Texas Metro News by Cheryl Smith

TEXAS METRO

WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM VOL.3 NO. 11

BRINGING NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND AROUND THE WORLD

NEWS

Actress Irma P. Hall and Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price at KwanzaaFest 2014

Photo by: Elyssa Lassiter & DGDaFotographer

JUDGE KELLY’S INSPIRING

See the Gift Buying Guide Pages 11-14

JOURNEY page 6

JUSTICE IN DALLAS COUNTY

JANUARY 7, 2015 CIRCULATION AUDIT BY

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Minority-owned businesses still underrepresented

By NICOLE JAMES SCOTT Texas Publishers Association After conducting a disparity study in 2009, the Texas Comptroller’s office concluded special programs to secure procurement for Historically Underutilized Businesses are still necessary. It went on to affirm its commitment to ensure state agencies make a concerted effort to utilize HUBs for contracts in construction, professional and consulting services and commodities purchases. All state agencies, medical and health facilities, and institutions of higher learning were included in the study. The following primary points highlighted in the study to confirm disparity were as such: - Statistical disparities by race, ethnicity and gender classification in current HUB utilization, particularly in prime contracting; - Statistical disparities by race, ethnicity and gender classification in the private marketplace, particularly in the area of utilization of women and minority-owned firms in commercial construction; - Statistical disparities in firm earnings by race, ethnicity and gender classification, even after controlling for capacity-related factors; and - Anecdotal testimony of disparate treatment as presented by business owners in interviews, surveys, public hearings and focus groups. The more than 200 state agencies and institutions of higher education have a cumulative multi-billion dollar annual budget. A great source of that revenue is generated from 60 different taxes and fees. Taxes and fees such as property tax, sales tax, cigarette, tax, alcohol tax, hotel tax, various motor vehicle taxes that all citizens of the state pay. For the fiscal year of 2013, the comptroller’s office collected close to $48 billion in taxes alone. So what is the connection and what does this have to do with state agencies? If you drive a car, buy alcohol, smoke cigarettes, own property or patronize hotels, then you are contributing to that whopping $48 billion the state collects to fund various state agencies such as the Department of Transportation, and Public Utility Commission and institutions like Sam Houston State, Texas A&M and University of Texas just to name a few. In essence, these agencies and institutions belong to the communities and should in kind serve those communities. So when the Department of Health and Human Services advertises in the medical journals and fails to do so in African American newspapers, it is a great disservice. It is the Black Press that is the pipeline of communication into the African American community where the prevalence of diseases such as diabetes and strokes are twice that of Whites. African Americans have the highest age-adjusted heart disease death rate and African Americans have the highest hospitalization

rate of all ethnicities. In the interest of serving the African American community the Department of Health and Human Services is remiss in bypassing Black newspapers. But it’s not just the Black Press that is underrepresented when it comes to state procurement and contracting. According to the 2014 annual

HUB report, $15,113,071,094 was awarded to non-HUBs, compared to $2,060,862,969 awarded to HUBs. Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic, Native American, woman-owned and service-disabled veterans constitute HUBs. All state agencies and institutions are required to keep annual reporting of their expenditures. There is a special report generated specifically to detail how much funding and bids are awarded to HUBs. Just to provide a few examples of the inequality that exists, the University of Texas Health and Science Center’s 2013 report listed 42 out of 559 bids/proposals that were awarded to HUBs, 25 of which went to women. In fiscal year 2013, the Department of Transportation contracted a paltry 4.82 percent of its construction contracts with HUBs. The same year, the Public Utility Commission awarded 250 contracts of which 90 went to HUBs. Of those 90, 26 went to Asian males, two African American males, seven Hispanic males, one Hispanic female and one Native American

male. The remaining 53 were awarded to women. The Alcoholic Beverage Commission awarded 1,600 contracts. The breakdown of those contracts were as follows: one Asian male, one Asian female, six African American males, 49 Hispanic males, one Hispanic female, two Native American males and 246 women. These are just four examples but the pattern is consistent among the majority of agencies and institutions. Moreover, most often many of the contracts that are awarded primarily go to women who are neither Asian, African American, Hispanic nor members of any ethnic group. The issue at hand is not about set asides, diversity or even affirmative action; albeit groups that have been historically excluded should receive special consideration. However, HUBs contribute and put into the collective pot, so to speak, just as much as other businesses. Any procurement HUBs receive from state agencies are not only deserved but also earned. We are not talking about handouts or charitable contributions. In viewing the above chart, suffice it to say HUBs are clearly not receiving their fair slice of the pie. Not by a long shot.

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Examiner names top media professionals

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and Palm Valley Lutheran Church Personnel Committee. She is also a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, a volunteer for the Round Rock YMCA, a member of the Old Settlers Association of Williamson County, and a graduate of Leadership Round Rock and Leadership Austin. Bourland received a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University and law degree from The University of Texas School of Law.

Iota Phi Lambda welcomes new members Dareia Tolbert, host of Praise Party, grew up in Kilgore, Texas where she graduated from Kilgore High School and received her Bachelors degree in Mass Communication from Lane College in Jackson, TN. Prior to joining the Heaven 97 KHVN team, she interned with the Gospel Music Channel in Atlanta, GA and the Jackson Sun in Jackson, TN and served as co-host for WFKX 96 KIX THOMAS Media and Video Praise. She has also worked with 101.5 New Talk radio station, in Jackson, TN and is a host on Cheryl’s World’s popular Inside 234 on Blog Talk Radio Her energetic and charismatic personality will captivate you, on and off the air.

NAACP on Explosion near Colorado Springs Branch BALTIMORE, Md. – The NAACP has released the following statement regarding an ongoing investigation into an explosion near the Colorado Springs Branch. No injuries were reported in what is believed to be an explosion near the Colorado Springs NAACP Branch located on the 600 block of S. El Paso St. The cause of the explosion is still unknown. The NAACP looks forward to a full and thorough investigation into this matter by federal agents and local law enforcement.

Bourland appointed justice of 3rd Court of Appeals Cindy Bourland is an attorney and president of Bourland Law Firm PC. She is a past partner at Merica and Bourland PC and Hance Scarborough LLP in Austin. She is a member of the Williamson County Bar Association, Travis County Women Lawyers Association and Brazos River Authority Board of Directors, and a member and foundation life fellow of the Austin Bar Association and State Bar of Texas. She is past president of the Austin Young Lawyers Association and a past member of the Robert W. Calvert American Inn of Court. She is a member of the Southwestern University Board of Visitors, Capital IDEA of Williamson County

Come on PEOPLE! Don’t you CARE?

Will it matter when it is your sister, mother, aunt or grandmotheror maybe YOU?

DBDT’s 2015 Founder’s Luncheon scheduled for January 9 at the Hilton Anatole is chaired this year by Drs. Ellen and Dralves Edwards and has a Citywide community group of Committee members. Dr. Dralves currently works as an independent contractor in Emergency Medicine at three hospitals. He retired in 2004 after 14 years as Senior Pastor and Founder of the St. Luke Christian Center Church in Duncanville. Dr. Ellen Cooper Edwards is CEO/ Independent Distributor for Organo Gold International/ Coffee Life Style. Her Company Capitalizes on four fastgrowing industries: Internet, Home-based Business, Health &Wellness and Coffee. Dr. Ellen is also vice President of Doctor’s of Faith International Ministries, Inc. Founder ‘ Luncheon committee members include Mrs. Audrey Thomas. Ms. Christine Thomas, Mr. David Griffin, Mrs. Deloris Washington, Mrs. Gloria Lockett, Mrs. Hattie Garrett-Newhouse, Ms. Heidi K. Murray, Mr. Howard Brown, Mrs. Jeanette Brown, Mrs. Joleen Chambers, Ms. Kimberley Runnels, Mrs. Kimberly McCormick Jones, Mrs. Laura Jeffers Murray, Mrs. Millie Ferguson, Mrs. Paula Watkins, Rev Bryan Carter, Rev. Claude Maples, Rev. Elzie Odom, Rev. Patricia Maples, Rev. Richie Butler, Mrs. Stephanie Carter, Mrs. Susie Bell, Mrs. Sandra Dorsey Malone and Mrs. Verna G. Brown Mitchell. The Luncheon honors it’s Founder Ann Williams having founded the Company 38 years ago. it is the major fund raising event for the Organization and proceeds support the organization’s outreach programs and scholarships. Honorees this year are Michelle Thomas, Chase Bank and Jim and JoLeen Chambers, community volunteers. Clarice Tinsley Fox 4 News will again be the Mistress of Ceremonies.

Gov. Perry appoints Sudderth Justice of 2nd Court of Appeals AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Bonnie Sudderth of Fort Worth as justice of the 2nd Court of Appeals for a term to expire at the 2016 general election. Sudderth is judge of the 352nd Judicial District Court in Tarrant County, an adjunct professor at the Texas A&M University School of Law, and past chief judge of the Fort Worth Municipal Court. She is board certified in civil trial law and personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is a member and past president of the Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court and American Judges Association, life member of the American Inns of Court Alumni Association and Texas Bar Foundation, and a charter member of the Tarrant County Bar Foundation. She is a fellow of the College of the State Bar of Texas and vice chair of the Rules Committee Trial Subcommittee, a member of the State Bar of Texas Pattern Jury Charges Business, Consumer and Employment Committee and Litigation Section, and past chair of the Municipal Judges Section of The State Bar of Texas.

Do you know this man? POLICE have not apprehended Pookie the serial rapist. We know he has attacked members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and there is a $5,000 reward offered by Crime Stoppers. If you have ANY information, PLEASE call Crime Stoppers

877.373.8477

DBDT’s luncheon honors founder

Deloris James, Teresa Henderson, Bridget Taylor, Diana Jordan, Lucille Tolliver and Daphne Hornbuckle. On Sunday, December 7, 2014 members of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. inducted four talented women into Psi Chapter. The group included Lucille Tolliver, an accountant, Teresa Henderson, a business owner and consultant, Bridget Taylor, a patient care secretary and Diana Jordan, an educator. Dean of Intake Deloris James stated, “This group of women, also known as the Diamond Gems, completed both civic and community projects that greatly benefitted the community.” The Diamond Gems worshipped together with Psi Chapter President, Daphne Hornbuckle and chapter members at First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park. They also excitedly hosted a prestigious brunch with the President at a local Salt Grass restaurant. Psi Chapter members are excited and delighted to welcome the new members who bring diverse experiences and talents to the organization. President Hornbuckle expressed that their talents will undoubtedly prove invaluable to the chapter as we continue enhancing the programs and projects of the sorority.

January 7, 2015

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CHAVIS: Reclaiming Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Texas

METRO NEWS Formerly Kuumba Heritage News Founded by Theresa Thrash in 1994 to the Glory & Honor of Jesus Christ

secure economic justice en route to becoming what he called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beloved Community.â&#x20AC;? Over the past year, there have been numerous demonstrations across the nation demanding racial justice in the wake of police

less prejudiced than their parents and preceding generations. Even so, emerging young leaders are not relenting â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they are pushing forward with renewed energy, conviction and vigor. In fact, we should not forget that Martin Luther King was only 26 years old in 1955 when he became the primary spokesman for the nascent Montgomery Bus Boycott Movement. Many campaigning for public office are looking beyond MLK Day to the 2016 U.S. presidential race. Our challenge is to make

killing of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, and Rumain Brisbon. It was a positive sign of progress to witness street protests that, in the spirit of Dr. King, setranscended race and class. All forms of injustice must be opposed. It was Dr. King who reminded us that â&#x20AC;&#x153;an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.â&#x20AC;? As was the case in the past, young people today are only

sure the quest for equality and justice does not get placated by the politics of expediency. In other words, the momentum to transform America evident in 2014 should not be allowed to dissipate over the next year. Now that the U.S. economy continues to rebound, efforts to end poverty in our communities should be significantly increased. Interestingly, those who opposed President Barack Obama blamed him for things

Speaking truth to power

An I Messenger Enterprises Publication

By Ben Chavis, Jr.

MAILING ADDRESS 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203

The 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday should WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM have a different impact on the 214-941-0110 collective consciousness of Black America. Why? Because once again there are millions of Black Cheryl Smith Americans who are Publisher - Editor more determined publisher@texasmetronews.com than ever to keep Kasandra Black pushing forward General Manager to achieve full Becky Lewis freedom, justice, Executive Assistant equality and empowerment. TEAM The historic m e t h o d o l o g y, Yvette Brooks style and Roger B. Brown substance of Eva Coleman Tonya English Dr. Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amanda Fitzpatrick leadership needs Vincent Hall to be reclaimed Richard Alexander Moore Andrew Whigham by those with the heavy DESIGN/LAYOUT r e s p o n s i b ility RG By Design to lead. By rewww.rgbydesign.com embracing Dr. PHOTOGRAPHERS Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prophetic Kevin Griffith activism and Richard Manson dgdaphotographer.com mobilization genius, I CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION believe Black MB Distribution American leaders Advertising of national sales@texasmetronews.com organizations will be effective Editorial submissions editorial@texasmetronews.com in countering the backward Calendar drift of voter calendar@texasmetronews.com s u p p r e s s i on, !VAILABLE AT .EWSSTANDS IN racism, violence Garland,Rowlett Mesquite and hopelessness. Richardson The tone set in & E.Dallas the King Holiday ceremonies this year should focus TEXAS METRO NEWS 1isYear published by I Messenger achieving )1 Year 926-8503 Fax (903) 450-1397 Subscription $45.00 Subscription $45.00 LLC., 320 S. R.L. Thornton Frwy, on Enterprises, e q u a l i t y Dallas, TX 75203. TEXAS METRO NEWS reserves all rights and privileges to accept or refuse any and economic submissions to be printed in any issue of the empowerment for all. publication. Views and opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily those of the publisher Martin Luther King, Jr. was a or our advertisers. TEXAS METRO NEWS will, once strong, visionary, mesmerizing notified, correct any error in the next issue. TEXAS METRO NEWS is published bi-monthly (1st and 3rd leader. He used nonviolent civil Wednesday of each month). Letters to the Editor disobedience as an effective are welcomed and encouraged but only signed letters will be published. All Ad submissions are due strategy. He challenged injustice 3 days before publication date. TEXAS METRO NEWS everywhere while generating responsibility for unsolicited material Any use or reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without enough political capital that led the express written consent of the publisher. to the enactment of the 1964 Annual mail subscription rates are $60 for 12 months and $25 for digital subscriptions. Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Shortly before Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS assassination in April 1968, The Black Press believes that he was clear about the need to America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

Free - Take One Free - Take One

that were already bad when he assumed office. And now that the economy has improved, they refuse to give him credit for the recovery. As we prepare to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we should remember that he concluded that economic justice was also a key civil rights issue. Two weeks before Dr. King was murdered, he addressed a rally in Memphis of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). King stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now our struggle is for genuine equality, which means economic equalityâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Ś. For we know now that it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough to integrate lunch counters. What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough money to buy a hamburger?â&#x20AC;? Dr. King was on point. Today, the struggle is not just about having more money to buy something. It is about knowing how to more effectively invest and spend the $1.1 trillion that Black Americans are expected to spend annually by 2015. It is about owning more businesses in our communities. In the tradition of Dr. King, we have to wisely leverage our huge consumer power. We are grateful that the legacy of Dr. Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership continues to be vibrant and relevant to the advancement of the cause of freedom and justice. We, therefore, face the future with a stronger confidence that we still shall overcome, largely by reclaiming Dr. Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached for national advertisement sales and partnership proposals at: dr.bchavis@nnpa.org; and for lectures and other professional consultations at: http:// drbenjaminfchavisjr.wix.com/drbfc.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;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.â&#x20AC;? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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HALL: How is John? Fine!

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Quit Playin’

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Vincent Hall

battles he has fought. Can you imagine how it must make you feel for a mother to drag her teenage son or daughter to you and explain to you that this is ‘“Our Man Downtown?’

It happens all day ‘er day. And before you import some grand notion that all of these are African-Americans let me tell you how wrong you are. John garners as much respect and

Vincent L. Hall is an author and award-winning columnist. It’s sort of like being best friends with a rock star, or following behind a never dimming wonder of the world. It’s like a constant train of paparazzi that follow everywhere you go. It is a never ending chorus of “John, we love you; John, we are here for you!” Because I have had the privilege of publicly being best friends with Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price for 30+ years now, I get a lot of questions on how he’s doing. And the only thing that I can say in response is ”John is fine; in fact, he spends more time worrying about you.” There is no secret that the cloud of some impending doom that could possibly waylay my friend John has been there since the FBI began their crusade against and about him. This missive is to convey my thanks to you for the way that this community, in fact all of Dallas

County and people across the nation, have stood with a man, a legend, a freedom fighter who has endeared himself to danger on behalf of the least, the last and the longing. It doesn’t matter whether John Wiley Price is spotted in Commissioners Court or in a public “john”, he is constantly accosted by well-wishers who look him in his pupils and say that they have his back. In fact if 10% of the people who have stopped him at the gas station, the grocery store, funerals, graduations, and especially church services would Instagram a picture, JWP would no doubt be leading in the number of posts made on social media. And that says a lot. What has particularly pleased me is the fact that generations of younger African-Americans and Whites in Dallas who would have no knowledge of him now have an appreciation of him and the

KHVN’s Robert Ashley interviews Commissioner John Wiley Price

“A man who came to my school twenty years ago and encouraged me to do better!!”

admiration in Highland Park as he does in Hamilton Park. People of all races who are of

January 7, 2015

goodwill and independent mind are not swayed by the scurrilous and underhanded attacks of the local media. Pastors and ecumenical leaders across the length and breadth of Dallas County are in constant prayer for Commissioner Price. And it is that faith and the faith that was instilled in him by his mother Willie Faye Price, that keeps his head up and his shoulders squared. John’s father was a pastor and so is his son and that kind of coverage of faith is the greatest source of protection that anyone could ever have. Although JWP has been demonized as a man who does what he wants to do, the real truth is that John has the armor of the anointing. He operates in the realm and with the resources that God purposed in him for and he never ever backs away from that. Not even when it hurts him. So as this crazy, tumultuous, spellbinding year comes to an end, I wanted you to know that the whole world is in chaos, but John Wiley Price is fine. And the real story is that he will continue to do well as long as you lift his spirits as you lift his name in prayer.

CURRY: 2014 - Unfair and Unbalanced Media THE WHOLE TRUTH By George E. Curry

George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-inchief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com.

Fox News, which mislabels itself as “fair and balanced,” was anything but in 2014, according to MediaMatters.org, the independent media watchdog group. The way that the rightwing network covered the deaths of police officers in 2014 is a case in point. “The politicization surrounding the killing of two New York Police Department officers over the weekend was amazingly swift. Fox News led the right-wing media charge, immediately claiming Democratic elected officials were somehow responsible for the gun rampage… ,” the MediaMatters analysis observed. “On Fox, hosts and guests were sure who was to blame for the tragedy; not the gunman necessarily, but political and community leaders like President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder, Mayor Bill de Blasio and MSNBC’s Al Sharpton. Why? Because the men, to varying degrees, have spoken out about the troubled relationship

between law enforcement and the black community, and raised concerns about two recent highprofile cases, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, in which unarmed black men were killed, and police officers responsible were not indicted.” The watchdog group continued, “…former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik told Fox News, ‘I personally feel that Mayor de Blasio, Sharpton and others like them, they actually have blood on their hands.’ “’Let’s talk about the president as well,’” responded Fox’s Jeanine Pirro, suggesting Obama and Mayor de Blasio were to blame. “’The two of them have undoubtedly created racial tensions that worsens, not betters the situation for law enforcement.’” “Appearing on Fox News, former New York City Mayor Rudolf Giuliani insisted the message from recent Obama ‘propaganda’ was that ‘everybody should hate the cops.’ (No such

Obama ‘propaganda’ actually exists.)” MediaMatters noted, “Yet in stark contrast, as Media Matters has documented, Fox News has routinely paid very little attention to breaking news stories that feature right-wing, or anti-government, gunmen who target law enforcement officials as a way to deliver their warped political messages. “And critically, when they have touched on those deadly attacks, Fox talkers have stressed that it’s not fair to blame politics. Note that in 2013, after racist skinhead Michael Page started killing worshipers at an Oak Creek, WI., Sikh temple, and then murdered a police officer, Fox’s Andrea Tantaros stressed that the killing spree was an isolated event that didn’t have any larger implications. ‘How do you stop a lunatic?’ she asked. ‘This is not a political issue.’ “At Fox, that has been the pattern: These kind of deadly right-wing attacks are treated as isolated incidents that are mostly void of politics. Instead, the perpetrators are portrayed as lone gunmen (and women) who do not represent any cultural or political movement.” To buttress its assertion, MediaMatters stated: “On a September night this year, 31-year-old marksman Eric

Frein was allegedly laying in wait outside the Blooming Grove police barracks in northeastern Pennsylvania, preparing to assassinate state troopers. That night, state police officer Bryon Dickson was shot and killed as he walked towards his patrol car. “…In the two weeks after the shooting, as a massive manhunt unfolded in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Fox programs mentioned Frein’s name in just six reports, according to Nexis transcripts. One of the reports mentioned Frein’s hatred of law enforcement, but none mentioned Frein’s vocal anti-government leanings. “When Frein was finally captured in late October, Fox News covered the stories a handful of times. Again, there was no emphasis on his possible anti-government motivations and why the “survivalist” set out to assassinate law enforcement officers. “Another police assassination attack unfolded in June. Claiming to be acting under the bloody ‘banner of Liberty and Truth,’ Jerad Miller and his wife Amanda entered a restaurant Las Vegas executed two local policemen while they ate lunch. “…Fox News primetime hosts Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity both

ignored the shocking cop-killer story the night after it happened; Megyn Kelly devoted four sentences to it. Fox has plenty of company on the right. According to MediaMatters, the “Worst 2014 Smears From Right-Wing Websites” included: The Daily Caller suggested that Obama’s statement expressing his condolences to the parents of Michael Brown was calculated to boost Black turnout in the midterm elections.” [Media Matters, 8/12/14] In November 2014, Breitbart. com criticized the media for not mentioning that President Obama’s nominee for attorney general, Loretta Lynch, “was one of the Clintons’ Whitewater defense attorneys.” But Breitbart. com targeted the wrong Loretta Lynch – the woman they named, a defense attorney for the Clintons, is a California based attorney who has worked on several prominent political campaigns, and is White. The nominee Loretta Lynch became a federal prosecutor in 1990, two years before the other Lynch participated in the Whitewater investigation, was appointed by President Clinton as a U.S. Attorney in 1999, and is Black.” [Media Matters, 11/9/14] Yes, Black lives matter. And so does the truth.

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NO EXCUSES: Judge Kelly achieved inspite of, instead of failing because of...

Stereotypes and naysayers did not deter her

Judge Kelly and her daughter, Janay

When Michigan City, IN native Shequitta Kelly was sworn in as the presiding judge of County Criminal Court 11, not only did she make history, she shattered stereotypes and broke down barriers. She will be an inspiration to so many and she has just started! Sure Ms. Kelly had the credentials and she was ready when in the summer of 2012 she made a personal decision to seek a judgeship, choosing a court designated to handle cases involving family violence. She’s a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice, where she studied and conducted research on the behavioral patterns of Intimate Partner Violence. She went on to earn her law degree at Indiana University School of LawIndianapolis in 2003. According to her bio, Ms. Kelly joined the Allen County Prosecutors office where she prosecuted Domestic Violence cases and served as the felony Domestic Violence intake prosecutor for the entire county for over six years. Upon arriving in Dallas, she received her Texas law license and joined the Dallas District Attorney’s office where she prosecuted child abuse cases. With 14 years of experience helping/ working with victims of violent crimes and over nine years of litigation experience, Ms. Kelly was laying the foundation that many say, and voters supported, led to her victory. Throughout her legal career Ms. Kelly has attended various courses on Domestic Violence and been active in several professional organizations including Whitington Home Shelter, Literacy Alliance, NAACP, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is also a member of: J.L. Turner Legal Association, Dallas Bar Association, North Dallas Texas Democratic Women, Irving Democratic Women, and the National Action Network. Ms. Kelly also has real life experiences which will serve her very well on the bench, her supporters say. She openly talks about a childhood that could have easily led her to a life of crime, with the only time she would appear in a courtroom being as a defendant. Her story has been featured on national television in an interview with ABC’s Gayle King. She was raised in a single-parent home and gave birth to her daughter when she was 16. That daughter was her responsibility and it is heartwarming to watch the two interacting. Clearly Ms. Kelly is her daughter’s shero. A student at Howard University, Janay beamed with pride during her mother’s swearing in ceremony.

She has a clear and shining example of what hard work, commitment, faith and a strong support system means. Janay knows about her mother’ journey. On the campaign trail Ms. Kelly tells about this journey -- how there was even one potential voter who felt she couldn’t get elected with a name like “Shequitta.” During her struggles, she said she managed to “defeat the odds and overcame stereotypes of an underprivileged, teenage mom.” Through it all, she said, she learned one of life’s most valuable lessons: “everyone deserves a chance.” That realization translated into her making a difference in the lives of so many others as she has mentored numerous disadvantage teens and previously served as a motivational speaker across the United States. Ms. Kelly says that being the grandchild of a prominent preacher gave her the foundation of putting GOD first in all that she does and that is exactly what she does as an active member of Friendship-West Baptist Church. Ms. Kelly’s testimony is one that should go viral. At her ceremony, where the chambers and courtroom were blessed by FriendshipWest senior pastor Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, a standing-room only gathering celebrated with her as she recognized family and friends from near and far who came to share the occasion. Flanked by several of her sorority sisters who pledged with her at Indiana University, as well as members of her chapter here in Dallas, Metropolitan Dallas Alumnae Chapter, attendees heard about a resilient young Shequitta who was determined to finish college, even with her daughter by her side. There are many females, young and old, who will say that they could not attend or finish college because they had a child. Young Shequitta had a child when she stepped on Indiana University’s campus. Sure times were challenging and she was fortunate to have her Delta sorors, which was a strong support system. But when she graduated, when she made it through law school, when she passed the Bar, when she prosecuted cases, when she won the election, AND when she was sworm in as Judge; that young, single mother who overcame the odds did so, IN SPITE OF having a child. Here’s a story for the history books, to share at family reunions and to shut down Twitter or other social media sites. Not only is this what success looks like. This is what JUSTICE looks like! --Cheryl Smith

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January 9

COMMUNITY CALENDAR 5500 Caruth Haven Lane, Dallas 75225 Credit Builder's Alliance will be in Dallas, January 14 - 15, 2015 for an interactive, one-day Credit as an Asset training. The class is designed to help nonprofits work with their clients

January 14 Congresswoman Johnson sponsors forums on the Affordable Care Act: 10:00am-11:30am Oak Lawn United Methodist Church Community Outreach Center 3707 Cedar Springs Rd Dallas, Texas 75219 When: January 29, 2015 6:30p-8:00p Cedar Valley College 3030 North Dallas Ave Lancaster, Texas 75134

January 15 Dallas Black Dance Theatre Annual Founders Luncheon at the Hilton Anatole, will honor Founder Ann Williams.

January 11 Pastor Dr. Cynthia Mickens Ross Classes Author and Instructor WWW.CynthiaMickens.com Or www.pathwaytopurpose. org Start Date - Sunday Jan. 11, 2015 12 consecutive Sundays 4 to 6:30PM Path~Way to Life Center of Hope 302 West Palestine Street Hutchins, TX

Ron Fry Devon White invited you to The Kick off Jazz party!Devon White/Ron Fry 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM Buttons Message From Host: "Come celebrate the birthday kick off party for our birthday, live jazz, drink ..." *** Balch Springs Chamber Network Luncheon Presented Speaker Carter Group Tax Service Steve Carter, President Civic Center 12400 Elam Road 11:30 a.m.-12:30p.m. Deadline for reservations is Monday January 12th Call 972-557-0988 ********** Texas Congressional Community Policing Summit 10 am-3 p.m. Maverick Activity Center University of Texas at Arlington Co-hosted by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson *for additional information please call: 214-922-8885 Martin Luther King Birthday Celebrations in Dallas, Texas

Credit as an Asset Training Day 1: January 14, 2015 ; 1pm - 5pm Day 2: January 15, 2015; 9:00am - 12:30 pm Presented by Credit Builders Alliance Hosted by Communities Foundation of Texas Community Room, Communities Foundation of Texas

MLK Recreation Center 2901 Penn. Ave. South Dallas,TX. Call Craig Anderson 469-360-5688 for more information Saturday, January 17, 2015, 10:00 AM Martin Luther King, Jr. Center presents the 33rd Annual March/Parade Starting at Dallas City Hall and ending at Fair Park in South Dallas, TX

Saturday, January 17, 2015, 7:30 p.m. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center Board of Directors presents the Awards Banquet Hyatt Regency Hotel 300 Reunion Boulevard, Banquet Speaker Rahiel Tesfamariam Rahiel Tesfamariam is a social activist, public theologian,writer and speaker. She is Founder / Publisher of UrbanCusp and a former columnist for The Washington Post. Rahiel is a graduate of Stanford University and Yale University where she graduated magna cum laude and was the inaugural William Sloane Coffin, Jr. Scholar for Peace and Justice. A recent speaker at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor conference Ms. Tesfamariam spoke about art and social change, holiness and hip hop and using social media to change the nation. Read more about her activism and accomplishments at http://www.rahiel.com/ MLK Parade http://www.mlkcelebrationdallas.org

January 16 New Mount Zion Baptist Church Pastor Appreciation for Pastor Tommy L. Brown Hyatt Regency Hotel, 300 Reunion Blvd. 7p.m.

The Overcomers’ Outreach “’Addictions, Habits and Hang-ups’ conference is set for January 16 and 17, 2015 in Cedar Hill. It will be held at the Cedar Hill Church of Christ, 535 S. Clark Road in Cedar Hill

January 17 Annual Martin Luther KIng Spokeword Invitational at UT Arlington 7:30-10pm Hosted by Mike Guinn in the Bluebonnet Ball Room Lancaster Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, January 17, 2015 11th ANNUAL

January 12 "Getting the Competitive Edge" Lunch & Learn Workshop 11:30 am-1:00 pm This month's workshop presents.... "Business Killers" Avoiding the 6 mistakes that can destroy your business. The Business Killers name refers to the six common mistakes that business owners make that could compromise their business and personal finances.This program is effective in helping a business owner to identify, anticipate, and avoid these pitfalls Cost to attend: Free for Chamber members; $15 for nonChamber members. Pay here or RSVP below. Oak Cliff Chamber "Methodist" Conference Room 1001 N. Bishop Ave. Dallas, TX 75208

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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., PARADE LINE-UP TO BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 9:00 a.m. The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. January 17, 2015 Saturday, at the Lancaster Elsie Robertson Middle School 822 Pleasant Run Road. The parade will travel East on Pleasant Run Rd one mile. North onto Dallas Ave. Proceeding on to the Lancaster High School Coliseum. Thursday, January 15, 2015-March 5, 2015 Civil Rights Museum at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center presents the photo exhibit PATHWAYS TO FREEDOM - Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 2922 MLK Blvd. South Dallas, TX. call 214-670-8410 for details Friday, January 16, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Alpha Phi Alpha will host the annual Candle Lighting Ceremony Dr. Michael Bowie, pastor at St. Luke Community UMC, is guest speaker.

Immediately following the parade there will be a short Program. The program will include short excerpts from Dr. King’s speeches, and interesting facts about his life, an Awards ceremony and participation from different groups. Contact Persons for the event: Roosevelt Nichols – Chairperson 469-3588722 nick0420@sbcglobal.net Co-Sponsored by: City of Lancaster, Lancaster Independent School District and Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

January 7, 2015

WWW.Lancastermlk.org

January 19

10:00AM 29th Annual Elite News Martin Luther King,Jr. Parade and Festival Starting at the corner of MLK & Lamar participants will moved down MLK Blvd. into Fair Park for the Festival in South Dallas, TX. For Information 214-372-6500 Dallas’ superhot live storytelling series for adults, Oral Fixation (An Obsession with True Life Tales), will kick off 2015 with an hourlong evening of true, personal stories on the theme, “Slippery Slope.” On January 19th at the Wyly Studio Theatre and on January 21st at Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff, both at 8pm, seven Dallasites will reveal juicy details on times in their lives when things slipped out of their control. City Performance Hall, 7:00 pm Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture presents the stage play The 67th Book of the Bible by Jonathan Norton Admission $20, Teachers $10, Students free (with valid student ID)

January 22 “Spotlighting the Cliff” Annual Awards, featuring guest MC, State Rep. Rafael Anchia, will recognize the best Oak Cliff businesses, organizations and individuals for their achievements, community contributions and milestones. The VIP Reception will give attendees an invaluable opportunity to mix & mingle with community leaders while enjoying an exclusive mixer in the Orion Ballroom African Children’s Choir raises funds January 23, 2015 Fort Worth, Texas Temple Baptist Church Time: 07:00 pm. Address: 6824 Randol Mill Rd. Venue phone: (817) 496-4011

January 24 Youth Unity Forum Presented by The Man Up Group Theme “We Are Human, Too” Hosted by Southwest Center Mall. First Floor Atrium from 10:00am -12:30pm Brought to you by the Man Up Group Mentoring Program in partnership with P.A.L.S. (Police Athletic League) and N.A.A.C.P. ( National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) January 29 Congresswoman Johnson sponsors forums on the Affordable Care Act: 6:30p-8:00p Cedar Valley College 3030 North Dallas Ave Lancaster, Texas 75134

January 7, 2015 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM BRINGING NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND AROUND THE WORLD

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January 1 ushered in a new era with swearing-in of elected officials in Dallas County

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January 7, 2015

Select photos by Karl Warren

January 7, 2015 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM BRINGING NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND AROUND THE WORLD

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SELMA - Powerfully Disturbing

downs and murder. A King and his Queen. David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo were An explosive scene near perfectly cast as Dr. the beginning of the film Martin Luther King, Jr. had the three little girls and Coretta Scott King. sitting next to me grab They connected well their faces in horror. throughout the film that I too was in shock, even wove in subtleties however I was content of infidelity on Dr. in feeling that the visual King’s behalf that on-screen was something Mrs. King confronted. audience members Laughter broke some of of all ages should be the silence as viewers aware of or exposed to. took notice of Dr. The struggle was and King’s efforts to get his continues to be real. house in order, delaying Selma. The Movie. a scheduled trip to help The Movement. The others. Memories. Sometimes, the scenes Quietness in the room were painful to watch. of moviegoers was My eyes dared not haunting as characters to deviate, for it was resurrected the past no comparison to the struggles for the right Even Aaliyah (5) seemed to realize the emotional and physical of African-Americans to significance of Selma. pain that Africanvote. The terms weren’t Americans endured so nice then. Negro, simply for the right to Nigger, Boy, Gal were more accurate for vote. the 1965 era that included marches, beat Which brings me to question, “How

A Review by Eva D. Coleman

dare people not vote?” Voter apathy is common. I’m bothered that many do not register and/or show up to vote when registered. One look at this movie should be all it takes to change the tone in present day voter participation. Selma is a bold reminder. Negotiate. Demonstrate. Resist. These words were often repeated by Dr. King and highlighted in the film, serving as a mantra for rules of engagement. They can be applicable to our lives today. Our ancestors negotiated and demonstrated, often paying the ultimate price of death to give us the right to vote. Now we must resist the silencing of our voices at the ballot box. Vote at every opportunity! It’s blatantly

More photos from Dallas screening of SELMA dgdaphotographer

Dr. Alveda King: SELMA Movie is historically entertaining

Atlanta, GA -- In response to several social media and general inquiries regarding the new SELMA movie release, Dr. Alveda C. King, gospel evangelist, pro-life and civil rights activist shares the following:

"An invitation to a pre-release screening of the movie SELMA brought mixed emotions to my heart, and tears to my eyes. As I sat in the theater, I was transported back to the time when my Uncle MLK, my Daddy AD King and so many civil

rights icons were embroiled in the historical crosshairs that brought equity to the voting rights of Blacks in America. It was during that same season that Daddy's and Mother's church parsonage was bombed in Birmingham; and the little girls, one a classmate of mine were killed in the bombing of the church. It was also the season of my first civil rights march, a "Children's March" where Daddy and James Orange and others taught me the tenants of nonviolent pro-

Dr. Alveda King

tests. “Even though I wasn't on the team of consultants who worked with the producers, I'm glad the film is in the atmosphere. While SELMA is historically informative and entertaining, having lived through those days, I would have appreciated more historical accuracy. I know that everyone can't be included in such projects, but on a personal note, I was saddened to find no mention of my Dad, who not only marched in Selma, but was also felled

(and recovered) along with not only John Lewis, but with many others, including Hosea Williams and my dearly departed friend James Orange. So many people have contacted me regarding the overtones regarding references to Uncle ML's responses to the attacks on his personal life. I have only this to say. Like all of the Bible heroes, Uncle was a human being, an imperfect man who served a perfect God. He and Daddy are in Heaven now, in

the company with David, Moses, Paul, Rahab, The Woman at the Well, The Woman caught in the act... Uncle ML was a devoted prophet and Man of God. Need I say more? Overall I enjoyed the film, and I recommend the film for viewing." Alveda is Author of King Rules, Founder of Alveda King Ministries, Director of African American Outreach for Priests for Life, and spiritual advisor for Restore the Dream 2015.

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January 7, 2015

One Week Left to Apply for H-E-B Excellence in Education Award!

Applications Accepted Online Through January 11, 2015

Have you been nominated for an H-E-B Excellence in Education Award? You can only win if you apply!

the Texas Association of School Administrators in 2002 as a positive way to support public education in Texas.

Go to www.heb.com/education to fill out your application by Jan. 11 for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Award categories include teachers, principals, school districts, early childhood facilities and public school boards.

It has become the largest monetary program for educators in the state, spotlighting best practices and celebrating the passion and creativity of Texas educators.

The application asks nominees to provide written responses about education philosophy, learning experiences, and insights on issues facing educators in Texas. Nominations are not required for participation. Go to www.heb.com/education to complete an application. Last year, the H-E-B Excellence in Education gave out more than $800,000 in cash prizes, gift cards and grants. Since its inception in 2002, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program has awarded nearly $7.5 million to Texas educators, schools and districts. About the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards: H-E-B launched the Excellence in Education Awards program in cooperation with

H-E-B asks customers, Partners (employees) and community members to nominate teachers, principals, districts, early childhood facilities and school boards in Texas. Each nominee is sent an invitation to complete an application online and is asked about their professional experiences, educational philosophies and achievements both in and out of the classroom. A team of judges reviews the applications, narrowing the field to semi-finalists. From that pool, five regional judging panels comprised of former winners, administrators, and university and community leaders not affiliated with H-E-B select 40 teacher and principal finalists. Finalists and their schools receive a cash prize of $1,000 to $2,500, depending on category. T:5”

Three separate panels select eight school

districts and five early childhood facilities as finalists, awarding $2,500 to $5,000 in cash prizes. Up to five school boards may also be recognized, and awarded $5,000 towards the district they serve.

$100,000 cash prize and the winning small school district will receive $50,000. The winning Early Childhood Facility will receive $25,000 and a school board could be awarded up to $25,000.

Additionally, one or more school boards may receive a special judge’s award totaling up to $25,000. Site visits are conducted to determine winners.

The six winning teachers will include one elementary and one secondary teacher in each of three categories:

Teacher and principal finalists are invited to Austin May 1-2 to compete on a statewide level for larger cash prizes totaling more than $400,000. A statewide panel of judges, not affiliated with H-E-B, conducts a personal interview with each finalist to select winners. Eight winners — two principals and six teachers — will be announced along with two school districts, one large and one small, a public school board and an Early Childhood Facility, at a celebratory dinner on May 2. Each winning principal—one elementary school and one high school—will each receive $10,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their schools. The winning large school district will receive a

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The Lifetime Achievement Award — salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. These teachers will each receive $25,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their schools.

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Brutal hits, ferocious coaches, rabid fans. Friday Night Tykes is an inside look at the Texas Youth Football Association, the most competitive youth football league in America. A place where oldschool virtues of victory and competition haven't died and there are no trophies for second place. For the parents and coaches, losing is not an option - ever. But are these kids being pushed too hard, too fast?

12 January 7, 2015 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM BRINGING NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND AROUND THE WORLD (214) 941-0110 Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Membership Dallas Examiner hosts Meeting Monday Night Politics Community Conversation featuring Rep. Roberto Alonzo and Sen. Royce West

CAAPCO Toy Drive

February 7 is National Black AIDS Awareness

Generous donations benefited two charities: Davionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Closet, which provides clothing and toys to children who are affected by HIV; and The Prison Fellowship Angel Tree, which provides clothing and toys to children whose parents are incarcerated.

Youth Empowerment Series

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson hosts annual Open House and toy drive

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January 7, 2015

Texas Hair Braiders win right to open Braiding Schools Isis Brantley stood up for her rights and won

Austin, Tx.—In a sweeping decision issued late January 6, 2015, Federal Judge Sam Sparks declared as unconstitutional a set of laws preventing small African hair braiding schools from teaching students to braid hair for a living. Finding no rational basis for the law, which forced hair braiding schools to become full-blown barber colleges before they could issue state-mandated licenses, Judge Sparks reasoned that the state cannot force entrepreneurs to do useless things before they enter the marketplace. Most importantly, as a result of today’s decision, Isis Brantley, one of the nation’s foremost experts in African-style hair braiding, can now open a hair braiding school to students who want to earn a living braiding hair. “This ruling is a resounding victory for Isis Brantley and entrepreneurs like her across Texas,” said Arif Panju, an attorney with the Institute for Justice. “It is unconstitutional to require people to do useless things. By doing so, Texas was not only preventing African hair braiding schools from even opening, but it was also violating the Fourteenth Amendment.”

This victory is hopefully the final chapter in Isis’ decade-long fight for her right to make an honest living. In 1997, seven government officials raided her business and hauled her off in handcuffs for braiding hair without a special government license. Isis helped change that law in 2007, but Texas officials simply wedged hair braiding into the state’s barbering statute, allowing her to braid hair but making it nearly impossible for her to teach hair braiding for a living. “I fought for my economic liberty because I believe there is a lot of hope for young people who seek to earn an honest living,” said Isis Brantley. “This decision means that I will now be able to teach the next generation of African hair braiders at my own school.” The law in question prohibited Ms. Brantley’s two-decade-old African hair braiding school from teaching students to braid hair for a living unless she first opened a barber college that was at least 2,000 square feet, and packed with at least ten reclining barber chairs that hair braiders are not even required to use, and no fewer than five sinks even though the state makes it illegal for hair braiders to provide services that require a sink. During the hearing, Judge

Sparks challenged the state to find a single braiding school that was able to meet the onerous requirements to simply teach the 35-hour braiding curriculum the state requires of all braiders. It could not, and Judge Sparks’ decision makes it clear that irrational laws fail the constitutional burden of the rational basis test.

It follows work in nine previous cases, where IJ won two court victories in California and Utah, and six legislative victories in Arizona, Ohio, Minnesota, Mississippi, Washington and Washington, D.C.

The decision is the continuation of IJ’s 23 years of work successfully representing hair braiders in their battle for economic liberty.

More information on the case is available here: http://www.ij.org/ TXBraiding

Founded in 1991, the Virginiabased Institute for Justice is the national law firm for liberty.

January 7, 2015 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM BRINGING NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND AROUND THE WORLD

In Memoriam ‘ Hon. Edward Brooke and Jethro Pugh

Edward W. Brooke’s election to the U.S. Senate in 1966 ended an 85–year absence of African–American Senators. Brooke was the first popularly elected Senator and the first black politician from Massachusetts to serve in Congress. While he professed loyalty to the Republican Party, he was an independent thinker who acted according to his conscience. Throughout his political career, Brooke demonstrated resiliency and defined himself as a representative of his entire constituency rather than as an African–American Senator seeking solely to advance black interests. Edward William Brooke III, was born in Washington, DC, on October 26, 1919. Named for his grandfather, father, and deceased sister Edwina, he lived with his father, Edward Brooke, Jr., a graduate of Howard University Law School and a longtime lawyer with the Veterans Administration; his mother, Helen Seldon; and his older sister, Helene. After graduating from Dunbar High School in Washington, DC, in 1936, Ed Brooke enrolled in Howard University. Originally intending to pursue a career in medicine, he decided to major in sociology, earning a bachelor of science degree in 1941. Shortly after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Brooke entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. Before serving overseas in World War II, Brooke was stationed with the segregated 366th Infantry Regiment at Fort Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts. Like many black Members of the era, Brooke felt keenly the irony of fighting for democracy abroad while facing racial discrimination in the armed forces. The Massachusetts base implemented a whites–only policy for all clubs, as well as the swimming pool, the tennis courts, and the general store. “In every regard, we were treated as second–class soldiers, if not worse, and we were angry,” Brooke recalled. “I felt a personal frustration and bitterness I had not known before in my life.” While stateside, Brooke defended black enlisted men in military court. Despite a lack of legal training, he earned a reputation as a competent public defender and a “soldier’s lawyer.” His experience on the Massachusetts military base inspired him to earn an LL.B. in 1948 and an LL.M. in 1949 from Boston University. Brooke spent 195 days with his unit in Italy. His fluent Italian and his light skin enabled him to cross enemy lines to communicate with Italian partisans. By the war’s end, Brooke had earned the rank of captain, a Bronze Star, and a Distinguished Service Award. During his tour in Europe, he also met Italian–born Remigia Ferrari–Scacco. After a two–year long–distance relationship, they married on June 7, 1947, in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The couple had two daughters: Edwina and Remi. Brooke divorced in 1978 and married Anne Fleming in 1979. Brooke and his second wife had a son, Edward W. Brooke IV. Brooke declined offers to join established law firms, choosing instead to start his own practice in the predominantly African–American community of Roxbury. At the urging of friends from his former army unit, Brooke interrupted his law career to run for the Massachusetts house of representatives in 1950. Lacking party affiliation, Brooke took advantage of a state law allowing candidates to cross–file. Despite his nonexistent political experience, he received the endorsement of the Republican Party for the house seat representing Roxbury. Unsuccessful in the general election, Brooke entered the race two years later, winning the Republican nomination but losing to his Democratic opponent. Brooke resumed his law career after his failed attempts at election to the Massachusetts legislature. During his hiatus from politics, he established himself as a successful lawyer and built community ties that would prove significant in future bids for elected office. In 1960, he re–entered the political fray, running for Massachusetts secretary of state. Although Brooke lost once again, he surprised many people by capturing more than one million votes in an election in which John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.9 During this period, Brooke attained valuable name recognition and a reputation as an honest and determined public servant. In recognition of his strong performance in the campaign, Republican Governor John Volpe of Massachusetts appointed

Brooke chairman of the Boston Finance Commission, whose purpose was to uncover corruption in the city’s municipal agencies. During his two–year tenure, Brooke transformed the commission into a respectable and effective organization, and his position helped make him one of the most popular political figures in the state. In 1962, Brooke achieved his goal to win an elected position. After earning the Republican nomination for Massachusetts attorney general, he easily defeated the Democratic challenger. As the only member of his party to win statewide election in 1962 and the first African American to serve as a state attorney general, Brooke garnered national attention. Brooke continued his efforts to thwart corruption in the state government. He also recommended a series of measures to protect consumers’ rights and fought to end housing discrimination. Civil rights leaders criticized Brooke’s refusal to support a 1964 boycott by African–American students to protest segregation in the Boston school system. “I am not a civil rights leader, and I don’t profess to be,” Brooke once declared, explaining the divergence between legal interpretation and his personal views on racial equality. His moderate response to the proposed protest won him invaluable backing from many voters in the predominantly white state. In 1966 Brooke authored The Challenge of Change: Crisis in Our Two–Party System, outlining many of his political principles, including his beliefs about civil rights. The “issue [civil rights] is pressing on the nation, and cries out for a solution,” Brooke wrote, arguing that in addition to legislation, African Americans needed access to a quality education to compete with whites.14 While he promoted change, Brooke steadily maintained that militancy undermined the civil rights movement. After two terms as attorney general (1962–1966), Brooke announced his candidacy in 1965 for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the retirement of Leverett Saltonstall. During the campaign against Democrat Endicott Peabody, formerly the governor of Massachusetts (he was unopposed in the Republican primary), Brooke vowed to work for “the establishment of peace, the preservation of freedom for all who desire it, and a better life for people at home and abroad.” Labeling himself a “creative Republican,” Brooke successfully courted voters from both parties by emphasizing his moderate viewpoints.His criticism of militant civil rights activists resonated with many voters in Massachusetts. Despite the enthusiastic backing of popular Massachusetts Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy, Peabody could not best Brooke on Election Day. On November 8, 1966, Brooke earned a seat in the 90th Congress (1967–1969), winning 62 percent of the vote. His victory met with considerable fanfare, both in Massachusetts and the nation; Brooke was the first African American elected to the Senate since the Reconstruction Era. Asked to comment on his victory, Brooke praised the people of Massachusetts for their ability to “judge you on your merit and your worth alone.” He promised to use his position to “unite men who have not been united before,” reiterating his pledge to represent his constituents equally regardless of race. On the opening day of the 90th Congress, Senator Kennedy, the senior Senator of Massachusetts, escorted the newly elected Brooke down the aisle of the Senate Chamber by long–standing tradition. The Senators greeted Brooke with a standing ovation. “I felt like a member of the club,” Brooke said. “They didn’t overdo it. They didn’t underdo it.” Unlike many of his African– American colleagues in the House, Brooke experienced little institutional racism in the Senate. “In all my years in the Senate, I never encountered an overt act of hostility,” the Massachusetts Senator asserted. It is interesting to note that Sen Edward Brooke served in the senate from January 3, 1967 - January 3, 1979, he served as Attorney General of Massachusetts from January 3, 1963 January 3, 1967 and he died on January 3, 2015

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Jethro Pugh, Defensive Tackle from Elizabeth City State University, was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 11th round of the 1965 NFL draft. Jethro played 14 seasons in the NFL, all with the Cowboys. Jethro was an original member of the 'Doomsday Defense' as he helped anchor one of the greatest defensive front fours of all time. During his time in the NFL, Jethro helped the Cowboys win 4 NFC Championships and 2

Super Bowls. Jethro retired after the 1978 season as one of the Cowboy Legends! He died on January 7, 2015.

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s, local houses of worship

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In Memoriam - Stuart Scott

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s the body is one, and has many members. And all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: So also is Christ. 1Corin. 12:18

NAACP GARLAND BRANCH 2012of rolesANNUAL FREEDOM FUND CELEBRATION SET In his 20-plus years at ESPN, Stuart Scott had a number for the network

but it is the iconic SportsCenter where Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impact has been felt the most. 0LANNING FOR THE AWARD SAY THEY ARE ANTICIPATING .!!#0 'ARLAND "RANCH BE HELD AT THE $OUBLETREE A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary roles were WINNING .!!#0 'ARLAND NO LESS THIS YEAR 4HE #REATING ,EGENDS AND (OTEL LOCATED AT anchoring the 11 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter and hosting NFL and NBA "RANCH !NNUAL CELEBRATION IS PROMISED TO from ,EADERSv AND IS SCHEDULED .ORTH #ENTRAL %XPRESSWAY programming. He was selected to co-host the first SportsCenter to originate &REEDOM &UND #ELEBRATION BE ONE OF THE MOST SPEC FOR 3AT

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SO THE WILL BE A SILENT AUCTION 4HE KEYNOTE SPEAKER Since joining ESPN in 1993 for the launch of ESPN2 as a host of short sports ALLY THE &REEDOM BRANCH IS on ASKING THE PUBLIC STARTING AT A M WITH WILL BE 4AMMY -UTASA OF update segments, Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s&UND assignments and visibility studio shows has consistently BANQUET BRUNCH HAS BEEN TO PLEASE MARK THEIR CAL THE BRUNCH PROGRAM START ."# $ALLAS &ORT 7ORTH grown. ONEInOF THE MOST WELL ENDAR

SAVE THE DATE AND ING AT A M AND THE -# WILL BE BRANCH recent years, Scott has become an inspiration and study in courage as he has ATTENDED EVENTS IN OUR COME OUT $RESS IS BUSINESS valiantly battled cancer. COMMUNITY ANDillORGANIZERS 4HE THEME IS h4HE CASUAL AND THE EVENT WILL Continued Page 7 After becoming while covering the Steelers-Dolphins Monday Night Football game on November 26, 2007, an emergency appendectomy revealed a malignancy that required an additional surgery to remove possibly cancerous tissue. God $/240( #(,&/-( %1 +,*0+- Four years later, Scott again battled cancer, which entered remission in early today? 2012 before a January, 2013 recurrence. waves e was Consistently offering inspirational and motivational tweets to his more than and half a million followers (@StuartScott), Scott has gained admirers by the thousands thou for his public work in the fight against cancer. The North -Carolina native was he recognized at the July 16, 2014 ESPYS with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. he Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ESPN career has seen him cover the MLB playoffs and NCAA Final Four e said have in 1995, and the NBA Finals for SportsCenter since 1997. During the 1997 and 1998 PrimeTime during the 1997 season, Monday Night Countdown from 2002-2005, and NBA Finals, he provided exclusive, one-on-one interviews with Michael Jordan. He Sunday NFL Countdown 1999-2001. ples has also interviewed Tiger Woods, Sammy Sosa, President Bill Clinton and President mpest Beginning April 2009, Scott added west coast responsibilities to his schedule, Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign. th the hosting a select number of SportsCenter 1 a.m. ET (10 p.m. PT) editions from the -ServicesIn 2002, Scott was named studio host for the NBA on ESPN, and in 2008 became e to !60 130-0+ Sun. Evening 6:30 networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s state-of-the-art production facility in Los Angeles. lead host for NBA on ESPN and ABC, including the NBA Finals on ABC, anchoring the Wed. Family Prayer rish. 7:30-8:30 pm His unique style and vocabulary â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boo-yah!â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;He must be ye of pre-game, halftime and post-game programs. Scott presently hosts SportsCenterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fri. Worship 7:30 buttah â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cause heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on a rollâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; have made him one of the networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular and prime-time coverage from the site of NBA post-season games. Founder, Elder Wesley Pierce & 1st Lady Annette Pierce ds and recognized anchors. After serving as an original SportSmash anchor on ESPN2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s When Monday Night Football moved to ESPN in 2006, Scott hosted SportsNight, Scott served as host of Edge NFL Matchup, a weekly 30-minute show on-site coverage, including Monday Night Countdown (7-8:30 p.m.) and 3620 Washington Street Greenville , TX is, which previewed select NFL games; ESPN2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NBA 2Night, an NBA news and highlight *:')

post-game SportsCenter coverage. Scott has previously appeared on NFL hew program; and ESPN2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SportsNight: College Football Edition. 10+3+.* )/0 (0)(&1+/. /2.'('

Scott has also hosted ESPNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dream Job series (2004-05), Stump the Schwab es; we (2004-06), the New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve specials on ESPN in 2005 and the live ABC special of aybe r David Blaineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Drowned Aliveâ&#x20AC;? stunt in 2006. t all A personal and professional highlight for Scott was being requested by U.S. e and 4707 Washington Street ~ Greenville, Texas soldiers to be part of ESPNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s September 2004 SportsCenter: Salute the Troops more Rev. Robert L. Woodson, Pastor effort in which he and fellow SportsCenter co-anchors hosted a week of programs cy. originating from Kuwait.

4 Scott was injured on April 3, 2002 in New York Jets mini-camp when he was m. 4

perdoing a special for ESPN after being hit in the face with a football. He underwent $ 4 surgery that night and was out of work for a few months. Because of the accident, he 4 l was has ptosis, or drooping of the eyelid. 4 ! present 4 Prior to joining ESPN, Scott worked for WESH-TV in Orlando, Fla., as a sports en you 4 reporter and sports anchor from 1990 to 1993. While at WESH, he earned first place y will 4 # morrow honors from the Central Florida Press Club for a feature on rodeo. 4 lutely 4 ! " Scott also worked as a news reporter at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, N.C. (1988-90), o and as a news reporter and weekend sports anchor at WPDE-TV in Florence, S.C. atthew ~ Ser vice Times: ~ (1987-88). Scott graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1987 with a Sunday Sc hool 9:45am bachelor of arts degree in speech communications and radio, television and motion Mor ning Worship 11:00am pictures. At North Carolina he worked at student radio station WXYC-FM as a sports Prayer Meeting/Bible Lesson (Wed.) 6:45pm t one body, being many, are one body: So also is Christ. 1Corin. 12:18 and news reporter, and played wide receiver and defensive back for a club football Youth/Choir/Usher/Mission/â&#x20AC;?We Care Ministriesâ&#x20AC;? at Churc h office #903.455.9841 team. He died on January 4, 2015.

Pilgrim Tabernacle Church of Deliverance, Inc.

Mt. Olive Baptist Church

ANNUAL FREEDOM FUND CELEBRATION SET The Kuumba Heritage News

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Pilgrim Tabernacle Church of Deliverance, Inc.

-Services-

!60 130-0+ Sun. Evening 6:30 Wed. Family Prayer 7:30-8:30 pm Fri. Worship 7:30 Founder, Elder Wesley Pierce & 1st Lady Annette Pierce

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