IMesenger

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BRINGING YOU ENLIGHTENING, EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING INFORMATION

IMESSENGER

I MESSENGER - IS THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF CHERYL SMITH LIVE!

KWANZAAFEST is turning 21! Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price says there’s still time to get your KwanzaaFest booth.

For 20 years, KwanzaaFest has provided an excellent family environment and opportunity to showcase products and services. Planners of the event never cease in analyzing the festival in order to make each year better than the previous. This year is expected to be even more exciting with the addition of actor/singer Tyrese. KwanzaaFest is able to accomplish its goals through partnership with sponsors and other civic minded corporations in this community, as well as a wealth of advertising and marketing strategies. Over the past five years KwanzaaFest met and exceeded its targets for attendance and expects more than 50,000 patrons in 2011. Last year HealthFest registered a record 35,365 medical screenings and

expects to see a substantial increase in 2011. Contributing to the overwhelming success of KwanzaaFest is the variety of free family friendly activities that include mini-concerts performed by national recording artists, market vendors providing timely access to gifts and products for the holiday season, dedicated Children's activities, a Beat Obesity 5K Walk/Run Healthy Lifestyles Program, the KwanzaaFest Oncor Encor Great Debate fostering the best of the best high school debate teams through scholarships for the winning two top teams, the educational forums and a charitable health outreach component that produced 35,365 free health screenings valued at $898,253 during the

2009 event, a 27% increase from 2008. KwanzaaFest, Inc., coordinates the planning and implementation of this event through volunteer staff. This event is truly an effort by the community for the community. KwanzaaFest distributed 60,000 entry tickets last year and it was the hottest ticket in the metroplex. The FREE ticket is required to ensure crowd safety. HealthFest addresses the needs of both the underinsured and uninsured through offering free humanitarian health services. KwanzaaFest, Inc. strategically plans the annual KwanzaaFest event to be held in a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services identified Medically Underserved Area and Health Care Professional Shortage Area. Through creative

KwanzaaFest focuses on health and it was a family affair as men, women and children braved the rainy weather.

Tyrese scheduled to perform

partnerships, KwanzaaFest HealthFest provides effective and efficient linkages to critical health services and sustainable health care. The demonstrated need for this event is evidenced by the growth of HealthFest during the past five years, from offering 3,000 health screenings in 2005 to more than 35,000 health screenings in 2009! HealthFest started tracking the equivalent cost of care if participants were to access services through paid health sources. In 2008, HealthFest provided more than $491,000 in care and in 2009 the care administered almost doubled to almost $899,000 offering a return of $14 for every $1.00 of donated and/or sponsor funding to

NO I - ISSUE 10

11/18/2011

That first trip to Africa It was one of the happiest moments of my life and it was also one of the saddest! It was an honor to travel to Douala for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Le Messager. The idea, that Pius Njawe, and his staff, labored for three decades, despite opposition from the government and efforts to put him out of business is so noteworthy. And still he remained vigilant in his efforts to ensure a free and independent press.

Dr. Mitch Land and Pius Njawe making sure that I get through Customs without any problem.

Imprisonment, harassment and attacks on his supporters were the order of the day, but nothing stopped Pius Njawe. Looking at his journey provided inspiration for me, to remain committed to outstanding journalism regardless of any obstacles that I may face. It is important to tell Pius Njawe’s story, and that of Le Messager, and all the journalists who suffer in their quest to be a voice for the voiceless. This was my first trip to Africa--the Motherland, and what a wonderful experience. There is so much about Africa out there for me to learn about and it was great to be learning firsthand, without the filtered, sanitized version presented courtesy of the media. Since I set foot off the Air France carrier and into the Douala Airport, I was like a child in a candy shop. I wanted to take in all of this beautiful continent so that I could share those memories and information, in addition to cherishing them for a lifetime. The activities planned to celebrate Le Messager’s rich history shed insight into the

See KwanzaaFest, Page 11

See AFRICA, Page 7

C h e r y l S m i t h L i v e ! Tu n e i n w e e k d a y s , M o n d a y - F r i d a y, 9 - 11 a . m . Monday, November 21

Tuesday, November 22

Join Cheryl, Kelly Kel and Phyllis Alphabet Join Cheryl, Kelly Kel • B l a c k E c o n o m i c and Phyllis Alphabet History Fact of the Day • Black Economic • Dr. Cornell History Fact of the Day Thomas, • Blue Zebra Ladies President of Jarvis Stay tuned for the MAN Christian who is SWAGGER College Stay tuned for the MAN who is SWAGGER MAGNIFIED!

IMessenger

MAGNIFIED!

Wednesday, November 23 Thursday, November 24

Join Cheryl, Kelly Kel and Phyllis Alphabet Join Cheryl, Kelly Kel • Black Economic History and Phyllis Alphabet Fact of the • Black Economic Day History Fact of the • Super Model Day Beverly Johnson • Katina Potts Stay tuned for the MAN Stay tuned for the MAN who is SWAGGER MAGNIFIED!

who is SWAGGER MAGNIFIED!

Friday, November 25 Join Cheryl, Kelly Kel and Phyllis Alphabet. • Black Economic History Fact of the Day • Loren Williams from Deep End

Stay tuned for the MAN who is SWAGGER MAGNIFIED!

POLICE have not apprehended Pookie the serial rapist. If you have information, call Crime Stoppers at

877.373.8477 Also, if you want extra protection, check out Street Safe at

www.streetsafe.peopleguard.com

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