MY TRUTH
SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS
Crockett to keynote Trailblazers Luncheon
Garland ISD students among 10 to receive scholarships
My way, your way, or...the truth
Recently while moderating a panel at the National Association of Black Journalists Basics Boot Camp in Houston, the discussion focused on the importance of writing, doing your research, and being prepared.
I asked the panel of experts: PR Guru Kayla Tucker Adams, Marlon Walker of the Marshall Project, Terrance Harris of the Houston Defender, and Scoop Jefferson of WFAA-TV, about the number of sources they use for their stories.
After all, we are living during a time when the very credibility of all newsrooms has come under fire, and some are subjected to relentless, inappropriate and inaccurate scrutiny and analysis.
Who are you going to believe, the media, or your lying eyes?
Very poignant responses came from our experts as they discussed the value of using credible sources and presenting information to viewers so they can grow their own conclusions.
Which brings me to my truth.
Time and time again, viewers have said they want the facts and nothing but the facts, but in television especially, stats show that folks are “turned on” by stories of violence, sex and murder.
Today, you can add “lies” to the equation.
So the sheer numbers provide decision makers with the fodder to keep providing those who subscribe to the “when it bleeds, it leads” mantra with mind draining/altering distractions.
Right now we are dealing with a story that is going viral and global, of two young men in Texas.
One, is alive and one is behind bars, facing murder charges.
If you have two sources and there are opposing viewpoints, accounts, etc., you basically have a “he say, she say” scenario, until ALL information is shared.
Before you render opinions, decisions or insight, please dig deeper. Stop trying to be the first with the narrative.
Research, don’t believe everything you are told and don’t be distracted by agents whose sole function are to mess with your head and turn you against your own.
This is more than about personalities.
Malcolm X said, when you focus on personalities over issues, we will suffer because the issues are not addressed.
There are more than two sides and you can’t believe everything that you are told. If you do, you remain a slave. We must free our minds and fight against methods of mass destraction.
So as we move forward and sadly two families and their extended families are grieving, we should be cautious about the messages we release into the fray.
A lot of information will be
The 2025 scholarship recipients who will be presented at the Annual South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club’s 61st V. Alyce Foster Trailblazer Awards Luncheon include four Garland ISD students. The 10 students are among the honorees at noon on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.
This year’s speaker will be U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and the Woman of the Year is Iota Phi Lambda Sorority’s International President Charlotte Berry.
GOP Votes to Cut Medicaid, Feed Billionaires
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
House Republicans on Thursday approved a budget blueprint that slashes vital programs like Medicaid and child nutrition assistance to help fund an extension of the 2017 Trump tax law. According to a new congressional estimate, this move will cost as much as $5.5 trillion over the next decade when factoring in interest.
The plan, backed by House GOP members, would extend tax breaks overwhelmingly benefiting the wealthy and large corporations. Despite claims from Republican senators that the cost would be offset, the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) and Congressional Budget Office (CBO) now project a staggering long-term price tag: $4.6 trillion without interest and $5.5 trillion, including debt service
costs over the next 10 years.
According to the JCT estimate, the permanent extension includes maintaining the Trump-era income tax rate brackets, boosting standard deductions, and preserving other business-friendly tax provisions like 100 percent bonus depreciation. The costliest element—extending individual tax provisions—would drain $3.8 trillion from the federal budget over the next decade. Business tax cuts would add another $832 billion to
the deficit. Meanwhile, rising debt interest costs tied to the extensions would increase outlays by over $871 billion.
Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Mass.), and Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) requested the estimate to expose what Democrats have called a fiscally irresponsible giveaway to billionaires at the expense of working families.
“The country is rapidly
undergoing an intensifying economic crisis created by Trump and Congressional Republicans, and the only legislative solution they’ve put forward is to double down on tax cuts for billionaires while eliminating health care access and food assistance for millions of Americans,” said David Kass, Executive Director of Americans for Tax Fairness.
“While Congressional Republicans have so far ignored the demands of their constituents—this fight is far from over,” Kass continued.
“Americans will not stand by as price-gouging corporations raise their costs while billionaires amass even greater wealth.
“We call on Republican members of Congress to listen to their constituents: no cuts to Medicaid and SNAP and finally raise taxes on the rich to make billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share.”
On April 12, Reverend Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III will serve as the emcee for the African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame Luncheon, where 10 outstanding educators, along with two distinguished Presidential Awardees will be honored.
Educator Inductees are: Dr.
Benjamin, Cassandra
Robert
Dr. Levatta L. Levels, Dr. Larry Lewis, Bertric Manning, The Late Dr. Charles Mat-
Dora
and Norma
Presidential Awardees are: State Senator Royce West and TBAAL Founder and President Curtis King.
A past honoree, Dr. Haynes received the AAEAHP Hall of Fame Presidential Award in 2024.
The honorary chair is The Credit Union of Texas, Troy Mathieu, board chairman.
Raised in San Francisco, CA, Dr. Haynes pursued his education at Bishop College in Dallas, Texas before becoming the senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, a role he has faithfully served in for 40 years. Under his leadership, the church has grown to a congregation of 13,000 members and is widely recognized as a national hub for social justice. Dr. Haynes earned his Ph.D. from
Oxford University in Oxford, England, and is pursuing a second Ph.D. His expertise has led him to consult with the White House on various issues, further solidifying his reputation as a prophetic voice in ministry and advocacy.
A dynamic preacher and orator, he has received numerous awards and honors, including the Frederick D. Haynes III Walk of Justice, named in his honor by his church,
Cheryl Smith
Helen
Black,
Edison,
thews,
Wesley Morris, Cheryl Smith,
Wright.
Dr. Frederick Haynes, III
Dr. Brittany Drake Sojourner Truth Award
Dr. Cicely Jefferson Trailblazer Charlotte Berry
Kimberly Tolbert Trailblazer
Micaiah Joubert
Achiever
Special to the Garland Journal
SB36 looks at border security in Texas
By Rita Cook Correspondent Texas Metro News
AUSTIN – Last week members of the Texas Senate looked at Senate Bill 36 meant to strengthen border security.
The Senate Committee on Border Security heard the bill that, if passed, would strengthen the state’s border security, critical infrastructure protection, and preparedness.
SB36 calls for establishing a Homeland Security Division within the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS).
Senator Tan Parker from Flower Mound authored the bill with an eye toward cleaning up the current overlapping efforts, gaps in coordination, and inconsistencies in how intelligence is collected and shared by the now divided agencies.
The bill posits that putting both agencies under one roof with a focus toward detection and proactive response to border security, threats to critical infrastructure, and disaster management would strengthen the team and tighten up unnecessary inconsistencies.
“SB 36 ensures that Texas remains a leader in safeguarding our border, our residents, and our economic engines,” said Parker. “I believe it strikes the right balance between providing for our security, while at the same time respecting the roles of our local and federal partners.”
The responsibilities that would be merged between DPS and Homeland Security are currently shared informally among the various divisions both locally and statewide.
A statement from the bill’s author also reads, “Under current law, DPS enforces public safety laws and provides for crime prevention and detection with multiple divisions (such as the Texas Rangers and the Texas
Highway Patrol). However, there is no single division dedicated solely to planning, coordinating, and overseeing statewide homeland security activities.”
It was also related that SB 36 would provide detailed procedures for assessing and reporting on threats, organizing large-scale exercises, studying emerging technologies, and offering counsel to other state agencies on budgetary and policy matters.
By creating a singular point of responsibility within DPS, the legislation aims to minimize duplication of efforts, ensure consistent standards for security preparedness, and heighten responsiveness to emergencies and disasters.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation said former Border Patrol Agent, US Army Veteran, and TPPF Senior Fellow Ammon Blair testified at the committee hearing to “make the case for Senate Bill 36 by analyzing the evolving security crisis at the Texas-Mexico border.”
Blair explained as part of his testimony how the Mexican cartels have progressed from the days when it was just drug trafficking into what is now a “sophisticated foreign terrorist organizations that operate across multiple domains – land, air, maritime, cyber, and more.”
With the Texas-Mexico border having been a former prominent leak into the United States the past four years, a more coordinated DPS and Homeland Security coordination could be a strong message, if the bill makes it to Gov. Abbott’s desk for signature.
Rita Cook is a world traveler and writer/editor who specializes in writing on travel, auto, crime and politics. A correspondent for Texas Metro News, she has published 11 books and has also produced lowbudget films.
Double-digit tariffs and considering reciprocity?
By Rita Cook Correspondent Texas Metro News
Double-digit tariffs were imposed last week on countries that have been overcharging tariffs on America for years.
While not everyone agrees with Pres. Trump’s reciprocal tariff executive order, many across the country are rallying behind the decision to demand reciprocity.
The Executive Order is “Regulating Imports with A Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits.”
The order implements tariffs on over 180 countries that have tariffs on US goods.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative confirmed the tariffs being imposed by Trump’s order were calculated by taking the U.S.’s trade deficit with a country and dividing it by the country’s exports to the U.S., with the “reciprocal rate” calculated by then dividing that figure by two.
The opening of the EO read this move was needed due to “underlying conditions, including a lack of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships, disparate tariff rates and non-tariff barriers, and U.S. trading partners’ economic policies that suppress domestic wages and consumption, as indicated by large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits, constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and economy of the United States. That threat has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States in the domestic economic policies of key trading partners and structural imbalances in the global trading system.”
Trump said he believes the relationship between the United States and its trading partners has become highly unbalanced in recent years.
incorrect assumptions: first, that if the United States led the world in liberalizing tariff and non-tariff barriers the rest of the world would follow; second, that such liberalization would ultimately result in more economic convergence and increased domestic consumption among U.S. trading partners converging towards the share in the United States; and third, that as a result, the United States would not accrue large and persistent goods trade deficits.”
Trump’s Executive Order Series
According to 2023 United Nations data, U.S. manufacturing output as a share of global manufacturing output was 17.4 percent, down from a peak in 2001 of 28.4 percent.
Pres. Trump pointed to a decline in U.S. manufacturing output as a “need to maintain robust and resilient domestic manufacturing capacity.” He pointed to the industrial sectors like automobiles, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, technology products, machine tools, and basic and fabricated metals.
“In fact, because the United States has supplied so much military equipment to other countries, U.S. stockpiles of military goods are too low to be compatible with U.S. national defense interests,” the EO read. “Furthermore, U.S. defense companies must develop new, advanced manufacturing technologies across a range of critical sectors including bio-manufacturing, batteries, and microelectronics.
The order also pointed out that an increased reliance on foreign producers for goods compromises the U.S. economic security by “rendering U.S. supply chains vulnerable to geopolitical disruption and supply shocks.”
“The decline of U.S. manufacturing capacity threatens the U.S. economy in other ways, including through the loss of manufacturing jobs. From 1997 to 2024, the United States lost around 5 million manufacturing jobs and experienced one of the largest drops in manufacturing employment in history.
“Furthermore, many manufacturing job losses were concentrated in specific geographical areas. In these areas, the loss of manufacturing jobs contributed to the decline in rates of family formation and to the rise of other social trends, like the abuse of opioids, that have imposed profound costs on the U.S. economy.”
Trump’s words in the EO point toward the future of American competitiveness, which is dependent on reversing declining trends.
Trump’s EO made it clear tariffs will be fair and equal in the future. Already over 50 countries are reportedly ready to come to the negotiation table.
The Europeans, who will feel a hit from the reciprocal tariffs if negotiations are not worked out had Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, speaking on the on the U.S. tariffs “We do not necessarily want to retaliate but, if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to retaliate and we will use it.”
One person spoke out that Pres. Trump did not apply tariffs to Belarus, Russia, Cuba, and North Korea in his list of countries. True, but America does not need tariffs on countries it has trade sanctions with already?
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
“The post-war international economic system was based upon three
“If the United States wishes to maintain an effective security umbrella to defend its citizens and homeland, as well as for its allies and partners, it needs to have a large upstream manufacturing and goods-producing ecosystem to manufacture these products without undue reliance on imports for key inputs.”
Could more sanctions be yet to come? Trump has implied he might sanction countries who trade with Russia as a move to get Russia back into the overall negotiations.
JUNE
Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose
OUR VOICES
My grandparents, despite many barriers, worked, saved, and eventually bought a house. My grandfather was forced to drop out of school in the fifth grade to work and help care for his younger siblings. But their determination to own a home, a dream shared by many in their generation, was unwavering. Families worked, prayed, and, like my grandparents, many others managed to turn their dreams into reality and own a home.
Today, too many Black families and individuals have the means to purchase homes but are discouraged by the limited inventory and high interest rates. I understand their frustration: they defeat the odds and get approved for a loan, only to discover that there are few homes on the market and none that meet their specific needs. For too many Black consumers, that has been a signal to back off, and they
The Drive for Black Homeownership
get stuck at that point.
At the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), we refuse to stand idly by as our community faces challenges in homebuying. My grandparents, despite having only limited formal schooling, owned a home. This is the kind of inspiration NAREB aims to instill today, especially among Black millennials. We’re here for the 1.75 million of them who earn over $100,000 a year but haven’t yet bought a home.
Our community needs to understand the significance of homeownership in wealth building. It’s much more than just a place to live. It’s also the best way to save for retirement, the most effective savings plan you can set up, and the most efficient way to pay for your children’s college education. If you want to start a business, the equity in your home is a quick way to become an entrepreneur. These are the many financial benefits that homeownership can bring, and it’s crucial for our community to be aware of them.
Yes, buying a home is more complicated than it was four years ago. However, it remains just as vital as it was 60 years ago. That’s why NAREB
isn’t a passive observer. We are on an active mission to increase homeownership in Black communities. We are here to support the Black community, and we believe that with the right resources and knowledge, homeownership is within reach for families and individuals in our community.
On April 12, 2025, NAREB will present its second annual National Building Black Wealth Day in 100 cities nationwide. Seminars, workshops, and one-on-one sessions will empower communities with steps towards homeownership, property investment, starting a business, and other wealth-building opportunities.
Among the workshops are:
• What to do with Big Momma’s House?
• ABCs of Homebuying
• Real Estate Investing
• Down Payment Assistance
• Explore Careers in Real Estate
• Free Career Fair
• Free Health Screenings
• One-On-Ones with Real Estate
Attorneys
• One-on-Ones with Housing Counselors
To register for the local events around the country, visit www.narebblackwealthtour.com. There will also be virtual sessions.
The Wealth Tour is designed to provide guidance on how to start the journey towards homeownership for those who need assistance.
But we are also there for those with the financial means to buy a home but haven’t taken the leap. We are also reaching out to these Black consumers.
Our partners in the Wealth Tour, including organizations like the Divine Nine sororities and fraternities, help us connect with this demographic. It’s our biggest challenge.
We teach people how to improve their credit scores, explain how to obtain renovation loans, and help them assess their housing needs.
But changing the mindset? Convincing them of the importance of homeownership is the real challenge.
However, our partners step up and lend a hand. We collaborate with the National Baptist Convention and the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities.
Many of their members are mil-
lennials, the target audience we aim to reach. Our partners are providing platforms for us to connect with demographics that have the means to be homeowners.
Often, millennials don’t realize the pain and struggle that their parents or grandparents endured in their quest for homeownership. They remain unaware of issues like redlining or government programs that discriminated against Black individuals, such as the GI Bill and the Federal Housing Administration. Additionally, with owner-financed notes, there was the pressure that a missing or late payment could jeopardize the sale, risk your investment, or lead to eviction.
These struggles are often overlooked by younger generations. We want them to understand the past and open their eyes to the future. Homeownership communities are locations where they and their families can thrive.
That’s the reality NAREB strives to create.
Community Conversation: Small Business Open Forum
By Lauren Victoria Burke BlackPressUSA.com
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the base of the Washington Monument to push back on President Trump and his Administration.
In less than 75 days in office Trump has created economic uncertainty and laid off thousands of federal employees.
The day started with a large group of mostly white demonstrators holding hands and encircling the National Museum of African American History and Culture with “Hands Off!” signs and other anti-Trump banners and slogans.
Though there weren’t many Black people in the large crowd there were several Black leaders speaking on the main stage. They included Rev. Dr. William Barber, the former President of the North Carolina NAACP who is currently the President of Repairers of the Breach, and several civic and labor leaders.
Among the labor leaders were Everett Kelley, the national President of the American Federation of Government Employees. The group represents over 800,000 federal government workers.
Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE have targeted civil servants as outlined in the Heritage Foundation document
Project 2025.
“We’re not here today just as federal employees, we are here today as the defenders of democracy. We are here to protect our freedom and the American way of life,” Kelley said to the cheering crowd.
“Today our nation is at a crossroads,” Kelley yelled into the microphone standing on a small stage in front of a diverse group of labor and civil rights leaders.
National Education Association
President Becky Pringle also spoke.
“The right to learn is the most fundamental. The freedom to learn has been brought by bitter sacrifice,” Pringle started quoting W.E.B. DuBois.
“We’re all here to say hands off our public schools. The NEA has called out Donald Trump and Elon Musk and WWE czar you can’t make this stuff up Linda McMahon — their brazen attempts to undermine public education in America,” Pringle told the large crowd.
Trump announced that he was moving to close the Department of Education with what is widely believed to be an illegal executive order on March 20.
A diverse group of issues was represented at the rally. In addition to labor leaders, there were elected leaders, feminist leaders, conservationists and LGBT leaders as well. The rallies are
taking place in all 50 states and in several places around the world.
Several speakers highlighted the number of veterans they say have been impacted by Trump’s policies and mass firings of federal workers.
“Thirty percent of the federal workforce are veterans. Never forget this fact: Thirty percent of the federal workforce are veterans,” Randy Irwin, National President of the National Federation of Federal Employees, told the crowd of thousands standing at the base of the Washington Monument.
There were several signs featuring U.S. Senator Cory Booker in the crowd. There were also a few shoutouts for the New Jersey Senator from the stage. On April 2, Booker broke the longtime record of segregationist Senator Strom Thurmond. Booker spoke on the Senate floor for 25 hours and 4 minutes.
Activists from Indivisible and other protest orgs who put together today’s events are planning more anti-Trump demonstrations.
Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose is a developer in Houston and president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
Whose Truth and Whose Sanity?
Vincent L. Hall
I hate to interrupt your scheduled program, but you need to change whatever you watch on the weekends.
Your President has a past and pattern that you need to adjust to.
As he did as 45, 47 loves to dump his trash on the White House lawn on Friday nights and it rarely gets picked up.
Trump knew last weekend that you were too busy watching a twoyear-old TikTok story on Minister Marvin Sapp to see him order his ushers to close another door on “your” history.
At the same time, you were fixated on some bullsh!t, Donald Trump was on some “gangsta” sh!t!
This latest executive order was pointed right at you, and you pointed your fingers at Minister Marvin.
Donald J. Pimp signed an order titled, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” In other words, this lyin’ Maryland Farmer wants you to subscribe to his truth in deference to your own story.
I won’t paraphrase the feces-laden paragraphs. They carry enough sensationalism and theatre of their own. So, let’s get it started. “Section 1. Purpose and Policy. Over the past decade, Americans have witnessed a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history, replacing objective facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth.
This revisionist movement seeks to undermine the remarkable achievements of the United States by casting its founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light.
OUR VOICES
Watching college sports has been one of my favorite past times over the years. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat has been an expression that we have attached to student-athletes and college sports. The exhilaration when you win and the hurt when you lose is what we as fans see when the final score is given. Playing college sports is a privilege. You go into it knowing the rewards and the risks. It is not for everybody. My childhood friend Bill Earl and I were talking just last week about the emotional highs
and lows of it. We also agreed the college sports landscape has changed drastically. Some might opine that more changes are on the way. We will just have to stay tuned. Way back when, prospective college athletes were simply offered a scholarship. Some were full and others were partial. Nonetheless either one gave you a way to lessen your college expenses. Prior to Name, Image and Likeness agreements, college coaches would visit your home and talk with you and your parents. The scholarship offer would consist of tuition, room and board. That was a big deal and a big blessing. The feeling of euphoria and happiness filled your house. I know first-hand about
Under this historical revision, our Nation’s unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness is reconstructed as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.”
Sec. 2. Saving Our Smithsonian.
(a) The Vice President, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Associate Staff Secretary, Lindsey Halligan, Esq., shall
work to effectuate the policies of this order through his role on the Smithsonian Board of Regents with respect to the Smithsonian Institution and its museums, education and research centers, and the National Zoo, including by seeking to remove improper ideology from such properties, and shall recommend to the President any additional actions necessary to fully effectuate such policies.
Sec. 4. Restoring Truth in American History.
(i) determine whether, since January 1, 2020, public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties within the Department of the Interior’s jurisdiction have been removed or changed to perpetuate a false reconstruction of American history, inappropriately minimize the value of certain historical events or figures, or include any other improper partisan ideology;
(ii) take action to reinstate the pre-existing monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties, as appropriate and consistent with 43 U.S.C. 1451 et seq., 54 U.S.C. 100101 et seq.,and other applicable law.
Trump and his imps have conspired to kill DEI, WOKE, and any other evidence that would make one conclude that Black Lives Matter.
Y’all are worried about Marvin Sapp, but Trump knows that we “Never Would Have Made It” this far without knowing our history.
This order is an assault on you, your great-great-grandmama, and your future children, too. We need to restore truth and sanity on our terms.
etomaniac!
The Era of Name, Image and Likeness for College Student-Athletes Has Gotten Our Attention
this experience because I had it. As it was happening, I really couldn’t believe it. There was a college tennis coach in my house talking with my dad and me. Mind you, this was many years ago, yet this will be forever etched in my memory bank.
With great humility, I say that I had other college tennis scholarship offers. After carefully considering each, I made a decision. There was no fanfare and only a few people knew about it. Being able to get a college education and play a sport were foremost in my mind. Fortunately, I kept good grades in college and was a part of two championship teams. I graduated from college and along the way made some life-long friends.
College sports have
changed in many ways. The media coverage of it is endless. At any given time, you can watch a college sport on television.
Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) agreements have made college student-athletes millions of dollars. When coaches go to homes today, the conversation is very different. They talk about the school and notable alumni. However, the main conversation is about how much money the coach is willing to offer.
According to reports, “Many states and universities have implemented rules requiring student-athletes to disclose their NIL activities and agreements ensuring transparency and accountability.”
Proponents of Name, Image and Likeness agreements
point to several advantages to them. They say that the student-athletes get financial independence, life-changing opportunities and a chance to build their personal brand.
Recently, LSU played UCLA in an Elite Eight NCAA women’s basketball game. After the game, LSU star, Flau’jae Johnson was asked about whether she would opt for the WNBA draft or return for her final year with the Tigers. According to media outlets, she will return to LSU.
Flau’jae Johnson is a talented young woman on many levels. She is a rapper with rhymes that will make you move and groove. She has also signed deals with Puma, Taco Bell and has an equity stake in the women’s 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled Flau’jae Johnson said, “For
me it’s about discipline and purpose. I know what I’m working on and that keeps me locked in. Basketball, music and financial literacy might seem like different lanes, but they all connect, because they’re about taking control of your future.”
There are other student-athletes whose names we know that are taking full advantage of their skill sets both on and off the courts and fields. These are some ground-breaking times for student-athletes in the United States of America. Let’s applaud them and wish them well.
“When a Woman Knows Who She Is, She Changes a Nation”
BIG MAMA SAID Terry Allen
Big Mama used to say, “When a woman knows who she is, she don’t just raise her children—she raises the bar for the whole block.” That wasn’t just kitchen table talk—that was strategy. My grandmother, Lucille “Big Mama” Allen, raised her children , her children’s children and more with grit, prayer, and a plate of something hot when the world got cold. She believed deeply that women were the backbone of the nation—and that if you want to change the world, start by making sure the women in your house, your church, and your neighborhood know their worth. She said Women are superb, just as our publisher, Cheryl Smith Knows Inspired by that same fire, fourteen years ago I created Sister CEO Boot Camp, legally known as the Emerging Women CEO Business Camp (EWBC). It wasn’t just a boot camp—it was a movement. I saw too many women stuck in systems that never saw their brilliance. So, we flipped the script. We took 86 women AND showcased their superb POWER. We paired them with seasoned CEOs, trained them in
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Website: www.garlandjournal.com
Editor: editor@myimessenger.com
real business strategy, and poured into their minds the belief that they were more than their circumstances.
And let me tell you something: those women didn’t just show up. They showed out. In our very first year, they collectively launched businesses that brought in over $2 million in revenue. Correct, you read that right. $2 million—not from handouts, but from hard work and hustle, supported by a “Superb
Sisterhood” and strategy. We didn’t just teach them how to write a business plan—we taught them how to own their plan. We didn’t just build entrepreneurs— we built legacy makers, job creators, and community changers. That first group left a ripple that’s still moving through our cities and our culture today. Sister CEO was about more than economics—it was about equity. It was a place where public relations
met public purpose. A space where DEI wasn’t a buzzword—it was baked into the blueprint. And it all started with one truth Big Mama drilled into us: When a woman knows who she is, she changes a nation.
Here’s to every woman who’s ever doubted her superb power— believe me, it’s in you. And when you walk in it our community shifts. Please write to me at Terryalllenpr@gmail.com and let me know
Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, award-winning columnist and a lifelong Drap-
longtime educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
James B. Ewers Jr. Ed. D.
Dr G
Dr. Julianne Malveuax
Rep Theresa Bowers
Eva Coleman
Rev Dr Sheron Patterson
Cheryl Smith
Furst Lady Debra Peek Haynes
Wynona Redmond
Anti-Obesity Medicines Are Not All Created Equally
By: Colonel Jeffrey D. Glover –President, NOBLE
Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. –President and CEO NNPA
The new FDA-approved weight loss medicines have changed the game for people with obesity, offering millions of Americans a chance to transform their health, prevent disease, and live longer lives. But as demand for these treatments soars, an illegal industry is growing alongside it. Criminal networks, counterfeiters, and rogue compounding pharmacies are taking advantage of patients’ needs, flooding the market with fake, unsafe, and untested knockoffs. In December 2023, the FDA seized thousands of counterfeit injection pens within the U.S. drug supply chain. A Tennessee woman’s home was also raided by police, where officers found more than 300 vials of counterfeit weight loss drugs—semaglutide and tripeptide—that she had been supplying to
THE LAST WORD
After he won the Nevada Republican caucuses in 2016, the current President crowed his victory. “We won with young. We won with old. We won with highly educated. We won with poorly educated. I love the poorly educated.” Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) reflected on this comment as he asked Republicans to join Democrats in preserving the Department of Education. The 47th President loves the poorly educated because he knows how to manipulate them, and because the less you know the more you can be persuaded by false rhetoric. The cuts in education, including cuts in educational services for the differently abled, both physically and intellectually, will likely have a long-term dele-
med spa clinics. After testing, one of the vials contained nothing but water. This is the reality of an unregulated black market. People think they are injecting medicine into their bodies that will improve their health, but they could be injecting poison— or nothing at all.
For counterfeiters and other profiteers, the market is ripe for exploitation — high patient demand and a rising obesity epidemic create the perfect conditions for their illegal
trade to thrive. The result? A knockoff weight-loss drug market populated with med spas, online “telehealth” sellers, and unauthorized compounding pharmacies pushing dangerous counterfeit or untested compounded medications. The Black community is especially vulnerable given its higher prevalence of obesity. In 2023, non-Hispanic Black or African American adults were 30% more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white adults, with 43
percent of non-Hispanic Black adults over the age of 18 classified as obese.
As the President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), I oversee an organization whose mission is to protect our communities from harm.
Law enforcement officers are already seeing the rise of counterfeit weight loss drugs spread through our communities. Just as with illicit street drugs, enforcing the law is critical to get these dangerous products off the market. But equally critical is to stem consumer demand.
The Trump administration has an opportunity to help curb this rising demand. Currently, there is a proposed rule at the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) rule that would provide coverage for FDA-approved weight loss drugs, thereby significantly increasing access to these innovative medicines. Unlike other chronic diseases, obesity treatments have been excluded from Medicare coverage. The result
Trump Loves the Poorly Educated
terious effect on the condition of education in our country.
The President’s reason for cutting the Department of Education is poor test scores, but the first phase of cuts, separating at least 1300 workers from their jobs, will also likely reduce the amount of educational data that is available.
So, we may not learn, from the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR), which academic areas we need to boost. We are not able to follow graduates over time to analyze career trends. Fewer employees collecting data may impact data accuracy.
Given this President’s anti-DEI stance, we may not measure achievement gaps appropriately. Many of my research colleagues are concerned that this anti-detail-oriented President and his motley crew of incompetents prefer aggregate numbers to disaggregated ones. That means they may continue to report an overall unemployment rate, but fail to report changes in Black, Latino, and Asian unemployment.
Data collection costs money, and the President aims to cut budgets. That includes more than $600 million in grants, many of which go to benefit the “least and the left out.” Further, many are concerned that the Office of Civil Rights has reduced effectiveness because of staff cuts.
The Office of Civil Rights lost at least 240 employees, including 180 staff attorneys. Regional offices have been closed, making it more difficult for people to file civil rights complaints.
People aren’t taking this action lying down. The National Education Association (NEA), the NAACP, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are all suing the Department of Education to prevent its closure.
According to the NEA “If the Education Department is broken apart, the rights of students, particularly our most vulnerable – to an education that imparts academic lessons, civil rights protections, and prepares them for their future, will be undercut.”
In addition, with fewer workers’ pro-
tections, and an indifference to safety net supports, people will be forced into low wage work instead of workforce development activities that will better prepare them for good jobs in the future.
This president loves the poorly educated because they are most easily exploited. We are headed into a dystopian nightmare unless Democrats are willing to take some action.This President and his allies, assisted by a woman who used to lead Worldwide Wrestling (great preparation to lead the Department of Education) will reorganize or eliminate many critical functions of the Department of Education.
Our young people will be the ones to pay.
This year 3.9 million young people are slated to graduate from high school. About 62 percent of them will enroll in either two- or four-year colleges. What will the atmosphere on campuses this fall?
Killing the MBDA Won’t Just Cripple Black Businesses—It’ll Weaken America
Marc Morial
TO BE EQUAL
The Trump administration’s efforts to rewrite American history under the guise of fighting a mythical “anti-white” racism took a dangerous turn this week as the White House issued an executive order effectively gutting the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).
Since President Nixon established it over 50 years ago, the MBDA has provided government financing and contracting opportunities that have fueled the growth of minority-owned businesses and strengthened our communities.
The National Urban League waged a decade-long fight to elevate the MBDA to a statutory agency because its role in driving economic equity and closing the racial wealth gap is irreplaceable. In fiscal year 2023 alone, the agency facilitated $1.2 billion in capital, secured $1.6 billion in contracts, and generated or saved more than 14,000 jobs.
Dismantling the MBDA is the latest example of right-wing ex-
“We must also provide an expanded opportunity to participate in the free enterprise system at all levels--not only to share the economic benefits of the free enterprise system more broadly, but also to encourage pride, dignity, and a sense of independence. In order to do this, we need to remove commercial obstacles which have too often stood in the way of minority group members--obstacles such as the unavailability of credit, insurance, and technical assistance. Involvement in business has always been a major route toward participation in the mainstream of American life. Our aim is to open that route to potentially successful persons who have not had access to it before.”
tremists rolling back hard-won civil rights victories that have helped level the economic playing field. Under the pretense of race neutrality, they are actively working to erase policies that acknowledge and address systemic disparities.
In March 2024, a federal judge in Texas appointed by Donald Trump, ruled in favor of a lawsuit brought by white entrepreneurs, arguing that the MBDA’s mission of supporting minority business owners amounted to unconstitutional racial discrimination. While the judge acknowledged that racial minorities face greater challenges in accessing capital— including lower loan approval
– President Richard M. Nixon
rates, smaller funding amounts, and higher interest rates—his astonishing ruling was that there was insufficient evidence that government policies contributed to these disparities.
This ruling, coupled with the administration’s actions, threatens to undo decades of economic progress. Eliminating race-conscious programs under the false premise of equality ignores the stark realities of systemic discrimination and denies communities of color access to resources essential for closing the racial wealth gap. The administration’s decision is not just unlawful and unjust—it is an economic disaster
in the making. Minority-owned businesses contribute trillions to the U.S. economy and employ millions of workers. Stripping them of vital federal support will stifle job creation, weaken local economies, and widen the wealth divide.
At a time when economic inequality remains one of the nation’s most pressing challenges, the federal government should be expanding opportunities for underserved businesses, not eliminating them. This is not just a policy fight—it is a battle for economic justice, and we cannot afford to lose.
My way, your way, or...the truth cont. from page 1 Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.
ignorance puts you in the position of being the so-called friend who walks up on your friend being attacked by four people and you jump in grabbing your friend. What the heck! If you grab your friend, that’s FIVE people against one.
Your mouth is just as dangerous if you keep adding to the mess with your ill-informed opinions. Public Enemy said it best: Don’t Believe the Hype. You also need to know not to spread the hype! Can you dig it?
has been limited access to authentic medicines, creating a high demand for knock-off versions. While law enforcement must do its part to rein in bad actors, the new administration can help by finalizing the CMS proposed rule. Providing greater access to safe and effective medicines would go. A long way to put illicit suppliers on notice and out of business. No one should be exposed to the risks that come with untested, unregulated injectable medicines and I am confident President Trump will make the right decisions to protect American public health.
Colonel Jeffrey D. Glover is President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. His email address is President@ noblenatl.net.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. His email is dr.bchavis@nnpa.org.
Unless some of the lawsuits are successful, lower-income students, differently abled students, and those in need of extra services will be sidelined. DEI programs that offer counseling and solace to some students are likely to be dismantled.
Tens of thousands of students, if not millions, will be disadvantaged by the way the Department of Education is being transformed into the Department of MisEducation. This is the era of the MisEducation of the Marginalized.
Scrubbing our history books of reference to Black, Brown, and other patriots is just a first step to dismantling any notion of critical thinking.
This current President and his minions are dedicated to ignorance, and indeed they love the “poorly educated”. What does this mean for our nation’s future?
Dr. Julianne Malveaux
Dr. Julianne Malveaux, a former college president, is an economist, author and commentator based in Washington, D.C.
Weight loss pills are harmful to health.Diet pill and lose weight Photo Credit By Nalin Prutimongkol
Sippin’ Pretty & Rewarded Sorority tea event honors scholars, delivers joy and tears
By Eva D. Coleman Lifestyle & Culture Editor
Metro News
From young girls to ladies defying the odds of beauty with longevity of life, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Chi Zeta Omega Chapter Mother & Daughter tea was filled with grace, reverence and scholarship.
The Sunday afternoon event on March 30, 2025 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Richardson, Texas was the sorority’s 17th installment of which their debutantes made their debut to an audience filled with “Ladies in Waiting,” and tables filled with toddlers, pre-teens and teenagers alongside their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and friends who’ve had an impact on their lives.
Finger sandwiches, cookies and tea were made available at each table, allowing attendees to enact their etiquette skills as they passed and received food.
Fanchion Kenady of Fanchion K’s Tea Time delivered the keynote address, sharing the art of tea, including a description of the special blend, “Sweet Lady Herbal Infusion,” she provided to each attendee in the tea cups at each place setting.
During their introduction, debutantes danced in a whim-
sical display waving handkerchiefs to bayou sounds for the Enchanted Garden theme.
The event also featured emotional mother-daughter tributes with several girls having a hard time getting through their speeches without tears and gar-
bled words.
A special, inaugural announcement came after the room had witnessed many debutantes’ expressions of gratitude towards their loved ones.
“At this time, we are honored to present the AKA EAF Schol-
arship endowed by the Chi Zeta Omega Charter Members Endowment Fund to two exceptional students,” Gwen Sanders said on behalf of all charter members.
This 2025 event marked the first time the Chi Zeta Omega
Chapter awarded their Charter Member’s Scholarship.
The two inaugural winners, Evana Coleman and Destiny Blount, smiled with pride as they held ceremonial checks and posed with charter members of the organization.
Chi Zeta Omega charter members were pleased with their historic accomplishment, providing $1000 scholarships with assistance from The Boswell Sisters Embracing Our Futures to benefit students on their college journey.
Winsome, and Win Again Upscale Houston steakhouse plants roots in Dallas
By Eva D. Coleman
There’s so much in a name. A successful, upscale steakhouse in Houston that opened its doors on April 15, 2022 as The Warwick is making its way up Interstate 45 with a new moniker: Winsome.
“Behind the scenes, we laugh about ‘We’re gonna win some with Winsome Prime,’” co-owner Rob Wright said. “It’s kind of a running joke.”
Their elevated southern influence cuisine is no laughing matter. They are serious about it.
“We solely believe in our food element and that’s what we’re putting in the forefront,” Wright said.
There’s intentionality behind being a fine dining establishment, with Wright emphasizing ”it’s not a party, it’s a restaurant.” He shared that as being a common mistake restaurants make when they come into the market.
“The vibe is our food, and that’s what we stand on,” Wright said.
From Spinach-Stuffed Salmon to Crab Beignets to Snapper Orleans over a bed of collard green risotto, they’ve got plenty to make taste buds sing, including Wright’s menu favorite… Charbroiled Gulf Oysters.
“They’re unique in nature with the blends of cheeses, the garlic butter; and our twist is, our hint is to top it with some smoked collard greens,” Wright said with delight. “That’s unique in flavor
and personally, when you think about it, you kind of scratch your head, but once you taste it, all the flavors kind of come together in concert in your mouth.”
Houston resident Cecily Coleman who frequents and raves about The Warwick asked, “I wonder why they changed the name?”
Letting go of the previous name of the Houston location relates to their expansion.
“When we formed the name “The Warwick” it was actually a tribute to a former hotel in the Houston area which was an iconic hotel in Houston history,” Wright said. “As we evolved and realized that our concept is not just for Houston, we want to take it nationwide, we had to basically reconstruct the name in order to go nationally.”
Winsome Prime was developed from a brainstorm of ideas. Settling on it felt right
for the experience they aim to provide.
“The word ‘Winsome’ itself is basically attractive or alluring,” Wright said. “That’s kind of how we feel our concept is as it relates to the look and feel of the concept and our
dolph dined at Winsome Prime with fellow attendees and friends. He was pleased with his entire visit.
“Winsome Prime is a great dining experience!” Smith Randolph said. “The atmosphere, ambience and hos-
great food that we have.”
While in Houston for a conference, New York City resident Walter Smith Ran-
pitality are top notch. Don’t miss out on the Hawaiian Ribeye and Snapper Orleans, absolutely delicious.”
The success in Houston has cemented Wright and his team’s belief in creating up to 10 establishments throughout the country, with planned marketing research for places beyond Houston and Dallas potentially including Nashville and Charlotte.
“What we do know is that if we’re able to do the same numbers we’ve done here in Houston, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have easily six or seven, eight locations over the next six or seven, eight years. So, the goal is one per year,” Wright said.
Wright attributes their success to one key ingredient which is the mantra for their entire team.
“We have to be consistent, and that’s how you win in any realm, in any field of business, sports, what have you. The most consistent one wins,” Wright said.
The Dallas location of Winsome Prime in the Trinity Groves area occupies the space once held by the private social club, The Network Bar, which closed its doors May 31, 2024. Those who ever had the opportunity to venture inside are familiar with its plush lounging areas and more. Winsome Prime has expanded on these spaces, yet keeping the main thing the main thing.
“It’s really a great space in terms of how it’s positioned, in terms of the lounge area, the dining area, and we also have a back speakeasy that we created as well for our late night patrons. So, it’s a hybrid of a lot of things, but the great
thing about it, the food is really the focus,” Wright said.
Winsome Prime’s general manager Tony Hayman shared details of the Dallas restaurant in comparison to the one in H-Town.
“The major difference between the Houston location and the Dallas location is one, the layout, the square footage,” Hayman said. “The bar area is a big draw for us because it allows more bar guests and it also has the lounge area, so not only can the bar guests be in the lounge area, they can also do small bites. The location in Houston doesn’t have that same feel and vibe for the bar, so for us, that’s what allows us to stand out in addition to having a speakeasy.” From entrance to exit, Winsome Prime hopes to deliver an elevated encounter where food meets people.
“I want them to feel wowed by the experience,” Wright said. “The word that we use with our staff is, we’re guest-centric. We really want our guests to enjoy the entire experience from the minute they hit the door to the fact they’re seated to the presentation from our servers and bartenders, knowledge of the menu, exceeding service; that’s why we’ve been so successful in the Houston market and that’s what we’re bringing to the Dallas market as well.”
Winsome Prime, located at 331 Singleton Blvd., Dallas, TX 75212, opened to the public on April 16, 2025. For more information, visit winsomeprime.com
Charter members with scholarship recipients during Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Chi Zeta Omega Chapter’s Mother & Daughter Tea at the DoubleTree Hotel in Richardson, Texas
Lifestyle & Culture Editor
HALL OF FAME EDUCATORS!
10 educators were inducted into the African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame, along with two Presidential
and a school bearing his name on the Paul Quinn College campus. A proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he is married to entrepreneur Debra Peek-Haynes and is the proud father of their daughter, Abeni Jewel Haynes.
DR. HELEN BENJAMIN
For 45 years, Dr. Helen Benjamin dedicated herself to uplifting students, just as she had been uplifted throughout her life as a student, teacher and leader in Louisiana, Texas, and California, respectively.
In Dallas, she taught English at Sunset and Hillcrest High Schools before becoming an assistant professor and department chair at Bishop College and later a division chair at Cedar Valley College. She then moved to California’s Contra Costa Community College District, where over 25 years, she held six roles—including college president, vice chancellor for educational affairs, and chancellor. With each position, Helen deepened her impact, committed to empowering others and creating transformative educational experiences.
Of this honor, Dr. Benjamin said: “I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition. Being included not only among this year’s inductees but also among those in the Hall of Fame who mentored and supported me as a young educator is a special honor.”
CASSANDRA L. BLACK
Cassandra’s entire career in education was in Dallas ISD. She started as a classroom teacher and later served as English Department Chairperson and Teacher of the Year at North Dallas High School. After a promotion to Director of Certification/Employee Relations, she ensured that only qualified teachers and administrators were hired, and the District met all No Child Left Behind requirements. Her efforts led to the District being “Recognized” by the Texas Education Agency. She is a Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the 31st National President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). Annually, a deserving NPHC/Divine 9 Undergraduate Sorority member is awarded the Cassandra L. Black Scholarship.
ROBERT EDISON
Robert Edison grew up in Louisville, Kentucky with his parents Luther and Nola Edison, and his four siblings. He spent 44 years working with students and teachers in the Dallas ISD. Although he became the Dallas ISD Director for Social Studies Department, his major accomplishments took place in the classroom. He is proud of the students who he’s had the opportunity to influence over the years. He would say they made it possible for him to become the Dallas Teacher of the
Awardees at a sold-out event at the Renaissance Hotel in Dallas.
Year in 1992 and Region 10 Teacher of the Year. He believes a teacher who ceases to learn should cease to teach and teachers of minority students should have a pedagogy that liberates them.
DR. LEVATTA L. LEVELS
Dr. Levatta L. Levels is a seasoned educator with 35+ years of experience as a teacher, principal, executive director, and superintendent. In DeSoto ISD, she led key initiatives including rezoning for enrollment growth, districtwide standardized dress, selective enrollment, middle school magnet programs, and districtwide behavior programs. She helped create the ReJuv program, helping overaged students graduate with a high school diploma. She was inducted into the DeSoto ISD Hall of Honor, received the NAACP Juanita Craft Award, and recognition from her alma maters Skyline High
mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher and community leader. She has dedicated her life to helping others and served as a classroom teacher in Dallas Independent School District. She was recognized as “Teacher of the Year” many times. She was the DFW Coordinator for the “No Child Left Behind” 2002 Achievement Academy. She has reached a pinnacle of success in church and Christian living. One of her treasures is a plaque to a Grade “A” Teacher Award for making school so super cool. During her retirement, she spends her time developing programs to improve teaching techniques and enhance student achievement.
DR. CHARLES MATTHEWS
Dr. Charles Matthews dedicated his entire life to educating and influencing young people. He served
School and the University of North Texas. She is a leader in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a Student Conduct Officer and field supervisor at two DFW universities.
LARRY D. LEWIS, PH.D.
Dr. Lewis is unwavering in his commitment to impacting and transforming the lives of students and families. As a situational leader, his laser focus on every student reading on or above grade level at every grade level has been the hallmark of his success. Dr. Lewis has served at all levels of K-12 education as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, area superintendent and superintendent. As a scholar in the Urban Superintendents Program at Harvard University, Dr. Lewis learned strategies that served and supported his principals in leading their campuses to recognized/exemplary ratings by the Texas Education Agency, as well as the Malcolm Baldridge Award, Texas Blue Ribbon and National Blue Ribbon Schools.
BERTRIC LUETISSUR MANNING
Bertric Luetissur Manning is a
CHERYL SMITH
While enjoying an impressive career as a multi-media journalist, newspaper editor and radio talk show host, Cheryl Smith also spent more than 30 years in classrooms utilizing her journalism degree from FAMU and a business degree from Amberton University. She follows the mantra of another Hall of Famer, Dr. Napoleon B. Lewis, who said, “A teacher hasn’t taught if the student hasn’t learned.” She believes in also providing hard-knock life lessons like her FAMU professors did. In 1998, she headed the Paul Quinn College Communications Department; revitalizing the school newspaper, and starting an NABJ Chapter (Chapter of the Year finalist and Student Journalist of the Year honors for Shane Hefner, while winning several awards).
Having taught at UNT, TWU, Dallas College, and the DFW/ABJ
as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, deputy superintendent to general superintendent in the North Forest ISD and Wilmer-Hutchins ISD. As general superintendent of WHISD, he implemented and began the first three- year-old program for the State of Texas. He was an innovator and trailblazer in the field of education.
DORA MORRIS
Dora Morris, who spent 48 passionate years educating young people, was an award-winning elementary school teacher in Dallas ISD for 31 years. She served as a general music teacher for the first 14 years. Afterwards, she became a self-contained/language arts teacher. Because of her accomplishments with the students, Dora also served as a mentor to new teachers, trainer and instructor in the Alternative Certification program, campus instructional leadership team member, curriculum writer, staff development presenter, member of the campus improvement plan committee, and district IV workshop presenter. Post Dallas ISD retirement, she spent an additional 17 years in DeSoto ISD as a part-time reading pull-out teacher.
Urban Journalism Workshop, this proud Golden-Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Famer has been recognized by the Journalism Education Association and National Conference of Editorial Writers for her work with journalism students. Additionally, she has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships, fellowships and internships.
NORMA BEASLEY WRIGHT
Norma Beasley Wright’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of education. She has been a cornerstone of student support and well-being within Dallas ISD, consistently embodying the essence of a dedicated educator. Her unwavering commitment fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment has made her the heartbeat of the school community. Recognized Dallas ISD Counselor of the Year, her impact extends far beyond academic guidance; she championed student-centered initiatives that empower and uplift every child. Through her compassionate leadership, she has inspired countless students to reach their fullest potential, further cementing her legacy in
Dallas ISD.
Her role in the opening of the Thomas A. Edison Middle Learning Center and the transformation of Dr. Billy E. Dade Middle School stand as powerful testaments to her enduring impact.
Two Presidential Awardees are recognized for their exceptional contributions to the educational experiences of African Americans in Dallas County.
CURTIS KING
Curtis King is an American director, producer, and the founder and president of the nationally acclaimed Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL).
Often called “The King of Tributes,” King has created, directed, and produced numerous musical tributes, plays, concerts, and cultural events that uplift the African American community while enlightening broader audiences.
His extensive accolades span major cultural and entertainment organizations, as well as grassroots community and social service groups.
A native of Mississippi, King is the son of a teacher and an industrial farmer and one of three siblings. He graduated Cum Laude from Jackson State University with a B.A. in Speech and Communications and later earned a M.A. from Texas Christian University.
A devoted Christian, he is a member of First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park.
A world traveler and lifelong advocate for the arts, Curtis Lamar King has dedicated his career to preserving and advancing African American culture through artistic expression.
HON. ROYCE WEST
Today, we spotlight Presidential Award honoree Texas State Senator Royce West, whose dedication to education and community advocacy has had a lasting impact.
The Honorable Royce West has dedicated his life to public service for more than 30+ years. Currently he serves in the Texas State Senate and serves in the 16th Legislative Session as Vice Chairman of Senate Transportation Committee and is a member of several Senate committees.
He has worked to improve education in Texas and to increase the academic success of Texas students by providing the needed funding for schools, programs, students and teachers. A family man, Senator West is married to Carol and is the father of seven.
He is active in his church, various civic organizations, the African American Museum, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
A native of Annapolis, Maryland, a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington (BA, MA) and the University of Houston (JD), Royce Barry West has made his mark in the Dallas Metroplex and the State of Texas by giving of himself as a public servant.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
Bertric Manning
Robert Edison
Cheryl Smith
Dr. Levatta Levels
Dora Wesley Morris
Cassandra Black
Norma Wright
Dr. Charles Matthews
Dr. Helen Benjamin
Dr. Larry Lewis
CLASS of 2025
Continued from page 1
Target Continues to Pay the Price for Breaking Promise to Black America
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
Target is losing more than its commitment to equity, it’s losing customers. For the eighth consecutive week, shoppers have turned away from the retail giant following its decision to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program in January.
New data from Placer.ai shows store visits during the week of March 17 fell by 5.7% compared to the same time last year. That follows a 7.1% decline the week before, bringing the average drop over the past two months to 6.2%.
The fallout has been swift and steady. Target’s quiet retreat from DEI—after years of vocal support for racial and social justice and a multi-billion-dollar pledge—triggered an immediate backlash. Faith leaders, civil rights organizations, and everyday consumers responded with public pressure and calls to action.
Leading the charge is the Rev. Jamal Bryant, whose “Target Fast” boycott encouraged shoppers to avoid the chain throughout Lent.
The effort surpassed its original goal of 100,000 participants, with more than 150,000 people now participating.
The boycott is scheduled to end on Easter Sunday. The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, launched a National Public Education and Selective Buying Campaign to help guide African Americans in wielding their $2 trillion in annual spending power.
The NAACP issued a national consumer advisory, warning that Target’s rollback is part of a broader, intentional retreat from DEI by major corporations.
“We encourage you to spend your money where you’re respected, support Black-owned businesses, and demand businesses prioritize people over profit,” NAACP officials said. “Above all, we must continue to advocate for policies that ensure people of color, women, veterans, those with a disability, and all protected groups have equal access to opportunities across the country.”
Following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Target Corp. was among a list of companies making specific diversity pledges. Target vowed to
spend $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by 2025, increase its Black workforce by 20%, and establish a Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) committee to advance racial equity within the company and beyond. It has reneged on those promises, making Target a focal point of protests.
While Target remains silent on its declining traffic, the contrast with its competitors is glaring. Costco, which maintained its DEI commitments despite political attacks, saw a 5.2% year-over-year increase in foot traffic during the same week— its 13th straight week of growth.
Walmart and McDonald’s—both of which had seen multi-week declines like Target—also saw their numbers shift slightly for the week of March 17.
Walmart posted a modest 0.3% increase in foot traffic, while McDonald’s reported a 2% increase. But unlike Target, neither had matched its aggressive stance on racial justice— or its equally visible retreat.
Over the last eight weeks, Walmart’s average weekly foot traffic has been down 1.6%, and McDonald’s has seen a 3.6% average drop. Target’s 6.2% average decline puts it at the center of growing consumer frustration—and organized resistance.
“It’s been eight weeks, and the numbers don’t lie,” Deja Monet wrote for NewsBreak. “Target faces foot traffic decline for the eighth week after cutting off DEI programs, and the backlash shows no signs of slowing. With a massive boycott underway, declining sales, and silence from the brand’s top brass, Target is walking a tightrope between corporate appeasement and consumer fallout.”
We need the NAACP!
Hopefully you were able to attend the Collin County NAACP’s Freedom Fund Banquet last night! Great leadership, President June Jenkins.
SHE HELPED EVERYONE!
Edna
“Mrs. P.” remembered for her wonderful spirit and heart
Edna “Ms. P” Pemberton –a “voice” & “soul” for her people, community, city –leaves powerful legacy
By Norma Adams-Wade Senior Correspondent
What determines how a person makes an impact on the world and the people around them?
The life of Edna Pemberton is a case study in seeking an answer to that baffling question.
You’ve probably been under a rock if you have not heard that one of Dallas’ premier keepers of the people’s souls, and the souls of humanity in general, joined the ancestors over the weekend.
“Ms. P,” as she was widely known, was an outstanding community leader and people’s servant who was effective at all levels of leadership. City and business leaders and everyday folk as well lauded and listened to her.
BRUSHES WITH GREATNESS
It’s hard to try to put a label on
“Ms. P.” Perhaps two of her biggest claims to fame were when she earned the honor of introducing former U. S. President Barack Obama when he visited Dallas for a Democratic event in 2013 and -- already aware of her respected but humble standing -- greeted her with a warm hug that photographers captured.
The other distinction was when she was picked to carry the Olympic torch through Dallas on its way to the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA in
1996, the Olympics’ Centennial year.
The iconic athlete Muhammad Ali lit the final caldron flame at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Stadium.
In media reports, Pete Brodsky -owner of Southwest Center Mall, formerly Red Bird Mall, whose vital reorganization Ms. P” helped realize, -- called her “the soul of the mall.”
Various other leaders and supporters called her “the voice of Oak Cliff” where the mall is an economic lifeline.
FUNERAL DETAILS
“Ms. P’s “ home-going services include visitation Friday, April 25, 2025, from 3-6 p.m., followed by a wake from 6-7:30 p.m., both at Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, 6449 University Hills, Dallas, TX 75241.
Her home-going funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Concord Church, 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr, 75237 in Dallas’ Oak Cliff community.
Burial will be at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211 where she will join her late, beloved husband, DarNell Pemberton, who died in May 2005.
“Ms. P’s” burial time and date to be determined later.
TRIBUTES AND PRAISE
“Ms. P” previously won a battle against cancer that began in 2012 and also battled blindness. Tributes and accolades from leaders and community people overflowed on social media and in daily broadcast and print media.
Others who gave tributes included former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, officials with the African American Museum at Dallas’ Fair Park, and various local Black-owned media outlets.
One community supporter posted on social media: “Lady P,” as the saying goes, ‘You are able to walk with kings and not lose your common touch.’ ”
EARLY RECOGNITION
I remember writing one of the first major public stories about “Ms. P” during my early years at The Dallas Morning News, probably around the 1980s.
Memories fade, but I recall that she and I talked about the traumas of her growing up in a foster home as a toddler after her mother died, leaving behind nine children; of which “Ms. P” was the youngest.
You could say it’s common that some individuals perform volunteer advocacy and charity efforts.
Yet, “Ms. P’s” effectiveness and knack for organizing volunteers and spotlighting community issues made her stand out.
CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH
Edna Pemberton was born in Chicago on March 27, 1948. We talked about her learning to incorporate the survival skills she learned in foster care, and about her early years on one of her first jobs at the old K-Mart department store in Chicago and Dallas. Those early jobs allowed her to display her abilities and leadership qualities.
Among those who posted tributes and heart-felt regrets were Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett who said, “She didn’t just believe in change, she was the change.”
We talked about her meeting her fabulous late husband, DarNell Pemberton, at church as a teenager. They married, had four children, and additionally raised six more children of her late sister who died after giving herself an abortion.
The Pembertons lived in Chicago, California and Texas, sharing mutually fulfilling lives together; They were caring humanitarians and dedicated Christian members of Concord Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, now renamed Concord Church.
LEADING FROM THE TRENCHES
Edna Pemberton never held an elected office. She did allow herself to be persuaded to run for Dallas City Council in 1993. She did not win.
The benefits of her losing was that she returned to her undeniable skills as a community leader. She continued as an effective influencer who had the ear of practically all local leaders in public office.
After losing the election, she said: “...my work is done in the trenches.”
At one point in 1991 she led a movement for a 10 p.m. youth curfew. It was an attempt to quell violence after a young mother was beaten and raped by several youths at night. Some community groups opposed the curfew idea.
She led volunteers to help thousands of Katrina Hurricane evacuees, working closely with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Her giving nature knows no boundaries as she founded Operation Community Care, a nonprofit that supplied needs to people who lived in homeless campsites around the city.
She regularly met with police officials and landlords to discuss any
current tenants’ issues that involved them.
She chaired the nonprofit Camp Wisdom Now. She led Friends of Red Bird Airport, now renamed Dallas Executive Airport.
And she served as the community liaison during the transformation of the old Red Bird Mall to the current Southwest Center Mall.
HONORS AND RECOGNITION
Her past honors include the 2006 Texas Governor’s Volunteer Award; the Community Lifetime Achievement Award presented to her and Black community leader Betty Culbreath at Dallas Executive Airport Business Center.
During a past Women’s History Month, the African American Leadership Institute presented her with the Black History Everyday Difference-Makers Award, and they described her as “the pulse of Southern Dallas, business & community influencers.”
And to kick off Black History Month in 2025, officials and citizens held a public celebration with food and entertainment and voter registration, declaring the occasion “Edna P Day” at Southwest Center Mall. I was just thinking...how does anyone expertly compose their life so that it makes an impact among the high and mighty and the low and humble?
“Ms. P” managed to connect both ends – and serve the middle. So, what do we make of her life? Can a new Edna Pemberton enter stage right? She left a strong enough legacy for someone among us to try.
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Luka Returns, Leads Lakers Over Mavs Star
has emotional reaction to fans, video
By
Tears. Shouts of “Fire Nico.”
Smiles. Hugs. And a dominating performance.
The emotions were all over the place Wednesday night as Luka Donči returned to Dallas and American Airlines Center for the first time since the shocking February 2nd trade that sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers. And he’s still as loved as ever.
Every time he touched the ball, went to the free throw line or otherwise showed up on the court, MFFL’s lost their collective minds and shouted “MVP. MVP” and cheered him on; their love-affair with the kid from Slovenia just as real and solid as ever.
The emotions of the night became abundantly clear minutes before the game began when Mavericks' tribute video reduced the 26-yearold to open tears.
“After that video, I was like, ‘there’s no way I’m playing this game,’” Donči said after the game. “It was so many emotions.”
Despite the emotion that hung like a thick cloud over the arena – Luka had 31 points – in the first half–along with 3 rebounds and 3 assists. He would finish the game with 45 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals, leading the Lakers to a 11297 win and helping them to secure a playoff spot.
“I just went out and played basketball,” he said.
Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick said he couldn’t believe what Luka was able to do after the emotions and tears following the tribute video.
“The moment with the tribute vid-
eo and him sitting by himself and getting to actually live that and live in the moment and allowing himself to be vulnerable – some of his teammates got emotional, some of the coaches got emotional, it was a beautiful moment. I thought the video was great,” Redick said.
“His ability to then go perform.
Lights turn on. He’s teary-eyed still as we walk out for the tip-ball. To have the emotional resolve to go put on that kind of performance, it’s su-
per-human.
“And I think all his teammates know that, too, because I think all his teammates can empathize with what he just went through the last couple months,”Redick continued.
“And maybe some anticipation, maybe some dread, but certainly a ton of emotions about tonight. And then he went and did that. It’s big-time.”
Teammate LeBron James finished with a double-double, posting 27 points and seven rebounds.
Donči received a standing ovation from the Dallas crowd as he checked out of the game for the final time. Afterward he stayed on the court greeting and embracing former teammates, celebrity guests in the building like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and former Mavs owner Mark Cuban.
The game was also a reunion for Anthony Davis and Max Christie with their former teammates - who were acquired by Dallas in the trade.
It was clear from his reaction and raw emotion to the tribute video that Donči was likely never going to leave Dallas.
But he has; although not of his own will. What was also clear Wednesday night is that Doncic will always carry a piece of the Mavs franchise and city in his heart; the city that embraced him and made his basketball dreams come true.
“Those are my brothers,” he said of his former teammates. “I know we’re not on the same team now, but we went through wars together. It was nice to see everybody.
“When you talk about closure, it’s sometimes hard,” he said. “I spent a lot of time here, great moments. But I got to focus on different things now. It (the game) was an amazing experience, the way the fans accepted me, cheered for me. It was just unbelievable. I had a great time.”
Then he thinks about it and acknowledges the Mavs fan base once more. “All these fans, I really appreciate it. I’m just happy. I love these fans, I love this city, but it’s time to move on.”
Luka reacts with emotion to Mavs tribute video
LeBron James battles Mavs’ Anthony Davis and Spencer Dinwiddie
Luka Dončić goes up for a layup against his former teammate
Luka prepares to shoot over Mavs’ Naji Marshall
Dorothy J Gentry Sports Editor
