I MESSENGER
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 26 FEBRUARY 28 2014
NO 3 ISSUE 26
BRINGING YOU ENLIGHTENING, EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING INFORMATION
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
REAL JUSTICE with KEMP
Sister Samia Nkrumah stresses PanAfricanism, and unity during NBUF Event in Dallas. PAGE 1
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I MESSENGER
NO 3 ISSUE 26
BRINGING YOU ENLIGHTENING, EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING INFORMATION
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
Unpaid tolls still hanging over your head? NTTA offers other chances to pay By Sen. Royce West
Late last summer, local news stories highlighted the rush of t o l l w a y “patrons” who decided at the 11th Sen. Royce West hour, to take advantage of the grace period offered by the North Texas Tollway Authority to drivers who had accumulated hundreds, even thousands of dollars in unpaid tolls, fees and administrative penalties. In all, about 49,200 delinquent toll road users chose to settle-up at reduced rates made available by the passage of SB1792 during the 2013 legislative session. However, not much attention has been paid to the remaining thousands o f m o t o r i s t s w h o u s e d N T TA facilities, but for various reasons, have failed to respond to the automated
invoice system that’s been in place since the phase-out of toll booths was completed in 2011. Since then, NTTA has revamped its unpaid toll collection policy. While there is no new grace period program underway, those who still owe for unpaid trips on NT TA roads are encouraged to contact the authority to make payment arrangements. I stand behind NTTA’s efforts to reel-in millions in unpaid revenue. I equally urge delinquent users to do the right thing by paying for services used. However, NTTA was also partly to blame for collection efforts that turned nominal actual tolls due into hundreds in unpaid fees and penalties. Quite frankly, some simply could not afford to pay the enhanced and exorbitant sums they’d accumulated. NTTA revised its collections process by doing away with the $6.60 per violation charge it had levied for each unpaid toll. Although substantially reduced, an escalating scale of penalties is still tacked on to each unsuccessful collection attempt. At that rate, it’s easy to see how 100
unpaid trips, the threshold for what NTTA and legislators characterize as habitual violators, could - under the old collections system - mushroom into a bill that now cost thousands. Under the new collections system, a monthly bill is sent to delinquent drivers for which they have 30 days to pay. If unpaid past that point, a first Notice of Nonpayment invoice is sent that carries a flat $10 administrative fee. Users have 30 days to pay before a 2nd Notice of Nonpayment is issued. With the 2nd notice, which is issued after 60 days, an additional $25 fee for non-payment is added to the initial $10 administrative fee. A 3rd Notice of Nonpayment at the 90 day mark would generate outside col lection effor ts along with an additional $29 fee that goes to the 3rd party bill collectors. Of course timely payment would make this litany unnecessary, but sometimes our busy lives can cause a few things to fall between the cracks. Again, if you have unpaid tolls, avoiding notices will not make them
disappear. Thousands of drivers who had fewer than 100 violations chose to take advantage of the grace period to settle their debts. However, most of the 70,000 identified by NTTA as habitual violators have yet to come forward. Do yourself a favor by getting in touch with NTTA as soon as possible to arrange payment plans that can better fit into your budget. Heed the warning, because there are more consequences for non-payment. Dallas was one of the first counties to reach agreement on a provision of SB1792 that would block auto registration. Other possible sanctions include Class C citations and impoundment. And drivers, let’s be honest. It is a toll road and you enter with full knowledge of the costs involved. NTTA’s sole revenue stream is toll collection. If you know you can’t, or refuse to pay, please steer your car to another roadway. To get started resolving your unpaid tolls, NTTA can be contacted at 972-818-6882 or at www.ntta.org/ .
Pay tribute to your loved one! Call
214-941-0110
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I MESSENGER
NO 3 ISSUE 26
BRINGING YOU ENLIGHTENING, EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING INFORMATION
GIFT IDEAS!
The Lap Log"Making Life a Little Easier"
Customized Bespoke Clothing for the Well-Dressed Man
Knot Standard (www.knotstandard.com) is an online bespoke clothing company that makes customized clothing including suits, shirts, blazers and slacks for men. The New York City-based firm combines the latest in cutting edge technology with the skills and talents of a master tailor to deliver customers the perfect fit every time – guaranteed. “We take pride in every single item of clothing we construct,” said Knot Standard CEO Matt Mueller. “We invest 100% in getting the absolute perfect fit for each individual customer and we take very seriously our customer satisfaction.” Launched in 2010, Knot Standard is the brainchild of John Ballay and Matt Mueller, two Americans then living in Dubai. They later partnered with Tarig El Sheikh, an experienced finance executive and have now expanded operations globally.
Memorable Keepsakes Get in the holiday spirit with the unique wares available from the exquisite boutique known as Bella Merce. At Bella Merce it's their goal to make decorating
Don't Let Your Charger Get Lost in the Crowd CableKeeps™ useful features add both personality and utility to the everyday Apple Charger. They are designed so that the cable that attaches to your Apple device stays with it, nicely wrapped around the base and secured so that it will remain free from tangles when shoved into a bag, pocket or purse. This same design feature allows you to keep the cable short and neat while the charger is plugged into the wall fueling your iPad, iPod or iPhone. Secondly, CableKeeps™ come in beautiful bold Apple-
Knot Standard’s value proposition is straight forward: Allowing gents from all over the globe access to a world of talented tailors, Knot Standard offers handmade bespoke suits at price points that customers would usually pay for an off the rack, run of the mill suit.Upping the stakes, Knot Standard uses innovative 3D imaging via webcam to get the most perfect measurements for clients and laser cutting technology at the workshop to ensure each suit is cut to fit the individual customer. “The perfect fit, individual style, and impeccable tailoring.” explains Ballay. “The key to being well dressed is always fit and that’s what gives Knot Standard a competitive edge. We don’t use patterns. Each bespoke suit is cut directly from a bolt of cloth to the measurements of the individual customer. We like to joke that our suits come in just one size – yours.” From Wall Street to the West Coast, Knot Standard makes suits for every important occasion. Bespoke advisors are on hand 24 hours, seven days a week to help guide customers through the measurement process. They can also advise on suit types, fabric choice, slim vs traditional fit and an array of fashionable options including contrast color buttonholes, peak vs shawl collar lapels or spread vs straight collars. Knot Standard uses the best of Italian and English fabrics, offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and round the clock customer service.
and gift giving as easy as eating that warm slice of holiday pie, which is why they have dreamed up an endless assortment of accoutrements to make the festivities truly shine. Start an all new Christmas tradition that can be enjoyed throughout the years with Bella Merce's Christmas Wish List Keepsake Ornament. Each one is etched with either the child's name and the words "Letter to Santa" or "Christmas Wish List," and can then be filled with their notes. This fun twist on the glass ornament features frosted words, a colorful bow, and a
inspired colors, orange, sky blue, true red, lime, royal blue and purple. The clean lines and noticeable colors mean you won’t lose them among all the dull black chargers belonging to co-workers, fellow passengers and classmates. CableKeeps™ are molded in Santoprene thermoplastic rubber which makes them durable, recyclable and non-toxic. More good thinking. Mothers will love these—no more wondering who owns
Instant Glamour: Slip on Cuffs
removable cap, making it easy to replace or continue filling the ball with their special letters. Indulge in a holiday purchase that can be enjoyed year round with their Engraved Wood Photo Tags. Touted as a unique way to display a family tree, these tags are engraved with the photos of choice and then can be personalized with optional text on the backside. Create a series of holiday memories to hang upon the boughs, or choose a set of wedding or family vacation snapshots to display year round www.bellamerce.com and give as gifts. which cable charger—no fussing to find the right one just as you have to tear out the door in the morning. Your family can each have their own colour, and what a great stocking stuffer they will make. CableKeeps™ will keep everyone happy. The cost of the US model, “Goldie”, $16. www.nicebydesign.com.
Bamboosa, a well-known U.S. manufacturer of unique eco-friendly products, has acquired the exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute a new product designed to make the everyday use of iPads® and similar devices a more comfortable experience. The Lap Log© tablet holder is already in production at Bamboosa’s Andrews, S.C facility and will be distributed worldwide. The Lap Log is one of the most universal tablet holders on the market. The cylindrical shape of the stand differentiates it from similar products in that it allows the user to adjust the angle of the iPad, tablet or eReader for better viewing without changing their body position. The wooden insert accommodates most tablet and eReader devices and works equally as well in either portrait or landscape mode. Furthermore, the “bean bag” design is made from all natural buckwheat hulls and provides for a stable platform on almost any surface. Most importantly- it’s made in America! “Almost 200 million tablets and eReader devices have been sold worldwide,” said Mindy Saintsing, VP of Marketing at Bamboosa. “Now consumers are looking for a more comfortable way to use them without holding them or propping them on their laps or knees. We think this product delivers on that promise better than any other we have seen. Plus, it’s eco-friendly and made in America!” The Lap Log is made of sustainable materials, including certified organic 100% cotton twill and naturally grown buckwheat hulls. A removable wooden insert that holds the tablet is crafted locally and is hand-sanded and stained with a natural, non-toxic finish. Washable – If you happen to get a little dirt on your Lap Log when you're at the park, simply remove the wooden insert, dump the natural buckwheat filling into a container, and put your Lap Log into the wash. Flexible – The durable bean bag design lets you view any tablet or eReader at almost limitless viewing angles, and the buckwheat hulls allow your Lap Log to conform to any surface. Versatile – Use your Lap Log in bed, on the couch, sitting at your desk or on the kitchen counter. No straps, Velcro, or clips, and it easily adjusts to eliminate glare. Remove the wooden insert, and your Lap Log can be used as a comfy travel pillow! Travel Ready – The Lap Log weighs a little more than a pound, so you’ll be able to take yours anywhere. It's light enough to throw in your carry-on, and has the added bonus of doubling as a neck pillow! Going outdoors? Toss it in your backpack and have a convenient and stable stand for your device at the beach or on the trail. www.thelaplog.com
Luxury Handbag Brand, Deondra Jereé debuts
Shaun Robinson updated her LBD with a flick of the wrist. Did you see Shaun on the set of Access Hollywood sporting that gorgeous black dress with gold cuffs? Guess what? Her cuffs are actually removable! Her secret: Invisibelt KCuffs. These elastic, sparkly cuffs instantly transform any simple sweater or dress. Just slip them on your wrist for an entirely new, chic look. Choose from 5 fashionable, fun KCuff styles. Shaun recently discovered Invisibelt KCuffs and not only wore them on the set to spruce up her outfit, but sent us a video from her dressing room encouraging her fans to try her new holiday accessory choice! Known for her impeccable fashion sense, Shaun is only reiterating what thousands of other fashionistas have been saying...”why spend thousands of dollars on a new outfit when you can stock up on wardrobe staples and turn a blah to bling with a "flick of your wrist”. In a season of parties where busy days quickly turn to party grand entrances, it is hard to stay organized and find the time (and money) to make each outfit special. KCuffs can be stashed
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www.knotstandard.com
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in your handbag or luggage for quick access and amazing results, for a fraction of the price. With New Year’s around the corner and Valentine’s day soon to follow, we are all under pressure to wear something fresh and exciting... yet save a penny or two. KCuffs by Invisibelt are the answer to your Christmas wish, and with her ingenious line of practical and stylish accessories, creator Kathy Kramer has provided the perfect gift for your girlfriends or yourself for any special occasion. www.invisibelt.com
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
With each handbag embodying its own unique, modern, and sophisticated design, NY-based handbag line Deondra Jereé launches its collection in time for the Winter 2013 season. Emerging handbag brand, Deondra Jereé distinguishes itself from the current fashion world with its innovative design, high quality materials, and reasonable pricing. By infusing the combination of edginess and sophistication into each handbag, NY-based handbag line Deondra Jereé wishes to produce unique, everyday styles that are not currently available in the mass market. Each luxury handbag showcases its own modern and bold design. The winter 2013 collection is available online at deondrajeree.com. “I wanted to design handbags today¹s sophisticated women would wear, including myself
because I'm confident in my style and like to wear original pieces,” said Deondra. “Our pieces are alluring, fashion forward, bold, and high-end. I wanted to give women who desire the finer things in life a handbag that is sophisticated, yet edgy.” With each handbag made from the finest genuine lizard skins and Italian-glazed leather, the Deondra Jereé winter collection ultimately takes today¹s f e m a l e consumer from day-to-night. With the fashionforward woman in mind, the Deondra Jereé winter 2013 collection prices range from $290.00 to $1,190.00 and feature six high-quality designs. Deondra Jereé is a luxury handbag brand that was founded in 2013 by designer and creative director, Deondra Morris. Deondra Jereé wishes to deliver the finest quality, original, and on-trend handbags at an affordable price point. www.Deondrajeree.com.
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I MESSENGER
NO 3 ISSUE 26
BRINGING YOU ENLIGHTENING, EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING INFORMATION
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
Message to the People...
February 28, 2014
Making another case for voting -Rep. Lewis remains at forefront The Honorable John Lewis (D-GA) was in Dallas over the weekend, speaking at St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, and keynoting the annual prayer breakfast hosted by his colleague, the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX).
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A statesman and veteran civil rights giant, Rep. Lewis is the last surviving speaker at the historic 1963 March on Washington, where he stood with such notables as National Urban League director Whitney Young, NCCIJ director Mathew Ahmann, NAACP leader Roy Wilkins, American Jewish Congress president Joachim Prinz, Morehouse College president Benjamin Mays and SCLC president Martin Luther King, Jr.
Cheryl Smith
At that time, the youthful Mr. Lewis, who was only 23 years old and the chairman of SNCC, talked about jobs and freedom and implored America to “wake up!” He said, “To those who have said, ‘Be patient and wait,’ we have long said that we cannot be patient. We do not want our freedom gradually, but we want to be free now! We are tired. We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again. And then you holler, ‘Be patient.’ How long can we be patient? We want our freedom and we want it now. We do not want to go to jail. But we will go to jail if this is the price we must pay for love, brotherhood, and true peace. “I appeal to all of you to get into this great revolution that is sweeping this nation. Get in and stay in the streets of every city, every village and hamlet of this nation until true freedom comes, until the revolution of 1776 is complete. We must get in this revolution and complete the revolution.” Those words speak volumes and are so relevant at this very moment.
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Today, the respected Fisk University alum, who is also a graduate of the American Baptist Theological Seminary and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., is just as eloquent and committed to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties and building a better world for all and we still have a lot of work to do. Rep. Lewis, who praised the work of his colleagues Rep. Johnson and the Honorable Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) who was also in attendance at the breakfast, is well respected by his peers and constituents. The last time I saw him was at the National Conference of Black Mayors convention in Atlanta two years ago. At the time, he was on the campaign trail and he couldn’t spend much time at the convention. I remember folks saying he had nothing to worry about because everyone loved him and we laughed as he stressed the urgency being out with the voters. Monday, as we talked at the breakfast, he said he always campaigns hard and never takes anything for granted. His efforts during that election and in previous years, garnered him 81% of the vote in that election. Clearly the voters have not forgotten that this young man who has organized, strategized and mobilized for decades, still deserves their votes. In 1981 he was elected to the Atlanta City Council and for almost 30 years he has served in Congress as the representative of Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District.
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Stressing the importance of prayer, Rep. Lewis told those at the breakfast how as a young child he wanted to be a preacher and he wanted to make a difference. There are young people today who want to make a difference and it is imperative that we support them - that we give every young child an opportunity to be successful. He said that if Dr. King were alive today, he would say he is proud of what many of our young children are doing. As he travels across the country, Rep. Lewis sees the good many children are doing that does not make headlines and he says Dr. King would want them to keep doing what they are doing and to stay together.
I MESSENGER Cheryl Smith, Publisher Established 2011 IMESSENGER is a tribute to Le Messager, founded by Cameroonian journalist Pius Njawe and The Messenger, an independent magazine, founded by labor activist A . Philip Randolph and economist Chandler Owen. IM ESSENGER is committed to informing, inspiring, enlightening and provoking thought in a forum that is international. Submissions for publication consideration may be submitted to www.myimessenger.com.
It was important to hear that part of the message and to share it because too often our children are ostracized and not given the encouragement they need. We need to get more young people involved and we have to realize that one component of successful movements has been the inclusion of youth. At the breakfast, area students, “Freedom Riders” were in attendance. Last year they toured the same routes that those Freedom Riders of the civil rights movement, who rode buses into segregated areas challenging enforced segregation. They were valiant, courageous men and women. And we have a new breed of “Riders” amongst us and we must support them and that support also comes in the form of teaching and sharing! And, we must work together, because as Rep. Lewis said, “ We must never give up. We must never give in!”
Cheryl I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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BRINGING YOU ENLIGHTENING, EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING INFORMATION
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FEBRUARY 28, 2014
I MESSENGER
NO 3 ISSUE 26
BRINGING YOU ENLIGHTENING, EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING INFORMATION
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
JOHNSON: Your vote is needed! By Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
is is a very important time in the life of our community and our country, and I am asking that you go to the Hon. Eddie Bernice polls to vote in Johnson the March 4th primary. I believe that you must select those who will represent your best interests in our courthouses, our statehouse, and in Washington, D.C. ere is an ever-increasing assault that is taking place in Washington against the victories that we have won in healthcare. ere are those who want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a piece of legislation that I helped to pass in Congress. For the first time in the history of our nation, millions of our citizens are able to afford health insurance. Previously, uninsured people throughout our country, including 200,000 in Texas, have
SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
God said so! By James A. Washington
So what’s the point? I mean salvation, born again, new life, faith, love thy neighbor as thyself stuff, spiritual principles and eternal existence and their meaning. When all is said and done, when it really comes down to it, what is life all about? For me, one of the glories of being delivered is recognizing the precious
signed up for coverage, and we cannot allow conservative Republicans to take that coverage away as they have tried so many times since the law was enacted. Last summer a conservative Supreme Court ruling crippled the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I am working with other fair-minded members of Congress to cure the harm that the Court’s action did to one of the most precious rights that an American citizen has, the right to vote. We also have members of Congress who support legislation that depresses the rights of people to vote. eir actions are aimed at minorities, senior citizens and students. ey do not want to see the American people elect a leader such as President Barack Obama as they did in 2008 and 2012. ere are some people in Congress who oppose issues that are important to our country such as immigration reform, a livable wage, and climate control simply because they are on the president’s agenda. He cannot fight this battle alone, and I am there to help him fight, and to help him prevail.
e Republican majority in the House has refused to extend unemployment insurance to people whose earned benefits have expired. Each day that I am in Washington I fight to restore these benefits to people who are struggling to feed their families. We must address the issue of income inequality in this country. A true democracy should not be one in which only the top one percent of income earners enjoy the benefits of living in this country, while others struggle from paycheck to paycheck. My position as a leader in the Congress gives me a voice. It was that position of leadership that enabled me to bring billions of dollars to our district for DART, the Trinity River Coordinator Project, affordable housing, healthcare program, small business development and numerous other projects so vitally important to all of us. Voting is a sacred right for all of us. ousands of people lost their lives so that all of us could cast our ballots. We
nature of existence. I believe, I exist at the absolute whim of God. And before you think me frivolous or simple minded, let me define that for you. I d e f i n e t h a t w h i m a s G o d ’s unconditional and explicit love for me. A so-called great philosopher once said, “I exist, therefore I am.” I believe I am because God said so. I mean, like when you were little, very little and someone disputed your word and your only response was, “Uh huh! It’s true because my mama to told me.” That was it. Regardless of whatever other nonsense was spoken at you, the truth rested comfortably in your mama’s word. So here we are, living breathing creatures in a universe we didn’t create and have no control over. By Marc Morial I submit to you that God’s Word about us is certainly as pure as your mother’s. Marc Morial is the CEO of “Now all has been heard; here is the the National Urban League conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Okay, fear God and keep His commandments. Mom used to say, “be home by eleven.” Do what I tell you and we’ll get along just fine. In many ways God tells us over and over again such simple truths that we forget the concept of delayed gratification min favor of instant pleasure. The world promises finite flesh, while the Lord delivers infinite spirituality. I heard a preacher once say, heaven is one big “now.” Existence in heaven knows no boundaries of time, no past, no future; just now. That revelation alone should move a lot of us. It does me because in many ways, even if I don’t understand “heaven” it’s got to be true because daddy said so. Therefore time as I know it will not exist upon my death. Consciousness as I know it will not exist upon my death. Existence as I know it will not be what I think, but my eternity, my
Please join the I To Be Equal
INTERNSHIPS Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson offers internship opportunities during the fall, spring and summer for undergraduate and graduate students who are currently in their sophomore year or later and who are looking to supplement their academic coursework with an educational working experience. Students will further develop their research and communication skills during their internship and learn firsthand about the interworking of a Congressional District Office. Anyone interested in applying, please e-mail your resume to Luke.Harvey@mail.house.gov. must honor the sacrifices that they made. So, on March 4th I urge you to vote! Eddie Bernice Johnson represents Texas’ 30th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. She is the first registered nurse elected to the US Congress.
‘nowness,’ my ‘amness’ will be in relation to the Alpha and the Omega. At times, it is quite unimaginable to try and comprehend God, but I do know Jesus is Lord. Jesus is man. Jesus is me or I am Him. That’s my reality and following God’s commandments is my map. Can you spell right relationship with God? Can you say I am because he said so? If not, just say I am because He is. This simplicity can be mind boggling. This unconditional love thing, coupled with the power of God, I believe is contagious and infectious. My way of looking at it is it will all come to a head at the moment of death and I will know the essence of how and how much God loved and loves me. My goal as is proclaimed in the life and death and life of Christ is to understand I will get a chance to love him back. Now ain’t that something? May God bless and keep you always.
James
We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice. ~Carter Woodson, 1926 PAGE 6
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I MESSENGER
NO 3 ISSUE 26
BRINGING YOU ENLIGHTENING, EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING INFORMATION
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
MALVEAUX: Monetizing a massacre By Dr. Julianne Malveaux
Had he not massacred Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman would be an average white man holding down a mediocre job, living under the radar, and aspiring for a law enforcement job. He and his wife would probably be divorcing (as they are now) on account of his brutality (she cites his beatings in her divorce proceedings). Nobody, but nobody, would know his name or give a hoot about him. Zimmerman massacred Trayvon Martin, though, and that’s his claim to fame. He shot down a black teen armed only with Skittles and iced tea. He said he did it because he felt “threatened.” The police told him not to act after he called them. He also had time to walk, or even run, away. Stand your ground laws gave him an excuse to massacre Trayvon Martin. And so he did. This ought to be the end of the story. But George Zimmerman could not give up the limelight so easily. His “legal defense fund” raised more than six figures and got his wife charged with perjury when she said the family
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had no assets. Tens of thousands of that $100,000 he made on his painting is no money were used to get Mr. Zimmerman threat to the Associated Press? “established” post trial. Now, Celebrity Boxing owner Damon Who are these people who not only Feidman, is considering a three-round, support Mr. Zimmerman, but are also Pay-per-View fight between Zimmerman willing to pay to make their support and rapper DMX (sorry, I had not heard clear? Don’t they understand that in about him until the fight came up). supporting Zimmerman they also George Zimmerman just wants support the massacre of a young black headlines. What is the DMX agenda? man? Does it matter to Doesn’t he them that millions are understand that if galled and appalled by he looks even their monetary support close to losing of Zimmerman? Or are the fight, he they “standing their might have a ground?” stand your Zimmerman’s next ground massacre venture was to take up in his hands? painting. Though his Furthermore, artwork most doesn’t he resembles a child’s understand, don’t etch-a-sketch we all, that this is rendition, the first all about paining he put on ebay monetizing a sold for more than massacre, $100,000. a l l o w i n g The Associated Zimmerman to Press has sued him gain because his f o r u s i n g t h e i r George Zimmerman notoriety is images to create a d i r e c t l y painting of Angela Corey, the Florida connected to the killing of Trayvon state attorney who decided to try him in Martin. the massacre of Trayvon Martin. Always From my understanding, people who flippant and out of order, Zimmerman participate in Pay-per-View programs said he will sue AP, putting his threat on earn a lump sum and a percentage of the Twitter. Does he not understand that the monies spent to watch the “event.”
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Thousands of people say they are interested in seeing this fight. If they are at all interested in sending a murderer a signal, they ought to miss the opportunity to watch this drama. Every dollar spent on this Pay per View debacle, is a dollar transferred to the man who not only killed Trayvon Martin but also has no shame about profiting from that massacre. In our haven of capitalism anybody has a right to attempt to monetize anything. But markets depend on supply and demand. Mr. Zimmerman can supply all the nonsense he wants to in an open market. His massacre can only be monetized when consumers demand it. The same people who stood by Trayvon Martin need now stand against George Zimmerman and actively jettison his plan to monetize his murder of an innocent and unarmed black teen. Memo to DMX and the other 15,000 people who said they wanted to fight George Zimmerman. When this murderer understands that the market will not embrace him, he will have to go back under the radar and get a job like everyone else. He’ll learn that his traffic tickets and his wife beating are not national news. He will learn that he cannot reap rewards from massacring a child.
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FEBRUARY 28, 2014
HALL: Ari-Zoned Out! Quit Playin’ By Vincent Hall Author and Columnist Back in the day, specifically the 1970s, there was a bath soap commercial that swept the 50 states. The tagline in that advertisement became a national colloquialism used to indicate that the stresses of life or a particular situation had become too much. The ad began with a beautiful brunette in her kitchen. Of course almost all commercials then featured a green-eyed brunette or a blonde with blue eyes. It’s immediately obvious that she’s having a hectic day. In the midst of her stress and turmoil, the actress declares; “Calgon take me away.” In the next scene she’s in a well-drawn bubble bath and completely zoned out. She’s in a world of her own. Somehow, that has to be what it’s like to live in Arizona. Arizona has completely zoned out. They are in a world of their own…or at least some of them.
An Open Letter to Prosecutor Angela Corey and the Legal Community We write this letter out of our deep commitment to racial equity, as well as in the principles of fairness upon which this country was built. The trial of the People of Florida v. Michael Dunn underscores the need for our legal system to understand and address racial bias. We are not all attorneys, so we will not offer a detailed legal analysis here. What we can offer, as veterans of racial equity efforts nationwide, is some reflection on the racial dimensions of the case and how they can be addressed constructively. We present these thoughts with a full sense of the difficulty of your work. There is no campaign attached to this letter, nor further action planned. We hope to spark a dialogue that can move our country forward on the highly charged topic of racism, especially as it plays out in our nation’s legal system. THE ISSUE: Silence on Racial Bias Something went wrong in efforts to seek justice for the death of Jordan Davis. While we applaud the conviction on charges of attempted murder, we are concerned about the jury’s failure to PAGE 8
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A r i z o n a , u n d e r G o v e r n o r Ja n A r i z o n a w a s t h e v e r y l a s t to Brewer is having a tough go of it right recognize the Martin Luther King now. The Legislature passed a bill that holiday. Over the past recent years would al low business owners to they ha ve a created a legacy of categorically refuse service to “Gay” intolerance thanks to Maricopa patrons. County sheriffs Joe Arpaio. Arpaio is a No one is certain if there’s going to self-appointed lynch mob leader, who be a bouncer stationed as a lookout or decided to be the US immigration someone with a “Gaydar” device that czar on his lonesome. can detect the presence of gays or The Grand Canyon State Arizona lesbians. But if the bill doesn’t even follow were passed it would the nation in certainly not pass observing Daylight judicial m u s t e r. Savings Ti m e Somewhere between (DST). their courts and the Only the Navajo Supreme Court, it Nation communw o u l d b e s t r i c ke n ity in Arizona down quickly. wil lingl y joined The US Supreme the rest of the Court is kind of shaky, region and but Atty. Gen. Eric retained Mountain Holder ain’t no joke. Standard Time. He is the toughest man Even amidst in Wa shington; bar threats of boycotts Arizona Governor Jan Brewer with none. and warnings from President Barack Obama It’s as if the state of some of the Arizona was trying to n a t i o n’s l a r g e s t outdo Texas and all the rest of the corporations, Apple, the NFL and South with his radical, uncanny, others, Jan Brewer has been steadfast overzealous brand of hatred. Arizona and relentless according to CNN continues to mire itself with the reports. stench of perceived xenophobia and “She must decide if she is going to ignorance. sign into law legislation that would
allow business owners, as long as they assert their religious beliefs, to deny service to gay and lesbian customers. If she approves it, the state could face litigation and a boycott, p o t e n t i a l l y h a r m i n g A r i z o n a ’s economy and tourism industry as well as next year’s Super Bowl. Brewer told CNN her decision will come after she returns later this week to Arizona from Washington, where she has been attending the National Governors Association meetings. “I have to look at what it says and what the law says and take that information and do the right thing.” This is the same Jan Brewer who pointed and shook her finger squarely in President Barack Obama’s face. A move Black America would still like to see her repeat in the presence of Michelle. There are signs all over the Lone Star State that read; “Don’t mess with Texas.” But be careful not to cross the Arizona state line. Arizonans aren’t playing crazy, apparently some of them really are. Just watching them can make put you in the stress zone. But no worries, you can still buy Calgon and hope that it can take you away.
reach a verdict on the murder charge. That is not only disappointing – it is dangerous. It indicates that a portion of the jury believed the shooting that resulted in Jordan Davis’ death was justifiable, despite evidence to the contrary. While we fully understand the unpredictable nature of juries, we are convinced that this is a case in which implicit racial bias played a role. We are heartened by your intention to retry Michael Dunn on the murder charge. Whether in the retrial of this defendant or in cases your office will try in the future, we urge you to replace your team’s current race-silent approach with a race-explicit strategy. Such a strategy requires educating your staff about how racial bias operates in the legal arena, developing methods to uncover it, and where appropriate, using a race-explicit approach. We understand there is pressure to avoid explicit mention of race in courtrooms, with the possible exception of hate crimes cases. This is, frankly, no different from similar pressures in business, schools, hospitals and other arenas in which leaders have adopted a race-silent ethic. Yet we also know that most Americans do not want to be racist and are open to interventions that help them recognize when they may be interpreting facts or the law through the lens of implicit racial bias. Absent an explicit counter-strategy, these biases can and do affect any number of discretionary decisions that are made in our legal arena.
legal settings can be and is being done, but justice demands we do more. (See: http://nclawreview.org/documents/91/5/ lee.pdf) T H E I N T E RV E N T I O N : Confronting Racial Bias We must name racial bias in all its forms throughout the legal system. Rigorous research and common sense tell us that while “Lady Justice” may wear a blindfold, many lawyers, judges, plaintiffs, defendants and jurors do not. We understand that each case requires its own set of decisions and strategies. Explicit racial analysis may not be appropriate in many situations. We do, however, urge you to build your team’s capacity to consider race straightforwardly where it has a rational bearing in explaining both what happened and why in a given case. Jurors, in particular, need education and guidance to recognize the many ways in which racial bias works, just as they need to be educated about forensic reports or medical evidence. However, ensuring more just outcomes within the legal system requires a commitment on behalf of all of its players – law students and professors, lawyers, witnesses, experts, judges and jurors – to name and acknowledge the role of racial bias. While there is work being done, there is much new ground to break. We hope that you will break it and that your peers in the legal profession will follow.
Twice now prosecution teams under your leadership have chosen not to clearly and unequivocally name racial bias as a factor in the killing of black teenagers: first, in the trial of George Zimmerman, and second, in the Dunn case. In the Dunn trial, your team chose not to point out that the defendant had an expectation that his request to turn down the music would be accommodated. When it wasn't, his level of rage was exacerbated by the notion that a white man has authority over a young black man. A clear explanation to the jury
of this phenomenon would have helped them assess the validity of the defendant’s claim that the perceived threat required deadly force as a response. We all hold implicit racial biases. These biases affect judge and jury, many of whom would not claim or even be aware of having them. An article in the 2013 issue of the North Carolina Law Review defines implicit bias as unintentional bias arising from attitudes a n d s t e r e o t y p e s t h a t a ff e c t o u r understanding, decision making, and behavior, without our even realizing it. Most Americans have implicit biases toward people of color, particularly toward blacks. Not because they seek to be harmful, but because implicit bias has “...its roots in negative, highly pervasive stereotypes about Blacks, which are perpetuated by our culture in subtle, highly effective ways.” Identifying and naming implicit racial bias as a factor in !
Rinku Sen, President & Executive Director, Race Forward, Publisher, Colorlines !
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To Be Equal Marc H. Morial President and CEO National Urban League
Marc Haydel Morial is the current president of the National Urban League. He served as mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, "om 1994 to 2002.
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My name is Tammy Kemp and I am running for Judge of the 204th Judicial District Court and I am asking for your support at the polls in the 2014 Democratic Primary. In the event you did not vote early over the last two weeks, I would like to take this final opportunity before Election Day to ensure you are wellinformed about my reasons for running against an incumbent judge, to set the record straight with the facts on a couple of key issues that my opponent has intentionally been dishonest about throughout this campaign and to provide you with my qualifications.
Why I am running for Judge My campaign for Judge of the 204th has been in the spotlight since I first announced I was running last fall due to accusations that I was running at the request of District Attorney (DA) Craig Watkins. For the record, Mr. Watkins never asked me to run against Levario or any other judge. In fact, my interest in challenging Judge Levario began in 2009, (four years before the controversy between the judge and the DA even existed) as a result of her ruling in the case of State v. Espinoza. In that case, defendant Alejandro Luna Espinoza was accused of six (6) acts of sexual abuse against his daughter, and was charged with Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child (a first-degree felony, with a range of punishment of life, or 25-99 years in prison). Judge Levario declared the statute under which the defendant was being prosecuted unconstitutional. The Court of Appeals disagreed and reversed the judge’s decision on June 30, 2010. Needless to say, I was shocked and dismayed by the judge’s ruling in this case and began thinking it was time for a new judge in the 204th. I originally filed to run against Judge Jeanine Howard of Criminal District Court (CDC) 6, but withdrew from that race and instead followed my heart by filing to run for the 204th. Supporters of my opponent and certain media outlets are convinced my switch was a direct form of retaliation against Judge Levario on behalf of DA Watkins for holding him in contempt of court for refusing to testify at a hearing where Watkins was PAGE 10
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accused of prosecutorial misconduct. Nothing could be further from the truth. If anything, Judge Levario’s conflict with Craig Watkins was initially why I strayed away from challenging her. I feared my campaign would have a cloud over it and that voters would not be able to separate that issue from the multitude of reasons of why she should be replaced. As a woman of faith with strong Christian values, my husband and I fasted and prayed about my decision to run. We both believed the time was right to seek a judgeship. So, I filed to run for the felony bench in CDC 6, but I knew that was not how the Lord was leading me. My spirit just wouldn’t let me rest until I filed to run against Judge Levario. There are a number of other reasons why I am running against Levario including the fact that she currently holds the dubious distinction of having more of her rulings reversed, six to be exact, than any other district court judge in the Frank Crowley courthouse. The details of those reversals are as follows: State v. Morales: Lino Morales was
convicted by a jury of Indecency with a Child. Judge Levario visited with the jury alone following their verdict of guilt. She returned to the courtroom and declared that there had been jury misconduct and she was therefore ordering a ‘New Trial on her own Motion.’ The Court of Appeals reversed that decision, reinstated the guilty verdict, and admonished Judge Levario that she abused her discretion and did not have the authority to grant a new trial, October 17, 2013.
State v. Foster: Jujuan Foster was charged with Capital Murder. Judge Levario threw out the confession that the defendant made to his family, which was captured on videotape while he was at the police station. The defendant had asked the officer to borrow his cell phone to make a call to his family. The officer left the room and the defendant made a complete confession to his family. Judge Levario ruled the defendant had an expectation of privacy in his phone call. The Court of Appeals ruled she was wrong, August 7, 2009. State v. Choice: Anthony Choice was c h a rg e d w i t h t w o ( 2 ) c a s e s o f Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon/knife. The defendant was convicted by a jury of both Aggravated Robberies; he testified during his punishment phase and admitted the offenses. The defendant later filed a motion for a New Trial, stating his attorney was ineffective. Judge Levario had presided over the trial, but granted the defendant’s Motion for a New Trial. The Court of Appeals found that Judge Levario abused her discretion in
granting the defendant’s motion, and stated that the record did not indicate any point to reach such a conclusion, a n d r e i n s t a t e d t h e d e f e n d a n t ’s conviction, August 7, 2008. State v. Ahearne: Lawrence Ahearne was granted deferred adjudication on a charge of Felony Driving while Intoxicated. The District Attorney had to go to the Court of Appeals to seek an Order to compel Judge Levario to correct the sentence because she had no authority to grant deferred adjudication !
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in a driving while intoxicated case. The Court of Appeals issued that Order June 28, 2010. No Driving While Intoxicated charge is ever eligible for deferred adjudication. State v. Holloway: Russ Holloway was charged with Possession of Marijuana. Judge Levario granted a defense motion to suppress the drugs, believing the information in the Search Warrant was not true. The Court of Appeals told her she was wrong to substitute her judgment of the facts for the magistrate who had signed the Search Warrant, March 2, 2009. In addition to her numerous reversals, other issues with the 204th include the court being among the lowest in efficiency, among the highest in costs to taxpayers per disposition and her approach to dispensing justice is simply not keeping the community safe. My opponent says she does not believe in giving a person a felony conviction. I believe there are those who can be rehabilitated and then there are those who are extremely violent and need to be incarcerated. Take the State v. Naim Muhammad for example. I led the prosecution of Muhammad’s capital murder trial in May 2013. The District Attorney’s Office sought the death penalty in this case where Muhammad kidnapped and drowned his three- and five-year-old sons on what would have been the first day of kindergarten for the eldest child. The jury found him guilty of capital murder and sentenced Muhammad to death by lethal injection. A look into Muhammad’s criminal history would tell you that at the time he killed his two young sons, he was on probation in the 204th for assaulting his sister with a hammer. While on probation he committed five violations including having three “dirty” UAs (urinary analysis used to detect substance abuse), being convicted on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge and being arrested for physically assaulting the boys’ mother and threatening to kill her and their sons. Judge Levario had five chances to revoke Muhammad’s probation, but she refused to give him a felony conviction. The result — he remained free on the streets, which gave him the opportunity to kill his two young sons.
Hearing that never should have been held !
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Watkins/Levario conflict: Mentioned previously centered on the highly publicized mortgage fraud case of State v. Al Hill, III. Hill, the great-grandson of oilman H.L. Hunt, was indicted by the grand jury for allegedly taking out a nearly $500,000 loan using his Highland Park home as collateral. The issue was Hill, III, only owned 20 percent of the home, with the remainder owned by a trust that benefited his father. Thus the application for and receipt of the loan resulted in a financial offense otherwise known as Securing and Execution of a Document by Deception. Hill alleged he was indicted on mortgage fraud charges as a favor to Dallas lawyer and Watkins’ political benefactor, Lisa Blue. A consistently overlooked fact, is that while the DA’s office was investigating the allegation of mortgage fraud, Ms. Blue, Hill’s attorney at the time, visited with the then First Assistant and requested that her client’s case not be presented to the grand jury. Mr. Hill allegedly committed mortgage fraud long before he became involved in a dispute with Blue and other attorneys over legal fees from representing Hill in a family battle over money. Therefore, Ms. Blue had no influence, pro or con, in the DA’s decision to seek an indictment. He simply followed the evidence. Hill repaid the loan before he was charged criminally. Hill’s attorneys later filed a motion to dismiss the indictment based on alleged prosecutorial misconduct by District Attorney Watkins. Judge Levario presided over the hearing that was held to determine whether or not DA Watkins had committed prosecutorial misconduct in the decision to indict Mr. Hill. It was unprecedented to question why the district attorney would seek an indictment from the grand jury, particularly when all of the evidence demonstrated that a crime had been committed. Rightfully so, DA Watkins refused to testify at the hearing, resulting in Judge Levario holding him in contempt of court. Mr. Watkins requested a trial in front of a new judge and Judge Bob Brotherton, a Republican, was appointed to preside over it. Judge Levario, who threatened to hold the DA in contempt in February of 2013, and subsequently did it in March, drafted, amended and issued the contempt order four times before she got it right. They finally proceeded with the hearing and the State asked the court to dismiss it. Judge Brotherton ordered Mr. Watkins be acquitted based on his findings including: the prosecutorial misconduct hearing should have never been held; the subpoenas were defective; DA Watkins did not have to disclose why he sought an indictment and his refusal to testify was not contemptuous. To add insult to injury, one of the statements Judge Levario continuously made throughout this proceeding was that Mr. Hill had paid the money back and she therefore, could not see what the big deal was. The big deal was that other Dallas County citizens had been accused of mortgage fraud, PAGE 11
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misrepresenting their assets to secure loans or writing hot checks and they would have loved to be in a financial position to pay it back too, if that would make the criminal charges go away. In other words, we can’t have two systems of justice — one for the wealthy and a separate one for middle- and workingclass citizens. No matter who you are, when you violate the law, you must be held accountable.
False allegation of hiding evidence The next issue I want to set the record straight on is Levario’s false accusation that I withheld exculpatory evidence in the State v. Telisa Blackman murder case. In fact, one of Levario’s supporters, who also happened to be Ms. Blackman’s defense attorney during trial, recently released a ROBO call that you may have received on your home phone, accusing me of hiding evidence. Here are the facts of that case. In 1998, Telisa Blackman, an African-American female, was tried for the brutal murder of her lesbian partner, also an AfricanAmerican female. The defendant and the victim had an altercation in their apartment and the victim was shot in the chest while inside the apartment. The victim then tried to exit the apartment and the defendant shot her again in the back as she collapsed on the porch. A neighbor who lived downstairs and in front of their apartment heard the shots. She went to the blinds and observed the defendant trying to drag the body back inside the apartment. She phoned 9-1-1 and told the operator that she saw a man dragging a body into an apartment. The eyewitness stayed on the call with 9-1-1 and described all of the defendant’s actions. A few minutes into the call she told the 9-1-1 operator, “No, it’s a woman. I see her racer-back bra.”
The witness then saw Blackman leave the apartment. At trial, I did not play the 9-1-1 call, but instead called the eyewitness who made the call to testify for the prosecution. I also provided the defense attorney with the call sheet which details the call that was made to 9-1-1 including: the location from which the call was made, the person making the call, the information given, and the 9-1-1 response to the call. It is important to note here that I had contacted this defense attorney on more than one occasion prior to trial inviting him to come by my office and listen to the 9-1-1 cassette tape (this was before the days of burning CDs), but he never took the time to come listen to this piece of evidence in his client’s murder case. However, just to reiterate, he did have the written transcript of the 9-1-1 call at his disposal to read and defense attorneys routinely obtain copies of 9-1-1 calls directly from the police agency. On the night of the murder, Blackman was dressed in an open plaid buttondown shirt with a white-ribbed tank top undershirt underneath, a dark-colored bandana tying all of her hair down, baggy jeans and high-top shoes. Blackman admitted to the first responding officers that she was the person dragging the body into the apartment. She also told the detective assigned to the case that she was the person dragging the body back inside and that she saw her downstairs neighbor watching through the blinds, and she testified at trial that she was the one dragging the victim’s body, and Blackman claimed she called 9-1-1, however, there was no record of any such call. Blackman maintained during the investigation and throughout trial that she returned home from the store and found the victim fatally wounded. However, once at the police station, while collecting her clothing, officers
Kemp at-a-glance -Native of Wewoka, Oklahoma -earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Oklahoma. -After graduating law school, worked as an Assistant Attorney General and an Assistant Secretary of State for the State of Oklahoma, before relocating to the Dallas area. -Currently serve as the Administrative Chief of the Family Violence and Child Abuse Divisions at the Dallas County District Attorney’s (DA) Office. In my current role, I supervise 28 attorneys, 21 investigators, and 18 support staff. My current duties include the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses, including death penalty capital murders. -Been practicing law since 1988 and my areas of expertise include criminal, corporate and retirement law. -Member of the State Bar of Texas, State Bar of Oklahoma and the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. -member of Concord Church for more than 20 years, where I serve as a Deaconess, and I am also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I am married to a wonderful, supportive husband and we have three amazing children.
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asked for her shoes and the detective noticed bloodstains on the bottom of her socks. The DNA revealed that the blood belonged to the victim. Blackman was convicted of murder and sentenced by a jury to life. The defendant filed a writ, alleging that I withheld the 9-1-1 tape and that had the jury known that the witness first thought the defendant was a man and then a woman, that the outcome would have been different. Judge Susan Hawk agreed with Blackman and found that the defendant should be entitled to a new trial. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (the highest court for criminal cases) held that Judge Hawk’s reasoning and application of the law was wrong and that I had not withheld any evidence. Furthermore, with the national reputation the DA’s office now has under Mr. Watkins’ leadership for seeking the truth in legitimate claims of innocence, leading the nation in exonerations for wrongful convictions, I can assure you he has a zero-tolerance policy for prosecutors who hide evidence and cheat to win convictions. If he thought for one second that I had violated a defendant’s rights to a fair trial, I would no longer be with the DA’s office.
Judicial temperament My primary reason for running for Judge of the 204th is to restore accountability and professionalism to the court. My opponent has a notorious reputation for literally yelling at attorneys, berating and humiliating some of the women who participate in her specialized STAR Court program for prostitutes trying to turn their lives around, and generally disrespecting and speaking to individuals who come before her court in a manner that is unprofessional and unbecoming of a judge. She actually quite proudly refers to her frequent courtroom demeanor, as “going Levario.” I believe whether a defendant, a victim or citizen — all people deserve respect and equal access to the justice system and it is my intent to bring those values to the bench with strong ethics, morals and professionalism.
Vote
Tammy Kemp Judge of the 204th Judicial District Court Accountable to the public. Compassionate towards victims. Fair to the accused. Political advertisement paid for by the Tammy Kemp Campaign.
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Dallas County Health and Human Services Director to receive Prestigious Award The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) African-American Alumni Chapter will award Zachary Thompson, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) director, with the 24th Annual Outstanding African-American Alumni Award. Thompson will receive the award at a ceremony March 1 at UTA. “We are extremely proud of Mr. Thompson’s accomplishments and pleased to honor him with this prestigious award,” said Walter Price, president of UTA African-American Alumni Chapter. “His contributions to society bring credit not only to the public service profession, but also to UTA.” Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from UTA in 1981. Prior to that he earned an Associate of Arts degree from El Centro College in Dallas, and later was granted a Master of Arts from Amberton University in Garland, TX. Thompson was appointed director of DCHHS in 2003 after serving as the department’s deputy director for eight years. Under his leadership, DCHHS was nationally recognized in 2004 as the first county health department to demonstrate the deployment of the Strategic National Stockpile. This achievement showed the department’s ability to work cohesively with law enforcement officials and other key organizations during emergencies and crises affecting the public, and set a best-practice example for others to emulate. The implementation of tabletop exercises for public health preparedness and pandemic influenza, and the department’s monthly newsletter, Public
Health Preparedness, began under his leadership as well. Thompson develops and manages the department’s $125 million budget, and directs day-to-day operations for more than 15 programs to ensure the safety and health of 2.4 million residents in Dallas County. As a community health advocate, Thompson has served on several boards and committees: North Texas Behavioral Health Authority Board of Directors; Site Based Decision Making Committee of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Learning Center; Texas Department of Health Council of Minority Health Affairs; and Tuberculosis Funding Formula Development Committee. Thompson has more than 25 years’ experience providing social services, managing state and federal grants, and serving as a consultant to educational and community-based programs. He actively participated in the succession of three public health legislative bills. The UTA Outstanding African-American Alumni Award will accompany Thompson’s other accolades. In 2008, he was nominated for the Janet Emerson Public Health Servant Award and in 2009 he received the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance Health Care Award. In 2012, Thompson received the Thomas Jefferson High School Distinguished Alumni Award and the Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. Iota Mu Sigma Chapter President’s Award. Thompson’s hard work and dedication to the citizens of Dallas County is a great asset to public service and the advancement of public health preparedness.
[W]hen your first name becomes "nigger," your middle name becomes "boy" (however old you are), and your wife and mother are never given the respected title "Mrs."; when you are harried by day and haunted by night by the fact that you are a Negro... when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of "nobodiness" - then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
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African American Museum presents Retrospective Exhibition of Caldecott MedalWinning IllustratorĘźs 50Year Career Witness: The Art of Jerry Pinkney on view March 11, 2014 through May 31, 2014
Following the honor of receiving the 2010 Caldecott Medal for his acclaimed children’s picture book The Lion and the Mouse, the Rockwell Museum organized the first major overview of extraordinary and influential causes, which spans over 50 years; Witness: The Art of Jerry Pinkney will be on view at the AAM of Dallas from March 7 through May 31, 2014. This new exhibition examines how one very talented artist
managed to overcome obstacles and create powerful stories that have literally become the country’s collective memory,� says Norman Rockwell Museum Deputy Director Stephanie Plunkett, who co-curated the exhibition. “Jerry Pinkney is the master of the American picture book,� says Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies curator Dr. Joyce K. Schiller. “He has managed to bring historical events to life through the magic of his beautiful and sometimes fanciful imagery.� Witness: The Art of Jerry Pinkney presents an overview of the artist’s long and varied career as a designer and illustrator. The exhibition touches on such deeply felt personal and cultural themes as the African-American experience; the wonders of classic literature; and the wisdom in well-loved folk tales. A belief in the ability of images to about and to humanity
is at the artist’s core, and the works featured in the exhibition celebrate both small yet extraordinary moments, as well as significant historical events, reflecting the transformative power of visual storytelling in our lives. The exhibition is made possible, in part, with generous support from Penguin Group, Inc. and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, a division of the Hachette Group. More than 140 of Mr. Pinkney’s luminous watercolors illustrations will be on full display, and include work from such classic picture books as A Patchwork Quilt (1985), Home Place (1990), John Henry (1994), Minty: A Story of a Young Harriet Tubman (1996), Black Cowboy, Wild Horses (1998), The Little Match Girl (1999), Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales (1999), The Old African (2005), The Lion and the Mouse (2009), and Sweethearts of Rhythm (2009).
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Illustrated commissions for such clients as music artists, National Geographic, and The African Burial Ground Interpretive Center will also be on view, as well as a collection of the artist’s supplies, personal photos, book awards, and video and interactive displays, which further highlight the artist’s career and inspirations. “I feel I’ve been helping to establish a new cultural understanding,� says Pinkney. “As I learn about a new subject, I turn open the door for others to also learn.� A native of Philadelphia, Jerry Pinkney studied at the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts) where, in 1992 he received the Alumni Award. He has been illustrating children’s books since 1964, and has produced illustrations for over one hundred titles. He has been the recipient of a Caldecott Medal for the recent book The Lion & The Mouse, as well as five Caldecott Honor Medals, five Coretta Scott King Awards, four Coretta Scott King Honor Awards, and many other accolades.
Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally. ~Abraham Lincoln
WE MUST PLEAD OUR OWN CAUSE! &BSMZ 7PUJOH 'FCSVBSZ 1SJNBSZ &MFDUJPO .BSDI
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LEWIS: My take on some KKEEEEPP CCOONNSSTTAABBLLEE key races by Frederick D. Lewis
The political turmoil in the Dallas County Democratic Party with a real power struggle between rival endorsed slates of candidates by “THE BIG 3” Congresswoman Johnson, State Senator Royce West and Commissioner Price versus District Attorney Craig Watkins endorsed slate. As I recall just a few years ago members of the staff of the Dallas County District attorney who wanted to run for elective political office had to resign in order to run for office. Now that policy has changed. But one thing that has not changed. People in the black community have a long standing distrust of prosecutors and a longstanding reverence of defense attorneys. Defense attorney Craig Watkins became District Attorney Watkins primarily because of his work as a “defender of the people.” Many people in the community trust Craig Watkins but will that trust transfer to the prosecutors and members of his staff who are running to judges and other elected officials? Take note that District Attorney Watkins is very unpopular north of the Trinity River. Likewise there is a large number of people in
the black community who view him as unprofessional and say this is nothing but a power play to not only take over the courts but the Democratic Party as a whole. Early voting has started and here is SWAG as to who wins: Democratic Party Chair Darlene Ewing Tammy Kemp, 204th Judicial Court Jennifer Bennett in a run off with Anthony Eiland Melodee Armstrong, County Criminal Court No. 11 Rick Magnis, 283rd Judicial District Ingrid Warren, Probate Court 2 Margaret Jones-Johnson, Probate Court No. 3 Stephanie Mitchell, 291st Judicial District Court Brandon Birmingham, 292 Judicial District Court David Bradley and Pauline Medrano in a run off for Dallas County Treasurer Andy Chatham, 282nd Judicial District Kim Cooks, Family Judicial 255th Mary Brown and David Hanchen in a run off for Family Judicial 301 William A. “Bill” Mazur, 304th Judicial District Nancy Mulder, County Criminal Court 4 Etta Mullin and Lisa Green in a run off County Criminal Court 5 Carlos Cortez, 44th Judicial District Marty Lowy, 101st Judicial District Nigel Redmond, 363rd Judicial District Court Now let us see what happens on election day March 4, 2014.
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Ask Alma! Missing my Husband and Best Friend Dear Alma, My husband was killed in a car a c c i d e n t . We w e r e h i g h s c h o o l sweethearts and married over 30 years. I would say we were very happy and secure. We were also best friends. I was so heartbroken at my husband’s death that I decided on a closed casket. His family wanted an open casket. I agreed to open during the viewing and closed at the start of the funeral. The decision was a comfort to his mother. During the visitation, his administrative assistant cried so loud and hard that all eyes were on her. When she went by to pay her last respects, she leaned over and kissed my husband. I think that was totally disrespectful. It’s been three months, and I want to contact her to find out what exactly was going on between her and my husband. What do you think? B.M., Texas Dear B.M., Please accept my condolences. The death of a loved one affects your mind, heart and the core of your existence. When life takes you down this path, some days your heart literally aches from the pain and sorrow. You’ll feel a variety of emotions; that’s a part of the grieving process. It’s understandable if you feel guilt, angry, confusion and fear all at the same time. This may become your new normal. That’s ok; it will take a great deal of courage and strength to
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
labor through this tragedy. Now, to answer your question: I think it’s important that you take time to recognize the different emotions you face. Remember, it isn’t necessary to react to every action. It seems to me that while still centered in grief, you’ve become consumed by something perceived in your fragile state of mind. It’s not necessary for you to contact your husband’s AA and chastise her for grieving his death. She scheduled and planned his days, every weekday. A few of her responsibilities were to anticipate his professional needs and assemble information that allowed your husband to be the accomplished man in charge that he was. This doesn’t mean that they had some type of physical relationship. He could have been a great mentor to her, looked up to and admired. With all due respect, you’re trying to cross a burning bridge when it’s unnecessary for you to get to the other side. I think you’re mad and angry over your husband’s sudden death, and you’re looking for someone onto whom you can transfer just a portion of your pain. Don’t lose sight that the two of you were together for a long, long time and flourished in a fantastic relationship. Shower yourself in the blessing of having such a wonderful marriage for so many years. Fuel your spirit with joyful memories, daydreaming of the embarrassing and funny experiences you two shared. For years to come, expect your grief to flow like a raging river, and other times like a running stream. Eventually, you’ll find your life raft. Hold on; don’t let go. Meanwhile, make an appointment to see your clergy or sit with a grief support group. I’ll be praying for you. Alma Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans over 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@yahoo.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and twitter @almaaskalma.
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Another year came to a close and we sti$ have not caught Pookie the serial rapist. We need to catch that man! PAGE 15
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This NBA Superstar just keeps making winning shots By Thomas Muhammad Like a fish in water it all came so naturally -- there were the screaming crowds that usually follow his performances. Then comes the traditional basketball signings, and anything else fans can find to write something on. Of course the many memorable photo-ops (mom, dad bring the babies cause it’s “going down like four flat tires” to quote my pastor Dr. Frederick D. Haynes). Ahh, but this program was completely different from this superstar’s normal environment. You see, for NBA scoring legend Mahmoud Abdul Rauf (formerly Chris Jackson), of the Denver Nuggets, this was what he says he always wanted to do with his life, being known for more than just a great sports athlete. “Brother Muhammad, man I truly enjoyed having the honor of speaking beyond basketball,” he said. “Seeing the faces on the audience as I spoke about affordable health care, famine, lack of water and educational facilities was a great experience for me and I want to continue doing this til Allah (God) calls me.”
Mahmoud was commenting about being the keynote speaker for the a n n u a l A M O U D F o u n d a t i o n ’s fundraiser where the room was packed with families from all over. The charitable organization raises funds that provide relief efforts, including support towards building clinics, schools and water wells among other things in the African country of Somalia. That night the group raised over $300,000 to help their efforts. Most say Mahmoud’s story mirrors Muhammad Ali. Both are members of the Islamic faith and both became even more famous for their civil rights actions, along with their sports careers.
Mahmoud with AMOUD Foundation Board of Directors
Mahmoud helps feed homeless at Dallas Masjid Many remember Ali’s refusal to fight in Vietnam, which caused him to be
stripped of his boxing title and eventually a ruling by the US Supreme Court was rendered in his favor. Mahmoud too decided to act on his freedom when one day he refused to stand during a playing of the National Anthem, which became the act that rocked the NBA world. They suspended Mahmoud for his refusal to stand, but the suspension lasted only one game. His nine-year NBA career was marked by an appearance in the Slam Dunk Contest as well as by one of the most
accurate free-throw shooting records ever. Considered one of the greatest freethrow shooters in the history of the game, Mahmoud missed the all time free-throw shooting NBA season record by only a single miss in the 1993–94 Season. Now this NBA Superstar is making winning shots in the “giving” arena and he loves it. Until then the Struggle Continues…
Vote Tuesday, March 4th Democratic Primary Early Voting: February 18th - February 28th SCHOOL HOURS ARE CHANGING FOR 2014-2015
Elect
DALLAS—Hours of operation for all schools are changing next
Ingrid Michelle Warren
Democrat For Judge, Probate Court No. 2 Pol. adv. paid for by the Campaign to Elect Ingrid Michelle Warren for Judge of Probate Court 2, Algernon “Al” Herron Treasurer P.O. Box 131205, Dallas, Texas 75313 In compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.
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In Memoriam
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NBUF - Dallas hosts daughter of Kwame Nkrumah, the Honorable
Sami Yaba Christina Nkrumah at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters
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Stop the Madness! The kind of discrimination and prejudice that Robinson so harshly endured still is woven into the everyday fabric of our society today. And it is just as wrong today as it was then. Equality for all is a fundamental principle. I think that is central part of the comparisons.
By Roger B. Brown
Stop! Enough already with the comparisons of Michael Sam and Jason Collins ‘coming out’ to the Jackie Robinson legacy. The only thing those three men have in common is the color of their skin. Let’s not get too carried away. As well-meaning as the thought could be, the comparisons are just too much of a stretch. As a matter of fact, trying to easily package a link between the two appears to diminish what Robinson accomplished. Even if he wanted, there was no hiding place for Jackie Robinson. There was no coming out. It was in your face. “It shortchanges history,’’ said Dr. Harry Edwards, a longtime civil rights activist and a consultant for the San Fr a n c i s co 4 9 e r s . “ W h e n Ja c k i e Robinson showed up, he was out. He was recognized and exposed just because of the color of his skin. “But in these recent cases, nobody would know about their private lives unless they said something. There is a parallel, but this is at the end of process, not at the onset like Jackie Robinson.’’
Jackie Robinson
So, I understand the intention. But it still is misplaced. Weighing the current sign of the times to those mandated during the Jackie Robinson era further illustrates the weakness of the comparisons. “What Jackie Robinson did may have been something like what Moses did for his people, said film-maker Spike Lee. “It changed America forever. And this country has never been the same. Jackie Robinson is not only a black American hero, he is an American hero… a national treasure.’’ This story of gay athletes is more like the Magic Johnson story some 20plus years ago when he announced to the world that he was HIV positive. Remember the horror and outrage. There were some players who didn’t
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want to play with or against Johnson for fear of contracting the disease. So, Johnson prematurely retired at the time. And you were just waiting for the next shoe to drop in the promiscuous world of the NBA fast life. Paranoia was normal and a part of everyday life because many of the players ran around in the same circles. Who was going to be next? We’re still waiting…and even Johnson eventually returned to the game a few years later. Life eventually got back to whatever normal is for the NBA, and no other player has come forth about HIV or AIDS. But no one compared that provocative and high-profile story to Jackie Robinson breaking the MLB color barrier. “Everything has its place in history, and doesn’t have to be compared to another part of history,’’ said former all- time NBA legend and noted historian Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “There will never be anything else like the Jackie Robinson legacy. It has its own place in history, and will always remain that way because of the uniqueness of that time in America. “There are some who believe the comparisons of the gay athletes today s o m e h o w d i m i n i s h e s Ja c k i e Robinson’s place in history. But I don’t think that will ever be the case. “Once a gain, there is no real comparison because one deal was very public and the other should be a private matter.’’ There are those who want to make the comparisons of gay rights to civil rights. I say folly to such notions because there is nothing like being black in America.
There’s no getting around it. As far as I know, no one has to know my sexual preference unless I decide to divulge it. And divulging ones sexual preference does not make you a hero! So let’s stop treating it as such. History not only tells us, but shows
Michael Sam
NBA’s Jason Collins
us the plight of black America in this country is like no other story.
Veteran Journalist Roger B. Brown is an award-winning sportswriter and radio talk show host.
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JOURNAL Send your books for review to: Cheryl Smith, 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Suite 220, Dallas, TX 75203 PAGE 20
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Top 10 Black History Month Scholarships #1 - The Frito-Lay “Create to Celebrate” Black History Month Art Contest encourages applicants to submit online an original piece of art created in any medium (video, song, photo, sculpture, painting, etc) that celebrates African American achievement. Learn more at www.scholarshipsonline.org/ 2014/01/frito-lay-create-to-celebrate-blackhistory-month-art-contest.html #2 - The Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Scholarship Program offers scholarship awards and once-ina-lifetime apprenticeship experiences to African American youth looking to pave the way for their futures. Learn more at www.scholarshipsonline.org/2014/01/cocacola-pay-it-forward-scholarship-program.html #3 - The RBC Black History Month Student Essay Competition is offered by the Royal Bank of Canada for Canadian students. The essay consists of writing in 750 words or less on how black Canadians have contributed toward the heritage of Canada. Learn more at www.scholarshipsonline.org/2014/01/rbcblack-history-month-student-essay.html #4 - The 100 Black Men of America Future Leader Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors as well as college freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. The scholarship is based on academic achievement and community service. Learn more at www.scholarshipsonline.org/ 2013/12/100-black-men-of-america-futureleader.html #5 - The Jerry Bartow Scholarship Fund, offered by the Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP), awards three scholarships each year for undergraduate students who are attending HBCUs. Students must major in business, engineering, technology, or education. Learn more at www.scholarshipsonline.org/ 2013/02/black-executive-exchange-programjerry.html #6 - The Kroger "I Can Make History" Contest will award more than $71,000 in prizes in the categories of art, essay, music and poetry. Celebrating Black History month, Kroger, the largest grocery chain in the country, is using the contest to recognize the contributions of African Americans in the past and in the future. Learn more at www.scholarshipsonline.org/ 2014/01/kroger-i-can-make-historycontest.html #7 - The GEICO Achievement Award Program helps current college students who are sophomores and juniors earn scholarship money to complete their education. Eligible students must be enrolled in a business, computer science, or mathematics program. Learn more at www.scholarshipsonline.org/2013/01/geicoachievement-award-program.html #8 - The Regions Riding Forward Black History Month Scholarship is awarded each year to high school students and college students. Interested students may apply by writing an essay about African-Americans who have inspired them. Learn more at www.scholarshipsonline.org/ 2014/01/regions-riding-forward-blackhistory.html #9 - LAGRANT Foundation Scholarships are targeted toward minority undergraduate and graduate students, offering scholarships for students interested in careers in advertising, marketing or public relations. Students must be American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black (non-Hispanic) or Hispanic. Learn more at www.scholarshipsonline.org/ 2013/02/lagrant-foundation-scholarships.html #10 - The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation General Mills Health Scholarship Program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who plan to major in health-related studies. Academic achievement, leadership qualities and service to the community are required.
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CitySquare hosts ROCK ENROLL-- Aordable Care Act Enrollment Day for Dallas’ Young Adults According to the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey, 46 percent of 18-34 year-olds in Dallas are currently uninsured.
the attention of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.
On Saturday, March 1, the CitySquare Public Policy Department will host Rock Enroll, Dallas’ first young adult Affordable Care Act enrollment event.
It will be a fun filled day with local DJs, food trucks, fitness instructors, and Health Care Navigators to help accomplish enrolling Dallas’s uninsured young adults!
Though this city-wide education and enrollment event is targeted at young adults, it is open to the public. CitySquare has partnered with nationally recognized groups like Enroll America and the Young Invincibles, as well as a statewide partner, TexPIRG Education Fund (that works closely with university students) to make this event largely visible and well attended. Â As a result, its importance has caught
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson will be one of the local and statewide elected oďŹƒcials, university leadership and civic leaders in attendance.
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
It’s a new year Make it a good one!
WHO: CITYSQUARE WHAT: ROCK ENROLL, DALLAS YOUNG ADULT AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ENROLLMENT DAY WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 1st FROM 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:00 P.M. WHERE: 511 NORTH AKARD IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS (CITYSQUARE’S DOWNTOWN LOCATION)
March is Women’s History Month SHOW SOME LOVE!
&BSMZ 7PUJOH 'FCSVBSZ 1SJNBSZ &MFDUJPO .BSDI PAGE 22
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Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Dallas Chapter 37th Annual Beautillion
Beau Livingston Albritten, III
Beau Evan Andrews
Beau Malcolm Bowman
Beau Jeremy Brown Jr.
Beau Michael Daniels
Beau Richard McCants PAGE 23
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Beau Nathan Armstrong
Beau Austin Barnes
Beau Alonzo Burris Jr.
Beau Jordan Butler
Beau Brennan Dawkins
Beau Justin Honore`
Beau Matthew Jones
Beau Harrison Perkins
Beau Jonathan Sanders
Beau Jabari Sherman !
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Beau Darius Spann
Beau Spencer Toliver
Beau Clarke Wilson
Beau John Wilson, IV
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Dallas Chapter is pleased to announce its 37th Annual Scholarship Beautillion. This year’s theme is “A league of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” The event is Saturday, March 22, 2014, at the Hotel InterContinental in Dallas. Twenty-three young men, (Beauxs) will be presented at this year’s Beautillion. The Beauxs are seniors at schools throughout North Texas. These young men are scholars, class officers, mentors, musicians, athletes, volunteers and future leaders of the community. The Jack and Jill Scholarship Beautillion and Community Benefit was formed in 1977 with the purpose of promoting high self-esteem and standards,
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Beau Autry L.Warren, III
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Beau Charles Willis, III
Beau Michael Wright, Jr.
strong morals and values, continuous education, refined social skills, respect, service and friendship among young men in their senior year of high school. Through this experience, the goal is for each participant to improve leadership skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking, meet community and business leaders and understand their success strategies, learn financial management, gain understanding of current social issues that can impact their future and build life-long friendships with other outstanding young men. Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a national not-forprofit membership organization of mothers dedicated to nurturing future leaders by supporting children through
leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. The Dallas Chapter of this national organization carries this mission forward to make a difference in the lives of Dallas children. The Beautillion also supports participants by providing an opportunity to earn a scholarship to be used toward college expenses. In addition, proceeds benefit Dallas non-profit organizations as well as the Jack and Jill of America Foundation. For ticket information visit: http:// www.jackandjilldallas.org/beautillion.html.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR February 28 - March 1 BEST SELLING AUTHOR AND LIFE COACH VALORIE BURTON HEADLINES TOTAL YOU WOMEN’S WELLNESS SUMMIT 2014 Women will be inspired to become Fit, Fabulous and Fearless at the Total You Women’s Wellness Summit 2014 on Feb. 28 – March 1 at the FirstFitness Nutrition in Carrollton, Texas.
Celebrating Womens History Month Saturday March 1, 3 p.m. Theme: "African Women Taking the Baton of PanAfricanism and Organizing for A United States of Africa Now!" Special Guest
nationally recognized groups like Enroll America and the Young Invincibles, as well as a statewide partner, TexPIRG Education Fund (that works closely with university students) to make this event largely visible and well attended. As a result, its importance has caught the attention of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson will be one of the local and statewide elected officials, university leadership and civic leaders in attendance. It will be a fun filled day with local DJs, food trucks, fitness instructors, and Health Care Navigators to help accomplish enrolling Dallas’s uninsured young adults! WHO: CITYSQUARE WHAT: ROCK ENROLL, DALLAS YOUNG ADULT AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ENROLLMENT DAY WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 1st FROM 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:00 P.M. WHERE: 511 NORTH AKARD IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS (CITYSQUARE’S DOWNTOWN LOCATION)
Daughter of of Ghana’s first President, Osagefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
MEETING FOR THE KKDA FAMILY MEMBERS WILL be at LISA’S SOUL FOOD CAFE 2550 W Red Bird Ln Dallas, TX 75237 (214) 372-3309
The Honorable Sister Samia Nkrumah
Trinity Chapter of the Links, Inc. Diamond and Sneakers Gala at the Hilton Anatole.
March 1
Happy Birthday Juanita Craft 12 Noon -3PM FREE Juanita Craft Civil Rights House 2618 Warren Ave. Dallas TX 75215
SOUTH DALLAS HEALTH CARE EXPO BLOWOUT Need affordable health care? There is still time for you and your family to sign up. The Urban League of Greater Dallas will host a Health Care Blowout to educate and enroll the uninsured in qualified health plans. New Hope Baptist Church, 5002 S. Central Expressway in Dallas 75215 from 11 am to 2 pm. All eligible area residents, including individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals with disabilities, underserved and vulnerable populations, can receive enrollment assistance at the event as they navigate through the wide choice of affordable coverage options and prices. Those who qualify to receive premium tax credits and cost sharing reductions will also receive assistance. Staff will also help with online applications.
CitySquare Hosts ROCK ENROLL-- Affordable Care Act Enrollment Day for Dallas’ Young Adults According to the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey, 46 percent of 18-34 year-olds in Dallas are currently uninsured. On Saturday, March 1st, the CitySquare Public Policy Department will host Rock Enroll, Dallas’ first young adult Affordable Care Act enrollment event. Though this city-wide education and enrollment event is targeted at young adults, it is open to the public. CitySquare has partnered with PAGE 25
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March 2 The Dallas Chapter’s Annual Mabel Chandler Concert featuring the Huston-Tillotson Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Gloria Quinlan. 6:00 PM University Park United Methodist Church 4024 Caruth Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75225
March 5-6 Two-Day Grantwriting Workshop After rave reviews, national speaker Rodney Walker of Grant Central USA is back to provide attendees with the knowledge they need to take their grant writing skills to a higher and more effective level! Center for Nonprofit Management 2902 Floyd Street Dallas, TX 75204 Time: 9 am - 5 pm
March 7 Nonprofit Salsa - Leadership Conference A fun, festive, full-day leadership conference designed to add spice to your nonprofit’s life and help you step up your leadership capacity. If you’re able to attend just one leadership conference this year, then don’t miss this one! Center for Community Coorperation 2900 Live Oak Street Dallas, TX 75204 Time: 9 am - 4 pm
“The Center for Nonprofit Management is thrilled to be able to host national speaker, Rodney Walker, as he brings his fun and energizing “Nonprofit Leadership Salsa” program to Dallas! As the North Texas nonprofit community continues to grow and the demand for our services increases year over year, having skilled and passionate leaders at the helm doing this good work is essential. We are proud to be able to provide this unique program to our community.” Susan Frear, CNM Director of Education
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Kappa Zeta Chapter First Fridays as we roll, bounce, and skate for a cause! During our 2nd Annual Skate for Babies campaign we will raise money for stronger, healthier babies in support of the lifesaving work of the March of Dimes. Four evenings full of skating and family fun: So come out to Redbird Skateland at: 1206 N Duncanville Road Duncanville, TX 75116. $8 includes admission and skate rental; mention Kappa Zeta chapter and $4 will be donated to the March of Dimes March for Babies.
March 8 The Dallas Fly Fishers will teach morning and afternoon classes for beginning fly-fishers at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center’s (TFFC) Fly Fish Pavilion on Due to limited space, re-registration is required. Contact TFFC by e-mailing tffc@tpwd.texas.gov or by calling (903) 676-2277. Leave your contact information (name, phone, e-mail) to receive a class confirmation. There is no fee for these classes, but regular admission to TFFC is required.
The Dallas Chapter of Continental Societies, Incorporated Annual Naw’lins Mardi Gras Jam 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM 6:30 PM Cocktails Crowne Plaza Dallas (Near Galleria-Addison) 14315 Midway Road, Addison, TX 75001
FEATURING JAZZ ARTIST & MUSIC PRODUCER KIM JORDAN SHE HAS PERFORMED WITH STEVIE WONDER, ROBERTA FLACK WYNTON MARSALIS & GIL SCOTT-HERON TICKETS ARE $40 KIM JORDAN TICKETS FOR MORE INFO CALL 210-818-4316
March 11 —Suellen Roberts - Speaker for Fellowship of Professional Women Dallas -- Former Gucci executive shares her story of her meteoric rise in her career at the famous international House of Gucci and how God transformed her life. Suellen had achieved it all professionally, however her personal life was falling apart. God brought healing, love and acceptance which moved her into a new dimension in life. Suellen now is the Founder and President of Christian Women in Media. A moving speaker, Suellen appeals to a broad audience of women. She resides in Dallas with her husband Jimy, former personal assistant to Billy Graham. They have a blended family of five children and eleven grandchildren. CWIMA.org
March 14 3/14 FOX & THE BIRD (Hometown Record Release Show!) 8pm at The Kessler Theater, 1230 W Davis St, Dallas, TX (214) 272-8346
March 15
New Light Church Theme: "Living As An Annointed Man" Scripture: James 1: 19 20 8:30am til 10:00am Special Guest Speaker James Washington Publisher, Dallas Weekly Author/Columnist of 'Spiritually Speaking' for over ten years 'All Men Are Welcome As We Prayer For Our Country, Community, Education and Church'
March 9 AT THE CARVER CENTER 226 N. HACKBERRY SAN ANTONIO, TX THE DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY INC. SAN ANTONIO CHAPTER PRESENTS GOSPEL FEST 2014 SUNDAY MARCH 9TH @ 4PM !
VIP Reception Dinner and Concert 3015 at Trinity Groves Benefiting West Dallas Community Centers
Tuesday, March 18
Open Mike Community Meeting The next Dallas ISD Open Mike Live community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, at Thomas Jefferson High School, 4001 Walnut Hill Lane from 6 - 7 p.m. Superintendent of Schools Mike Miles and district leadership are taking questions from members of the community.
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March 20 Got Heart, Give HopeÂŽ Celebration to be hosted in the Dallas area on Thursday, March 20, 2014. The event will be held at the Embassy Suites in Frisco/Dallas, 7600 John Q Hammons Dr, Frisco, TX.Â
Methodist Church is located 5801 Plano Parkway, corner of Mira Vista and Plano Parkway.
Garland: Teen Talk March 29 Garland City Hall 200 N. Fifth Street 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All teenagers invited to attend. Details and registration info available at: GarlandYouthCouncil.org
March 22 DFW NC A&T Alumni Association chapter meeting will be held from 2pm-3:30pm at the Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak St., Dallas, TX 75204 THE SUPER BOWL OF YOUTH STEPPIN’ IS BACK AGAIN.... STOMP WARS 2014! DALLAS, TEXAS - SATURDAY, MARCH 29TH. TOP HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL STEP TEAMS WILL COMPETE FOR $10,000. PLUS, “WE ARE TOONZ� WILL BE PERFORMING THEIR HIT “DROP THAT NAE NAE� LIVE ON STAGE.......WE WILL ALSO FEATURE THE NATIONAL NAE NAE DANCE CONTEST LIVE ON THE STOMP WARS STAGE. PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW AT www.STOMPWARS.com GROUP RATES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, CHURCHES, ETC... PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL TO MAKE GROUP RATE ARRANGEMENTS: STOMPWARSINFO@GMAIL.COM VISIT www.STOMPWARS.com FOR MORE INFO....
Monday, March 24
The 2014 African American Educators Hall of Fame Program will be held Saturday, April 12, 12:00 Noon., Hilton Garden Inn, 800 N. Main Street, Duncanville, Texas. An induction ceremony will be conducted to honor educators and others who have made significant contributions to the African American Education experience in Dallas County. Dinner will be served. Tickets are $50 each
The 13th Annual A Special Evening hosted by Alliance Data and benefiting LaunchAbilityÂŽ will feature R&B legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Smokey Robinson as the entertainer on Monday, March 31, 2014, 8 p.m., at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
St. Andrew United Methodist Church invites all girls from anywhere in need of a prom dress to FREE prom shopping days at the church, March 25-27, 4 – 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. – noon St. Andrew United
CHERYL SMITH
THE CUTTING EDGE YOUTH SUMMIT
DBCC Golf Tournament  benefiting  the Excellence in Education Scholarship Fund  Monday, June 9, 2014 Golf Club of Dallas
from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (CDT) University Of North Texas At Dallas 7300 University Hills Blvd Dallas, TX 75241 April 8 —Kimia Penton -Speaker for Fellowship of Professional Women Dallas - Kimia is a psychologist, songwriter, violinist, author and speaker. Born in the Middle East, raised in England and now living in Texas, Kimia relied heavily on her intellect and academic accomplishments to guide her life’s journeys. One unexpected day however, she began her most important journey: to know God against all odds. Her testimony is a story of hope, and an example of God’s unfailing love and pursuit of us, no matter where we are from, what we have done and what we think we know. Kimia and her husband, Andy, live in Dallas, Texas with their two children. facebook.com/kimiajourneys
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The sixth annual Dallas Art Fair, presented by Ruinart Champagne, will feature 92 international galleries from The fair will return to the Fashion Industry Gallery (f.i.g.) located at 1807 Ross Avenue in the dynamic Downtown Arts District.
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IN MEMORIAM
Wednesday
HOST - YVETTE BROOKS
Thursday
Friday
Donna P. Charles
HOSTS: DAREIA TOLBERT HOST: JAMILLE BRADFIELD
Call in to 646-200-0459 PAGE 26
Excellence in Education Scholarship Luncheon Thursday, April 24, 2014 Frontiers of Flight Museum 6911 Lemmon Avenue Dallas, TX 75209 12:00 pm Noon
April 5
Cheryl’s World on Blogtalkradio.com at 6p.m. Monday
April 20 Aggie Fun Event at 300 Bowling in Addison, TX
Hispanic Communicators DFW announce that ABC’s John Quiùones will be our keynote speaker
April 10–13 March 25
at our annual scholarship banquet
April 12
March 31
PREP University All-STAAR week Dallas ISD will provide free workshops for parents to help their children with the STAAR test at various schools beginning on Monday, March 24. The PREP U workshops will provide information about the test and will be able to review sample STAAR questions in reading, math, and writing and learn about the passing standards for the test. The workshops will be in English, and Spanish interpretation will be available. Childcare for children ages three and up will be provided. For more information, visit www.dallasisd.org/staar, call (972) 925-3916 or email STAAR@dallasisd.org.
The Irving International Women’s Consortium (IIWC) will host its 8th annual Influence of the Purse Auction Thursday, April 10, 2014 ~ 5:30 – 8:00 pm. The auction will be held at the Las Colinas Country Club – 4400 N. O’Connor, Irving, TX 75062 (972) 541-1141.
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
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5/20/1958 - 3/23/2012 Elusive Lady #22 Spring 1978 Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., FAMU !
I MESSENGER
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FEBRUARY 28, 2014
Congressman John Lewis gives inspiring speech to local Faith Leaders at Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson’s 21st Annual Prayer Breakfast
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson hosted her 21st annual interfaith prayer breakfast at the Music Hall at Fair Park. The theme of this year’s breakfast was “prayer, the foundation of equality and justice,” and featured a keynote address by civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis (GA-05). “The very foundation of my life is prayer,” Congressman Johnson said to a breakfast audience of more than 140 people. The attendees included members of the clergy, elected officials, business owners and a group of Dallas students that last November retraced routes taken by the “Freedom Riders” who fought to
DISD UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 2014 African American History Month February is African American History Month, and Dallas ISD students and staff will be celebrating across the district. This year’s theme is: Civil Rights in America. • John Ireland Elementary School will host an oratorical contest this Friday. The school will also host members of Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church who will read to students. Ireland will close out its celebration Fri, Feb. 28, with a “living museum” where students will dress up as important African-American figures and share information regarding their accomplishments. Friday, February 28
only daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the founding President of the African nation of Ghana. Superintendent Mike Miles, Trustee Lew Blackburn and Trustee Miguel Solis will be in attendance, as well as other Dallas city officials. Dr. Seuss’ birthday to be honored through Read Across Dallas Dallas ISD’s department of Language and Literacy will sponsor Read Across Dallas starting at 9:30 -11:30 a.m., Friday Feb. 28, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Elementary students throughout the district will spend the morning reading Dr. Seuss’“One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”. Middle school students will read “And to Think I saw it on Mulberry Street”. To volunteer, please visit www2.dallasisd.org/partners/careerday.cfm.
“He was beaten, but not discouraged,” she said of the Georgia legislator who is also the only living speaker among those who spoke at the 1963 March on Washington. “There is a sweet spirit of prayer in this place,” Congressman Lewis said as he began his remarks. “I cannot imagine where we would be in this country if our work had not been based on a foundation of prayer.” “If someone had not prayed for me during the beatings I took that left me unconscious I would not be standing here today,” said Congressman Lewis. “Prayer allows us to never give in and never give up. Prayer will change Tuesday, March 4 Former Mavericks coach to speak to students with Just Say YES The former head coach for the Dallas Mavericks, Avery Johnson, will speak to Thomas Jefferson High School students with the Just Say YES- Youth Equipped to Succeed organization on Tuesday, March 4 beginning at 10 a.m. Coach Johnson will inspire and motivate students to avoid the pitfalls of poor choices, overcome life’s obstacles and stay in school. The Just Say YES organization promotes helping youth say yes to their dreams and goals and no to risky behavior.
In honor of African American History month, L.G. Pinkston High School will play host to Ghanaian politician Samia Yaba Christina Nkrumah on Friday, Feb. 28, at the school campus, 2200 Dennison Street. Ms. Nkrumah is the !
Dallas ISD Goes to College is scheduled at 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 1, at Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 S. Polk St. High school students can explore the exhibits and get information from various colleges and universities. Transportation is provided.
things… Even in the Congress we need prayer.” Reverend Claude Maples, who has been the master of ceremonies of the prayer breakfast since it began two decades ago, introduced members of the clergy representing the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith. Each of them gave brief remarks after Congressman Lewis gave his address. In addition to a performance by the Lincoln Humanities and Communications Magnet High School Choir, the attendees were entertained by Juilliard and Yale trained violin virtuoso, Richmond Punch.
projects on Africa and raise money in support of making a difference in the lives of Africans. High school open house Bryan Adams High School will hold an open house for the community on Thursday, March 6, from 6 - 8 p.m., at the school campus 2101 Millmar Dr., to provide information about the school and its programs. Parents can learn about the advanced academic programs, STEM, culinary arts, law enforcement endorsement pathway programs and more. Friday, March 7
Thursday, March 6
Ribbon-cuttings for new classroom additions
Saturday, March 1 Dallas ISD Goes to College
Politician from Ghana to visit high school
PAGE 27
integrate segregated workplaces and public facilities during the 1960s. Congresswoman Johnson applauded the high school and middle school students for taking the “Freedom Riders” trip. “These young people visited places where Congressman Lewis and others challenged the American government to enact laws that gave full citizenship to every American. I was among those that supported their trip, and we are proud of them.” While introducing her congressional colleague, Congresswoman Johnson said that his actions as a civil rights leader were directly related to her decision to run for elected office.
An Evening for Africa benefit The freshman class at A. Maceo Smith New Tech High School will host An Evening for Africa on Thursday, March 6 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the school campus, 3030 Stag Road. The benefit will showcase the students’ research !
Several Dallas ISD schools will hold ribbon-cutting ceremonies for their new classroom additions throughout the month of March.
!
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Trinity Chapter, the Links, Inc. Fundraising Gala benefits STEM Program The Trinity Chapter of the Links, Inc. presents its Annual Fundraiser, Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the Hilton Anatole. The Diamond and Sneakers Gala supports the organization's So SMAART - S.T.E.M.ulation Left Brain - Right Brain umbrella program creating achievable dreams for girls of color through education and exposure to experiences in Science/ Engineering, Reading and Technology. The program addresses the lack of minority female students pursuing non-traditional careers in the STEM areas. Trinity chapter members mentor eighty girls from three DISD Schools in this program. Community partners that lend support to this program
PAGE 28
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through field trips and hands on experiences are American Airline Volunteers, Texas Instrument Engineers, Paul Quinn College, Dallas Museum of Arts and Perot Museum. Supporters for the fundraising are Bank of America Financial, Linebarger Goggans Blair & Sampson, LLP, Ruth Coe Robinson, Dr. Donna Ellen Newsome, Texas Instrument, Glen and Sharyn Holley, Katrina McGheeLoving on Me, TXU Energy, Mildred Carrethers, Debra & Leon Carter, The Law Office of Loren Parker-Jackson, Wells Fargo, Multiplex/Hudson, Venita Owens, Sewell Lexus, Alicia Brown Young, Reciprocity, Carol and Royce West and Delva and Johnnie King. For ticket or sponsorship information contact 214-289-3714.
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
March is Women’s History Month Celebrate the women who made this world great!
10:00a.m.
!
!
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FEBRUARY 28, 2014
MISSING Call
911
Ms. Lillie Sanders (former member of Concord Church)
Robert Hallback Jr. Owner / Operator
if you have any information
408 West Renfro St, Ste 105 Plant City, FL 33563 rhallback57@gmail.com
amille Bradfield
or
PAGE 29
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BRINGING YOU ENLIGHTENING, EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING INFORMATION
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
Black History Month is over but the teaching and learning does not have to end!
Women’s Council OF DALLAS COUNTY
Please join us for our 59th Annual Awards Luncheon and Grant Presentation Honoring Woman of the Year
Molly H. Bogen The Senior Source
Felicia N. Shepherd M. Ed Founder/CEO
Booking Contact Information: info@fnsconsultingservices.com 972-638-SHEP (7437) Visit our website at www.fnsconsultingservices.com FiNeSse Consulting Services Staff Development, seminars on Relational Aggression, Conference/webinar presentations, motivational speaking, school and workplace conflict workshops
“Let me put my experience to work for you.”
Distinguished Individual Member
Janie Metzinger
Distinguished Public Service
Mary Ann Russ
Get out of Ęå ŞåųüåÏƋ čĜüƋ üŅų ƋĘå ŅĹå ƼŅƚ ĬŅƴåú debt!
Dallas Housing Authority Distinguished Member Organization
Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
Invest in your future!
The “Bev” Award in honor of Beverly Tobian
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dallas Alumnae Chapter Thursday, April 10, 2014 Communities Foundation of Texas 5500 Caruth Haven Lane Dallas, TX 75225 Registration Begins at 11:30 a.m. Luncheon from Noon to 1:30 p.m.
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PAGE 30
!
! Join the rally,
!
3.23.13
Join Mayor Mike Rawlings for The Ten Thousand Man Rally Against Domestic Abuse at 10am on March 23rd at Dallas City Hall. (DART exit at Convention Center Station.) It’s time for the men of Dallas to say, enough is enough.
I MESSENGER
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FEBRUARY 28, 2014
CHERYL’S WORLD DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC 1913 - 2014
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Tune in to Cheryl’s World on Blog Talk Radio, or call 646-200-0459 to hear informative, entertaining, enlightening and thought-provoking commentary and news with veteran journalist Cheryl Smith on Sundays at 8a.m. and open lines with Cheryl on Mondays at 6p.m., Felicia Shepherd on Tuesdays at 6p.m., Love A Natural Me with Yvette and Amy on Wednesdays at 6p.m., Young Generation Talk with Dareia Tolbert and Lady D on Thursdays at 6p.m., See you at the Movies - with Jamille Bradfield on Fridays at 6p.m. and Conversations and Tea with Toni at noon on Saturday
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Recycle this newspaper when finished reading
KENNY JAY REVIEW: MakingBOOK Women Happy!
INTIMATE SEDUCTION
City of Dallas Sanitation Dept.
www.DallasWeekly.com
INSIDE Speaking of People Ron Price elected to national organization post
Light rail, Trinity River road highly scrutinized in South Dallas By Patrice J. Holmes
INSIDE
Page 2
Studies by the University of Texas at Dallas Institute of Urban Policy, United Way and Texas A&M are taking place now to assess the quality of life in the South Dallas community before billion dollar projects involving the new DART Light Rail and the Trinity
National
Toll Road are brought to the area. Some construction has begun with the demolition of homes to follow later this year. At a meeting held by the three institutions, a focus group of sorts dished ideas and findings on the surveys that have told the story of the residents of South Dallas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are measuring conditions that may vary from street to street,â&#x20AC;? said Dr.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;OVER THREE TO FOUR YEARS THERE ARE CHANGES IN CONDITIONS AND WE WANT TO KNOW HOW IT AFFECTS THE AREAâ&#x20AC;?
YVETTE BROOKS Your Curlfriend!
training in administering the anonymous surveys. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over three to four years there are changes in conditions and we want to know how it affects the area.â&#x20AC;?
Evaluating President Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First 100 Days Political analysts, both mainstream and Black news media and intellectuals around the country have given their grade evaluation on President Barack Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first 100 days in office, marked on April 30. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how several people from the local front graded the new president.
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Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
A
Grade: A Page 4
Metro
Timothy Bray, director of the Institute of Urban Policy Research. He helps
oversee the The Field Research Team which underwent 80 hours of
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am deeply impressed with the progress that President Barack Obama has made during the first 100 days of his administration. Already we are seeing evidence of the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to dig our country out of recession and develop long-term, sustainable prosperity. President Obama has made two trips abroad, proving to us and to the world that he intends to repair our frayed alliances and restore our international leadership. Finally, the Obama administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s code of ethics has brought much-needed transparency and accountability to the White House. President Obama is delivering on the change that he promised.â&#x20AC;?
FOUR MORE YEARS
Mavericks surpasses Spurs in playoffs
PRESIDENT OBAMA VICTORIOUS
Available at newstands in Garland, Plano, Balch Springs, Seagoville, Rowlett, Mesquite, Richardson, East and North Dallas
Page 9
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
C
Grade: C â&#x20AC;&#x153;In just 100 days, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen an alarming acceleration of policies that will take America down the wrong track. The administration has proposed trillions of dollars in new spending, which will result in higher taxes on Americans, while sharply raising our indebtedness to foreign creditors. On the national security front, I am very concerned about the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intention to close Guantanamo without a workable plan to relocate detainees. It is my sincere hope that, moving forward, the administration will adopt the productive, responsible approach to our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenges that Americans deserve.â&#x20AC;? (The office of John Cornyn of Texas was contacted but did See 100 DAYS, page 19
SPIRITUAL
ETS OF THE SECR
Remebering Joe Hudson Jr. Page 1 0
The Dallas Weekly
years celebrates 56 Black of serving the Community
THE HUNDRED DAY SCORE
Why Democracy hangs in the balance
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The Long and Winding Road editorial@dallasweekly.com
FAMU Rattlers victorious
Page 13
No. 1 serving the African American Community
April 30-May 6, 2009
TIME TO FORGIVE?
In having the conversation about building within South Dallas, many issues arise with respect to GWENDOLYNand JONES education business in Ask The Advocate See ROAD, page 19
PROPOSITIONS 1 AND 2 Why YES means no and NO means yes Dallas is abuzz at the election issues before them on May 9 when citizens are asked to vote on the controverDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LYTE sial & EBONY Convention Music Happenings Center Hotel that is being backed by Mayor Leppert. But what does voting â&#x20AC;&#x153;noâ&#x20AC;? and voting â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesâ&#x20AC;? mean? It is important to remember that the propositions are to amend the Dallas City Charter which, among other things, gives the MISSpower RAY to acquire city the Going Deep in Roots property fortheany public purpose. The propositions are worded to prohibit the city from acting on these before stated powers. Therefore, if a citizen would like the city to maintain those powers, they are to vote NO and vice versa. See VOTE, page 38
VALDER BEEBE That Celebrity Interview
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How to avoid the Swine flu Page 15
BUSINESS
X-Men Origins: WOLVERINE Movie Tidbits Pg. 12
How to brand you Page 16
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Martin named NABJ Â Journalist of the Year
See Sexual Assault, page 18Curry looks at the George
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future with President Obama
APRIL 19, 2013
BOOK REVIEW:
THE BISHOPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAUGHTER Page 10 Volume No. 55 Issue No. 44
See Martin, page 11
INSIDE
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Obama wins election and makes ...
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Nation elects first African
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CHANGE! See PAGE 7
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Is gospel music dying? Management blamed for issues
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SPECIAL COLLECTORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EDITION
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Business Food for thought Congresswoman addresses
PAGE 1
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Michael Baisden Oak Cliff Chamber Page 12
Prevent heart attacks Heart disease remains high on list of illnesses Page 15
all the Find out on Marvelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lowdown mutants PG. 12 weirdest
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INSIDE
Health
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!"#$%&'()&**+**+(,-+&./012* .3+"44150./012+16+73.58+91:;2.304/4+ /:.33C+ >./->+ ,-;+ <&"79=+ ,.4+ .221:25->+ /,./+ ?1* 2-0F,K1;B+ J.4+ 3.2>+ #@+ A.;/02B+ 2./012.33C+ 4C2>0* 5.:F,/+ K-61;-+ 5./->+ 513:D204/B+ /-3-E04012+ ,14/B+ ,-+ J.4+ .K3-+ /1+ .2>+;.>01+.2>+/-3-E04012+51DD-2* ;.L-+,-;B+K:/+/,-+ /./1;B+ 04+ /1+ ;-5-0E-+ /,-+ 1;F.20G.* Recycle this .44.:3/+ J.4+ 41+ /012H4+91:;2.304/+16+/,-+I-.;+.J.;>@+ newspaper K;:/.3+ /,./+ /,-+ when %/+ 04+ 12-+ 16+ &"79H4+ D14/+ 51E-/* 45.;4+3-6/+K-,02>+ finished ->+ ,121;4+ 5-3-K;./02F+ /,-+ .551D* reading 51:3>+ ,.E-+ 512* L304,D-2/4+16+K3.58+M1:;2.304/4+.2>+ /02:->+/1+.44.:3/+ City of Dallas/,14-+ J,1+ 4:LL1;/+ K3.584+ 02+ /,-+ Sanitation Dept. ,-;B+ 06+ 21/+ 61;+ .+ D->0.@+A.;/02+J.4+4-3-5/->+61;+/,-+ No. 1 serving the African American Community 31E02F+ 6.D03CB+ .J.;>+KC+&"79H4+71.;>+16+N0;-5* November 6 - 12, 2008 www.DallasWeekly.com 5,:;5,B+ 51D* /1;4@ D:20/C+ .2>+ ,-;+ 6.0/,@ ' J - 2 > 1 3 C 2+ Debra Mars 912-4+ J.4+ .4* The election is over 4.:3/->+ KC+ ,-;+ 4/-L*6./,-;@+ + #,-+ .48->+ ,-;4-36+ /,-+ TXHVWLRQV WKDW PDQ\ YLFWLPV DVN :K\ GLG WKLV SHU* now we can begin 412+.5/+/,04+J.C+/1J.;>+D-\+"D+%+;-4L1240K3-\++N0>+%+ Election night coverage on >1+41D-/,02F+/1+5.:4-+/,04\++N0>+DC+5.;-/.8-;4+821J+ KKDA focuses on issues DERXW WKLV DQG LI VR ZK\ GLGQ W WKH\ GR VRPHWKLQJ WR 4/1L+0/\ #,-B+308-+41+D.2C+1/,-;+C1:2F+E05/0D4B+J.4+21/+K-* Roland S. Martin 30-E->+**+J,05,+5.:4->+51240>-;.K3-+/;.:D.+.4+/,-+E05* /0D+04+/J05-+E05/0D0G->@++ ">D0//->3C+41D-+OE05/0D4S+,.E-+30->B+L;1>:502F+.2* O%+ .D+ -21;D1:43C+ /,.286:3+ .2>+ 1/,-;+3-E-3+16+E05/0D4+02+/,-+J;12F6:33C+.55:4->B+K:/+ ,:DK3->+/,./+&"79+,.4+K-4/1J->+ /,-;-+ .;-+ 1/,-;+ 3-E-34B+ 308-+ /,./+ E05/0D+ J,1+ ;-D.024+ /,04+.D.G02F+,121;+12+D-+61;+DC+ 403-2/+ 61;+ J,./-E-;+ ;-.412+ .2>+ /,-+ 6.D03C+ .2>+ 31E->+ J1;8+ .4+ .+ 6-.;3-44+ E105-+ 02+ .>E1* 12-4+ 16+ /,-+ .61;-D-2/012->+ J,1+ 16/-2/0D-4+ >12H/+ 5./02F+ /,-+ 5;0/05.3+ 044:-4+ 6.502F+ Page 5 821J+J,./+/1+4.C+1;+>1@ E1/-;4+ 02+ /,-+ PQRP+ -3-5/012B+ K:/+ &1J+J,1+04+/,-+E05/0D\+ -4L-50.33C+.4+/,-C+;-3./-+/1+"6;05.2+ %/+ 51:3>+ K-+ .+ 2-JK1;2+ K.KC@+ + )6+ 51:;4-+ C1:+ /,028+ "D-;05.24BS+ 4.0>+ A.;/02@+ O%+ ,1L-+ /,./+/,04+51:3>2H/+K-+/,-+5.4-@+]261;/:2./-3C+/,-;-+.;-+ Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s win may /,04+,121;+4-;E-4+.4+.+3-4412+/1+.2C+ 41+ D.2C+ 5.4-4+ 16+ E-;CB+ E-;C+ C1:2F+ K.K0-4+ K-02F+ .4* C1:2F+ 1;+ E-/-;.2+ M1:;2.304/+ /,./+ face limitations
Michael Baisden leaves airwaves -Skip Murphy moves to slot + &./012.33C+ 4C2>05./->+ ;.>01+ L-;412.30/C+ A05,.-3+ 7.04>-2+ .2* 21:25->+.+,0./:4B+6;1D+,04+;.>01+12+ ,04+ T.5-K118+ L.F-@+ 7.04>-2B+ J,1+ 51DD.2>4+.+>.03C+.:>0-25-+16+1E-;+ 4-E-2+ D033012+ 304/-2-;4B+ 4.0>+ ,-+ 04+ :2.K3-+/1+>045:44+/,-+L.;/05:3.;4+K:/+ 51253:>->+ /,./+ .+ >-.3+ 51:3>+ 21/+ K-+ D.>-+12+D:/:.33C+.F;--.K3-+/-;D4@+ ?-51F20G->+.4+12-+16+/,-+D14/+02* Ă&#x20AC;XHQWLDO PHQ LQ UDGLR KLV 0LFKDHO %DLVGHQ 6KRZ LV RQH RI WKH WRS UDW* ->+ .6/-;2112+ >;0E-+ ;.>01+ L;1F;.D4+ ,-.;>+02+/,-+/1L+:;K.2+D.;8-/4@++ $-+ 04+ .341+ .+ (U+ /.38+ VKRZ KRVW ÂżOP PDNHU DQG !"#$
NO 2 ISSUE 32 APRIL 19 2013
NO 2 ISSUE 32
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2*3,43,4!,%"(!',5!3,6+*)'$3+,!6*+)!'-*+((!$7%!($'$%!',5!'*+8,5!$7%!"+*/5!
Say NO to any ASSAULT
New Voices
I MESSENGER
Welcome Home Ambassador Ron Kirk!
TEXAS METRO NEWS
Single Mom Chronicles p.12
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Digital Illustration: Joseph Shelby
VOL XI ISSUE 7 NOVEMBER 15, 2012
NOVEMBER 4, 2008 ELECTION
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Republican
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Joyce Ann Brown lost Nine Years, Five Months and 24 Days of her life !
I MESSENGER
JOHN
V.S. MCCAIN BARACK
OBAMA
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I MESSENGER ENTERPRISES 320 SOUTH R.L. THORNTON FREEWAY, SUITE 220
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NO 3 ISSUE 26
BRINGING YOU ENLIGHTENING, EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING INFORMATION
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.” . Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Come on PEOPLE! Don’t you CARE?
A FAMILY
.
POLICE have not apprehended Pookie the serial rapist. Aren’t you concerned? Do you care? I A guy who hits a woman We know he has attacked members of can be called lots of things. is not one of them. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,“Man”Inc. and there is a $5,000 reward offered by Crime Stoppers. If you have ANY information, PLEASE call Crime Stoppers
877.373.8477 3.23.13 Join the rally,
Join Mayor Mike Rawlings for The Ten Thousand Man Rally Against Domestic Abuse at 10am on March 23rd at Dallas City Hall. (DART exit at Convention Center Station.) It’s time for the men of Dallas to say, enough is enough.
39946_MOROCH_MAA_NP_Ad_BW.indd 1
2/28/13 1:41 PM
Also, if you want extra protection, check out Street Safe at
www.streetsafe.peopleguard.com
DON’T BE SILENT Join I Messenger in the call for justice. Turn Pookie in today! PAGE 32
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I MESSENGER