Texas metro news

TEXAS METRO NEWS

VOLof5APRIL NO. 24 www.texasmetronews.com WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM Week 19, 2017

APRIL 19, 2017

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TM

South Dallas BP&W Club Trailblazers featured

There are so many positive words you can use to describe this year’s South Dallas BusiCurtistene Smith McCowan will receive the prestigious Sojourner Truth Award ness and Professional Womon Saturday. Other honorees pictured: Keith Abney II, Dr. Dudley McFarquhar, Tia en’s Club, Inc. Sojourner Truth N. Locke-Simmons, Lola Barree, Cedric Donnell Ford and Michelle Carter.

Award Recipient because she

has had such a positive impact on the lives of so many.

Curtistene Smith McCowan is the Mayor of the city of DeSoto, TX. She received a Bachelors De-

African American Women and Police to join in forward thinking conversation Where Do We Go From Here? Police and African American women in forward thinking conversation, is the name of a community event designed to recognize the past and move to

the future.

The Conversation acknowledges the broad spectrum of concerns regarding the Police and African American women and projects a narrow focus specifically on issues involving African

American women and the Police.

Attendees will jointly grapple with the realities/ factors of negative encounters between Police and African American women. In this setting, the two groups unite to talk to and with each other, listen and look ahead to a more positive future.

The Conversation will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2017 from noon2:30 pm., at the Black Police Officers Building, 211 Centre Street, Dallas, 75208. A light lunch will be provided. Invited guests include: Dallas Black Police Officer Association & the representatives from the Dallas Police De-

partment.

Dr. Sheron C. Patterson, the daughter of a Police officer, who is passionate about strengthening the relationship between Police and the African American Community, will facilitate The Conversation.While there is no cost, participants must register via Eventbrite. For more information, please visit www.drsheron.com

THE CONVERSATION

Saturday, April 22, 2017 noon- 2:30 pm., Black Police Officers Building 211 Centre Street, Dallas, 75208

gree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University and an Associates Degree in Business Management from El

See TRAILBLAZERS, pg 7-9

Justice for Commissioner John Wiley Price and Dapheny Fain

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Week of APRIL 19, 2017

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At presstime, the Texas Metro News received reports of the death of Mrs. Lovie Lipscomb.

We extend expressions of sympathy and love to the family.

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Week of APRIL 19, 2017

No Deposit/No Return!

QUIT PLAYIN’

By Vincent L. Hall So who you gonna believe; me or the Dallas Morning News...Me or the only major newspaper in Dallas which never prints a word that is not spoon-fed to them by the North Dallas elite.

It may sound rhetorical, but you get to vote at the ballot box. That’s because the Morning Snooze just endorsed their favorite lackey; their prized and preferred “jive-ass Negro”; Dwaine Caraway. They intimated that incumbent Carolyn King Arnold didn’t play well in the rich white folks’ sandbox.

By now you want a better grasp of “No deposit/ No return”, so let me learn you some history. Back in my day it was almost impossible to find a soda pop bottle among the rubbish. Stores would give you two cents to a nickel for every bottle returned. Me and my homies kept South Dallas spotless and our

pockets full of candy and marbles.

That glass bottle had worth. Recycling didn’t begin with aluminum cans, which became itself an industry; bottles were sent in wooden crates back to be cleaned and refilled. The overarching concept of “No Deposit/ No Return” was that we, as a nation had turned a corner. Aluminum was the new order and those six to 12 ounce glass bottles were gone.

So why in hell would we “return Captain America’s only brown-skinned brother to the Dallas City Council? That era ended, and to be frank Dwaine didn’t do much with those eight embarrassing years. The Snooze quelled my curiosity in the body of their endorsement.

“Among Arnold's first actions was to say "no thanks" to the nonprofit Neighbor Up effort headed her way as part of Mayor Mike Rawlings' GrowSouth. We agree with Caraway's assessment that declining potential help for struggling neighborhoods makes no sense.

On this and other issues — for instance, her resistance to a deck park near the Dallas Zoo, an idea Caraway supports — Arnold

has difficulty making a convincing case.

While it's admirable to ask questions on behalf of constituents, that's only half the battle. Also necessary is to find solutions among competing interests.”

It became crystal clear. The “White establishment” (as Dallas Observers’ Jim Schutze references) needs Dwaine to resume his position as chief waiter and water boy. In my opinion Dwaine represents the vilest strain of “pseudo-Tomism.” He barks and demands on the South side of Dallas and bucks and dances on the North. His stereotypical colored demeanor is great for local TV, radio and the Snooze.

This endorsement also answered another question. Just as during Dwaine’s failed attempt to unseat Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, some wonder who’s funding Captain D. He probably spent more than a half million last year and appears to be spending that much or more now.

Mayor Mike Rawlings; the same man whom Dwaine once decried as the “Payday Loan King,” may be passing the collection plate again in the Park Cities and the rich enclaves who prefer Caraway’s sleight of hand

in their political ponzi scheme. The Snooze stepped on his cape last year when Caraway failed to file mandatory campaign reports.

“One of Caraway’s largest backers is Marshall Payne, a business partner of Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings at the private equity firm CIC Partners. Payne gave Caraway $10,000. He didn’t return a call seeking comment. "There are friends of mine that wanted to help Dwaine and I connected them together," Rawlings said.

Dwaine is waist deep in the pockets of people who don’t give a damn what happens in southern Dallas. The same “city fathers” who willingly watch Southwest Center Mall go bankrupt and flail, while lifting the Galleria and Valley View malls out of bankruptcy with about a half billion dollars in development and accoutrements.

Dwaine made no deposit and deserves no return. Say no to the “Plastic bag pimp” and vote for Carolyn King Arnold!

Next week: Are the Captain and Tennell (Atkins) a tag team?

Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist and award-winning columnist.

A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE…

MILES’ MUSINGS

By Miles Jaye

Miles Jaye DAVIS is an award-winning musician and singer, writer, author, and painter.

When MJDP began producing and promoting concerts a year ago, everyone thought we were crazy.

“Stay in your lane” was the prevailing wisdom. “Do what you do and let the professionals, the big boys, do the heavy lifting.” “Artists can’t handle the business end of things.”

First of all; I can read and write— yes, I can “draw my name.” Second; I can do more than sing— a lot more, mom insisted. Third; I was taught early on how to select a venue and book a date, call some guys and put a band together, then

call the Village Voice and start advertising.

It’s what we did long before Social Networking! It was nothing for Doc and Charlene or Trevor and Caravan with Melissa to get Pat Mikell or Seventh Avenue South on the phone and book a gig. We’d call Yogi and Kenny and get the baddest cats we knew, buy some Voice ads and turn it out— that’s what we did.

That’s how I learned! That was the 80’s!I’m not sure when it became rocket science, but I know our God given talent is not to be wasted away waiting for the phone to ring, while promoters call the same “acts” year after year. (FYI: We’re not “acts,” we’re the real deal! An act is something fake, fabricated or generally not real— like a magic act.)

Nor are we supposed to allow our God given gifts to be squandered away by a “gigs going to the lowest bidder” policy.

That’s not business, that’s game, a hustle!

Artists are charged with the responsibility of stewardship of their God given gifts. “Gifted” is such an interesting term. I did not grant or assign myself talent, nor did I give myself the aptitude to sing and play the instruments I play.

The mere thought of it is mind-boggling, but it feels so natural to me-- that’s the gift! I also believe it’s the artist’s responsibility to develop that talent and push it to the limit by studying and practicing. It’s the artist’s job to maintain that talent, through proper care and use.

Living proof: I first heard Melba with Cleavon Little on Broadway (Purlie Victorious) when I was in Middle School and to this day she’s still going strong. Amazing!

If, as in some cases, an artist gets off track or becomes “big headed” or poisoned by popularity, one

need only remind them of whence their gift came and what it means to be a steward. That reminder should have an immediate humbling effect. Then look up “steward”: caretaker, custodian, overseer, agent, manager.

Wait, that means the artist is his or her own primary agent and manager?

Yes, it means we have to learn the business like a farmer learns his market. I like to think of God as my agent and manager— that keeps my mind right.

After many years of hype and smoke from the “guardians of the industry,” the “dark-ones” hiding in the shadows of high-rises, highpriced homes or hiding in plain sight, the unscrupulous ones who, absent any burden of talent of their own, lacking vision or imagination, values or morals, who would strip away any sense of ownership, stewardship or dignity from those

who were “called,” simply to master the art of exploitation.

I trust my heart and my talent and the talents of my gifted colleagues, past and present. I trust the power of music to heal hearts and uplift spirits. A “show” is my opportunity to share and showcase the awesome power and the brilliance of the same Creator that gave us Venus and Serena, Lebron and Stephan, Viola and Denzel and the real life stars of “Hidden Figures,” Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson.

Whoever you are, whatever you do, no matter what anyone tells you, there’s only one you— be the very best YOU. I know without a doubt, after years of hearing, “singers and musicians are a dime a dozen,” there’s only one me, and I’m convicted and convinced that a “Miles” would be a terrible thing to waste.

Amen!

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Texas METRO NEWS Formerly Kuumba Heritage News

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

SECRET SERVICE + TRUMPS = HYPOCRISY AND HUBRIS The Last Word

By Dr. Julianne Malveaux NNPA Newswire Columnist

The “budget lite� that our 45th President submitted is described as a “budget blueprint to make America Great Again�.

Cheryl Smith Submitted in the third week of PUBLISHER - EDITOR news@texasmetronews.com March, it trumpets draconian cuts in many federal programs, eliminating Executive Assistant some that provide important services, including the African DevelopEDITORIAL TEAM ment Foundation, the Corporation Eva Coleman for National and Community Service, Dorothy J. Gentry the Inter-American Foundation, the Vincent Hall Richard Alexander Moore US Trade and Development Agency, Andrew Whigham III the Legal Services Corporation, the Dareia Tolbert National Endowment for the Arts, DESIGN/LAYOUT the National Endowment for the 619 Humanities, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, PHOTOGRAPHERS the Woodrow Wilson International Wallace Faggett Center for Scholars, and many othKevin Griffith ers.

Richard Manson The cuts are so unfathomable, dgdaphotographer.com and so extremely severe, that even CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION some of 45’s allies are biting back.

MB Distribution Former Arkansas governor Mike Editorial submissions Huckabee, whose daughter Sarah news@texasmetronews.com Huckabee Sanders is Deputy White House Press Secretary, has written TANDS IN ANDS IN an op-ed in the Washington Post

wlett lett

that argues that the National En

uite

uite dowment for the Arts, which he dedson son scribes as “just 0.004 percent of the allas llas federal budget�, is important.

He says that students who participate in the arts have higher CREDO OF THE grade point averages and standard1397 1 1Year $45.00 0-1397 YearSubscription Subscription ized test scores. He reminds us that BLACK $45.00 PRESS NEA grants went to about 16,000 The Black Press believes that America can best lead communities, and that some young the world away from racial people only have access to music and national antagonisms and the arts because NEA is in their when it accords to every communities. person, regardless of race, He also highlights NEA as an color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no “economic driver� because the arts person, fearing no person, create jobs. Says Huckabee, “the the Black Press strives to arts are a $730 billion industry, rephelp every person in the firm resenting 4.2 percent of our gross belief that all are hurt as domestic product which equals long as anyone is held back.

WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM 214-941-0110

Free--Take TakeOne One Free

Week of APRIL 19, 2017

more than transportation, tourism, or agriculture.� Huckabee, ever the conservative, says he doesn’t want his tax money to fund things that don’t work, but he notes that the $147.9 million allocated to NEA in 2016 is not wasted money.

It seems strange that just 60 days into the game, 45’s head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), former Congressman Mike Mulvaey (R-SC) has deemed many programs “ineffective�, “inefficient�, or ‘lacking evidence that it is being effectively implemented�.

What evaluation has been done?

Who has made the determination of inefficiency? Based on these blanket assertions, some Republicans have indicated that the OMB determina-

of his lifetime�. Our 45th President is so eager to provide $54 billion in extra money for the Department of Defense that he is willing to throw a party stalwart’s legacy under the bus.

Meanwhile, the Secret Service has asked for $60 million more this year to protect 45 and his family. 45 was a frequent critic of President Obama’s golfing, a pastime that he engages in frequently himself. And he can’t seem to find any golf courses in the DC area so he’s back to Mar-a-Largo, where taxpayers spend $3 million every time the President goes to his private resort. Mr. Trump is not trying to tighten the belt he wears; he is only trying to tighten the nation’s.

Meanwhile, the Secret Service has asked for $60 million more this year to protect 45 and his family. 45 was a frequent critic of President Obama’s golfing, a pastime that he engages in frequently himself. And he can’t seem to find any golf courses in the DC area so he’s back to Mara-Largo, where taxpayers spend $3 million every time the President goes to his private resort. Mr. Trump is not trying to tighten the belt he wears; he is only trying to tighten the nation’s. tion is not right. Former Senator Bob Dole (R-KS), a Republican Party stalwart, says it is short-sighted that 45 would eliminate the McGovern-Dole International Fund for Education program, a program that provides school meals for children in 40 of the world’s most impoverished nations.

Dole told the Washington Post that eliminating the program would “have a disastrous effect on the planet’s most vulnerable children�.

He called the program, which he developed with across the aisle Senator George McGovern (D-SD) as “one of the proudest achievements

Because Melania Trump likes to keep distance between herself and her husband, taxpayers are paying about $150,000 a day to protect her and their son, Baron, in New York.

The same man who said that the Obamas should consider living in the White House “a privilege� has not convinced his wife of the privilege that has been bestowed upon her.

Instead, we taxpayers will spend $4.5 million a month protecting Melania and Baron in New York.

New Yorkers will spend even more, and they have not been reimbursed for the cost paid when New

York police officers are diverted to deal with the Trump family baby-sitting project.

The most egregious part of the scam that allows 45’s family to be protected is the fact that his wildcat sons, traveling the world to generate profit for the Trump brand, are protected by Secret Service with our tax dollars.

When they go to Dubai to celebrate a new Trump golf course, which is a profit generating opportunity for the Trump empire, taxpayers cover the cost of their “protection�.

If the Trump empire gained a profit from that trip, shouldn’t it reimburse United States taxpayers for the expense of protecting these entrepreneurs?

Then there is Ivanka Trump, who says she will “voluntarily� comply with ethics rules. Balderdash!

This woman has a West Wing office and security clearance; she has avoided nepotism laws; she not only has her father’s ear, but she has been allowed to interact with some of the most powerful people in the world.

What will she do with this portfolio when 45’s sun sets, either through impeachment or resignation? Is she being set up as another Trump profit center?

The Trump family is playing our country as if we are their personal piggy bank.

They get security that they ordinarily wouldn’t get. They are maximizing profits that they ordinarily wouldn’t receive.

They are playing the capitalist game as it has never been played, merging economics and politics for their benefit. And too many of us are silently accepting this egregious exploitation.

Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and Founder of Economic Education. Her podcast, “It’s Personal with Dr. J� is available on iTunes https://tinyurl.com/ withDrJ . Her latest book “Are We Better Off: Race, Obama and public policy is available via amazon.com

Week of APRIL 19, 2017

FROM THE HILL

by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

On Saturday, April 22, 2017, thousands of Americans, in cities all across the U.S. will gather and participate in the March for Science – an idea and movement spurred by ordinary citizens alarmed by the growing efforts to discredit scientific understanding and restrict scientific discovery – often in the name of science.

I share their alarm and it is time that the public takes a stand.

Now more than ever, we need to safeguard scientific integrity, stand alongside our scientific community, and fight for robust investment in scientific research and development.

History tells us that bad actors will often try to undermine science to achieve ulterior motives. Such was the case with tobacco and the link to lung cancer in the previous century. As early as the 1940s, epidemiological

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In Defense of Science

studies linked cigarettes to the rise of the lung cancer epidemic, yet it took decades before government took definitive action on the evidence – a classic case of deny and delay.

By focusing on the miniscule margins of scientific dispute, profiteers in the tobacco industry corrupted public discourse and public policy by calling into question the validity of a growing body of science linking smoking with lung cancer.

The strategy worked, and the impact of deny and delay was real. Millions were dying but as late as 1960, only a third of U.S. doctors believed the case against cigarettes had been established.

In many ways we are seeing that same story play out again today.

Take the debate on climate change and global warming for example. Some policy makers continue to argue to wait for more ‘settled science’ to take action, ignoring the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change.

The debate on climate change is just another iteration of the same deny and delay tactic used to erase and rollback protections

and policies aimed to defend our health, our environment, and our planet.

When thousands of Americans take to the streets this Saturday, I am hopeful that a powerful signal will be sent to policy makers at every level of government, countries around the world, and to the children of our future that we the people stand for science, that we the people want to invest in science, and we the people want our laws and policies to reflect the best available science, not political distortions fueled by industry and ideological interests.

The U.S. scientific enterprise has and continues to revolutionize the world and the ways in which we interact with it. From the advent of modern medicine, to the innovation of flight, to the invention of the microchip right down the road at Texas Instruments - the very essence of science is a metaphor for progress – always evolving, always moving forward, always improving, and always asking what the next frontier is.

The application of science to policy should be non-partisan and non-political, yet the luxury of staying silent is long gone. Every day, state and federal legislators are promot-

ing laws that fly in the face of science and endanger both human life and the future of our world.

Here in our nation’s capital and the White House, there are efforts to cut back on research and innovation across federal agencies and to gut our environmental protections. Instead of moving forward, we are running backwards.

While I intend to work tirelessly to beat back the tide of anti-science efforts in the U.S. Congress, everyday citizens must take a stand and fight to ensure that their representatives and their government continue to make policy decisions based on sound science and make investments to ensure that the U.S. continues to be the global leader in scientific research, development, and innovation.

Let’s take a stand together and take part in this weekend’s March for Science here in Dallas and to take a stand for science. Moreover, our actions should not end this weekend but we should continue our efforts to protect our health and environment by participating in future elections to hold our representatives accountable.

People are right to fight for decent pay, racial justice SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

by REV. JESSE JACKSON, SR

On April 4, the 49th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, thousands joined Fight for $15 and the Movement for Black Lives to march in Memphis and in cities across the country in the fight for decent pay and racial justice.

These demonstrations are more than a fitting tribute to Dr. King; they are taking up his unfinished agenda. Dr. King saw the Civil Rights Movement as a symphony with many movements: First came the victory that ended apartheid in America. Then came the victory to guarantee voting rights.

In his last days, Dr. King was working feverishly on the third movement, the movement for economic justice, organizing a Poor

People’s Campaign that would bring together people from across lines of race, religion and region to demand economic justice.

King understood that what he called the “giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism and militarism” had to be challenged to make America better.

In the midst of this, Dr. King came to Memphis, summoned by the courage and sacrifice of black sanitation workers striking for decent pay, job safety, respect and a union.

They protested both the racial discrimination they faced on the job and the absence of decent wages and conditions.

They demanded a union so that they could stand together and bargain collectively. Dr. King responded to their call because he preached in his last speech that we need to develop a “dangerous unselfishness.” The question, he said, is not, “If I stop to help this man in need, what will happen to me?” The question is “If I do not stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to them?”

Now, 49 years later, people are stirring once more. Fight for $15 began five years

ago when fast food workers in New York City went on strike demanding a $15 per hour minimum wage and a union.

They were dismissed as “unrealistic,” even

by Democrats. But the movement spread across the country, and now more than 22 million Americans have benefited from an increase in minimum wages, and some 10 million on are on a path toward $15 an hour as city ordinances step up wages. A $15 minimum wage is written into the Democratic Party platform, and it is being written into law in more and more cities across the country.

The Movement for Black Lives arose in protest against our criminal injustice system, in which blacks suffer both mass incarceration and too often violence from those who are supposed to protect them. In stunning nonviolent protests across the country, the movement has propelled the cause of reforming the police and discriminatory sentencing practices.

In the last address of his life in Memphis, Dr. King noted that he was happy that the

Almighty had allowed him to live in the second half of the 20th century. “Now that’s a strange statement to make,” he told those gathered, “because the world is all messed up. … Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around. … But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”

Dr. King was excited because people were on the move, a revolution in human values was beginning. He knew the road was long and hard. He knew there would be setbacks and reverses. But he believed that if “we will but make the right choice, we will be able to speed up the day, all over America … when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Today, this is a troubled nation. Inequality has reached obscene extremes. Economic and racial injustice still blights lives and stamps out hope.

Yet today thousands of people are making the “right choice,” and are on the move, sacrificing to make America a better nation.

Surely Dr. King smiles down upon them.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

community issues. If you have any questions con2017 AFRICAN CHAMBER WEEKLY cerning the upcoming Legislative Town Hall MeetLUNCHEON SPEAKERS LIST 1705 Martin Luther King Blvd, Dallas Texas, 75215 ing, contact Representative Davis’ District office at (214) 941-3985.

10:00 AM - 12:00 P April 19 MSDC- EDWIN CRUZ Methodist Charlton Medical Center Auditorium April 26 NTTA- ANTHONY COLEMAN 3500 W. Wheatland Rd Dallas, TX 75237 May 3 EX-IM BANK- KELLY KEMP May 10 LAW OFFICE OF GEORGE ALFONSO- GEORGE ALFONSO Congresswoman JohnMay 17 TO BE DETERMINED son will host the U.S. May 24 TO BE DETERMINED May 31 NO MEETING DUE TO MEMORIAL Military Services “Academy Day”, where local DAY HOLIDAY June 7 INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES- MARIO students will have the opportunity to meet with repTREVINO resentatives from the U.S. June 14 TO BE DETERMINED Military Academy, the U.S. June 21 TO BE DETERMINED June 28 DFW AIRPORT- LILLIE WEST & Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and GUY TOLIVER (LUNCHEON BEING HELD AT DFW the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to ask specific questions. The event will AIRPORT) be at Wilmer-Hutchins High School at 9:30 a.m.

July 5 NO LUNCHEON DUE TO HOLIDAY July 12 TO BE DETERMINED July 19 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMCommunity Missionary BapMERCE- JESSICA GORDON tist Church of Desoto and July 26 TO BE DETERMINED Nova Academy, Cedar Hill, is hosting its Spring Fest/ Fall Enrollment Roundup and Community Event from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at 820 Wintergreen Road, Cedar Celebrating 30 years of Williams Chicken Hill, TX Powerteam International Special Gift for Attending the Dallas Small Business Expo 10AM - 1PM CLAIM YOUR FREE DIGITAL SUCCESS PACK! ($97.00) Fabulous Tea Party for Women of Business, 4 p.m., 3.0 Workshop Hilton Garden Inn, 800 North Main Street, DuncanANATOLE HILTON ville, TX. One of the featured speakers will be Tandy 2201 N Stemmons Freeway Dallas, TX 75207 Caraway of CollegeMode Academy who will discuss making debt-free college education possible. Tickets may be purchased On Eventbrite.com at www. eventbrite.com/e/the-fabulous-tea-party-for-womenof-business-tickets-13874455871 The South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club annual V. Alyce Foster Trailblazers Luncheon at the Hilton Anatole, 12 p.m. A reception hosted by Jarvis DeSoto Mayor Curtistene Christian College President, McCown will receive the Dr. Lester C. Newman. to anSojourner Truth Award nounce the Dallas instructional Site will be held at 5:30pm at the Southwest Center Mall Representative Yvonne Da- Community Room, 3663 W. vis to Host Legislative Town Camp Wisdon Rad. RSVP to Hall Meeting Sherelyn@JBJ-Management.

State Representative com or call 214-565-2020 Yvonne Davis will hold a Legislative Town Hall meeting to discuss pending legislation currently before Rasheeda Speaking by Joel Drake Johnson the Texas House of RepreCircle Theatre in Fort Worth sentatives as well as other April 27 - May 20

April 21

April 23

April 22

April 25

April 27

Bishop T.D. Jakes has assembled some of the nation’s most recognizable figureheads including White House Correspondent April Ryan, Donald Trump Spiritual Advisor and Chair his Evangelical Advisory Board Paula White, and Joshua DuBois, former White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Director under President Barack Obama amongst others will sit on one stage and discuss these issues in front of some of the nation’s most prominent faith and community leaders exclusively at the 2017 International Pastors & Leadership Conference in Dallas, April 27 – April 29, 2017.

Week of APRIL 19, 2017

Theta Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 15th Annual Gumbo Cook-off & Festival 6:00-11:00pm Lakewest YMCA 3737 Goldman St. - Dallas

The Spring Celebration Series May 19-21, 2017 marks the close of Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s African Anerican Museum Gala 40th Anniversary season. The series features guest Renaissance Dallas Hotel 2222 N. Stemmons artists from Ballet Austin performing a work by their Freeway Dallas, TX 75207 Artistic Director Stephen Mills.

April 29

The Vernas HELP Foundation- Woman Empowerment Prayer Breakfast to honor the 2017 Living Legends and Community Awardees- Saturday May 6, 2017 at Edisons 1724 Cockrell Avenue Dallas, A World of Women for World Peace Texas 75215 Red Carpet Reception at 8:30 to 9:00 / 9:00am-11:30am Program starts at 9:a.m. to 12:p.m.

UNT-College of Law 1901 Main Street Dallas 75201 Parking $5 at 2000 Elm Street garage (exact change). Speakers: Hamutal Gouri, Women Wage Peace and Yousef Bashir, Palestinian Peacemaker, and Peace and Justice Comment Panel (Rabbi Nancy Kasten and Imam Omar Suleiman) RSVP By April 26th at EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-world-of-womenfor-world-peace-conference-hosted-by-congresswoman-eddie-bernicejohnson-tickets-33743884868 Share hashtags #WorldofWomen and #AWOW before, during, and after

May 7

May 6 ELECTION DAY!

North Dallas Suburban Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority- 2017 Emerging Artists Showcase - The Art of the Possible University of Texas at Dallas Student Union Galaxy Room at 3p.m.

Week of APRIL 19, 2017

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Trailblazers honored continued from front page

Centro College. She was employed by the Federal Trade Commission for over 32 years, and served as Senior Investigator for over 18 years. After more than 32 years of meritorious service, Ms. McCowan retired from the federal government on January 1, 2005.

Ms. McCowan, along with several other outstanding honorees, will be presented at the annual V. Alyce Foster Trailblazers Luncheon on Saturday, April 22, 2017, noon at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.

She has been an active member of the Kirkwood Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church for 44 years, where she currently serves as Chair of the Trustee Board. In addition, she has chaired numerous committees, projects and initiatives for Kirkwood.

Ms. McCowan was elected to DeSoto City Council in May, 2012. In May, 2014 and May 2015, her fellow councilmembers elected her to the position of Mayor Pro Tem. Since June, 2014, she has also served as Chair of the City Council’s Audit & Finance Committee. From 2006-2012, she served on the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors, serving as president for 4 ½ years. Currently, she is a member of the Advisory Board of Methodist Charlton Medical Center and serves on the Planning Committee for Methodist Health Systems, Dallas, TX. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for the African American Education Archives and History Program. A founder of Concerned DeSoto Citizens (CDC) -- a 501 (c)(3) non-profit community service organization, she has served as president and in numerous other leadership roles since the organization was chartered in 1989.

She is a past member of the City of DeSoto’s Charter Review Committee and the Dallas County Grand Jury. Ms. McCowan is also a proud graduate of the Leadership Southwest Class of 2015.

Described as a passionate advocate for quality education for all students, Ms. McCowan has made a significant contribution to the advancement of education

Dr. June Johnson President South Dallas Professional and Business Women’s Club at the local, state and national levels. On October 29, 2007, Governor Rick Perry appointed Ms. McCowan to an unexpired term on the Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents; in 2009, Governor Perry re-appointed Ms. McCowan to a full six-year term (unanimously confirmed by the Texas Senate) where she served until May, 2015. Positions held during her tenure as a TSU Regent included 2nd Vice Chair of the Board, Chair of the Development and Legislative Committee and Chair of the Administration and Finance Committee.

Ms. McCowan was the first African-American elected to public office in DeSoto, when she won a seat on the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees in 1990.

She served two three-year terms as a School Board Trustee -- two of those years as president. Her skills and expertise were evident statewide, serving on numerous committees as appointed by the Texas Association of School Boards from 1990-1997. She served on the Statewide Panel on Student Skills and Knowledge for the Texas Education Agency from

1993-94. In 2000, she was elected as the Charter President of the DeSoto ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors and has served on the Executive Committee since 2001. In recognition of her 30 + years of volunteer service and commitment to education, the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously in January, 2007 to name a school in her honor. The Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School opened in August, 2007.

Currently, Ms. McCowan is an active participant on the DeSoto ISD’s Advisory Council. She has also participated in the district’s One-on-One Mentoring Program, the Discipline Management Committee and the Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School’s Site-based Decision Making Committee. Ms. McCowan is a former interview panelist for the prestigious Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Internship Program, sponsored by Texas State Senator Royce West.

In addition, Ms. McCowan has been an active and financial member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (“DST”) for more than 29 years. She is a Golden Life Member and has served in numerous elected and appointed leadership positions, including: President of Dallas Alumnae Chapter from 1999-2001; National & Regional Elections Committees, 2004 and 2005, respectively; Dodd Education & Support, Inc. Board of Directors, 2002-2011, Co-Chair of the 2003 Southwest Regional Conference; Southwest Regional Program Co-Coordinator from 2003-2005; Southwest Regional Social Action Co-Coordinator from 2005-2009; Southwest Regional Volunteer Services Co-Coordinator from 2009-2015; and the National Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair Task Force from 2013.

The Mayor is married to Leon R. McCowan (June will be 51 years), and they have two sons: Danny Sebastian (Angie) and Leon Curtis (Stephanie) McCowan.

They are the proud grandparents of Tiana, Kirsten and Taylor McCowan.

South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc - Since 1954, the

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South Dallas Club has worked to create and develop opportunities and encourage training in the business and professional worlds for women and youth; while fostering united action for improved social and civic conditions through activities in the United States and Africa. The membership consists of women who are college graduates, graduates of technical programs leading to certification, professionally licensed or certified owners, and co-owners, managers, branch representatives, executives, civil service employees in the administration area and youth interested in the business and professional world.

Under the current leadership of Dr. June Johnson, the South Dallas Club promotes educational and and developmental opportunities that allow women and youth in the Greater Dallas community to reach their full potential.

The mission To promote and protect the interests of African American business and professional women, To serve as a bridge for young people seeking to enter business and the professions, To improve the quality of life in the local and global communities, and To foster good fellowship.

Vision By funding advanced educational opportunities and providing women and youth training and skills in the areas of health, education, employment, and economic development, we can build stronger families and stronger communities.

Congratulations to the 2017 Trailblazers

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2017 HONOREES 2017 Trailblazer - Dallas County District Attorney, The Honorable Faith Johnson Faith Johnson, appointed in 2016, is the first African-American female to serve as District Attorney of Dallas County, Texas. She also has the distinction of being the first African-American female district criminal judge elected in Texas, serving as a presiding judge for 17 years, and was also the first African-American female to attain the highly-regarded status of Chief Felony Prosecutor during her time in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Ms. Johnson is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Dallas Bar Association, and the U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce, among other professional organizations. She is secretary and a board member of The Potter’s House of Dallas. From 2009-2016, Ms. Johnson was appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to the Texas Public Safety Commission.

Ms. Johnson received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in community counseling from Georgia State University, and a law degree from Texas Southern University. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, she is the youngest of 13 born to Benjamin and Eva Simmons.

2017 Trailblazer - Michelle Carter Michelle Carter is the first American woman to win the Olympic Gold Medal in Shot Put during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She is the current American record holder in the event with a distance of 20.63 m (67 ft 8 in) set in the 2016 Olympic Games. Ms. Carter became the United States female to win the shot-put event since the women’s competition began at the 1948 Summer Olympic Games. She is only the second American to win any medal in women’s shot put. She also won the silver medal at the 2001 World Youth Championships and the gold medal at the 2004 World Junior Championships.

In addition to winning the 2008 United States Olympic Team Trials, she was the 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 National Champion.

While competing for UT she won the Collegiate National Championship in 2006.

Ms. Carter is a graduate of Red Oak High School. She received a full track scholarship to The University of Texas and she graduated in 2007 with a degree in Youth and Communities Studies, and a minor in Kinesiology. Proudly,

Michelle and Michael Carter, her father, hold the current National High School record in Shot Put. Miss Carter set her record in 2003 while winning the Texas state championship; her father’s record has been unchallenged since 1979.

Ms. Carter is a certified professional make-up artist. She has also focused on body image both on the field and off, talking to young women about confidence through her program, “You Throw Girl.” Miss Carter has been busy outside track since Rio, making an appearance on ''The Bachelor.''

2017 Trailblazer – Dr. Dudley McFarquhar Dr. Dudley McFarquhar is the first African American owner of a Building Enclosure Engineering Consulting Firm in Dallas, along with being “the first” in nine additional civil engineering extents of his profession. Locally, Dr. McFarquhar worked as Exterior Envelope Consultant for the new Parkland Hospital, the Winspear Opera House, and the Automated People Movers (APM) at DFW International Airport. Nationally, he was the first African American to chair the National Building Enclosure Council which oversees 33 such councils across the USA, first to consult on the NationsBank headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and first African American after the 9-11 terrorists attack to consult on the World Trade Center in New York City. Internationally, he consulted on the 65-story and 93-story Federation Towers in Moscow while employed at Thornton Tomassetti, Inc. along with contributions to projects in the Far East, the Middle East, Europe, and in Central and South America.

Professionally, Dr. McFarquhar is affiliated with the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Engineering Institute where he chairs the Curtain Wall Committee, Texas Society of Professional, Engineers, American Standard of Testing Materials, Glass Association of North America, and the American Concrete Institute.

He is President of Dallas West Indies United.

2017 Trailblazer – Tia Locke-Simmons Tia N. Locke-Simmons is not only the first African American female executive principal in the 81-year history of Duncanville High School, she is the first female executive principal for the campus. She began her career in education in the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD as a special educator. Ms. Locke-Simmons served as an assistant principal at Klein High School in Klein ISD. She later became the first African American associate principal for curriculum and instruction for Klein High School. In 2014, as the first African American to head the school in its 164-year history, Spring ISD selected Ms. Locke-Simmons as the first Af-

rican American principal at Spring High School.

She was named Spring ISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year 2016.

Ms. Locke-Simmons is immediate past President of Houston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and founding member of the Houston Metropolitan Area Section of the National Council of Negro Women.

Ms. Locke-Simmons is a product of Dallas ISD and graduated from South Oak Cliff High School.

She earned her BA from Our Lady of the Lake University. She earned her Master of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is working toward her Doctor of Education degree from Sam Houston State University.

2017 Trailblazer – Lt. Terri Thomas Lieutenant Terri Thomas became the first female command staff officer in the history of the Dallas Independent School District Police Department on October 20, 2016. She began her career in the Dallas ISD as a truancy officer in 1994. By 2000, her role within the force was elevated to police officer. Today, Lt. Thomas is charged with the department’s Support Division, which oversees the Criminal Investigation Unit, the Property Room, and the Gang Unit.

Several other “firsts” are also credited to Lt. Thomas. She was the first female supervisor for Campus and Patrol Divisions of the Dallas ISD Police Department, and she pioneered the Dallas ISD’s Gang Unit. Lt. Thomas is responsible for bringing the Kids and Cops Program to DISD and she volunteered with Arielle Court’s Cub Volleyball (ACCV). ACCV provides girls the opportunity to travel and compete for college scholarships.

Lt. Thomas’ mother, Mattie Thomas, is also noted for making history in policing. as the first female deputy for the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department hired by Constable Joe Bagby.

Lt. Thomas is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. She also attended Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Her Texas Commission on Law Enforcement academic recognitions include a master peace officer certification, but she feels that her greatest accomplishment in life “is being a mother.”

Tracy L. German – 2017 Mabel Meshach White Business Woman Award Entrepreneur and owner-operator of Cake

Week of APRIL 19, 2017

Bar, Tracy L. German, began selling cakes out of her home kitchen for a while with a word-ofmouth business.

After graduating Norwood College in 2012, Ms. German’s cake business transitioned from her home kitchen after 14 years. There were several meetings with owners of the Trinity Groves project over the course of a year before Ms. German got a “yes” from Trinity Groves which she indicates was a “yes from God” to open Cake Bar. In September 2014, Cake Bar opened and business has been a tremendous success. Trinity Groves’ second retail incubator, Cake Bar, is a dessert bar and retail shop with “a large selection of traditional, southern-style, made-from-scratch-cake and confections” that can be eaten on the spot or taken to go.

Inspired to bake by her mother, Ms. German fell in love with baking. She makes every recipe her own with a southern flair, serving the kind of “cakes you grew up with.” Ms. German married a former military soldier and was stationed in Washington State where she attended Culinary School in Seattle before moving to Dallas. In Dallas, she worked for a large bakery supplier where she taught retail bakeries the entire spectrum of their decorating program.

Roz Davis-Grimes – 2017 Professional Woman Award Roz Davis-Grimes is an entrepreneur and proven leader with over 25 years of experience contributing to national and global technological corporations, including Verizon, Ericsson, and Intel.

As a 21st century professional, Roz owns Engineering for Kids ® Dallas SW, a franchise serving the Best Southwest of Dallas County which includes Cedar Hill, Dallas, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, and Lancaster. This global enterprise teaches Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Enrichment Programs in over 30 states in America and nine countries around the world for ages 4-14. Engineering for Kids ® provides age-appropriate, inquiry based projects designed to be an

Week of APRIL 19, 2017 “Exciting, Fun, Hands-on, Brains-on” experience inspiring children to build on their natural curiosity by teaching engineering concepts through hands-on learning. It is offered year-round in hopes of “blazing a pathway” through the artificial barriers that prevent children in low income schools of diverse backgrounds from attaining their full potential.

In addition to Engineering for Kids ®, Ms. Grimes is the Founder and CEO of Leadership Diagnostics LLC, based in Cedar Hill, Texas. It is a training and business consulting firm that helps organizations improve performance and profitability in seven core components. Ms. Davis-Grimes holds an MBA (cum laude) from Letourneau University.

2017 Humanitarian Award – Cedric Donnell Ford Cedric Donnell Ford helps facilitate a new program in the Desoto Independent School District: Linking Education to Success Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.

The only one in North Texas, this program was designed to increase the number of Desoto students who will be prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

This is his third year with LETS GEAR UP DESOTO, however, in 1995, while a freshmen in college God called him to work with youth in his community. In his mid-twenties, while a teacher at an intercity school, he felt compelled to answer the call and make a difference.

In 2004, he founded Totally Equipped INC., Success Leadership Program, a 501 c (3) non-profit whose primary goal is to help youth become productive citizens who give back to their communities. His program does this by providing mentoring to build life skills, career and college readiness skills, and academic tutoring. Mr. Ford, a Dallas native, is a graduate of DeSoto High School and received the Curtistene McCowan Scholarship from Concerned Desoto Citizens. After graduating in 1999 from the University of North Texas, his first teaching job was at East Junior High, where he previously attended. He received his Master’s in School Counseling from Amberton University in 2014; and, now works at McCowan Middle School and Desoto High School.

As a very avid sports fan, he is a certified basketball referee with The Dallas Basketball Association.

Lola Barree – 2017 Community Service Award Ms. Lola Barree is an avid servant in her community. For the past 24 years, she has rendered loyal and continuous service volunteering in the East Gate Baptist Church Food Pantry, and

WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM became Director of the Pantry in 1998. Through her hard work, the church’s Food Pantry expanded from two rooms to seven rooms including a clothes closet! Today, the Pantry is under the umbrella of the 501© (3) “Community Outreach Connection” where Ms. Barree oversees service of 400 to 450 families a month in five Zip Codes in the Oak Cliff community.

Ms. Barree’s life has always been one of service. In 1977 she became a Girl Scout Leader and served for 14 years, beginning with her daughter’s scout troop. This service earned her the distinguished “Girl Scout Green Angel Award.”

In addition to her church’s food and closet bank, Ms. Barree is a leader in the North Texas Food Bank’s People and Nutrition Program, with a concentration on a government program to feed senior citizens and on a monthly parking lot food giveaway program entitled “Food for Families.” These initiatives earned her the North Texas Food Bank’s inaugural “Hunger Advocate of the Year Award.”

A native of Dallas, Texas, Ms. Barree is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and a cum laude graduate of Houston Tillotson College. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and retired from the Social Security Administration after 33 years of service.

2017 Ombudswoman Award – Mary White Mrs. Mary White is an educator with the Dallas Independent School District. She has served as Career and Technology Department Chair, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Coordinator (AOHT), and National Academy Foundation (NAF) teacher in the Dallas ISD for 10 years. As the academy lead, Mrs. White has led Justin F. Kimball High School’s AOHT, transforming it from an underperforming academy to reaching Distinguished status. She has built a reputation for developing business partnerships by serving in leadership roles for such programs as the Mayor’s Intern Fellows Program, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Industry Expo, 21st Century Girls Clinic, and the Capital One Internship Program. Her laser focus and ability to build culture and assist students in realizing their dreams has resulted in the academy securing more internships than any other high school in Dallas County through the Dallas Mayor’s Internship Program.

The Kimball AOHT students are required to apply for 100 scholarships each. In doing so, they earned more college scholarships than any other Dallas NAF academy for the 2015-2016

school year. Mrs. White led the establishment of a Business Clothes Closet for academy students so that they all could “dress for success” for all work-based learning experiences. In July 2016, Mrs. White became the first Dallas ISD recipient of the prestigious Janet Linton Award for her outstanding contributions to the National Academy Foundation.

2017 Ombudsman Award – Larry D. Daniels Larry D. Daniels is a native of Longview, attended middle and high school in Ft. Worth and raised his family in Garland, Texas. Mr. Daniels is a foundational servant in his church where he chairs the Deacon’s Ministry, serves as an usher, an aide and consultant to his pastor, a Sunday School Superintendent, and his church’s Nursing Home Outreach Ministry teacher.

Serving his second tenure as Treasurer of the NAACP Garland Unit, Mr. Daniels has held the position in-total for 15 years and oversees the financial operations of all major Unit events. On a personal level as a cancer survivor (both he and his wife), he is dedicated to fundraising for the American Cancer Society and has spent 18 years volunteering with the ACS Black American Cancer Connection Father’s Day program & southern Dallas Relay for Life events.

For more than 13 years Mr. Daniels has actively participated as an Ombudsman with the South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club serving at nursing home outings, youth events, district and national activities, and ushering at annual club events. As a licensed Master Plumber, Mr. Daniels previously owned and operated a local plumbing company in Garland where he and his wife, Gwendolyn, have lived for over 42 years.

2017 Youth Achiever – Keith Y. Abney, II Keith Y. Abney, II is the son of Keith and Tammi Abney and the paternal grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Leotis Wafer and Ms. Linda Hulett. He is the maternal grandson of Ms. Brenda Pearse and Mr. and Mrs. Leotis Ratcliff. Keith has three brothers and one sister. He is currently in 6th grade at Bishop Dunne Catholic School in Dallas, Texas.

Keith has distinguished himself by his achievement and accomplishments as a competitive inline speed skater. Keith began speed skating competitively at age five. He has won multiple National Championships and currently holds Outdoor National records in the 100m, 300m, 500m, 2000m and one-lap circuit. Keith also

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holds Indoor National record in the Juvenile Boys 200m. Keith is the current reigning champion in the Elementary Boys Division and will defend his title in July 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Keith has excelled academically earning straight A’s throughout his academic career.

He has participated in numerous community service activities including volunteering at the North Texas Food Bank, Promise House, and Cornerstone Baptist Church. Recently, Keith worked with a team of youth to assemble well over 10,000 food packs to feed the homeless in Sierra Leone in West Africa.

Keith is an active member of the Dallas Chapter of Jack and Jill of America and a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Keith enjoys being with family, playing football, baseball, basketball, video games, and of course inline speed skating.

Cheryl Smith – 2017 Woman of the Year Journalist and publisher Cheryl Smith is a lifelong talk and print media professional. In 1980, Ms. Smith was hired as editor for Capital Outlook News in Tallahassee, Florida. The opportunity to work as staff writer at The Dallas Weekly came in 1987. During the period of 1997 to 2000 she served as executive editor of Future Speak, a weekly newspaper produced by area high school and college students for The Dallas Examiner.

For over 22 years, Ms. Smith worked as producer and talk show host at KKDA-730AM radio while simultaneously hosting PAX-TV’s “The Ester Davis Show” and Blog Talk Radio’s “Cheryl’s World,” along with cable television’s “On the Dotted Line.” In 2011, Ms. Smith founded I Messenger News Group, where she serves as publisher and editor of I Messenger, The Garland Journal, and Texas Metro News. In addition, she was an associate professor at Paul Quinn College and an adjunct professor at UNT, TWU and EL Centro.

Ms. Smith received a B.S. degree in journalism from Florida A&M University in 1980 and a M.S. degree from Amberton University. She is the secretary of the National Association of Black Journalists and President of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Association of Black Journalists and member of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her Don’t Believe the Hype Foundation has raised over $300,000 in scholarships.

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She made her bed

Ask Alma:

by Alma Gill

Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and Twitter @almaaskalma.

Dear Alma, My wife is vicious with a capital “V!”We were married for eight years and over that time had two sons.

She did everything imaginable.

She lied to me, stole from me and manipulated me. Here are a few examples. She stole money from her employer, lied to her family and said I was abusing her. She also had several affairs and called the police and tried to have me arrested under false pretenses. It was absolutely insane. Finally, she walked out on us and I raised my two boys alone. Both are young men now 21 and 23. I never remarried, just worked hard and devoted my time to my boys. Luckily my sister and my mom helped out and the boys are very well rounded and doing just fine. I can’t say that however about my ex. She continued her shenanigans and ended up in and out of jail. She just recently resurfaced and isn’t doing well. She has AIDS and is asking my son to help her out. He just finished college and is barely making it on his own.

He’s determined to help his mom and, from what his brother tells me, is giving her $200 a month.

You know what that means? He’s short every month and I’m have to replenish that $200 so that he can make ends meet. Which means I’m giving the woman who took me through Hell money every month.

I’m pissed and don’t think I can take it much longer. I don’t want to alienate my son, but how do I let him know he is not in a position to help his mother and that he needs to back off and let this go?

Signed, What Goes Around Dear What Goes Around, Wow, that’s a tough situation you were able to maneuver. I’m sure it was heartbreaking and not what you expected when you said, “I do.” God bless you, Big Papa, for stepping up and taking care of your boys. I’m sure they are growing into

fine, young men with the love and examples they learned from you.

Yep, you did right. That’s why your son is helping his mother. Don’t be mad at him. He has longed for her all these years, wishing, hoping, praying she’d come back and make up for all the strife and hurt she caused. She didn’t do that. Well, as far as we know. Just because he hasn’t shared any “restin’ on my heart” information, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t expressed her sorrow and asked him for forgiveness. You’d be surprised what we can say right before death comes knocking. He’s had a tough time.

You’ve always been there for him; don’t stop now. If it’s not a hardship, keep funneling the money.

God is using you to be a blessing to your ex and a blessing to your son. I know it’s hard, but there’s so much more in store for you on the other side — the other side of this difficult circumstance.

He won’t have his mother long, but he’ll always have the memory of how much his father, when faced with inexcusable circumstances, was always able to rise and stand tall as the man who took the high road. Let this one silently play out. When your time comes to be parked in the tough lane, and it will come, you’ll be overwhelmed by the river of blessings that will flow.

Larger than anything you could have ever imagined or prayed for.

Don’t consume your thoughts about our ex, support your son, all the way to the end. He’s gonna need you and you will have provided him with a clean conscious, that he had done all he could for his mother. You will allow him to be free from regret. What a blessing.

I’m so proud of you.

Hey, send me your phone number. I have a few friends I wanna hook you up with. LOL. Just to chitchat over coffee. Hey now!

Alma

Week of APRIL 19, 2017

Nova Academy and Community Missionary Baptist Church hold Springfest/Fall Enrollment Roundup Nova Academy and Community Missionary Baptist Church of Desoto, is hosting its Fall Enrollment Roundup/Spring Fest on April 22, 2017 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The Roundup and Spring Fest will be at Nova Academy’s newest location located at 820 Wintergreen Road, Cedar Hill, TX 75104.

The Festival is Free and Open to the Public.

The family friendly event includes free food, fun activities such as bounce houses, face painting, photo booth, vendors and entertainment.

The Nova Academy LLC Drill Team will perform. There will be live entertainment

with special guest “5 mins Triple “D” Dance Group.”

Free booth space is available.

Anyone interested in securing a booth should contact, Destany Manuel at 972/230-4477 or email: destany. Donna Houston-Woods manuel@communitymbc.org.

Nova Academy, Cedar Hill will be accept-

ing applications for its fall enrollment, PK-4 to 6th Grade.

Nova Academy is an open-enrollment Charter School, “With a Private School Environment.”

Donna Houston-Woods is Dr. Oscar D. Epps Nova Academy’s CEO. Dr. Oscar D. Epps, Sr. is the Senior Pastor of Community Missionary Baptist Church.

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Week of APRIL 19, 2017

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NOTICE OF ELECTION (IN BRIEF) CITY OF DALLAS MAY 6, 2017 THE STATE OF TEXAS COUNTIES OF DALLAS COLLIN AND DENTON CITY OF DALLAS

§ § § §

TO THE RESIDENT QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF DALLAS, TEXAS: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a general election is ordered to be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of electing 14 members to the city council of the City of Dallas to be designated as: Member of Council, Place 1; Member of Council, Place 2; Member of Council, Place 3; Member of Council, Place 4; Member of Council, Place 5; Member of Council, Place 6; Member of Council, Place 7; Member of Council, Place 8; Member of Council, Place 9; Member of Council, Place 10; Member of Council, Place 11; Member of Council, Place 12; Member of Council, Place 13; and Member of Council, Place 14, respectively.

Rosa A. Rios, City Secretary For more information call 214-670-5654

VOTING LOCATIONS ON ELECTION DAY The most current list of voting locations is available in the City Secretary’s Office, and the status of a particular location may be checked by calling the city secretary at (214) 670-3738 or accessing http://www.dallascountyvotes.org/election-day-information/upcoming-election-information/.

EARLY VOTING Early voting by personal appearance for the Saturday, May 6, 2017 City of Dallas general election will be conducted at the early voting locations listed below. Any qualified voter of the City of Dallas may vote early by personal appearance at any of the listed locations. Early voting locations are subject to change. The most current list of early voting locations is available in the City Secretary’s Office, and the status of a particular location may be checked by calling (214) 670-3738 or accessing http://www.dallascountyvotes.org/election-day-information/upcoming-election-information/. Dates and times all locations will be open for early voting are as follows, unless otherwise indicated:

DALLAS COUNTY

DATES AND TIMES OF EARLY VOTING

April 24 – April 28 (Monday through Friday)

April 29 (Saturday)

April 30 (Sunday)

May 01 – May 02 (Monday and Tuesday)

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

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*There will be two tables set up at this location: One table to vote for City of Dallas General Election (City Council Places 1-14) and one table to cast a ballot for Denton County-administered election issues.

*There will be two tables set up at this location: One table to vote for City of Dallas General Election (City Council Places 1-14) and one table to cast a ballot for Denton County-administered election issues.

Week of APRIL 19, 2017

Week of APRIL 19, 2017

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*There will be two tables set up at this location: One table to vote for City of Dallas General Election (City Council Places 1-14) and one table to cast a ballot for Collin County-administered election issues.

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Do you know this man?

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

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Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it is illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in US dollars. Toll free numbers may or may not reach Canada.

NEED A JOB?

We are looking for order pullers, loaders & unloaders for Terrell, TX. Taking applications 9:00am - 12:00pm Tuesday-Friday. Please apply in person @ Action Logistics 301 E. Apache Trail, Terrell, TX 75160

Week of APRIL 19, 2017

WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM

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

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WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM

Week of APRIL 19, 2017

Ride DART to the Older Americans Month Information & Health Fair Health screenings, entertainment, giveaways and more!

OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

Thursday, May 11, 2017 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Centennial Hall in Fair Park Green Line to Fair Park Station

Register for the event at DART.org/seniors or call 214-749-3494.

Community Partners

A G E O U T L O U D : M AY

2017

Featuring Special Guest

The Honorable Faith Johnson

Dallas County District Attorney Sponsored by Media Partners