Garland Journal by Cheryl Smith

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Realizing the

DREAM Healthy Living Expo 2019

MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith Publisher

GARLAND JOURNAL

Garland

JANUARY 16, 2019

JOURNAL

VOL XVIII ISSUE 12 JANUARY 16, 2019

Realizing the DREAM

365 days of Red 30th annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and March

It’s a new year and while every day last year, I wore red, I assure you there won’t be a repeat. And to those who contributed to my wardrobe,

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Garland, Texas Unit will host its 30th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. parade and march on Saturday, January 19, 2019, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

MLK Parade Route in Garland – January 19, 2019

John Creuzot Dallas County District Attorney Parade Grand Marshal

Parade starts on Dairy Road @ Garden Drive (near Embree Park), Garland, Texas, 75040 It proceeds north on Dairy Road to Highway 66 (Avenue D) West (Left) on Highway 66 (Avenue D) to First Street North (Right) on First Street to Highway 66 (Avenue B) West (Left) on Highway 66 (Avenue B) to Fifth Street North (Right) on Fifth

Street to Austin Street Parade ends at the Granville Arts Center, 300 North Fifth @ Austin Streets, downtown Garland, TX, 75040 2019 MLK Theme/Grand Marshals/Commemorative Program– January 19, 2019 The 2019 theme is “Celebrating Garland’s 30 th MLK Parade & March.” Newly elected Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot will serve as grand marshal. The celebration continues following the parade with an MLK Commemorative Program on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 12:00 PM.

File footage from previous parade It will be held at the Granville Arts Center, 300 N. 5th Street, downtown Garland where the MLK Community-wide Youth Choir led by clinician Reuben Lael Griffin will be in concert. Winners of the 2019 MLK Float Contest will be announced at the program. This event is free and open to the public. MLK Youth Extravaganza on January 20, 2019 - Gran-

ville Arts Center Brownlee Auditorium Youth groups from area churches and the Garland ISD will showcase their spiritual talents in praise dance and athletic talents in step routines on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 300 N. 5 th Street, downtown Garland, 75040, beginning at 4:00 P.M. Admission is free and the MLK Youth Extravaganza is open to the public.

For more information on these events, contact the NAACP Garland Unit at 972.381.5044, voice box #5, or visit the NAACP Garland Unit’s website at: . www.garlandtxnaacp.org Corporate/Community Sponsors The City of Garland; Garland ISD; Balfour; Huckabee & Assoc.; Veritex Community Bank; U.S. Foods; DART; Plastipak Packaging; PerdueBrandonFielderCollins&Mott LLP Attorneys at Law.

Total health the focus at African American Museum

well, don’t stop, get it, get it! Just kidding. I appreciate those who sent me red outfits from across town and around the country. It was fun, but there was also a message to the madness, if you know what I mean. Which brings me to my truth. See MY TRUTH, page 6

Realizing the

DREAM Healthy Living Expo 2019

Living healthy has to be a priority says organizers of the Don’t Believe the Hype Foundation’s 2nd Annual Realizing the Dream: Healthy Living Expo which will take place on January 21, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the African American Museum located at 3536 Grand Avenue in Fair Park, Dallas, Texas 75210. The free community event is in conjunction with the City of Dallas' Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration. The expo will be open immediately following the historic

annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade in South Dallas. “Americans are constantly bombarded with content about healthy living and because of the sheer volume of information circulating, it can be a challenge to decipher what is accurate vs. inaccurate,” said Cheryl Smith, founder of the Realizing the Dream: Healthy Living Expo and Don’t Believe the Hype Foundation. “This family-friendly expo provides the perfect opportunity for peo-

ple to start the New Year off right by learning the proper methods to be healthy physically mentally, spiritually, financially, socially and holistically.” Ms. Smith said she is pleased organizers were able to embrace a healthy program that is beneficial and educational.

Entertainment In addition to seminars and demonstrations, the Expo will also feature Country/ Western sensation IMAJ,

motivational speaker Keith Harley, science and technology guru Amir Makin, hair expert Dr. Linda Amerson, health experts Denice Ford and LaShante Williams, Rev. Yvette Blair-Lavallais and the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists. There’s going to be yoga from Ebony Smith of YogaNdaHood and exercise tips from Coach Candi Francois. Vendors will have everything from vegan recipes and weight loss programs to financial literacy and voter

education information. There will be elected officials, including Judges Tammy Kemp and Raquel “Rocky” Jones and scholarship information. There are also vendors who will be selling jewelry, books, clothing, music, candles and novelties. The Realizing the Dream: Healthy Living Expo has partnered with Parkland Health & Hospital System, Methodist Health System See Expo, page 7

JANUARY 16, 2019

Recurring Events

GARLAND JOURNAL

Hyatt Place Galleria 5229 Spring Valley Rd. 12pm to 12pm Monday. TEXT: MLK2019 to 773.263.4130.

Glitter & Goals at Business Lounge Dallas 13740 Midway Rd. Ste. #528 3pm-5pm.

January 18

January 20

Cedar Hill Library Discover the Arts after Dark Meet & Greet at 225 Cedar St. 6:30pm. Dallas in the time of Martin Luther King, Jr. at Hall of State at Fair Park 3939 Grand Ave. Tue.-Sat. 1-5pm Sun. 1-5pm. Now to Jan. 27, 2019. Reggae Sunday Brunch at Hero’s Lounge 3094 N. 35 Fwy. Dallas. 11am-3pm. Every Sunday Caribbean Breakfast & Lunch. Marvelous Marriage Monday’s at Friendship-West Baptist Church 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. Dallas. 7pm-8:30pm 1st & 3rd Monday Info: covent@ friendshipwest.org. Dallas 2019 Senior Games Hosted by: Dallas Parks & Recreation. Info: Senior Program Division at 214-671-1602. Dates: Feb. 28 - March10 & March 16

January 16 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, founded in 1920 Judicial Investiture: Judge Sandra Jackson at Dallas Bar Assoc. 2101 Ross Ave. 3:30pm. Dallas Heat vs. Yonsei University, Dr. Pepper Arena 2601 Ave. of the Stars, Frisco. 2-4pm.

LCUPN “Social Bowling Night” at Strikz Ent. Center 8789 Lebanon Rd. Frisco 7:30pm. Fraternity Fridays at Blazin Jazz Lounge 14223 Inwood Rd. Farmers Branch. 7pm-12am.

MLK Film Screening at Friendship-West Baptist Church 2020 Wheatland Rd. Dallas 6:30pm.

January 19 Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hora De Poder at IHCC Offices 135 S. Jefferson St. 9am-11am. 105.7 Smooth R & B’s The Smooth Winter Groove II at The Theatre at Grand Prairie 1001 Performance Pl. 7:30pm.

January 17 Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. V & D Financial Ribbon Cutting Celebration at 2400 US 287 Frontage Rd. #108 Mansfield 5:30-7pm. Pretty Girls Love Thirsty Thursdays Paint and Sip at Candy Shack Daiquiris 6401 S. Cooper St. Ste #101 Arlington. 7pm-9pm. Reserve seat at Eventbrite. DEC at Redbird CEO Sniper Series Presents: Leah Frazier at Redbird Entrepreneur Center 3662 W. Camp Wisdom Rd. Dallas 6pm-8pm.

Bar-kays, Zapp Band and Gap Band at Music Hall at Fair Park 909 1st Ave. Dallas. 8pm. City of Lancaster Martin Luther King, Jr. Day-Parade at 100 Historic Town Square 11am.

January 18-20 2nd Annual MLK Weekend Dallas Getaway: Fri. Sat. & Sun. 3 days 6 events. Host Hotel:

WHAT'S GOING ON?

January 17 GISD Skyward Family Access Workshop by Garland ISD Family and Community Engagement Department 410 Stadium Dr. Garland. 6pm-7:30pm. Garland ISD Skyward Family Access allows parents to access their student's information and communicate with the district and teachers. In this parent workshop, parents of GISD students will learn: How to login and/or register for your GISD Skyward Family Access Account. How to locate and complete student forms required each year for GISD. 1. School Choice 2. Transportation Requests 3. Free and Reduced Lunch Participants should already have an email account which they can access before they can register for a Skyward Family Access Account. Participants must have a child currently enrolled in the Garland Independent School District. Garland Symphony Orchestra Presents: Eroica & Rodrigo at Grandville Arts Theatre 300 N. 5th St. Start your new year off with beautiful music as the GSO presents Eroica & Rodrigo, featuring guest guitarist Jacob Cordover and guest conductor Pascual Osa. A virtuoso

Film Screening: Selma at Texas Theatre 231 W. Jefferson Blvd. Dallas. 4pm-6pm. Free Eventbrite. 4th Annual Dallas Greek Skate Night at Forum Roller World 1900 S. Great Southwest Pkwy. Grand Prairie. 9pm-1am. St. John’s Lutheran Church Celebrates the Life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at St. John’s Lutheran Church 2939 Sunnyvale St., Dallas. 12:30pm.Speaker: Rev. Doris Dupree Harris Yoga & Afrobeats A Sensual Yoga-Beat Class at V12 Yoga 600 Harwood St. 2:30pm. St. John’s Lutheran Church Celebrates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at St. John’s Lutheran Church 2939 Sunnyvale St., Dallas. 12:30pm. Keynote Speaker: Rev. Doris Dupree Harris

January 21

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday Celebrated 7 TEXAS METRO NEWS - JANUARY 16, 2019

Realizing the

Healthy Living Expo

DREAM DREAM

Realizing the 2019

Healthy Living Expo 2019

Realizing the DREAM

DREAM 2019

Healthy Living Expo 2019

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Cow Boys of Color Rodeo at Will Rogers Coliseum 3401 Lancaster Ave. 2pm. www.cowboysofcolor.org.

Realizing the Dream Healthy Living Expo ’19 at the African American Museum – Fair Park

DWE Business Women’s Expo at Inter Continental 15201 Dallas Parkway, Dallas Info: Petya Edwards 214-971-5005. 1-6pm.

MLK Scholarship Breakfast Spkr.: Pastor Bryan Carter. Arlington 1500 Convention Dr. 8am Nu Pi Lambda Ch. of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Gala at Hyatt Regency 300 Reunion Blvd. Dallas 6:30pm. Speaker: Dr. Eric Michael Dyson.

MLK Day of Service at Community M.B.C. 115 W. Belt Line Rd. DeSoto. 7am-6pm. Info-james.alexander@communitymbc.org.

2019 Membership Kickoff National Black MBA Association-DFW at Capital Factory 3102 Oak Lawn Ave. Dallas 9:30am-11:30am.

Redeeming the Dream of Dr. King: Parade March Rally 2019 at Ft. Worth Convention Ctr.1201 Houston St. 11am.

classical guitarist, Cordover will be performing Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. Also on the program is one of Beethoven's masterpiecesSymphony No. 3 "Eroica".

cocktail hour featuring Apt 4B. The ballroom doors will then open at 7:30 pm for dinner while being serenaded by Unfaded Brass Band and Martha Burks Band.

January 18 Teen Night at Jumping World 4445 Saturn Rd. Garland 8pm-12am. Tickets: www.jumpingworldusa. com $20 + tax admission Laser Light Show at 9 pm.

January 19 Northeast Dallas Mardi Gras Gala 2019 by Northeast Dallas Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. at Courtyard by Marriott Allen at the John Q. Hammons Center 210 E. Stacy Rd. Allen. 6pm-12am. The Northeast Dallas Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is hosting its 3rd Annual Mardi Gras Fundraiser. This year we are proud to partner with Garland Independent School District’s Foundation honoring the achievements of graduating seniors in pursuit of higher education. It is our goal to give a financial gift to students with an economic need and a desire to succeed post high school. We are also honored to continue to support our very own Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated Foundation. An evening of fun in the spirit of Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras Gala will be a night to remember while supporting a good cause. Your ticket includes dinner, live entertainment, an auction, and so much more. 6:pm is jazz

30th Annual MLK Parade and March Hosted by: Garland NAACP. Parade

10:00 AM Parade line-up begins at 9:00AM Route: Parade starts on Dairy Road @ Garden Drive North on Dairy Road to Highway 66 (Avenue D) West (left) on Highway 66 (Avenue D) to First Street North (right) on First Street to Highway 66 (Avenue B) West (left) on Highway 66 (Avenue B) to Fifth Street North (right) on Fifth Street to Austin Street (parade ends 330 North 5th Street) MLK Commemorative Program Following the Garland MLK Parade, the celebration continues with a free performance from the MLK Communitywide Youth Choir. 12:00 PM at Granville Arts Center Brownlee Auditorium, 300 N. Fifth Street, Garland. Mobile Flu Vaccine Clinic Jan. 19 Dallas County Health and Human Services will offer a free flu vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the South Garland Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd. Seniors and adults 18 years and older can receive a flu shot at no cost during this time. No vaccinations for children will be available.

Grow DeSoto Community Networking Event 324 E. Belt Line Rd. 6pm-10pm. Eventbrite.

Kevin Curry Book Signing at Barnes & Noble 7700 W. Northwest Highway #300 Dallas. 7pm-8pm.

Jan. 26- Feb. 2

Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty at African American Museum 3536 Grand Ave. Dallas 10am.

January 22 Dallas Catalyst Project Neighborhood Bus Tour Host Dr. Terry Flowers at St Philips’s Community Center 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 10am.

Note at Sea Celebrity Infinity Jazz Cruise Tickets: www.bluenotesea.com

January 26

Lunch & Learn: RBCA & DISD: Effective Financial Tools for Contractors at Dallas ISD Education Center 9400 N. 75 Expy. 11:30-1pm. Eventbrite.

Toni Braxton As long As I Live Tour at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory 300 W. Las Colinas Blvd. Irving. 7:30pm Tickets: via Live Nation

January 23-27 5th Annual Denton Black Film Festival Feat: Kirk Whalum at Denton Black Film Fest. 214 W. Hickory St. Schedule & Tickets: prekindle. com

January 23

Happy Birthday to Team Member who interned this past summer Jessica Hayden

January 24

Realizing the Dream Healthy Living Expo African American Museum Monday, January 21, 2019 10am-6p.m.

NAREB Dallas “Golden Ticket” Awards at Hall of State 3939 Grand Ave. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes, III. 6pm. Evenbrite.

2019 MLK March/Parade Host: Martin Luther King, Jr. Comm. Center at 2922 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. 10am-1pm. Ending at Fair Park.

Mentor Connector National Mentoring Month at UNT Dallas 7300 University Hills Founders Hall-Room 138. 6pm-8pm.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade & Community Celebration. 10am & 2pm Mesquite Arts Ctr. 1527 N. Galloway Ave. Mesquite NAACP.com.

January 18 &19

Jazz at the Muse: Back That Violin Up” Feat: Richmond Punch Host: Barbara Steele & Cheryl Smith at 1309 Canton St 9pm.

Dallas Women’s March 2019 at Dallas 2pm5:30pm. More info follow: @DallasWomensMarch.

Dress Performance Theater Series “Ah Girl Pearl” at Clarence Muse Café 1309 Canton St. Dallas 8:15pm.

Obama-ology Play at Jubilee Theatre 506 Main St. Ft. Worth www.jubileetheatre.org. 8pm.

36th Annual Emmy Award Black Music & Civil Rights Movement Concert at Mort H. Meyerson Symphony Center 2301 Flora St. . 7:30pm.

Old School House Party! Fundraiser FAMU Style Host: Ron Fry at Sushi Axiom Addison 5225 Belt Line Rd. #240 10pm-2am. Martin Luther King, Jr. Candlelight Ceremony at MLK Comm. Center 2922 MLK Blvd. 7pm.

Collin County MLK Appreciation Day 2019 at First U. M. C. of Allen 601 S. Greenville Ave. 11:30am-1pm. MC. John McCaa WFAA TV Anchor. Campaign Kick-Off Mix & Mingle. Host: Ft. Worth City Council at Austin Event Center 1125 E. Berry St. Ft. Worth.6pm-9pm.

3 Steps to Achieving Greatness at Meadows Conference Center 2900 Live Oak St. 11:30am.. O l d School Soul Party at Forever Swing Dallas Venue 2021 N. Hampton Rd. 8pm.

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Arlington Black Chamber Jan. General Mtg. & 2019 Networking Mixer at Brickhouse Lounge 2525 Arkansas Ln. 6pm. RSVP: Eventbrite.

January 25 Happy Birthday to Team Member and a great lady Betheny Sargent

Pete's Dragon: Watch the Film and Make a Dragon! Children can enjoy a free screening of the 2016 film Pete's Dragon at 2 p.m. Saturday, at the South Garland Branch Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd. Attendees can also make their own dragon out of colored paper cups, pom poms, googly eyes, and red, orange and yellow streamers. Pete's Dragon is rated PG and relates the adventures of an orphan boy named Pete and his dragon friend Elliot. Free popcorn and water will be available while supplies last. 972-205-3933 for more information. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade & Community Celebration. Parade 10am Downtown Mesquite Community Celebration 2pm Mesquite Arts Center 1527 N. Galloway Ave. More info: www.MesquiteNAACP. com Parade and community celebration honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. in downtown Mesquite followed by the community celebration at 2 p.m. at the Mesquite Arts Center Concert Hall, located at 1527 North Galloway Ave. The community celebration will feature remarks by various church pastors and community leaders, dance and musical performances, plus monologues. The parade is open to businesses, organizations and schools in the Mesquite and surrounding areas. The cost is $45 per entry for the parade, to register or for more in-

The Magical Mystique of Mardi Gras Ball 2019 Select Grand Duke & Duchess at Fair Park Centennial Hall 1001 Washington St. 6pm-2am Free Workshop! How to Start or Run a Small Business at Embassy Suites-Dallas Market Center 2727 N. 35 Fwy. Register: 972-445-6442. TRE Elections-DISD and Richardson ISD Hosted by: Coffee & Politics at African American Museum 3536 Grand Ave. Dallas. 10am-11am. Denim & Black Affair at Foundation Room Dallas 2200 N. Lamar St. 9:30pm-2am. For the Love of Neo Soul Open Mic at Athletic Zone 423 Singleton Blvd. 9pm. instaseats.com. Hector Cantu’: An Afternoon with Bald and Friends at Bishop Arts Theatre Center 215 Tyler St. Dallas. 3pm. Psi Chapter of Lota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Presents: Adult Women and Youth Leadership Conference at Hamilton Park United Methodist Church 11881 Schroeder Rd. 9am. 2019 Founders’ Day Celebration Host: AKA Omicron Mu Omega Chap. Speaker: Dr. Ruth J. Simmons at Hyatt Regency 300 Reunion Blvd. 11am.

formation please contact: NAACP of Mesquite at 972-861-0863 or www.MesquiteNAACP.com Collin County MLK Association Business & Information Fair at Collin College- Spring Creek Campus 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy. Plano. 10am-12pm. Tickets: www.docs.google.com This event begins immediately following the MLK Community Breakfast in the atrium at Collin County College Spring Creek Campus. Guest may visit with a variety of local vendors and various businesses from the health and education industry. This is a great opportunity to learn about local businesses. If you are a local business or a nonprofit organization you should sign up to be a vendor, www.tinyurl.com/ ccmlkexpo19

January 20

MLK youth extravaganza - Sunday, January 20, 2019 As part of the MLK Parade festivities, Local Youth Groups display their tremendous talents in praise dance and step routines in this free show. 4:00 PM at Granville Arts Center - Brownlee Auditorium, 300 N. Fifth Street, Garland. To enter the parade and march, a sign MUST be on or carried with each entry. The parade line up begins at Austin Academy, 1125 Beverly Dr., Garland, 75040. Mail all parade entries to: Attention Gwen Daniels, MLK Events Coordinator, NAACP Garland Unit, and P.O. Box 460944, Garland, TX 75046.

Butterfly I emerge from this darkness changed. Leaving behind so much of what was me; whole but with missing parts. Pushing myself through a realization that does not include you, physically. Your transformation complete. Mine ... only beginning. La Juana and Patricia Barton authors of Faithful Remembrances - Volume I

“Excellence is our tradition... Service is our legacy”

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GARLAND JOURNAL

Women in the House

From the Capitol By Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson The newly-elected House of Representatives has 102 women among its 435 members. Many of them hold significant positions of power and influence; including the Speaker of the House, Representative Nancy Pelosi from California, who would assume the presidency if its current occupant and the vice president were unable to continue their service. These women who now find themselves at the very fountain of policy-making in the world’s greatest democracy reflect the social, economic, intellectual and political fabrics of our country. They come from blue collar and

white collar backgrounds. They are of a myriad of experiences and faiths. They are mothers, grandmothers, aunts, spouses and friends. Without exception, the women, each representing approximately 710,000 people in their congressional districts, are compassionate public servants who have sacrificed greatly to get to where they are today. The founders of the American democracy would not recognize the legislative chamber that they created, one void of a female voice until 1917 when Repre-

sentative Jeannette Rankin from Minnesota entered the all-male bastion. No doubt, Representative Rankin, herself, would be greatly surprised if she were alive to witness the transformation of the legislative chamber in which she once served, now with nearly 25

percent of its members being female. I believe that this new congressional reality bodes well for our country and its people. A widely-circulated 2018 study on

the composition of government concluded that there was less corruption when women were among the decision-makers. “Women politicians choose policies that are more closely related to the welfare of women, children and family,” the study, published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, stated. “The research underscores the importance of women empowerment, their presence in leadership roles and their representation in government,” wrote Professor Sudipta Sarangi, one of the study’s authors and an instructor of economics at Virginia Tech University. Over the years, a number of academics who have studied women in political life have concluded that those countries in which

JANUARY 16, 2019

there is a significant presence of women legislators are less likely to get involved in conflicts that lead to war. Women in political life are less likely to be polemicists and, more frequently, choose to reason with their colleagues rather than verbally assault them. They understand the art and the importance of compromise. I am extremely excited about the number of women in the House of Representatives, as are a number of my male colleagues who believe, as I do, that the presence of greater numbers of women will only make our decisions wiser, more equitable and just for our nation, and its people. Eddie Bernice Johnson represents Texas’s 30th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. Serving as a representative since 1993, when she was the first registered nurse elected to Congress.

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JANUARY 16, 2019

GARLAND JOURNAL

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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Cash and King and Justice

QUIT PLAYINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; By Vincent L. Hall

You can run on for a long timeâ&#x20AC;Śbut sooner or later God will cut you down. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Johnny Cash

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. - MLK In most instances when you think of the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., you think of names like Jesse Jackson and

Joan Baez, Maya Angelou and Coretta Scott King. Lots of names are readily paired or associated with Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest prophet. As I listened to the words of a song recently, I was captured by the similarity in Dr. King's words and the words of the ultimate country and western entertainer and one of the few with crossover appeal; the late J. R. (Johnny) Cash. King was born 10 months before the Great Depression and Cash came in two years into the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most pervasive economic disaster. King made his debut in Atlanta, Georgia and Kingsland, Arkansas was never heard of before Johnny Cash gained national notoriety and declared that town of 500 or so as his homeplace. Upon hearing that a â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Deal Colonyâ&#x20AC;? had been established in Dyess, Arkansas; Cash, his parents and seven siblings moved. The deal was that if you worked the land you could

eventually own it. Before too long, Cash was working the cotton fields and learned to sing as he worked. Now par-

display of all of the reporters youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve selected for the 2020 campaign,â&#x20AC;? Democratic California Congresswoman Maxine Waters tweeted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not one Black. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up with this? An explanation is needed.â&#x20AC;? New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the current administration in the White House made having a â&#x20AC;&#x153;functional understanding of race in America one of the most important core competencies for a political journalist to have, yet CBS News hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t assigned a single Black journalist to cover the 2020 election.â&#x20AC;? Actress Kerry Washington also expressed her disappointment. In a note that was re-tweeted by National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., Washington wrote: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dear @CBSNews, I am encouraged by the diversity you DID include. But when it comes time to discuss the inevitable role that race and racism will play in the election, who will you turn to for a perspective with nuanced & personal understanding of the African American experience?â&#x20AC;? Christopher Isham, CBS Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Washington bureau chief, called the new group â&#x20AC;&#x153;our

boots on the ground for the 2019-2020 election cycleâ&#x20AC;? in announcing an increase in politically-focused reporters and newsgathering resources for the upcoming presidential race. The unit is designed to deepen CBS Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; coverage of federal and local issues and personalities on the 2020 trail, according to Variety. CBS News noted that the embed team represented only a portion of its broader election coverage plans. Lorna Jones, who is African-American, was promoted last month to the role of managing editor for Washington news coverage, Variety reported. And the division has long maintained other prominent African-American women in senior management roles, according to the entertainment magazine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This group is the initial wave of what will be an outstanding and diverse group of journalists assigned to cover the 2020 election for CBS News,â&#x20AC;? a CBS News spokesperson said Sunday night. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at the switch at CBS,â&#x20AC;? said Sam Fulwood III, a black journalist at Think Progress. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, folks think absence of black journalists is ok.â&#x20AC;?

Johnny Cash enthetically, if you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand what the blues was about, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the lesson; hard work and poverty produce all types of creativity. Michael Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story was quite different. He was the middle son to a well-educated

and powerful minister who later changed his name to Martin. The elder King did his best to physically whip King into â&#x20AC;&#x153;somebodyness,â&#x20AC;? but ultimately, it was his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refusal to answer to being called â&#x20AC;&#x153;boyâ&#x20AC;? that molded him. When you grow up watching your daddy leading protests, it sets a moral and social delimiter that is not easily forsaken. By 1955, Johnny Cash has made his first recording, a song called; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hey Porter.â&#x20AC;? That same year historians began recording Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s every word after he began the Montgomery Bus boycott. Cashâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s song asked a train porter; â&#x20AC;&#x153;How long before we cross the Mason Dixon Line.â&#x20AC;? Meanwhile, King was trying to eradicate the residue

of slavery and Jim Crow that came with that line. 1957 saw Cashâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;I walk the lineâ&#x20AC;? on the radio airwaves and Dr. King was walking the line too, but it was a protest line. King incorporated the SCLC that same year. In 1965 Johnny Cash suffered his first arrest. Cash had become addicted to narcotics. His autobiography spoke of the guilt he felt when his brother was literally cut in half by a table saw. King was in Selma in 1965 bemoaning a Bloody Sunday experience of another type. 1967 brought Cash his first Grammy Award; in 1967 King was fighting LBJ over the poor and the Vietnam War and the awards just stopped. The Nobel Peace prize winner had become persona non grata. On March 1, 1968 Johnny Cash married his stage partner and musical sidekick June Carter. Thirty-three days later, Dr. King was divorced from this life by the power vested in an

assassinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bullet. Cash went on to record a song written by Kris Kristofferson; â&#x20AC;&#x153;They Killed Him.â&#x20AC;? The song was dedicated to the lives of Gandhi, King, The Kennedys and Jesus Christ. Their lives were as stark and different as night and day. But in death, Cash and King left words that are conjoined in the universal truth of our existence. Cash and King understood that time would eventually bring about a just end. The two men agreed one thing; you can run a long time, but the arc of the universe is going to bend toward the just and cut down the unjust. Cash and King implied that immoral men like Donald John Trump must fear their day of reckoning. The end result will not be good for them. #Justicewillcome #Karmaisreal Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist and award-winning journalist.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nobodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at the Switchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as CBS announces Election Coverage Team sans African Americans By Stacy M. Brown,

NNPA NewswireCorrespondent @StacyBrownMedia

CBS News said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diversifying â&#x20AC;&#x201C; adding a mix of women and minorities to its top staff and its upcoming 2020 election coverage. But, many are calling the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eyeâ&#x20AC;? Networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempts at diversity an epic fail. The network is taking some serious heat for excluding African-Americans from its core team of on-the-ground reporters and producers set to cover the 2020 presidential campaign cycle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an election thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s viewed almost universally as critical to Blacks and other minorities. The outcry began after associate producer Ben Mitchell tweeted a title card featuring images of CBS Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;political embed unit,â&#x20AC;? composed of eight 2020 campaign reporters and four associate producers, including himself. Among the eight reporters, four reportedly are persons of color: Musadiq Bidar, a native of Afghanistan, Alex Tin, Jack Turman and Stephanie Ramirez. But, none are African American. â&#x20AC;&#x153;CBS, the efforts on your website about your support for diversity fly in the face of your

NABJ addresses CBS Washington, D.C. -- The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is very disappointed in and disturbed about CBS News' recent announcement showcasing new hires for coverage of the 2020 Presidential election. The uproar began following a producer's tweet that included a graphic with 12 staffers, of which none are African American or black. Immediately the graphic set off a wave of criticism throughout the media industry, as well as the general public, with many expressing concern that Blacks will not be covering the 2020 election and issues important to African Americans would not be addressed. "It is unfortunate that we are still having these discussions about diversity and inclusion," said NABJ President Sarah Glover. "Ironically last year the 50th anniversary of the Kerner Commission Re-

port was a major topic and now in 2019 we're still asking media organizations specifically, and society as a whole to do the right thing. CBS's political team takes previously heralded steps back half a century." CBS responded to the criticism saying the team that was announced is "an initial wave of what will be an outstanding and diverse group of journalists assigned to cover the 2020 election for CBS News." Additionally the company says recently promoted Lorna Jones, who is African American, is the new Managing Editor for the CBS Washington Bureau and will oversee much of the political and other news coverage. The new hires showcased in the tweet are digital journalists who are field reporters and will be embedded in political campaigns. NABJ VP of Digital Roland Martin said, "It is unacceptable

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that no African Americans are even in the initial group of hires. We implore CBS to significantly improve its hiring from a healthy pool of African Americans, not only in political coverage but in areas company-wide. We are closely watching developments in hiring practices of CBS and all media companies, not only in the political arena but company-wide." NABJ officers are looking forward to working with CBS and others to ensure that more diverse staffs and diversity in coverage are always part of discussions when making decisions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It makes good business sense and aids the bottom line to be fair, balanced and inclusive,â&#x20AC;? added Glover. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The halls of Congress have become more diverse and more reflective of our American society and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for U.S. newsrooms to do the same. No excuses.â&#x20AC;?

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The outcry began after associate producer Ben Mitchell tweeted a title card featuring images of CBS Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;political embed unit,â&#x20AC;? composed of eight 2020 campaign reporters and four associate producers, including himself.

A More Diverse Congress, a More Perfect Union?

The Last Word By Dr. Julianne Malveaux The 116th Congress, sworn in on January 3, is the most diverse our nation has ever seen. There are more women â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 102 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; than ever before. More members of the Congressional Black Caucus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 55 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; than ever before. Indeed, a former Congressional Black Caucus intern, Lauren Underwood (D-IL) is part of the incoming first-year class. At 32, she is the youngest Black woman to serve. This Congress includes the first Native American woman, two Muslim women, openly gay representatives, and others. Much of this diversity was displayed at the ceremonial swearing-in of the Congressional Black Caucus, an inspirational event that preceded the official swearing-in on Capitol Hill. There, as I listened to speeches by the top Congressional Democrats â&#x20AC;&#x201C; incoming speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), incoming Majority leader Steny Hoyer (MD), and incoming Whip James Clyburn (SC), I was awash in hope and optimism. These leaders, along with outgoing Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond (LA) and in-

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coming Chair Karen Bass (CA) spoke of challenge, struggle, and optimism and focused on possibilities. As I listened to them I could not help but think of the poet Langston Hughes, and his poem Let America Be America Again. Written in 1935, the poem was first published in Esquire Magazine in 1936. Though Hughes did not consider it one of his favorites, it captures the duality of our nation, the marked difference

be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above. (It never was America to me.) O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe.â&#x20AC;? (Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this â&#x20AC;&#x153;homeland of the free.â&#x20AC;?) No freedom in this homeland of the free, but this Congress

between our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soaring establishing rhetoric and the stark reality that many experience. In the words of Malcolm X, it is the difference between the American dream and the American nightmare. Here is what Langston Hughes writes in his poem: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is free. (America never was America to me.) Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Let it

offers freedom possibilities. It offers the possibility of fixing the Voting Rights Act, even as the Supreme Court has attempted to erode voting rights, even as at least two elections were stolen in 2018, those of Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Andrew Gillum in Florida. This Congress offers freedom possibilities in resisting the insanity of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;wallâ&#x20AC;? that the Great Negotiator (and purported author of The Art of the Deal) swore that Mexico was paying for. Not. This Congress offers

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America, Home of the What? By Dr. Felicia N. Shepherd

Last September, I was in New York and visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum, whichgave me the opportunity to reflect on the 17th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on United States soil. The museum had video footage of journalists from various new stations reporting the attacks on the World Trade Center. We have all seen the footage of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers and the collapse of the towers numerous times. Seeing it inside the museum changed my perspective. When 9/11 attacks occurred, I was safely giving a benchmark test to my 5th grade class in Dallas, TX. How many times have we seen that footage and went back to our daily lives? As with any crisis, it doesn't affect you until it hits close to home. It doesn't make you an unfeeling person, you just didn't make the connection internally. We know 2996 Americans lost their lives on that day. So what changed for me? The moment I turned the corner and went inside to view the Memorial Wall something inside of me changed. Inside were pictures and names of every single person who lost their lives on that fateful day. Men, women, children, White, Black, Latino, Asian, Indian, young, and old; all lost their lives on September 11, 2001. This diverse memorial wall of Americans illustrates that no race was spared during these attacks. I looked at each name and picture and I thought about the survivors. I went from detached, to sad, to angry. On this day 17 years ago Americans of all races came together to mourn the attacks on our precious land. We stood together hand-in-hand singing "America the Beautiful" and praying. We didn't care who was straight, gay, Christian, Muslim, or atheist. On that day we were simply Americans. How dare someone attack us on our

Obama resumed a slow boiling pot of racism that never left. Americans knew racism existed but it was something about those three words, “Yes We Can!” that made the majority of Americans hopeful that maybe, just maybe, we were heading in the direction of unity. Over the last nine years, we went from “Yes We Can.” to “Make America Great Again”. The racist pot went from simmering to boiled over. We witnessed numerous occasions of President Obama being blatantly disrespect by elected officials, and a divided Congress who refused to pass sensible legislation on immigration, healthcare, and gun control. Yes, the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, was passed; but look at the efforts since to deregulate and defund this program. Why? Because it was President Obama's initiative? Are Americans really this petty, that if it's not your idea it is not to be taken seriously? Since 9/11, the only time

own soil! As I looked at each picture on the Memorial Wall, I finally felt what so many who were impacted felt. As I fought back tears, I wondered why it took such a horrible tragedy to bring Americans together. Our attention span lasted about the same amount of time regular programming on television was substituted with two weeks worth of newscasts. What was the takeaway from the attacks? Since 9/11, airport security was revamped to provide a better screening process of passengers and luggage. Stricter policies on what identifications were acceptable, and carry-on liquids were limited to 3 ounces. It's annoying but that's the world we live in. Post 9/11 also brought us our first African American president. So many, including myself, thought America was moving in a new direction of celebrating diversity. That was short lived. The election of President Barack

University to the Supreme Court, it appears that the “Good ole Boy” network continues to spit in the faces of victims of sexual assault. Are we saying the only time we care about “everyone” is when “everyone” is being gunned down? Is this the America we have become or is this the America that we are? While I was in the 9/11 Museum there were several questions written on the walls that were asked on that day but this question resonated to me. Many asked, “What can we do to protect ourselves from terrorists?” Anyone who has a blatant disrespect for human life should be considered a terrorist (foreign or domestic). So what can we do to protect ourselves from terrorism? We must arm ourselves with respect and love for one another. Yes, its sounds “Pollyanna” but look how easy it is to divide this country using fear tactics. Black men have been stereotyped as thugs who will rob and kill, or if an individual is a homosexual they will molest your children. When we stereotype individuals without taking time to get to know them, America opens herself up to be

Americans come together is unfortunately during a crisis, like a mass shooting (too many to name) or a natural disaster. The outpouring of love, support, and money to families is overwhelming. We give our thoughts and prayers when a mass shooting occurred but it is back to business as usual after our attention span fades. Did we learn anything from 9/11? We have a crisis on our hands. African American men are being gunned down in the streets and in their own homes by officers who swore to protect and serve. The only race that cares about the Black Lives Matter movement is Black people. We witnessed that it is acceptable for women to be sexually harassed, assaulted, abused by men and if the female dared to speak up, she is ridiculed and deemed a “liar.” The Me Too Movement, should not have to exist but it does. From Baylor

attacked. Colin Kaepernick would not have to take a knee in protest if Americans would treat each other with respect. Written 232 years ago, the Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” This statement applies to every United States citizen regardless of when the individual became a citizen. So what type of America do citizens want to have? We shall see.. ..~Doc Shep Speaks

ered me to accomplish the mission, gave me the resources that I needed, and then got the hell out of my way and let me do my thing! Of the 14% of the Black vote we received, we received 18% of the Black female vote and 9% of the Black male vote. The issues that drove this 14% was entrepreneurship and school choice/ vouchers. The Democrat nominee, Andrew Gillum, vowed to raise taxes on businesses and eliminate a voucher program that overwhelmingly benefited poor Blacks. The question that I have for the media, especially the Black media is how do you explain the fact that these three Black candidates all got well under 90% of the Black vote? I have not seen one media story that examined this phenomenon. Why? Because the media cannot and will not accept the fact that a significant percentage of the Black vote supported a Republican candidate because in a liberal’s mind, they can’t believe a Black person would actually say, by their vote, that they agree with this Republican candidate’s ideological views. In a liberal’s mind, it is inconceivable that a Black person can be pro-life, support smaller government, actually wants lower taxes, supports the removal of those in the country illegally, and believes in school choice and vouchers, etc. I expect white media to ignore this story, but I am

kind of surprised that Black media has not thoroughly examined why the three candidates got well under 90% of the Black vote. Many in the Black media are radical liberals, like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, Tamron Hall, Jason Johnson, Lauren Burke, Joe Madison, etc. They don’t want to examine this story because they know the outcome; the examination will prove that Blacks are not the liberals that they and the white media want the public to believe. Gillum, Abrams, Jealous, all were radical liberal candidates; putting illegals before American citizens, promoting a radical homosexual agenda, and wanting to raise taxes on those who are successful. That is why each of them lost. You had three sharp candidates, all 45 or younger, great rhetorical skills, and all very likable; and yet all three got their butts kicked because enough Blacks said we don’t agree with your policy positions. I have heard liberals attempt to dismiss these loses because of “racism” and “voter suppression.” Nothing could be further from the truth. They lost because the Republican candidates received more votes than them. Period!!! I hope in this new year that Black media will finally live up to its journalistic mission and actually give an honest examination of why these three Black candidates received well under 90% of the Black vote in three states that had significant numbers of Black voters. And I hope this examination will include the fact that enough Blacks supported the Republican candidate because they agreed with their policy positions as opposed to what the Democrat alternative was offering. This indeed was the most under reported political story of 2018.

Dr. Felicia N. Shepherd Twitter @ getfinessed Facebook-facebook.com/ fnsconsulting

Black Media - do their jobs

MY WORD

By Raynard Jackson

NNPA Newswire Contributor As I reflected on the year in politics from 2018, it dawned on me that the most under reported story of last year was the Black vote; and not for the reasons you might think. According to Pew Research, “Blacks voted [in the 2018 elections] overwhelmingly (90%) for the Democratic candidate, including comparable shares of black men (88%) and black women (92%). It is a well-known axiom in politics that a Democrat candidate MUST get north of 90% of the Black vote to win an election, especially in a state-wide race. Anything less, that Democrat candidate risks losing his race. Similarly, if a Republican gets north of 15% of the Black vote, he has a great chance of winning his election. This is why I find it so bizarre that the Republican Party REFUSES to

spend the time, money and effort to engage with the Black community in any meaningful, sustained way. More about this in a future column. The Black vote was particularly decisive in three gubernatorial races: Florida, Georgia, and Maryland. Each of these races had three extremely credible, impressive Black Democrat candidates facing white Republicans. In Florida’s governors’ race, former congressman, Ron DeSantis got 14% of the Black vote; in Georgia, former secretary of state, Brian Kemp got 16% of the Black vote; and in Maryland, incumbent governor, Larry Hogan got 30% of the Black vote. This is proof positive that the above axiom is indeed a very accurate predictor of election outcomes more than any polling data. In the spirit of full disclosure, I served as a senior advisor to Ron DeSantis during his race for governor, so I have first-hand knowledge of the impact of the Black vote in this race. After he became our party’s nominee for governor, DeSantis called me and asked me to come to Florida and help him secure the Black vote. He empow-

Raynard Jackson is founder and chairman of Black Americans for a Better Future (BAFBF), a federally registered 527 Super PAC.

JANUARY 16, 2019

Ask ALMA By Alma Gill

Absentee mom

Dear Alma, My best friend and college roommate grew up without her mother. She was raised by her father and they had a very close relationship. She shared with me that her mother left because of some unfortunate circumstances but has never gone into detail. I do know that her mother did not play a role in her life. She did not pick her up for visits or spend any time with her. It was like she just vanished. Her father just recently died, and she found out that he had two insurance policies and she called the insurance company to get the information. When she did, she was told the beneficiary was her mother. After 20 years, they never divorced, so her mother was entitled to the money. I told her she should sue her and get the money from her dad’s insurance. If she couldn’t take care of her daughter, she doesn’t deserve that money. My friend was left everything else, his car and his house. The house is in need of repairs and if she could get that money from her mother she would be able to take care of some things. She will probably end up selling the house and she is very upset about that. I told her she should sue and confront her mother. What do you think Alma, do you think she’ll win her case? Mama Drama Dear Mama Drama, What do I think? I’m so glad you asked. That leads me to believe there’s some room here for us to agree and agree to disagree. I agree she should try to reconnect with her mother. I disagree on the approach. Confronting someone is such an agitated act; searching for a non-confrontational conversation is more of what I have in mind. I’m sorry your friend was unable to have her mother in her life when she was growing up. There’s no excuse for that. But you and I both know there are three sides to every story – his side, her side and the truth. Sometime the truth hurts, and the truth of the matter is, her dad left the money to his wife and everything else to his daughter. There’s no need for a lawsuit. One could ask, does she deserve it? Well, her husband thought she did and that’s all that matters. This is a very tough time for your friend. It’s one of the toughest she’ll experience in her life. She is in need of a sacred place. Losing a parent has lasting effects and can leave you empty and broken for years to come. The best thing you can do for her is apply your comments to the positive side of this situation. Reassure her of the love her father had for her and remind her, even in the most difficult of times, he didn’t forget her mother. She might be hurt and totally disagree, but there’s no mistake that it’s admirable on the part of her father. Parents have confidential conversations that they never share with their children, and that sounds like what happened here. Maybe her parents agreed her mother would leave the relationship for whatever reason and it has gone unresolved all this time. If there were dozens of days of disrespect, then daddy, I’m sure, would have certainly made a change to his insurance policy. He didn’t. Choosing a beneficiary is not a small feat. When he did so, he didn’t wish, wonder or assume. He made a conscious decision and he doesn’t owe anyone an explanation. Like Clover said to Grover, “this issue is over.” There’s nothing your friend should do about it, but respect it and move on. She should also use her father’s last life gesture to reach out to her mother. You never know what that discussion may bring. Both are feeding unanswered questions and allowing the weeds of misunderstanding to grow. It’s time for healing. She can’t have another conversation with her father, but she can with her mother. Encourage her to extend a non-judgmental hand of forgiveness to her mother and if it’s not reciprocated, so be it. She can live a full life knowing she did all that she could to reconcile with her mother. Don’t encourage her to take her mom to court; that’s ugly and it don’t look good on you. Be a good friend who listens and consoles. As her best friend, it’s your job to lift her soul, not damage it. 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.

JANUARY 16, 2019

MY TRUTH, I chose to wear red for 365 days as I celebrated 40 years of being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For me it was a big accomplishment because I remember when as a sophomore, with 33 other young ladies, on the Florida A&M University campus; I said I would honor the lifetime commitment and live a life of service. Now I wasn’t the only one to make a pledge or commitment and I am not the only one to honor it, but this is my truth. I really wanted to see if I could still walk the walk, instead of just talking the talk. Could I start something and then 365 days later, regardless of any obstacles, remain true? Or would I make excuses, blame my lapses on someone or something, or just get up one day and say, “I’m not feeling like red today?” I could have made so many excuses for not wearing red. And there are those who will say that it’s not a big deal. But just think for a minute. What can you commit to for a certain length of time, and then see it through? There were those times that I said, “can’t do it.” Too often I have heard someone say, “Can’t should not be in your vocabulary.” Unfortunately however, I hear “can’t” more today than in previous years. Folks used to say, “I’ll try.” But today they have no problems saying, “Sorry, no can do.” Still others don’t get the whole sorority/fraternity “stuff” either. I’ve heard these public service organizations criticized by folks who create or join other groups that take

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continued from front page on similar practices or antics. When I decided to seek membership in Delta Sigma Theta, I was clueless about what I was getting myself into. I knew a little about the organization that was founded in 1913. I also knew that the most dynamic women on campus were Deltas and I felt like I kinda had it going on too. What a natural fit! Then I began reading more and talking to folks. My future big sisters told me what was expected of me. They also said that my commitment didn’t end once I graduated, but instead I was signing on for life. It sounded easy then, but there was something on the horizon. There was something that could disrupt the best of plans - LIFE! Yes, life happens and how you handle and navigate through life is not totally up to you because stuff happens. And understanding that stuff happens, I, like a past president of the National Association of Black Journalists, Condace Pressley; decided to live a life where I underpromise and overdeliver. Essentially, when I am given a job to do, I do more. I exceed expectations. And I don’t make grandiose commitments that even to the most reasonable person seems to be a bit much and more than most could achieve. I wore red every day. I made it through. I honored my commitment on a number of fronts, and that’s the real deal. That’s my truth and my life.

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Hollywood Hernandez LIVE

DECEMBER 2018 JANUARY 16,19, 2019

Around Town w/ Hollywood

Aquaman

By Hollywood Hernandez

Aquaman is the best of the D.C. comics’ movies since Wonder Woman. It’s a great story, but what is amazing about this movie are its special effects. It has the most epic special effects that I have ever seen. It puts previous sci-fi movies to shame with its incredibly advanced effects. It’s been the top moneymaker at the box office for two straight weeks and has already brought in over $750 in worldwide box office receipts. In Aquaman, Arthur (Jason Momoa) learns he is the bastard son of the Queen of Atlantis, played by Nicole Kidman. She flees Arthur’s father on land when she is ordered to return to Atlantis to be with her Atlantian King. Once back with the king in a prearranged marriage, she gives birth to another son, Orm (played by Patrick Wilson). He plays the evil nemesis in the film, hating

their armies is an amazing sight on the big screen. There is also a love story involving Arthur falling in love with Mera (a beautiful redhead played by Amber Heard). You’ve never seen anything like this movie. The movie has a run time of 2 hours and 23 minutes, which goes by really fast, and its rated PG-13 for some fantasy violence. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” this movie rates a JUMBO with extra butter, my highest rating. surface dwellers because of the way they have polluted the world’s oceans. When Orm discovers that he has a step-brother, the two go to war using sea creatures to fight their battles. The two brothers riding whales and commanding them as a part

THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW: Sparkle 2019 I hear many say “a New Year a new you”, my mantra “a blessed year, a blessed you.” Audiences know what they expect The Valder Beebe Show from Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly. R&B singer and former R. Kelly Protégé Sparkle, underage age niece, [14 at the time] appeared in the infamous R. Kelly sex tape. Sparkle talks with me about the Lifetime Network special, her feelings about R. Kelly and sharing what her niece, other your girls and their families should look for to spot sexual predators. Celebrated as one of the greatest R&B

singers of all time, R. Kelly’s genre defining career and playboy lifestyle has been riddled with rumors of abuse, predatory behavior and pedophilia. Despite damning evidence and multiple witnesses, none of these accusations have seemingly affected him. For the first time ever, in Lifetime’s ground-breaking documentary series Surviving R. Kelly, survivors and people from R. Kelly’s inner circle come forward with new allegations about his sexual, mental and physical abuse. With more than 50 interviews including civil rights activist Tarana Burke, musician John Legend and talk-show host Wendy Williams, those who knew R. Kelly shed light on the secret life the public has never seen. Among those featured in the documentary is R&B singer and Chicago native Sparkle who began her career as a protégé of R.

NOTICE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND PUBLIC HEARING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 30 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FROM: BASS PRO DRIVE TO: WEST OF FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD (FM) 2642 CSJs: 0009-11-238, 0009-12-215, 0009-12-219 and 0009-12-220 Dallas and Rockwall Counties, Texas The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is proposing improvements to IH 30 from Bass Pro Drive in Dallas County to west of Farm-to-Market (FM) 2642 in Rockwall County, Texas. Pursuant to Texas Administrative Code, Title 43, Part 1, Chapter 2, Subchapter E, §2.107 and §2.108, this notice advises the public that the draft environmental assessment and technical reports are available for public review and that TxDOT will be conducting a public hearing on the proposed project. The public hearing will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019 in the Royse City High School Campus Cafeteria, located at 700 South FM 2642, Royse City, Texas 75189. Displays will be available for viewing at an Open House at 6:00 p.m. with the formal public hearing starting at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements and to receive public comment on the proposed project. Proposed improvements to IH 30 would reconstruct and/or widen this highway from Bass Pro Drive in Dallas County to west of FM 2642 in Rockwall County, approximately 17 miles through the Cities of Garland, Rowlett, Rockwall, Mobile City, Fate, and Royse City. Beginning at Bass Pro to Horizon, the proposed improvements would widen this existing section of the roadway to accommodate adding shoulders along the existing 4 mainlanes (currently 3 lanes and one auxiliary lane in each direction). From Dalrock Road to SH 205, the proposed improvements would reconstruct and widen this section from six mainlanes (3 lanes in each direction) to eight mainlanes (4 lanes in each direction), and would reconstruct the four discontinuous frontage roads (2 lanes in each direction) to six-lane continuous frontage roads (3 lanes in each direction), to include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations crossing Lake Ray Hubbard. From SH 205 to West of FM 2642 (Hunt County Line), the proposed improvements would reconstruct and widen this section from four mainlanes (2 lanes in each direction) to six mainlanes (3 lanes in each direction), and would reconstruct the existing four lane frontage roads (two lanes in each direction). Other improvements for this project include the reconstruction of interchanges at Horizon Road, FM 548, and FM 35, construction of new interchanges at Ben Payne Road / Rochelle Road, Blackland Road, and Floyd Road (future Outer Loop), and associated ramp modifications. The existing facility has a typical right-of-way (ROW) width of 300-454 feet, with the maximum width at interchanges reaching about 700 feet. The improvements would require an additional 10-60 feet of proposed new ROW at various locations, with the greatest amount of new ROW occurring at the Sabine and Sabine Creek Tributary bridges. Approximately 34.60 acres of new right-of-way (ROW), 12.07 acres of temporary easements, and 1.17 acres of permanent easements would be required to accommodate the proposed improvements, widening, ramps, and bridge structures. The new ROW required includes 19.41 acres of Lake Ray Hubbard ROW. Although additional right-of-way is required, no residential or non-residential structures would be displaced. Information concerning services and benefits available to affected property owners and information about the tentative schedule for right-of-way acquisition may be obtained from the district office at the address listed below. Noise abatements are proposed at two locations within the project corridor. The proposed project is needed due to traffic congestion that limits mobility and to provide for future growth within the project corridor. The purpose of the proposed project is to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility in the project corridor. Portions of the proposed project area and construction work would occur in the FEMA designated 100-year floodplains adjacent to the project, therefore, coordination with Dallas Water Utilities (DWU), and the local FEMA floodplain administrator would be required. The hydraulic design for this project would be in accordance with current FHWA and TxDOT design policies. Waters of the United States, including Lake Ray Hubbard would be permanently filled and authorized under a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 Nationwide Permit 25 and Nationwide Permit 14. Anticipated impacts to Waters of the United States are due to placement of bridge columns, culvert extensions, and roadway fill. Permanent fills have been minimized and avoided to the greatest extent possible and all permanent fills would comply with the conditions of Section 401 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The proposed project would obtain required stormwater permits and utilize Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce stormwater impacts. Environmental documentation, including maps showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other information will be displayed at the public hearing. Environmental documentation will also available for inspection Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the TxDOT Dallas District Office located at 4777 East Highway 80, Mesquite, Texas 75150. This information also will be available for inspection at the hearing. A copy of the approved schematic and of this hearing notice is available online at www. keepitmovingdallas.com under Upcoming Public Hearing/Meeting. Verbal and written comments are requested and will be received at the public hearing. Written comments may be submitted either in person at the public hearing, by mail to the TxDOT Dallas District Office, Attention: Mr. Jason Estridge P.E., 4777 E. Highway 80, Mesquite, TX 75150-6643, or by email addressed to Jason.Estridge@txdot. gov in order to become part of the official hearing record. Written comments must be received or postmarked on or before Friday, February 15, 2019 to be included in the documentation of the public hearing. The public hearing will be conducted in English. Persons interested in attending the hearing who have special communication or accommodation needs, such as the need for an interpreter, are encouraged to contact the TxDOT Dallas District Public Information Office at (214) 320-4480. Requests should be made at least two days prior to the public hearing. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs. If you have general questions or concerns regarding the proposed project or the hearing, you may contact the TxDOT IH 30 Improvements Project Manager, Mr. Jason Estridge, P.E. at 214-320-6158 or e- mail at Jason.Estridge@txdot.gov. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.

Kelly and would later collaborate with stars such as Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean and Aaliyah. Sparkle’s debut album debuted at #3 on the Billboard chart and included the hit single “Be Careful,” a duet with R. Kelly that reached #1 on Billboard for six weeks. After creative differences led to their separation, Sparkle would later testify against R. Kelly in court, stating that her underage niece appeared in the infamous sex video. –Text provided by Sparkle’s Representing Team VBS: Hello Sparkle and thank you for joining me here in Dallas Texas on the Valder Beebe Show. As you know Lifetime cable is unveiling what they have termed as a “bombshell” three part docuseries on R&B crooner R. Kelly. What aspects do you add to this widely discussed topic? SPARKLE: I’m just adding my story. Adding my truth as it has been all along. Lifetime executive producer reached out

to my management and I decided to do it because I previously decided to speak out in the beginning of all of this because my niece is on the infamous sex tape. Yet there is a denial by other that it’s her. VBS: This is a 3-night docu-series. What are you going to say? What are you going to tell the public that they think and have already assumed that they know? SPARKLE: Valder, they do not know nothing. I am going to be sharing the truth about my niece [who’s featured in the sex video] I will share about our family, and who Robert Kelly really is…….…… Sparkle R&B artist on Lifetime Unveils the Bombshell Documentary Surviving R. Kelly PODCAST THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW: Soundcloud.com/valderbeebeshow, Soundcloud.com/kkvidfw, 411RadioNetwork.com

VIDEO ON-DEMAND THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW: ValderBeebeShow.com, Youtube.com/valderbeebeshow, 411RadioNetwork.com, PChatman Network and VBS affiliate broadcasters. Valder Beebe Show is a Power of 3 Women media influencer consortium partner.

freedom possibilities in its efforts to preserve the Affordable Health Care Act and to move us to Medicare for all. This colorful Congress (the pictures tell it all) offers a sharp contrast to the dismal (as in grey and navy suits) set of Republicans, overwhelmingly white and male, and overwhelmingly staid. It’s not about MAGA (Make America Great Again), it’s about MAF, or Make America Fair. This is what Congressman James Clyburn shared when he spoke at the ceremonial swearing-in. He opened with the words of French historian Alexis Tocqueville, who observed when visiting this country: “the greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.” Clyburn went on to list the many ways our nation has attempted to self-correct, from the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation to the Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education

decision declaring “separate but equal” to be “inherently unequal.” Clyburn talked about the Great Society legislation, another of our nation’s attempts at self-repair, and he concluded by saying that, “America does not need to be made great again, she is already great. Our challenge is to make that greatness apply fairly and equitably to all of our citizens.” Can this diverse new Congress make our nation fair for many who have never experienced our nation in the way it is supposed to be? In the words of Langston Hughes, “It never was America to me.” We’ve come a long way since he wrote his 1935 poem, but we still have so much to do. After these last two dystopian years under the leadership of President Genital Grabber (let’s just call him GG), this new Congress offers us many possibilities. May they manifest!

Malveaux, continued from page 4

Expo focuses on health, continued from front page

and Dallas County Health & Human Services, to offer blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and STD screenings, respectively, as well as mammograms on-site at this year’s event. “We are excited to partner with Parkland Health & Hospital System, Methodist Health System and Dallas County Health and Human Services to offer services to the community,” said Ms. Smith. “A lot of people may be experiencing various physical symptoms but have no knowledge of the root causes. “By offering mammograms and a variety of important health screenings at the Healthy Living Expo, our goal is to help individuals identify any underlying medical conditions they may be suffering from and ultimately put them on the right track to treatment and recovery.” DNA Testing Lucky attendees will also have an opportunity to win DNA tests from Ancestry DNA. TBAAL Memberships There will be FREE memberships to The Black Academy of Arts and Letters for the first 200! Mammograms The Methodist Mobile Mammogram Unit will be at the expo from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments must be made in advance of the event. To qualify for a mammogram, individuals must be age 40 or older and have no current breast problems. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call (214) 947-0026. Most major insurance plans are accepted including Medicare Part B and Medicaid. Parkland Health & Hospital System will have medical staff on-site administering blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings, and

Dallas County Health and Human Services’ Medical Mobile Clinic will also be at the expo providing STD screenings and resources for treatment options. Advance appointments are not required for the screenings and expo attendees will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Monticello Exhibit Attendees are also encouraged to check out the Monticello Exhibit at the Museum. Jan. 21 is the last day! 31-Day Challenge The expo will also feature “Friendship-West Baptist Church presents the Pastor's 31-Day Health Challenge.” “I contacted Dr. Haynes (senior pastor) and told him I wanted to be included,” said Ms. Smith. “We have to address the health crisis in our communities and I applaud the efforts and programming at Friendship-West.” The Realizing the Dream: Healthy Living Expo will feature informative presentations, panel discussions, live demonstrations, food, entertainment, giveaways, a variety of vendors, screenings from Parkland Health & Hospital System and a Sweet Potato Pie Contest. Other sponsors for the 2019 Expo include State Fair of Texas, Karrington and Company, Texas Metro News, Garland Journal, I Messenger, Service Broadcasting (K104 FM and KRNB FM), Urban One (97.9 The Beat and Majic 94.5 FM), 106.1 KISS-FM, KHVN-HEAVEN 97, the African American Museum, Pan African Connection Book and Resource Center, Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists and Heroes House.

JANUARY 16, 2019

GARLAND JOURNAL

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