First things first, I need Negroes, Colored, Blacks, Afro-Americans, African Americans, Black-ish, and Blackity-Blacks to stand!
Actually, anyone with any sense of decorum should stand!
If you don’t take a knee, if you don’t march; if you don’t speak up; you need to stand for the Black National Anthem AND you need to learn the words.
And we could also use some help from musicians.
You see, if musicians will play Lift Every Voice and Sing all willy-nilly any time they get the feeling, it disrupts protocol.
Anthems should never be played as part of a playlist. Instead, realize that protocol has been established and the song deserves all the pomp and circumstance.
This subject is not for debate purposes.
Your opinion is not requested or needed.
Some things don’t deserve a response or discussion.
If you didn’t know before, now you do.
Treat this song with respect.
I would also like to suggest, for college orientation classes, teaching students the alma mater. Is that hazing? No, not really.
Again, establish a protocol that makes all the sense in the world. You should want your students, faculty, employees, and staff to know the song. After all, they have no problem learning a lot of those other songs, and some of them are down-
TRADITION MEETS NU STANDARD
In the midst of the many celebrations for Black History Month, Autumn Yarbrough helped shine a spotlight on the rich heritage of the Black hair care industry; an industry her family has dominated for three generations.
Yarbrough recently hosted a private screening for Episode 3 of, The Crown Effect, for the new Netflix documentary, the Black Beauty Effect, at a packed Violet Crown Cinema in the Uptown area of Dallas.
“My grandfather, the late Comer Cottrell Jr. was featured in the film,” said Yarbrough.
“The documentary discusses the changes and opportunities in the Black hair care industry, especially with products like the
Jheri Curl, which made hair care products accessible and afforda-
School renamed Royce West Leadership Academy
GLENN HEIGHTS – Glenn Heights Mayor Sonja A. Brown has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2024 Council on Youth, Education, and Families.
Mayor Brown was elected to a one-year term to develop and
Memories.
A young Royce West walked the halls of Kennedy-Curry Junior High School in the 1960s. He went on to high school, attending Wilmer-Hutchins where he was a scholar, athlete and leader; and named Most Likely to Succeed.
And he didn’t stop after graduation, going on to the University of Texas at Arlington where
Judge rules on Warehouse injunction FWBC and others refer to environmental racism
Local citizens filled Judge Aiesha Redmond’s 160th District Courtroom on Monday, February 19, 2024, in the George Allen Courts Building, to express concerns about an unwanted business moving into the neighborhood.
Judge Redmond presided over the hearing of Friendship-West Baptist
Church’s (FWBC) injunction to stop the establishment of an 18-wheeler trucking warehouse next to the church, and across the street from David W. Carter High School.
On Tuesday, Judge Redmond granted the injunction to temporarily halt the construction project.
The City of Dallas Building Inspection Advisory, Examining, and
It was Erykah Badu Day at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts on Tuesday as the multitalented entertainer gathered with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officials to announce an impressive collaboration.
TRUTH
By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER By Sylvia Powers Texas Metro News
By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News
From Staff Reports
By St. Curet Texas Metro News
Autumn Yarbrough looks on proudly as her mom, Renee Cottrell-Brown, speaks at screening.
Photo: Sylvia Powers
Former trustee Dr. Lew Blackburn, Sen. Royce West, Rev. Bryan Carter and State Rep. Toni Rose listen to Dominique Alexander of Next Generation Action Network. Photo: TMN
Mayor Sonya A. Brown
Photo: City of Glenn Heights
By Jihad Hassan Muhammad Texas Metro News
Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, speaks after court adjourns Photo: TMN
Taking Action on the Black Maternal Health Crisis
By Julia Lothrop
Nationwide, Black women die from pregnancy-related complications at a rate three times higher compared to white women, regardless of income level and education.
The Black maternal health crisis is one that not even Olympic track stars can outrun. Three gold medalists from the U.S. Olympic 4x100 relay team – Allyson Felix, Tianna Madison, and Tori Bowie – faced serious complications during pregnancy. Tori Bowie died before she could give birth. This crisis also impacts Black babies, who die at three times the rate of white babies, during their initial hospital stays.
At age 36, Dr. Shalon Irving was thrilled to find out she was going to be a first-time mom. As an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), she was passionate about her work to advance health equity. Three weeks after giving birth, Shalon died of complications from high blood pressure.
Even if you are an expert in our health care system like Shalon or have the strength of a world-class athlete like Tori – if you are a Black woman in America, pregnancy too often carries extra risks, regardless of socioeconomic status or access to healthcare. The Black maternal crisis is related to the distrust experienced overtime by Black women and paradoxical combination of hypervisibility and invisibility, experienced by some of the most accomplished women, like Shalon and Tori.
During Black History Month, we at the Department of Health and Human Services, the federal agency tasked with promoting the care and well-being of Americans, are reaffirming our commitment to tackling and eliminating some of our country’s most troubling disparities in health outcomes.
Since Day One, the Biden-Harris Administration has been following through on our promises to moms and families across the country, by making investments in community-tailored programs that work. In 2022, the Administration rolled out a first-of-itskind Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.
Here at HHS, we’re taking action to connect mothers with a
culturally competent continuum of care. We’ve sat down for conversations with hundreds of stakeholders to inform our investments in evidence-based models proven to significantly reduce maternal mortality.
We learned of two programs, Commonsense Childbirth in Florida serving 1,200 patients and Mamatoto Village in Washington DC serving 2,000 patients, reduced their maternal mortality rates to zero. Our work ahead is to scale up models like these, until they reach every woman who can benefit from them.
We are taking action across the country with the Maternal Outcomes Matter Shower (M.O.M.S), a community baby shower for new and expectant parents to be connected to perinatal resources. We hosted successful M.O.M.S Tour in Houston and Dallas attended in Fall 2023. The state has also received nearly $4.5 million in funding from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for the Integrated Maternal Health Award, Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Program, and the Minority Serving Institutions Research Collaborative – including the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, the
Mayor Brown appointed cont. from page 1
guide programs among local elected officials from similar communities. The appointment was announced by NLC President Mayor-Elect David Sander of Rancho Cordova, CA.
“I am deeply honored to lead the National League of Cities’ Council on Youth, Education, and Families,” Mayor Brown said. “Investing in our youth and fostering strong educational opportunities are crucial pillars for the growth and prosperity of our communities. This appointment is not just a responsibility but serves as a platform to champion the future of our city and the nation.
According to Brown, through this role she will have the opportunity to shape policies and initiatives that will positively impact the lives of young people and their families, ensuring a brighter and more equitable future for all.
“My commitment to youth, education, and families serves as the cornerstone of strong, vibrant communities. By championing education, fostering youth development, and supporting families, I will pave the way for a brighter future for all, ensur-
ing that our cities thrive and flourish for generations to come,” Brown added.
As a member of NLC’s Council on Youth, Education, and Families Mayor Brown will play a key role among a diverse group of local leaders to encourage collaboration, networking, and the development of resources and programs beneficial to communities that share demographics, size or location that can be replicated across the country.
“Our member councils play an integral role in NLC’s work, bringing local leaders together to share ideas and inform NLC policy about the issues and challenges facing every kind of community in America,” said NLC President Mayor David Sander of Rancho Cordova, CA. “I’m excited to have Mayor Sonja A. Brown serve on NLC’s Council on Youth, Education, and Families. The council will ensure that all of our cities, towns, and villages have access to ideas and resources they can use to thrive.”
For more information on NLC’s member councils, visit https://www.nlc.org/ current-initiatives/member-councils-2/.
University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Southern University, and Texas A&M System Health Science Center.
HHS is also teaming up with local faith-based and community organizations to help connect more Black moms-to-be with high quality resources and services, including mental health support, healthcare coverage, doula access, vaccinations and more.
Last month, during a series of visits related to reproductive health care, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra visited Lincoln University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and spoke with students interested in developing a doula program.
Women with doula care have a 22% lower risk of preterm birth. Evidence like this has driven historic HHS funding to make community-based doulas more accessible.
HHS has taken action to increase access to rural maternal care, strength local health workforces to look like the communities they serve, promote timely treatment and quality care through the Hear Her® campaign, and launch HRSA’s Maternal Mental Health Hotline, which can be reached at 1-833-TLC-MAMA.
And, thanks to CDC funding, we’ve created Perinatal Quality Collaboratives to implement state-wide, equity-focused quality improvements when it comes to care outcomes for women and infants.
HHS is also strengthening our public health infrastructure through CDC support for state Maternal Mortality Review Committees. These Committees aim to help us better understand the drivers of maternal mortality and will develop recommendations to prevent future deaths.
Secretary Xavier Becerra has made it one of his top priorities to ensure that equity is at the core of every rollout, investment, and policy conversation at the Department – not just during Black History Month, but 365 days a year. It’s unacceptable for Black women to receive lesser quality healthcare. We can do better. We must all channel their leadership and strength as we take on this fight to call out and eliminate inequities.
Julia Lothrop is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Acting Regional Director for Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 68 Federally Qualified Tribes. She has worked with the regional office for over 20 years.
Judge rules on Warehouse
Appeal Board, along with Stonelake Capital Partners, and SL6 Wheatland LLC were set to move forward, but opposition was strong.
Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes III, senior pastor of FWBC has called the planned development “environmental racism.”
Referencing the fumes from the nearby idling trucks that would be present as a prevalent cause of health issues for area youths; Haynes told the judge that statistics show that Dallas has some of the worst asthma and medical conditions in the country.
Ingesting fumes would only further aggravate an already unhealthy environment.
The pastor was the first witness called by Atty. Paul Stafford, legal counsel for the plaintiff. He also called the
pastor’s wife, businesswoman Debra Peek-Haynes; FWBC Director of project management, Joe Dillard III; and, Lorie Blair, a City of Dallas Planning and Zoning Commissioner, who testified as a private citizen, not as city official.
“The community does not want this,” Blair said, speaking about the planned warehouse.
Dr. Haynes talked about the human trafficking element that truckyards often bring, and how the community’s focus must also be on protecting the children at the nearby high school.
The defense counsel, Atty. Joel Reese called former Dallas city councilmember Lee Kleinman as a witness. Kleinman said he thinks the development would be good for the community, adding it would
cont. from page 1
bring much needed jobs to the area.
Atty. Stafford, during cross examination, asked about Kleinman’s history in serving the Black community and providing jobs. He also pointed out that Kleinman served as an elected official for a predominately White part of North Dallas.
After more than three hours, there was no ruling, as Judge Redmond said she would take all that was presented under advisement before ruling.
Although Judge Redmond did not immediately rule, Dr. Haynes spoke of the value the court hearing brings to the community.
“The community’s voice is oftentimes being ignored, and this was a vehicle for the community to speak,” Dr. Haynes said.
Civil rights leader Ben Chavis keynotes Tribune’s Black history lunch
By Chanel Hill Tribune Staff Writer
Civil rights leader Benjamin Chavis delivered a powerful keynote speech on Thursday at The Philadelphia Tribune Christopher J. Perry/Carter G. Woodson Black History Awards Luncheon.
The theme for his speech was American democracy and how it relates to education, community, business and politics.
Chavis is currently the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, an organization that focuses on supporting and advocating for publishers of the nation’s more than 200 Black newspapers.
“One of the things that I learned from Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement was to not let anything or anybody break your spirit,” Chavis said. “There is a lot going on in some of our communities that is trying to break our spirit.
“I’m glad that Pennsylvania as a state has not joined Florida as a state to ban books and change the curriculum to deny the truth not just for Black youth, but for white youth,” he said. “Everybody deserves high quality education and there should be no attempt to deny equal education.”
Chavis also spoke about the upcoming presidential election and charged the audience to
NU Standard cont. from page 1
ble for everyday African Americans. Therefore, we were able to celebrate and enjoy using these products in our communities.”
Yarbrough follows her grandfather and parents in her commitment to making a difference in Black hair care. With a small investment, her grandfather founded Pro-Line, Inc. and made his mark in the industry with products for numerous products including the Jheri Curl; which was popularized in the 1980s.
Cottrell went on to become one of the most successful Black businessmen in the country, extending the brand around the globe. He also was a part owner of the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball Team and in 1990 made headlines when he purchased the land that once housed Bishop College (which closed in 1988) and announced it would become the new home of Paul Quinn College.
Yarbrough’s parents, Renee Cottrell-Brown and Eric Brown, also helped create the Just for Me relaxer system. As a young girl, Yarbough was even featured on the cover of the box.
In 2009, Renee and Eric purchased Johnson Products, the company behind such brands as Ultra Sheen and Gentle Treatment, from Proctor & Gamble.
Often honored for their philanthropic efforts and entrepreneurial prowess; it was a proud mother in attendance at the screening.
“First of all, I am happy that we were able to affiliate ourselves with such a great film,” said Renee. “I did my best trying to keep my dad’s legacy alive, but for her to be over the top with it is extremely exciting.”
Yarbrough is an innovator in the textured hair care space. With her brand, NU Standard, she is breaking barriers and winning awards for her healthy and innovative alternatives for all types of hair.
“We have one of the top chemists in the country that is working with us so our products are effective and work,” explained Yarbrough. I think that is why everybody loves our Hydrasilk Hydrating Bond System. They find it hard to believe that they can have hydration without
make a difference by voting.
“There have been not only attempts to keep us from voting, but I’m concerned about social media and the distribution of content targeting young people and having them think that voting is not important,” he said. “I want us to be mindful of what’s going on, but also realize how important the right to vote is.”
Approximately 300 people attended the event at the Penn-
sylvania Convention Center.
NBC10 anchor Fred Shropshire guided the program.
Attendees were welcomed by Robert W. Bogle, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Tribune. Tiffany Thurman also spoke on behalf of Mayor Cherelle Parker, who was unable to attend the event due to illness.
“This gathering is a stark reminder of the rich and diverse
having to buy a whole bunch of products.”
A former Pro-Line employee, Felica Washington said she is supporting Yarbrough in her hair care venture.
“Although many of us started on this natural hair journey several years ago, we still don’t know what to do with our hair. As we move from relaxed hair to natural hair it is important that we continue these conversations so that we, so that we not only grow our hair, but keep it on our head,” said Washington, who worked with Pro Line for 23 years.
Inspired by her own hair care struggles and not wanting to go bald like three generations of women before her, Yarbrough created NU Standard in 2020 to ensure no woman ever has to lose her hair.
tapestry of African-American history in our beloved city,” said Thurman, who is chief of staff for the Parker administration.
“As we come together to commemorate the legacy of Perry and Woodson, we pay tribute to their resilience, determination and contribution to the African-American community that has left a lasting mark on the city’s identity,” she said.
“Your stories are intertwined with the essence of Philadelphia. A city that has stood as a beacon of liberty and justice for all.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro praised The Tribune during his speech for being an accurate source of news.
“I want to applaud The Philadelphia Tribune for getting out accurate information at a time where there is misinformation in political discourse and in the news cycle,” Shapiro said. “The Philly Tribune is a source that we need and you can trust.”
According to Yarbrough, NU Standard has a hair wellness approach toward healthy hair and even boasts a product that offers a safe solution to achieve straight hair, Hydrasilk. The HYDRASILK® line, is a “pro-only, in-salon” two-step Hydrating Bond System that improves the hair bond structure.
“NU standard is setting a new standard of how we look at hair care. We are making sure the Black community and the textured hair community is involved from the very beginning when products are created so we’re not left out anymore, “ said Yarborough.
“Whether it be hair loss, consistent breakage, dryness, constant frizz, or any of these different challenges, we want to help. People are questioning why they have to buy multiple prod-
ucts. They wonder why products don’t work.”
She continued, “We are having that conversation, making sure we have some real solutions that really change how we do our hair and how we think about our hair.”
According to All Things Hair, more than half of Black women have been successful in finding hair products suitable for their hair.
Determined to make sure Black hair care is not just celebrated this month, but every month. Yarbrough is picking up her grandfather’s mantle.
“It is an honor to be able to represent three generations of Black hair care industry during Black History Month,” she said “However, I feel that there is still unfinished business and that is why I am continuing this legacy.”
Ben Chavis, president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, gives the keynote address at The Philadelphia Tribune’s annual Black history luncheon Thursday. Photo: TRIBUNE PHOTOS / ABDUL R. SULAYMAN
Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at Thursday’s luncheon
Blazing Saddles – Black History!
By Vincent L. Hall
Some people can literally get away with anything -- say anything, do anything -- and people will let them. Other people attempt a mildly dirty joke and bring total silence down on a party. Mel Brooks is the lifetime president of that group.
– Roger Ebert’s 1974 Review of Blazing Saddles.
When I scrolled past a headline posting the 50th anniversary of Blazing Saddles, I could not help but smile. That movie is seared in my memory because it taught me much about White people. It also taught me that Black people saw humor differently than White people.
It was my first immersion into integration at Skyline High School in Dallas. My years from pre-school through Junior High (6th-9th) were homogenous.
We saw teachers in White, but to see a White student in my DISD school was unheard of; unless they were left because the family house didn’t sell before Labor
Day, White folks made sure their children didn’t share a classroom with us.
So, when a student named Jonathan Bernstein came to school still rolling in laughter from seeing Blazing Saddles, I had to go.
At first, he thought it would be a good idea, but after looking at my afro and copper-toned features, he was not nearly as sure I would enjoy his favorite flick.
What made it worse was that a Black dude whose name escapes me said just the opposite, “Don’t go see that racist shit!
“Bruh man’s” sentiments aligned with those of others who looked like me.
Now I had to go.
In a pre-release interview, one of the movie’s co-writers, Richard Pryor, mused about the film and his thoughts on its creator, Mel Brooks.
Sitting on the famed couch of the Johnny Carson Show, Pryor was ambiguous about the whole thing.
Pryor eloped with one of his patented comedic tangents when asked if he was one of the writers.
“I hope they keep all that stuff in the movie. It was one of the craziest scripts I ever read in my life. It’s absolute nonsense, but it can be a very funny picture. Brooks has an extraordinarily hateful
kind of comedy. Absolute insanity.”
There is little time for leisurely endeavors when you go to school and work 32 hours a week at Gibson’s Discount Center (a precursor to stores like K-Mart and WalMart). But eventually, I made it in to see the movie.
I bought my ticket in a White neighborhood and watched it all by my lonesome. It was the laughter that Bernstein described. It had all the racist shit that the brother said. And Pryor’s remark that the script was hateful and absolute insanity was spot on.
It was the trifecta that I went back to watch at least 50 times.
Someone on the internet recently asked how the Black community views Blazing Saddles. This was the main response.
“I was recently considering how to present the film to my movie-loving teen, and I realized I had no idea how the Black community viewed the movie. Obviously, it is a snapshot of the time it was made and was groundbreaking.
We all know Richard Pryor was involved as a co-screenwriter.
There are many ways to debate the film’s subject matter and its comedic/artistic/social merits.
This morning, I asked an older Black gentleman in my building
what he thought of “Blazing Saddles,” he said he had never seen it.
I’m guessing it was the Black dude I went to high school with.
Blazing Saddles is 50 years old, and I can tell you that I urged my three daughters (and three generations) to see it for at least three reasons.
First, Cleavon Little, who got the lead part mainly because the studio thought Pryor was too risky, is hilarious. I was sold from the moment he appeared arrayed in a suede suit, Gucci saddle bags, and more arrogance than any Black man could be afforded in the late 1800s.
Secondly, the use of the word “Nigger” is so commensurate with the level of racial ignorance that it balances out in pure humor.
Finally, the movie is tailored for anyone who has attention deficit disorder. Themes are playing over themes interrelated to other themes.
Mel Brooks used all these threads and some dirty jokes to create a lifelong masterpiece. You may not think that it’s Black history, but I do.
Celebrating Black History Month
Publisher : Cheryl Smith
Editor: editor@myimessenger.com
Address: 320 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75203
Website: www.texasmetronews.com
Phone: 214-941-0110
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.
By Dr. John E.
This year, perhaps more than ever, we need to be especially mindful of Black History.
This time of banning books from local libraries, especially those that tell of the history and struggle of Black Americans against slavery and racism, pose a threat to both our presence and our future.
It has often been said that if you don’t know where you come from, you will have no idea of where you are going.
Well, African Americans in particular must remember that we
are here today because of strong ancestors who did not allow the circumstances under which they lived, to stuff out their dreams of a future for themselves and their descendants.
We must remind ourselves that we are not to be defined by others; that we are not disadvantaged, or handicapped; that we are born with a right to equality and that we have always demanded equity even though others have tried to deny it to us.
We are “We The People.”
We must not allow the changes that have been removed from our bodies to be placed on our minds. We have the ability to remove ourselves from poverty by using the tools in our hands. We must remember that we now possess everything that Dt. Martin Luther
King, Jr. spoke of when in his 1957 speech he said “give us the ballot and we will place the right people in office to in essence, further our cause.
Today, so many of us have not because we will not use that which we do have. We have freedom of movement, of thought and how we use our minds.
Yet, so many choose to squander these freedoms on how others tell us we should think and dress and what we should be with the few dollars that so many of us waste on things that are not necessary. We have freedom of worship, yet so many of us don’t bother to pray until we find ourselves in crisis.
In addition to Black History, Carter G. Woodson, left us a most valuable book, “The Miseducation of the Negro.”
It’s time to honor is gift of Black History with our own personal contributions to the times in which we live and those we share this life experience with.
Only when we engage in this level of thought and activity while making black history a daily experience, can we truly honor what we have been given beyond the month of February each year. Where do you stand and what are you doing with what you have been given?
Let’s move beyond complaints and expectations by others to what each of us can do right where we stand. Let’s get back to defending ourselves and not allowing others to do it for us.
A long-time Texas Metro News columnist, Dallas native Vincent L. Hall is an author, writer, awardwinning writer, and a lifelong Drapetomaniac.
Warren
Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles Photo: courtesy
Dr. John E. Warren is publisher of The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint.
Gaslighting isn’t Godly
FAITHFUL UTTERANCES
By Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew
We’ve either experienced it or know someone who has. Gaslighting is “manipulating someone into questioning their perception of reality.” In essence, gaslighting happens to make a person doubt themselves and their decision-making. It’s not until it happens to you that you realize the dangers of dealing with people who do not take responsibility for their actions and place blame on others instead of admitting their role.
In addition to the manipulation of reality, the other types of gaslighting include outright lies, scapegoating, and coercion.
• The coercive gaslighter tends to be very charismatic or appears to be very caring. It can also in-
clude being emotionally and verbally manipulative to get their way.
• A gaslighter who uses scapegoating blames others by justifying bad behavior.
• The gaslighter who lies is often bold and does it with such ease-they aren’t lying but it’s everyone else that is.
At the core of gaslighting is control. It’s painful to feel that someone is using you. For those of us who are in service industries or have big hearts, we are often targets for individuals who see our kindness as a weakness. It makes it easier for individuals who are self-centered and narcissistic to see the opportunity to benefit. In the desire to help others, it’s easy to find yourself as prey for others who do not have the best intentions but only see you as a resource.
The Bible warns us to watch out for people like this. We can be tricked into believing this doesn’t happen in the church or with Chris-
tians but it does often. It is often in the form of self-righteousness. Romans 16: 17-18 (MSG) states, “Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth. They have no intention of living for our Master Christ. They’re only in this for what they can get out of it, and aren’t above using pious sweet talk to dupe unsuspecting innocents.”
Ephesians 4:14 is also a reminder of what occurs when we are not careful and caught up by these deceptive individuals who are posing as something they are not. “The goal is that we would no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching when people use tricks and invent clever ways to lead us astray.”
Led astray doesn’t always mean that we leave our faith but we can be led astray by building walls around our hearts. We can miss out
on the goodness of God because our hurt creates a heart of stone. To be used, taken advantage of, and made to feel as if something is your fault can be damaging to your self-esteem. Dealing with this mentally agonizing experience can create emotions such as anxiety and fear.
It’s important to forgive the person who has wounded you. It doesn’t mean to remain in harm’s way. Removing yourself from detrimental people and situations is imperative. It’s also important that we do not allow anger or bitterness to consume us. “Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” (Romans 12:17-19 MSG)
Unforgiveness has emotional, spiritual, and even physical implications: “Unforgiveness is classified …as a disease. According to Dr. Steven Standiford, chief of surgery at the Cancer Treatment Centers of
America, refusing to forgive makes people sick and keeps them that way.”
So, what do we do when we are hurting from the mistreatment of someone we trusted? We go to God. Ask God to heal your heart. He will fix it. “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
How do you balance protecting your heart and remaining a caring person? Boundaries are necessary. Don’t stop loving and helping others; ask God for discernment on who you should help and when.
Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the President of Soulstice Consultancy, LLC and the Founder of the Reconciliation and Restoration (r2fdn.org) Foundation. The author of 4 books including Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy, Dr. Booker-Drew is also the host of the Tapestry Podcast.
Will Parents Be Incarcerated for the Actions and Decisions of Their Children?
By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
I can say with certainty my parents gave me a foundation built on love. I always felt cared about and safe. They poured their humanity into me every day.
Having a good name was important. Keeping a good name was even more important. You kept your good name by making good decisions.
As children, we made some immature decisions, however those decisions did not cause hurt, harm or danger to anyone. Being mischievous back in the day simply meant carrying out childish pranks. For example, you might leave an empty carton of juice in the refrigerator. The question would arise, who did it?
We had neighborhoods in
Winston-Salem NC where everyone knew everyone. As kids, we were always in and out of someone else’s house. We were all pretty much social and there weren’t any deep, dark secrets.
With a sense of pride and thanksgiving, I can say we had a caring East Winston community. If something strange or unusual was happening with us, parents would know about it and do something about it.
If you are of a certain age, you probably had similar experiences to mine. The formula was love, caring and communication. These three traits kept us out of confusion and gave us emotional stability.
My dear childhood friends, William Earl and Bishop Graham, whom I have known since elementary school, often talk about the joys we had simply being kids.
Laughing, playing and joking were things we did in abundance. Our responsibilities were to do our best in school and to act like we had some
sense. We managed to do both.
Being quiet and a loner didn’t happen in our neighborhood. We played outside every chance we had even in cold weather. Being inside was not appealing to us. Being with our friends was ten times better than watching television or listening to a radio.
Guns were not a part of our community. Deep in my spirit, I don’t believe adults owned guns. That was just the way it was. Now it seems that everyone at least knows someone who owns a gun. Suffice it to say, things are just different these days.
Children and teens now have ready and immediate access to weapons. How can that be? It can be because parents leave guns out and visible coupled with the fact they are loaded. Restrictions on who can purchase them are weak, too.
Some parents have only minor restrictions on their children which sometimes lead to bad outcomes. The other side of that debate is that you want your
children to be responsible and to learn how to make wise choices. That’s the fine line that parents find themselves in today. Some parents become querulous and complaining while others remain silent and still.
I suspect the Crumbley family in Michigan grappled with that question. A few weeks ago, Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter.
The jury found that she bore some responsibility for her son, Ethan Robert Crumbley, age 15 killing four students and injuring seven other people. This tragedy happened on November 30, 2021, at Oxford High School outside of Detroit Michigan.
The husband, James Crumbley is set to go on trial next month. He, too, is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter.
Reports say that Mrs. Crumbley is the first person to go on trial for a mass shooting carried out by their child.
This case will have reverbera-
tions with parents across America. Joe Tamburino,a criminal defense attorney said, “The case will create a huge precedent for further cases. Think about it, the next time there’s some type of school shooting, they could arrest the parents. This is going to change the landscape.”
Parenting today is both rewarding and challenging. There are no easy answers and solutions. Being thoughtful and proactive can be safeguards for parents as they raise and rear their children. We are living in perilous and uncertain times.
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a longtime educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. One of the top tennis players in the state, he was inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in January 2021. A graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, he received his M. A. degree in Education from Catholic University in Washington, DC, and Ed. D. degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA. He has also done post-doctoral studies at Harvard University and Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
OUR VOICES
Success Can Be Copied: Honoring the Legacy of the Honorable (EBJ)
By Terry Allen
My conversations with Big Mama taught me that successful steps always lead to success until you develop an ego about your success.
Big Mama taught me – “Always take your success as rewards and keep working hard, and you will definitely get one more success, but if one success makes your E.G.O. grow, not your heart -then you will not be able to replicate success.”
Big Mama defined E.G.O as Easing God Out! So many people in my journey have stated that, “Success Can Be Copied.”
Let’s explore this.
The phrase “success can be copied” means that it is possible to replicate or imitate the actions, strategies, or qualities that have led to someone else’s success in order to achieve similar results.
It suggests that success is not solely dependent on unique talents or circumstances but can also be attributed to specific behaviors, choices, or approaches that can be learned and replicated by others.
By studying the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson’s success, analyzing her methods, and adopting similar practices, it is believed that one can create their own success in a particular field or endeavor.
This concept speaks to the life and legacy of the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson. I want to honor her imprint by showing you how her journey can be copied!
However, it is important to note that while success can be influenced by external factors and learned behaviors, it is also influenced by individual circumstances, personal attributes, and a degree of luck.
Throughout her distinguished career, Congresswoman Johnson shattered numerous glass ceilings and paved the way for future generations.
Therefore, here is a shortlist
of the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson’s successes that can be copied, and you can adapt and tailor them to your own authentic self:
1. Highest-Ranking Texan on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Success can be copied: Develop expertise in your field and aim for leadership roles in influential committees or organizations.
2. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Success can be copied: Advocate for issues affecting your community, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact.
3. Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Success can be copied: Break barriers, embrace innovation, and champion progress in your chosen field.
4. First African American Female Chief Psychiatric Nurse at the VA Hospital in Dallas Success can be copied: Pursue excellence in your profession, break stereotypes, and pave the way for others.
5. First Registered Nurse elected to the Texas State House, Texas Senate, and U.S. Congress Success can be copied: Overcome obstacles, persist in your
professional aspirations, and bring a unique perspective to the table.
6. Instrumental in securing funding for DART’s bus operations and light rail systems Success can be copied: Advocate for important projects, demonstrate fiscal responsibility, and contribute to the betterment of your community.
As we reflect on the life and achievements of the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson, let us remember that success leaves a trail for others to follow. By understanding and adapting the principles that guided her, we can each embark on a journey of our own, replicating success in our unique ways.
Job well done, EBJ! Let me know if you want to copy success. Email me at terryallenpr@gmail.com.
Terry Allen is an NABJ awardwinning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional and founder of the charity – Vice President at FocusPR, Founder of City Men Cook and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org
DeSoto ISD’s KJTMA named 2024 TABSE Demo School
DeSoto Independent School District recently announced that the Texas Association of Black School Educators has named the district’s Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy one of the organization’s 2024 Dr. Jay Cummings Demonstration Schools. As a TABSE Demonstration School, KJTMA will carry the exemplary distinction of being one of a select group of high-achieving, majority-minority schools recognized by the state chapter of the national professional organization of the National Association of Black School Educators. The Cummings Demonstration School Collaborative brings together high-performing K-12 schools from across the nation to model and share best practices among school institutions. As part of the recognition, KJTMA Principal Dr. Michelle Neely, who is also recognized as
part of the honor, will have the opportunity to lead presentations regarding the campus’ instructional strategies, systems, and areas of innovation at the TABSE state conference to be held in Houston, Texas, later this month.
“It’s such an honor to be seen among my professional peers at TABSE as a campus who is performing well and serving scholars and their families at a high level,” said Neely. “This award is a testament to the amazing
teacher-leaders who are passionate and committed to making a clear difference on behalf of scholars and who understand the importance of their role and service as educators. KJTMA is the result of a community of parents, community members, district administrators, and scholars who have all adopted and upheld the same aspiration--excellence.”
According to the Texas Education Agency’s most recent publication of school account-
ability scores, KJTMA has an A rating. Earlier this year, the campus was named one of the best schools in the country by US News and World Report. The school was also recently recognized for the above-standard performance of scholars on the PSAT. Based on state data, KJTMA scholars outperformed their peers at both the local and state levels in numerous areas on the exam, particularly math.
“As a superintendent, when one of your campuses and its
leader receives an award like this, it creates a deep sense of pride and affirmation around the impact of the work taking place on behalf of scholars and families in the DeSoto and Glenn Heights communities,” said DeSoto ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Usamah Rodgers. “The success of KJTMA is evidence that excellence exists in our community and an opportunity to scale that level of excellence across every campus in our school system through the layered work of coaching and developing teacher and leadership capacity; ensuring high-quality curricular resources and materials for scholars; and creating partnerships and opportunities for college and industry access and exposure so that our scholars can see and experience the world around them firsthand as they develop dreams and aspirations for their respective futures.”
Photos: David Allen
North Texas Irish Festival Dances a Jig into
Dallas’s Fair Park March 1-3
It’s a weekend of culture, with music, food, dance, storytelling and so much more at this family-friendly event produced by volunteers from the Southwest Celtic Music Association
DALLAS, Texas (Jan. 10, 2023) – It’s almost time to kick up your heels and dance a jig: The North Texas Irish Festival brings Celtic culture to Dallas’s Fair Park March 1-3, 2024. This family-friendly festival is a beloved annual event celebrating the best in music, dance, food and spirits, storytelling, art and more originating in the Emerald Isle and alive and well today in North Texas.
The largest cultural celebration in DFW, the North Texas Irish Festival is produced by the Southwest Celtic Music Association and is staffed by hundreds of volunteers, some of whom have volunteered for decades, often alongside generations of their families. This year’s festival theme, Circle of Life, acknowledges the dedication of volunteers present, past and future, and is symbolized by Celtic-style art depicting the tree of life.
Bring your family, friends –even the family dog! – to Fair Park in Dallas to enjoy 10 stages of live music, Irish step dancing, chef demonstrations and more, indoors and outdoors. Guests will also enjoy beer and whiskey tastings (for 21+), shopping, horse shows, sheepherding demonstrations, animal rescue groups, child-friendly entertainment, and free arts and crafts for the kids. This indoor-outdoor festival takes place rain or shine.
“Our attendees enjoy being able to walk from stage to stage, settle into a comfortable chair, and enjoy the very best Celtic music in the world, live and
right here in front of them in North Texas,” said Sheri Bush, president of the Southwest Celtic Music Association Inc., the non-profit organization that produces the North Texas Irish Festival and provides music and dance scholarships to local students. “There is so much here for everyone, from children to adults and more. How many places can you sit and enjoy multiple concerts in a weekend with a beer, your family and your dog?”
The festival gets off to a festive start with the North Texas Irish Festival Fun Run, a jaunt through the beautiful grounds of Fair Park on Saturday, March 2, at 8 a.m. Perfect for runners or walkers of any age or ability, this activity is perfect for the whole family (even the family dog!). All registered participants will receive a T-shirt, a “bottle opener” medal, one ticket to the North Texas Irish Festival, and two beers after the run (if they are of legal drinking age).
This non-timed 5K fun run will benefit Fair Park First and the Southwest Celtic Music Association. More information and a link to registration are available here.
Music
The roots of the North Texas Irish Festival are in its celebration of music and every year, the festival is able to bring some of the biggest names worldwide to Fair Park. This year, the North Texas Irish Festival is proud to feature the following musical headliners:
• Breaking Trad
• Dalliance
• Ed Miller
• Eileen Ivers
• Socks in the Frying Pan
• The Byrne Brothers
• The Langan Band
• The Town Pants
Musical performers from the North Texas region will include:
• BEHAN
• Beyond The Pale
• CLEGHORN
• Emerald Accent
• Jiggernaut
• Kinfolk
• Misty Posey
• Plunk Murray
• Reel Treble
• River Driver
• Skyland
• Slugger’s Rule
• Sombati
• The Selkie Girls
• The Whalers
• Threadneedle St
• Tuatha Dea
• Tullamore
• Vintage Wildflowers
• Wolf Loescher
Dance
If you have ever seen “Riverdance,” you know that the rhythmic magic of Irish step dancing is enchanting to watch and to tap your toe right along with. At the North Texas Irish Festival, Celtic music comes alive in the steps of dancers of all ages, including those from The McLane School of Irish Dance, Maguire Academy of Irish Dance, Inishfree School of Irish Dance-Dallas, McTeggart Irish Dancers of North Texas and the Shandon-O’Regan Irish Dance Academy, who will delight audiences. Irish step dancers perform on a dedicated dance stage and also with musical performers throughout the festival.
Chef Stage and Whiskey Tastings
Chefs doing their own modern take on traditional Celtic fare, or using traditional ingredients in new ways, delight audiences who love to learn and sample the fare on the chef
stage. And don’t miss special mixology demonstrations on Friday night! Whiskey tastings are also available through a special ticketed event located inside the North Texas Irish Festival.
Kids
Urchin Street at the North Texas Irish Festival is a special place where kids can find child-friendly entertainment, education, play and fun, including crafts, music, dance, storytelling, magic and mystery. Storytellers -- or “Shanachie” –will tell traditional Irish stories in the way that the Irish learned of their history for hundreds of years.
Pets
The North Texas Irish Festival is pet-friendly! From dogs to rabbits, cats and even a squirrel or two, guests bring leashed pets to the festival to enjoy indoor and outdoor festivities. Need a new best pal? Animal rescue groups at the North Texas Irish Festival are happy to introduce you to animals to see if you might have a new “fur-ever” friend.
Hours, Admission and Location
Gates open on Friday evening, March 1, at 6 p.m. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, March 1; 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 2; and 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 3.
BADU Bus
cont. from page 1
Passengers will now be moving and grooving on DART buses featuring the international singer/actress and Dallas homegirl.
The partnership lasts throughout 2024, and was kicked off with a sweepstakes leading up to Ms. Badu’s annual birthday bash on Saturday, February 24, when lucky sweepstakes winners will be some of the first North Texans to see the Badu Bus and Rail designs. Featuring artwork and images of the NAACP Image, BET, Soul Train, MTV, Grammy Award-winning artist, the buses will be driving throughout North Texas.
You can check out the cool Badu-inspired buses and trains on the GoPass®
app to catch your ride in the DART window seat.
“DART is thrilled to partner with Erykah Badu for our year-long collaboration celebrating all that North Texas has to offer,” said Nadine Lee, DART president & CEO. “As a Dallas native, Erykah Badu has inspired so many people. From her many awards and accolades to everything she’s given back to our communities, we’re honored to celebrate her many successes.”
A special treat of the day was provided for students. Ms. Badu dropped nuggets of wisdom during interviews as she devoted time specifically for them. Check out the videos at www. texasmetronews.com.
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Mavs Rookie Dereck Lively II talks All-Star debut, birthday, injuries, Mavs and more
By Dorothy J. Gentry Texas Metro News Sports Editor
The one talent Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II wishes most for is to be able to sing.
“I can’t sing at all. In the shower maybe a little bit, but soon as I step out, it’s terrible.”
The 7’1 rookie center talked with Texas Metro News (TMN) earlier this week as he prepared to participate in last weekend’s NBA All-Star Festivities.
Lively was also recently selected to compete in the 2024 Panini Rising Stars game at AllStar 2024 in Indianapolis.
He is the first Maverick to be named to the Rising Stars game since five-time All-Star Luka Doncic was a participant in 2019 and 2020.
Lively, who has been out since the end of January with a nasal fracture, talked with TMN about what fans could expect during his Rising Star debut, his favorite NBA All-Star memories, turning 20 years old, his idea of perfect happiness and more.
TMN: You turned 20 on Monday – what was your birthday wish?
DL: My birthday wish was to be able to take off the little bandage over my nose and I was able to do that, so I had a great time. (he laughs). It was a great birthday being able to be surrounded by a great organization, had my friends and family and people who support me here so it was awesome.
TMN: What are you looking forward to at All-Star?
DL: Being able to take in the new experience. I’ve never been in this position! Just want to go out there and enjoy myself and learn as much as I can.
I hope to get a double or triple lob that would be great to post out there on social media. Me, Chet (Holmgreen from the OKC Thunder) and Walker (Kessler from the Utah Jazz) if we just start running, jumping and making sure we get each other open and go out there and have fun together; we’ve nev-
er played together – just go out there and have fun.
TMN: What are your favorite All-Star memories?
DL: I remember watching old videos of Shaq with the phone in his shoe; watching AI, watching Bron, Kobe just being able to recall when I was watching All Star and now I am in the NBA and I am going to that weekend. It’s just a great experience, a great privilege to have.
TMN: What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
DL: That’s a great question. That woman right there is the true definition of happiness for me. (He points to his mom as she walks by.) Just being able to know I have my family to support me, being able to provide for her, means the world to me.
TMN: Do you have a Valentine?
DL: Mayyybeeeeeee . Let’s leave it at maybe.
TMN: If you had 24 hours completely free – what would you do?
DL: Go back to Philly. See my family, spend 12 hours there then go to Ohio and spend the rest of the time with my family on my mom’s side.
TMN: Thoughts on new Maverick Daniel Gafford:
DL: Man, I’m so excited for Gafford. Just talking to him from the first day I told him he could
easily go out there and get 20 and 10 (20 points, 10 rebounds) and he got 19 and 9. Just knowing he has the energy, he talks, he battles, just being able to have someone like that to go
up again in practice everyday, it’s amazing. We will make each other better. We are the team’s legs so we have to make sure we have our heart and head in the game every day.
TMN: One word to describe your rookie season and why that word?
DL: Lively! (laughs) That’s the only way to put it. It’s been ups, downs, great times, bad times, but I wouldn’t change anything that has happened for the world.
TMN: Is your broken nose the craziest injury you’ve had?
DL: I’ve had surgery on my ankle when I was in high school but having a broken nose is definitely the worst injury. You can’t breathe. Your center of gravity is thrown off. You have a stuffed sinus. Very hard to breathe. Gotta sit up at night, sleep sitting up. It’s just so many things you have to go through.
TMN: How are you feeling now?
DL: I’m feeling amazing now I’m working out, Out here having fun. I can even sweat now so I’m good.
Among rookies, Lively, the 12th-overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft ranks first in field goal percentage (.739), second in rebounds (7.9 rpg), third in blocks (1.39 bpg), seventh in minutes (26.0 mpg) and is tied for ninth in scoring (9.2 ppg).
Lively opened the season with his first-career double-double (16 pts/10 reb) at San Antonio on Oct. 25. He scored his career high of 20 points (9-9 FG) with a career-high 16 rebounds, seven blocks and one steal vs. Oklahoma City on Dec. 2, becoming the first rookie in NBA history in the shot clock era to record a 20-point, 15-rebound game with a 100% field goal percentage.
He has since matched his career-high 20 points at Phoenix on Christmas Day and vs. Orlando on Jan. 29. He is the second rookie in NBA history to have multiple games of 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 88.9 percent from the field or better (Buck Williams).
The former Duke Blue Devil has posted eight double-doubles this season, 16 games with 10-plus points, 13 games with 10-plus rebounds and 14 games with multiple blocks.
At the Basket - Dereck Lively II
Dereck Lively II
Photos: Charles “City” Gbadebo
Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax resigns amid pressure from City Council
By Everton Bailey Jr. The Dallas Morning News
Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax is resigning as the city’s top administrative official amid pressure by the City Council, elected officials said Wednesday.
Broadnax will leave the city June 3, and it’s not immediately clear when an interim city manager will be named, according to a joint news release from council members Zarin Gracey, Jaime Resendez, Omar Narvaez, Adam Bazaldua, Jaynie Schultz and Gay Donnell Willis.
The move comes two years after a public effort, led by Mayor Eric Johnson, to fire Broadnax and then an about-face when support on the council to boot the city manager waned.
A news release Wednesday said Broadnax’s resignation came “at the suggestion of the majority of the Dallas City Council.”
“After careful consideration, it has become apparent that the relationship between the mayor and the city manager has not been conducive to effective gov-
ernance and the advancement of Dallas’ interest,” the council members’ statement said. “The dynamic between these key citywide figures has unfortunately hindered the realization of our city’s full potential and it is imperative we address this issue head-on in order to move forward.”
The mayor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
In an email statement to city staff, Broadnax confirmed his resignation and said he is proud of what the city has accomplished under his leadership.
“It is my hope that my departure provides the City Council an opportunity to reset, refocus, and transition to a new city manager that continues to move the city forward and will allow for a more effective working relationship with the mayor and City Council moving forward,” Broadnax wrote.
He added that he planned to work into the spring “to ensure the continuity of programs, projects and services to the community are not negatively impacted.”
Broadnax was hired in 2017 after serving as Tacoma, Washington’s city manager for five years before that.
He has also worked as an assistant city manager in San Antonio and in Pompano Beach, Florida.
As Dallas city manager, Broadnax oversees the day-today operations of the city’s municipal government, with a $4.6 billion budget, around 13,100 employees, and over 40 departments.
Broadnax is the city’s highest paid employee, making $423,246 a year, records show. His contract also includes a
Black National Anthem…
right disrespectful, and inappropriate and shouldn’t be repeated around people you hold in high esteem.
But back to the Black National Anthem. We can’t blame young people if they don’t know the words.
We need to do a better job of teaching. And it’s about more than teaching a song. When you consider the efforts to rewrite history; there’s so much that needs to be taught!
Then too, Lift Every Voice and Sing is a beautiful song!
According to the NAACP, Lift Every Voice and Sing was a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900. His brother, John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954), composed the music for the lyrics.
A choir of 500 schoolchildren at the segregated Stanton School, where James Weldon Johnson was principal, first performed the song in public in Jacksonville, FL to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
Here are the lyrics to the Black National Anthem:
LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING
Lift every voice and sing,
‘Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on ‘til victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, ‘Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
$700 monthly car allowance.
According to the terms of his contract, the city has to pay Broadnax a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of his base salary, if there is an “involuntary separation” from his duties as city manager.
An involuntary separation includes his resignation “following a suggestion, whether formal or informal, by a majority of the City Council that he resign,” Broadnax’s contract says. At least eight of the 15 City Council members could have voted to fire Broadnax.
“Dallas city council members are committed to stepping into the void of leadership and working collaboratively to chart a new course for the city,” the council’s statement said. “It is essential to recognize that effective governance requires collective effort and a shared commitment to the well-being of our community.”
The statement also said the city plans a national search for a new city manager “who shares our vision for the future of our city.”
Council member Gay Don-
God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, True to our native land.
I get teary-eyed just saying the words.
Words do matter.
And remember, we’re always talking about someone stealing “our culture,” so here’s a chance to take ownership and keep it. We can control the narrative and possibly change the course to avoid the attempt at continuing the “miseducation of the negro” as Dr. Carter G. Woodson told us about.
It’s up to you!
nell Willis said Wednesday in a statement to The Dallas Morning News that she was grateful for Broadnax’s service to the city and contributions. She said the council has “some important decisions” to make going forward and need to focus on the future.
“This is the best opportunity in the nation and I’m looking forward to new, adept leadership with vision,” Willis said. “Someone who over-communicates with council and the public, and who is ready to roll up their sleeves to help solve some of our city’s toughest issues.”
Police Chief Eddie García, who was hired by Broadnax in 2021, called the city manager “an exceptional leader to me.”
“I don’t know what else to say at this point, but I’d go through a wall for that man,” García said.
This story will be updated.
Staff writer Kelli Smith contributed to this report.
he received two degrees before heading off to law school at the University of Houston.
It was a full circle moment for Texas State Senator Royce West as he sat on the stage at the renaming ceremony of what is now the Royce West Leadership Academy, 6605 Sebring Drive in Oak Cliff.
Former and current Dallas ISD superintendents and board trustees; along with the West family, his pastor Rev. Bryan Carter of Concord Church, Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers, elected officials and his former math teacher Shirley Fisher, were in attendance to celebrate the occasion.
Current trustee Maxie Johnson, who worked on the honor, praised the senator, saying he represented Black excellence. He also pointed out that the school, resulting from the merging of a high school named after Pres. John F. Kennedy and a middle school named for local Pastor Milton K. Curry, has another element to it.
According to Johnson, in the future Curry’s name will reappear on the campus of Paul Quinn College.
Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
Sen. Royce and Carol West
Photo: Courtesy
This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
Metro Community Calendar
FEBRUARY
MUSIC UNDER THE DOME at 7:30 pm, African American Museum, Dallas. Free and open to the public; register at aamdallas.org/events Bringing jazz concerts to the heart of Fair Park, the three-part Music Under the Dome winter series kicks off with Mahogany The Artist.
JimAustinonline.com presents Community Leaders & Entrepreneurs Awards Program. The keynote speaker is former Dallas Cowboy Greg Ellis at 1125 E. Berry St in Fort Worth
DCDP 2024 Fish Fry, 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm at SokolHall, 7448 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231
TEXAS BLACK SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION LUNCHEON. 11:30 a.m., Dallas Renaissance Hotel, 2222 N. Stemmons Freeway Dallas. Tickets $125 at aamdallas.org/events
The next Hidden History DFW Tour, starting at 9:00 am. Pick up and drop off at J. B. Jackson DART Center, at 1423 J. B. Jackson, Jr. Blvd, 75210. Tickets are $47 for adults, $37 for 55 and over children under 18 are $17.
and Jill HBCU STEAM Fair 12 pm-1pm at Boys and Girls Club of
Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Epsilon Phi
HONOREES: Michael Bell, Jill Darden, Hasson Diggs, Shannon Fletcher, Douglas “Ray” Gates, Colleen Love, Sean Madison, Roderick Miles and Teresa Nelson
Leonard Charles Freeman, Sr.
It was on September 4, 1950, when the Lord blessed Narvella Freeman and Lemond White with a beautiful baby boy name Leonard Charles Freeman in Taylor, Texas. He moved to Killeen, Texas, with his family where he graduated from Killeen High School in 1969. Leonard then travelled to Dallas, Texas, to attend Bishop College where he majored in Business; eventually moving to Houston, Texas, where he studied at the Art Institute of Houston in 1981. He then settled in Missouri City, Texas, where he started his professional art career and became a world renowned African American artist who inspired everyone with his Christian imagery.
Leonard accepted Christ at an early age and became a born-again Christian at the age of 32. This led him to start reading the Bible which positively changed his life and made him want to find his own purpose. He surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, and this led him to his first love which was drawing and painting. Leonard believed his paintings should have a powerful impact that promoted the happiness and joy of family. Being influenced by the artist Leonardo da Vinci, he became very passionate about his work. During his exciting career he was able to raise a family and start a business while
September 4, 1950 - February 4, 2024
entering the world of commercial art, accomplishing 500 successful freelance projects. He sold his work through numerous galleries, including the Black Heritage Gallery in Houston, African Imports in Dallas, H & M Gallery in New York, and the October Gallery in Philadelphia. With this worldwide exposure, he was the recipient of many prestigious awards for his creative talent. Along with his faith, Leonard treasured family above all else. One of his favorite past times was cooking for his children and grandchildren while Jazz was playing in the background. He often travelled to art festivals with his family in tow. Leonard’s impact to this world were words of wisdom and encouragement that he shared consistently with friends, family and his community. He truly valued the time he spent studying the Bible and actively participating in church activities. His legacy was to be able to leave behind something of beauty that will endure forever so that others can enjoy seeing it.
On February 4, 2024, Leonard Charles Freeman left to cherish his memory: siblings - Sammy Freeman, Oliver Freeman, Debra Grant, and Cassandra White; children - Leonard (Lenny) Charles Conner, Lucky Connor, Becky Lynelle Lewis, Leonard Charles Freeman Jr. (Tioka), and Ebony Trecia McDade (Michael); grandchildren - Michael Connor, Clo’e Connor, Taylor Lewis, Riley Lewis, Joshua McDade, Kealyn Freeman, Leonard Freeman III, Janaya Freeman, and Bryce Freeman; great-grandchildren- Carter Connor, Aniko Connor, Supreme Connor, and Zhuri McDade; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The Lord knew he was ready and he was willing to accept whatever His plans were for him. Although we mourn the separation of such are beautiful son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend, we sorrow not like those with no hope for we know that at the sound of the trumpet on that great resurrection morning, he will be among those who will rise in the first.
Leonard Charles Freeman, Sr.
Lifestyle Metro Calendar powered by
FEBRUARY
24
The 40th anniversary of Dallas Blooms is themed “A Picture is a Worth a Thousand Words.” The spring event opens February 24 and runs through April 8, 2024 at the Arboretum.
JSU
Sneaker Ball
Renaissance Hotel, Dallas 2222 N.
Stemmons Freeway For Sponsorship Opportunities or to Purchase Tickets, go to: http://www.theesneakerball. dfw-jsu.org
TEXAS BLACK SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION LUNCHEON, at 11:30 a.m. at Dallas Renaissance Hotel 2222 N. Stemmons Freeway Dallas Tickets $125 at aamdallas.org/ events. The 2024 honorees for basketball are Jennifer Bell, Tamicha Jackson, Robert Pack Jr. and Retha Swindell; for football are Bobby Brooks, Lester Hayes, Nate Newton and Marvin Washington; for golf is Richard Bonner; for journalism is Roger B. Brown (posthumously); for Rodeo is Fred Whitfield; and coaching is Abron Young, Jr.
Bethlehem Baptist Church will host HBCU College Fair & Black Business Expo, at 10 am, in the church’s gymnatorium, 1188 W. Broad St., in Mansfield. The event will feature admissions representatives from HBCUs across the nation. Prospective students may also meet with financial assistance counselors. Sponsored by Historic West Mansfield Texas
Community Development Corporation, it includes a display of local Black-owned businesses. Registration required. Click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hbcu-fair-black-business-expo-tickets-698117065937?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
FIRST Community Connection Expo!
The business expo supports and celebrates local small/community-owned businesses. It is a FREE event designed to celebrate and encourage the success of small, community, and Black-owned businesses locally and beyond. It is open to everyone to attend.” From 1-5 pm at St. John Church Unleashed, 800 S. Kimball Avenue Southlake, Texas 76092 29
The Sum of Us One-Act Festival runs February 29 – March 17, for three consecutive weekends at the Bishop Arts Theatre Center at 215 S Tyler St, Dallas, TX 75208. Tickets can be purchased online at www. bishopartstheatre.org or by calling the box office at 214.948.0716
MARCH 8-12
DELTA DAYS IN NATION’S CAPITAL
The 35th Annual Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital will be held. Friday, is for Collegiates ONLY. The Legislative Conference kicks off March 9.
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Join the Hon. Beto O’Rourke for a candid talk about protecting our sacred right to vote and what it take to save our democracy at this critical moment of truth at 6:30pm at the Dock Bookshop, 6637 Meadowbrook Dr., FW 9
Galveston and LaMarque Alumnae Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc presents Joint Founders Day Celebration, “Honoring the Past, Preserving the Present, and Empowering the Future, South Shore Harbor Resort, 12-2pm featuring guest speaker the 22nd National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority - Rev. Dr Gwendolyn Boyd. For info, galvestonalumnaechapter@yahoo.com
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North Central Texas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., presents GIVING BIRTH WITH GRACE AND POWER: FIGHTING FOR EQUITY IN BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH, 7-8:30pm featuring Dr. Jaylen Wright
APRIL
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African American Education Archives and History Program (AAEAHPP) Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Luncheon where Dr. Jennifer Wimbish will be inducted at Noon at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, 400 Olive Street in Dallas, Texas 75201. You may purchase tickets for $100 at https://aaeahp.org/donate/hof-luncheon/
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Upsilon Nu Zeta Chapter, and Zealous
Dove Love Blue Revue Cotillion and Beautillion Scholarship Program! Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Hilton Garden Inn, 800 North Main St, Duncanville, TX 75115 Get your tickets for $75.00 and be a part of this memorable day!
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2024 DeSoto Candidate Forum for candidates vying for DeSoto City Council and DeSoto School Board Trustee at DeSoto Civic Center (Bluebonnet Room), 211 E Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto, TX 75115 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s second annual Young Professionals Experience (YPX), DSO X Troupe Vertigo! This year’s experience will be held at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
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TwoGether Land, the latest addition to the ONE Musicfest (OMF) family in partnership with Live Nation Urban, is set to make its mark in Dallas at the historic Fair Park.
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PHILANTHROPARTY 2024 TOGETHER FOR GOOD
The Statler Dallas, 1914 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75201 6 - 11pm CDT REGISTER NOW- Social Venture Partners Dallas is looking forward to celebrating our 8th Annual Philanthroparty!
Reach Media Inc. - Tom Joyner’s
Ultimate Party with a Purpose is gearing up to embark on the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage 2024, a transformative experience aimed at supporting students in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Departing from Miami, Florida, on April 27, 2024, the cruise will navigate through the Caribbean ports of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, hosting a lively Beach Party at Labadee, complemented by delightful days at sea.
JUNE 8
Texas Rangers v San Francisco Giants: HBCU Diamond Day @ 3:05pm. Show up and show off your HBCU pride! The Texas Rangers 2nd annual HBCU Diamond Day recognizing current students and alumni from Historically Black Colleges & Universities.
METRO HYPE NEWS
w/Cheryl Smith Weekday mornings on FaceBook at 8:45 CST Bringing you hype you can believe!
By La Juana Barton
Dallas Love Field is Celebrating Black History Month
Join us in honoring the vibrancy of the African American culture.
View the one-of-a-kind, must-see exhibit “Black History Month Presents: Celebrating Greek” with donated paraphernalia from NPHC members representing the D9 organizations and indulge in live performances on the Live at Love stage, perfect for the whole family to enjoy!
Experience Unity: Where Journeys Connect Communities.
