months to 2 years (depending on position) Physical and Drug Screen Required Must have a Clear Background Must be at least 18 years old (CDL Driver, 21 yrs) Must APPLY IN PERSON at 10605 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75220 from 7am-11am Mon-Fri. Please visit our website: www.edbellconstruction.com/careers Or email your resume to: careers@edbellconstruction.com

from page 1

• AND, while I won’t get into it with those who won’t take the COVID vaccine; I do not, cannot, will not speak for those who can’t wait to put on a Halloween or Mardi Gras mask but will fight you about wearing a K95 mask.

So with over 633,786 deaths attributed to COVID-19 on death certificates, according to the Center for Disease Control, people have to make a decision about what they want to do.

They say you can’t live

Our speaker, Dr. Y. “Falami” Devoe, will focus on the importance of self and collective care. With COVID-19 fatigue as a reality, it is important to discover tools that can be used to protect our well-being in the midst of so much uncertainty.

A womanist, participatory action research scholar-activist, and poet, with interdisciplinary interests at the intersections of race, class, gender, identity, sexuality, ethnography, and pedagogy.

Dr. Devoe’s work documents Black women’s experiences of resilience, resistance, agency and affirmation and she will share sustainable practices of healing, liberation and well-being. As an executive coach, she centers self-care as a liberatory act in strengthening one’s leadership skills.

Dr. Devoe has presented at the National Women Studies Conference, National Council of Black Studies, and Faculty Women of Color conferences. She received her PhD from the Graduate School of Leadership and Change from Antioch University, her M.A. in Leadership and Change and M.A. in Educational Leadership from Antioch University, and a B.A. from Hampton University. She is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Connect with Dr. Y. Falami Devoe @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yfalami Community Engagement Day is Thursday, September 30, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. virtually.

for everyone, but I have to live for myself and the people I care about, who happen to be everyone.

Which brings me to my truth.

I will wear a mask. I will encourage others around me to wear a mask or I distance myself.

I went to college to be a journalist. I have the receipts to prove it.

I also have receipts that show I didn’t do too well in biology or physical science; so what I am going to do is use my journalistic research skills and find some scientists who can educate me on the topic.

I don’t reach out to Dr. Google or Dr. Wikipedia.

There are people who spent numerous hours and years studying for a time such as this.

The person you need to talk to may not be your homie, a relative or even a classmate, because if your classmate is failing those science classes, you won’t know.

If wearing a mask keeps down the drama, heck, just for giggle sake; act like you are going to a party and wear it. Think about someone other than yourself, because “oops” doesn’t mean a thing and no-one wants to hear “I’m sorry” when your non-symptomatic self has someone laid up on a ventilator.

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• Vol-10

• September 9 - 15, 2021

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Time for Democracy to Work OUR VOICES

By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. The right to vote is fundamental to a democracy. Today in America, however, that right is under partisan attack across the country. If it is to be defended, nonpartisan reforms must pass across a partisan divide.

The question now is whether Democrats will join together to protect the right to vote from the assault it faces from Republicans at every level of government.

That assault is clear and unrelenting. Right-wing justices on the Supreme Court — appointed by Republican presidents — have systematically undermined the right to vote — gutting the Voting

Rights Act, opening the door to unlimited and secret money from corporations and the super-rich, and enabling partisan gerrymandering free of judicial review. At the state level, Republican operatives and politicians have echoed Donald Trump’s Big Lie about the 2020 election — a lie refuted

by Trump’s own attorney general,

by Trump-appointed judges and

by Republican election officials.

They have all used fictitious delusions about fraud as an excuse to pass a bevy of laws to make voting harder in states that they control. Thus far, 18 Republican-controlled states have passed laws to limit access to the ballot box, or, even more dangerously, to undercut an independent, nonpartisan counting of the ballots cast.

And at the national level, Republicans in the Senate have joined at the hip to block efforts

to reform election laws to protect free and fair elections. They have used the filibuster to block the ability of the majority to act.

The reality is indisputable. One party — the party supported by a minority of the American people — is seeking to make it harder to vote.

One party supported by a growing majority is seeking to make voting easier. That isn’t new. After the Civil War, the 14th and 15th Amendments, which guaranteed freed slaves the right to vote and to equal protection under the laws, were only passed over the bitter partisan opposition of Southern Democrats. Modern-day Republicans are now following in the footsteps of the plantation Democrats of the Old South, who enacted the Jim Crow laws that suppressed the Black vote for decades.

Are today’s Democrats prepa-

Comerica Bank Honored Comerica Bank has been selected as one of four Leaders in Financial Education Award (LiFE) winners by the Texas Bankers Foundation. The bank was recently honored at the Texas Bankers Association’s 136th Annual Convention in Austin during a special awards luncheon on August 26.

“At Comerica, we remain committed to making impactful and innovative investments in the communities we serve.” said Vanessa T. Reed, Comerica Bank National External Affairs Manager. “In addition to providing access to capital, we quickly identified the importance of empowering under-resourced small business owners and entrepreneurs through financial education and technical assistance as they navigated through unprecedented times. We are honored to receive the LiFE award for our contribution to a more inclusive and equitable economic recovery for all Texans.”

The Leaders in Financial Education Award (LiFE) acknowledges and honors Texas banks that are dedicated leaders in promoting consumer and financial education in their communities.

Last spring, the Comerica Bank External Affairs team launched Business $ense bootcamps in partnership with several of its community partners that serve underserved communities; including but not limited to Women and

Brandon Jones, Texas External Affairs Manager; Vanessa T. Reed, National External Affairs Manager; and Irvin Ashford, Jr., Chief Community Officer Photo Credit: Rob Wilson of RC Photographic Productions, Inc.

Minority Business Resource Centers and Minority Chambers of Commerce and Diversity & Supplier councils. The free virtual workshop series were designed to help small businesses and entrepreneurs scale and sustain during the pandemic. Some of the topics presented include marketing/ branding, legal matters, government contracting and access to capital.

Participants also have access to business coaches from the nonprofit partners in addition to Comerica Bank representatives, who lend their financial expertise during each bootcamp.

The Comerica Financial Education Brigade, comprised of colleagues at every level have volunteered, ranging from the chief economist and supplier diversity manager to market presidents and commercial and retail bankers.

“It is our great pleasure to recognize this year’s LiFE Award recipients. This award celebrates the banks and bankers who are dedicated leaders in promoting financial education,” said Chris Furlow, president & CEO of the Texas Bankers Association. “Those recognized this year have had a significant impact on their communities and we are honored to congratulate them on their efforts.”

For 32 years, the Texas Bankers Association and Foundation have honored those who have served in the banking industry for 50 years or more. The Foundation has since expanded its awards portfolio to recognize banks and TBA members who give back to the community, promote financial literacy and showcase excellence in their fields.

red to protect the right to vote against their efforts? On August 16, the population data from the recent census will be released to the states. This will trigger a flurry of redistricting with Republicans intent on partisan gerrymandering that could give them enough rigged seats to win the House.

Two Democratic senators — West Virginia’s Joe Manchin and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema — argue that they will oppose suspending or repealing the filibuster to pass voter reforms because they should be passed on a bipartisan basis.

“The right to vote is fundamental to our American democracy and protecting that right should not be about party or politics,” wrote Manchin, adding that “protecting this right … should never be done in a partisan manner.”

Surely, it would be preferable to pass reforms with the support of

both parties, but it is impossible when one party is all in on voter suppression. The Democratic leadership plans to give Manchin the chance to enlist Republican support for the modest election reforms that Manchin backs.

There is no sign that he can gain anything close to the 10 Republican votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Delay is a loser’s game.

It is time for Democrats to act, and for Manchin and Sinema to face reality. Congress must pass reforms to outlaw partisan gerrymandering and protect access to the ballot box before it is too late.

That will require suspending or repealing the filibuster and ending the ability of the minority to frustrate the will of the majority.

It’s time for our democracy to work — this time to protect itself.

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is president and CEO of the Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition.

UNCF Dallas hosts second National Virtual Walk for Education Continuing a recent trend of safety and social dis- students of colors, fueling their progress,” said Dr. Mitancing during a pandemic while raising money for chael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “Througha great cause, the UNCF National Virtual Walk for out the last year, we have seen an enormity of racial Education® will stream live and on-demand Satur- division and strife, which has been compounded for day, Sept. 18. our students by the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue Viewers are invited to walk, run, bike and/or dance to find ourselves at a crossroads where the need of along with the digital program to help raise funds for our students and the demand on our member HBCUs students of color across North Texas and Oklahoma is larger than ever before. who are trying to get to and “I’ve said this before, through college. and I’ll say it again—we are Registration now open to This event has temporarily at risk of washing away a all across North Texas and replaced the annual in-person generation of talented and walk events that many of the deserving African American Oklahoma for an exciting UNCF local offices conduct and minority students. Donadigital fundraising event each spring, summer and fall, tions are urgently needed to taking what’s typically been a ensure our next generation market-by-market approach on to a fully nationwide of American doctors, nurses, virologists, teachers program. and technologists—pandemic frontliners—can get to The UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education® college, succeed and graduate. We invite everyone raises funds to support (HBCUs). Texas is host to nine to register and join our Virtual Walk for Education to HBCUs, including UNCF-members Jarvis Christian, Tex- help ensure better futures for us all.” as and Wiley Colleges.

Current local sponsors of the UNCF National Virtual While the country continues to practice social dis- Walk for Education® are Kroger, tancing, the event will engage participants in activities H-E-B, QuikTrip, University of Texas at Arlington to walk, run, cycle and dance safely—all the while hav- and media sponsor Majic 94.5 and 97.9 The Beat. ing fun and still raising money for UNCF. The digital fundraiser will also honor local supportThe show will feature celebrity appearances and ers and highlight UNCF students. Participants will be performances, culminating with a performance by DJ able to engage in an interactive experience including MC Lyte. The Walk program will begin streaming live up-beat music to dance to all in honor of supporting online at 11 a.m. CDT on Sept. 18, and on-demand HBCUs and their students. immediately following the premiere until Sept. 30.

To register for the event, go to UNCF.org/NorthTex“During our 77 years and despite heavy odds, asWalk. Also follow the event on social media @UNCF UNCF has continued to move the needle for HBCUs and #LACEUP4UNCF #UNCF.

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Lessons from another year around the sun FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

By Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew I’m so blessed. My mother and I always celebrate our birthdays together.

Her birthday is September 5th and my birthday is the 6th. It is a gift to have her in my life. I am grateful for her love, wisdom, and strength.

She has taught me so much and as we both grow older, it’s been amazing to walk this journey together. We have gone through so many experiences together—so much fun, so many new opportunities, so much love, and a lot of pain and loss.

I am the most appreciative of her not only teaching me about God but living out what it means to be a Christian. She models for me what it means to love even when it is hard. She lives out patience and kindness and yet, has developed boundaries to protect her peace, joy, and sanity.

I continue to take what she’s taught me and made it a part of my life. Life has also taught me a lot. In celebrating this new year around the sun, I’d like to reflect on some lessons I’ve learned: 1. Your words matter.

The other day, a wonderful lady wrote a post discussing an experience she had in her early 20s. She elaborated on the impact of older women pouring into her life and her gratitude.

I was thankful she thought about me. We’ve had a number of conversations and I’ve been so impressed with her brilliance and tenacity. Little did I know that I made a difference in her life.

It’s important to make sure that our words are empowering and offer life.

“Therefore encourage one

another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV) Your words have power.

2. Sow and reaping are real.

Lately, I’ve seen so many people make decisions that only serve them not recognizing the consequences that may go far beyond them. I witness people driving reckless because they are trying to get somewhere quickly instead of leaving early.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh….”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-4) I’ll never forget the news story of a lady who didn’t want to be late for work. She had been written up for it and was afraid for her job. One morning, she hit someone and instead of stopping, she went to work.

Ultimately, she was arrested.

The crazy thing is that she will no longer have to worry about being late for work because of her decision. She was shortsighted and although it wasn’t intentional to hurt someone, her inability to think about consequences of her actions cost her severely.

“For each will have to bear his own load. One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the

one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:5-18) Plant well for a good harvest.

3. Time is precious and limited. Use it well and know the season you are in.

It’s been overwhelming to witness the number of losses that have occurred during this pandemic. Just this week, I’ve seen friends and colleagues lose spouses, mothers, and children.

We do not know the day or hour that we will leave this planet but what we do know is that we have been given the opportunity to use our lives in a way that bring joy to others and glorify God. Every day matters. How are you making memories and a difference with your life? Time is a currency. How are you spending it?

Just as there are seasons to determine the times of the year, we also have seasons in our life. Pay attention to the season you are in. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh….” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4) There are so many more lessons that I’ve learned, and others were affirmations of what I knew but needed to be reminded. I have so much to be thankful for! God is so good and I’m grateful for my family and my friends.

Here’s to another year around the sun…Happy Birthday to me!

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the host of the Tapestry Podcast and the author of three books for women. She is also the Vice President of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas. To learn more, visit drfroswa.com.

How Did We Get Here?

WAKE UP AND STAY WOKE

By Dr. E. Faye Williams So much negative goes on each day. We don’t recover from one thing before we are faced with another.

A few days ago in Washington, D.C., many of us got up and went through our morning routine without incident.

Before we had breakfast or that first cup of coffee, the breaking news came across the television that we had yet another crisis. Somebody had chosen the area near the Library of Congress and the Cannon House Office Building, where I once worked, to park and make a bomb threat. Naturally, this set off a massive police presence, yet another disruption of staff trying to get their work done, and finally an evacuation of the buildings. Capitol Hill police were called out once again, and they have not yet recovered from the trauma of Jan. 6, but here we go again.

At the same time, people all over are trying to manage life with the coronavirus still growing when we not long ago thought we were conquering it.

Many are still struggling with the loss of family and friends.

Now, we’re busy trying to get students back in school safely while some governors are defying logic and working against the efforts of school districts to create a safe environment for students and teachers by requiring the wearing of masks.

We are finding that hypocrites like Donald Trump and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who’ve put up every roadblock possible while having contracted the virus themselves — but they can afford the best of treatment while they are OK with talking people out of getting the vaccination so needed to prevent others from getting the virus or at least softening the blow if they do get it.

As we try to rescue our democracy from the damage done by many Republicans,

too many are spending their time harassing President Joe Biden, who is trying to get our nation out of Afghanistan. This is a time when our president and our military need our support, but too many people are on television acting like they know how to do this job better.

We’ve had white supremacy all of our lives, but instead of equality, things in that area are getting worse. This time, the problems are not found only in the South. The problem is nationwide! People feel perfectly OK expressing the meanest, most hateful behaviors ever seen. Yes, we’ve always had meanness, but Trump and his followers definitely gave people permission to openly be their worst selves.

I went to the grocery store recently. I purchased bathroom tissue, paper towels and a bag of salad greens. Imagine my surprise when the bill was $52!

Add to all of the above, and you’ll find voter suppression as we’ve not seen since we, Black people, fought for and gained the right to vote. In Fulton County, Georgia, where everything went well and was audited with no glitches, Republicans are trying to take away the right of people in the county to manage their own election!

Recently I was in Birmingham, Alabama, and I witnessed the desecration of a monument to a civil rights giant, Bishop Calvin Woods, while learning about a law in the state that protects Confederate statues — but not civil rights monuments. Something is definitely wrong!

Don’t forget the tragedy in Haiti from the earthquake.

Many of us would like to help, but we can’t seem to get our own nation straight. If we ever needed God’s intervention, we need it now because too many in our nation have lost their way. We need a miracle right now to set us on the right path where honesty, sincerity and caring about others mean something.

Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. Contact her via www.nationalcongressbw.org.

• Vol-10

March for Free and Fair Access to the Ballot TO BE EQUAL

By Marc Morial At the time of the 1963 March on Washington, where 23-yearold John Lewis was the youngest speaker, fewer than 20 percent of the Black citizens of his home state of Alabama were registered to vote.

County registration offices were open as seldom as two days a month, usually during the workday. The rare white employer who gave a Black employee time off to register risked economic retaliation from the local White Citizens Council.

Those who managed to make it

“We are tired. We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again. And then you holler, “Be patient.” How long can we be patient? We want our freedom, and we want it now.”

— John Lewis, March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Aug. 28, 1963

A Black citizen who successfully completed the application and the arduous and nonsensical literacy test, still could be rejected arbitrarily by the all-white Board of Registrars.

So it was throughout the South, until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed these racist tactics, and Black voter participation steadily grew until the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Act in 2013.

Shelby v. Holder, the Court’s worst decision in a civil rights

racy, denounce voter suppression and ensure fair, easy access to the vote for all through the passage of comprehensive federal legislation.

Marches will take place Aug. 28 in five flagship cities — Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. — as well as in towns and cities across America where individuals and organizations launch and host them. I’ll be speaking at the Washington, D.C., march, along with Mr. King and Rev. Sharpton.

Rep. John Lewis in a vintage photo taken in Selma, Alabama (Courtesy of John Lewis via Twitter)

to stand in the long, slow-moving registration lines faced harassment, intimidation and the possibility of arrest on false charges.

The information entered on the application form would be shared with the Citizens Council and Ku Klux Klan.

Under the “voucher system,” applicants needed a registered voter to swear under penalty of perjury that the applicant met the qualifications to vote. In some counties, the few registered Black voters were permitted to vouch for only two or three applicants per year. Other counties had not a single registered Black voter who could vouch for applicants.

case since 1896’s Plessy v. Ferguson ushered in the era of Jim Crow, cleared the way for an onslaught of racially motivated voter suppression laws that threaten to return the nation to those dark days.

That is why, on Aug. 28 — 58 years to the day after the historic March on Washington — I’m proud to be joining Martin Luther King III, the Rev. Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders to help to lead Americans on another march to demand federal voting rights protection.

March On For Voting Rights is a nonviolent, nonpartisan mass mobilization to demand that elected officials protect democ-

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Shelby v. Holder may have opened the floodgates for racially motivated voter suppression laws — within 24 hours of the ruling, Texas announced a strict photo ID law, and Mississippi and Alabama began enforcing laws that previously had been struck down. But historically high Black voter turnout in the 2020 Presidential election and 2021 U.S Senate runoff election in Georgia accelerated and intensified the deluge. Just this year, anti-democracy legislators in 48 states have introduced nearly 400 proposals that would make it harder for Americans to vote, and 18 states have enacted 30 of them.

These laws limit or outright ban the voting methods that led to high turnout: ballot drop boxes and mail-in voting, early voting days and hours, even criminalizing the distribution of water to voters waiting in the long, slow-moving lines that recall the days of John Lewis’ youth.

Most of these laws would have been struck down under the preclearance provision of the Voting Rights Act that Shelby v. Holder eliminated. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, introduced in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives earlier this week, reinstates that provision.

The For the People Act, which passed the House in March and remains stalled in the Senate, creates a standard of federal voting rights, such as modernizing voter registration processes, as well as ending gerrymandering and enforcing campaign finance laws. It also facilitates information sharing between federal and state governments about threats to state election systems.

Speaking at the 1963 March, National Urban League Executive Director Whitney M. Young Jr. said, “How serious our national leaders are will be measured not by words but by the speed and sincerity with which they pass necessary legislation with which they admit to the tragic injustice that has been done our country and its Negro citizens by historic discrimination and rejection.”

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act are the “necessary legislation” of which he spoke, and on Aug. 28, we will march to demand them.

Find out more at marchonforvotingrights.org and follow the conversation on social media using the hashtag #VotingRightsMarch As John Lewis urged in 1963, “Get in and stay in the streets of every city, every village and hamlet of this nation until true freedom comes, until the revolution of 1776 is complete.”

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

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The Vaccine, Masks and Our Children OUR VOICES

By Dr. John E. Warren First let us say the vaccine saves lives. The life of the person vaccinated and the lives of those they come in contact with. The low deaths, if not no deaths, of those vaccinated should be proof for the doubters.

Second, masks save lives as evidenced by the statistical non spread among those wearing masks covering their mouth and nose. This is a scientific fact well documented. The combination of vaccines and masks save lives.

The virus is not political, only its victims. This brings us to the issue of our children. All our children are victims without our intervention. We cannot give them a vaccine, but we can give them masks and we know the masks work against the virus.

Question: Why put the children at risk with our own personal issues?

If the masks work and children are given the opportunity to understand why it’s necessary, then we save little lives and that’s more important than party politics over the virus. Until the vaccine is approved for children, masks should be a requirement and the priority should be saving the lives of our children as well as ourselves.

Finally, all elements of government, federal, state, county and local as well as businesses should require the vaccine and those who object have a right to file lawsuits to sell the issue.

The lives of our children are more important than litigation.

Let’s take the vaccine, wear the masks and live. Too many lives have already been lost due to foolishness over vaccines and masks. Let’s get real serious about the vaccine, the masks, and our children.

Dr. John Warren is the Publisher of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint and the 2021 NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

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“FLAG”

WHAT’S ON MILES’ MIND

By Miles Jaye “I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” I was just a kid when I first heard these words. I had to recite them in class and in assembly in what I can best recall, was kindergarten. I remember placing my little hand over my heart-- that made it serious. In fact, to this day, the only other time I can’t think of placing one’s hand over their heart is during the national anthem. The hand over the heart is a civilian salute versus a military salute where the right hand is placed at the right brow.

Looking back, I can’t help wondering what kindergarteners, first graders or even second graders could have possibly made of such a phrase as “I pledge allegiance.” What meaning could be made of a pledge, an oath, a vow of allegiance, loyalty, fealty to the flag.

Is it at all possible that our young minds grasped the significance of the symbolism? I don’t remember a teacher taking time to explain these abstract concepts, but only through repetition did we memorize the words. Some might call it indoctrination, forcing a set of principles or beliefs on someone or a group without explanation or critical discourse. It works best on the young. This is true throughout history.

This is true throughout the world.

As the recitation continues with “to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands…”

Wait! I know grown folks who have no idea what is meant by a republic. Why pledge to a republic and not to the nation or the democracy or the Constitution for which it stands? A republic is distinctly different than a nation. In fact, there is ongoing scholarly debate concerning the identification of the U.S. as a republic or a Constitutional Democracy.

Simply put, the essence of a republic is self-governance, governing by representatives of the people, elected by the people, working for the people-- no kings, queens, czars or potentates, as seen in monarchs or autocracies. Interestingly,

a nation, by definition, presupposes a homogenous population comprised of a commonality of culture, language, history, and descent-- the exact opposite of a population as diverse as our own.

There is another flag to which millions of Americans pledge their allegiance, one which does not display 50 white stars on a blue background and 13 red and white stripes, and that’s the Confederate Flag. In spite of the scrutiny and protest surrounding the bitter divisiveness of the Dixie Flag, the rebel flag, there are those would lay down their lives in defense of that Southern Cross.

This serves as a reminder, to me, that a flag is no less than a powerful symbol of a people and their deep seated, generational beliefs. It’s worth remembering this when we view the world, its nations and its peoples and their pledges to their beliefs.

Problems arise when one group attempts to impose their beliefs, values, principles, and cultural norms on another. Conflict arises when one group views another with disdain and contempt born out of a sense of superiority and supremacy. The flag in this instance, can be wielded as a weapon as we witnessed on January 6, 2021.

The flag always leads the battle.

The flag embodies the spirit of battle. As the flag has become a symbol of a history of hate as seen on countless pickup trucks throughout my state of Florida, do I continue to hold dear and in my heart that which I revered not only as a child, but also as a soldier?

As the flag has become a symbol of oppression, do I, can I ever utter those lofty, noble words to the Pledge of Allegiance again? On January 6th we witnessed men, policemen, beaten with flags, American and Confederate, the way men are beaten with Billy Clubs, by policemen. What then of the flag?

Take one guess who said these words: “It is time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget; that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots, we all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, and we all salute the same great American Flag.” --Donald Trump That’s what’s on my mind!

Website: www.milesjaye.net Podcast: https://bit.ly/2zkhSRv Email: milesjaye360@gmail.com

Leading By Example — Biden’s Anti-Bias Executive Order

By Derrick Johnson and Michele Ruiz Earlier this Summer, President Biden issued a sweeping Executive Order, which advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility or “DEI&A” initiatives throughout the federal government. With a stroke of the pen, Biden has positively impacted practically every area of federal employment, including hiring policies, training, leadership development, and employee pay and benefits. As leaders in the civil rights and business community who prioritize DEI&A, we applaud the President for taking this next step to address unconscious bias and attract, develop, and support a federal workforce that truly represents our nation.

By issuing the order, Biden is directing each agency head to “…take steps to implement or increase the availability and use of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility training programs for employees, managers, and leadership.”

Derrick Johnson is President and CEO of the NAACP

DEI&A initiatives and training make governments, businesses, and organizations stronger. Surveys show that 67% of job seekers consider workplace diversity an important factor when considering employment opportunities. Sixty-one percent of employees believe diversity and inclusion strategies are beneficial and essential. If the federal government wants to attract and retain the best talent, it needs DEI&A training and programs with all deliberate speed.

Bias in policymaking—whether systemic or unconscious—has historically resulted in adverse outcomes for communities of color and other marginalized groups. From immigration legislation to healthcare policy to education, programs need to be designed and implemented with an eye toward how they will affect all citizens, regardless of their race or eco-

Michele Ruiz is Co-Founder and CEO of BiasSync

nomic circumstances. According to the White House, overcoming bias in public policy around wages, housing credit, lending, and access to higher education could amount to an additional $5 trillion in gross domestic product in the American economy over the next five years.

Unconscious bias experts cite, and numerous studies demonstrate that not addressing unconscious bias leads to high turnover, low morale, less innovation, increased legal risk, and less effective teams. Without question, making federal service more accessible and fairer to diverse groups is the right thing to do; it is also better for our economy and our democracy. Fact is a diverse, inclusive, creative, and productive federal workforce best reflects the face of the nation at home and abroad. Whether trying to devise solutions to fix the housing crisis or ensure access to broadband technology, it also ensures a range of unique perspectives is incorporated into innovative and public-focused services and solutions the government provides to the American people.

Similar conclusions can be made in the private sector. In 2017 Harvard Business Review/University of Chicago study estimated that corporate employee disengagement and alienation cost companies between $450 and $550 billion per year.

That is why many corporate leaders prioritize best-in-class, science-based anti-bias training from the C-Suite to entry-level employees.

If America is going to continue to lead the world by the power of our ideas, as President Biden has said, we must go a step further and lead by the power of our example. Our nation deserves nothing less.

Derrick Johnson is President and CEO of the NAACP and Michele Ruiz is Co-Founder and CEO of BiasSync.

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Grassroots Organizers Should Be Celebrated in Georgia’s 95% Voter Registration Rate Executive Director, ProGeorgia

There is a constant dance Georgia organizers must play to make sure that all who want to vote have a full and fair opportunity to do so. The everpresent reality of voter purging, combined with a looming threat that AVR may not always be an option, means that organizers are working overtime to uphold democracy and make sure that the voices and votes of everyday people are heard.

While reporting largely credits our state’s automatic voter registration (AVR) program for the gains we’ve seen since 2016 when the program was first implemented, it tells an incomplete story about our state’s voter registration success. Grassroots organizers have played a significant role in getting the state to adopt the compulsory registration process and have been extraordinary advocates for voting rights.

For years, organizers and advocates have rallied on the ground, lobbying the state legislature and elected and appointed officials, to draw

Recent 2020 Census results reveal that Georgia has become increasingly diverse, with the growth of Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities surging over the past 10 years.

attention to the importance of making voting easier for Georgians. Only after years of intense indepth research, intense pressure and advocacy, and consequential lawsuits, and just before one of the most consequential presidential elections in recent history, did then-Secretary of State Brian Kemp authorize the revamped AVR process that we benefit from today.

It seems unlikely that state actors, who for nearly two dates allowed motor voter registration to languish, would have authorized this plan were it not for grassroots organizers.

One look at the state’s continued attempts at voter suppression shows you that AVR alone is not enough to keep Georgia’s voter registration rates high.

In 2017, then-Secretary Kemp oversaw the removal of more than 534,000 voters from the voter rolls just months before he narrowly won the state Governor’s race. As of 2019, more than a quarter million voters have been moved to “inactive” status, making them eligible for removal by 2023.

Just last month, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office cancelled more than 101,000 voter registrations.

There is a constant dance Georgia organizers must play to make sure that all who want to vote have a full and fair opportunity to do so. The everpresent reality of voter purging, combined with a looming threat that AVR may not always be an option, means that organizers

are working overtime to uphold democracy and make sure that the voices and votes of everyday people are heard.

Recent 2020 Census results reveal that Georgia has become increasingly diverse, with the growth of Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities surging over the past 10 years.

As Georgia’s demographics continue to shift, the very people who increasingly comprise critical segments of our society are the same people who are disproportionately targeted by voter suppression.

Georgia’s civic-minded organizers and a broad swath of organizations who work in coalition understand that change happens at the intersection of access, engagement, and representation. Equity and opportunity will only prevail when all people have fair access to the ballot, can rigorously engage on the issues that matter, and have adequate representation to ensure that their voices and votes are manifested in policymaking.

It may be easy to credit a technological process with increasing voter registration in the state. But we cannot and should not shortchange the critical work of organizing and advocacy that takes place here each day. Georgia’s organizers stand on the front lines of civic engagement and voter participation and they – not technology alone – will help shape and safeguard our state’s democracy for generations to come.

• September 9 - 15, 2021

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Hating for Sport OUR VOICES

By Askia Muhammad

By Tamieka Atkins

The recent release of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s biennial report brought welcome news that 95% of Georgia’s votingeligible population is currently registered to vote. This is a tremendous feat, especially for the state with such a long and sordid history of voter suppression and intimidation.

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I first met the brilliant comedian and social activist Dick Gregory in 1968, and for the next 49 years until his passing in 2017, he always insisted that young white people would save America because they saw things differently from the way their bigoted parents saw them. I think my brilliant friend was wrong about that.

I think Dick Gregory believed in the “ghost” of decency that unfortunately does not exist in sufficient numbers of white folks to “save” America from herself.

Sure, there are plenty of “good” white folks, young and old. I know several myself. But their numbers and power appear to be unable to even slow the rising tide of race hate in all age and all income groups of white people.

Since the country’s twice-impeached president, whose father was arrested after a Queens, New York, Ku Klux Klan rally in 1927, rose into office, all the boundaries of the need for human decency have been tossed into the trash by white folks who see themselves being outnumbered soon, and vulnerable to political defeat unless they cheat and rig the electoral system in their own favor.

Now, with incidents of racist “Karen” encounters too numerous to keep track of, and the unrelenting drumbeat of murders of unarmed Black men, the evidence of white hate boiling over is unmistakable.

For decades, spanning the entirety of Dick Gregory’s public career, the infamous Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) had law enforcement strategists and the public worried, directing nearly all government resources into policing “Black extremists” as the greatest domestic terrorism threat, while ignoring what is now seen as the grave danger from so-called “disaffected” whites — radical right-wingers, members of QAnon, the Proud Boys, the Three Percenters, the Oath Keepers, and other so-called “sovereign citizens” who either don’t recognize the authority of the federal government, or who want certain states or counties to secede from the union to form a nation by and for white people, first and foremost.

Those are the core of the insurrectionists who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, at the command of President No. 45. They avoided detection and scrutiny, and are now brazenly

conducting unlawful violent acts because of their seething race hatred.

Charleston, S.C. murderer Dylann Roof — a young man — whose death penalty was recently upheld in a federal court, admitted that he plotted for months to murder Black worshipers at a historic church, in order to foment a race war.

In Salinas, California, white children collectively behave as badly as racist adults during the height of the Southern anti-segregation battles. One student there said she’s heard racial slurs since elementary school. Now, as a freshman, she fears walking down the hallways of Alisal High School, she told USA Today.

A group of students allegedly defaced a Black doll during a school jamboree. Some white children created an Instagram account for the doll that the students had named “Shaniqua.” Photos show markings on the doll that appear to be an ankle monitor bracelet drawn around the doll’s ankle and scribble marks on the face. In a video posted on TikTok, several students are seen stomping on the doll.

These were schoolchildren. Sorry Greg, these rascals today are no better than their grandparents were in Dixie. And this is in the education system that is supposed to be preparing the youth for the future.

“I don’t want this to be minimized as just a joke or silly kids,” said Jordana Henry, a parent, teacher and leader in the school’s Black Girl Magic Club. “This is white supremacy.”

Is there any wonder that white adults in more than 25 Republican-led states have passed or proposed restrictions on how teachers can discuss racism and sexism in a movement that started under Mr. Trump after The New York Times Magazine published its “1619 Project” in 2019. Their opposition is to the teaching of what they call “critical race theory.”

Civil rights historians call it “truth.”

Meanwhile, some white grown-folks have abandoned all masks of civility.

J.D. Vance, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Ohio, discarded all civility when he suggested that he has an advantage in the race because “our people hate the right people.” Vance, the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” made the comment during an interview with The American Conservative magazine in late July.

It’s okay now, for them to just come out in the open with their race hate. It almost feels like some white folks are openly spouting their racism for sport, like in the 1950s.

WPFW News Director Askia Muhammad is also a poet, and a photojournalist. He is Senior Editor for The Final Call newspaper and he writes a weekly column in The Washington Informer.

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SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS AT THE MOVIES

By Hollywood Hernandez

SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS features father and son as the masters of unarmed Kung fu.

Shang Chi is forced to face his past when he's drawn back into the five rings by his father who's known as the world's most dangerous man with the power of the ten rings. Xu Wemwu (Tony Leung) has immortality and has lived for hundreds of years.

The story moves forward to 1996 where we're introduced to Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), the son who has also trained to be a master of no weapon kung fu. Shang Chi lives in hiding in San Francisco as a valet car parker alongside his childhood friend Katy (Awkwafina), who has no knowledge of Shang Chi's past.

The story jumps into hyperdrive with a kung fu fight scene on a bus with a gang of martial artists led by Razor Fist a humongous man with a

sword in place of an arm.

Shang Chi also has a sister who's spent her entire life training to be a master killer. The siblings are reunited by their father who's spent hundreds of years accumulating wealth. Needless to say Xu Xemwu is a billionaire with a private plane and lives in a castle.

The three travel to a parallel world with mystical creatures.

Marvel Magic is at work with some incredible fight scenes and a fantasy world with plenty of mystical action.

SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS is a welcome addition to the Marvel

franchise. The chemistry of the cast is a winner, especially the character played by Awkwafina.

She adds a real comic edge to the movie.

As with most Marvel movies there's a scene after the ending credits and this is something you must stay for. It tells a great deal about the future of the series.

The movie is rated PG-13 and lasts 2 hrs and 12 minutes. On my "Hollywood Popcorn Scale'' I rate the movie a JUMBO.

LIZ DEBOLD FUSCO THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

By Valder Beebe

The Summer Travel Rebound is here and Airbnb is making travel easier.

As pandemic restrictions gradually lift, travel is looking different.

Travelers are shifting from traveling at all the same time to all the same old places, to many of them living anywhere, at any time, for however long. For me, I queried the experts for answers, Liz DeBold Fusco is a Communications Lead for North America for Airbnb.

According to Airbnb’s recent Report on Travel & Living, this travel rebound is not a temporary reaction to these many months of restrictions and isolation, it’s a step toward a world in which living and traveling are one and the same. With 200 million date-flexible searches since the start of the year and bookings in 94,000 cities in the 12 months ending April 30, 2021, this shows that people are less tethered and more flexible on when, where, and for how long they can travel.

Inspired by this major travel shift, Airbnb is upgrading their service to make it easier for people to integrate travel into their lives, and for more people to become Hosts.

Liz shares from the report key travel trends around who’s traveling, where they’re going and for how long. Liz DeBold Fusco publicists provided text in conjunction with the Valder Beebe Show VBS: We’re coming off this travel rebound, it's been quite a year. What changes can we expect?

LDF: After a year of isolation we all want to travel. The pandemic has created a major shift in travel, actually the biggest change in travel since WWII. VBS: The changes in travel can be seen in how people are traveling, living and working, the lines are blurring.

LDF: Yes, the lines are blurring in three key ways; people are more flexible about when they travel, people are traveling to

LIZ DEBOLD FUSCO

more diverse destinations like small towns and rural areas. And, people are staying longer at their destinations because with technology they can work anywhere.

VBS: With all this travel, what is happening with the hosts? Did the survey reveal?

LDF: Our Airbnb hosts have been on the front lines of these changes. The average host earned about ninety-seven hundred dollars this year, about seven times more than the stimulus checks. This has been an economic lifeline to our hosts. According to our survey of Airbnb…….

Liz DeBold Fusco complete interview…… ; SoundCloud.com/ valderbeebeshow; more interviews: Broadcasting to a national & global audience: ValdeBeebeShow.com ; YouTube.com/valderbeebeshow; SoundCloud.com/kkvidfw; KKVI FM Radio, KRER FM, 411RadioNetwork, Streaming TV, Social Media, Print Publications I MESSENGER, Texas Metro News, and Garland Journal News.

I’m not discussing my sex life with YOU! ASK ALMA

By Alma Gill Dear Alma, I read an article that suggested that married couples should openly discuss sexual and emotional attractions to other people. The hurtful part of infidelity, the author said, is the deception, not the sex act. By openly discussing a desire to stray, she said, the couple stands a better chance of avoiding an affair or surviving one if it happens. Do you think this is a good idea? Should a man tell his wife that he wants to sleep with another woman, or should a wife tell her husband that she wants to sleep with another man? This sounds like a recipe for disaster, if you ask me.

Harlis Hey Now Harlis, Without apologies, unequivocally, NO, I don’t think it’s wise to have this type of conversation with your spouse.

Infidelity is a small part of a bigger problem not being addressed. The act and the deception go hand in hand. Both are equally devastating. “Couple Up” and discuss the actual challenges you’re facing in your relationship. Having the thought and discussion of being disloyal and betraying your partner should be avoided.

Whether married or not, we experience sexual and/or emotional attractions; it’s a part of being human…and fantasizing.

For example: Let’s say you have a moment (or two) while watching Eamonn Walker on “Chicago Fire.” Should you tell your husband? No. Should you have an affair?

No. What should you do? I suggest, instead, that you buy a fire-engine red teddy, throw your husband to the floor and let the games begin. (Chile, it’s gettin’ hot up in here. LOL) Anywho, you and I agree; the discussion of or act of infidelity would be equally damaging to a marriage. If having an affair has crossed your mind, tend and weed those thoughts carefully in your own secret garden. A successful and victorious marriage has no room for that kind of thinking to bloom and grow.

Alma Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and twitter @almaaskalma.

Dallas Activists commemorate 56th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

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Unbreakable Summit 2021

Brief and Photo By Marva Sneed

By Kenedi Houston and Ania Jackson

“Until we get justice there will be no peace!” said Minister Dominique Alexander of the Next Generation Action Movement.

Recently, on the grounds of the AT&T Discovery Garden in Downtown Dallas, pedestrians saw and heard the demonstrators as they shouted and held Black Voters Matter signs.

“Today’s purpose was to commemorate the 56th Anniversary of The Voting Rights Act of 1965. To show and stand in solidarity with people across this country who are assembling around this country on this historic day,” said Alexander.

Data from the National Conference of State Legislatures documents that election-related bills have been filed in all 50 states this year.

According to Alexander, over 400 legislations have been introduced across this country to suppress the vote and believes that all backgrounds should assemble across the country to fight for basic fundamental rights as a citizen in America.

“We’re seeing a threat to the work of our ancestors- to the work of Fannie Lou Hamer, Shirley Chisholm Barbara Jordan, and Martin Luther King,

Diabetes Awareness Comedy Show Brief by Marva Sneed

Trinsetta Performing at the Diabetes Awareness Comedy Shop Photo credit: Facebook

The Diabetes Awareness Comedy Show hosted by Ms. Angie, the former DJ for The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, featured Dallas-area talent including D.Ell$ Mr. Entertainment.

Comedienne Angelia Walker, DisMe of Tallahassee, Fl and new music artist Trinsetta were showcased at Ella B’s in Arlington.

Ms. Angie, along with the National Diabetes Association, wanted to bring more awareness to the Black Community. “This is for people like us,” she said, as she shared information about the three-day event that concluded with the inaugural Diabetes Awareness Walk, held at the Dr. King Sports Center in Arlington.

Minister Dominique Alexander

and all of the people who have sacrificed the most.

And yet at the end of the day, whether you’re Black, blue, green, or white, you need to be assembling across this country to fight for the basic fundamental right as a citizen in America,” said Alexander.

“This demonstration is to call attention to the importance of the footprint corporate America has on our politicians and our electoral process,” said Alexander.

Unbreakable Summit 2021 featured candid revelations as women shared their life experiences and triumphs. Sponsored by founders Sharlene Speaks and Dr. Robyn Richardson the summit was hosted by Lynne Haze of Smooth R&B 105.7 FM. A key question for attendees at this inaugural event, was, “what is it to be unbreakable” and four dynamic women shared their stories.

Michelle Galloway, Entrepreneur/ Business Owner, Health Wealth Certified Independent Advisor and Life Insurance Specialist. Her answer is “I had to be unbreakable or I would be broken and I choose to be unbreakable.”

Ceci Truman is running for 46th Congressional District in California.

She’s an Entrepreneur and a Proud Wife and Mother. Her answer is “With what I have been through being pregnant and out of wedlock

Dr. Robyn Richardson and Sharlene Rodriguez

with my high school sweetheart and contemplating not having my child. I found God and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. I knew I was unbreakable.”

DeShaun Anderson is an entrepreneur and business woman. Her answer: “When you wake up every day and be yourself you are unbreakable. Choose You.” The visionaries of this event also

State Fair of Texas Grant Cycle Opens for Fall 2021 Summer Funding to Resume in 2022 The State Fair of Texas is delighted to open the only grant cycle for the 2021 year. Last year, in addition to our core three grant categories: capacity building for nonprofits, economic development, and educational programming, the State Fair added a new category for social and racial justice. The new category works with partners who specifically address effects of systemic racism within the criminal justice system, employment, food insecurity, transportation, and education sectors including advocacy. Nonprofit organizations in the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhood serving residents in zip codes 75210, 75215, 75223, and 75228 are welcome to apply. Applications will be accepted starting today, and can be submitted through Friday, September 17. Summer funding is intended to resume in 2022. To learn more and apply, please visit BigTex.com/Grants.

“I’m so excited that despite our inability to host the State Fair of Texas last year, we have remained committed to ensuring that our local community-based organizations receive the support they need to continue the great work they provide daily,” said State Fair of Texas Vice President of Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances, Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, so many of these organizations have not stopped working, serving, and impacting lives.

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Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew

“There are so many amazing organizations in our area that are making a difference and we are glad to partner with them in their work through the grants and sponsorships we award. This year will be even more competitive due to our limited resources but our commitment to support South Dallas has not been altered or delayed because of this.”

Applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of State Fair of Texas board members and community members with expertise in nonprofit and grant review processes. Applicants are selected according to their alignment with the Fair’s focus on capacity building, economic development, education, and social and racial justice targeting our neighboring zip codes. Criteria for approval assesses the program’s impact in the South Dallas area, collaborations with other local entities, program design along with its implementation and evaluation methods, and overall sustainability

of the program. Those receiving funding will allocate the money strategically to build stronger communities in the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhoods.

The State Fair of Texas continues to expand outreach programs, placing a particular priority on promoting community involvement and engagement at a local level.

These efforts range from Community Engagement Day, Big Tex Urban Farms, and other signature programs that the Fair has developed and continues to invest in, along with grants and sponsorships.

The State Fair of Texas is committed to giving back to the community and campaigning for a promising tomorrow.

We cherish the many partnerships and collaborations that help grow our ability to serve. We continue to listen and learn from our community because it is together that we can make the greatest impact. The State Fair is dedicated to the bright future of its community and the well-being of all who call sunny South Dallas home.

To apply for a grant, visit BigTex. com/Grants, today through Friday, September 17, 2021. If you’re looking to learn more about how you can get involved, please visit BigTex.com/Community, to explore resources and initiatives highlighting South Dallas nonprofits like ServeSouthernDallas.org.

answered this question.

Ms. Rodriguez said, “My life and my purpose were given by God and I knew my worth. I trusted God at His word and stepped out on Faith. I know that I am unbreakable.”

Dr. Richardson said: “God saved my life. I was attacked by two girls wanting to escape. They stole my keys, choked me and said to me “I’m sorry Ms. Richardson. I thought I was going to die. But God, I’m here today being lead by God to share my story.

I am unbreakable.”

Follow these Ladies; Dr. Robyn Richardson Ph.D. Instagram: @brighterpathllc and @dr.robynknows, Sharlene Rodriguez “Sharlene Speaks: Instagram and Facebook Sharlene Speaks, Michelle Galloway: Instagram @michellegallowayhwc and Facebook Michelle Galloway, Ceci Truman: Instagram @cecitrumanforcongress and #cecitrumanforcongress. Follow Tomea N NEM @ MeaMuzQ.

Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards Speaker Announced Noted historian Yvonne Davis Frear, department chair of behavioral and social sciences and liberal arts liaison to dual credit at San Jacinto College Central in Pasadena, TX where she is also a history professor.

She has written Yvonne Davis Frear articles about African Americans and civil rights in Texas that have appeared regionally, nationally, and internationally in award-winning publications like Southern Black Women in the Modern Civil Rights Movement (edited

by Bruce Glasrud and Merline Pitre), Lone Star Pasts: Memory and History in Texas (edited by Greg Cantrell and Elizabeth Hayes Turner), and Major Problems in Texas History (edited by Cary Wintz).

She is also a recognized civil rights and social justice public speaker having recently presented at the Texas State Historical Association, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Diversity and Inclusion Program, and a two-time public speaker with Houston Matters, an affiliate of National Public Radio (NPR).

The Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards were created to honor Ms. Craft’s legacy. She was an influential activist during the civil rights movement and played a crucial role in integrating the State Fair of Texas among other universities, restaurants, and theaters around Dallas.

The 2021 Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards will be held virtually this year on October 17, 2021, starting at 3:00 P.M. Winners will be announced at that time.

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Classic Affair from page 1

Dallas-based promoter Al Wash cited several classics where the attendance was great over the weekend in games that pitted Tennessee State v. Grambling State and Texas Southern v. Prairie View A&M. As he prepared for the State Fair Classic in Dallas September 24, Mr. Wash said he feels good about attendance.

“We’re passing more with ticket sales than in 2019,” he said. “I think we’ll have one of the biggest attended games this year, at least in the top 3.”

For the first time in 43 years, the Orange Blossom Classic returned to Miami, FL and according to officials, 30,210 fans filled the stadium as Jackson State University welcomed Florida A&M University to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

Even more fans took part in a week of events that ranged from concerts, boat rides, cookouts, parties, pageantry, the tailgating, fashion shows, reunions, battle of the bands, and the football game.

Led by NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders (Coach Prime), the Tigers emerged victorious over the Rattlers, 7-6; whose Coach Willie Simmons led the Rattlers to a 9-2 record last season in his second year at FAMU. The Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) had been home to the Rattlers for four decades and in July the school officially joined the ranks of other SWAC powerhouses like JSU, Grambling, Southern, Alcorn and Prairie View A&M Universities.

The move was the right one, says Coach Simmons.

“I spent six years in this conference,” said Simmons, who left Prairie View to coach at FAMU and was the offensive coordinator (running backs) at Alcorn State and Middle Tennessee State. “I cut my teeth as a head coach in the SWAC. Phenomenal conference, that’s why we’re so excited about joining the conference.

“We know the caliber of football and the pageantry and the branding opportunities that the SWAC provides.”

Accepting full responsibility for the loss, Coach Simmons was joined by student athletes Markquese Bell and Xavier Smith.

“Obviously we didn’t have the outcome we wanted and that’s on me as the head football coach,” the coach said, adding that he accepted full responsibility for the loss. “I thought these guys played their hearts out. They played with grit. They played with passion.”

Citing “little things” that played in the overall outcome of the game, he said it was a learning experience for everyone and that the team will “get better.”

Joined by student-athletes Aubrey Miller, Jr. and Shedeur Sanders; Coach Prime, who like Coach Simmons are from Florida, celebrated the win, as well as the Classic.

"This was like a bowl week for us, and it's going to be hard -- all the other classics

got to -- hear me clearly -- it's going to be hard to top this,” he said. “It was incredible.

My first real classic. Home state. FAMU which is right around the corner. I was married to a wonderful woman from FAMU that gave me two beautiful kids.”

As he talked about the game, Coach Prime assessed his son, Shedeur’s performance; and acknowledged that mistakes were made.

“Our motto is smart, tough fast, disciplined. We weren't disciplined. We weren't smart at times. We played tough and we played fast,” he said. “We'll clean up a couple other things that we weren't successful at.

But we'll get that fixed… We can fix what we did wrong. And we will.”

Anyone witnessing could detect a sense of conviction coming from Coach Prime, who displayed characteristics reminiscent of other great coaches like A.S. “Jake" Gaither of FAMU and Eddie “Coach Rob” Robinson of Grambling who saw their teams as more than football players.

“We're trying to get to the next level,” explained the former FSU standout.

“We're trying to go pro. We're trying to win everything and we want the whole team going pro. We want us at the draft.

That's what we want. That's the goal.

That's the vision. That's the expectation.”

He continued, talking about building character.

“It all starts with that. I don't care how much talent they have. The character is going to allow them to remain in the situation that they desire to be in. Your talent will get you there, but your character gotta keep you there.

“And I'm not crazy enough to believe that all these guys are going to be professional football players, we just desire them to be professionals, and the character is everthing.”

Referring to his team as his “babies,” Coach Prime went on to talk about rewarding the “babies” for their hard work. And since the spotlight is on them, the coach asked a question that is sparking commentary across the country.

Asking Mr. Mller to turn around, Coach Prime pointed to the back of his jersey.

“He got his darned name on the back of his jersey… Why don't we do that in the SWAC? Is it that expensive to put the darned name on the back of the jerseys?

Don't you think his momma and them would want to see their baby's name on

the back of the jersey? Don't you think his siblings, his friends, his family, loved ones?”

According to Coach Prime, who considers himself to be very detailed, people take for granted “stuff” like the name on the back of the jersey, but he doesn’t.

“That guy worked his butt off, did what he had to do, changed his whole composite of his thought process. We could at least put his darned name on the back of his jersey. How simple is that? What is that an extra $5 a jersey? 'd take care of it for the whole SWAC if they'd do it.”

Theoretically it sounds good, but it could

be a costly undertaking says Mr. Wash who, in addition to numerous other classics across the country, is the machine behind one of the largest, The State Fair Classic; which pits Grambling State v. Prairie View.

“Each university would pay for them and they could be ordering new jerseys every year,” he explained.

This week, JSU faces Tennessee State and FAMU will face Fort Valley State.

The Orange Blossom Classic’s headline sponsor was Denny’s and the game was covered on ESPN2 with broadcasters Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker and Tiffany Blackmon.

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When Domestic Violence Ends in Death lieved in the people; someone who believed in being your true, authentic self, no matter what,” stated her son. “But on this day, we’ll celebrate my mom’s living legacy, he said.

Andy Sieg, president, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, reflected on the woman who had a remarkable impact on the company for over 23 years.

She landed her dream job and took charge of the hiring, development and advancement of women, people of color, and others with differences, when she was made head of Women’s and Underrepresented Talent Strategy for Bank of America last June, he reflected.

“That is a huge impact. It’s across a company of 200,000 people,” said Sieg.

As teammate Susan Axelrod expressed, Avan’s unique gift was the ability to bring people together in very special ways, to lift up those left behind, to encourage others to extend a helping hand … Far beyond their mission of driving adversi-

DELIVERING NEWS YOU CAN USE

ty, she stood for unity, empathy, acceptance,” he continued.

Meanwhile, police arrested 52-year-old Anthony Turner, her ex-boyfriend, alleging he entered her home on August 3, killed her, then left the next day.

Bail was set at $2 million.

Turner faces one felony count each of murder and first-degree residential burglary, and has pleaded not-guilty. He has been released on bail and a preliminary hearing has been reportedly scheduled for Sept. 30.

One in four women will experience a form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

Within the Black community, 45.1 % of Black women have experienced intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/ or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes.

Family members, friends, concerned community members and colleagues of Black women and girls plagued by and ultimately killed in domestic or intimate partner violence

bemoan the question over and over again, “Why did she stay?”.

Jenesse Center, Inc., in its 40-year history of meeting the needs of intimate partner survivors has learned that the answers are more nuanced, complex, and many, such as: “I had nowhere else to go.”

“I felt ashamed.”

“I couldn’t call the police.”

Our Black girls and women face the added burden of structural racism. Negative interactions between law enforcement and Black girls and women are rooted in the institution of slavery and have become institutionalized responses in the decades since. Far too often we are seen as “less than human” and as such, are not given the respect and grace to be in crisis and needing help; to be a victim, and not perpetrator of violence. If the police are called, far too many Black girls and women have themselves been arrested and persecuted as the “aggressor.”

In other cases, Black girls and

women have been killed by police responding to their calls for help. On average, it is expected that between 2.4 and 5.4 Black girls and women per 100,000 will be killed by police over the course of their lifetime. Black women are 1.4 times more likely to be killed by the police than white women. They also fear not being believed and that if the police respond and do nothing, they and their children are at greater risk of increased acts of violence by their partner once the police leave.

But also, Black women are conflicted by the thought of turning their children’s father over to the state, compounding years of social injustice in the criminal justice system.

However, they also face further isolation, shame, and ridicule by family and friends for calling -9-1-1 even when their very lives are at-risk.

Collectively, what is our community responsibility to safety and protection of Black girls and women in Los Ange-

Garland Unit NAACP

Presents the 30th Annual

Freedom Fund Virtual Brunch

ACP, still a voice in the community The NA Speaker

Mistress of Ceremony

Dr. Devin Atchison

Senior Pastor Westside Baptist Church, Lewisville, TX

from page 1

LaKisha Culpepper

Garland ISD, Liaison to the African American Community

Join Us Virtually

September 18, 2021 ~ 10:00am

$20 donation click here.

The link for brunch will be emailed following donation.

The spectacular Silent Auction will be online!

For more information, call the NAACP Garland Unit: 972-381-5044, Voice Box #5

• September 9 - 15, 2021

13

les County? How do we take a stand to protect our mothers and daughters? How do we amplify our voices to say, “enough is enough?”

The Jenesse Center, a domestic violence intervention organization based in Los Angeles, calls upon elected officials, public policy makers, employers, and community and spiritual leaders to join us in solidarity toward action. The interventions and preventative support services we provide to victims and survivors of domestic are holistic, trauma-informed and culturally responsive.

We need informed advocates who relentlessly amplify the message that Black girl’s and women’s lives have value and drive action to ending intimate partner violence in our homes.

Jenesse is ready to change the world by changing hearts and minds right here in our community.

Are you ready to join us?

Karen Earl is CEO of the Jenesse Center, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization that provides domestic violence intervention and prevention support programs.

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Virtual and liVe Community Calendar

Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Hispanic Heritage Month Alopecia Awareness SEPTEMBER 9

SoulJazz Thursdays Feat: Natural Change Band at Sandaga 813, 813 Exposition Ave. 8 pm-12 am. www. sandaga813.com.

The Connection with Debra BrownSturns. OnFacebook.com/TexasMetroNews & BlogTalkRadio.com. 7-8 pm. 646200-0459.

Let’s Get Connected A Fort Worth Metro Black Chamber Event.

Reg. in advance: https://bit.ly/3D9dvVZ 7-9 pm CDT.

SEPTEMBER 10 Black College Day From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed.

11 am -1 pm. CST, Fridays on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio. com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

Free Up Fridays The Friday Night Escape at Heroes Lounge, 3094 N. Stemmons Fwy.10 pm Tickets: https://bit.ly/3gOBYpX. Every Friday Night Don Diego and The Razz Band at Club Odyssey, 7439 Westmoreland Rd. 6 pm. Face Mask Required.

THE SHOWCASE host Shavonda with a “V” Fields. at TenTen Collins Event Center, 1006 N Collins St, Arlington, 7 pm Groove Fest III, Featuring Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill & more! The Texas Trust CU Theatre, 1001 Performance Pl. Grand Prairie. 7-11:45 pm Tickets: https://bit. ly/2WUYczE.

SEPTEMBER 11 L. Clifford Davis Legal Association 41st Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet.

Speaker: Hon. Keith Ellison, at Historic Hilton Hotel, 815 N. Main St. Ft. Worth. 6 pm.

Tickets: Eventbrite.com/e/162483589791 2021 Dallas OMG Food Fest at Main Street Garden Park, 1950 Main St. 2-10 pm Tickets: https://bit.ly/3BoKmnZ. Parkland Free flu shots available at Parkland’s Neighborhood Clinics Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon at: deHaro-Saldivar Health Center, 1400 N Westmoreland Rd. Frisco Rotary Farmers Market, 6048 Frisco Square Blvd. Farm fresh produce and more.8 am-12 pm.

Round Up Retreat! By Southwest Dallas County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Camp, 1701 Texas Plume Rd. Cedar Hill. Reg: https://bit.ly/3DyQa08 10 am.

The Dr. Ollie Show - Live Audience Ticket at Messenger Studios, 14665 Midway Rd. #170, Addison, Tickets and Times: https:// bit.ly/3n8chVb. Wellness Wisdom: Gain and Grow. Free online Event. Reg: https://bit.ly/3DVPH8f. 10-11:30 am. CDT DINNER AT DAQ’S Feat: Maurice Curtis on Sax, at Daq’s Luxury Daiquiri Lounge, 8700 Preston Rd. Plano. 6-10 pm 2021 Hopeful Symposium 10th Anniversary. Presented by: Dr. Percy Griffin, Alzheimer’s Assoc.10 am-2:30 pm CDT Reg: https://bit.ly/2WYIIus Community Connection Ending Homelessness in City Council District 8 Holy Cross Catholic Church, 4910 Bonnie View Rd. 12-3 pm Host Council Member Tennell Atkins.

Vaccine Pop-Up Clinic host Rep. Jasmine Crockett at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center, 1201 E. Eight St. 10 am-2 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/2X0uh9w

SEPTEMBER 12 The World According to Drew, with Andrew Whigham, III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8-10 am. It’s thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news commentary. Join the call at 646-200-0459.

Community Conversation “Why Our Vote Counts” Free Online Event host The Dallas Examiner. Pub. Mollie Belt.

Zoom: https://zoom.us/ ID: 869 6109 9340 Password: 258534. 6 pm.

SEPTEMBER 14 Happy Birthday to Joycelyn Johnson THE DOC SHEP SPEAKS SHOW! 11 am. CST Facebook.com/@TexasMetroNews, @fnsconsulting, and YouTube @docshepspeaks.

September Town Hall w/ Rep. Crockett An Online Event. 7 pm CDT. Reg: https://bit.ly/3kXlIo0

SEPTEMBER 15 Ask Dr. Amerson with Dr. Linda Amerson.12 pm. CST @DFWiRadio.com, and Live on Facebook @DrLindaAmerson.

I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade. From 11 am -1 pm. CST On Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

BLACK GIRLS OF TEXAS MEET UP At Pink Lucy Showroom, 4032 Swiss Ave. Dallas. 7-10 pm. Tickets: bit.ly/37vEhZQ. West African Dance, Drum & History Virtual Residency Event. Monday Drum 6-7 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/3BO5cgJ

SEPTEMBER 16

2021 Back to School Picnic presented by New Nation Youth & Family Development at 3440 W Clarendon Dr, Dallas. 4-8 pm.

The Connection with Debra BrownSturns. OnFacebook.com/TexasMetroNews & BlogTalkRadio.com. 7-8 pm. 646-2000459.

Salute THEM Awards ‘My HBCU Joy’ hosted by Loni Love honoring Kym Whitley, David Banner. On Facebook.com/AARP Black Community. 6pm. CDT.

West African Dance, Drum & History Virtual Residency Event. Thursday Dance 6-7 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/3BO5cgJ

The Oasis Smooth Jazz Fall Concert. Feat: Don Diego at Toyota Music Factory, 340 W. Las Colinas Blvd. Irving. 10-4 pm. Tickets: www.thevinoygroup.com DeSoto Small Business Expo at Grow DeSoto Market Place, 324 E Belt Line Rd. 12-5 pm.

Gospel & Grace: 150th Anniversary Virtual Tribute. Emcee Regina Bell. Free. Facebook Live @AARP Black Community. 11 am CDT

SEPTEMBER 13 West African Dance, Drum & History Virtual Residency Event. Monday Dance 6-7 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/3BO5cgJ.

Virtual NNPA 2021 National Leadership Awards Reception CEO /President Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr. 6-7 pm CDT www. virtualnnpa2021.com.

KRMA THURSDAYS at Tacos Patron, 14060 Dallas Pkwy. Dallas.

6-11 pm. RSVP: 214.455.1779

SEPTEMBER 17 From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed.

11 am -1 pm. CST, on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

Lil Keke & ESG Live host Stand for Something Group at The Rail Club Live, 3101 Joyce Dr. Ft. Worth. 7 pm. Tickets: https:// bit.ly/3zM46S2.

Every Friday Night Don Diego and The Razz Band at Club Odyssey, 7439 Westmoreland Rd. 6 pm. Face Mask Required.

SEPTEMBER 18 Freedman Town Talk presented by Remembering Black Dallas, INC. Free Reg: bit.ly/2UXYPaQ 7:15-8:30 pm CDT DINNER AT DAQ’S Feat: Maurice Curtis on Sax, at Daq’s Luxury Daiquiri Lounge, 8700 Preston Rd. Plano. 6-10 pm Garland NAACP 30th Annual Freedom Fund Virtual Brunch. Mistress of Ceremony LaKisha Culpepper, Speaker: Dr. Devin Atchison, Westside Baptist Church. 10 am CDT Donation: https://garlandtxnaacp.org/ freedom-fund/ National UNCF WALK For Education Virtual. Reg: UNCF.ORG

SEPTEMBER 19 Happy Birthday to Dr. Linda Amerson

The World According to Drew, host Andrew Whigham, III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8-10 am. It’s thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news commentary. Join the call at 646-200-0459.

West African Dance, Drum & History Virtual Residency Event. Sunday History 6-7 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/3BO5cgJ National Congress of Black Women, Inc. 37th Annual Awards Ceremony. Virtual.

2 pm. CDT Tickets: www.nationalcongressbw.org Ubuntu Market for Small Business.

Hosted by Pan African Connection, 4466 Marsalis, Dallas. 12-5 pm. For vendor Info: Email: adjwoahogue@yahoo.com or call 214-943-8262.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

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UNCF.ORG/ NORTHTEXASWALK