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IMESSENGER VOL XIV NO 36

MAY 23, 2025

MAYOR RACHEL L. PROCTOR

S I X E L A N A M R HE AND GLUE IT

GR GRACE,

Chelle Luper Wilson n a m e d E xe c u t i ve D i r e c to r o f Te x a s L e g i s l a t i ve B l a ck Caucus FRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025 •

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Established 2011 CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS 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 anyone is held back.

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ACROSS 4. MOMMY DEAREST 5. MOTHER'S DAY OBSERVED 7. THEY ARE THE BEST AT THIS 8. COSBY SHOW MOTHER 10. OFFICIAL MOTHER'S DAY FLOWER 12. LEADER OF THE FAMILY 13. EARLY MEAL 15. GEORGE JEFFERSON'S WIFE 17. NUMBER ONE GIFT 18. COLOR THAT HONORS MOTHERS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY DOWN 1. MOTHER ON GOOD TIMES 2. MOTHERS DO FOR THEIR CHILDREN 3. PERSON WHO IS LIKE A COPARENT 6. MOTHER ON LEAVE IT TO BEAVER 9. ODE TO HIS MOTHER 11. RECORDED I’LL ALWAYS LOVE MY MAMA” 14. ANOTHER NAME FOR A MOTHER 16. DOES EVERYTHING Use the clues to fill in the words above.

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INSIDE

MY TRUTH

THE LAST WORD

ANGEL REESE TARGETED

REMIX - I don’t know the man’s name and probably wouldn’t recognize him if I saw him again because I had temporarily misplaced my glasses. It was Memorial Day and I had stopped by The Forum Bowl... p4

May we take a moment to mourn the transition of the Honorable Alexis Margaret Herman (1946-2025), the first African American woman who served our nation as secretary of labor? p10

The WNBA has launched an investigation into what it called “hateful fan comments” directed at Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese during Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever... p26

BLACK PRESS to TARGET: Your Silence Is Loud-and Costly

By Stacy M. Brown

Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Even before Target publicly rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, the Black Press of America had requested a meeting with CEO Brian Cornell.

Those requests—from National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. and NNPA Chairman Bobby Henry—have gone unanswered for nearly a year.

Cornell has not spoken to either Chavis or Henry, who represent the more than 250 Black-owned newspapers and media companies that make up the NNPA. Just recently, a lower-level Target employee acknowledged via email that the company is aware of the request for a meeting—but no such meeting has been scheduled.

Meanwhile, Cornell met with Rev. Al Sharpton, who stated publicly that he was not participating in a boycott of Target and really didn’t have a dog in the fight. That meeting—and the snub of the Black Press—has deepened frustration within the Black media community and reinforced what NNPA members say is a longstanding pattern of corporate disrespect.

Target has not yet responded to the Black Press for this article. “The Black Press of America is concerned about our continued public education and selective buying campaign directed toward Target,” Chavis said. “While we heard from some of the staff of Target, we’ve not had direct communication with Target’s CEO, Brian Cornell.

We intend to intensify our efforts to get this issue resolved in the interest of 50 million African American consumers across the nation.”

The Minnesota Spokes-

man-Recorder, is located near Target’s Minneapolis headquarters, and Tracey Williams-Dillard, publisher and CEO said the company’s continued silence “sends the message that Target does not value us as consumer-based dollars.”

She noted reports of more than 13 consecutive weeks of declining foot traffic at stores and criticized the company’s decision to dismantle its DEI initiatives just before Black History Month. “The timing was disturbing,” Williams-Dillard said. “It was a slap in the face.”

Henry, publisher of the Westside Gazette in Ft. Lauderdale and chairman of the NNPA, didn’t hold back: “Target’s manipulated silence toward the Black Press sends a powerful and troubling message to Black America—that our voices, platforms, and influence are expendable.”

He said Target’s behavior

Bobby Henry Sr.

suggests the company’s earlier DEI push was “a shortterm PR strategy” rather than a commitment to real equity. “True diversity requires long-term investment,” Henry said. “When companies pull back, we must pull back too. Black consumers are speaking with their dollars every day.”

In response to Target’s inaction, the NNPA launched a selective buying and consumer education campaign earlier this year.

That effort began as Rev. Jamal Bryant’s “Target Fast” See TARGET, page 20

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MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith Publisher

Time and place - when is it right?

REMIX - I don’t know the man’s name and probably wouldn’t recognize him if I saw him again because I had temporarily misplaced my glasses.

It was Memorial Day and I had stopped by The Forum Bowl in Grand Prairie on a site visit after feeding veterans at Heroes House in East Dallas.

10 years ago I was at the opening of Heroes House with the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson. Over the years, we returned to Heroes House to feed the veterans and spend time with them; usually on Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, or Veterans Day. There were also times that we stopped by during the Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa season to spread some love.

Now back to Forum Bowl. Two men were standing talking and one of them said some choice words you might call “four letter words”or something of that sort.

The brother looked at me and apologized profusely. He covered his mouth and told me he was “so sorry.”

I thanked him and graciously accepted his apology.

I thought about the many times that I have been places and I heard people of all ages cussing and they never acknowledge that they are out of order.

I think to avoid getting offended I just take it as a sign of the times that this is what people are going to do and I need to get over it.

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As a child, in my household, there was no cussing. My mother’s friends weren’t cussing, at least around us, but I did hear stories about some folks “cussing like a sailor.”

Actually, I have stopped cussing so much, because it doesn’t feel as good as it has in the past when I felt I had to cuss just to make sure folks understood and digested what I was saying to the fullest extent.

Today, I don’t care if you understand or not. You will just have to walk around clueless.

Now when I do cuss, I use a modified tone and I have taken to asking for forgiveness.

It felt so good to hear that apology and show of respect and common decency because too often that’s not the case.

It has become the norm to cuss any and everywhere and to any and everybody.

That’s where boundaries come in!

I do believe there is a time and place for everything, and I do take exception with ages and sometimes gender. And then sometimes it’s about the relationship.

For example, while I never wanted my mother to hear me cuss, I really didn’t have a problem when I would hear the great Eddie Levert of the singing group, The OJays, in conversation with his sons Eddie and Shaun, and they would cuss. It seemed

to work in that scenario.

Some people say they can’t help but cuss. It comes out.

I say, “that’s bull!“ Frankly, just like you can control or stifle a fart, and we’ve all done that from time to time; you can control your language.

It doesn’t help when writers, in their portrayals of Black families, resort to scripts that have children of all ages cussing in front of their elders.

Now I know that the Black family is not monolithic and some Black children cuss in front of their parents.

Just know growing up, the friends I hung out with wouldn’t think of cussing in front of their parents.

So imagine my disappointment when the best show airing today, Beyond the Gates, one of the characters cussed in front of their grandparents!

I screamed at the television.

NOOOOOOOOOOO! We don’t do that!

I love the show. It won’t matter but I plan on writing to the team and asking them to not normalize that misbehavior. The show is so real and has nuances that make me so proud.

Great writing, acting, dressing, et al. So the cussing doesn’t make or break it. And actually, all the writers who write in cuss words, should at the very least, have the adult character ask for an apology, or check them in some fashion - especially with youth/elder scenes.

Keeping close to our culture, the least the adult can say is, “I’m not one of your little friends!”

You see, even when I cuss fluently, I’ve watched my mouth around my elders.

We know how to act right! OR the adults knew how to rein us in!

I considered not cussing in front of elders to be a Black thing because we knew better, and then many of my Latin brothers and sisters told me they watch their mouths especially around elders.

We know about respect.

Today, “you don’t respect me, I don’t respect you,” is the mantra of many.

I hope that we can get back to those good old days of respecting our elders because watch what I tell you. The main ones who are out here disrespecting their elders are going to want respect when they become elders.

And that is the truth!

Chelle Luper Wilson named Executive Director of Texas Legislative Black Caucus

A

ustin, Texas - Texas Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D120) and the Texas Legislative Black Caucus announce Chelle Luper Wilson as Executive Director.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chelle Luper Wilson to the Texas Legislative Black Caucus (TLBC). As a leader focused on effective change, Ms. Wilson is dedicated to assisting the TLBC reach greater heights and fully supporting the TLBC’s top priorities moving forward,” said Texas Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D120).

Ms. Luper Wilson brings to the role a wealth of experience. In addition to her professional experience, she is an extraordinary communicator who brings great passion to this important work.

Additionally, her professional background held in some of the nation’s largest advocacy organizations are a big asset to TLBC. A third-generation HBCU graduate, Ms. Luper Wilson holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from HBCU Langston University, and a M.A. in Multicultural Women’s and Gender Studies from Texas Woman’s University, where she is also a third-year doctoral student in the department of Language, Culture and Gender.

A dedicated community advocate and trailblazer, Chelle is a former member of the National Board of Directors of the NAACP, member of the National CROWN Act Collective Strategic Partnership Council,

American Heart Association National Diversity Leadership Council, former South Central Regional Director and International Secretary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc®.

She is also an active member of The Links, Inc., Jack & Jill of America, Inc., and the Nation-

al Association of Black Journalists. Ms. Luper Wilson is the daughter of the late civil rights activist, Clara Luper.

“I have no doubt that the Texas Black Caucus Foundation will be in capable hands under her leadership,” said Senator Royce West (D23),

Chairman of the Texas Black Caucus Foundation Board of Directors. “I warmly welcome Chelle Luper Wilson, and I look forward to working with her. She has the full support of the TBCF Board to carry out this critical leadership role.”

FRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025 •

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Mayor Rachel L. Proctor Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price administers the oath of office, at the ceremony on Monday, May 19th

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Alexis Herman — Grace, Grit and Glue THE LAST WORD

BY DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX

May we take a moment to mourn the transition of the Honorable Alexis Margaret Herman (1946-2025), the first African American woman who served our nation as secretary of labor? Nominated by President Bill Clinton, her confirmation was no easy feat. During her hearings, members of our sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated, crowded the Senate chambers in our unmistakable red and white. We made a point: Black women are here, and we have her back. Ultimately, the Senate succumbed to our presence, with 85 of them voting in her favor.

Alexis was a southern belle, a velvet hammer. She was full of grace, with graceful ways, but anyone who encountered her should know that grace was not to be confused with weakness. She was grace and she was grit, because who, without grit, could manage a strike between UPS and its unionized workers. Package delivery was hobbled for 15 days, only settled when Secretary Herman moved into the same hotel that Teamsters leaders and UPS management stayed. She shuttled between conference rooms, not trying to be graceful, but simply direct. Yet she was graceful, because she carried herself that way, and a 1997 commerce-crippling strike was settled.

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Alexis was grace, always grace, often administered with a bit of a southern twang.

“It’s not fay-ar,” she sometimes drawled when losing a card game. “It ain’t riiight,” she sometimes said, when losing. Win or lose, she was always gracious, always ready with the pat on the shoulder, the generous hug. She was, indeed, the perfect daughter of her mentor, Dorothy Irene Height, the longest-serving president of the National Council of Negro Women.

Alexis took her Height legacy seriously. After leaving government service, she created consulting firms that dealt with diversity and minority hiring issues. She served on Fortune 500 boards, including Coca-Cola and Exelon.

She mentored hundreds of young people and helped place them in impactful positions. And she was the glue that brought people together.

If you attended a gathering in her sprawling home in Northern Virginia, you’d not only connect with friends and colleagues, you’d eat well, connect fulfillingly, celebrate milestones like new books, impending births or more, but you’d also observe Alexis taking a person or two aside for a private conversation. She was glue. She brought people together. She was committed to the collective.

I never heard Secretary Herman raise her voice, but I often saw her firm. She was grace, but she didn’t play. She was kind but she didn’t roll over. She attracted a coterie of loyal friends and colleagues, because she was, indeed, loy-

Hon. Alexis Herman

al and graceful.

I am among the many mourning the loss of the Honorable Alexis Margaret Herman, among the many grateful for her legacy. As labor is being attacked in the graceless shadow of this feckless administration, her voice is missed and her legacy looms large. She was committed to women’s empowerment, especially Black women’s empowerment. And she was committed to diversity, having worked to convince corporate America that Black women were more than cooks and maids. She passed the baton to Black women leaders, who will lift her up as they do the work of advancing

women in the workplace.

Her loss is a national loss, but for me it is also a personal loss. I met her as an undergrad, and she welcomed me to Washington, D.C., when I moved here in 1994. She graced me with her presence when I left Bennett College in 2012. She was present during many of my milestones– gracious, kind, supportive, amazing. She will rest in grace and power, her legacy a blessing and lesson for each of us.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

The BLACK Academy of Arts and Letters OPEN LETTER

BY CURTIS KING

The statement below is a response that I sent a gentleman in retort to his comment . . . “get rid of the word black!” The comment came as a result of our institution’s name, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, and our promo of Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement concert program. We periodically receive statements from people regarding removing the word “black” from our name. Since it came via our various communication platforms, I felt the need to share an important perspective.

ry, commit their own suicide, and move aimlessly in America or in the world, for that matter, as if we never existed.

Would you ask the Jewish people, the Russians, the Chinese to get rid of their name?

Every nation and ethnic group with a very homogeneous population and history have gone through some form of assimila-

place in their own history and culture.

We, as Black People, have been asked and begged to disassemble and disassociate ourselves from who we are as human beings in America.

Many have accommodated the request simply because we wanted to be inclusive, and it has yielded us little-to-nothing in return! Being Black connects

unique place and presence in America and around the world, in spite of our human atrocities.

We use it not to batter or insult other races, but to rightfully demand respect for the work and contribution we’ve made to culturally identify our distinctive existence in America, which has emerged out of our history as “Black” people.

tion, but have also maintained their own identity and uniqueness because of their historical experiences in the world.

Let’s look at Japan and Korea.

These two countries have been able to create a single modern race due to their smaller sizes and/ or populations, and they have maintained their diverse, idiosyncratic, genetic makeup because of their

us to the core of who we are and who we are proud to be.

I assume that the word “black” offends you, makes you feel alienated from a group of people, questions your own human guilt, reminds you of an ugly past-history between American Blacks and Whites, or you simply don’t understand, or are unwilling to accept that “Black” people have carved out a

So, I beg to differ with you that we should “get rid of the word black!” At this point, it’s a bit too late, for we are the hue of God’s creation!

RESPONSE TO MR. DAVIS Hello Mr. Davis, I generally don’t respond to social media comments.

However, as the founder and president of The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL), I felt the need to respond to your comment, “get rid of the word black!” When I read your comment, I asked myself the question, “why would this gentlemen suggest that we “get rid of the word black?”

To suggest that we do so is like asking a group of people to trash their histo-

Curtis King is the founder and director of the Black Academy of Arts and Letters and for the past 40 years he has shaped the Performing Arts landscape in Dallas.

FRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025 •

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Enough is Enough“I’m Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired” OUR VOICES

BY BOBBY HENRY, SR.

In the spirit of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, who has emerged as a powerful voice in defense of justice, equity, and truth. One of her standout statements — “The math ain’t mathin’” — has become a rallying cry for many frustrated with the hypocrisy and injustice in American politics today.

There comes a time in the life of a person when survival demands more than patience and self, it demands protest.

That time is now. And like Fannie Lou Hamer said decades ago, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Those words, soaked in pain and power, speak for millions of Americans today.

We are tired of being told to wait while injustice burns like a blowtorch to our souls.

Tired of the cruelty using us like puppets with policy. Tired of watching the rich get richer while working families get broker. Enough is enough.

In a disturbing ruling, a federal judge just gave Donald Trump the green light to use the Alien Enemies Act a centuries-old law rooted in fear to target and expel migrants.

These are not enemies. These are mothers, fathers, and children fleeing violence, looking for hope. Instead of reform, we get rejection. Instead of compassion, cruelty.On different soil, Trump proudly announces a $142 billion arms deal

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with Saudi Arabia a regime with blood on its hands. “I like him too much,” he says of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, even as that regime crushes dissent and dismembers journalists. Our foreign policy shouldn’t be for sale, but here we are again.

Back at home, the pain is more familiar. Grocery bills soar. Prescription costs skyrocket. And who do Americans blame? A majority now point the finger at Trump’s erratic trade wars and reckless economic mismanagement.

They’re not wrong.

But what are Republicans doing in response? Cutting food assistance. The largest-ever cuts to food aid, just to hand more tax breaks to the already ultra-wealthy. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett put it plainly: “The math ain’t mathin’.” How can we justify taking meals from children to line the pockets of billionaires?

They want us to believe this is normal that this is how government should work. But as Rep. Crockett said during a recent floor speech, “You cannot preach to me about law and order while lawlessness is reigning from your party.” The hypocrisy is as blatant as it is shameful.

Thankfully, voices like Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Crockett are fighting back.

Sanders is mobilizing grassroots organizers across swing districts, saying plainly: “It must be defeated.” He’s talking about the GOP’s budget bill, but he could be talking about this whole backwards agenda.

This isn’t about partisanship.

This is about survival. About dignity. About the soul of a nation teetering on the edge of moral bankruptcy.

So, let’s say it clearly: We are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Sick of the hunger, the hate,

the hypocrisy.

Tired of leaders who sell us out, again and again.

And we’re done pretending things are fine when they’re not.

Rep. Crockett is right, “The math ain’t mathin’.” The lies don’t add up. The cruelty doesn’t balance out. And the people are waking up.

If those in power won’t do better, then it’s time to replace them with those who will.

We don’t need more empty speeches. We need bold action.

Enough is no longer enough.

It’s too much. And it’s time to fight back. Ain’t a damn thang funny!

Bobby Henry, Sr. is the publisher of the Westside Gazette and chair of the National Newspaper Publishers AssociationNNPA

FRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025 •

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“Nothing Beats a Failure but a Try” Charles Evers Beat the DIE Pushback in the 60s BIG MAMA SAID BY TERRY ALLEN

Ester Davis and Isis Brantley Credit: City Men Cook

Lucille “Big Mama” Allen didn’t have a fancy degree or sit in any corporate boardroom — but her wisdom was pure gold. She taught us that “nothing beats a failure but a try,” meaning effort always counts more than excuses.

Chef Jeff Henderson stated.

“You don’t win every battle, but showing up with your game face will amplify your God-given purpose is the difference between standing tall and standing still.

Jeff 5 with Volunters

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A young brother recently asked, “Do we have to code switch or do 500% to succeed in corporate spaces — even when it’s not fair?” The answer is complex, but the short version is: Yes, we must play the game — but on our terms.

So bring your excellence to the table, not for applause, but for access. Be functional, not emotional. Strategic, not submissive. Authentic, never a sellout.

Look at Medgar Evers —

Jeff Gake and sons

Photo credit: City Men Cook

he brought his brilliance and fire to the Civil Rights Movement, knowing the danger.

His brother, Charles Evers, turned tragedy into triumph, leading boycotts that forced white-owned businesses in Mississippi to reckon with Black economic power. That was their version of “playing the game” — using strategy to make change without compromising the mission. Several of these business owners shut down.

Credit: City Men Cook

City Men Cook is a success story because we defied the negative media narratives about Black men by showcasing strength, love, and leadership on Father’s Day — and now, we control the positive media spotlight that uplifts our image, our impact, and our legacy.

As Black men, we’re often given half the credit for twice the work. But we carry the resilience of those before us. Trying doesn’t make you weak — it makes you worthy. We don’t need permission to be great.

We show up, suit up, and stay true.

Got a story where you brought your A-game and flipped the script? Email me at terryallenpr@gmaill.com — Big Mama said we’ve got to share the wisdom and the wins.

Terry Allen is an awardwinning media professional, journalist, and entrepreneur.

He is also the founder of City Men Cook and 1016 Media.

Reach him at terryallenpr@ gmail.com

FRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025 •

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Backlash over FAMU President Selection Johnson called Grossly Underqualified

online forums, students and faculty are demanding answers. Many say they feel excluded from a decision that affects the future of the HBCU. Some have called for the board to reconsider its choice.

By Wali Pitt

HBCU Gameday

Florida A&M University (FAMU), a leading public HBCU, faces backlash after announcing Marva Johnson as its new president-elect.

The decision has sparked strong reactions from alumni, students, and faculty.

Many say the process lacked transparency and that Johnson’s political ties raise serious concerns.

Why the Decision Is Controversial Marva Johnson is a telecommunications executive with a background in public policy. She has served on the Florida State Board of Education and was appointed by Republican governors, including Ron DeSantis. Critics say her close political connections are troubling, especially given recent state policies that impact HBCUs and limit educational diversity efforts.

What makes her selection more controversial is her lack of experience in higher education leadership.

Johnson has never served as a college president or in a senior academic role. Many in the FAMU community believe the university needs someone with a proven track record in educational administration.

A Flawed Selection Process?

Concerns over the selection process have added fuel to the fire. According to reports, Johnson was add-

What This Means for HBCUs

ed to the list of finalists late in the process. Some board members questioned how that happened and whether the outcome was predetermined.

This lack of transparency has led many to believe that outside political pressure influenced the decision. Critics argue that such interference risks FAMU’s mission and independence.

Alumni and Student Reactions The backlash from the FAMU community has been swift and vocal. A petition titled “FAMU Deserves Better” has gained thousands of signatures. Alumni, including notable figures like film producer Will Packer, have used social media to express their frustration.

At campus meetings and

This controversy highlights a larger issue facing public HBCUs. As state-funded institutions, they must navigate political landscapes while staying true to their mission. Leadership choices influenced by politics can damage trust and morale within the university.

Strong, independent leadership is crucial for HBCUs to thrive. Many fear that Johnson’s appointment could set a dangerous precedent. It raises questions about how much control state leaders should have over HBCU governance.

The Path Forward As Marva Johnson prepares to take office, FAMU faces a critical moment.

The university’s reputation and community trust are on the line, and alumni, students, and faculty are likely to continue voicing their concerns.

Whether Johnson can win over the FAMU community remains to be seen. What is clear is that HBCUs like FAMU must protect their legacy through transparent leadership and strong public engagement.

FRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025 •

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Page to Stage Literacy Program survives major cuts After Losing Their Grant to NEA Cuts, Friends Got into the Act to Keep the Lights On FORT WORTH, TX---When Executive Artistic Director ShaVonne Davis learned that Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization was receiving a Challenge America grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, she was ecstatic and hopeful. Finalizing the youth acting troupe’s plans for the year went immediately in motion. The $10,000 grant was more than enough to shape the outlook for the year’s two major productions with room to make programmatic improvements throughout the school year and summer. In March, Davis took executives from Maroon 9 and Kids Acting With Purpose to New York to glean from theatre programmers on/off Broadway and in the city.

They returned home to reports of action within the NEA that might affect their grant and after months of speculation, Davis finally got the email she had been dreading.

The Challenge America grant awarded to Maroon 9 had officially been rescinded. Davis knew this could mean ‘curtains’ for her program despite receiving many other grants throughout the year. Davis’ work is fully grant funded and doing without earmarked funds from the grant put plans for a spring literacy program and summer production in jeopardy.

After sharing her story with local news outlets, the outlook remained grim for ShaVonne Davis and Kids Acting With Purpose. Unknowingly, there was goodness brewing behind the scenes. Thanks to a fellow theatre teaching artist

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Ehleshea Anderson of Dallas, Texas, Mrs. Davis and her kiddos weren’t hopeless for long.

Anderson engaged her online audience and issued a call to action to help a distressed Davis. Anderson added Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization to her Linktree and within 48 hours, Davis’ Page to Stage Literacy Program was funded as donations continue to pour in.

Anderson’s Online Theatre

remaining onstage and extracurricular programs for the year. In addition to her work onstage Davis conducts conflict resolution workshops teaching youth how to solve problems without violence by acting out defusive scenes.

Davis’ summer literacy program concludes with a culminative performance of “Harriet Tubman: Take My Hand and Follow Me” by Katherine Shultz-Miller on Saturday,

Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts, ShaVonne Davis realized the potency with which she could reach her students through her love of Theatre Arts. As Executive Artistic Director of Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization, Davis expanded the focus, exposed a need and targeted an underdeveloped demographic deep within the community.

With “Acting With Mrs. Davis,” Davis provided the chance for

and Voice Academy teaches youth in virtual settings and reaches across the spectrum of the arts online. The kindness of strangers has shifted Kids Acting With Purpose into its pursuit of its long-term goal, of securing own rehearsal space and performance venue. This will ensure Maroon 9 programming is a year-round pour into the future of young thespians in Tarrant County.

With many grantors disengaging their grants from arts programs and DEI initiatives, Davis looks to publicly fund

June 21st at Theatre Wesleyan.

Ticketing information will be available on the Kids Acting With Purpose website.

This overwhelming generosity proves that kindness is at the heart of the arts. Sharing is caring and caring enough to share is sometimes all people need to reach their goals. To learn more about the ongoing enrichment of Maroon 9, Kids Acting With Purpose and other programs, please visit: www. maroon9.org.

Upon returning from Clark Atlanta University with a

area youth to explore social development, increase educational awareness and gain life skills through theatre.

With “Kids Acting With Purpose,” the Fort Worth based youth acting troupe, many of those children take their talents to the stage to perform in awe-inspiring productions.

Davis’ rewarding work has earned several to further Maroon 9’s mission while funding programs, enhancing productions and raising the curtain on new opportunities for the youth it serves.

Dallas Leaders Awarded for Advancing Adolescent & Women’s Health in Texas

DALLAS – Healthy Futures of Texas, a leading non-partisan, non-profit sexual and reproductive health organization, recognized several Dallas-area organizations and healthcare experts for their contribution to Texas adolescent & women’s health education, medical care, and advocacy.

“We are honored to celebrate those who are driving change, taking action, and shaping the future of adolescent and women’s health in Texas,” shared Gary Ahr, Healthy Futures of Texas board member and Dallas philanthropist. “This year’s awardees are individuals and organizations making an extraordinary impact through

their dedication, leadership, and advocacy. Their work is changing lives, and we are excited to see what the future holds as they continue to inspire and lead.”

Community Partner Award: Dallas College Health Services & Promotion Dallas College Health Services and Promotion was honored for making a significant impact in the promotion of reproductive health and wellness under the leadership of Luz Gonzalez, Associate Dean of Health Services and Promotion.

Dallas College has expanded access to critical health education and resources,

equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions and advocate for their own well-being. This work is deeply student-centered and driven by a genuine commitment to care.

This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the strength and power of collaboration. When institutions come together with a shared purpose - to educate, support, and empower young people - the impact is far greater than what any of us could achieve alone. This award recognizes the dedication and innovation of the Dallas College team and shines a light on the real and lasting difference they are

making in students’ lives.

Changemaker Award: The Changemaker Award celebrates individuals who have made remarkable contributions to reproductive health and wellness. Each of the three honorees has gone above and beyond in their commitment to removing barriers, expanding access, and transforming care in their communities.

Changemaker Awardee: Dr. Taibat Eribo, Women’s Health Medical Director at HHM Health Dr. Eribo is a dedicated advocate and leader in reproductive healthcare. She’s helped expand contraceptive access and led training efFRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025 •

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Dallas Leaders Awarded for Advancing Adolescent & Women’s Health in Texas cont. from p19 forts to equip providers with the tools they need to deliver high-quality, comprehensive care. Beyond the clinic, Dr. Eribo is a mentor, a role model, and a champion for reproductive health.

Changemaker Awardee: Kentoria Roberson-White, Prism Health North Texas Nurse Practitioner & Founder of Phoenix Health Alliance Kentoria Roberson-White is everywhere, literally, always showing up for her community. Through education, advocacy, and presence, she helps young people access the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. She’s genuine, kind, and relentless in her mission to empower youth and improve health outcomes.

Changemaker Awardee: Micaela Sanchez, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner & Founder of Comadre Health Michaela Sanchez provides same-day, free contraception in a welcoming and inclusive space. From developing educational resources with Trust Her to delivering care on-site at community events, Sanchez fiercely advocates for patient-centered reproductive healthcare and access for all.

Rising Star Award: Trevon Oliver, Dallas College Program Lead The Rising Star Award recognizes an exceptional individual, aged 30 or younger, emerging as a leader in adolescent health in Texas.

Trevon’s commitment to supporting minority male students at Dallas College

has been deeply inspiring.

Through his work designing trainings, facilitating workshops, and building strategic partnerships, he has directly impacted the lives of more than 10,000 students. His efforts not only advance adolescent health but also foster a culture of inclusion, leadership, and opportunity for young people who need it most.

Trevon’s impact extends beyond his professional role.

He currently serves on the Healthy Futures of Texas Board of Directors, bringing a powerful youth perspective to our leadership. His voice, insight, and lived experience have helped ensure that young people are not just the focus of our work but active contributors to its direction and success.

The awardees were announced during Healthy Fu-

tures of Texas’ Annual Symposium, from April 28 to April 30, 2025, in Dallas. The event brought together hundreds of professionals from across the state, providing comprehensive training, the latest insights, and optimal approaches in the field of adolescent and women’s sexual and reproductive health.

Healthy Futures of Texas (HFTX) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to improving the well-being of young Texans through access to sexual health education, contraception, and resources. By addressing the increasing barriers that young people in Texas face, HFTX aims to advance access to quality sex education, contraception, and sexual healthcare and expand into related areas of young adult health. Learn more at https:// hftx.org

BLACK PRESS to TARGET: Your Silence Is Loud-and Costly cont. from p3 drew nearly 200,000 supporters, and the NAACP issued a formal consumer advisory citing Target’s retreat from its racial justice pledges.

As major organizations, we are in lockstep with our messages to Black consumers. In Omaha, Omaha Star publisher Terri Sanders said the company’s DEI commitment “was never intentional—it was a go-along-withthe-crowd act.”

She called Target’s refusal to invest in Black-owned media “redlining at its best.

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Target’s ignoring the Black Press indicates that the Black consumer should ignore Target,” Sanders said.

Chicago Defender Managing Editor Tacuma Roeback agreed, describing Target’s failure to support Black media as either “misguided, pigheaded, or simply unwilling to address the needs of a community that helped make them pop in the first place.

And now it’s too late.

The energy once associated with shopping at Target

has faded” Seattle Medium publisher Chris Bennett said the lack of foot traffic in local stores is “very noticeable.

Target will learn one way or another that Black dollars do matter.” Mississippi Link publisher and NNPA board member Jackie Hampton observed a decline in Black shoppers at her local Target store.

Hampton challenged Target’s leadership to reconsider its direction. “I would hate to see Target die because of hate,” she said.

Across the board, NNPA publishers stressed that visibility in Black-owned media is about far more than advertising dollars.

Cheryl Smith, publisher of Texas Metro News, Garland Journal, and I Messenger Media, called Target’s behavior “economic apartheid. We are the truth-tellers,” Smith, who is the NNPA Treasurer, said. “We stand on integrity, transparency, and the love of our people. If you want our dollars, you better respect our institutions.”

DOJ Shakeup May Put Civil Rights Probe of 1970 Jackson State, Mississippi, Killings At Risk

By Daja E. Henry

www.themarshallproject.org

Dale Gibbs awoke to banging on the door of her parents’ home in Ripley, Mississippi, in the early hours of May 15, 1970, just three days before her 19th birthday.

Her husband, Phillip, a 21-year-old senior at Jackson State College, was expected to return that night after making the nearly four-hour drive from campus. But he wasn’t banging on the door. It was Phillip’s sister, Nerene, and a neighbor.

Nerene was screaming.

Phillip Gibbs had been shot and killed by police on Jackson State’s campus in a 28-second barrage of more than 400 bullets. The officers had arrived after someone set fire to a dump truck during mounting tensions between students at the Black college and White motorists who drove through it. Firefighters extinguished the fire, but the officers inexplicably turned and marched a couple of blocks deeper into the campus, stopped in front of Alexander Hall, a women’s dormitory, and opened fire. They shot students in front of the dorm and others through the dorm’s glass windows.

Phillip Gibbs was one of the onlookers.

James Earl Green, a high school senior, was also shot and killed on the other side of the street while walking home from his job at the Wag-a-Bag corner store. Twelve more people were shot and injured, while countless others were left with physical and psychological trauma.

That terrible night, Dale

Bullet holes from the 1970 shooting are still A mural painted on a window of Alexander Hall on the Jackson State visible on a door to Alexander Hall. campus.

Credit: Stephanie Rose Figgins for The Marshall Project

Dale Gibbs, 72, at her home in Arizona. Her husband, Phillip, was killed in the Jackson State shooting in 1970, leaving her a widowed mother of two Credit: Stephanie Rose Figgins for The Marshall Project

U.S. Sen. Walter Mondale, D-Minn., left, student Carl Griffin, center, and U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, D-Ind., right, look at the area where Phillip Gibbs and James Earl Green were shot by police at Jackson State College in May 1970.

Associated Press, File

Gibbs told The Marshall Project - Jackson 55 years later, she was determined to go back to sleep, hoping it was all a dream.

Her husband was gone.

Their infant son, Phillip Jr., would grow up without a father. And there would be no justice. No one was ever charged.“

They murdered my husband, and they murdered James Green, and they got away with it,” she said. “After you reach that 30-to-40-year mark, you lose hope.”

Unbeknownst to Dale Gibbs, the Department of Justice opened an investigation into the killings under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil

Rights Crime Act, during the first Trump Administration, according to department documents.

But now, the future of that federal investigation is unclear. Though the department has made no public statement about the status of the remaining Till Act cases, policy changes under the second Trump Administration and the mass resignation of attorneys within the Civil Rights Division appear to threaten both the future of this investigation and the division as a whole.

Read more at www.myimessenger.com

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Angel Reese Targeted After Flagrant Foul; WNBA Launches Probe

By Stacy M. Brown

Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The WNBA has launched an investigation into what it called “hateful fan comments” directed at Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese during Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever—an episode that reignited long-simmering racial tensions surrounding Reese and Fever second-year player Caitlin Clark. The two players, who entered the league together last year after a fiery college rivalry, have become emblematic of a racial divide that continues to shape how fans, media, and the public perceive Black and white women athletes.

Reese, who is Black, has often been vilified for her outspoken confidence and physical play. Clark, who is white, has largely been celebrated, even while displaying similar traits on the court.

“They both are excellent competitors,” ESPN broadcaster Monica McNutt said.

“But if it had been the other way around [Reese shoving Clark], you could imagine how this conversation would go.”

In the third quarter of Indiana’s 93-58 win, tensions boiled over when Clark slapped at the ball after Reese secured an offensive rebound and had a clear path to the basket. Reese fell to the floor and quickly got up to confront Clark before Fever star Aliyah Boston intervened.

Officials reviewed the play, upgraded Clark’s foul to a flagrant 1, and issued technical fouls to both Reese and Boston.

As boos rang out from the largely non-African American crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Reese was targeted more aggressively—particularly during her free throws.

The WNBA said it is investigating “allegations of hateful fan comments” directed at her during the game. “The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms — they have

Angel Reese

no place in our league or in society,” the league said in a statement. “We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.”

Reese declined to speak to the media after the game and had no comment Sunday through a representative.

The confrontation—and the crowd’s reaction—quickly spilled into online discourse, with some defending Reese while others amplified attacks. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, who is married to a white woman, drew fire for a post accusing Reese of creating a hostile environment. “Angel Reese said she is the villain, refused to

answer questions about Caitlin Clark, and has celebrated flagrant fouls on Caitlin Clark,” the ill-informed Griffin said. “I’m not helping create anything. Angel Reese has fed into this with her actions.

She needs to do better.”

Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant fired back at Griffin. “Both girls are good in their own right,” Bryant asserted. “Caitlin Clark is better than Angel Reese, but saying she hates her is wild. You are helping create a negative narrative around Angel Reese.. and I don’t respect it, respectfully. You know this is tied into race.. and the way you’re playing it is wild. We gotta do better.”

Chicago Sky CEO and president Adam Fox fully supported Reese and welcomed the WNBA’s investigation.

“We will do everything in our power to protect Chicago Sky players,” Fox said. “And we encourage the league to continue taking meaningful steps to create a safe environment for all WNBA players.”

Dallas Mavericks Land No. 1 Pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor

After a tumultuous season which saw the departure of beloved star Luka Doncic, massive injuries, calls for the GM’s firing and ultimately not making the playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks experienced a reversal of fortune Monday night.

The Mavs landed the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft in the televised NBA Draft Lottery. This is the first time in franchise history Dallas has moved up when in lottery position.

The Mavs follow the Dallas

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Mavs legend Rolando Blackman and NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Mark Tatum at the NBA Draft Lottery Monday night in Chicago Credit: Dorothy J Gentry

Wings who landed the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.

They drafted Paige Bueckers out of the University of Con-

necticut in last month’s draft.

Dallas entered the night in the 11th slot, and the Mavericks had a 1.80% chance of landing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft, as well as an 8.50% chance at moving into one of the top four positions. This marks the second time that Dallas has held the first-overall selection, the first being in the second-ever draft in Mavericks franchise history in 1981 when the team selected Mark Aguirre out of DePaul.

Mavs Four-Time All-Star Rolando Blackman, the team’s vice president of corporate relations, represented the Mavs at the lottery.

The news marks a renewed hope for a franchise that went from being in the Finals less than a year ago to not making the playoffs and becoming the joke of the league after trading away generational talent Doncic.

NBA Draft 2025 presented

by State Farm will take place June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Coverage on both nights will begin at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN. Dorothy J. Gentry, a Dallas native, is a freelance writer and educator. She has a degree in Journalism/ Communications from the University of North Texas.

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MAY 23

Winsome Prime—a new, elevated Southern Steakhouse located in Trinity Groves—officially announces its grand opening 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Sultry songstress Dana Harper is slated to perform live throughout the evening, while guests wine and dine. Proper dress code is required.

***

Memorial Day Weekend at Community, by Community Beer Company.

Honoring the spirit of community, celebration, and remembrance with a weekend full of great music, craft drinks, and fun. Plenty of seating is available, but reservations are recommended. Reserve your spot here: https://bit.ly/43kzneK

24 Cedar Hill Farmers Market by Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce. In Historic Downtown, you can enjoy locally grown and handcrafted products.

Enjoy fresh produce, baked goods, canned products, apparel, lotions, art, and more! 9 am – 1 pm in Downtown Cedat Hill. https://bit.ly/44CnlQk More dates are available. *** Farmers Market @ The Shed – Memorial Day Weekend by Dallas Framers Market. Fire up the grill and kick off summer with local flavor! Come shop with our ranchers for all your Memorial Day essentials, everything you need for the ultimate backyard cookout! 9 am – 5 pm at 920 S. Harwood St., Dallas. www.dallasfarmersmarket.org

Africa Day 2025 Celebration - Celebrate Africa Day 2025 at Aso Rock Market with music, food, and culture! 12 - 4 pm. Doors at noon. Aso Rock Market – Frankford, 18110 Midway Rd. #208, Dallas. https://bit. ly/4331KxX *** Afro-Caribbean Explosion: Memorial Weekend Wahala. A night of pure Afro-Caribbean magic. 9 pm - 2 am.

214 North Akard St., Dallas. https:// bit.ly/43djZ3T

25 Carry The Load Dallas Memorial March by Frisco VFW Post 8273 and Frisco Post No. 8273, Veterans of Foreign Wars, US. Remember and honor our nation’s heroes by participating in the Dallas Memorial March, 6 – 8 pm. at Reverchon Park, 3434 Maple Ave. Dallas. https://bit.ly/4mjDBfx *** Sips & Steps Line Dancing By DivaDance Arlington Metroplex. Line dancing, DJ, lite bites, and a cash bar at Walk-On’s in Arlington! Kick off Memorial Day Weekend. 4 - 6 pm CDT at Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux 401 East Interstate 20 Arlington. https:// bit.ly/3Fj1HWT

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Elusive Ladies 47th Deltaversary BADST FAMU

T E X A S

WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM

Community Calender MetroNews 1 COMMUNITY CALENDAR DELIVERING NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Vol-12 • August 29 - September 4, 2024

Good Surf Beach 317 S Second Ave, Dallas. 3 – 10 pm. Tickets https:// bit.ly/3EYNA9k

28 Free Food, Drive Through Food Distribution. Event by Community MBC. The Food Distribution Ministry will provide FREE FOOD to all who come to the Cedar Hill campus! From 9 – 11 am, 820 E. Wintergreen Rd. Cedar Hill. If you would like to become a volunteer, contact: stephen. jackson@communitymbc.org or call (972)230-4477 EXT 3635.

African American Cemetery Tour in Honor of Memorial Day. Step back in time with us on a moving guided bus tour through Dallas’ African American cemeteries this Memorial Day weekend. 10 am - 2 pm CDT. Doors at 9:30 am. 1408 N Washington Ave. Dallas. https://bit.ly/43jGUv

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31 Fire Truck Pull 2025 in Duncanville, 16th Anniversary by Duncanville Police Department. They team up with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office for an action-packed day of community spirit and friendly competition. 9 am at 100 James Collins Blvd. Donate: https://bit.ly/42K4QIa

29 Ensemble Auditions 2025 @ DBDT studios. If your student is interested in performing on a regular basis representing Dallas Black Dance Academy, come audition for one of the academy ensembles! 6-8:30pm DBDA 2025-2026 Ensemble Auditions

*** Summer Enrichment 2025 @ DBDT studios (Ages 9-16 years old) Experience intensive training during the summer with DBDT professional company members. June 2-13, 2025 (Monday – Friday 8:30am-3:00pm) Dallas Black Dance Academy Summer Enrichment 2025

Duncanville High School’s Class of 2025! Graduation at Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr, Arlington. 6 pm duncanvilleisd.org

In celebration of Women’s Golf Day, the PGA of America and Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa are hosting a Women’s Golf Day event on Friday, May 30, at PGA Frisco for women of all ages and golfing abilities. In recognition of the organization’s 10th year, this event celebrates Women’s Golf Day as a global event that celebrates women and girls playing golf and developing skills to last a lifetime.

STATE OF FAMU NAA, AWARD & RECOGNITION LUNCHEON 12 noon www.famualumniconvention.com

*** Jazz on the Trinity returns with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Lalah Hathaway headlining a star-studded lineup. Held at Panther Island Pavilion, this year’s festival features performances by Rick Braun, Kevin Ross, Lindsey Webster, Latin Express, and Richmond Punch, promising an unforgettable blend of jazz, soul, and R&B. In addition to the music, attendees will enjoy curated experiences like: Q&A panel and meet & greet with viral influencer group The SilverFox Squad, Black-owned tasting tent (with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Chris Howell Foundation) Cigar lounge experience, and more!

16th Anniversary Fire Truck Pull.

By Duncanville Police Department, Duncanville Special Events. Pull for a cause! Join us at Fire Truck Pull 2025 in Duncanville as we team up with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office for an action-packed day of community spirit and friendly competition. 9 am at 100 James Collins Blvd, Duncanville. https://www.classy.org/.../ fire-truck-pull-2025.../e666224 *** African American Cemetery Tour in Honor of Memorial Day by Remembering Black Dallas, Inc. Step back in time with us on a moving guided bus tour through Dallas’ African American cemeteries this Memorial Day weekend, rain or shine! 10 am – 2 pm CDT. Doors at 9:30 am at 1408 N Washington Ave. Dallas. https:// bit.ly/43jGUvD

DALLAS WINGS host CHICAGO SKY at 7p.m. It's Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Night

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Cut-A-Rug Tour Dukes & Boots by Thibodeaux’s Cajun Cookin’ and Jackie Jadiva Smith

*** For The Love Of R&B Saturday feat.

DJ Pharaoh, by Retro Hip World and Pure Social Dallas, Reserved seating is available inside. Reserved tables must be claimed by 10:30 pm. Pure Social Bar and Grill, 401 W George Bush Hwy, Ste 126, Richardson. Tickets: www.Puresocialdallas.com.

DALLAS BLACK DANCE THEATER 51st Annual Recital @ Majestic Theatre - 3:30pm Join Skylar Smith and all the talented dancers

Memorial Day “Baewatch” Pool Party @ Good Surf Beach by The CoOperative Group. Doors open at 3 pm (Swimsuits Are Required). Ladies Free W/RSVP till 5 pm. Pool Party, *** Pickleball Tournament, Games, Food, Drinks, and DJs. For info, Call/ Text 469-759-3519 ***

Poet’s & Jazz #5 by The Black Theatre of Arts and Letters. GEMINI, the mother spoken word artist, rapper, and singer from Houston.

At Clarence Muse Café, 1309 Canton St., at 9 pm. Tickets: https://www. ticketmaster.com/poets-n-jazz-5 *** Tosin Opaleke - Comedy Special Recording. Tosin Opaleke performs live at the Bishop Arts Theatre – you never know what to expect, but it’ll be a good time! 7 - 11 pm. Bishop Arts Theatre Center, 215 South Tyler St., Dallas. https://bit.ly/3RZob22

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Chalet Nicole Brown Celebration of Life

By Eva D. Coleman Lifestyle Editor The Celebration of Life for Chalet Nicole Brown was held May 17, 2025 at Lake Bethlehem Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Brown was a beloved 24-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

She was initiated at Dillard University in 2001 and was instrumental as a charter member for the 10-year-old Omega Alpha Omega chapter of which she served until her death. Over 60 sorority sisters clad in white were in attendance, also taking part in an Ivy Beyond the Wall ceremony before the service began. A surprise announcement by Brown’s actual and sorority sister, Tammy Abernathy, had all attendees clapping at news of Brown posthumously receiving an honorary doctorate in Education Specializing in Organizational Management from

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Abilene Christian University of which she was enrolled and a few weeks away from defending her dissertation.

All enthusiastically saluted Dr. Chalet Nicole Brown.

Omega Alpha Omega chapter members were

proud to make the trip from Dallas-Fort Worth to Shreveport to honor Brown. Led by current president, Pamela S. Foster, all former presidents of Omega Alpha Omega chapter were in attendance as well.

Joke of the Day

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METRO SALUTE Carlos Garth, Sr.

Stephanie Hamilton

Councilman Chris Nettles

Graduated from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, passed the Texas State Bar, was sworn in as a Texas Attorney, and became State Senator Royce West’s new general counsel.

DeSoto ISD is proud to celebrate its top teachers who were selected by their peers as a 2024-2025 Campus Teacher of the Year. Stephanie Hamilton teaches at Amber Terrace Early Childhood Learning Center.

Councilman Nettles was sworn in District 8 council seat in the city of Fort Worth.

Lamont Thomas

Joyce Freeman

Epatha Merkerson

Lamont Thomas of Buffalo, New York, has spent over 20 years fostering more than 30 children and is now a proud single dad of 12 after adopting five siblings. He came out of retirement to reunite Zendaya, Jamel, Nakia, Major, and Michaela, who had been separated in the system.

Receives the Community Leadership Award from St. Luke’s United Women of Faith at the Annual Scholarship Awards.

Donates $1 Million to Alabama’s Oldest HBCU During 150th Commencement

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FRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025 •

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Call issued to Support Black Businesses Buy Black!

By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News

When Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, of Friendship-West Baptist Church, announced 100 Days Dr. Frederick D.Haynes III of Buying Black in acknowledging the 100th Commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre, we joined the movement. December 31, 2021 marked 100 days of featuring Black Businesses. and we decided that the struggle continues and we must also. So enjoy reading about more Black-owned businesses and please support.

BASK AND LATHER CO

A few years ago, the CEO of Bask and Lather Co.’s younger sister lost ALL of her hair to a ringworm that spread across her scalp and was misdiagnosed as dandruff. The dermatologist told her mother that her hair may never grow back. Out of desperation, her mother took things into her own hands and created a scalp oil to stimulate growth (Scalp Stimulator) and a hair oil to nourish and strengthen hair (Hair Elixir). Both are formulated from all-natural, 100% organic ingredients. Learn more and shop for products by visiting the website. Sign up for the email list and receive 15% off your first order.

• https://baskandlatherco.com • email: support@baskandlatherco.com • FB and IG @baskandlatherco • Shaina Rainford is founder, CEO, and owner

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”A TASTE OF CAJUN” ”A Taste of Cajun,” which is a new Cajun seafood restaurant coming to DeSoto, TX, is owned by Sandra Moore and Ricky Sterling. They offer Authentic Cajun Cuisine made with family recipes, quality ingredients, and love. They began catering for friends and family in 2018 and feature family recipes, including some from Ricky Sterling’s family in Louisiana. The Cajun flavor is a seasoning blend of cayenne pepper and garlic, and most often described as equal parts bold and spicy. Stop by for lunch, they open at noon to get a taste of Cajun. They cater, order online, or in person. View the menu on the website.

• https://www.atasteofcajuntogo.com • phone (469) 460-3208 • 921 W. Belt Line Rd. DeSoto THE WAY UP CREATIVE GROUP LLC At The Way Up Creative Group LLC, they specialize in elevating brands through strategic branding, marketing, and public relations solutions designed to amplify your vision and distinct value in the marketplace. Founded by awardwinning publicist and creative strategist Tracee “The Way Up CEO” Holloway in 2021, the agency leverages over two decades of professional experience in integrated marketing communications, creative direction, and brand elevation.

Guided by their core values of Creativity, Excellence, and Success, every interaction with The Way Up Creative Group is purpose-driven, innovative, and results-focused. Tracee wants to elevate your brand together.

• https://thewayupcreative.com/ • Tracee is remote. Contact her on her website THE HOUSE OF HALOS The House of Halos is where you will find your new look.

They have ready-to-wear wigs, frontals, bundles, all in colors, straight or curly. Ms. Aadreana Stylz is a wigologist, some will say she has growing hands. She has set many trends, kept up to date with the latest, and mastered styles. She stays ready for any event and has released some of the most sought-after

wigs on the website. At The House of Halos, they believe in bringing the most premium quality wigs to you, but more than that, they want to offer the best experience! Visit the website for more information and shop.

• www.thehouseofhalos.com • email: Aadreanastylz@ gmail.com • (954) 479-8992 CURVACEOUS BOUTIQUE Since 2007, Curvaceous Boutique has offered head-turning looks and undeniable confidence for curvy women who refuse to play small. We don’t just follow trends– we set them. Every curve tells a story, and they’re here to your style is seen as sass, and absolute fabulousness. They carry styles from day to night. You can shop online.

Free shipping is available on orders over $150.

Visit the website.

• https://curvaceousboutique.com • Owner, Cassandra Savage Ellis BEAUX BOUDIN CAJUN & CREOLE BITES What is Boudin? The Best Stuff on Earth. At Beaux Boudin, their dishes are a seamless blend of Texas and Louisiana cuisine, capturing the essence of the Gulf Coast in every plate.

Beaux Boudin introduces authentic Cajun and Creole flavors, transcending regional boundaries to make Boudin and Southern Louisiana dishes a culinary staple, inviting people everywhere to savor these cherished flavors. Beaux Boudin is the vibrant result of blending diverse cultures and traditions influenced by the rich tapestry of the Gulf Coast. You can find them in Arlington, TX. Takeout, Curbside pickup, and In-store pickup.

• https://beauxboudin.com • (817) 200-6381 • Info@beauxboudin.com • 1821 S Fielder Rd, Arlington

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 5/5/2025 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 2000 Dodge Durango 2003 Ford F150 2005 GMC Savana 2006 Honda Cbr600rr 2006 Subaru Forester 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt 2007 Honda Accord 2007 Honda Element 2008 Honda Odyssey 2008 Saturn Vue 2009 NISSAN Altima 2009 NISSAN Maxima 2010 Ford Fusion 2011 BMW 528I 2011 Ford Escape 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2012 NISSAN Maxima 2013 Chevrolet Spark 2013 Kia Sportage 2013 Toyota Rav4 2014 Hyundai Elantra 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2017 NISSAN Sentra 2018 Jeep Cherokee 2018 LOAD TRAIL trailer 2019 Kia Soul 2019 NISSAN Altima bigtex trailer

VIN 1B4HR28Z2YF273096 1FTRW076X3KD52818 1GTGG29V851129478 JH2PC37066M303306 JF1SG63616H717174 1G1AK55F577149085 3HGCM56417G703316 5J6YH18787L001614 5FNRL38638B077368 3GSCL53788S506453 1N4AL21E99N513853 1N4AA51E89C802466 3FAHP0HG3AR285445 WBAFR1C51BC742595 1FMCU0D78BKA49457 5NPEC4AC9BH117093 1N4AA5AP0CC809131 KL8CD6S97DC553189 KNDPB3A20D7364507 2T3ZFREV2DW006933 KMHDH4AE1EU190866 1C4RJEBG9FC920485 3N1AB7AP3HY247696 1C4PJMCB4JD507428 4ZEGC3623J1149672 KNDJN2A29K7021845 1N4BL4CV1KN324620

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ARRESTED

E F I L HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST

He targeted members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. but this is more than about a sorority.

We’re talking about a community.

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

Crimestoppers 877-373-8477 36 • FRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025