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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
Stephanie Hamilton METRO SPOTLIGHT
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.
MY TRUTH
I used to love to sing the song “Who is he and what is he to you.” Bill Withers sang: I don’t know who he is But I think that you do Dadgummit Who is he, and what is he to you
INSIDE
THE LAST WORD
Critical thinking has taken a leave of absence. Reality is unreal. History is inverted, so the villains become the victims, and the victims the villains.
FORMER ATLANTA MAYOR KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS
It is official: Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is running for governor of the state of Georgia on the Democratic ticket. At 6 a.m. this morning, Bottoms made her decision official.
IN MEMORIAM
Mary Allison Starks Blair
Mary Allison Starks Blair was born on February 26, 1939, in Dallas, Texas to William Allison Starks and Julia Mae Walker Starks.
She was raised in a loving and close-knit family that included five siblings. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings William (Billy), Jr., Birdie, Gretchen (Baby Sister), and Bettie Joe.
As a fourth-generation descendant ofn one of the founder’s of New Hope, Emma Starks, Mary was baptized at an early age by Reverend Dr. O.M. Locust.
She was recognized by
the church as having been a member for over 75 years, where she served in various church ministries, including New Members Committee; Showers of Blessings Outreach Ministry at the MLK Center; Seasoned Saints Ministry (Chairperson); and the Solace Committee (Chairperson).
Mary attended Booker T. Washington High School until the family moved to South Dallas. While attending “The Great” James Madison High School, Mary was a star twirler as a member of the Whirl Wind Club. She graduated in 1957.
She married Johnny A. Blair and to this union, one child was born, Dawn Maria, who was the LOVE of HER LIFE.
Mary’s professional career began at Texas Instruments (TI), however, after Dawn started school, she joined the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) to align their
schedules. She retired from the DISD after serving more than 30 years.
Mary was a long-time, faithful member of the Washing-
ton-Lincoln Alumni Association of Dallas, Inc. (WLAA). For many years, she served as the Registrar for their National Conventions.
Mary Blair
Mary Blair with daughter, Dawn Courtesy
MY TRUTH
by Cheryl Smith Publisher
MORE HISTORY LESSONS
Who are they and what are they to us?
I used to love to sing the song “Who is he and what is he to you.”
Bill Withers sang:
I don’t know who he is But I think that you do Dadgummit
Who is he, and what is he to you
I couldn’t sing this verse, but loved the group Creative Source’s version:
You’re too much for one man
But not enough for two Dad gum it, who is he And what is he to you
Today I ask the question because of the overconsumption of being in other folks’ business and little if any attention to the things that should matter.
When you consider all that’s going on in the world, you really could ask yourself if you are focusing on the right things.
There’s going to be a dedication of a park this week, The Eloise Lundy Recreation Center.
Thanks for the invitation Councilwoman Carolyn King Arnold.
I hope to attend the unveiling and ribbon cutting and I typed in Eloise Lundy’s name
because I wanted to know who was she and what was she to me?
Especially during these times, we need to know who these people are and what they mean to us. We need to share their stories and keep their legacy alive.
What better way to add to the legacy of the Black Press than to have us keep alive the names of those who gave so that we could have what we needed in our communities?
They are equally important as the entertainers, athletes, and others who capture headlines.
Let’s balance those headlines.
So who was Eloise Lundy and what was she to us? The park that was named in her honor was the first park in the City of Dallas dedicated solely for use by African Americans.
Born in Dallas, she was known for her work with parks citywide, according to the Dallas Park and Recreation Instagram page. She served as a district supervisor over 45 parks.
I’m sure there is much more to her story. We need to find and share those stories about Ms. Lundy and others. Her work for decades must serve as an example for others. Clearly she cared about her community and especially our children.
Recently in a conversation about Dallas and other cities, I mentioned how we made great use of our parks.
ketball games until the wee hours of the night, an impressive Negro Baseball League game, concerts featuring the Moments or other groups, or daily cookouts; our parks were the place to gather.
I know Harrison Blair and other Parks and Recreation Board members would love to have our area parks with equally equipped facilities, a safe environment, superior equipment, and a bustling crowd of all ages taking in the sun and activities.
As we continue to honor folks, we must ensure that those coming after them will know who they are and what
Eloise Lundy Credit: Dallas Municipal Archives
Dallas City Councilmember Carolyn King Arnold hosted a Meet and Greet for Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux at the Beckley Saner Recreation Center in Oak Cliff.
Texas-Born, Legacy-Built: Black Beauty Entrepreneurs Redefine Ownership
By Alicia Wilson Special Correspondent
Texas Metro News
At this year’s International Beauty Show in New York City, Black beauty wasn’t just trending—it was testifying. Inside the Powerhouse Pavilion, amid the buzz of products and professionals, Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide hosted a conversation that felt like both a homecoming and a reckoning.
The panel was called “Building Legacy Brands: The Future of Black-Owned Beauty Businesses,” but it was much more than that. It was a reminder that legacy is a choice. A calling. A strategy. And for many of us, it started right here in Texas.
That legacy lives in names like Comer Cottrell, the Dallas-based beauty pioneer who changed the game with Pro-Line and the Curly Kit. His impact was generational—economic, cultural, and communal. And that impact was in the room, alive and thriving, through his granddaughter, Autumn Yarbrough, and through trichologist Rodney Barnett, who once worked side-by-side with Cottrell himself.
Yarbrough, now the founder of Nu Standard, carries not only her grandfather’s legacy but her mother’s as well—creator of the beloved Just For Me line. But she’s not just preserving history. She’s expanding it. She spoke with clarity and conviction about what it means to build something that’s innovative, rooted in wellness, and rooted in us.
“Legacy to me is about impact, integrity, and inspira-
tion,” she said. And when she said it, you knew it wasn’t a tagline—it was a lived mission. For her, building legacy means creating products that aren’t just trendy but trustworthy. Products that are tested, studied, safe—today and five years from now. And more importantly, products that pour back into the same community that built the brand.
Barnett echoed that sentiment, reminding us that the ‘80s and ‘90s weren’t just about style—they were about ownership. “There were so many Black brands created back then,” he said. “But what happened to them? The problem wasn’t creating the business—it was passing it on.”
That passing down, that generational handoff, is where so many legacy stories
fade. Barnett’s three words for legacy? “The next generation.” And he wasn’t just talking about bloodlines—he was talking about infrastructure. Systems. Knowledge. Ownership that lasts beyond the founder.
Moderator Stephenetta (isis) Harmon, Sadiaa founder and cultural curator of all things Black beauty, made it plain: “Legacy isn’t something that’s handed to us—it’s something that we build, protect, and pass on.” And passing it on means inviting the community into the process. That includes stylists, barbers, salon owners—the very people who’ve always been the frontline educators in our beauty stories.
If you’re looking for the blueprint, look no further than those chairs and back-
bars. “Stylists and barbers are the most powerful educators,” Barnett said. “But they were never taught how to retail.” It’s a gap the panelists agreed we can close—with intention, with investment, and with community loyalty.
Huggins, founder of Ready to Beauty, brought fire and truth to the mic when he reminded us that it’s not just about visibility—it’s about control. “I don’t want a seat at the table,” he said. “I want to own the team. I want to own the manufacturing company that built the team.” That line got an audible reaction from the crowd—and rightly so.
Corey Huggins challenged the audience to think beyond individual wins. Too often, he said, we chase trends, seats, and press—but what about legacy? “Every time we get a little sauce in our game, they try to take it away from us… We are America’s culture. We’ve built this. We’re sustaining it. We’re the sauce.”
What struck me most was how grounded this conversation was in Southern truth. Dallas wasn’t just a footnote—it was a foundation. From Cottrell’s early hustle to Yarbrough’s reimagined vision for the future, it’s clear that the South has always had something to say when it comes to beauty, brilliance, and Black business.
This wasn’t a conversation about hoping for change. It was a call to keep building. To build for impact. To build for each other. And to build something that our children’s children will still be proud to claim.
Legacy doesn’t wait. And in rooms like this, it doesn’t whisper either—it roars.
Autumn Yarbrough Credit: Alicia Wilson Rodney Barnett
Credit: Alicia Wilson
Stephenetta “Isis” Harmon, Rodney Barnett, Autumn Yarbrough and Corey Huggins Credit: Alicia Wilson
Topsy-Turvy Toxic Policy — Oppressed South Africans?
THE LAST WORD
BY DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX
Critical thinking has taken a leave of absence. Reality is unreal. History is inverted, so the villains become the victims, and the victims the villains. Shakespeare captured it in “Macbeth” when the witches say, “fair is foul, and foul is fair.” Sounds like the policies that emanate from this 47th president.
I could write treatises about the illegality and illegitimacies of this president’s policies, and many of them — the arrest of Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka; the precipitous firing of Library of Congress leader Carla Hayden, just the latest, but so many breaches of decency and protocol.
This president does not care about decency, nor about protocol. And clearly, with his amusing executive order “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” he neither cares about truth or history. It is the executive order – not a law, not enforceable, but simple rhetoric that has both sparked lawsuits and caused museum executives to return historic items to their donors.
I never thought anyone would make me long for former President George W. Bush. We used to joke about how little he must have read, when we spied him reading the upside down comic book after September 11. But whatever he read, he had enough sense to help establish the National Museum of African American History and
Culture. He had enough sense to increase U.S. assistance to Africa through HIV global funding, economic development assistance through the African Growth and Development Act and other legislation.
He had enough sense to meet with 35 African heads of state, including, in 2001, South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki. I wonder, today, what the two presidents talked about when they met. I am certain they did not talk about the way Afrikaners who colonized South Africa and exploited its Black natives were “oppressed.”
up and up is down. A president who says he wants to eliminate “fraud, waste and abuse” sent a plane to pick up “oppressed” South African land barons, grant them refugee status, and offer them resettlement assistance (fraud, waste and abuse) here in the United States.
Our president has prioritized White South Africans, perhaps because his purchased co-president is from that country. Of the approximately resettlers, how many are his relatives or friends? And since he is so flush with cash, will he reimburse our government for his costly
Our current president does not value history, though. He makes it up as he goes along, and he has an unfortunate coterie of power-hungry sycophants who know better but muffle themselves for fear of being exiled from their lying leader.
Our current president does not value history, though. He makes it up as he goes along, and he has an unfortunate coterie of power-hungry sycophants who know better but muffle themselves for fear of being exiled from their lying leader.
So White South Africans, the oppressive Afrikaners who exploited Black labor for generations (hello, Mississippi), are now feeling “discriminated against” because the new South African constitution allows people to take back some of the land that was stolen from them. Inversive thinking. Down is
attempt to impose racial hierarchy in foreign policy?
Does our elected president and his purchased co-president Musk hope to resettle the entire Afrikaner population to the United States, providing them with monetary assistance to compensate them for “discrimination?”
Sounds like fraud, waste and abuse, along with a warped form of affirmative action to me. But Executive Order 14151 — “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” — eliminated that, along with Executive
Order 14173 — “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit Based Opportunity.” — seems to preserve preference for white people, especially exploitive Afrikaners who were only able to accumulate property in South Africa by aggressively wiping out the lives of Black South Africans. Topsy-turvy toxic policy that reinforces our president’s anti-Blackness as well as his ignorance of history.
It is a slap in the face of the heralded South African President Nelson Mandela, as well as an attack of generations of anti-apartheid activists, including Randall Robinson, Mary Frances Berry, Ron Dellums, Dr. Dorothy Height, Harry Belafonte and others. While Black Republicans were not notable activists, many played quiet roles in our nation’s (contested) opposition to apartheid. So Gen. Colin Powell helped implement parts of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act (1986) after it was passed over by President Reagan’s veto. But Black Republicans, especially at the local level, were reluctant to challenge their president for fear of political consequences (sound familiar?).
We can expect more topsy-turvy toxic policy from this administration, where down is up, up is down, victims are villains and villains are victims. The peculiar distortion of South Africa’s history is especially egregious, but not unexpected. What’s next?
Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.
Queens Tour unites four iconic voices and their music
By Derrel Johnson
Iconic soul singers Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight have countless things in common. Born just four days apart, chart-topping Grammy Award winners both started in groups: Cindy Birdsong, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash joined LaBelle to form the group of the same name, and Knight by siblings and other family members to form Gladys Knight in the Pips.
The two songbirds, who have catalogs that go back to the early 1960s, had the enviable task of determining what songs to perform during a tour across America.
Listening to their September 2020 Verzuz is the perfect appetizer to the show, as the pair performed many of the songs they performed that night, albeit in separate sets.
Queens in Brooklyn
The woman nicknamed the “Empress of Soul” opened the evening at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and performed several of her biggest hits, including “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye),” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me,” and “Love Overboard.”
The Atlanta native, who celebrated her 81st birthday on May 28, also performed her collaboration with fellow icons Dionne Warwick, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder, “That’s What Friends Are For,” and even took the crowd to church by performing the Donnie McClurkin classic “Stand.”
LaBelle’s birthday four days before Knight’s
LaBelle, who also celebrated her 81st birthday on May 24, performed many of her biggest hits, including “Isn’t It a Shame,” “My Love, Sweet Love,” and “Love, Need, and Want You. ” She was joined by one of her male background vocalists, Aaron Marcellus, for Michael McDonald’s verse for the duet “On My Own.”
The Philadelphia native left the stage for a wardrobe change and returned to close out her set with “Somebody
Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is),” “If Only You Knew,” and “Lady Marmalade,” complete with crowd participation from men from the audience.
Stephanie Mills, the youngest woman on the tour at 68, performed between Knight and LaBelle and brought a lot of energy, powerhouse vocals, and hits to the stage.
The Tony and Grammy Award winner performed “What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin’,” (You’re Puttin’) a Rush on Me,” “Something in the Way You Make Me Feel,” “I Have
Learned to Respect the Power of Love,” “Never Knew Love Like This Before,” and perhaps the hit she is best known for, “Home.”
Chaka Khan closed out the night.
The first leg of the Queens tour continued in Brooklyn on May 24, Chicago and Cincinnati at the end of May, and Indianapolis on June 1.
The second leg kicks off on Sept. 19 in Greensboro, N.C., and will stop in Atlanta, Atlantic City, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis, Milwaukee, Newark, N.J., and Washington, D.C.
Patti LaBelle
Gladys Knight
What Happened to Due Process Under Trump?
OUR VOICES
BY BOBBY HENRY, SR.
Due process is the idea that everyone should be treated fairly under the law no matter who you are. But during Donald Trump’s time in office, this basic American right is pushed aside in favor of politics and power.
Let’s look at something symbolic but telling: Trump refused to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day. This isn’t just about holidays, it’s about respect. Millions of Native people have long fought to be recognized and heard.
By ignoring that, Trump sent a clear message: we will Whitewash your history too. He has made it apparent only certain histories matter to him, and it’s not the full American story.
Then there’s the issue of executive orders. In just the first 100 days of his second term, Trump signed over 140 of them. That means he made big decisions on his own, without going through Congress or hearing from the public.
This kind of trickling down governing leaves everyday people especially Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities out of the conversation, and (SOL)with no chance to speak up or push back.
We saw Trump’s Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, shut down a Department of
Defense program designed for women in the military. There was no public debate, no explanation.
For women especially women of color serving their country, this felt like, yet another door slammed shut, without any due process or respect for their service.
Thank God and some brave people, the nation recently honored the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion an all-Black, all-female unit from World War II, with the Congressio -
and justice. True due process means equal treatment for all, regardless of race, gender, or political connection.
As we reflect on these events, it’s imperative to recommit to a justice system that upholds fairness and equality for every American.
Further exacerbating concerns about due process and historical representation, the Trump administration has taken steps to alter the narrative presented in national cul -
You would think that in a democracy, the integrity of our legal and cultural institutions is paramount. Yet “they” use selective amnesia by applying justice when they manipulate historical narratives, it not only undermines due process but also threatens the very fabric of our society.
nal Gold Medal. Known as the “Six Triple Eight,” these women processed over 17 million pieces of mail in just three months, boosting troop morale overseas.
Despite their monumental contributions, they returned home to a country that largely ignored their service, reflecting a long history of systemic inequities faced by people of color.
Several accounts in our history highlight troubling disparities. While some benefit from swift political intervention, others wait decades for recognition
tural institutions.
An executive order signed by President Trump mandates the removal of what he terms “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology” from Smithsonian museums, with a particular focus on the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).
This directive has led to the removal of significant artifacts, including the original Woolworth’s lunch counter from the 1960 Greensboro sit-in, a pivotal symbol of the Civil Rights Movement.
Additionally, the museum has faced criticism and pressure leading to the removal of educational materials, such as a chart discussing aspects of “whiteness,” intended to foster conversations about race and culture.
These actions raise concerns about the politicization of historical narratives and the potential erasure of critical aspects of American history, particularly those highlighting the struggles and contributions of marginalized communities.
You would think that in a democracy, the integrity of our legal and cultural institutions is paramount. Yet “they” use selective amnesia by applying justice when they manipulate historical narratives, it not only undermines due process but also threatens the very fabric of our society.
As we honor the achievements not only of the Six Triple Eight but of all those who have “endured to persevere,” we do so while our nostrils are filled with the stench of injustice—the bitter odor of a system that pardons the Proud Boys and uplifts the privileged.
In this contrast, we are reminded of the urgent need to advocate for a society rooted in fairness, inclusivity, and truth for all.
Bobby Henry, Sr. is the publisher of the Westside Gazette and chair of the National Newspaper Publishers AssociationNNPA
DALLAS, TX – Beneath the uniform lies a story rarely told. On Thursday, June 5, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Honor Endures: The Blind Spots of the Uniform will debut with an opening reception at The Cliff Gallery at Dallas College Mountain View Campus. This student-led photography and documentary exhibition offers a moving, multidimensional experience that amplifies the voices of military veterans of color.
Presented by Operation Tiny House and funded by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, the exhibition blends visual storytelling with personal testi-
mony to reveal the unseen challenges and enduring strength behind military service, particularly for veterans of color whose stories often go untold.
Created by a group of Dallas College photography and media students, the exhibition includes dramatic portraits, candid environmental photography, and a compelling short documentary. The stories featured come from a diverse group of veterans across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including participants connected to Operation Tiny House, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring dignity and purpose to veterans.
Student-Led Exhibition Sheds Light on the Untold Stories of Veterans of Color
“This project is more than an exhibition; it’s a platform for truth, connection, and healing,” says Keith Vinson, Executive Producer and one of the student artists. “These are stories of courage, yes— but also of invisibility, resilience, and reclamation.”
The project team includes Dallas College students: Keith Vinson, NiEtta Reynolds, Tarik Warren, and Alex Leffall Honor Endures is more than a visual journey—it is an urgent call to recognize the full humanity of veterans who live at the intersection of race, service, and systemic challenges.
Juneteenth Festival Celebration at Mary Heads Carter Park from 10:30 to 3:00 At 2300 Heads Lane, Carrollton, TX 75006
Carrollton Juneteenth Festival, Celebrate 60 yrs! Program will include Music band, Singing, Dances, Speakers, Food, Poems, and Speeches.
Come join CCC’s Rev. Willie Rainwater and Friends, Mayor and City Council, CFB-ISD Board Members, Community Groups, The Church of the Latter Day Saints, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Churches, Schools, and Organizations.
Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. Two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. It was around 1979 when Texas declared Juneteenth a State Holiday, and on June 17, 2021, it became a Federal Holiday.
Please Make Donate: $50, $100, $500, or $1,000!
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Christ Community Connection, Inc.
P.O. BOX 116227, Carrollton, TX 75011
Rev. Willie Rainwater 972-242-0933
ChristCommunityConnection@Gmail.com
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announces Georgia Gubernatorial Bid
By April Ryan NNPA
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – It is official: Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is running for governor of the state of Georgia on the Democratic ticket.
At 6 a.m. this morning, Bottoms made her decision official. The 55-year-old mother, wife, politician, and lawyer served as the city of Atlanta’s 60th mayor and now runs on the Democratic ticket to be governor of the state of Georgia. Bottoms was also on the shortlist for consideration as Joe Biden’s vice-presidential pick. A few years later, President Biden courted her for the position of Public Liaison in the Biden administration.
In the lead-up to this decision and announcement, Lance Bottoms talked with
Maryland Governor Wes Moore about her run. She has enlisted his campaign manager, Ned Miller, for her gubernatorial efforts.
The former mayor of Atlanta says, “300 thousand people are in this state who don’t have access to health care because we have not expanded Medicaid.” She also focuses on tariffs that have impacted “600 thousand people in Georgia who have jobs directly related to the port of Savannah; that impacts their bottom line.”
Agrobusiness, better known as farming, is the No. 1 industry in that southern state. “They are having to absorb the costs associated with the tariffs Trump is implementing,” added Lance Bottoms. If she wins this race, she will emphasize how she can “best deliver as governor to make it
easier for you to make a living.”
Keisha Lance Bottoms is not the first Black woman to run for the Georgia governor’s seat. In 2018, Stacey Abrams ran a gubernatorial campaign. Abrams won the primary but lost the general election. For Bottoms, there are lessons learned, “You take a look at those elections, you take the lessons, you see what went right, and you also see what you can do better and what you can build upon.”
During her conversation with Black Press USA, she was direct in her plans not to take the Black vote for granted. “We can’t take anybody for granted. I’ve never taken any of my supporters for granted. I’m gonna work to earn the support of Black people, white people, Asian people, Hispanic people, however
you identify, I’m gonna work to earn your support in this election.”
“What African Americans want is the same thing that other people want: they wanna know what will our elected officials do for us. How will our communities be stronger? How will they be better, and can we look to you in our time of need to make sure that we have elected officials who were thinking about us and fighting for us.” The former lawyer acknowledged, “That transcends race.”
By the way, Keisha Lance Bottoms is the executive producer of a Netflix show, She The People, which follows a fictional character, a Black woman elected Lieutenant Governor in Mississippi. “The timing was not what I orchestrated. I think it’s great timing,” boasted Lance Bottoms.
George Floyd Five Years Later: Was it a Moment or a Movement?
TO BE EQUAL
BY MARC MORIAL
“All Americans are entitled to live with the confidence that the law enforcement officers and agencies in their communities will live up to our Nation’s founding ideals and will protect the rights of all persons. Particularly in African-American communities, we must redouble our efforts as a Nation to swiftly address instances of misconduct.” — Presidential Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities, June 16, 2020
None of us can forget the moment we saw the murder of George Floyd unfolding before our very eyes.
The sight of a white officer’s knee squeezing the life from a helpless Black man in handcuffs as he begged for mercy shocked the nation — a nation that had already seen police kill at least 17 other unarmed Black people just five months into the year.
I know what I felt at the time, and I’m sure you know how you felt. But let me share the immediate reaction of someone else:
“It should never happen, should never be allowed to happen, a thing like that. I understand the hurt. I understand the pain. The family of George is entitled to justice, and the people of Minnesota are entitled to live in safety … Americans will honor the memory of George and the Floyd family … It’s a horrible, horrible situation.”
Those were the words of President Donald Trump.
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, President Trump
issued an executive order to reform policing. It included a directive to create a publicly searchable database of substantiated misconduct and excessive force claims against federal police officers. It tightened use-of-force rules, banned chokeholds and encouraged law enforcement to better address the needs of vulnerable populations.
Five years later, with Trump once again in the Oval Office, that commitment to accountability not only has dried up, but reversed itself with a vengeance. Last month he issued an executive order to “unleash” violent police, and his supporters are urging him to pardon George Floyd’s murderer.
At this critical moment, the nation must ask itself the essential question: Did we seize the moment to build a lasting movement, or did we squander the chance for transformative change?
The National Urban League’s new report, “George Floyd Five Years Later: Was It A Moment, Or A Movement?” examines the ways in which government, institutions, advocates and the business community mobilized in the five years since George Floyd’s death to advance policing reform and racial justice.
It also traces the rise of political and cultural backlash that has challenged, and in some cases reversed, that progress.
During the first year after the murder, corporations pledged more than $66 billion to racial justice. These commitments included increased funding for minority-owned businesses, supplier diversity programs and DEI initiatives. S&P 100 companies grew their U.S. workforce by more than 323,000 in 2021 — and 94% of their new hires
were people of color.
But in the backlash that followed, DEI job postings declined 44% from 2022 to 2023. Major companies like Google and Meta cut DEI programs supporting Black talent.
Anti-DEI rhetoric gained traction, and anti-equality activists like Edward Blum mounted successful challenges to racial equity programs.
Federal policies followed a similar trajectory. President Joe Biden issued an executive order immediately upon taking office, directing all agencies to create racial equity plans. The administration partnered with the National Urban League and other civil rights groups to not only to develop specific policies to address racial inequities, but to ensure fairness in initiatives like American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act.
Under Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice convicted more than 180 police officers for civil rights violations and investigated 12 police departments and launched prison abuse investigations. President Biden issued an executive order to track police misconduct, ban chokeholds and strengthen de-escalation training.
The second Trump administration eliminated all DEI initiatives across the federal government on Day One. It rescinded Biden-era executive orders, including those advancing voter registration and equitable Census outreach. It froze all open DOJ civil rights investigations.
It is of the utmost urgency that we rise to defend not only the
progress made in the years immediately after George Floyd’s murder, but of the past 60 years.
The National Urban League met the moment in 2020 by establishing a new division, Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives, to advocate for a fair justice system and equal access to participation in democracy and civic processes.
We developed “21 Pillars for Redefining Public Safety and Restoring Community Trust” as a national framework for police reform.
We developed a new phase of civil rights and social justice advocacy and activism, “D3,” based on three guiding principles — Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity and Defeat Poverty.
Immediately after Inauguration Day this year, the National Urban League convened the Demand Diversity Roundtable, an emergency strategy session to confront immediate threats posed by the new administration’s anticipated attacks on civil and human rights.
Represented by the Legal Defense Fund and Lambda Legal, we and our co-plaintiffs National Fair Housing Alliance and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s unconstitutional anti-equity executive orders.
We launched the Fair Budget Coalition to advocate for an inclusive federal budget.
History will judge us — not by how we responded in the days after George Floyd’s death, but by what we are building five, 10 and 20 years later. The fight for justice, safety and dignity is far from over — and the stakes for our democracy could not be higher.
Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD AND SPEAKING OUT ABOUT INJUSTICES
FRIENDSHIP-WEST BAPTIST CHURCH IS ON THE FOREFRONT
May 25, 2020, George Floyd was 46 and he took his last breath as Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck. The world spoke loudly. People were outraged. Was this the first time that such a horrific crime was perpetrated? Not at all, but this time a courageous 17-year-old Darnella Frazier captured the murder.
Her documentation of the brutal assault not only resulted in her receiving an honorary Pulitzer Prize citation, it was a key piece of evidence in the trial that eventually ended with Chauvin in prison.
A lot of promises were made in the wake of protests and calls for justice, fairness, and also reparations. Corporate execs made promises, which many have reneged on, and some have seemed to have forgotten their promises of focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); or, they bowed to pressure from the Trump administration, and chaos and uncertainty are the order of the day.
Five years later, according to Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, at least 50 churches were gathering across the country, outside of Target Stores, to remember George Floyd and also call attention to what some consider to be one of the main corporations that reneged on their commitment to DEI.
Members of the megachurch, other area churches, and community members and leaders joined Dr. Haynes--shortly after noon CDT at the Target Store located in Southwest Dallas
County, not too far from the Church.
For months, the Black Clergy, Black Press and activists have been waging a strategic campaign that included se-
lective buying. Consumers were encouraged to shop at businesses that supported DEI. Since the campaign began, Target has reported significant losses. Organiz-
ers have developed a list and have already begun targeting other Corporate giants, like Walmart.
Stay tuned for more on this developing story.
From Fighting Fires to Igniting the Community, Westbrook is a Blazing Force of Change
By Sylvia Powers Correspondent
Texas Metro News
Some may know her as a fire investigator by day and a concert promoter by night, but the community knows Simmeana “Simmie” Westbrook simply as an agent of change.
“I’m always coming across people during a catastrophic time in their lives—something bad has happened. Whatever the situation, it allows me to be of assistance, to show compassion, and to help in any way I can,” said Westbrook.
Westbrook joined the Air Force right out of high school and served for 10 years before deciding to return to Dallas.
“Once I decided to come back to Dallas, I saw the fire department was hiring. It seemed simple at the time— I’d just try to get a job with them,” she recalled.
That decision turned into a lifelong career of public service. She worked as a fire prevention officer in the Dallas Fire-Rescue team and retired in 2021 as a section chief. She now works as a fire investigator for an engineering and forensic firm.
In 2015, her passion for public service expanded into community engagement after attending a poorly organized concert.
“I was standing in my bathroom after the event and said to myself, ‘I could do this better.’ I had no idea where to start, didn’t know who to bring, how to contact artists, or anything about the industry—but I knew I wanted to produce a concert,” said Westbrook.
Armed with only passion
and vision, she hosted her first event—The Love Jones Experience—on May 14, 2016, at the The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL)- in the Bruton Theater, and featuring Musiq Soulchild and Lalah Hathaway.
“The event sold out. It was an amazing ride. I had no idea how I pulled it off, but it became the beginning of my
promotion company—Poetic Visions,” she said.
Less than a year later she hosted another successful concert with Rachelle Ferrell, Avery Sunshine at Music Hall. It was at that point that she had thoughts of broadening her horizons to produce a fullscale music festival.
“I’ve always loved outdoor events—that comes from my
mom. She would take us to free outdoor concerts with James Brown, Chaka Khan, and all those amazing artists back in the day,” Westbrook said.
The idea of hosting her own festival wouldn’t leave her spirit. So she reached out to a promoter in California who was hosting a soul music festival in Los Angeles.
“I asked if I could shadow him. When he said yes, I grabbed my best friend, and we went to California. We worked the festival, and he showed me everything I needed to do,” said Westbrook.
The following summer, she hosted her first Jazz on the Trinity festival in Fort Worth.
“There’s only one word I have for Simmie Westbrook: inspiring. She doesn’t accept ‘no’ for an answer,” said Chris Howell. “I met Simmie during her first concert, The Love Jones Experience. She hired my communications company to do video and photography. It was successful, but I knew it wasn’t easy. I remember asking, ‘Who else is helping you pull this together?’ It was just her—and she was self-funded.”
Howell even recalls Westbrook showing up to his office in fire gears so that they could work out the final details for her concert.
That long-standing relationship made it easy for Westbrook to select the Chris Howell Foundation as the charitable recipient for this year’s Jazz on the Trinity festival on May 31.
“I wanted to honor his nonprofit through this show. His organization is doing a lot of work in the DFW area—feed-
With a career rooted in firefighting and a passion for concert promotion, Simmie Westbrook is always ready for the next challenge—especially if it means a win for the community.
Photo: Chanelle Harris
ing the homeless and making a difference in the community,” said Westbrook.
Howell noted that the donation comes at a critical time, following budget cuts that have impacted his organization.
For those who can’t quite connect the dots between the firefighter and concert promoter, the common thread for Westbrook is clear: service to the community.
“I think my two life passions intersect in helping the community. I’ve always wanted to serve the public. That’s where the concerts come in. I want people to forget everything else going on and just come together. Enjoy the outdoors, good food, good music, and one another—even if it’s just for a day,” she said.
As she works through the many moving parts of putting on a full-day festival—with food, drinks, and live entertainment—Westbrook doesn’t claim to know what’s next. But she does know how she’ll decide.
“I call them ‘Adventures with Jesus.’ Everything that’s happened in my life has been the next adventure. I’ve learned to move with faith and trust that God made me exactly as I am for this season. I don’t put God in a box, and that allows me to move freely and experience Him in everything I do,” she said.
Simmie Westbrook Credit: Courtesy of Sarah Bethea
Ellis County Republican Party to Host Executive Committee Meeting with Guest Speaker Don Huffhines
Waxahachie, TX – The Ellis County Republican Party will hold its monthly Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 6:30 PM, with a Social Hour beginning at 5:30 PM. The event will take place at the Enchanted Point Event Center/After Church, located at 1511 Ovilla Rd, Waxahachie, TX 75167.
The meeting will feature guest speaker Don Huffhines, a candidate for Texas State Comptroller. Huffhines will address attendees discussing his campaign and his vision for the role, which oversees the state’s financial operations, including revenue collection and fiscal reporting.
“While the Ellis County Republican Party does not endorse one Republican candidate over another in primary races, we look forward to hearing from Don Huffhines,” Ellis County GOP communications subcommittee chair, J.J. Brookshire said. “Huffhines is a respected and successful Texas businessman with a great history serving as a state Senator where he led a significant government corruption takedown in Dallas County, securing convictions for six officials and shutting down a fraudulent government agency. His “DOGE Texas” initiative fits right in with his strong stance on fiscal conservatism and accountability in government spending.”
The Ellis County Republican Party invites community members, party supporters, and interested voters to attend this informative evening. The Social Hour at 5:30 PM offers an opportunity for networking and discus-
sion, followed by the Executive Committee meeting and Huffhines’ presentation.
About the Ellis County Republican Party: The Ellis County Republican Party is dedicated to promoting conservative values, supporting Republican candidates, and engaging the community in the political process. Monthly meetings provide a platform for education, discussion, and action on local and state issues.
Media Note: Media representatives are invited to attend.
Black-Owned Businesses Face New Threats
By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Black-owned businesses have experienced historic growth in recent years, but that progress is now under threat.
A sharp decline in small business optimism, coupled with sweeping anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) executive orders from the Trump administration, is creating new hurdles—particularly for African American entrepreneurs who remain vastly underrepresented in the U.S. economy.
According to Pew Research Center, the number of U.S. firms with majority Black ownership surged from 124,004 in 2017 to 194,585 in 2022. Revenues also soared by 66%, reaching $211.8 billion. Yet Black-owned businesses still accounted for just 3% of all classifiable firms and only 1% of gross revenues that year, despite Black Americans making up 14% of the population.
More than one in five Black adults say owning a business is essential to their definition of
financial success, and most of those who own businesses depend on them as their primary income source. The vast majority—71%—have fewer than 10 employees, and they are disproportionately concentrated in sectors like health care and social assistance (26%), professional and technical services (14%), and transportation (9%).
However, as the Pew report shows gains, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) paints a far more troubling picture of the broader small business climate.
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dropped to 95.8 in April, marking the second month in a row below its 51-year average. Small business owners reported declining expectations for real sales, fewer capital investment plans, and significant difficulties finding qualified labor. Only 18% of owners said they plan to make capital outlays in the next six months—down from previous months and the lowest level since April 2020.
The policy environment compounds the problem for
Black-owned firms.
In January, President Donald Trump signed executive orders EO 14151 and EO 14173, effectively dismantling many federal DE initiatives.
These orders direct agency heads to align all federal programs—including contracts and grants—with so-called “merit-based opportunity,” opening the door to deprioritizing race-conscious support programs.
While the administration cannot eliminate statutory set-aside programs like the SBA’s 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business designation without congressional approval, it is already moving to gut enforcement and reducing goals. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler issued a memo in February announcing her intent to reduce the 8(a) contracting goal from 15% to the statutory minimum of 5%, citing alleged disadvantages to veteran-owned businesses. The administration is also expected to cease auditing compliance with subcontracting goals for minority-owned firms, which could severely impact op-
portunities for small and large companies that depend on federal contracts.
These moves are especially worrisome for Black business owners, who are already navigating disproportionate barriers to access to capital and markets. While White-owned businesses make up 84% of all classifiable firms and account for 92% of total revenue, Black-owned businesses remain a small sliver despite their rapid growth.
With small business optimism waning and federal support shifting away from equity initiatives, many Black entrepreneurs now face a chilling reality: a promising rise in business creation and growth may be undermined by policy changes designed to erase the very programs that helped level the playing field.
“Uncertainty continues to be a major impediment for small business owners,” NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said, noting that labor shortages, declining sales expectations, and inflation remain pressing concerns.
36th Texas Black Invitational Rodeo returns to Fair Park Coliseum
DALLAS – Saddle up! Dust off those cowboy boots and giddy up to the 36th Texas Black Invitational Rodeo on Saturday, July 26, at 7 p.m. at the Fair Park Coliseum (1438 Coliseum Dr., Dallas, Texas 75210). Doors open at 6 p.m., with the Grand Entry Parade beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the competition at 7 p.m.
Presented by and benefiting the African American Museum, Dallas, the family-fun rodeo showcases Black cowboys and cowgirls competing for cash prizes in bronc and bull riding, calf and steer roping, barrel racing and a Pony Express relay race. The evening also features on-field kids’ activities,
trick lasso performances, live music, concessions, and more.
Aside from the thrills and spills, the popular rodeo – which has sold out in advance in recent years-- provides a powerful glimpse of the historical contributions African Americans made in settling the western U.S.
“This rodeo isn’t just entertainment – it’s a living tribute to the strength, courage and legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls in America,” said Margie Reese, interim executive director of the African American Museum, Dallas. “We’re proud to spotlight
this rich culture through a fastpaced, family-friendly event that keeps the spirit of the West alive.”
To date, the sponsors of the Texas Black Invitational Rodeo are Cavender’s; City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture; Dallas Mavericks; Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District; Johnny Rogers/Trinity Review Services, Inc.; Oak View Group and Toyota. Media partners are NBC 5 and Telemundo 39, Majic 94.5 and 97.9 The Beat, and Texas Metro News, Garland Journal and I Messenger.
Season sponsors of the African
American Museum, Dallas, are Oak View Group, Visit Dallas and the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture.
TICKET DETAILS
With proceeds benefiting the African American Museum, Dallas, rodeo tickets are $15 and VIP seats are $43 (plus fees) at fairparktix.com. Tickets are also available at the museum and at the coliseum on the day of the event (although last year’s event sold out early).
For more information, go to aamdallas.org. For the latest updates, follow the Museum on Instagram and Facebook.
The People’s Union Organizes Boycott Against Walmart’s ‘Corporate Greed’
By Jeroslyn JoVonn www.blackenterprise.com
The People’s Union is launching a second nationwide boycott against Walmart to combat the retailer’s “corporate greed.”
On May 20, People’s Union Founder John Schwarz took to Instagram to urge shoppers to boycott Walmart from May 20 to 26. The grassroots group behind the one-day economic blackout on Feb. 28 is now calling for a week-long boycott of Walmart, Sam’s Club, and affiliated brands like Great Value and Equate.
The latest blackout comes in response to Walmart’s planned price hikes that the retailer has tied to Trump’s tariffs.
“Because after all the record profits, all the tax loopholes, all the corporate greed, Walmart now once again wants to raise prices,”
Schwartz said in the video.
“But this time, because of the tariffs, as if they’re not already raking in billions, as if they can’t absorb the cost.
As if you and I should carry this burden.”
Since Feb. 28, the People’s Union has held weekly boycotts, targeting companies like Amazon and Nestlé.
The group plans to continue these actions through July 4, when it will escalate with longer campaigns. These efforts run alongside separate protests by other organizations against retailers like Target, criticizing their roll-
back of DEI initiatives.
Target has faced significant profit losses amid ongoing boycotts. Coupled with the impact of Trump’s tariffs, the company has revised its full-year outlook, now projecting a slight decline in net sales, which is a backtrack from its earlier projections.
Walmart’s price hike announcement was met with criticism from the president, who took to social media to tell the mega-retailer to “EAT THE TARIFFS.”
In response to the latest boycott, Walmart reissued a statement released during The People Union’s first boycott in April.
“As one of the largest corporate taxpayers in the
country, not only do we pay our fair share, we are an economic force multiplier strengthening communities nationwide through job creation, supplier growth, and over $1.7 billion in cash and in-kind donations last year,” the statement read.
“We remain dedicated to earning the business of all Americans and giving our time and resources to causes that uplift and unite communities who rely on us every day.”
The People’s Union has future boycotts planned throughout June into July:
June 3-9: Target June 24-30: McDonald’s July 4: Independence Day Blackout
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
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
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
COMMUNITY CALENDARCommunity Calender
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
26
Elusive Ladies 47th Deltaversary
Good Surf Beach 317 S Second Ave, Dallas. 3 – 10 pm. Tickets https:// bit.ly/3EYNA9k
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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.
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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
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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
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 30
STATE OF FAMU NAA, AWARD & RECOGNITION LUNCHEON
12 noon
www.famualumniconvention.com
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.
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
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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
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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
host
at 7p.m. It's Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Night 1
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
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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
DALLAS WINGS
CHICAGO SKY
Why Recruiting from HBCUs Is Not Just About Diversity—It’s About Talent
In light of recent legislative changes affecting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts—particularly on college campuses—we’ve started to hear from some of our partners who are reevaluating or even pausing their engagement with organizations like ours at HBCUConnect.com.
One recent message stood out:
“You may know that redacted university eliminated its office of diversity and inclusion and has paused any DEI-related activities. Due to the passage of the senate bill… I do not anticipate being able to interact with your organization.”
— A former client
To be clear: this isn’t just about politics. It’s about priorities. And we want to offer a clear reminder to organizations, employers, and decision-makers navigating this changing landscape:
Recruiting from HBCUs
should never be solely categorized as a DEI initiative.
It’s a smart, strategic, talent-based decision.
At HBCU Connect, we’ve always believed that the students and graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities represent some of the most resilient, high-performing, and underutilized talent pipelines in the country. Many of the employers who work with us don’t just check a diversity box—they see the return on investment when they hire talent from our community. They come back because the results speak for themselves.
Here’s the reality:
• Some organizations are mislabeling inclusive recruiting efforts as “DEI-only,” failing to realize they’re missing out on top-tier, qualified professionals.
• The most competitive companies are widening—not
narrowing—their talent outreach strategies, especially in today’s tight labor market.
• If you close the door to organizations like ours under the belief that it’s “just DEI,” you’re not just signaling a shift in values—you’re cheating yourself out of great talent.
We’re continuing to bridge the gap between top talent and opportunity at our upcoming Annual Conference and Career Fair in Washington, D.C., this June 26–28. View event details here.
Leading companies across industries—from tech and healthcare to finance and education—are stepping up to engage with the kind of talent that doesn’t disappear just because some institutions now treat them as a checkbox. These forward-thinking employers recognize the value, skill, and drive that HBCU
grads bring to the table.
We understand that compliance with new laws is complicated. But let’s not conflate political pressure with smart business strategy. If your goal is to hire the best people, you need to be where the best people are. And that includes HBCUs.
Now more than ever, we need leaders in education and industry to have the courage and clarity to say:
“We’re not going to stop investing in diverse talent, because we’re not going to stop investing in the best talent.”
Let’s not allow policy shifts to quietly undo decades of progress in workforce development and opportunity access. Let’s keep the doors open.
— Will Moss Founder & CEO, HBCUConnect.com Connecting Top Talent from HBCUs to Opportunities Since 1999
Joke of the Day
METRO SALUTE
Duane Brown
Nominated by Kelly Fowers for the “D CEO” ( D Magazine). Valerie is an Award Finalist 2025 in Leadership Excellence.
Mr. Sam Logan Valerie Ballard
The Society of Professional Journalists – Detroit Chapter posthumously honors Mr. Sam Logan, the late publisher of the Michigan Chronicle, with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
Texans Legend Duane Brown Named 2025 Offensive Line Coordinator, Aiming to Rebuild Unit Post-Tunsil, Enhance Run Game, and Guide Houston to Deep Playoff Run.
Wins the Pulitzer Prize for History. Dr. FieldsBlack won for her book, “Combee: Harriet Tubman, The Combhee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War.”
Ambassador Andrew Young John
Reclaims a Legacy Rooted in Detroit, Justice, and Generational Truth. “My Father’s House,” penned by John Conyers III, is not just a recount of political milestones. It is a deeply personal ledger of love, absence, inheritance, and the complexity of growing up within the orbit of a civil rights legend.
Dr. Edda Fields-Black
Conyers III
The former mayor of Atlanta and Ambassador to the United Nations received honors from National Jewish Health during the Forever Young Gala held at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, where he received the National Jewish Health Humanitarian Award.
Call issued to Support Black Businesses
THE SHOT DIVA STORE
Buy Black!
By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News
When Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, of Friendship-West Baptist Church, announced 100 Days 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.
Dr. Frederick D.Haynes III
AUNT JACKIE’S CURLS & COILS
At Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils, they create hair care products that embrace and enhance every curl, coil, and wave. Infused with natural ingredients like shea butter, honey, and batana oil, their formulas deliver deep moisture, definition, and strength. They believe that healthy, nourished hair is beautiful hair, so you can rock your natural texture with confidence. The products are free from sulfates, parabens, and mineral oil, ensuring gentle care for your hair. No matter what your curl pattern, Aunt Jackie’s is here to keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
• https://www.auntjackiescurlsandcoils.com
The Shot Diva Store is more than a place to shop, it’s a celebration of empowerment, resilience, and selfexpression. Inspired by the journey of Olympic gold medalist Michelle Carter from the I Can Jewelry Collection, wearable reminders of inner strength, to the Steady Glow Candle Line, crafted to bring peace and focus to your space, every item is designed with purpose. Podium Cosmetics celebrates confidence and beauty, while the You Throw Girl Clothing Line empowers athletes and dreamers alike to stand boldly in who they are. Visit the website to shop and sign up for the newsletter.
• https://theshotdivastore.com
• Alignable https://bit.ly/44RBbOS
HONEYGLOW CANDLES
HoneyGlow creates nostalgic self-care products made for intimate moments of self-reflection and exploration. They believe that self-care should be as simple as lighting a candle. HoneyGlow candles naturally purify your home and are scientifically proven to help reduce anxiety and stress levels. Feel the power of beeswax, the natural air cleanser. As soon as you light your candle, the negative ions released will give you a sudden mood boost, while naturally purifying the air of dust, mold, and odors. Visit the website to shop and sign up for the newsletter. Free shipping on all orders $75+
• https://honeyglowco.com
ROAM LOUD
Meet Toyin Omisore, leading the charge as Wanderer in Chief of ROAM LOUD, a premium activewear and athleisure apparel brand. She was inspired to create this brand for two reasons. She wanted to unapologetically create a lifestyle where brown skin is at the forefront and not an afterthought. There are so many women, like her, who value health and wellness in every
aspect of their lives. So why not a brand that supports that journey through premium pieces, where brown skin is seen and celebrated?
A must to check out the website. Shop and subscribe.
• https://roamloud.com
• email: hello@ roamloud.com
SOLEY FIT
As a Haitian-Nigerian-American and South Florida native, Stefania Okolie is a fitness enthusiast and lover of design. It was her longtime desire to develop a brand that supports and unites women. Solely Fit intends to capture the beautiful narrative of a woman’s body and the core of who she is while empowering her to be all that she is inherently destined to be. The prices are of good value. Her styles can be worn to work out or as casual wear. Visit the website to shop all the styles.
• https://mysolelyfit.com
• email: Partnerships@mysolelyfit.com
HAIRBRELLA
Imagine a world where forecast fear is replaced by fierce confidence—a world where women can conquer the day without the possibility of scattered showers. This problem affects women from all walks of life.
Owner Tracey Picket searched the web for a solution that combined fashion and function to no avail, and eventually, she took matters into her own hands. After years of trial and error, Hairbrella was born, not out of vanity but out of necessity. If this is what you are looking for, visit the website to shop and explore all of their products.
• https://www.hairbrella.com
• email: hereforyou@hairbrella.com
• Phone: (470) 300-4483
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
