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

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

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Lenny Williams stars in play

Meet and Greet w/ Lenny Williams and Alyson Williams Friday, October 28, 2011 9:00p.m.

Harwood 609 Restaurant

and Jazz Club 609 N. Harwood, Dallas

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Dallas Weekly - After more than four decades, singer and songwriter Lenny Williams is still going strong and he’ll prove it when he comes to Dallas later this month for the hit play, Love Won’t Let me Wait.

Appearing with a star-studded staff, Mr. Williams hails from Little Rock, Arkansas, where he grew up singing in the church.

Most fans remember him from the blockbuster hit song, “Cause I Love You.” His repertoire, however, includes an extensive and impressive list of songs and performances, with such notables as Billy Preston, Sly Stone, The Whispers, Rick James, Johnny “Guitar” Watson and the Hawkins family.

His career took off when he was a member of the group, Tower of Power.

During a recent interview on DFWiRadio.com, Mr. Williams was anticipating and preparing for his trip to Dallas for his starring role in Love Won’t Let me Wait. “I am excited about being in the play,” he said, acknowledging that he has appeared in numerous other plays, us “Love on Layaway” and “When a Woman’s Fed Up.” Mr. Williams admittedly gets nervous before a performance, but he considers that to be a “good thing.”

“I got the acting bug as a child performing in church plays,” he said, adding that he channels his nervousness and it helps him to do an exceptional show. “You don’t want to get too cocky.”

He said he also relies on help from his co-stars. He has worked with veteran actress Elise Neal and leading man Billy Dee Williams and credits the two with helping him grow as an actor. Working together is important, for actors, he notes. “Being in a play, we help one another because it’s not a competition.

Everybody helps everybody.”

It also helps that fans have not forgotten him and his mega-hit, Cause I love You, and he receives rousing receptions during his performances.“It feels good, when people acknowledge what you do,” he admitted. “It also helps you remain humble.”

Equally important and significant is the knowledge that See Lenny Williams, Page 2

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, October 24

Join Cheryl, Kelly Kel and Phyllis Alphabet •B l a c k Economic History Fact of the Day • Curtis King of TBAAL Stay tuned for the MAN who is SWAGGER MAGNIFIED!

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Tuesday, October 25 Join Cheryl, Kelly Kel and Phyllis Alphabet • B l a c k Economic History Fact of the Day • Chef Raymond Lee

Stay tuned for the MAN who is SWAGGER MAGNIFIED!

Wednesday, October 26

Thursday, October 27

Friday, October 28

Join Cheryl, Kelly Kel and P h y l l i s Alphabet • B l a c k Economic History Fact of the Day • Katina Potts discusses her many ventures.

Join Cheryl, Kelly Kel and Phyllis Alphabet Black • Economic History Fact of the Day De • Johnson of Nappiology

Join Cheryl, Kelly Kel and Phyllis Alphabet.

• Black Economic History Fact of the Day • Love Won’t Let Me Wait - The Play

Stay tuned for the MAN who is SWAGGER MAGNIFIED!

Stay tuned for the MAN who is SWAGGER

Stay tuned for the MAN who is SWAGGER MAGNIFIED!

GO TEXAS RANGERS!!!

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Lenny Williams, continued from front page his music has “withstood the test of time.” Never in his wildest dreams did he think that “Cause I Love You” would be as popular generations later. First recorded in 1978, the song has influenced countless of other musicians and been utilized by Twista, Kanye West and Mobb Deep.

“I thought it was a good song,” he acknowledged, and it continues to be a favorite.

Staying power is what Lenny Williams has and while some artists songs become lost after a few years, “Cause I Love You” is still a favorite and not just for those listeners who first heard it in 1978.

That’s the mark of a true entertainer and professional -- withstanding the test of time.

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Okay, what’s the deal on these Men of Swagger?

In September, I began showcasing my Men of Swagger on Cheryl Smith Live! These are men who I think have it going on.

I don’t receive any input from ANYONE on my choices; although

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plenty of folks try to engage me in conversations about who should be on the list, I don’t respond at all.

These are men who I have identified and while I realize that we each have our “issues,” I also believe in redemption and atonement. So you may see a guy September 1 - December 31 -- I am picking the men I think have serious swagger. These men are intelligent, strong, sharp, fierce, competitive, charismatic, spiritual, hard, caring, handsome, smooth, creative, energetic and so much more!

NOW... !!

Sporting News Editor-in-Chief Garry D. Howard, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Columnist Bob Ray Sanders, Min. Robert Muhammad, NFL Great Emmitt Smith, business mogul Daymond John, noted psychologist Nai’m Akbar, publisher Danny Bakewell Sr., NBA great and business mogul Earvin “Magic” Johnson, singer Charlie Wilson, journalist George E. Curry, former NAACP head and U.S. Congressman Kweisi Mfume, rapper, author Chuck D., Coach Doug Williams, businessman Charles O’Neal, comedian David A. Arnold, rapper Kool Moe Dee, businessman Jonathan Rodgers, Sports anchor Stephen A. Smith, basketball great Michael Jordan, Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes Jr., actor Billy Dee Williams, comedian and actor Chris Rock, FAMU President James Ammons, singer Nicholas Caldwell, actor/singer Leon, singer Morris Day, actor/rapper Will Smith, business mogul Sean Combs, journalist Ed Gordon, comedian/activist Dick Gregory, NBA great Allen Iverson, Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan, journalist/ historian Lerone Bennett, Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III, Ambassador Ron Kirk, Hon. Nelson Mandela, Rap mogul Jay Z

and say, “but he did” or “he said.” And my response to you would be, “you did” or “you said.”

Too often we hear about how the Black man is not doing this, that or the other. Tune in to www.dfwiradio.com and find out about my men of Swagger!

Without any consideration or input from anyone, I am choosing the men who through personal experiences or history, I find to have so much going on. Stay tuned - weekdays from 9-11a.m. I think it’s a great list!

THEN...

Singer Marvin Gaye, actor Calvin Lockhart, singers Teddy Pendergrass and Nat King Cole, comic/actor Bernie Mac, journalist Lawrence E. Young, entertainer Isaac Hayes, singer Gerald Levert, African activist and publisher Pius Njawe, attorney/media mogul Percy Sutton, Publisher extraordinaire John H. Johnson, atty. Johnnie Cochran, music great Curtis Mayfield, maestro Barry White, orator, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass, humanist Malcolm X, singer Johnnie Taylor, entertainer Lou Rawls, singer Rick James, Coach A.D. Jake Gaither, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Hon. Mickey Leland, entertainer Sammie Davis Jr., the Chief Rocker Frankie Crocker, Tupac Shakur, Hon. Marcus Garvey, Hon. Al Lipscomb, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, journalist Ed Bradley, Hon. Arthur E. Teele, Jr., actor/comedian Richard Pryor, singer/songwriter Nickolas Ashford.

Historian Ivan Van Sertima, musician Donny Hathaway, Hon. Adam Clayton Powell, businessman Alfred Huntsberry, Ossie Davis

GO TEXAS RANGERS!!!

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Ambassador Ron Kirk receives award from March of Dimes Troy Ruhanen, Chairman and CEO of BBDO, the Americas and a member of the Advertising Hall of Achievement, has been named national chair of the March of Dimes 2012 March for Babies at a ceremony where Ambassador Ron Kirk received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr. Kirk, who is one of the Men of Swagger, joined other notable political leaders, scientists, and physicians who were honored.

The former Mayor of Dallas , he was born in Austin, Texas on June 27, 1954. While attending John H. Reagan High School, he was elected president of the student body. He also played basketball and traveled in Europe with the school choir.

Upon graduation in 1972, Mr.

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Kirk enrolled in Austin College, where he earned his B.A. degree in 1976 with honors in political science and sociology. From there, he went on to earn his J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin.

Mr. Kirk then moved to Dallas and began practicing law with the firm of Bennett & Cane. In 1981, he left private practice and went to work for then Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen. When Bentsen was appointed U.S. Secretary of the Treasury by President Bill Clinton, Mr. Kirk accompanied him to Washington, D.C. In 1994, he left Washington and returned to his native Texas, where he

became Secretary of State under Texas Gov.Ann Richards.

The following year, at the urging of the Dallas business community, Kirk ran for mayor of Dallas, and won 62 percent of the vote, becoming the first African American mayor of Dallas, and of any major Texas city. As mayor, Kirk gained a reputation for building coalitions. He also instituted the "Dallas Plan," his vision for the City of Dallas. Mr. Kirk was widely credited with jump-starting the city's economy.

In 1999, he was reelected in a landslide election, winning seventy-four percent of the vote.

He stepped down as mayor in 2001 and ran unsuccessfully for

the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Phil Gramm. Kirk returned to private practice, joining the firm of Gardere Wynne Sewell, where he served as a partner. In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed Kirk as U.S. Trade Representative. Kirk and his wife, Matrice Ellis-Kirk, have two daughters.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.

With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies速, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

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Founders of Global Glory, Drs. Renny and Marina McLean bring The International Glory Summit themed LIVING RIBBON RECEPTION The Manifested Son to the Irving Guest speaker, Dr. Janice Ingram will Convention Center October 25 - 28. share her inspiring breast cancer For hotel accommodations and parking survivor’s story. info, visit www.globalglory.org or “Honorary Survivors” Ms. Sheila Harris call 866-244-5679. & Ms. Esther Hicks Bank of DeSoto 2011 N. Hampton Road 10/28 DeSoto, TX 75115 Reception: 5:00 pm 10/22

FWBC Voices That Shout Domestic Violence Awareness Month 11:00 a.m. - Noon at Friendship-West.

RSVP at shout@friendshipwest.org or register at the ministry table located in the Narthex each Sunday during October or call (972)228-5376.

LEGALLY BLIND Speaker: Judge Elizabeth Frizell Discussion on effects of protective Meet and Greet with Lenny orders.

Williams and Alyson Williams, -----from the his play, Love Won’t Let

Intercontinental Hotel Dallas • Benefiting the “Ray of Hope” Children’s Home VIP Reception – 5:30 p.m.

Silent Auction Begins - 6:30 p.m.

Gala/Dinner – 7:00 p.m.

Mistress of Ceremonies DeLores Pressley, Motivational Speaker/Coach/Author Sponsorship Packages (please go to hhcharities.org to order) So You Think You Can Dance auditions at Verizon Center 10/25 The second event is the Hispanic Heritage Month Read-In, scheduled for Tuesday, October 25 at 11 a.m. in G101.

This is the only Hispanic Read-In in the Dallas County Community College District. The theme of the Read-In is “Many Backgrounds, Many Stories, One American Spirit.”

Hispanic Heritage Month Writing Contest Heartfelt International Ministries, Inc. (HIM) cordially invites you to a book signing celebration with Bishop Ernestine Cleveland-Reems "The Sister's Handbook for the Broken Heart" 6:00pm-7:30pm H.I.M. Office 202 S. Tyler St, Dallas, TX 75208 972.944-1473 6 10/21/11

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Me Wait, 8:30p.m. at Harwood 609 Restaurant and Jazz Club, 609 North Harwood St. Dallas.

10/29 Celebrate Halloween with Pole'iticians Fitness Studio at our Open House Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 6pm-8pm at Jerome's Gym. The Irving-Carrollton Branch NAACP Freedom Fund Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. at The Dallas Marriott Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. The Keynote Speaker is Dallas Police Chief, David Brown.

Nova Academy hosts the opening of its new campus at 10a.m.

Throughout the month of October, the Eastfield Library (L200) is hosting an Art and Literature Exhibit. A reception is planned for Friday, October 28 at 10 a.m. in Library. The Exhibit features work by Benito Huerta’s; Huerta is a local artist and a University of TexasArlington professor and Gallery Director. Part of the exhibit will be an ofrenda in honor of George Dawson, coauthor of Eastfield’s 2011 Common Book "Life is so Good."

An Evening of Spoken Word with Ruby Dee at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters, 7:30p

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PROGRAMMING

16th Annual Tribute to the African Ancestors

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - North Where: Freedman’s Cemetery.

Dallas Suburban Alumnae Chapter in 2700 Lemmon Ave.@ Central partnership with the North Dallas Expressway 7:30 PM Suburban Foundation for Life Development and Community Involvement, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will host its annual charitable benefit “Wingtip & Stiletto Soiree…A Delta Affair” at the InterContinental Dallas Hotel, 15201 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX in the Malachite Grand Ballroom at 7pm.

“What If…?” 2011 Gala Event

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Join the cast of LOVE WON’T LET ME WAIT, for the live broadcast of Reporters Roundtable w/ Cheryl Smith at Harwood 609. Doors open at 7:30p.m. RSVP to 214.740.0609 FWBC Women of the West ministry presents Women's Celebration Weekend 2011 "STEPPIN TO GOD'S PLAN" - Women's Conference 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Saturday, October 29, 2011 | Time: 9 a. - 5 p Women's Celebration Sunday Sunday, October 30, 2011 - Both Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Guest Speaker: Bishop Vashti McKenzie

Monday 7am Gospel Grooves 9-11am Cheryl Smith Live!

11am The Yundrae Show 3pm The Watchfuleye with FHjr 4pm DFWspotlight 5pm The Jazz Lounge 9pm RnB and NeoSoul Music Mix Tuesday 7am Gospel Grooves 9-11am Cheryl Smith Live!

11am The Yundrae Show 1pm The Mid-day X-Change 6pm Chat it Up (Teen Talk) 7-9pm Claudia D. Fowler The Queen of Community Conversation 9pm RnB and NeoSoul Music Mix Wednesday 7am Gospel Grooves 9-11am Cheryl Smith Live!

11am The Yundrae Show 12pm Let's Go Deeper w/Evangelist Jameel Vincent 2pm In The Ladies Room with Lynne Haze 4pm DFWspotlight 6-8pm The Dock Power Hour 8pm SheTalk Sports 9pm RnB and NeoSoul Music Mix Thursday 7am Gospel Grooves 9-11am Cheryl Smith Live!

11am The Yundrae Show 4pm Urban Crusade with Gordon Jackson 8pm The P5 Health, Wealth & Networking Show 9pm RnB and NeoSoul Music Mix Friday 7am Gospel Grooves 8am Dallas Dialogue w/John Yourse 9-11am Cheryl Smith Live!

11am The Yundrae Show 12-2pm Da Crossover w/T-Spoon and LeftField 2pm Finish Strong with Kim McGrew 4pm DFWspotlight 5pm The Jazz Lounge Saturday 1pm The Paradox with Wordz 5-8pm The Jazz Lounge 8pm Dirty Redd Live and RAW Sunday 9-11am Gospel Grooves 11am RnB and NeoSoul Music Mix 12-4pm Classic Hits 5pm The Jazz Lounge 6pm RnB and NeoSoul Music Mix

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SURRENDERED

by Kwame Kilpatrick and Khary Kimani Turner

 ready to talk about "I'm everything. Carlita, my wife. My former mistress.

Detroit. The job.

Everything. People think they know me, and they don't. They think they know what happened with T he job and the city, but they have no idea."

---Kwame Kilpatrick

In Surrendered! The Rise, Fall and Revelation of Kwame Kilpatrick, Kilpatrick explores the many elements, both professional and personal, that contributed to the 'perfect storm' of controversy and conspiracy that culminated in his conviction for lying under oath about an affair with his long-time friend and chief of staff. He was unfaithful to his wife, but many men are and perhaps even more politicians are. Most are not in prison.

But, does anyone want to hear the truth about this and all the other alleged crimes and bad behavior that Kilpatrick supposedly committed as Mayor of Detroit.

Surrendered! The Rise, Fall and Revelation of Kwame Kilpatrick provides insight into the many triumphs and disappointments of Kwame Kilpatrick. He made national headlines when he became mayor at the age of 31 and numerous others when his leadership brought new development to the city, including hosting the Super Bowl. City operations, development and safety had never experienced a better performance level than when Kilpatrick was mayor. However, his sense of compassion for people in need clashed with his most glaring fault, immaturity - professional and personal.

His willingness to enforce checks and balances threatened the wrong peoples' bottom lines and his single-minded devotion to his job threatened his family.

In a process of awesome revelation Kilpatrick is able to take a vividly intimate, unashamed and honest look at the mental, physical and spiritual mettle required to hold steadfast in the midst of the personal hell that often accompanies public humiliation and private damnation. Through the loss of his mayoral position and his freedom he finds inspiration to fuel a story of redemption, love and rededication.

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CONVERSATION & BOOKSIGNING Sunday, October 30, 4-6pm @ The Dock Bookshop 817.457.4700

Fall Festival offers safe alternative to Halloween Looking for a safe, fun way to celebrate Halloween? Join the Life School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at its Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 22 1 - 6:30 p.m. The day features music, games, bouncers, vendors, food, live entertainment, trunk or treat, and more. The Fall Festival will be held on the Life School Oak Cliff campus at Ann Arbor and R. L. Thornton Freeway in Dallas. For info, call 214-372-9012. The Fall Festival is sponsored

by Life School PTO, Green Mountain Energy, Sam's Club and WalMart stores.

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October 30, 2011 The Cedar Canyon Dude Ranch

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Texas Sen. addresses death of Gaddafi Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) has released the following statement on the death o f L i b y a n d i c t a t o r, Muammar Gaddafi: "While I do not rejoice in the death of another human being, today I stand with my Libyan friends and colleagues in looking forward to a brighter future for Libya. Muammar Gaddafi ruled Libya with an iron fist for 42 years. He used his position to commit countless atrocities against his own people, some of which I am certain have yet to be revealed.

"I visited Libya in 2010. It is a beautiful country that has for too long lived in the shadow of a tyrant. It takes a strong nation, a strong people, to remain resolute while living for decades under the thumb of such oppression. That is why I urge the people of Libya to harness the energy you have now and to channel it into rebuilding your country.

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"I had the privilege of meeting a wonderful group of Libyan students studying here in Houston. I stood in solidarity with them at a protest this past February. This talented group of students was hopeful, energized, and excited about the possibility of democracy coming to their homeland. In the wake of Gaddafi’s death, let this time mark the end of violence in Libya and let the hope of the youth be the engine that drives the future."

According to reports released during Cheryl Smith Live! on Thursday morning, Oct. 20, there was video footage of an apparently dazed and wounded Muammer Gaddafi, who was still alive as captors dragged him in front of an angry crowd, before he was shot.

It was a violent, ghastly scene of dead bodies in Sirte, Libya. Mr. Gaddafi had ruled for 42 years.

Here’s a message from Mr. Curry about the award winning Emerge Magazine.

Hopefully you will support this effort.

Emerge Magazine was a voice for the voiceless.

It provided enlightening, informative, inspiring and yes, entertaining stories and analysis of issues effecting black people in America and around the world.

Emerge is back …Almost!

This is a special edition of Emerge magazine. I will revive Emerge on a regular basis if I can get 100,000 interested readers.

If I can count on your support, leave your name and e-mail, both of which will be kept confidential. I will keep you posted on future progress. Let me know if you want us to reEmerge.

George E. Curry Editor-in-Chief (1993-2000)

http://www.newemergemagazine.com/Site/ Emerge_News.html

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Nappiology Expo provides natural hair options Black women More than 1000 AfricanAmerican women are expected for the 2011 Nappiology Expo in North Texas to learn about the flexibility of their natural hair.

Attendance at the conference has grown since it started three years ago when organizers expected 200 women and 600 showed up.

The conference will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Hurst Conference Center, located at 1601 Campus Drive, Hurst.

“The 21 Century AfricanAmerican woman has so many options for wearing our hair,” said Nappiology founder De Johnson. Johnson stopped using a relaxer permanent on her hair to make it straight 21 years ago when she became pregnant.

At first she straightened her hair with a pressing comb, but four

years ago she started wearing her hair in its curly (nappy) natural state. “When I started doing research on styles and products, I learned that there were so many more options for how I could wear my hair than I had ever imagined. It is the mission of Nappiology to educate, embrace and celebrate natural beautiful African-American hair and our nappy roots.”

There are nine workshops scheduled for the expo.

Former CBS Morning Show Anchor (and former Dallas area anchor) Rene Syler will be

featured in a workshop called “Hair Rules with Rene Syler” at 12:30 pm.

Stephanie Johnson plans to attend the Nappiology conference for the third year in a row.

“I had a bad experience with a relaxer in 1997 right before my wedding. Lumps of my locks fell out,” Johnson cringed. “After that I was afraid to get relaxers and went natural in 2000.

“The Nappiology conference is full of information and knowledge about keeping my natural hair healthy. It is also exciting to learn about all the

various types of natural styles I can wear. I am not limited by just a few styles!”

Black hair care products are a $10-billion industry, but in the last two years chemical hair relaxer sales have dropped by 12 percent according to Mintel, a consumer spending and market research firm.

“Hair care companies and local stylists are finding that the natural hair care business is a fast growing segment of the hair care market.

“One-third of our Nappiology members spend more than $300 per year on natural hair care products,” said De Johnson.

For more information on the Nappiology Expo visit www.nappiology.net

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M HOMECOMING 2011 ALABAMA A&M vs PRAIRIE VIEW A&M

Let’s Go to PV

Don’t let the bus leave without you……………..

Saturday, November 19, 2011 @ 5:30 a.m.

Pick-Up:

Friendship West Baptist Church 2020 W. Wheatland Road (Enter Gate at Hampton & Wheatland) and proceed to the rear NW Corner

Return:

Saturday, November 19, 2011 Approximately 9:00 p.m.

Cost: $30.00

Adults

$20.00 - 18 and under

Cash or Check must be received ASAP, or no later than November 12, 2011. 55 seats available Make checks payable to: Dallas P.V. Alumni Attn: Jesse Fontenette

6819 Flanary Lane Dallas, TX 75252-2710

For more information contact: Jesse Fontenette (972)758-8781 or Cell: (214)212-4624

Follow Cheryl on Facebook and Twitter @penonfire

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October 16 - King Memorial Dedication in 2011 Million Man March in 1995

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Gospel Fest raises awareness about childhood obesity and diabetes If you mixed family fun, food, games, Gospel Music, Gospel Comedians along with putting an end to childhood obesity and Diabetes, then what would you get? “It’s a Family Affair”-October 30th’s Trinity Divine Gospel Production Tour, 1pm-11pm at Cedar Canyon Dude Ranch at I-20 and Houston School Road, 4523 North Houston School Rd or University Hills Blvd., Lancaster, TX 75134 The production will feature national recording artists Daryl and Latonya Blair; “Ms. Cantalope” and “Wild Winnie,” Christian comedians; and local Gospel recording artists, including: Anderson Lewis, Vickie Favors, Norris Johnson, Ray Deezie, Don Ollie, Carisma Evans, Josette Ables, and Demetrius McClendon.Also featured; praise dancers Corey Smith, Narvia McDaniel, and Andres Martines.

Pastors Hayes said the vision and purpose of Trinity Divine Gospel Productions (TDGP) is to help provide services, and educational and medical aids, by raising funds through benefit events. They will donate a portion of the proceeds back to the children’s charities. TDGP focuses on discovering and working with national and local talent to get them booked for shows at quality live music venues and events in their hometown.

“By utilizing our relationships with dozens of venues across the country and within the gospel music industry, we are able to provide unique opportunities for exposure and growth for renowned gospel artists as well

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as up and coming gospel artists,” said Pastor Ronald Hayes.

Reverends Ronald and Antoinette Hayes funded this event out of their personal funds.

When asked why they would take on that great risk, they said, “We were willing to take the risk because of our ‘faith in God and a heart for the children.’”

According to Hayes, “the threat of childhood obesity to the health of our children and the health of our nation has never been greater.

They are our future and it is our job to protect and train up the future generation in the way that they should go.”

TDGP has reached out to the community for support and 17 local businesses have stepped up to help offset the costs. Fifty churches have been contacted but only one has responded in the affirmative. TDGP is hoping this event will cross racial and denominational lines.

According to the Center for Disease Control, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled over the past three decades. Today, almost one in every three children of our nation is obese or overweight.

The numbers are even higher in African-American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40 percent of the children are overweight or obese “ “If we don’t solve this problem, one third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. Many others may face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma.”

Trinity has partnered with

First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, which focuses on solving the childhood obesity epidemic. In addition, Trinity is also partnering with “Body by Vi” to issue a 90-day Health Challenge. They are asking adults to sign up to lose collectively 100,000 pounds in 90 days. They are also offering prizes for the adult who loses the most weight during that time frame. Some of these prizes include a black BMW, cash prizes, trips to Disney theme p a r k s , scholarships, shopping sprees, and fitness equipment.

There is also the drawing and painting contests for children from pre-K to sixth grade in area

schools. The essay contest will feature the topic “Why Should I Eat Healthy?”Winners of the essay, drawing/painting contests will be featured at the October 30th event and will read their essays on stage before their families, favorite teacher and principal.

The cost for the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children on the website or by calling 1-888-560-1170; The at-door price is $15 and $7, respectively.

Vendor space is still available--$175 for non-food vendors, $200 for food vendors with one booth and selling 4 items or less. $320 for two booths or a trailer selling up to 8 items. Contact In The Door for vendors spaces by calling 469-855-3074 or info@inthedooradvertising.org

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A time to embrace Dr. King’s works as well as his words:

There is no economic justice with triple-digit payday loans The recent unveiling of this type of loan. the national monument If you’re thinking that honoring the late Dr. this loan sounds like a Martin Luther King, Jr. street corner payday loan, reminded our nation of you’d be right. Just like the leadership that led to storefront payday loans, people of all races and these newer bank payday walks of life recognizing loans charge triple digit that America needed to interest too. A key live up to its own difference is that while creed. The widespread Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III 1 7 s t a t e s a n d t h e news coverage evoked District of Columbia memories that many have enacted interest of us continue to hold dear – rate caps of 36 percent or less, especially the words of our federally regulated banks appear martyred prophet. somehow exempt from state laws.

Yet while we remember his In the meantime, storefront words, we must also embrace his payday lenders are more common works, continuing the quest for than fast food restaurants – freedom and his now world- especially in my church’s famous Dream. In 2011, it is time neighborhood. There are 20 for this nation to finally reckon payday loan stores within a fivewith the financial injustices mile radius on my church. As a allowed to continue. As a nation pastor and community activist, I and as a people we must find the have personally seen how quick will and the way to stop policies cash payday loans wind up and practices that exploit people placing borrowers in financial of modest and limited financial debt shackles. means.

More than a year ago, the Center One of the most egregious for Responsible Lending warned exploitations is an emerging trend against the dangers of bank among major banks to offer payday loans. According to CRL, advance deposit loans or bank payday loans.

When the bank repays itself, the customer is left with about half of the monies from that deposit, forcing yet another cycle of loan and interest charges to cover other living expenses.

Although Wells Fargo was the first major bank to offer this type of loan, Fifth Third Bank, Regions Financial and U.S. Bank all now offer these loans.

Only bank customers with direct deposits from employers or government benefits have access to these loans. Nearly 25 percent of the transactions occurred with Social Security recipients.

Further, older customers were 2.6 times more likely than others to use 14

although marketed as a short-term loan, these bank loans lead to an average of 16 loans and 175 days of indebtedness – twice as long as the maximum length of time advised by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

If Dr. King were alive today, I believe he would decry the lending practices that rob the poor of their few dollars and make rich those who prey upon others’ financial misfortunes. Nationwide, 12 million Americans are entrapped in some kind of payday loan with interest rates of 400 percent or even higher. Another CRL research finding was that this deceitful lending product reaps $5 billion each year. The vast majority of payday lending – 76 percent - is by borrowers paying off one loan and quickly taking out another.

This practice of lending is especially troubling when one considers that banks, according to the Federal Reserve, are able to receive loans with interest rates of less than one percent.

At a time when 14 million Americans are unemployed – 44

percent of them for 27 weeks or longer, and another 1.1 million discouraged workers who have stopped looking for jobs because they feel none are available, it is simply immoral to allow this kind of legalized loan-sharking to prey upon people who find themselves a few dollars short of needed cash.

With the enactment of DoddFrank’s financial reform, as a nation we must find the collective will to protect those who toil at modest wages. Nor should we tarnish what ought to be golden years for those who have already devoted their lives to raising families and earning an honest wage.

As Dr. King wrote in his 1963 Letter from a Birmingham Jail, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.

Whatever affects one directly, affects us all.”

Ending oppressive, predatory lending is the right thing to do for all Americans.

The only remaining question is whether we have the national will to do so.

October 30, 2011 The Cedar Canyon Dude Ranch

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