I Messenger

IMessenger VOLUME 8

FEBRUARY 15, 2019

GOD GIVES ME

STRENGTH Marian Brown, Dallas County Sheriff

ISSUE 26

IMessenger An IMM LLC Publication MAILING ADDRESS 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM 214-941-0110 Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER - EDITOR news@texasmetronews.com Nina Garcia Marketing/Sales Manager EDITORIAL TEAM Lajuana Barton Eva Coleman L. Diane Evans Dorothy J. Gentry Vincent Hall Richard Alexander Moore Betheny Sargent Dr. Felicia N. Shepherd Monique P. Stone Dareia Tolbert Andrew Whigham III MARKETING TEAM Carlton McConnell Terry Allen PR DESIGN/LAYOUT WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Alana King

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Established 2011 CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

February 15, 2019

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INSIDE

COMMENTARY

LIFESTYLE

ENTERTAINMENT

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced the agency’s plan to repeal a rule aimed at stopping the payday lending debt trap.

The Valder Beebe show invites number one New York Times Bestselling Author, writer of award-winning, acclaimed debut novel, The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas to share about her second novel, On the Come Up.

Hollywood Hernandez reviews Adam Shankman’s What Men Want, remake of the 2000 film What Women Want, starring Taraji P. Henson, Aldis Hodge, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Tracy Morgan.

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MYTRUTH Cheryl Smith, Publisher

Lie to People and You Teach Them to Lie to You

O

ne of the worse feelings is to believe in someone only to find out that they lied to you. After all, telling the truth is about accountability, doing the right thing, standing up for what you believe in and owning your narrative. If you are big and bad enough, if you are old enough or if you think you are “grown” enough to do something then you have to be all of that when it’s time to tell the truth.

A rule in my house has always been to tell the truth.

I told a relative to watch her behavior because of her influence on young people. “If you teach children to lie, they will lie to you!”

Which brings me to my truth.

Back in the day if you called my house and one of the Three Live Crew Plus One said that I wasn’t there, guess what? I wasn’t there!

If I had to leave out of the house, get in my car, and drive off to ensure that they were not lying, that’s what I did; because I wasn’t there!

And I told my crew that they should tell the truth, and especially to me because when times get rough they may need someone to believe them and I’m the one because I will go down and stick with you until the end, but you have to be honest.

Too often I’ve seen others teaching their young the wrong thing, not realizing those same lessons would come back to haunt them.

Sadder than the children who lie, has to be the adults who lie.

It’s pathetic to see adults who can’t own their narrative and turn into little kids when they are confronted with the simplest of questions.

You know the look. You ask a question

and the first indication that you are about to be lied to is the hesitation, followed by the look that resembles a deer caught in the headlights of a car.

If you’re like me, that look is enough to raise your blood pressure a few digits because you don’t like being lied to either.

According to psychologist Paul Ekman, people lie to avoid punishment, conceal reward or benefit, protecting someone from harm, protecting yourself, maintaining privacy, for the thrill of getting away with something, avoiding embarrassment or being polite.

I had to grow into understanding all the ramifications and implications of lying.

As a child, I remember going over to my mother’s friend’s house. The woman wanted my mom to see her new grand baby. I didn’t care to see the child, but I had to go.

When we got there, the proud grandma kept telling my mother that she loved her grand baby but, “that child look just like a little monkey.”

I was surprised to hear her make that declaration and as I had never seen a live money before, I was definitely curious.

As my mother took the baby into her arms, she exclaimed, “Oh isn’t he adorable, he is so beautiful.”

Well, I looked in amazement because at that moment I could see what the grandma was talking about.

Then my mother turned to me and asked, “Isn’t he beautiful?”

All kind of thoughts were going through my head as I responded, “How old is he?

He’s really tiny.” myimessenger.com

Years later I reminded my mother about that incident. She laughed and explained to me that beauty is only skin deep and is also in the eye of the beholder. So she saw beauty that day and as I matured, I realized my mom wasn’t lying, she was speaking her truth.

That’s a far cry from the lies that folks tell to keep from accepting responsibility.

Just think about all the deadly lies that have been told. There are the countless men who were killed or jailed because women lied on them, accusing them of rape, or numerous other charges that ruined entire families.

And what about the men who lied on the women they raped, saying the woman was willing; even young teens.

Who do you believe when an accusation is made?

I remember being bedridden in a hospital and woke up to one of those shows where

women were trying to find out who the fathers of their children are. Imagine the look on my face when one of the women admitted she had been on the show more than 15 times for the same child!

Now I realize that there are a number of discussions we could have about that subject, but can you imagine how many have been lied to before, during and since the science of DNA has been perfected?

How many have lived a life of lies? How many have been hurt by those lies?

I want people to believe the words that come out of my mouth. You might say it’s not important, but when we live in a world today where “he say, she say” is ruining lives, you want to be the person who is believed.

If you aren’t, believe me one day, there will come a time!

Cheryl Smith February 15, 2019

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COMMENTARY Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Commemorating Black History Month

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement on the commencement of Black History Month:

“From slavery to suffrage, from the Jim Crow era to the Civil Rights movement, the struggle for progress has marked the story of African Americans in this nation. Over the course of this month, Americans from every state will acknowledge the important contributions African Americans have made to our country.

“Black History Month rightfully dedicates time to reflect on and celebrate our achievements throughout history. The true meaning of this month

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of recognition is not simply a look back at struggles overcome, but the progress to be achieved. Today, still, many of the systemic obstacles that weighed the black community down 50 years ago continue to hinder our ability to succeed: growing income inequality and shrinking access to health care, education gaps and voter access discrepancies. Each of these can be overcome, but it will take the collective and united effort of Americans of every race and religion, from every corner of our country to usher in a society that lives up to its founding ideals of equal liberty and equal justice for all.

“As we mark Black History Month,

let us devote ourselves once more to advancing the legacy of the African American leaders of our past by pursuing the causes for which they fought. Let us use this month to combat discrimination and racism and to continue the long struggle of perfecting our union.”

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COMMENTARY Julianne Malveaux

Moments and Migrations Every year the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) choses a theme for Black History Month. This year they have chosen, Black Migrations emphasizing “the movement of people of African descent to new destinations and subsequently to new social realities.” Their theme is important, especially when we think of the “Great Migration”, the time after World War I when Black folk fled the oppressive south looking for a new reality.

Why not flee? Black men were lynched in their uniforms when they came back into enslavement-type realities even as they embraced a country that did not appreciation them. Just a few years after Black men returned from World War I, white people in Tulsa, Oklahoma, so jealous of African American economic accomplishment, torched the 30 block Black-owned Greenwood community on a pretense. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide from virulent racism.

And yet, Black folks had mobility.

Often, we came together to create community. We left oppressive spaces to find new ones that were only marginally less oppressive. As ASALH puts it, “African American migration patterns included relocation from southern farms to southern cities; from the South to the Northeast, Midwest, and West; from the Caribbean to US cities as well as to migrant labor farms; and the emigration myimessenger.com

of noted African Americans to Africa and to European cities, such as Paris and London, after the end of World War I and World War II.” Here’s what it means – Black folks were moving, migrating, making it happen, grasping at reality and opportunity despite every barrier. Black folks moved because they were looking for safe places to survive and thrive, to enjoy life despite the racial obstacles that were thrown at us. Black folks moved because movement was preferable to standing still. We moved because we had to.

At the same time, migration is not only about a movement of space, but also about a movement of mindset. The Mississippi men and women who moved to Chicago had to change the way they chose to encounter the world. They had to move from being sharecroppers to being entitled voters. Their movement changed the way that politics and economics influenced major cities. Even though their movement did not necessarily result in “fairness”, their movement and their changed participation made things far more fair, and the political process somewhat more representative.

Migration. Movement. Mobilization.

A shifting of the brain. A shifting of the heart. While ASALH would like us to focus on the physical migration that happened in the 20th century, I would also like us to focus on the necessary heart migration that must take place to propel us through the 21st century. Our Black History Month story can’t simply be a story of the ways we moved to accommodate economic shifts, but it must also be a story of the ways we have moved our hearts.

What do we mean when we say Black community? What do we mean when we embrace the theme of “migrations”?

Are we aware of the rigors our people experienced when they moved South to North? Do we honor them with our

presence?

I never had the opportunity to meet Dr. Sadie Tanner Moselle Alexander, but because she was the first African American woman to receive the Ph.D. in economics (and one of the three who were the first to receive the degree on the same weekend), I feel a bond with her and have written about her life and her career. She wrote about migration, about the folks who came from the South to cities like Philadelphia to find a space for themselves. She wrote about the many ways cities were unwelcoming to new residents. She wrote then, like we might write now, about the many ways our urban landscape changes with mobility and migration.

In choosing Black Migrations as a Black History Month theme, ASALH has chosen to examine the mobility that is part of African American life in this country. We move because we want safer space and place. We move because we flee structural danger. We move because we are African and American and moving is part of our DNA. We move. We migrate. We seek the best that our nation has to offer, and when it does not provide what we need, we move, and we move again!

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COMMENTARY Vincent Hall

Quit Playin’: 0 for 400?

Dr. Kevin Cosby is a “bad mother-shut-yourmouth” and a minister of God’s liberating Word.

Not only is he Pastor of the 15,000-member Saint Stephen Church in Louisville, Kentucky; he is an academic to boot.

Dr. Cosby grinds as a social justice minister who also majors in undoing the “Mis-Education of the Negro” Dr. Cosby was installed as the 13th President of Simmons College in 2005 and parlays his preachments with prophecy.

You know this brother is special.

I mean managing a historically Black college while ministering to hysterical Black church folk is beyond the scope of reasonability. Lawd have mercy!

He’s written five books with titles like; “Get off your butt,” and “Who’s your daddy?”

Doc’ slayed the house as he addressed the mourners affixed to the corner of Muhammad Ali’s final turnbuckle. In the span of 10 minutes and 13 seconds; Cosby dumped the house. This space is inadequate in size and scope to publish the official transcript, so let me summarize it for you.

Dr. Cosby recalled a 1967 Merv Griffin interview of Dr. Martin Luther King.

When asked what the greatest effect of the civil rights movement had been for Black people, King delved into his wellpondered and prominent pontificates and provided an answer. myimessenger.com

“The greatest affect is that it has given the Negro a sense of somebodiness.”

Cosby mused that Ali gave “somebodiness’ to a people whom had suffered 350 years of “nobodiness.”

That was Ali’s greatest gift of all. He Kilt it! So when I heard he was coming to Dallas for our MLK celebration, I thought I was ready to receive his King Holiday message…I was not.

After dismantling the annual “sainthood ceremonies” that we posit at the altar of St. Martin, he beat back the “Canonizers” and the “Colonizers” in rapid succession.

Doc reminded us that somewhere during the 3rd quarter of this year, America will recognize the Quad Centennial of the most brutal chattel slavery in the world’s history. But that wasn’t the bad news.

“So in essence, we have survived 400 years in this nation and have never had even one day of justice.” Our heads went numb, our hearts waned in beating and our spirits wept silently. We had to come to the realization that in 400 years, we have not enjoyed one day of equity at the hands of this government or its majority peoples.

Our collective sense of somebodiness retreated to the nobodiness that slaves who tilled the fields and filled the tills of rich White landowners must have felt. It’s that same nobodiness that Dred Scott felt in 1867, when Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, of the United States Supreme

Court, declared that “The Negro has no rights which the white man is bound to respect.”

We spiritually, if not genetically felt the stinging lashes of the Black Codes, The Fugitive Slave Acts, Jim Crow Laws and those White shop owners who erected signs that read “No Niggers, No Jews and No Dogs! In 400 years we have never had a day of justice.”

As a people, we have never received even the slightest indication that our free labor that built this nation, would be returned in any type of reparations. America told the “nobody’s” they freed that justice was en route.

However, the promise of “40 acres and a mule,” rendered by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman on January 16, 1865, was as hollow as the “with liberty and justice for all” in the White Male Pledge of Allegiance.

No thanks Massa; I’ll take a knee instead!

It’s been 400 years and we are still waiting on the first win. I’ve read about losing streaks, but damn.

#iamsomebody #QuitPlayin

February 15, 2019

COVER STORY

This is Black History

Sheriff Brown Relies on Faith, Family and Core Values

H

er life is one of faith, service, commitment and leadership.

If you had met a younger Marian, you might have encouraged her to pursue that career in journalism; the area where she received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

After all, she was articulate, focused and a consummate professional; attributes that would definitely ensure success for her in a field that was desperately in need of “qualified Black journalists.”

Instead, however, she ended up following a different career path and fortunately, just like in the media; law enforcement was also sorely in need of diversity, on all levels.

The need for people of color and women

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was the battle cry in the law enforcement community as well, and she accepted the call, going on to become the first African American female hired as a police officer in Duncanville, TX, in 1988.

From a patrol officer to Assistant Chief of Police, she rose quickly through the ranks in several positions, including: serving as a first line supervisor; formulating and supervising the Community Oriented Policing Unit; Crime Prevention/Community Relations Supervisor; Patrol Watch Commander; and Criminal Investigations Commander.

Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price praises the Dallas native for several reasons.

“Sheriff Brown is a proven leader who worked her way up through every rank

in law enforcement on her way to a key leadership position,” he said. “She is a consummate professional, an excellent manager, and she has the vision to take us to the next level.”

For the most part, in Duncanville, Chief Brown flew under the radar, or so she thought, because she said she was more focused on “serving than being seen.”

But little did she know that her work ethic and reputation for fairness and service was being noticed, and by someone who would have a profound impact on her life, Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez.

It was Sheriff Valdez, who has the distinction of being the first Latina elected to Dallas County Sheriff, who approached the Chief, asking about her plans for the future. After a short discussion, they myimessenger.com

parted with the promise of a future phone call.

When that phone call came, it led to more firsts for the woman who on January 1, 2019 was sworn in as sheriff, making her the first African American sheriff in Dallas County history.

This after she served a little over a year as interim sheriff, following Sheriff Valdez’s retirement to run for governor of Texas.

A trailblazer, who also happens to be the “First Lady” of New Light Church in Dallas, Sheriff Brown has the distinction of being one of only three African American female sheriffs in the entire country; after garnering 64% of the vote in the November general election.

And she’s not resting on her laurels. The Sheriff says she is committed to bringing others into the ranks, especially women of color.

Admittedly, recruiting can be challenging. And that’s what makes the Sheriff such a refreshing presence around Dallas County because she doesn’t shy away from issues, always pleasant, yet focused and attentive.

The sheriff said she realizes myimessenger.com

Rowe, Asst. Chief Deputy Blaise Mikulewicz, Asst. Chief Deputy Jesse Herrera, and Asst. Chief Deputy Earnestine Sanders; along with Legal Advisor Elizabeth Lutton, who all ensure that things are running smoothly day-to-day as Sheriff Brown deals with a demanding schedule.

She credits her team, that works together for the 2100plus employees and the more than 2.6 million citizens of Dallas County, with making her job easier to manage.

A strong team is important, especially as she oversees the law enforcement “family” and a jail system that houses about there’s plenty of work that 5,000 inmates and a 300needs to be done in the bed facility for patients. area of relationship building And Sheriff Brown appears between the community and to be on a mission. In addition law enforcement. to serving the citizens of “We have to make and take Dallas County, she is changing the opportunities to reach out the game. People should know to the communities,” she said, that agencies from around adding that morale is an issue the country come to Dallas on a number of levels but for answers, according to the working together, talking and Sheriff. listening can help. “We have “Dallas is the place where to be accountable, and start in people come to see how we do schools and let children know things,” she said, crediting a we are touchable.” strong focus on core values of Holding Town Hall meetings integrity, professionalism and is one way to reach out to the accountability. “This is what citizens, and not just in reaction we stand for. We can police to an issue. Instead of waiting ourselves and we’re getting it until something happens, said right!” the Sheriff, she expects to Training is a main focus, engage and listen to citizens, she said, adding that with visit communities and have a constant sense of training serious conversations. everyone can take pride in Just as important, she said, knowing their jobs and how to is for officers to spend time remain true to the core values interacting with citizens; of the department. showing the humanity that is There’s room for more often missed when there’s a to join the forces, but crisis or fatality. she admits recruiting is Praising her staff of chiefs: challenging. The constant Executive Chief Deputy news reports about shootings Lupe Garza, Chief Deputy and altercations across the Patrick Bonner, Chief Deputy country don’t make it easier, Jason Hartgraves, Asst. Chief either.

Deputy Gary McDaniel, Asst.

She wants youth to look at Chief Deputy Debbie Foster, law enforcement as a career Asst. Chief Deputy Don E.

choice. She doesn’t want them to fear or mistrust officers.

Sure there are tests and extensive training, but it’s a rewarding opportunity and she says she loves her job.

And what better place to work than where you have caring leadership that is “fair, stern, unafraid to ask or answer the hard questions?”

Several Dallas County employees praised the Sheriff and used the word, “fair” to describe her. She says she “listens” and while the outcome may to always be favorable, no one can say that she ignores them or their concerns.

About that career in journalism, well Sheriff Brown has a constant reminder of the career path she could have taken because she is married to the veteran, award-winning journalist, Shaun Rabb of FOX’s KDFW-TV. Sheriff Brown says she hopes when her tenure is over, the team will remember her because “she came in and knew what needed to be done and did it.”

How does she keep it all together? After all she has her family, job and church, but, she says, “God gives me strength!”

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COMMENTARY Charlene Crowell

CFPB Moves to Support Payday Lenders

E

ach February, Black History Month commemorates the unique American experience of Blacks in America.

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown, Virginia arrival of captured and shackled Africans.

In the ensuing years, as slavery grew, so did the wealth of those who claimed our forefathers as ‘property’. By April 12-13, 1861, the wealth built on slave labor was forcefully protected with the Battle of Fort Sumter, considered by historians to be the start of the Civil War that lasted until 1865 and the war’s end.

Slavery’s iron shackles that bound women, children and men may be gone. But in today’s America, the iron has been replaced by a different kind of shackle, just as debilitating as iron: predatory debt.

Abundant research has shown that payday and cartitle lenders trap people in

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debilitating debt that can trigger a series of negative consequences: overdraft fees, the loss of a bank account, loss of personal vehicles and even bankruptcy. People struggling to repay these loans have been reported to forego daily living needs or needed medical treatments.

So it is indeed troubling that in 2019, that under the Trump Administration, the federal agency with a designated mission to provide consumer financial protection took an about-face to protect predatory lenders instead of consumers on February 6. Kathy Kraninger, the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced the agency’s plan to repeal a rule aimed at stopping the payday lending debt trap.

Promulgated by CFPB’s first director during the Obama Administration, the rule requires payday and other small-dollar lenders to make loans only after

determining borrowers’ abilityto-repay. That now-suspended rule followed years of public hearings, rulemaking sessions, and research that ultimately found that triple-digit interest rates on loans were virtual debt traps for borrowers. Further, the people targeted for these predatory loans are those who could least afford interest or fees that exceeded the principal borrowed: the poor, the elderly, communities of color, and military veterans.

The Bureau’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) announced by the CFPB offers a two-part plan. The first is to needlessly delay the effective date of a common-sense consumer protection rule. The second is to rewrite and likely gut the substance of the rule itself. The likely cumulative effect will allow payday and other predatory lenders to continue to ply their wares, and continue financially exploiting consumers of color.

Reactions to CFPB’s announcement were as strong as they were plentiful.

“With little accountability for their actions, payday lenders have long preyed upon communities of color and drained them of their hard-earned savings,” noted Hilary O. Shelton, NAACP’s Washington Bureau Director and Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy. “Stripping the key protections of this rule is a disservice to the public,” he added.

Similar comments came from other civil rights organizations.

“This decision will put already struggling families in a cycle of debt and leave them in an

event worse financial position,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “This administration has moved the CFPB away from protecting consumers to protecting the very companies abusing them.”

When given the chance at the ballot box, Americans overwhelmingly vote to impose a 36 percent or less rate cap.

Today, 16 states and the District of Columbia have these rate caps in place, providing strong protection from payday loan sharks. In remaining states – those without a rate cap – interest rates run as high as 460 percent in California, over 400 percent in Illinois and 662 percent in Texas.

According to Rebecca Borne, a CRL Senior Policy Counsel, Kraninger’s announcement ignores five years’ worth of input from a broad group of stakeholders: faith leaders, veteran and military organizations, civil rights groups, consumer advocates and consumers across the country.

“But over the past year, payday lenders have spearheaded an in effort with Mick Mulvaney and now Kraninger’s help, to take consumer protections away from financially vulnerable Americans, “said Borne. “We urge Director Kraninger to reconsider, as her current plan will keep families trapped in predatory, unaffordable debt.”

Let us all hope and work for a different kind of emancipation: financial freedom.

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I Messenger

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FEBRUARY 1, 2019

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17

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March 8th, 9th & 10th Fair Park • Dallas, Texas www.NTIF.org • (214) 821-4173

Discount tickets $14 for saturDay anD sunDay at tom thumb/albertsons

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LIFESTYLE Valder Beebe

Interview: Angie Thomas My days get better and better as I navigate my life with the Holy Spirit directions, Jesus’ guidance and God’s voice in my heart. I have never been more at ease and comfortable with my life. I desire this state for all who view, hear, read and follow the Valder Beebe Show.

I do believe if God did it for me, he will do for you!

I was just overjoyed to interview young author, Angie Thomas. Angie was born, raised, and still lives in Jackson, Mississippi. A former teen rapper, she holds a BFA in creative writing from Belhaven University. Her award-winning, acclaimed debut novel, The Hate U Give, is a #1 New York Times bestseller and major motion picture from Fox 2000, starring Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games) and directed by George Tillman, Jr. Angie was invited to the Valder Beebe Show RES studios to share about her second novel, On the Come Up, published February 5, 2019. Angie was also in the studios to share about her

upcoming appearance in Frisco, Texas at a local high school. She will be conducting events nationwide in support of her book, including in New York, California, Illinois, Oregon, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.

A brief synopsis; On the Come Up follows 16-year-old Bri, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time.

Or at least win her first battle. After all, as the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, she’s got massive shoes to fill. But it’s hard to get your come up when you’re labeled a hoodlum at school, and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral for all the wrong reasons. She soon finds herself at the center of a controversy, portrayed by the media as more menace than MC. With an eviction notice staring her family down, Bri doesn’t just want to make it. She has to. Even if it means becoming the very thing the public has made her out to be. Insightful, unflinching, and full of heart, On the Come Up is an ode to

hip hop from one of the most influential literary voices of a generation.-Text provided by Angie Thomas publicity team VBS: You are fueling a renaissance in the publishing world where Terry McMillan, even Carl Weber and Maya Angelou left off. You are confirming for publishers that there is return investment to invest in African American authors; we sell books. And we have a large and diverse buying audience.

AT: I, too was aware of those who have gone before me. This was really important for me that my publisher, Harper Collins is about me being my authentic self. They never make me feel like I have to water anything down so other people will accept what I write. Kids need books to see themselves. I think if some of our current political leaders read books about African American kids when they were kids we would not, need to say black lives matter.

VBS: What’s the best part of writing On The Come Up? AT: The best part to me about writing On the Come Up... Interview continues On-Demand video: ValderBeebeShow.com

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Angie Thomas

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February 15, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT MOVIE REVIEW

by Hollywood Hernandez

WHAT MEN WANT What Men Want is a clever

her “powers” to break the glass

comedy from the same team that

ceiling at her job but affecting her

brought you Girl’s Trip and stars

relationship with a single father

Taraji P. Henson in her first leading

she meets who is a bartender at

role in a comedy. It’s a movie

a local club.

where both men and women can

The rest of the cast, including

learn a little bit about each other.

Ms. Badu, is solid, but I really

The men are not demonized and

enjoyed the scenes with Erykah,

the ladies are shown to be less

most of it ad libbed. She stole

than perfect as well.

every scene she played in the movie. (Also, there are some

Henson plays Ali in the movie.

Her father, played by Richard

additional Badu scenes at the end

Roundtree (Shaft), is a widower

of the movie, so stick around until

who runs a boxing gym. He

the very end of the credits.)

The movie is rated R for language

taught his daughter that if you get hit, you’ve got to hit back

connection over a cup of tea

and sex and runs right at 2 hours.

harder. While the lessons she was

with a physic called “Sister,” who

This is a great date movie, just in

taught help her move forward in

is played by Erykah Badu. The

time for Valentine’s Day, but it is

the “good old boys network” she

“tea”, mixed with some other

also a very adult comedy. Leave

does develop a reputation as a

drugs like weed and ecstasy and

the kids at home.

woman that does have difficulty

a hard bump on the head, give Ali

in dealing with men.

the power to hear men’s thoughts. Scale” What Men Want rates a

One evening during a “girl’s

The movie is a hilarious romp

night out” she has a spiritual

with the female sports agent using

February 15, 2019

On my “Hollywood Popcorn LARGE.

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AROUND TOWN DALLAS

QUEST FOR SUCCESS 2019

In Conversation: Cheryl Smith, Demond Fernandez and Dr. John McCaa

Quest for Success 2019 Attendee Jim Austin AKA Mr. Fort Worth

Lynne Haze of 105.7 recieves award of recognition from Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce

Quest for Success 2019 Awardee Jimmy Gatson of Premier 360 Distributing

Quest for Success 2019 Awardee Jason Robinson of Sound Design Studio

Quest for Success 2019 Attendee Warren Broadnax CEO of She’s Happy Hair

Quest for Success 2019 Attendee Royce West Jr.

Quest for Success 2019- Awardee Senator Royce West and staff of West and Associates

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February 15, 2019

ASK ALMA Marrying my Fiancé Children Dear Alma, I’m getting married in two months and the mother of his children is giving me hell. One day she says the kids (ages 6 and 12) can be in the wedding and the next day she says no.

His son who’s six is our ring bearer and his daughter who’s 12 is a 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?

Name withheld

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 teaching 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 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.

February 15, 2019

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HOROSCOPE FEATURED STAR: AQUARIUS – The Water Carrier – 01/20 – 02/18 Need to think things through more if you want to get things done. Changes need to be made.

Inspiration/Influence: For better results, do things differently.

Lucky Numbers – 33.25.12.41.18.06 PISCES – The Fish – 02/19 – 03/20 Now is the right time to let everyone important know exactly where your heart is.

ARIES - The RAM - 03/21 - 04/19 Take some time to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Your hard work finally pays off.

TAURUS – THE BULL – 04/20 - 05/20 Enjoy the process, or get caught up in the loss of time.

Rest well during this confusion.

GEMINI – The Twins - 05/21 – 06/20 Know limitations, make sure to not get frustrated but learn where you need improvements.

CANCER – The Crab – 06/21 – 07/22 Now is good time to tackle old chores. You have the ability to handle your “to-do list”.

LEO – The Lion – 07/23 – 08/22 You want a lot right now because you see other people’s greed. Try to shrug that negativity off.

VIRGO – The Virgin – 08/23 – 09/22 Shake things up this week; with a new outfit, a new place to eat, or a new date.

LIBRA – The Scales – 09/23 – 10/22 Let go of what is holding you back lately, you have lots of charm. Be sure to not drag anyone down with your desires.

SCORPIO – The Scorpion – 10/23 – 11/21 Need to be more flexible this week. There’s a lot going on, you will need to move quickly for the balance.

SAGITTARIUS – The Archer – 11/22 – 12/21 Bonus points when you tackle the most odious chores.

Handle your responsibilities so they won’t get in your way later.

CAPRICORN – The Goat – 12/22 – 01/19 You’re having too much fun to worry about what comes next. Take time, sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Daily Oracle Reading: Ask and it is given: Release your “dirty laundry” for proper cleansing.

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February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

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myimessenger.com

February 15, 2019

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FEBRUARY 1, 2019

I Messenger

Do you know this man?

POLICE have not apprehended “Pookie” the serial rapist.

We know he has attacked members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and there is a $5,000 reward offered by Crime Stoppers.

HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST

He targeted members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. but this is more than about a sorority. We’re talking about a community.

Come on PEOPLE! Don’t you CARE? Will it matter when it is your sister, mother, aunt or grandmother or maybe YOU?

877-373-8477 February 15, 2019

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