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VOL 6 ISSUE 23

FEBRUARY 10, 2017

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IN CONVERSATION ZAN W. HOLMES, JR. and ROLAND S. MARTIN

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VOL 6 ISSUE 24

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FEBRUARY 10, 2017

Rev. Barber challenges Black publishers

By Freddie Allen (Managing Editor, NNPA Newswire)

Reverend William Barber, the president of the North Carolina state chapter of the NAACP and leader of the Moral Mondays movement, delivered a rousing keynote address to open the 2017 Mid-Winter Conference of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

The theme of the conference was “Strengthening Black-owned Newspapers through Training, Innovation and Technology.” The NNPA partnered with General Motors, Chevrolet, Ford Motor Company, Reynolds American Inc. (RAI), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to host the conference; Volkswagen, Ascension, Coca-Cola, and the American Association for Cancer Research supported the event as sponsors.

During his speech titled, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” Barber tackled voter suppression in the aftermath of Shelby v. Holder, White evangelicalism and the current political environment in the age of “alternative facts.”

Noting that President Woodrow Wilson played the White supremacist propaganda film “Birth of a Nation” in the Oval office in 1911, Barber said that Trump’s ascension and election is not an anomaly in American history.

“This is not the first time that White supremacy has occupied The White House. This is not the first time that America has elected a racist egomaniac,” said Barber, reminding the audience that President Wilson, a former college president, played “Birth” to signal that Reconstruction was over. “Education doesn’t necessarily get racism out of you.”

To a chorus of “Amens,” Barber said that the one thing that we have to first decide to do in this moment is that bowing down is not an option.

Recognizing that he was addressing a room full of journalists and publishers, Barber pitched ideas for a number of articles and commentaries.

“Somebody has to unpack ‘so-called’ White evangelicalism that is illogical malpractice and heresy,” said Barber. “We’ve got to have some papers that write and do some investigative work to connect the money to White evangelicalism to the policies of extremism and racism, because some of our own folk are sending money to some of these TV White evangelicals.”

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Barber said that the loss of the full protections of the Voting Rights Act and voter suppression were two of the most underreported stories during the last election cycle.

“Long before any Russian hack, the American electoral process was hacked by systemic racism and fear,” said Barber. “The Southern Strategy is alive and well.”

Barber acknowledged that civil rights leaders and Democrats could have voiced louder criticism about the lack of work done in the U.S. Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act. “Democrats talked more about David Dukes than they did about voter suppression and the Voting Rights Act being dismantled,” said Barber.

Barber said that they were 868 fewer voting places across the nation; those closures disproportionately affected Black voters.

“Voter suppression has been proven, voter fraud has been disproven. The lie about voter fraud is a distraction from the truth about voter suppression, because voter suppression is about thievery. You scratch a liar, you’ll find a thief,” said Barber. “Trump won because of the voter suppression that went on in the Black community.”

After delivering a brief history of fusion politics, a time when poor Whites and Blacks worked together to achieve political power in the South following the Civil War, Barber questioned why so many poor, White people today cast votes for lawmakers that oppose establishing living wage standards, better healthcare and more educational opportunities for low-income families.

The North Carolina pastor noted that there are 18.9 poor White people in the United States, about eight million more than the number of poor Black people, though Black people experience poverty at higher rates than Whites.

Barber said that exploring the real reasons why so many poor Whites vote against their own self-interest, would make for a great investigative report.

Returning to the theme that today’s political environment in America is nothing new, Barber told the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who he described as “three millennials from the Bible days,” that liked to write and Nebuchadnezzar, “a maniacal egomaniac who loved to tweet out his own news,” loved to build towers and invited people to come to his towers

to bow down.

When Nebuchadnezzar commanded that everyone bow down to his image and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused, the king threatened to throw them into the furnace.

“He didn’t know they already had a fire. They came from people who had been through the fire,” said Barber. “They remembered how the lord had dealt with pharaoh. They remembered how David dealt with Goliath.”

Barber said that the three young leaders had a fire in them, because they sung the songs of their ancestors.

“Can we just make a decision, Black folks? Can we just make a decision, publishers? Can we just make a decision, civil rights…that bowing down is not an option?” Barber implored. “I gotta suspicion that it’s going be some fiery times.

I gotta suspicion that it’s gonna get hot. I gotta suspicion that Nebuchadnezzar is gonna do some rough stuff.”

Barber implored the publishers, journalists and activists in the room to go into the proverbial fire standing up, because help won’t come, if you go in the fire bowing down.

“If you go in the fire standing up, God can transform the fire and the same fire that was meant to destroy you, can become a fire of deliverance!” Barber shouted.

The crowd roared, delivering Barber a standing ovation. The Moral Mondays leader continued: “Bowing down is not an option! Standing down is not an option! Looking down is not an option! Breaking down is not an option! We’ve been through worse before.” Barber exclaimed.

“We’ve been through slavery. We’ve been through Jim Crow. We’ve been through the Trail of Tears and we’re gonna stand up in this moment!”

The next day at the conference, Barber committed to writing a regular guest column for the NNPA Newswire that will be distributed throughout the NNPA’s network of 211 Blackowned media properties and will reach an estimated 20 million readers in print and online.

“Somebody has to write from the perspective of crisis, even if the crisis doesn’t end immediately,” Barber explained. “Somebody has to make sure that there is a witness that [the Black Press] didn’t go along with it. So we have to do that.”

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Trump Serious About Helping Regular Folks? Stopping Shady Solar Panel Salespeople Would Be Good…

As a progressive who worked hard to help get Secretary Hillary Clinton elected, it is challenging for me to accept Donald Trump as President.

But, he won. At least for now, I have to make the best of a bad situation. Which means progressives like me will have to both resist the Trump administration’s odious policies, and also pressure -- and even cooperate with – the administration to implement policies that reflect our worldview.

This is why I was interested to see a recent letter sent to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by three Democratic Members of Congress.

Signed by Congressmen Henry Cuellar of Texas, Emmanuel Cleaver of Missouri and Bennie Thompson of Mississippi – it urges the CFPB to look into bad actors operating in the rooftop solar industry.

What we are talking about here are those salespeople that go door to door, and bombard consumers with telemarketing calls, urging them to put solar panels on their rooftops. Now, for some people, rooftop solar makes both environmental and financial sense. This is why I generally support the industry.

But what concerns me – and those three Democratic Congressmen – are the shady operators that mislead potential customers about the cost saving benefits of installing those panels. The letter outlined three major concerns.

First, that new customers may be unaware that the panels can cost upwards of $15,000 and that they will have to pay that money back. This purchase can generate an additional lean against their home making it harder to sell their house, which also decreases its value.

For those Americans barely getting by, and counting on every dollar of equity in their house, this is problematic. This is especially true if they hope to sell their

The Last Word By Dr. Julianne Malveaux NNPA Newswire Columnist

home to fund retirement.

Second, salespeople sometimes tell customers that they will save a lot of money on their utility bill because the price of electricity from utility companies is going up.

That simply is not accurate. In reality, many people’s electric bills are coming down, stabilizing or going up only single digits. This is because of cheap and abundant natural gas used to produce electricity. Solar panel customers don’t see any savings on their electric bills, but have to pay back the cost of buying or leasing the panels. Every month, people are out of pocket more – not less -- money.

Third, the letter to the CFPB points out that many of these solar panel sales pitches include promises of “no money down” and other high-pressure sales tactics. Anyone who has ever dealt with a shady salesperson – whether for solar panels or a used car – knows that these tactics are not the tools of an honest broker.

Plus, as the Wall Street Journal exposed this January, we know many solar panel salespeople are pitching so-called government loans that can be used to help make homes more energy efficient. In reality, these Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE loans, are a type of loan which gives creditors top priority on securing repayment – even priority over a mortgage. No wonder, according to the Journal, that PACE loans are likely “the fastest-growing type of financing in the U.S.” The title of the article should make

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us all fearful: “America’s Fastest-Growing Loan Category Has Eerie Echoes of Subprime Crisis.”

While there have been rumblings that the Trump Administration would curtail the CFPB, the letter from Congressmen Cleaver, Cuellar and Thompson illustrates why this regulatory agency is important.

Action against these shady rooftop solar companies, who seem to target communities of color, is one way that this administration could showcase its commitment to the working people who supported it. Indeed, as President Trump hosted a “listening session” with some Black Republicans “in honor” of Black History Month, he made no specific policy commitments.

It would have been fantastic had he taken this small issue on, signaling that he understands the exploitation that some communities experience because of this solar chicanery.

The solar industry generates more than 200,000 jobs across the nation. While Donald Trump might not be concerned about producing clean energy, he says he cares about protecting American workers. That is why I am urging his Administration, and the CFPB, to take steps to eliminate the bad actors in rooftop solar.

Unless we do, people will catch on, and walk away from solar. That will hurt our economy and our fight to beat climate change.

Hopefully one out of two of those concerns is enough for the new Administration to take action to protect consumers.

================================ Julianne Malveaux is an author, an economist and President Emerita of Bennett College for Women. Her latest book “Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy” is available on Amazon

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To Allow is to Teach?

It sounds cliché, but you have to mentally dig into it in order to get the meaning. A former soulmate told me this once after I complained about how badly she treated me. With a look of gleeful revenge she told me that she was exercising the relationship rights that I bequeathed to her.

You know that this will lead to a menacing montage on Resident Trump eventually, but let me purify the thought so that this golden rule shines through.

Every time me and said-ex had an argument, I exercised the nuclear option. My retort every time for several months was; “I’m through with you.”

Time would pass, I would relent and she would violate me again. By allowing her to treat me like a fool, I was teaching her that it was ok.

If you allow a bully to bully, you are teaching the bully to bully.

This rule is precisely why the 68% of America who would never have voted for Resident Trump must keep a viable vigil in the streets and in the courts. “Twitler” Trump was allowed to insult, embarrass and engorge every individual and institution he wanted to for an entire campaign cycle.

We taught him well.

By virtue of the political successes he wrought for himself and his cadre of liars, thieves and ne’er-do-wells, America has taught him that he can castigate, prevaricate and discriminate against any and everybody he pleases.

If you were ever in wonder why past Black culture was replete with the history of good ass whippings,

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Quit Playin’

By Vincent Hall now you understand. Most of us firmly believe that what Resident Trump

lacked most in his child hood, was a braided switch. A lack of “proportional” discipline must explain why your “Demander-in-Chief” acts his shoe size rather than his age.

Donald John Trump whimpers and has tantrums because he was obviously allowed to do so as a child. As a result of his wealth being handed to him and never having to be subject to the pressures of a business hierarchy model, he is sensitive and lashes out as a means of coping with his deep-seeded inferiority complex.

His close friend and confidant, shock jock, Howard Stern said as much in a recent interview.

“I personally wish that he had never run. I told him that,” Stern said.

“Because I actually think this is something that is going to be very detrimental to his mental health, too. Because he wants to be liked, he wants to be loved; he wants people to cheer for him. I don’t think this is going to be a healthy experience for him.”

“It’s a very difficult job,” he continued. “And Donald Trump, he really does want to be loved. … and that drives him a lot. I think that he has a very sensitive ego, and when you’re president, people are going to be very, very critical.”

If Resident Trump is going to satisfy his narcissistic needs, he will have to do all he can to keep his Klan captain; Steve Bannon, his billionaire kakistocracy and the Christian “right” in his corner. However, every xenophobic and nationalistic move he makes to please them will create more angst among the masses of Americans who loathe him; in sight and in utterance.

To allow is to teach and so the time has come for us to teach Resident Trump what we will and will not tolerate. We will not tolerate having the Muslim religion impaled. We will not allow a return to the patriarchal society that treats women and anything other than a White male as “less thans.” We will not allow Trump’s crass behavior toward the press and the judiciary to continue.

It’s time that we teach this 11-yearold some manners.

My ex taught me!!

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FEBRUARY 10, 2017

A Jewel in Hamilton Park My Day

By Dr. J. Ester Davis

My Day

By Dr. J. Ester Davis Several years ago, Dallas County Commissioners recognized and commended the Hamilton Park Community for preserving their historic “living” legacy.

Thomas Jefferson, President of the Hamilton Park Civic League, and a resident for 59 years, accepted the resolution in open court with other outstanding residents attending.

Hamilton Park is the first African American development in the City of Dallas, still viable today due solely to community leadership, raw pride, the first homeowners and their will to preserve their ownership heritage. A resolution was adopted, presented and signed by the county judge and commissioners. Hamilton Park Community is back in the news again this year as a proposed recipient of a Texas Historic marker. WOW!!!

I think a little bit of Hamilton Park resides in all African Americans. The resolution captures the essential fortitude and says it best.

The resolution appropriately addresses the name; “The Hamilton Park Community is named for Dr. Richard T. Hamilton, a physician and African American civic leader. The community was dedicated in October 1953 and formally opened in May, 1954.

By 1961, Hamilton Park was completed with 742 single-family dwellings, shopping center, churches, a park with a playground, swimming pool, tennis court and baseball diamond.”

The initial purchase was a 233 acre site

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for an African American middle class community. At this time in our history African Americans could not purchase land in certain parts of American cities.

That was the case in North Dallas.

The Dallas County Resolution highlights their courage and vision by stating: “These determined African American men and women, some of whom were returning to Dallas having bravely served their country during World War II, ventured to North Dallas to purchase land and nurture a family-oriented community of two-parent households, with shared values, morals and traditions (a marriage certificate was required to purchase a home in Hamilton Park).”

Most amazing, which is not in the resolution, is a reflection, filled with pride, from a devoted community member, who grew up in the community that there were on defaults on mortgages in this entire community.

Paragraph Five of the resolution says, “Hamilton Park has been a jewel in North Dallas for nearly 60 years. Hamilton Park is known as a quiet, stable and responsible area with dedicated professionals, educators, clergyman, business owners, entertainers, scholars and blue collars workers. It has enriched this historic community through partnerships and collaborations with several non-profits, private corporations, and with the support of the Dallas Police Department to provide a safe community.”

And finally the resolution concludes with the future; “In these changing times, the new generations guided by the teachings of their parents and mentors, continue to serve in a variety of community and civic roles throughout Dallas County and the world.”

“The Ester Davis Show” FBRN.US. Check Podcast. www.Esterday.com Ester Davis is a celebrated writer, television producer and host of her signature shows.

She can be reached @www.esterday.com/ or214.376.9000. Tune in to Fishbowl Internet (FBRN.US)Thursdays 1PM.

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Community Calendar

The Dallas Art Fair ninth edition of the fair will take place from April 6 through April 9 at the Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.).

February 10 The NAACP Garland Branch Hosts Its 17th Annual Winter Ball “Recognizing the Door Keepers of God ’s House” 8:00 p.m.@ Hyatt Place Garland 5101 N. George Bush Highway Garland, Texas 75040 Tickets: $50.00 - Attire: Black Tie Evening Includes: Live Entertainment – Dinner. For tickets, send check or money order to: NAACP Garland - Attention: Gwen Daniels, PO Box 460944 - Garland, TX 75046-0944 Ticket sales end on February 6, For more information, call the NAACP: 972.381.5044, Voice Box 5

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Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce’s QUEST for Success Awards Luncheon Fairmont Hotel at 11:30 a.m.

Feb 11 JAZZ with a FUNKYTwist featuring Brian Culbertson and Johnathon Butler at the SMU McFarlin Auditorium at 7p.m. **** Greater Southwest Chamber of Commerce Valentine’s Day Gala benefiting the GSWCOC School of Business and 5% of proceeds go to the Trinity Chapter of Links Inc. Hilton Garden Inn, 800 North Main Street, Duncanville 6p.m. Reception Dinner at 7pm followed by dancing ***** 2017 Teen Film Fest: Dallas Public Library Deadline: Sat. Feb 11, 2017. Teens 14–18 should submit their 2–5 min-

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FEBRUARY 10, 2017

ute, cell phone videos. Theme: “What was your most significant moment of 2016?” Films screened Feb 25th.

Post videos on YouTube; send the link with name, age, high school to: art@ dallascityhall.com. Contact: Melissa Dease; 214-670-7850; melissa.dease@ dallaslibrary.org ******

Hearts in the Park 2017 Valentine’s Day with Hearts in the Park, at Klyde Warren Park, Ginsburg Family Great Lawn, presented by Nissan! Enjoy “Wild About You” family-friendly activities on Saturday, February 11 from 3 to 6 pm followed by a movie screening at 6:30 pm. Festivities include animal demonstrations, dance lessons and smooch a pooch puppy kissing booth and adoptions and more activities with park sponsors and program sponsors. More updates to come, check back here for the latest!

At Klyde Warren from 3 to 6 PM ***** Masquerade Mystique - Charity Ball A night of fantasy and wonder. Feast your eyes and ears on an interactive entertainment experience to tickle your fancy, masterful mixes from the DJ booth and surprises around every corner. All proceeds benefit SheNOW Women’s Charity. $40 Admission at The Quixotic World 2824 MAIN ST Dallas, TX 75226 from 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm

Feb 14 Valentine’s Day at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens For Valentine’s Day, the garden will stay open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, encouraging couples to pack a picnic. While eating, sweethearts and families can watch the sunset

Feb 15 Youth Scholarships: State Fair of Texas Deadline: Feb 15, 2017. Seniors from Rangel, Lincoln, Madison, Wilson, and North Dallas High Schools are eligible for the Pete Schenkel Scholarship.

Contact: Kiley; kfaulkner@bigtex.com.

Apply: www.BigTex.com/scholarship.

February 17

General Election Filing Deadline Is Feb. 17 Garland residents may file for a place on the May 6, 2017, General Election ballot for the offices of Mayor and City Council Districts 3, 6, 7 and 8. Anyone interested in candidacy must submit the required documents to the City Secretary’s Office before the filing deadline of Friday, Feb. 17. Candidate packets are available online and may be picked up at the Office of the City Secretary, 200 N. Fifth St.

***** The Verna’s H.E.L.P. Foundation is proud to announce our 1st FREE event for 2017. The Annual Business Workshop-Feb. 17, 2017 at Eastfield College, 3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite, TX 75150 - Building S , www.eastfieldcollege.edu In Conversation with Rev. Zan Holmes Jr. and Roland S. Martin, at St. Luke Community United Methodist Church, 5710 East R.L. Thornton Freeway at 7 pm

Feb 20

Millennial and Multicultural Sales Summit Learn best practices for recruiting, hiring and developing millennial and multicultural sales teams - 9:00 am to 1:30 pm TXU Energy Customer Center, Irving, TX. 75039 Register Now $49 Limited Seating + your copy of “Why Millennial Sales People Now”!Sales Trac Coaching & Management Development, Inc., 13111 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75243

Feb 25 African American History program Feb 25,2017 12 noon until 4;pm SOUTH DALLAS CULTURAL CENTER 3400 S FITZHUGH DALLAS,TEXAS 75210 “ theme: Reflecting on our past to Establish our future.” COMMUNITY DISCUSSION 3PM.

Feb 18 Dine in Love Valentine’s Day Dinner Marsalis Avenue Baptist Church 7-9pm RSVP to 225-354-5519. Sponsored

by MAMBC Dynamic Marriage Ministry 2017 Empower Series Collaboration Principal featuring Munson Steed, publisher of Rolling Out Auditorium @ Highland Hills Library 6200 Bonnie View Road, Dallas.

Register at www.empowerseries. com. Doors Open: 10:00 a.m.

Program Time: 10:15 a.m. - Noon

Feb 19

March 3, 2017 AL JARREAU Live at the Majestic Majestic Theatre 1925 Elm Street Dallas, TX 75201

March 10-12

National Association of Black Journalists Regional Conference held at Marriott Stemmons Freeway

April 1 DeSoto Living! Festival at 10 AM - 4 PM DeSoto East Middle School 601 East Belt Line Road, DeSoto, Texas 75115 Texas State Representative Yvonne Davis will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the 2017 African American Education Hall

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FEBRUARY 10, 2017

JOHNSON: Welcoming Refugees in the Midst of a Travel Ban On January 27, 2017, just a week after his inauguration, President Trump signed an executive order implementing a travel ban for entry to the United States for travelers from seven countries: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The order was signed hastily and has had disastrous ramifications.

Alarmingly, the travel ban also includes those who have a valid visa from one of those seven countries, and there have been reports of people being detained from countries off of this list.

It is becoming a Muslim Ban, fulfilling the worst of Donald Trump’s promises during his divisive campaign.

Exclusivity of this nature does not represent us as a people and country. If Donald Trump’s Administration does not reverse course, we will be remembered as a nation made up of immigrants that lost its values due to hate and fear.

In a White House press release, the President attempted to justify his insensitivity to humanity by stating, “the United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those approved for admission do not intend to harm Americans and that they have no ties to terrorism.” Under the executive order the U.S. refugee program is suspended for 120 days while indefinitely not allowing refugees to enter from Syria.

What is disheartening to me, is that these are suffering humans who have risked everything to flee persecution

FROM THE HILL by

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and danger, and they have already undergone a nearly two year rigorous vetting process in order to enter the U.S. Nevertheless, all of the sudden thousands are being turned away due to this hasty and hateful ban.

When refugees arrive to our country and here in the Dallas area they are welcomed by generous families, church members, and citizens who work with nonprofits who help them become acclimated to a new city and country, enroll their children in schools, assist them in learning English and applying for jobs so they can fully participate in our democracy. They appreciate America and came here to contribute to American life—they should not be greeted with hostility.

In Dallas and North Texas we have opened our doors to refugees fleeing war and persecution and famine and poverty – welcoming them to our community, because we believe.

People deserve peace, no matter where they come from. Parents should not have to shelter or hinder their children from adventure because of the dangers that await them. Additionally, children should be able to receive a quality education.

These are basic privileges that we so

often take for granted in America, not realizing that refugees are seeking to have a more fulfilled life and become contributors of society instead of hidden beings.

Our communities are not threatened by our immigrant and refugee brothers and sisters; in fact they have allowed us to reflect on who we are as people by showing compassion and truly living out the foundation this nation was built upon.

We will continue to respect religious differences and I will promote dialogue between citizens of the community through our annual workshops that promote awareness around Refugee Day. Perhaps there is some underlying fear my Republican colleagues have with the arrival of immigrants and refugees – noting the newest bill being proposed to curtail the number of legal immigrants allowed to enter the country.

As the travel ban is currently under review in the lower courts, the Trump administration is seeking a reversal of its temporary suspension to move forward. However, instead of continuously stoking the fears of innocent Americans, we need to remember that there are people around the world and whom we live among that are attempting to live a better life.

The North Texas and Dallas community continues to prosper because of how immigrants and refugees contribute positively to our community and help us build a stronger state and nation.

Learn how you can receive $100,000 for college funding, by investing $7,000.

This little known unique financial strategy is used by wealthy individuals to create large amounts of money daily. To receive free details on how to get access to this financial strategy, please call 214-962-0951. This opportunity is available only for those who can invest $7,000. This program is limited so call today.

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Ask Alma: His kids, not in my wedding Dear Alma,

I’m getting married in two months and the mother of his children is giving me hell. One day

by Alma Gill she says the kids (ages NNPA News Wire 6 and 12) can be in the Columnist Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than wedding and the next day 25 years, including various she says no. roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington His son who’s six is Post. Email questions to: our ring bearer and his alwaysaskalma@gmail. com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and daughter who’s 12 is a Twitter @almaaskalma. junior bride’s maid. Our relationship has become very strained because of her unwilling to get along with me.

I have spent the last year planning our dream wedding and now I don’t think it’s a good idea for his children to participate. How do I tell my fiancé I don’t want his children in our wedding?

Anonymous Dear Anonymous,

You don’t. When you marry him, you’re marrying his children, too. They should be a part of the ceremony. He’s entering this relationship with what some would refer to as baggage.

Make up your mind if you’re really ready to take this trip. It ain’t gonna be a vacation, let me just put that right on out there.

You’re marrying a man who hasn’t attained respectable closure with the mother of his children. That should be on his to-do list, not yours.

And don’t dismiss the children because he hasn’t handled his business. If he doesn’t, it’s easy to see, an abundance of childish challenges to come. It’s time for the three of you “grown folks” to sit down at the table, rationally discuss and agree to make the children your first priority.

It doesn’t matter how you feel or how she feels because this ain’t about feelings. It’s about positive parenting and orchestrating the best example of teach-

ing children they are loved, valued and precious treasures in your life. Blending families isn’t new and it isn’t easy. It takes prayer, hard work and a strong last nerve, LOL. Get ready to suck it up. If you love him, you’ve got to love his kids like you birthed ‘em. Give in to the battle between you and his ex.

You’re wearing the white gown; throw in the white towel. Let her know calmly and respectfully, the kids are welcome to be in the wedding, which will take place with or without her blessing.

Tell her you’re willing to go to the wall for your soon-to-be husband and their kids. Your wedding day is important, but the blending of these two families takes precedence.

The best wedding gift you can give your fiancé, stepbridemama, is making sure his children are a part of that special day.

Alma

A mind is a terrible thing to waste and a wonderful thing to invest in! Thanks, UNCF

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I Messenger African American Education Archives and History Program to Induct Nine Honorees

FEBRUARY 10, 2017

Texas State Representative Yvonne Davis will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the 2017 African American Education Hall of Fame Program and Luncheon on Saturday, April 8 at noon.

The event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 800 N. Main Street, Duncanville, Texas. Ticket reservations are $75 and include lunch. A table for 10 is $750. Deadline for dinner reservations is March 30.

The honorees are: Deceased: Mildred Newton Finch and Annie Heads Rainwater Living: Joseph T. Brew, Dr. Lois Harrison-Jones Fears, Michele Anderson Goady, Kathryn Mitchell, Lucious Leon Newhouse, Jr., Shirley Ison-Newsome, Dr. Jimmy V. Scales, Sr. This event is an annual opportunity for

Rep. Yvonne Davis

the African American Education Archives and History Program Steering Committee to recognize persons who

have made outstanding contributions to the education of African American students in Dallas County. Individuals and organizations submitted nomination forms to advocate for the worthiness of the individuals for this coveted award.

The public may make tax-exempt contributions “in honor of” or “in memory of” any person you choose for a minimum of $25. The names of individuals will be included in the printed luncheon program. The deadline is March 23. Make contributions payable to AAEAHP and mail to AAEAHP, P. O. Box 411091, Dallas Texas 75241 For more information about this event, and how you may support and attend the 2017 Hall of Fame Program, please call Mr. Melvin Traylor at 214376-9673, Ms. Gwen Brantley at 972298-6980 or Dr. Roscoe C. Smith at 972-741-8213.

Celebration of Life for a gentleman and scholar the

Honorable Hollis Brashear Services have been scheduled for former Dallas school board president Hollis Brashear, who died last Sunday.

The wake will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, 1808 W. Camp Wisdom Road in Dallas.

The celebration of Life Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the OCBF.

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FEBRUARY 10, 2017

In Conversation: ZAN HOLMES JR.

You have to wonder when this man sleeps. There seems to be barely a pause between when he is “live” on TV One or FaceBook, interviewing guests or talking with Tom Joyner on the radio, or sharing insight on some other medium, on a daily basis.

A consummate professional who takes pride on being prepared anytime he opens his mouth, veteran journalist Roland S. Martin, who spent a significant part of his career honing his craft in the Dallas-Fort Worth Market, returns tot he Metroplex on February 17, 2016 to share his thoughts and analyses of today’s hot issues at “In Conversation - An Evening with Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. and Roland S. Martin,” 7:00 p.m., at St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, 5710 East.

R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas.

Mr. Martin is the perfect thought leader to generate a dialogue that will awe and challenge people in the Dallas community. His devoted and ever-increasing following, spans generations, cultures, socio-economic status and religions.

Whether he is talking to the POTUS or giving a commencement address at a university, you can expect truthful, factual and oftentimes humorous commentary on a myriad of topics. Mr. Martin crosses all lines appealing to many and he’s not afraid to tackle any issue or address any individual.

You could say the same thing about Rev. Holmes also. The pastor has been a spiritual advisor to so many and he has been at forefront of addressing many of the seemingly volatile and potentially polarizing issues faced in the past 50 years. He was and still is viewed as a voice of reason.

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To have the two men, in conversation, is definitely more than a Kodak moment!

Benefiting the Zan W. Holmes, Jr. Community Outreach Center (ZWHJCOC), which is named after the

Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr.

long-time activist, pastor, educator and former Texas state legislator; the 4th annual event has previously featured former Dallas Mayor and Ambassador Ron Kirk and Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, to packed houses.

Rev. Holmes, the Pastor Emeritus of St. Luke, says he is excited that his fraternity brother will be participating this year. Widely respected and mentors to many, both Holmes and Martin are members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. A sold-out event is anticipated as the award-winning, quick-witted journalist is sure to provide memorable and thought-provoking commentary on

among many things; education, politics, public policy and empowerment, which are among the issues focused on at ZWHJCOC. For decades Mr. Martin lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, first as a city hall reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Prior to moving to D/FW, he was the county government and neighbors reporter for the Austin American-Statesman.

The Texas A&M University distinguished alum previously served as owner/publisher of Dallas-Fort Worth Heritage, a Christian monthly newspaper and managing editor of the Dallas Weekly, which he led to a number of local, state and national journalism awards. Additionally Mr. Martin has worked as morning drive reporter for KRLD/1080 AM; news director and morning anchor at KKDA-AM. A former board member for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), as a student and then a professional; Mr. Martin leaves his mark wherever he goes and the “In Conversation” audience is in for an eye-opening, mouth-dropping, Tweetable and “Googlable” evening, says organizers.

Currently he is the host and managing editor of TV One's News One Now, the first daily morning news program in history to focus on news and analysis of politics, entertainment, sports, and culture from an explicitly African American perspective. News One Now airs weekdays on TV One at 7am/ET and among his many awards, the show has garnered NAACP Image Awards.

Through his company, Nu Vision Media Inc., Mr. Martin, who has a master’s degree in Christian Commu-

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and ROLAND S. MARTIN nications from Louisiana Baptist University, owns and hosts "The Roland Martin Show," a daily syndicated radio show broadcast in 20 markets across the country.

In addition to being a senior analyst for the Tom Joyner Morning Show, where his segment is heard on more than 100 stations by 8 million people, Mr. Martin is also a nationally-syndicated columnist for the Daily Beast.

Proceeds from this event will support programs such as ZWHJCOC's signature Frazier House.

Opening this spring, Frazier House -- a unique partnership with Dallas ISD -- has already begun to transform how Dallas designs shared resource spaces, revitalizes old buildings, reconnects communities, and unites public and private organizations to provide social and educational services to those who need it most.

Other ZWHJCOC programs include: Project HOPE In collaboration with Dallas ISD and St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church, Project HOPE is Helping Others Prepare for Excellence through tutoring and mentoring programs for students in District 9.

Dream Academy The Dr. Allen R. Sullivan Dream Academy positions adults for a successful transition into the workforce and enhances parental engagement through ESL classes, computer skills training, high school equivalency testing, and class participation.

DFW Urban Scouting The DFW Urban Scouting Foundation promotes scouting and other youth activities throughout innercity neighborhoods in Dallas/Fort Worth. Provides financial assistance, human resources,

Roland S. Martin

and spiritual support.

Mr. Martin is a two-time NAACP Image Award winner and has been named

by Ebony Magazine as one of the most Influential African Americans in the United States four times, most recently in 2014. NewsOne.com named Martin the number one Black pundit in the country; and he has been named to both the several times to The Root 100, their annual list of influential African Americans. In his career, Martin has been showered with more than 30 awards for journalistic excellence, including being named the Journalist of the Year in 2013 by the National Association of Black Journalists for his

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extensive focus on voter suppression and other issues of concern to African Americans during the 2012 election.

Martin was also awarded the 2008 President’s Award by the NABJ for his work in multiple media platforms. In 2008, he was also inducted into the Texas A&M University Journalism Hall of Honor.

The former founding editor of BlackAmericaWeb.com, Mr. Martin is married to the Rev. Jacquie Hood Martin, author of Fulfilled!

The Art and Joy of Balanced Living. They reside in Washington, D.C. Rev. Holmes is known for his community activism and his dynamic preaching style and teaching.

A cum laude from Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, Rev. Holmes has two graduate degrees from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1968–1972, while also serving as a United Methodist District Superintendent.

Among his numerous awards, in 2001, he was recognized as one of the Civil Rights Movement’s “Invisible Giants” in the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Alabama.

He was narrator and host of the Disciple Bible Study video series produced

by Abingdon Press. He also served on the Board of Regents of the University of Texas from 1991 to 1997. In 2012, the Dallas Independent School District named the groundbreaking, state of the art Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Middle School in his honor.

Rev. Holmes is still popular on the speaking circuit and travels between Texas and California with his wife, Carrie.

-CLS

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NABJ President Sarah Glover visits D/FW

DFW-ABJ URBAN JOURNALISM WORKSHOP APPLICATIONS

The Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists (formerly the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Communicators) will present its 28th annual Urban Journalism Workshop for high school and

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college students. For more information or to apply, log on to www. dfwabj.com Applications must be returned by January 31 to: DFW/ABJ c/o Cheryl Smith 320 South RL Thornton Freeway, Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203

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EvEry ONE IS IMPOrTANT. You can help keep your child healthy with regular checkups and vaccines.

Every one is important. And they’re free with Children’s Medicaid.

Your child will also get other health benefits like free prescription drugs, dental care, eye exams, and glasses. Even rides to and from the doctor or dentist’s office.

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Meet Mr. Temptation & Ms. Test Spiritually Speaking

by James A. Washington

It’s easy to get down in the dumps about your particular situation or circumstance even if you’re a devout Christian.

Being a Christian does not guarantee a life void of trial and tribulation.

As a matter of fact, being a Christian is tantamount to sending VIP invitations to Mr. Temptation and Ms. Test.

The small but important point I’m making is not about anything other than what I believe is the key to getting through it all and maintaining a sense of inner peace that God is always in your life.

No matter the situation, He will never abandon you regardless of how lonely life gets or appears to be. I liken it to pushing a huge rock uphill.

On many a day that rock becomes a boulder and that hill transforms into a very steep and treacherous mountain.

At these times, one must recognize that were it not for God’s presence in your life, that rock would push you and WWW.MYIMESSENGER.COM

the hill would turn to quicksand. It’s all in your attitude.

I admit it’s easy to get down when you are a believer. But because you’re a believer, it should impossible to stay down. I went to two different churches recently where members were allowed to give testimony and request prayer. One was very large and high tech and those who spoke of their real life journeys to Christ by concluding that “Jesus is more than a story.”

Each testimony of Christ’s reality in changing a life forced me to rethink my own situation and conclude, I have no right to be down.

Heaven, I’m blessed. In the other much smaller and more intimate church, member after member told stories of specific trials and tests and the need for prayer; from family situations in which a six-month-old died prematurely and a sevenyear-old from cancer, to a person so allergic to life that the smell of perfume would cause excruciating pain and a life of seclusion. I have no right to be down.

Heaven I’m blessed. I pass these stories along because in all instances the people in-

volved found a way to cope, to live, to survive.

Remember every testimony was relayed in church as an acknowledgement of the power and love of the Lord through whom all blessings flow.

Every story was an entreaty for prayer and a profession of faith. Real Christians… real life…the real world. I just thought I’d take this opportunity to let you know that my real world, no matter how messed up can be and has been, is never as bad as it could be without the love of the Lord in my heart, the faith of Jesus Christ in spirit and the invitation to the Holy Spirit to ride shotgun with me wherever I go.

I don’t have room to insert Psalm 23 here but read it today. Look around your valley of death and fear no evil. Bathe in the grace of God. As the kids say, ‘you better recognize.’ Recognize and be blessed. This I ask for you in Jesus’ name.

May God bless and keep you always.

James

James Washington is a father, husband, Christian and writer. James is also the owner and publisher of the multimedia company The Dallas Weekly. You can follow James on Twitter at @ JAWS_215.

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