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

Ahmad Goree

Chief of Staff to Dallas City Manager

As Chief of Staff, Ahmad will provide direct support to the City Manager in advancing City Council priorities and working closely with the Executive Leadership Team. He will lead internal and external stakeholder engagement on behalf of the City Manager and provide oversight to the Mayor and City Council Office. His collaborative approach and proven leadership will be invaluable.

MY TRUTH

I had a conversation with a mother recently because she felt it necessary to teach her two young boys to defend themselves against their female counterparts when these children chose to physically attack them.

FROM FAITH TO FATHERHOOD FROM PAIN TO PASSION

It was a day of encour-agement, laughter, and honest conversation at Garland North Baptist Church during the Fathers and Faith Brunch. Dozens of men came together not just to enjoy a good meal...

While many families spend June preparing for vacations, graduations, and family reunions, another group marks a deeply personal milestone: Cancer Survivors Month.

MY TRUTH

by Cheryl Smith Publisher

Keep your hands to yourself

I had a conversation with a mother recently because she felt it necessary to teach her two young boys to defend themselves against their female counterparts when these children chose to physically attack them.

I told her we needed to teach our young male children how to de-escalate situations.

Yes, females get out of hand and they need “The Talk.” They must learn that their actions have consequences.

I understand that since they were little boys they were taught and have been trained to not hit females, but they do.

Sadly, the victims of

Domestic and family violence includes economic, physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse of children, adults, or elders, according to the National Institute of Health.

violence by people they know or are in a relationship with continues to rise and the victims are getting younger.

Young people see things at home or on the television screen, and next thing you know, they are mirroring this deviant behavior.

Domestic and family violence includes economic, physical,

sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse of children, adults, or elders, according to the National Institute of Health.

We’re talking about unhealthy relationships.

I told this mother that while she can’t teach her two sons how to be men, she can teach them how to treat fe-

males. I went further to tell her that we can not condone physical violence or any other kind.

We must hold everyone accountable and even if they have to go to classes or counseling sessions; they must learn how to resolve conflicts amicably or without any damage to either party.

We absolutely can not allow ourselves to get drawn into fights that could become deadly.

Instead we must make sure that we are teaching a behavior that is productive and affirming instead of dysfunctional and possibly deadly.

DMV Faith Leaders Tell the Story of Sister Clara Muhammad: A Changemaker of the American Dream

By Jada Ingleton

When Washingtonian playwright Carole Mumin celebrated the launch of The Clara on MLK in March 2024 — named after First Lady of the Nation of Islam Clara Muhammad — she recognized a duty to ensure the building’s namesake would be revered beyond the walls of the Ward 8 apartment complex, which sits on the very grounds once home to America’s Islamic Heritage Museum and the Clara Muhammad School.

“We sat outside and looked up at the edifice that’s now The Clara, that was to house some 80 families…and they would be moving into a building and not even know who Clara is or was,” Mumin told The Informer. “That had a lot to do with [the decision] to see what we could do to share her history with the neighborhood and with the residents of this new building.”

Roughly a year later, that mission deems itself in a one-woman show coming to Arena Stage in Southwest D.C., June 30July 1, where the legacy of the American Muslim pioneer, and wife of Honorable Elijah Muhammad, takes center stage with the help of co-playwrights and executive producers Cheryl Hawkins, Carole and Imam Mumin, and lead actress T. Rafiah Jones.

While sharing perform-ance insights and pivotal parallels, the leading women behind “Sister Clara at the Heaven’s Gate” touted the production to the tune of humanity, descending influence and interfaith communion — what Hawkins considers a foundation of Clara Muhammad’s storied impact.

“I am so not naive enough to believe that we won’t get some criticism for what we’re doing here with this story, and what we’re choosing to tell and what we’re choosing not to tell,” Hawkins said, “but I think we’re ready to embrace whatever it is because we’re standing on a principle of what we believe was at the the core of who Sister Clara Muhammad was.”

A Leading Lady Beyond the Nation of Islam

Dazzled with musical performances and historic references, “Sister Clara

at Heaven’s Gate” aims to revitalize the unsung heroine whose impact in American history exceeds the bounds of Muslim teachings.

Originally born in the Jim Crow South, and raised with Christian values, Clara Muhammad emerged as the paradigmatic leading woman in the early-to-mid 1900s, dedicating decades of service to youth development and challenging societal limitations with a humanistic yearn for equity.

Co-playwright Mumin lauded the opportunity to share “the love that I was able to grow as a member of the Nation of Islam,” having converted to a first resurrection Muslim amid Clara Muhammad’s leadership, which she added began with Elijah Muhammad’s four-year incarceration for draft evasion in the 1940s.

“She was actually running the organization,” said Mumin, highlighting the wife’s courage in delivering messages to and from ministers of NOI while her husband was imprisoned. “And she was the one who devised the method [for] women to write surahs (Arabic word for chapters) and mail them to their husbands in the prison, who then began to share those surahs from the Quran.”

By the 1950s and ’60s, the membership of the Muslim community witnessed an unprecedented rise, with notable Muslim figures like civil rights leader Malcolm X and championship boxer Muhammad Ali

joining the ranks of the first resurrection period, which lasted through 1975.

Among Sister Clara Muhammad’s revered efforts in this era includes directing the educational arm of the Nation, established as the University of Islam in the 1930s. With the guiding principles of the first resurrection, African American scholars — ranging from 3 years old to the end of secondary school — attended the University of Islam Schools (later renamed the Clara Muhammad Schools) to re-socialize the “slave mindset” and obtain a more positive outlook on Blackness and sufficiency, both individually and collectively.

Mumin credited the leader’s “quiet,” yet courageous efforts that made room for Black Muslim recognition on a national scale, including in the District. She noted how the new age of African American prosperity was particularly pertinent among women, and evidently, played a role in her conversion from Catholicism.

“[Clara] wouldn’t let us get separated through class and education. She recognized that the more we would be educated, the more that we would rise as a people,” Mumin explained, “and she saw women as key to us being successful as African Americans.”

The native Washingtonian spoke of her own upbringing in a moment where “everything that was better was white,”

“Sister Clara at the Heaven’s Gate,” by Carole Mumin and named in honor of First Lady of the Nation of Islam Clara Muhammad, runs at Arena Stage from June 30-July 1. Credit: Courtesy photo

This is Pheezz Now Open! Cajun-Caribbean restaurant and lounge available in Addison

By Eva D. Coleman Lifestyle & Culture Editor Texas Metro News

Co-owners Phillicia Bryant and Charles Estes rolled up in style, in a black Rolls Royce, at the ribbon cutting and grand opening of their new restaurant and lounge, This is Pheezz, in Addison, Texas on June 14, 2025. They exited the vehicle sharply dressed with gold goblets in hand, greeted by several dozen guests and close friends for the VIP celebration. Bryant, known affectionately as Phee, is no stranger to restaurants, having managed several spots, including clubs throughout DallasFort Worth. In collaboration with noted businessman and friend Charles Estes, This is Pheezz is an establishment of her own. Located at 5100 Beltline Road, Suite 868 in Addison, Texas right next to Gloria’s, This is Pheezz features a menu of CajunCaribbean flair and a lux downstairs speakeasy. Be sure to check out and support this Black-owned venue.

College Park Baptist Church, now 60 years stronger

Sr. Pastor Carver Adams Sr. and congregation look back in wonder

By Norma Adams-Wade

Rosie Brown was sitting on her porch in the College Park neighborhood near then-Bishop College in the mid-1960s. She was pregnant in her late 20s and unsure how she and her husband would handle raising this new life in this new neighborhood where they had recently moved.

She looked up as a preacher walked up and greeted her. College Park Baptist Church founding pastor, Booker T. Watson Sr. was out and about in the neighborhood, inviting residents to a new church that he was about to open in a house at 6360 J. J. Lemmon Road.

The church would be named after the community where it’s located. Ms. Brown and the pastor talked, and he shared encouragement. She thought about his words and came to the opening service.

Now, six decades later, “Sis.” Brown, now 87, is the oldest current, remaining founding member. She said she felt special to help celebrate College Park Baptist Church’s 60th anniversary on March 16 this year. The two-day weekend celebration gave the 100-plus member congregation an opportunity to look back in wonder.

Members assessed how they said God has used them to reach beyond the walls of their sanctuary and serve others; knock down barriers; revel in shared praise; raise up new generations; and expand their campus to offer better community services.

Members say a hallmark of College Park Baptist is its community outreach and how it ministers to everyone who enters inside.

First licensed female minister

Min. Thomas, the church historian, was College Park Baptist’s first licensed female associate minister more than 20 years ago. Several other women of the cloth have since followed. Min. Thomas said she is more comfortable with the title Minister over Reverend.

She eagerly shared some of the church’s distinctions, defining the main one as love that she said trickles down from the Pastor.

“College Park is a spiritual hospital for those in need,” she said. “We embrace people. ....I’m as close to many church members as I am to my own family.”

Current pastor

The current pastor, Rev. Carver Adams Sr., was installed as the church’s third pastor in 2014. He recalled that during his initial days, following the illness and hurtful death of the previous pastor, members battled against “broken spirits” and low valley’s. Yet, in less than two years, he led the membership forward and the church completed a long-unfinished sanctuary renovation, paid off all debt, and entered a new sanctuary during an Easter/Resurrection Day Sunday.

“When I think about it, I’m still scratching my head today, asking ‘God, how did we do that?!’ ” Rev. Adams Sr. commented.

Now in his 11th years at the helm, members laud him as a visionary who has kept the church striving forward. He led them through the COVID-19 pandemic; greatly increased the church’s male membership; keeps the youth department trained, active and entertained; and is in the process of further expanding the church building so that it can accommodate even more community services.

Rev. Adams recalls a specific incident that solidified the jumbled thoughts he was having more than a decade ago about his next steps before coming to College Park Baptist.

After members reveled in a prayer service he led one day as a guest preacher, an elder member blurted out what became a fulfilled prophecy.

“You’re the one!” he said the member declared boldly. “You’re the one God wants to lead this church!”

Not long after that, the members chose Rev. Adams Sr. as senior pastor. He was born on a farm in Lindale, Texas, 13 miles from Tyler,

Texas, as one of his parents’ 11 children. He is a former Marine and retired 24-year veteran City of Dallas employee who accepted a spiritual calling.

He graduated from Southern Bible Institute and College in Dallas, now renamed Foster College in tribute to the late Rev. L. G. Foster Sr. of Dallas who inspired the original institute in 1927. Rev. Adams Sr. and “First Lady” Teresa Adams have two adult sons, Carver Jr. and Anthony, and three granddaughters.

Rev. Adams Sr. easily shares details about his journey from the bottom to the top of church hierarchy and how a leader must never forget their humble beginnings to avoid feeling they are above others.

“I came ... from the back row, made a deacon, then God called me,” Rev. Adams recalled. “I know the spirit in the pews. I know how people can feel belittled. I’m passionate that we be... people-oriented, make them feel appreciated, let them know we feel God sent them to us.”

Serving the elders

Besides recalling College Park’s origin, founding member “Sis.” Brown also exemplifies how members care for College Park elders. She describes the hands-on personal care she and other elders receive, including church members personally bringing daily meals, driving them to and from doctors’ appointments, delivering prescriptions and medicines, communion items, ding in-home prayer and Bible study, and supplying any other personal needs they request.

“I just can’t believe it,” “Sis. Brown said. “People at the church do things for me all the time, and I am so thankful and thank God all the time.”

Memories of marriage and choir

Dyann Hornbuckle Watson views the history of College Park Baptist from a unique position. She is a former “First Lady” and widow of Rev. Booker T. Watson Jr., the church’s second pastor. His father founded the church and lead the first service on March 30, 1965. Mrs. Watson late husband died in 2013 after an extended illness. They have two adult sons who were also church members as youths.

Mrs. Watson and Rev. Watson Jr. carry the distinction of being the first couple married at

Rev. Carver Adams Sr and First Lady Teresa Adams. Credit College Park Baptist Church.(A) - Norma Adams-Wade

College Park Baptist. She said her parents joined College Park when she was around age 10. And as a youth and later as “First Lady,” she said she was active is just about all the church’s ministries.

But the choir has a special place in her heart that overflows with memories of the choir’s signature booming, spirited singing and harmonizing.

“This was grilled into us: ‘Open your mouths and sing!’ We would visit other churches and before we sang, we would stand outside and pray then go back inside with power,” she recalled. “We would get standing ovations.”

After her husband passed, she opened a new chapter of her life and joined a different congregation. But she returned for College Park’s 60th anniversary celebration and says she will not forget the joyous experience of singing with an ensemble of former choir members.

“That was a pivotal moment... I was able to sing with one of my sons who with his wife still attends College Park,” Ms. Watson said. “And with the former choir members who came back to sing together again ... It was absolutely heartwarming.”

[NOTE: The church is currently leading a revival that began with a three-day in-person gathering, May 21-23, and continues virtually with various speakers on Facebook and

YouTube at 7 p.m. Mon.--Fri. May 26-June 6 @ collegeparkchurchdallas.]

Youth members speak

Two members of the youth department spoke equally of the comfort and love they and their friends feel for College Park Baptist Church where on certain Sunday’s youths are trained to conduct the full worship service.

Idris Wara, 16, and his sister, Ianna Wara, 14, grew up in the church from infancy and are active in all the youth ministries. Idris participates in culinary services, broadcast services, prayer ministry, choir, Sunday School, and the Brotherhood. Ianna is Sunday School secretary, sings in the choir, and serves in the prayer and women’s ministry.

They said their fond memories include their annual out-of-state youth Kids Across America camping trips where they interact with youth from across the nation. Those trips foster friendships that continue through correspondence and social media long after the summer ends, the youths said.

“It’s like a reawakening that helps you get back into or get deeper into a relationship with God,” Idris said. “And it exposes us to new activities, like on one trip, I had not been on a zipline or

History and ministries

College Park Baptist has had three pastors plus a lead minister who presided during the search for the current pastor. They are Booker T. Watson Sr., founder; Booker T. Watson Jr. second pastor; Rev. Joseph Thomas, presiding minister appointed by Rev. Watson Jr. before he passed; and current pastor Rev. Carver Adams Sr.

The church is named after the community where it is located and the college it referred to is Bishop College that prominently existed in the area from 1961 until it closed permanently in 1988. The church originally worshipped in a house at its current location, completed a building, then moved in in 1972.

College Park Baptist’s strong

reputation for community and social outreach programs spotlights programs that include drug prevention classes and a drug overcomer program, premarital counseling, grief support, health fair and screenings, marching through the community to highlight ministries, supplying uniforms and school supplies, senior citizen and singles ministries, and making worship services available virtually and in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterward.

Rev. Adams also exercises his passion for community service as president of the Neighborhood Churches Alliance and vice-moderator of the Christian Fellowship Asso -

near a big lake.”

Ianna said the church summer Vacation Bible School sessions were a fun attraction for a large number of youths in the neighborhood, although COVID-19 curtailed that drawing card for a good while. She and her brother said their pastor’s warm personality also draws youth to their church.

“When you meet him, you want to be his friend,” Ianna said.

“He’s very approachable,” said Idris. “He loves to laugh, and I’ve never seen him upset. Even in uncomfortable situations, he remains calm.”

For his part, Rev. Adams sees young people as a gateway to the future of any congregation.

“If you don’t have youth in the church, the church is dying,” Rev. Adams said.

But his community outreach passion keep the doors swinging open.

“What makes me proud is that God placed me where I would be surrounded by good people. And when people come in the door, the members help me let visitors know we feel God sent them.”

Norma Adams-Wade is a veteran, award-winning journalist, Graduate of UT- Austin and Dallas

ciation. To further increase its impact in the community, College Park Baptist is expanding its two-property campus by upgrading its fellowship hall to a 5,000-square-foot Multipurpose Center that will accommodate more community events and activities.

Perhaps one of the most evident victories has been the positive result of the church’s outreach to men. College Park’s male membership swelled overtime with the church offering a variety of programs for males, ranging from discussion groups to a Prison Outreach/ Overcomers ministry wherein the pastors and some members routinely visit prisons and warmly welcome the formerly-incarcerated to regular church services.

That warm welcome includes assisting some formerly-incarcerated to re-enter society by helping them fill out paperwork on computers as needed to get documents such as social security cards and drivers licenses.

“We build relationships,” Rev. Adams said. “I tell people, be yourself, because God knows who he’s dealing with. I don’t try to force anything on them. We tell them, you’re not obligated to us just because we help you.”

His prison ministry has not gone unnoticed. Among various other awards and honors he has earned, he also received the State of Texas 2021 Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer of the Year Service Award.

native. One of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), she was inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame

Faith and Fatherhood Take the Stage in Garland

By Anthony Council Correspondent Texas Metro News

It was a day of encouragement, laughter, and honest conversation at Garland North Baptist Church during the Fathers and Faith Brunch. Dozens of men came together not just to enjoy a good meal, but to reflect on what it truly means to be a father in today’s world.

The event, led by Head Pastor Dr. Tony Mathews, provided a safe space for men to explore the challenges and blessings of fatherhood through the lens of faith. Attendees engaged in thoughtful discussions about how past experiences continue to shape their roles as fathers today.

Before the panel discussion, comedian Shedrick Garrett set a lighthearted tone, sharing humorous stories about his spiritual journey, joking about giving his life to Christ back in 1999, and announcing his plans to recommit this year. Garrett also excited the crowd by revealing his upcoming role in the Madea movie, Madea’s Destination.

The panel featured an impressive lineup of voices, each bringing a unique perspective on fatherhood and personal growth. Donte Dean, Vice President of Development at A Chance to Learn; Dr. Anthony D. Coleman, President of COGIC Urban Initiatives; Chris Davis, Founder and CEO of Dads Forward; Laterras R. Whitfield, Founder of Dear Future Wifey; and Byron Williams, former NFL player and President of the DFW Chapter, shared insights on healing, mental health, faith, and leadership.

Dr. Barnett led the panel

with a breathing exercise for everyone to do and asked them not to reflect on their life but just on the past week.

Asking the critical question of what moments you could have stood still and become more involved in the moment at that moment. With each breath the men took before the discussion, the tenseness left the room like a weight taken off their shoulders.

Dr. Barnett led the panel with a breathing exercise for everyone to do and asked them not to reflect on their life, but just on the past week, asking the critical question: What moments could you have stood still and become more fully engaged in the moment? With each breath the men took before the discussion, the tenseness left the room like a weight taken off their shoulders.

The panel discussion wasn’t the only highlight of the event. It also gave men an opportunity to engage in

community moments, such as prize giveaways, including recognizing the father with the most children.

One of the recipients was Fabian Speed, a father of seven, who shared a deeply personal story.

Sitting next to his 25-yearold son Tariq Speed, Mr. Speed revealed the pain of losing one of his children.

His vulnerability created a sacred pause in the room. Dr. Jay Barnett gently challenged him to truly mourn. The discussion was genuine and honest, beginning with the powerful question: “What’s one thing you wish your father knew?”

For Chris Davis and his father, it was a matter of emotional intelligence, without hesitation.

“Emotional regulation,” he started. “You know, we were former ball players, man, so football was my therapy, and so I didn’t know how to process through my emotions.

So emotional intelligence and how to navigate as a young man would have been paramount.”

For Laterras Whitfield, he wished his father knew how deeply he didn’t want to be like him. Reflecting on that relationship, he shared a powerful sentiment: “I forgive you for not living up to my expectations. And I forgive myself for being a part of you that I never wanted to become.”

In a recent interview, we discussed fatherhood, masculinity, and the conversations men should be having with themselves and with each other.

What did Father’s Day mean for you this year?

Laterras: “Father’s Day this year means legacy for me. I kept hearing the word legacy internally; it’s all about legacy. I’ve learned a lot about being a father, especially through

(Left to Right) Donte Dean, VP of Development of A Chance to Learn, Dr. Anthony D. Coleman, President, COGIC Urban Initiatives; Chris Davis, Founder/CEO of Dads Forward; Dr. Jay Barnett, Family Therapist and DHA Mental Health Expert; Laterras R. Whitfield, Founder, Dear Future Wifey; Byron Williams, NFL alumnus, President, DFW Chapter.

Photo credit: Anthony Council, Texas Metro News

doing the Dear Future Wifey podcast.”

What does being a father mean to you, and how has doing the Dear Future Wifey podcast shaped that?

“What I’ve learned is how much I didn’t know. I’m 47 years old, I’ve seen it all, you’ve heard it all. But the more I talked to other people, talked to my kids, my kids showed me the deficiencies I had in myself: a lack of patience, a lack of understanding of this new generation.

I found myself, like I said on that panel, saying things like, ‘When I was young... I would never… when I was your age…’ That type of stuff. We didn’t have cell phones—I didn’t have a cell phone. We had beepers.

So I had to realize that while some of the things I did as a teenager—like work ethic— can still be applicable, the things they face right now are something I can’t relate to. If I turn my ear toward their mouth in order to listen to what they’re saying, then I can learn how to best meet the needs of my children.

What I’ve learned with this podcast is similar. I created this podcast to become a better listener. I was always the type that, when my lover was talking, I would always jump in. I would want to finish the sentence to get my point across.

On my podcast, I would force myself to listen, no matter how long the person talks. So my podcast has taught me to become a better listener.”

What does being a man mean to you?

“Manhood is responsibility. We always hear about being a provider. Manhood is about being a provider. We always

relegate that to financial provision.

When I look at manhood done properly, we want the comprehensive man where he’s not just the provider financially, but he’s the provider emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically.

That’s some of the things that men don’t teach each other. Men don’t teach each other. Men don’t teach each other about emotional intelligence. It’s always, “Get a job, make sure you take care of your family, that’s it.”So, what we grew up with is emotionally unavailable fathers. The only time they would tell you “great job” is most of the time when

efforts suck, that he’s terrible, that he’s always going to be terrible unless he changes his life instead of congratulating him and going out there on the field.

That’s where we get toxic masculinity in a lot of young men, where we get that performance mentality that we have to perform in order to be valued.”

So I wish that men understood that manhood is failure. That you’re going to fail, you’re going to make mistakes, and you’re still a man, you’re going to make bad decisions.

That manhood to me is the constant mindset of overcoming to keep trying,

you’re running a football, playing a sport, and you’ve won the game.

Most of the time, when I talk to people that were athletes, their parents would tell them about the loss.

You know, especially men saying, “Why did you miss that tackle? Why did you do this? Why did you do that?”

Instead of saying, “You know what, man, you gave it your all. I’m proud of you, son.”

They be like, “Ain’t nobody carrying my last name going to be sorry.” he stated “They just start telling the kid that all his

pat on the back. You got your license and employment, whatever it is, stop and pat yourself on the back instead of saying, “I’ve got to do more to find value.”

What can you tell the fathers about your experience of being a father?

“Give yourself grace. Give yourself grace and forgive yourself. Apologize to your kids for whatever went wrong, whether it’s with their mom, not being present in their life, or whatever your story is.

Give yourself grace, forgive yourself, and verbalize that to your kids. Let them know that you were at least aware of what you did or didn’t do. Do that first. Then give yourself a pat on the back for still being committed to fatherhood.

no matter how bad it is in your marriage, keep trying, no matter how hard marriage is. Special manhood is the responsibility and the heart posture to not give up.

As he stated, it’s also about celebrating wins as well.

“Men end up dying early with stress and heart attack because we keep trying and trying and trying to get more, more, more.

When it’s like, man, stop, you did great. You graduated from high school, give yourself a pat on the back. You graduated from college, give yourself a

There are people that are not present at all. They feel like their child is better off without them. I’ve heard men say that, and I’m like, what?! How did you make that decision? Let that kid make that decision. That kid is physically abandoned, and you didn’t even give them the time to say, “I cared about you.” Let that kid make that decision. But show up, be present, and be thankful — a lot of people are struggling to produce kids. That kid is a miracle, and what you participated in is a miracle, a miracle child.”

Some exciting news was revealed as his daughter is about to have a baby girl, and Mr. Latreaus is about to be a grandfather. We got to have a sneak peek into his new world of being a grandfather soon. What does it mean to be a grandfather soon?

“To be a grandfather, I have no idea. I’m just looking forward to it and to have fun. I just know I don’t have a lot of responsibility. I’m looking

Men at the Fathers & Faith Brunch stretching out their hands, praying over Mr. Fabian Speed and his son, Tariq Speed. Photo credit: Anthony Council, Texas Metro News

ELSIE COOKE-HOLMES DAY in Plano

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s International President and CEO, Elsie Cooke-Holmes was honored by Plano City Council, as June 24 is officially proclaimed Elsie Cooke-Holmes Day!

Members of the sorority, Links Inc., National Council of Negro Women, NAACP, and community members packed the City Council Chambers for the presentation by Mayor John B. Muns, on Monday, June 23, 2025.

Before she attended the University of Memphis, CookeHolmes was a scholar, involved in community service so it was a natural progression that she would join an organization that focused on community service, sisterhood, and social activism.

So in 1976 as she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology/computer systems, she was initiated into the Epsilon Kappa chapter.

She went on to receive her MBA from Columbia University, and New York and enjoyed a very impressive career in corporate America, spanning more than 30 years.

Hailing from Jackson, TN, while in college, she was elected

National Second Vice President; holding the highest office that an undergraduate student could have in the organization. She also went on to serve in numerous positions in the Eastern region, then Internationally, ascending to Secretary, then Vice President, and ultimately, she assumed the role of International president.

It was shortly after she was elected Vice President at the 55th National Convention in 2021 that she assumed the role of President following the sudden death of newly-elected president. Cheryl Hickmon.

Always graceful, focused, and strategic, she stepped into the position, although grieving for her long time, friend and sorority sister, and used the skills she developed as an executive, as well as decades of experience within the sorority she took the helm and has led with grace vision and fortitude.

Despite her many responsibilities as an international president and CEO, Cooke Holmes, who is a member of St Luke “Community” United Methodist Church in Dallas, is participating in other community

activities as a member of Links Inc., NAACP, and the National Council of Negro Women.

The former Director of Human Resources at PepsiCo, Cooke Holmes is the principal owner of Cooke-Holmes, LLC, a coaching and HR consulting firm specializing in executive leadership and career coaching leadership development, facilitation, training, and change management.

Delta Sigma Theta was founded at Howard University on January 13, 1913. The Founders first act of public service was participating in the Suffrage March of 1913.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex lays claims to some dynamic women whose influences stretch around the world and are worthy of being celebrated because they have very challenging and sometimes thankless jobs.

During her presidency, Cooke-Holmes was honored with women leaders who head international organizations and live in the D/FW Metroplex.\

These women, in positions of power and influence, are

ambassadors because as they travel the world, they let people know where they call home.

At the time they were feted by Texas Metro News, these were the presidents:

Charlotte BerryInternational President of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc.

Dr. Terri O’Neal FordNational president of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. Inc.

Margarette GallowayNational President of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.

Elsie Cooke-HolmesInternational President and CEO of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.,

Dr. Yolanda LawsonPresident of the National Medical Association

Danette Anthony ReedInternational President and CEO of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Someday We’ll all be Free!

BY VINCENT L. HALL

Juneteenth has come and gone again, but the questions from MAGA and many who should understand never cease.

Why do we celebrate June 19 and July 4?

Why? Because colonization is bad, but there is nothing on the parchment of world history that rivals America’s chattel slave system.

Nothing!

While it is true that both holidays commemorate “freedom,” there is a great distinction between the two. Independence Day is the timestamp placed on America’s release from a vile and abject tyranny. Juneteenth is the date recognized as our “physical” release from a vicious and abhorrent trauma.

That difference is significant and cannot be co-mingled! We still live with the trauma of racism.

When Donny Hathaway and Edward Howard wrote and released ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free” in 1973, they encapsulated the hopeful nature of the “Black experience.”

Since we are in the throes of a presidency and political climate that seems beyond our ability to survive, this song gives us hope. Let me break it down.

“Hang on to the world as it spins around. Just don’t let the spin get you down. Things are moving fast. Hold on

tight, and you will last.”

The whole world is in disarray, and due to the speed and convergence of this information and communication age, bad news is the breaking news summons

ty. Rather than wallowing in self-pity or succumbing to the hateful demeanor of your fellow citizens, take action in the fight for your dignity with dignity!

A former Bishop College

“Keep your self-respect, your manly pride. Get yourself in gear and keep your stride. Never mind your fears. Brighter days will soon be here.”

that we never get a break from.

You must hold on to your sanity. Dig deep and delve into your mental health.

“Keep your self-respect, your manly pride. Get yourself in gear and keep your stride. Never mind your fears. Brighter days will soon be here.”

Don’t let anyone impugn or devalue your humani-

theology teacher, Dr. John Dee Mangrum left us a profound piece of wisdom. “Courage is fear that has said its prayers!” It’s dark today, but the lights of hope and opportunity will shine again. Say your prayers!

Donny went on after a musical interlude, which reminds me. Y’all gotta write some new freedom music. Music is to Black people

what the sun is to solar power!

“Keep on walking tall. Hold your head up high. Lay your dreams right up to the sky. Sing your greatest song. And you’ll keep going, going on. Take it from me; someday, we’ll all be free!”

Don’t let the current situation bring you grief. DEI and the whitewashing of Black history is just the second verse of a saga that we have survived in the past. If you remove the buzzwords and slick ad campaigns, this period of America’s history is just a repeat of the past.

Soon after the Reconstruction and barely post-slavery, African Americans acquired land, ascended toward political power, and began to do well. The poor whites aligned themselves, went to the polls, and forced their president and congress to roll back the progress of Blacks. All they didn’t take, they stole or burned down.

In 2008, Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as president, and the great grandchildren of those same poor, grief-stricken whites amassed a campaign and created the Tea Party. It grew bigger than its sponsor, the Republican Party, and found a messenger who promised to Make America Great Again!

We have been here before, and we won.

“It won’t be long. Take it from me. Someday we’ll all be free!

Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, award winning columnist and a lifelong Drapetomaniac!

Are Selfish Leadership and the Use of Force New Trends These Days?

OUR VOICES

BY JAMES B. EWERS JR. ED.D.

Centuries ago, the famous quote, “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely is attributed to Lord Acton. He wrote this in 1887, emphasizing the danger of concentrated authority. The quote highlights the potential for power to lead to moral decline, especially when unchecked.”

Well, here we are in 2025 with many saying that power is being uncontrolled and unchecked. I have always thought power in the hands of the wrong person or people could be dangerous.

America, our beloved country, has had its share of great leaders. We can name several of them rather quickly.

They have been good communicators with integrity and high standards.

We, the people, trusted them. Their code of behavior and treatment of other people was at a high level. In other words, they were for the people and not against the people.

Today, as the summer

heats up, those in the know say America has lost much of its standing in the world Polls and knowledgeable sources both are opining that intimidation and threats have become commonplace for American leaders. Many local and state officials are simply following the blueprint created in Washington DC.

The United States of America was founded on being the land of the free and the home of the brave.

This verified report says, “When Francis Scott Key wrote the words the land of the free and the home of the brave in 1814, he did so in a poem called The Defense of Fort McHenry. The battle was a decisive one in which Americans truly demonstrated bravery and fought for freedom.

While we are in a new day and time, those from other countries still want America to be their home. All of us should know we have roots from some place else.

Immigration has been a focus of the new group in the White House. Those born in this country, those studying in this country and those working in this country are being subjected to fines, expulsion and jail time.

When immigration officials are wrong, there are no apologies. The tactics used are borderline inhumane.

Recently ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) was in Los Angeles dealing with the immigration problem. Military forces were also deployed.

Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom have spoken out about their tactics.

Mayor Bass said, “This was provoked by the White House.

The reason why we don’t know. You’re not trying to keep anyone safe, you’re trying to cause fear and panic.”

Television pictures don’t look good as parts of the city look like they are in turmoil. Governor Newsom said, “Families are being separated. Tear gas and rubber bullets are being used. The president has done this on purpose.”

It is my opinion the new administration has sown seeds of discontent in this country.

It has been a few weeks now since the once favored son, Elon Musk departed the White House lawn.

Just a month or so ago, Musk was making nice with

the new office holder. How quickly things can change. Mr. Musk was bothered by the fact that the proposed budget cuts weren’t sufficient.

People not eating, students not getting educated and families unhoused simply didn’t matter to him. I suspect his richness doesn’t faze him about the poorest and those marginalized.

The Fulbright Scholarship Program has also drawn the ire of the new administration. As a result, all 12 members of the board overseeing the Fulbright scholarship have resigned because of political interference. It was established almost 80 years ago awarding scholarships both in America and internationally.

We can see that almost every facet of American life has been altered or removed. Some would say this leadership style of alteration and removal has become corrosive and combustible. Where will the next changes and cuts be?

Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a 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.

IN RETROSPECT-

I’ve gone through changes

OUR VOICES

BY KENNETH L. HARDIN

I leapt over the 60 year old hurdle recently. Well I ran up to it and gingerly climbed over one leg at a time.

For the previous 21,914 days, I awakened each morning as the same man I was when I laid my head down on that pillow the night before.

But, on that 915 th day, I wasn’t the same man at 60 years old as I was when I wore a younger man’s clothes.

Recently, as I laid in a cold, sterile, clinical hospital attached to machines that were keeping track of my physiological existence, my mind wandered at the same rate and sounds of the vital signs monitor I was hooked up to standing tall at attention beside my headboard.

I noticed tears inexplicably swelled up in my eyes, making the attending nurse pat me softly on the shoulder and ask if I was in pain.

I rotated my head towards her as I squeezed my eyes closed trying to eliminate the buildup of lacrimal fluid clouding my vision and said, “It’s a different kind of pain ma’am, one that you can’t measure on that 10 point facial scale you showed me.”

The nurse, who resembled that favorite fun, heavy set auntie you saw only at Christmas and Thanksgiving, looked confused by my response, but still offered the obligatory, “It’s gonna be alright, baby.”

As I laid there waiting on the blood pressure cup to repeat its five minute inflation rotation, I started singing my favorite Sam Cooke tune, “A Change is Gonna Come.”

I wasn’t sure why at that moment that song started

playing on repeat in my head, but I accepted that was where I was supposed to be and sang the lyrics quietly to myself, “I was born by the river in a little tent.

Oh, and just like the river, I’ve been running ever since.” I laid there thinking about how true to life those words  were as I feel like I’ve spent most of my life running from myself instead of embracing and accepting who I was when I looked in the mirror.

I thought about all the times I tried to fit in in a Black world that told me I wasn’t Black enough and a white world that punished me for being a bit too ethnic.

I reflected on all the racial microaggressions I had let slip, tucking them securely into my right front pocket because I wanted to get the job, keep the job and be accepted in the boardroom.

When I was told I talked and sounded white, I just bit my bottom lip and smiled.

When they said you are always dressed so well, I silently thanked my father and grandfather for never allowing me to look shabby as a child and to appreciate sartorial splendor.

When I first heard the phrase at 17 and then again in both  my 30’s and 40’s, “You’re not like most Black people,” thrown at me like a pitcher hurling a fast ball a little close at the head of a hitter, I was dumbfounded as to how to respond or react.

So, I did the obligatory smile and nodded uncomfortably. I didn’t realize that a change was gonna come one day.

On my 291,915 day journey, the road has been long and sometimes weary, but I’ve persevered because, “It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die cause I don’t know what’s up there beyond the sky.”

Kenneth L. Hardin is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

President Joe Biden Commemorates Juneteenth

By

The people of Galves-ton, Texas, have been commemorating Junetee-nth since the Civil War ended. Yesterday, in honor of the 160th anniversary, I went there to join them.

You can read about the events of Juneteenth, but there’s nothing quite like going to Galveston and seeing where it all happened.

After General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, Union troops marched across the South for two months, freeing enslaved people along the way. Their final stop was Galveston, an island off the Gulf coast of Texas. There, on June 19, 1865, Union troops went to Reedy Chapel, a church founded in 1848 by enslaved people, and posted a document titled simply “General Order #3.”

“The people of Texas are informed,” it said, “that, in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

We can only imagine the joy that spread through Galveston – and across the state and nation – on that day and those that followed.

Yesterday, there was once again joy in Galveston, with a parade, picnic, and fireworks. There was also great solemnity, because Juneteenth is a sacred day – a day of weight and power.

The Book of Psalms tells us: “Weeping

may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, and the promise of that joyful morning to come.

As President, I had the great honor of signing the law declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday. It was our nation’s first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was created in 1983.

Our federal holidays say a lot about who we are as a nation. We have holidays celebrating our independence… the laborers who build this nation… the servicemembers who served and died in its defense.

And now, we also have a national holiday dedicated to the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans.

Signing that law was one of my proudest acts as President.

Yet for 156 years, Juneteenth was not written about in textbooks or taught in classrooms. Still today, there are those who say it does not deserve a holiday. They don’t want to remember the moral stain of slavery and the terrible harm it did to our country.

I’ve always believed that we need to be honest about our history, especially in the face of ongoing efforts to erase it. Darkness can hide much, but it erases nothing. Only with truth can come healing, justice, and repair.

I also believe that it’s not enough to commemorate the past. We must also embrace the obligation we have to the future. As Scripture says, “Faith without

works is dead.” And right now, we Americans need to keep the faith and do the work.

In honor of Juneteenth, let’s help people register to vote.

For decades, we fought to expand voting rights in America. Now we’re living in an era when relentless obstacles are being thrown in the way of people trying to vote. We can’t let those tactics defeat us. In America, the power belongs with the people. And the way we show that power is by voting.

So let’s reach out to family, friends and neighbors – especially those who have never voted before. Remind them that with voting, anything is possible. And without it, nothing is possible.

Yesterday in Galveston, we gathered in Reedy Chapel to commemorate Juneteenth, just like people have done for 160 years and counting. We prayed, sang, and read General Order #3 again. The pews were full of families. How many people must have prayed for freedom inside those walls. How many must have sent fervent thanks to God when slavery finally ended.

I remembered the words of my late friend John Lewis. He said, “Freedom is not a state. It is an act.”

Juneteenth did not mark the end of America’s work to deliver on the promise of equality. It only marked the beginning. To honor the true meaning of Juneteenth, we must continue to work toward that promise. For our freedom. For our democracy. And for America itself.

Joseph R. Biden, Jr. 46th President of the United States: 2021—2025

Joseph R. Biden, Jr. 46th President of the United States: 2021—2025.

A Chance to Learn hosts Special Brunch to honor Dads

Dallas, -– A Chance to Learn, a national nonprofit organization committed to enhancing and transforming the lives of children and their families through comprehensive early education, empowering parent engagement programs, and essential perinatal health support, in partnership with Dads Forward, proudly hosted the Fathers and Faith Brunch in Dallas—a signature event within the Family Programs of the COGIC Urban Initiative. This uplifting series celebrates, equips, and encourages fathers to lead with faith, strengthen family bonds, and build thriving communities. Held at North Garland Baptist Church Fellowship, the first-of-its kind event highlighted six fathers, some married fathers, some single fathers, some adoptive fathers, including Byron Williams, Dr. Anthony Coleman, Laterras R. Whitfield, Chris Davis, Donte Dean, and Dr. Jay Barnett.

Before a packed room of mainly men, the event included a panel with a candid conversation around topics pertinent to men, with a theme of “The Life of Fathers: Faith, Family & Fellowship.”

A Chance to Learn also presented its first, “Fathers and Faith” scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to Neiman Wicks,

a student at St. Philip’s School and Community Center.

“So much of my own journey — the struggles with self-esteem, unhealthy patterns, and learning to find my worth — traces back to my daddy issues,” said LaToyia Dennis, CEO of A Chance to Learn and VP, Family Program for COGIC Urban Initiative. “This is why I believe deeply that fatherhood conversation, advocacy, and inclusion are not optional — they are essential. As I motivate moms and educate children, I stand firmly for fatherhood engagement, because healing families starts with empowering fathers to show up, speak up, and love well.”

Following the success in Dallas, the Fathers and Faith Brunch will continue to impact families across the country, with upcoming gatherings planned in Richmond, VA; Jonesboro, AR; Detroit, MI; Austin, TX; and Memphis, TN.

Through these events, A Chance to Learn and Dads Forward remain committed to empowering fathers with resources, fellowship, and inspiration to be present, purposeful, and powerful leaders in their families and communities.

For more information or to support future events and initiatives, visit achancetolearn.org.

Neiman Wicks, center, presented with $1000 scholarship.

From Pain to Passion: Karla Mingo’s Journey Inspires During Cancer Survivors Month

By Sylvia Powers Correspondent

Texas Metro News

While many families spend June preparing for vacations, graduations, and family reunions, another group marks a deeply personal milestone: Cancer Survivors Month. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and renewed purpose for millions of survivors across the country. For 8-year breast cancer survivor Karla Mingo, it’s also an opportunity to boldly share her testimony and advocate for others.

“I believe it’s important to acknowledge cancer survivors in June because it brings attention to the unique challenges that women— especially African American women—face with breast cancer,” says Mingo. “We die from this disease at a higher rate than any other demographic. Moments like this bring awareness to an issue that needs to stay in the forefront of everyone’s mind.”

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there are currently more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. That number includes both those who have completed treatment and those still in the fight. Behind each statistic is a personal story — and Karla Mingo’s is one of courage, faith, and transformation.

Her journey began in 2017, during what should have been one of the happiest times of her life as she planned her dream wedding. In the midst of those joyful preparations, she discovered a small lump in her left breast. Trusting her

instincts, she sought medical attention. On March 3, 2017, she received the life-altering diagnosis: breast cancer.

Faced with difficult choices, Mingo made the brave decision to undergo a double mastectomy with reconstruction, postponing her wedding in the process.

“It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made,” she recalls. “But I knew I had to fight—for my future, my family, and my faith.”

Throughout her journey, her husband stood by her side. “My husband has been

my biggest cheerleader. He supported my decision to get a bilateral mastectomy without hesitation and later married me. His support reassured me that I was loved regardless of my breasts and that I wasn’t in this fight alone.”

Refusing to let fear consume her during her cancer journey, Karla leaned into her faith and transformed her pain into purpose. Her healing—both emotional and spiritual—led her to author Peace, Passion and Purpose: Making Your Life Lessons Your Blessings in 2018.

Through prayer, journaling, and reflection, she not only rebuilt her body but also strengthened her spirit.

Mingo’s voice is especially critical as breast cancer disparities continue to affect Black women disproportion-ately.

According to ACS, while Black women have a 4% lower incidence rate of breast cancer than White women, they experience a 40% higher death rate. Karla’s story underscores the importance of education, early detection, and community support.

“My biggest challenge—and my mission—is to help other African American women understand the importance of self-examination, mammograms, and follow-up care,” Mingo explains. “This is a disease that can be preventable and curable if caught early. We have to get that message out.”

Today, Karla Mingo shares her story, reminding others to look beyond the diagnosis and embrace the power of faith, resilience, and community. She often refers to her experiences as her “faith files”—powerful reminders of God’s grace throughout her journey.

“The message I want to share with other survivors is this: when you face a cancer diagnosis, see it as an opportunity. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it’s scary. But there is opportunity in every trial and challenge we face,” she says. “That opportunity might simply be inspiring someone else or helping others realize that the most important things in life are to be thankful and grateful.”

Breast cancer survivor Karla Mingo shares her journey to inspire women and emphasize the life-saving importance of early detection.

Karla Mingo believes that her greatest gift as a cancer survivor is the ability to live with gratitude and thankfulness.

Did a master craftsman/woman guide you along your apprentice journey

to adulthood?

Or was it an angel unaware?

I WAS JUST THINKING...

NORMA ADAMS-WADE

“No man is an island. No man stands alone. Each man’s joy is joy to me. Each man’s grief is my own. We need one another. So, I will defend Each man as my brother. Each man as my friend.”

17th Century Poet John Donne and 1968 songwriters Joan Baez & Peter Schickele

“I can do it myself!”

What parent has not heard that objection from a precocious toddler determined to be independent?

The universal question is, though, how many of us adults still declare stubbornly: “I can do it myself,” after a spouse, partner, or friend deserts us?

Aloneness, independence, or loneliness can be construed in many different ways. But 17th Century prose writer John Donne and modern-day songwriters Joan Baez and Peter Schickele had it right when they stated : “No man is an island.”

There are news stories of individuals who live alone for decades on isolated islands. But those situations are rare, and the songwriters are indeed correct that “we need one another.”

I have written before about the important role educators play in teaching us what we know. And I have lamented the pittance pay educators receive compared to the vastlylarger salaries many of their students earn out in the world after the student leaves the teacher behind in the classroom. The educators were the master craftsmen/women. We were the apprentices.

Yet, today, in so many ways, society has fallen apart. And much of a new generation no longer learns life lessons and values – how to dress, respect, budget, fix things that break, how to keep the family together, how to find

Auto mechanics in training. Credit: Pinterest

middle ground in a dispute, how to teach angry teenagers to exchange a few punches and live another day, rather than turn to deadly weapons and permanently end their promising future.

The pairing of a craftsman and apprentice has its value in passing alone a learned craft. Reading instructions in a book is one thing. But I argue that leaning over someone’s shoulder to observe their handiwork can be far better.

It’s hard to beat passing on tradition. A family member who can say they learned the family’s secret recipe by watching grandma skillfully prepare the concoction wins the contest each time.

I was just thinking...what if we as a society cared enough to each adopt an apprentice youth to figuratively harness to our chest and pour into that malleable brain all the right decisions, opinions, reactions and safeguards needed to maneuver through the rest of their life?

With every conflict, challenge, battle and victory, that young brain would have a builtin guide to show them the way and help them manage their emotions.

We speak eloquently of dreams of a better life for humankind – marked by less violence, less hate, less crime, less bitterness, jealousy, envy, complaints, injustice, cheating, abuse, temptation, shame, ridicule, embarrassment ... the list goes on.

But just what if each of us as an adult-intraining was under our own master craftsman/ woman? That skilled authority would already have made all the mistakes and learned from them, and thus had become the plateau we

hoped to reach.

Back in the day, school students took courses that included woodshop, sewing, cooking, auto mechanics, junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) training.

These educational offerings were a productive haven for students not interested in book learning and who leaned toward hands-on training.

Key components of these trainings were the master craftsmen/women who bend their shoulders so a student could look over them.

We could long for the days of apprentice training. We could argue that society would be a more productive place as a result. Finishing high school could lead right into a field that would allow the graduate to support themselves and start a family early should they so desire.

No worry about paying for a college education over a lengthy four-year stretch.

The master craftsmen, journeymen/women could be considered the angels unaware. Stories of angels often end with the teller admitting that they never got to thank the person that saved them from tragedy. That angel disappeared around the corner or into the night, never to be seen again.

That’s what angels do. They help, then quietly disappear. It’s sort of like the old mask-wearing Lone Ranger television movie character. After aiding the townspeople, he rode his horse Silver off into the distance as the residents asked, “Who was that masked man?”

The Lone Ranger’s Native American sidekick Tonto was left to explain who the hero was.

Who was your Lone Ranger or master craftsman/woman who led you on your apprentice journey to adulthood? Did you read in a book how to tie your shoes or brush your teeth? Or did an angel or master craftsman/women demonstrate the art to you?

Yes, “we need one another. So, I will defend. Each man as my brother. Each man as my friend.”

Norma Adams-Wade is a veteran, award-winning journalist, Graduate of UT- Austin and Dallas native. One of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), she was inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame

Big Mama Said: “A Delay Ain’t a Denial— So Jumpstart Your Delay Now”

MAMA SAID

BY TERRY ALLEN

Lucille “Big Mama” Allen—my grandmother—was a truth-teller who didn’t play about purpose. She’d call you out with love and lace it with wisdom. One her best: “A delay ain’t a denial, Baby Boy , but don’t stay stuck waiting on a ‘better time’ that may never come.” She believed in acting on the now, even when the world said wait.

Now that the official day has passed, we need to work. Not the pageantry—the purpose. For decades, I’ve walked with Ms. Opal Lee—the Grandmother of Juneteenth herself—long before the media showed up, long before Juneteenth was federalized. I’ve stood with families, businesses, churches, and community leaders when no cameras were rolling. That’s not a trend for me—it’s a calling.

This year, a Bible call shifted my spirit. The presenter asked, “What has God told you to do that you haven’t even started yet?” Whew. My answer came fast: letting go of people and partnerships that are no lon-

ger aligned with my purpose. I’ve held on too long out of loyalty and habit. But just like I had to learn that family must be functional, not just biological, I now know that community must be aligned, not just familiar.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom was delayed, but it still came. And that same energy belongs in our own lives. Delay does not mean disqualified. You still have time, but don’t waste it.

Here are three things we can do right now to jumpstart what’s been denied:

Buy or Build Something: Property, business, or IP— ownership changes legacy. Rent less. Own more. Prosperity Bank has partnered with City Men Cook to support ownership efforts so step up!

Fund Black Creativity: Don’t wait for sponsors. Be the sponsor. Pay the poet. Book the band. Elevate our culture with dollars, not just likes. Reframe our spending let’s TARGET ourselves. I have 50+ suits & Business attire for young Black men and women to help me get it to those who need it.

Control Our Storytelling:

Join school boards, support Black press, and teach our children who they are before the world misinforms them. Prevent banning our books by getting a seat at the table. Let them know “We came before Columbus”- Ivan Van Sertima Big Mama would say, “You already got the go-ahead from God—so what are you waitin’ on?” This isn’t just my column. It’s your confirmation. Start. Now. Delay ain’t denial, but delay without movement is just regret waiting to happen. Email me at Terryallenpr@gmail.com and let’s do something.

Terry Allen is an award-winning media professional, journalist, and entrepreneur. He is also the founder of City Men Cook and 1016 Media. Reach him at terryallenpr@gmail.com

BIG

Big Mama

Photo credits City Men Cook

Target’s Partnership with National Baptist Convention Backfires

By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is facing mounting criticism after announcing a three-year, $300,000 partnership with Target, a company at the center of an ongoing boycott over its retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The deal, made public on June 20, is intended to support scholarships, senior programs, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. But national faith leaders, media figures, and everyday churchgoers are denouncing the move as a betrayal.

Target, a multi-billion-dollar retailer, has faced criticism in recent months after scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in response to political pressure. Religious leaders and activists who launched the boycott accuse the company of abandoning commitments to Black communities. Target told Black Press USA that it hadn’t abandoned those commitments.

However, critics maintain the company has turned its back on Black America. They argue that the partnership with one of the nation’s oldest Black faith organizations sends the wrong message.

Roland Martin, one of the country’s most prominent African American journalists and boycott supporter, called the move “a

stunning act of betrayal to Black America.” He noted that with more than 31,000 churches affiliated with the convention, the $300,000 commitment amounts to less than $10 per church. “This is a $9.67 sellout,” Martin said. “You don’t get to speak for us when you never talked to us.”

Martin also criticized the lack of transparency and consultation. “The leadership of the National Baptist Convention made no effort to talk with, consult, or reach out to the leaders of the Target boycott,” he said. “They accepted $300,000 while the boycott is still active. That’s the definition of selling out Black people for crumbs.”

Others within the faith community quickly joined in. Pastor Jamal Bryant, who led the recent 40-day #TargetFast, said the partnership undermines the collective sacrifice made by churches and congregants who stood together against Target’s DEI backpedaling. “This boycott is the most successful economic protest by Black people in over 70 years,” Bryant said. “Target knows exactly what it’s doing. This isn’t partnership. It’s an attempt to fracture unity.”

Rev. Marcus D. Cosby of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston urged his congregation to continue to pressure Target. “We cannot be bought off,” Cosby said. “Support Black-owned businesses. Keep your dollars aligned with your values.”

The Inspirational Gospel Music Channel and Black Westchester media outlets described the deal as “a pittance from a multi-billion-dollar corporation” and warned that it “undermines the DEI movement.” They questioned how a corporation that cut ties with Black vendors and walked away from inclusion could regain trust by offering a symbolic donation.

On social media, backlash grew. The hashtag #NotMyNBC gained traction, with users calling the deal “a weak compromise” and “PR spin disguised as solidarity.” One Facebook post read, “If your church is one of the 31,000, demand your pastor explain taking dirty money.” Another user wrote, “Respectability over resistance. Silence over solidarity.”

NBCUSA President Dr. Boise Kimber has defended the deal, saying Target responded positively to their outreach and that the funds will help churches improve lives through education and economic empowerment. But that explanation has done little to ease tensions.

Critics argue that such partnerships should not be made without community input, especially during a boycott. They say the timing and the dollar amount only add insult to injury.

“This is not how you stand with your people,” Martin said. “This is how you chase a check while the rest of us are doing the work.”

Photo courtesy Roland Martin Unfiltered

Fatherhood

forward to it, knowing that I don’t have to carry the weight, just show up and have fun. I want to give my daughter and son-in-law grace to make mistakes. Not to come in and try to manage their parenthood. Let them make mistakes, let them bump their heads. I just want to be a place of wisdom and advice when asked and requested. Make sure my nephew is the best equipped to be

cont. from page 11

prepared for life. You know, my parents never prepared me for life at all. I mean, when I say never had a talk about what to expect, how to budget, how to spend money, how to get a job, how to drive a car, I had to learn on my own. I mean, literally learn on my own, and I had to bump my head a lot, but that gave me the fortitude to be able to do what I do. But I want to best equip my nephew, my

son, with the tools in order to succeed.”

In a world that often measures men by what they do instead of who they are, the Fathers & Faith Brunch reminded many men that fatherhood is not about perfection, but about presence. It’s about showing up, speaking truth, offering grace, and being willing to grow.

As these men lifted their hands in prayer, shared tears, and told their truths, a more profound message echoed:

Healing begins when men are safe enough to be human. The legacy of fatherhood isn’t written in titles or trophies, but in moments of honesty, compassion, and commitment to doing better. These men weren’t just sharing experiences; they were rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a father, a man, and a leader. And if this brunch proved anything, it’s that faith and fatherhood are not just pillars of strength, they are the foundation of generational change.

Iconic HBCU band names first woman as head drum major

By vaughnwilson www.hbcugameday.com

The glass ceiling in the world of FAMU’s Marching “100” drum majors has officially been shattered. Dr. Shelby Chipman, Director of Bands, announced Oluwamodupe Oloyede as the head drum major for the 2025–2026 HBCU band season. Known affectionately as “Dupe” (pronounced du-pay), she was previously the secondever female drum major in the band’s history.

Following in the Footsteps of a Trailblazer

Cori Bostic, the first female drum major in the Marching “100,” paved the way and has become one of Dupe’s most vocal supporters. Their shared bond highlights the growing legacy of women leading at the highest levels in HBCU marching bands.

A Natural Leader from the

Start

Dupe began her drum major journey at Southwest DeKalb High School, one of the largest feeder programs into the Marching “100.” Her prior leadership experience made her a standout candidate when she joined the Marching “100” as a drum major last season. Although her primary instrument is the saxophone, it was her presence and poise on the field that caught attention. Staff and fellow members weren’t surprised when she was named head drum major for the upcoming season.

Dupe Embraces the Moment

“I’m really excited for the season. I’m blessed and honored because I know

what this role means—and how much work it requires,” Oloyede said. “But with all the encouragement and support I’m getting, I feel ready.”

She added, “This year, coming off the Marching ‘100’ being named ESPN’s Band of the Year in 2024, we’re coming in strong. I’m confident in my ability and in my squad’s ability to take the season by force.”

Strong Leadership for a Demanding Season

Dr. Chipman shared his excitement about the HBCU band’s leadership team during a private Zoom call with band alumni. This year’s band is expected to hit the ground running with a high-profile start to the season.

“We’ll perform at the Pepsi Battle of the Bands in Texas, send a pep band to the U.S. Open in New York to honor Althea Gibson, and end that week in Miami at the Orange Blossom Classic,” he said.

As head drum major, Dupe represents not only excellence on the field but also off it. “We look for

someone who exemplifies discipline, communication, and a deep understanding of our traditions,” Chipman explained.

From Blending In to Taking the Spotlight

Last season, Dupe was proud that many couldn’t distinguish her from the other drum majors—she wanted to be part of the team, not defined by gender. This year, however, she steps into a new spotlight.

With media interest certain to grow, Dupe understands the gravity of her role. “There’s no blending in when the band can’t move until your whistle blows,” she said.

Preparing for a Historic Start

This August, the Marching “100” will perform in three different states. Oloyede knows the importance of being in mid-season form even before the football season officially starts.

“Our strategy is to prepare early and work efficiently,” she said. “The leadership corps,

including the executive board and the new COO student leader, are focused on detailed planning before the season begins.”

Pressure and Purpose

Dupe doesn’t take the weight of being “the first” lightly.

“I know the pressures are real, but I use myself as my competition. If I focus on the odds, I’ll fail. But if I focus on improving and understand the greater purpose, I’ll do better,” she said.

She added, “Even if I didn’t have the support, I’d still be amped. Last year I proved it’s possible. This year, I’m here to dominate—and shut the haters up.”

A New Era for the Marching “100”

Cori Bostic sees this moment as part of a larger HBCU band movement.

“For the first time in Marching ‘100’ history, the top three student leadership

BOWLING BALLERS!

Trophies go to DeSoto Mayor and WFAA Photojournalist

It was all for a good cause - raising dollars to fund scholarships and veteran journalist Cheryl Smith has been hosting the Don’t Believe the Hype Celebrity Bowl-athon since 1995, taking a brief hiatus during COVID.

On Saturday, June 21, hundreds gathered at Plano Super Bowl, and DeSoto Mayor Rachel Proctor and WFAATV’s Justin Fuller were the Celebrity High Bowlers, and Dwayne Patrick and Carisa Montgomery won all-around high bowlers. The First Place Team was multiple-year winner, Evans Engraving 1 for First Place, Evans Engraving 2 for Second Place and Golden Gate Funeral Home for Third Place.

Celebrity Bowlers included Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown, Radio Hall of Famer Chris Arnold, WFAA-TV’s

Scoop Jefferson, National Association of Black Journalists

Vice President-Print Eva Coleman, Judges Valencia Nash and Ingrid Warren, Dallas City Councilwoman Lorie Blair, DFW-ABJ President/Sports Host Clarence “Chill” Hill, Radio Personalities Terance J and Dareia Jacobs, NABJ Founder Norma Adams Wade, K104’s Ron Murray, Fox 4 News’ Shaun Rabb, Pastor David McGruder, Legal Defense Funds Demetria McCain, Constable Eddie Brown, and dianne “Miss Community” gibson.

Initial numbers have this year’s event, raising more than $20,000 for grants, scholarships, and internships; in addition to a $1,500 scholarship awarded by Judge Aiesha Redmond and a $500 scholarship awarded by the Psi Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority.

As always, the event was boosted by the support of the Black Press, with local NNPA publishers, Magic 94.5 FM, and numerous other bloggers and media organizations providing promotional support.

A highlight of the evening was the continued support of Texas State Sen. Royce West’s Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program students, alumni, and long-time director Lajuana Barton, who have represented/volunteered at every bowl-a-thon since 1995.

Over the years, the Don’t Believe the Hype Foundation has awarded thousands to journalism students, HBCUs and Dr. Betty Shabazz Educational Excellence recipients annually, in addition to funding fellowships, journalism workshops and trips to NABJ Conferences and Conventions.

Highest Celebrity Female BowlerMayor Rachel Proctor

Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon First Place - Evans Engraving 1. Cheryl Smith with team members Angela Chalmers, Syida Johnson, Dwayne Patrick, JT Taylor, and Ollis Chalmers.

Highest Celebrity Male BowlerJustin Fuller

Highest Celebrity Female Bowler - Mayor Rachel Proctor

Highest Female Bowler - Carisa Montgomery, Cheryl Smith This is where the party is going down at

Super Bowl

Justin Fuller, Cheryl Smith, Mayor Rachel Proctor

Ms. Tammy’s jewelry Photos credit: Marva and Ursula

West Baptist Church team

Highest Male BowlerDwayne Patrick

Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon Second Place - Evans Engraving 2. Cheryl Smith with team members Anthony Holmes, James Reddish, Carisa Montgomery, Sue Goodrich, and Glenn Goodrich.

Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon Third Place - Golden Gate. Cheryl Smith with team members John Beckwith Jr, D.J. Barnes, Ray Edwards, Jordan Price, Kate Power, and S.J. Coleman.

Justin Fuller and Mayor Rachel Proctor

Joke of the Day

METRO SALUTE

Mayor Pro Tem Junior Ezeonu

Grand Prairie South Dalworth Historical Society, congratulates him on making history at the swearing-in ceremony by Grand Prairie’s Mayor Ron Jensen.

Jaylen Rose

Named Recipient of the 2025 Ice Cube Impact Award at the

Dr. Opal Lee

At 98 years young, Dr. Lee has spent decades walking, advocating, and reminding this country that freedom should be celebrated by all. While this marks the first year Dr. Lee didn’t lead her annual

Multi-talented artist, author, and poetic storyteller Zemill, affectionately known as The Prince of PoJazz, has been honored with a prestigious Telly Award for his impactful and socially conscious project, “W.O.K.E. Is D.O.P.E.”

He was sworn in by his

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Zemill

William Henderson

Hon. John P. Bowers III

The new Head Coach for Boys Track and Field at Duncanville High School.

walk, her presence, power, and purpose are felt in every Juneteenth celebration across the nation.

mother, Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers,

Rowlett City Council member

Place 6 with his grandmother, the Hon. Naomi Cox Andrews, holding the Bible.

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Enshrinement Weekend.

Call issued to Support Black Businesses

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Texas Metro News

Public Notice

24 Hour Wrecker Serv

24 Hour Wrecker Service Public Notice VSF 0514204

The following vehicles will be sold at public auction on Monday 6/30/2025 if not released to register owners. Any announcements made the day of sale supercede any advertised announcements. The auction will be held at On line at www.jdnewell.com. If you have any questions,please call 972-227-5188.

Year/make, VIN, Tag. ALL VEHICLES ARE SOLD AS IS.

Vehicle

1990 trailer

2000 Dodge Durango

2000 NISSAN Maxima

2003 Acura 3.2

2004 Infiniti G35

2005 Kia Spectra

2005 Lexus SC 430

2006 Lexus Is350

2006 NISSAN Altima

2007 Chevrolet Suburban

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1EA1H222XL4922735 1B4HR28YXYF301489 JN1CA31D3YT761843 19UUA56663A077723 JNKCV54E34M823925 KNAFE121155122414 JTHFN48Y750067309 JTHBE262562004149 1N4AL11D96N349453 1GNFC16017R224289 3FAHP07Z87R267471 1FTYR10U67PA57323 2G1WB58K881375117 2G1WT57K291125923 1FMJU1F56AEA38723 JN1BY1APXBM326759 JA4AR4AU3BZ025003 3N1BC1CPXBL369570 2G1FC3D34D9237828 1N4AL3AP9DN430164 5NPEC4AB6EH835616 5N1AR2MN6EC657284 4T1BF1FK6EU863029 5YFBURHE0EP079538 1N4AL3AP0FC246391 3N1CN7APXFL827280 1FADP3E23GL309937 1FA6P8TH4G5311553 1N4AL3AP6HC141969 4T1BF1FK2HU652026 4T1B11HK8KU768964 3FA6P0CD1LR177462 1C4PJMCB2LD611998 LUJPCLP12NA006250