Reprinted by popular demand and with modifications in honor of Black History Month. And a special thanks to the churches like (Friendship-West and Concord) and all the organizations like (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority) for your support of Blackowned Businesses.
Note: The Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has launched its Black-owned Business Initiative - 100 x 100 for 100 where at least 100 members are supporting 100 Black businesses for 100 days. KUDOS to the chapter under the leadership of President Karla McGary.
So here goes… I know there are probably people everywhere I go, who ask (behind my back), am I go-
ing to ask “Is it Black-owned?”
News flash:
Yes, I am going to keep asking “that question.”
Which brings me to my truth.
Decades ago, an entrepreneur came to Dallas, TX on a promotional tour. He was meeting with primarily the Black Press, and he was spending about three days in the city.
Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown will host Dallas County’s first gun buyback program and Dallas County leaders are also coming together to help support and sponsor the initiative, along with one of the country’s most familiar law enforcement officers.
Pledging his support for Sheriff Brown’s initiative to keep citizens safe, Deputy Shaquille O’Neal, who is a licensed deputy in multiple states, has joined in to sponsor the gun buyback program.
“The Sheriff is doing the right thing and keeping our communities safe,” said Sheriff O’Neal.
Scheduled for Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 9am - 12 noon, the event will take place at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Training Academy, 8401 South
Polk Street Dallas, TX 75232. “This is an opportunity for law enforcement to educate and equip community members with the tools to properly dispose of unwanted firearms,” said Sheriff Brown. “Too many deaths have occurred from fire-
Ernest H. Walker III
arms lying around and they end up in the hands of our vulnerable population.”
Dallas County is the second largest county in the State of Texas. The hope for this initiative is to provide a safe way for the community to dispose of unwanted firearms. Handgun owners will be given a $100.00 gift card and long guns will receive a $125.00 gift card. The gun buyback program is only available to private residents of Dallas County. Firearm dealers/manufacturers are not eligible and there is a limit of three firearms per resident. No ID will be required to participate.
Donations are still being accepted towards this initiative, as it is expected to be the first of many, according to Sheriff Brown.
Orchestrated Greatness
African American Museum’s concert celebrates legendary trailblazers and young talent
By Eva D. Coleman Lifestyle & Culture Editor
Life’s a stage, and many showed up to play their part.
The African American Museum of Dallas’ Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra Concert on Feb. 3, 2024 at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas was a masterfully curated affair.
The evening featured the Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra of Houston, led by founder Dr. Anne Lundy, the first African American woman to conduct the Houston Symphony. Glorious sounds from the South Dallas Children’s Choir
by Reverend Brent
Ernest H. Walker III, a loving family man with a heart of gold, passed away on January 30, 2024.
Born on December 17, 1968, in Dallas, Texas, Ernest was a compassionate and outgoing individual who cherished spending time with his family. Ernest adored his family above all else. He was known for always making time to be with them and creating beautiful memories together. His warm smile and kind heart will forever be remembered by those fortunate enough to have been touched by his presence.
In addition to his dedication to his family, Ernest had an unwavering commitment to helping others.
One of his proudest accomplishments was volunteering to feed the homeless, he was a volunteer Community Chaplain and a Human Rights Activist. He understood the importance of giving back to the community and did so selflessly throughout his life.
Ernest’s exceptional character extended beyond his charitable endeavors; he served in the US Army in The Historic 25th Infantry Division, nick-
Ernest H. Walker III
Sheriff Marian Brown Tom Fox / DMN Staff Photographer
Dr. Anne Lundy directs orchestra at Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra concert in Dallas Feb. 3, 2024
NAMI North Texas Adds New Members to Board
NAMI North Texas, a chartered affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and NAMI Texas, has announced its 2024 new leadership and members.
Founded in 1982, NAMI North Texas, a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization, advocates for equitable access to mental health services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community of hope for all of those in need.
Serving Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Rockwall counties, NAMI North Texas provides essential and free education, advocacy and support group programs.
Joining the NAMI North Texas board are : Lakeesha Browne is the CEO and Principal Accountant at LV Browne, CPA. She has more than 25 years of experience as a CPA. During her professional career, she has spent seven years as Controller for two well-known local nonprofits, CitySquare and Catholic Charities of Dallas. Ms. Browne has participated in NAMIWalks, advocated for the rights and vulnerabilities of the mentally ill, and currently serves on the steering committee for the Mental Wellness Alliance of North Texas. Ms. Browne will be serving as treasurer for NAMI North Texas.
Khadijah Ibrahim is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for Medical City Green Oaks where she is currently serving as a Program Director. Ms. Ibrahim brings with her more than 12 years of experience in a mental health clinical setting and has supported NAMI North Texas through her participation in NAMIWalks, the signature fundraiser for the nonprofit.
Lee Pierson is the Chief Attorney over the
Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Mental Health Division. Since 2011, he has handled cases involving competency, sanity and defendants who have a mental health diagnosis, many times co-occurring with substance abuse disorders.
Monserrat Mata is currently a Parent Educator and Case Worker at Avance North Texas where she provides advocacy and social support services for under-served and under-resourced families in the Dallas area. Ms. Mata has been a key player in facilitating a partnership between NAMI North Texas and Avance to strengthen mental health education and awareness among the people they serve.
Felecia Wadsworth is a passionate family member, retired teacher and former NAMI North Texas Board Member and Youth Programs Coordinator. Since leaving her position as Youth Programs Coordinator at NAMI North Texas, Mrs. Wadsworth has continued to be a strong legislative mental health advocate and champion volunteer for NAMI North Texas.
Elected for one-year terms, the 2024 officers were also elected and confirmed. Returning to the board as president is Dr. Joseph Guillory from the University of Texas at Southwestern and Dr. Mohammad ‘Pasha’ Rahman was re-elected as vice president. Rahman is the Director of Pharmacy Services at Medical City Green Oaks Hospital in Dallas. Newly-elected officers include ShaRonda Young Calderon, the program director for Blue H.E.L.P. will serve as secretary, while Alyse Ferguson, an attorney with Rosenthal, Kalabus & Therrian, will serve as treasurer. Other returning board members include Heather Bianchi, Phyllis Finley, Officer Todd Gyure, Courtney Jaimes, and Isaac Padilla.
“American Fiction” swims in Oscar nominations
Oscar snubs, sadly, are typical when it comes to work from Black filmmakers or films about the Black experience.
But this year, the people who made “American Fiction” and its star, Jeffrey Wright, are celebrating five Oscar nominations, as BNV contributor Carla Hay writes. Wright has been grinding for years, racking up awards for a parade of solid, visible, attention-generating roles, but he has been relatively unsung until now. This awards season, he’s been front and center, particularly with his Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
erature professor posing as a fugitive criminal who, as the criminal persona, writes a novel with negative racial stereotypes. The problem is the novel is a hit, leaving the professor with an identity dilemma. “American Fiction” is the first movie from producer Cord Jefferson, who was a screenwriter for “Watchmen.”
Jefferson left journalism to become a screenwriter but learned that even in that new role, audiences seemed to want stories about Black trauma and tragedy. He talked with Hay about this.
UNT Dallas President to retire
Mong plans to leave this summer, apping an extra-ordinary career and transformational tenure
History maker Elmore Nickleberry, one of the last living participants in the Memphis sanitation strike that drew the support of Martin Luther King, has died. He was 92.
The striking workers, nearly all of them Black, withstood maggots and trash sliding underneath their clothing, being called “boy,” profoundly low pay and carrying tubs of trash of up to 40 pounds on their backs. Nickleberry once told a reporter that he smelled so bad at the end of his shift that he would forego the bus and walk six miles home.
The 65-day walkout ended in a major civil rights and labor victory, but, sadly, also contributed to King’s death at the Lorraine
“American Fiction” is a racial satire based on Percival Everett’s 2001 novel, “Erasure.” Wright plays a lit-
“It’s painful, because the implication is that Black life does not have the breadth or depth of everybody else’s life,” Jefferson said. “We are defined by these five or six stories that we tell over and over again—largely about our ability to withstand pain, violence, and suffering.”
Notorious police misconduct case in France ends in convictions
In the United States, names like George Floyd and Tyre Nichols bring on thoughts of police violence against unarmed Black men, graphic video and protests. In France, one name that brings the same connotations is Théo Luhaka.
The young man of African descent suffered serious injury to his rectum when police assaulted him with a baton. The incident took place in 2017 in one of Paris’ banlieues — suburbs
where immigrants of African descent have settled. Human rights activists have long tried to amplify tensions in the banlieues between police and immigrants from West Africa and the Maghreb.
Police were performing an identity check on Luhaka when the encounter turned violent. Police said Luhaka was “in rebellion.” Luhaka accused the police of assault. Last Friday, Luhaka’s supporters celebrated a victory when a French court convicted three officers involved in the incident of “voluntary violence.”
The University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) President Bob Mong has announced his retirement, effective at the end of July 2024. Mong has led the university for nine years. He joined UNT Dallas in 2015 following a distinguished journalism career during which he ascended to editor-in-chief of The Dallas Morning News.
“It goes without saying, the experience has been an honor and a privilege of the highest order of public service,” said Mong. “In life, there is a time for everything, and this is the right time for me to prepare for a new passage.”
Under Mong’s administration, UNT Dallas grew in size and scope at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Enrollment increased and funding by the legislature expanded significantly. The commitment to academic rigor was strengthened. Recruitment of faculty and staff was enhanced and buildings and research capabilities were added. The university’s commitment to community service was amplified and its image and reputation were refined.
“Since my first day, the university’s mission to empower upward economic mobility and be a symbol of hope for communities we serve has inspired me,” Mong said.
The most recent achievements are a state-of-theart STEM building for which ground was broken in September 2023 and a new regional law enforcement training facility that will be formally announced next month. Both will have a transformational effect on the university, creating pathways for careers in high-demand healthcare and public safety professions.
“It has been a great honor to lead the university through this period of growth and increased relevance. It has numerous active initiatives, and I want to assure our internal and external partners that UNT Dallas’ commitment and support will carry forward after I have left. This always has been a team effort,” said Mong.
UNT System Chancellor Dr. Michael R. Williams called Mong a pioneering and steadfast leader. “President Mong’s commitment to excellence in education and community engagement has had a profound impact in the community,” Williams said. “Please join me in thanking President Mong for his service and unyielding dedication to UNT Dallas and its students, families, and communities. The progress he has made and the challenges he has overcome will leave a lasting legacy.”
Mong said UNT Dallas’ influence plays an important and unique part in the region’s education ecosystem, and its role will only increase in the years to come.
Motel in Memphis. Nickleberry retired at 86, and did so only after Memphis reached a settlement with the remaining strikers, who received $50,000 each.
Elmore Nickleberry
Jeffrey Wright
Elmore Nickleberry, dies at 92
Special from NABJ Black News & Views
Special from NABJ Black News & Views
Special from NABJ Black News & Views
President Bob Mong
Lakeesha Browne
Monserrat Mata Lee Pierson Khadijah Ibrahim
Legendary Educator, Shirley Ison-Newsome, Is Guest Speaker for AAEAHP Founders Day
The African American Education Archives and History Program (AAEAHP) will observe Founders Day Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the African American Museum, 3536 Grand Avenue. Legendary educator Shirley Ison-Newsome will be guest speaker.
The AAEAHP was founded in 2002 by local educators and the African American Museum. “The organization’s emphasis is on preserving history so that society can study the lessons learned through the struggles and triumphs of African American educators, students, and the community,” says Dr. Alfred L. Roberts, Sr., president of AAEAHP and one of its founding members. AAEAHP collects oral histories, archival materials, the Educators Hall of Fame recognition ceremony, and provides scholarships to gradu-
ating seniors. The organization recently opened the Sankofa Children’s Center in partnership with Dallas ISD and the African American Museum.
“We are honored to have MS. SHIRLEY ISON-NEWSOME, a retired educator, as our speaker,” said Dr. Andrea Hilburn, chair of the Founders Day program. Newsome has 40 years of service as a teacher, principal (middle and high school), and central office administrator, retiring as the Assistant Superintendent for Division 4 in the Dallas Independent School District, and having served as the Area Superintendent for the renowned Area 2 in the Dallas Independent School District. She initiated numerous projects and programs while at Dallas ISD including serving as a major member of the planning team for the district’s nationally
recognized Magnet Schools, the renowned Learning Centers, and most recently before her retirement, the development of the noted Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, she matriculated at Indiana University – Bloomington, Indiana; the University of Louisville –Louisville, Kentucky; and The Ohio State University – Colum-
bus, Ohio. She completed her coursework and certification as a Registered Parliamentarian during the pandemic while in retirement.
Ison-Newsome is active in many educational and civic organizations, serving on several boards, and has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. A strong advocate for the education of the undereducated, Ison-Newsome has been hailed as the ‘raised hand in the room’ challenging systems to address the needs of all; to ensure equity and excellence for all. The proud mother and grandmother of her greatest joys Brian and Jordan, Ison-Newsome’s commitment to service, to community and children, and serving is legendary.
To learn more about AAEAHP, go to www.aaeahp.org.
A Party with A Purpose Ready to Set Sail
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.
Established by the pioneering retired radio host and philanthropist Tom Joyner, the Fantastic Voyage is a crucial fundraiser, generating support for students in Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Ernest H. Walker III
named “Tropic Lightning.” His service demonstrated his courage and loyalty both on and off the battlefield. Ernest’s commitment to his country will be forever honored and remembered.
Those who had the privilege of knowing Ernest will remember him as more than just a
Over its illustrious history, the Tom Joyner Foundation has raised an impressive sum, surpassing $71,456,826, empowering students to pursue their education.
cont. from page 1
loving husband and father; he was a true friend. Always willing to lend a helping hand or offer words of encouragement. Ernest had an incredible ability to make those around him feel valued and supported.
Ernest is survived by his beloved wife and cherished seven children who were the light
of his life. They were lucky to have experienced firsthand the love and guidance he provided throughout their lives. Ernest’s legacy will live on through them, as they continue to embrace the strong values he instilled in them.
To celebrate Ernest’s remarkable life, visitation
The 24th edition promises an unforgettable lineup featuring iconic performers such as Chaka Khan, Earth Wind & Fire, Kirk Franklin, Bobby Brown, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Tank, Ralph Tresvant, Method Man & Redman, George Wallace, J. Anthony Brown, Alison Hinds, a Gerald Levert Tribute with additional acts, bands, and surprises to be announced. Tom Joyner’s Ultimate Party with a Purpose® remains committed to its core mission of supporting HBCU students.
“I am thrilled for the 24th sailing of the Fantastic Voyage!
services will be held on: February 15, 2024, from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm at Golden Gate Funeral Home and A Crematory located at 4155 S R. L. Thornton Fwy in Dallas, Texas.
A Celebration of Life service will follow on February 16, 2024, at 11:00 AM at City Temple SDA Church, located at 1530 Bonnie View Rd in Dallas.
This gathering will allow family and friends to honor and
This unique event provides a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience for cruise attendees to Party with a Purpose® and contribute to the vital cause of raising funds for HBCU scholarships,” expressed Tom Joyner. The Fantastic Voyage encompasses more than 40 live entertainment acts, seminars, daily inspiration, celebrities, and engaging theme nights, embodying a celebration of music, empowerment, and philanthropy. For further details or to secure your spot online, visit www.FantasticVoyage2024.com or contact (214) 495-1963.
remember Ernest while finding solace in one another’s company.
Ernest H. Walker III has left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.
A man with a compassionate spirit, he taught us the true meaning of love, kindness, and selflessness. His memory will forever be a source of comfort and inspiration.
Shirley Ison-Newsome
QUIT
PLAYIN’
Go Vote!
By Vincent L. Hall
Well. It’s that time again, and so I hope you got your ballots ready.
Don’t nothing Trump a Trump except a vote against a Trump. You still need to show up whether you like or hate all the candidates on the March 5th ballot.
President Joseph Biden and some random MAGA candidates are on the top of the heap, and presidential elections are continually significant. But remember that we have a lot of local issues that need your attention as well.
This primary has races that will make a difference in your life whether you know it or not. If you want to eliminate U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, now is the time. However, his emblazoned
brand of academic ignorance is not nearly as close to you on your kitchen table as some of the others you can vote up or down on.
One of those races that you must pay attention to is the re-election bid of Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price.
The former and late Governor of Texas, Mark White, once remarked that there is probably no more significant elected position than the county commissioner in the State of Texas.
Fortunately, We have a brother whose civil rights and grassroots upbringing pay off in public policy. John Price has paid the cost and has receipts to show for it. As the young folk say, “He standing on business!”
Dallas County Commissioner District Three, John Wiley Price, has been “Our Man Downtown” since being elected as the first African American to hold the position in 1984.
Not only is he the “elder statesman” of the Commis-
sioner’s Court, but he is also, without question, a savvy policy strategist and servant leader.
Commissioner Price’s district comprises 15 of the 31 cities comprising Dallas County. There are 108 square miles of unincorporated roads and bridges, and he manages all but one mile in Dallas County. He leads one of the state’s largest and most active Road and Bridge Districts.
The stretch of Interstate 20, Southwest Dallas, bounded by I-35 and I-45, was once known as America’s second largest “urban land mass” and is now home to the burgeoning Inland Port.
The last unincorporated area of our county is quickly becoming a significant economic engine and the only one south of I-30.
The rapidly growing Inland Port is a diverse contingent of significant corporations that bring high-paying jobs in manufacturing, transportation, and commercial service companies.
The old railroad lines that were once dormant are now a strategic point of passage for goods and products that traverse back and forth from Mexico to Canada and to every point in the Continental U.S. between them.
Commissioner Price is the Chairman and Founder of the Dallas County Jail Sanitation Committee and regularly confers with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards to ensure that our jail facility operates safely and efficiently.
This board, Sheriff Marian Brown, and her staff do hourly reviews on cleanliness and operations at the Lew Sterrett Facility. Their efforts recently resulted in a passing grade during an unannounced inspection by the State of Texas.
John Wiley Price is a ranking member or presides on every board open to Dallas County Commissioners Court members.
After 39 years of unselfish and unwavering service, Commissioner Price is still as active, efficient, and effective as he always has been.
He is the exemplar of Courage, Consciousness, and Compassion.
He practices the courage of his convictions, the consciousness of his constituents, and the compassion of his Christian upbringing.
This brother is seen and known in our community. He lives where we live and is unafraid of the people he serves.
John Wiley Price is one of the few elected leaders in Dallas and nationwide that voters in every generation know.
To some of us, he is a grassroots organizer and a Warrior. To others, he is the “coolest OG” you can ever meet—a real brother who lives and breathes our fight daily.
John Wiley Price is still Our Man Downtown and one of Texas’s most recognized and respected politicians/civil rights leaders. And because of his wealth of knowledge and experience, he works harder now than ever.
If you agree with me, vote for John Wiley Price. But for God’s sake VOTE!
A long-time Texas Metro News columnist, Dallas native Vincent L. Hall is an author, writer, awardwinning writer, and a lifelong Drapetomaniac.
His message was clear: He was a Black-owned business, creating something very few other Black men had created and Black people needed to support him.
If you didn’t support him and his product, you probably needed to have your Black card revoked, he said in several interviews with media outlets.
Following our interview, he said he was hungry and wanted to go out for dinner.
If you know me, you know I have plenty of Black-owned
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Address: 320 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 100 Dallas, Tx 75203
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places so I was ready with my list.
Imagine my surprise when he said he wanted to go to Chili’s.
Second news flash (for those who didn’t know - now you know!):
Chili’s is not Black-owned.
Third news flash:
From my perspective, I don’t see Chili’s doing a lot of sponsorship in our community. Yes, they have a few folks on their board who look like me.
Shout out to Tammy JonesStill, the vice president of di-
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.
versity, equity and inclusion for Brinker Intl., and also executive, Ramona Hood.
Now that last news flash will be a subject for a future Dear… letter because we have to address these DEI programs/participants/executives that are about to DIE.
But back to the point of this letter.
I know people get tired of me asking my question.
I know folks are rolling their eyes and sucking their teeth, but I still will keep asking.
You see, years ago I posed a question to readers:
What has been the most successful boycott in the history of America?
My answer:
The boycott of Black-owned businesses by Black people!
That’s right, once we were able to shop elsewhere, we did; using every excuse to not spend their money with the only businesses that never denied them services or products.
Now before anyone goes off, this is not about being anti anything, my position is about being pro-something.
Also, don’t you think it is the height of hypocrisy for me to preach, speak, and sometimes even beg you to support my business because it is FUBU (For Us By Us) and I am not supporting other Black-owned businesses?
Years ago, this organization would let the leaders of each group choose the restaurants and menus.
For the record, I was not a leader.
What is interesting, though, is that we graced a wide range of restaurants and the Latino leader would choose Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican; the Asian leader would choose Chinese, Thai or Japanese; and, the Native American leader would introduce us to Fry Bread, braised Bison or Chayote.
For whatever reason, the African American/Black leader
never chose a “soul” food restaurant and I think some of us may have died of embarrassment at the thought of serving fried chicken, collard greens or God forbid, watermelon.
What a sad commentary, especially because the others were open to trying out “new” foods.
Now, I know that I am different. One of my fave lines to my mother was, “Mother, I’m like Two Chains (a popular rapper), I’m different.
And I am not trying to shove blackness down your throat; however I’m just making a simple request, Won’t you just try or at least make a conscious effort?
It’s not too difficult to put forth the effort to patronize Black-owned businesses.
I support businesses that provide quality services and goods. And yes, my list is diverse and frankly I’d give a side-eye to anyone who makes a list and leaves themselves off that list!
Forgetting Costs Too Much
FAITHFUL UTTERANCES
By Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew
Black History Month is here! As much as I love the opportunity to celebrate our many contributions to this country and the world, I hope that we do not relegate our vast history to one month. We must take the time to reflect and remember!
Marcus Garvey stated, “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” Without roots, a tree cannot stay grounded. When the winds blow roughly, the tree becomes uprooted. Without roots, a tree cannot be nourished. Without roots, a tree is unable to grow. When we don’t understand our history begins before the slave trade or believe the propaganda that is being pushed in media about our culture, it’s easy to become dis-
oriented and to disassociate from one’s heritage.
There is so much beauty and richness in our past. It’s important that we do not forget. We must remember. As much as there have been advances, we still have so much to achieve. We must educate ourselves and our children. If we do not pass this on to the next generation, the repercussions will be significant.
Black History Month celebrations often focus on Dr. King, Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, and/or Booker T Washington. Their legacy is remarkable. There are so many legends that we need to know and I want to share a few that I hope you will take the time to learn more about their story. These are not the individuals that are always highlighted but we are standing on the shoulders of these giants, too. Here are some of my favorites:
• Richard Allen, Founder of the AME Church and Free African Society
• David Walker, author of the “Ap-
peal to the Coloured Citizens of the World.” The “Appeal” was a call to action against the terrorism and brutality of slavery and racism in the 1800s.
• Harriet Jacobs, author of the autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, published in 1861 under the pseudonym Linda Brent.
• Pinckney B.S. Pinchback was elected lieutenant governor of Louisiana and served briefly as the state’s acting governor during Reconstruction
• Ida B. Wells, a journalist and crusader against lynching
• Paul Robeson, concert artist, stage and film actor, professional football player, and activist who became famous both for his cultural accomplishments and for his political stances
• Septima Clark, developed the literacy and citizenship workshops that played an important role in the drive for voting rights and civil rights for African Americans in the Civil Rights Movement.
• Fannie Lou Hamer, communi-
ty organizer and vice-chair of the Freedom Democratic Party, which she represented at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.
• Charles Hamilton Houston, first general counsel of NAACP, paved the way for the Supreme Court ruling outlawing school segregation and undercutting the “separate but equal” principle and a champion of other civil rights cases earned him the moniker “The Man Who Killed Jim Crow.”
• Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress in 1968.
In the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy, God is constantly sharing through the prophet, Moses, the importance of remembering the journey out of Egypt. “Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the Lord brought you out from this place.” (Exodus 13:3) God did not want future generations to forget the
struggles and challenges faced in the wilderness. “Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when the Lord said to me, ‘Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.”
(DEU 4:10)
As those teachings were no longer shared with future generations, they became so removed from their past but also from understanding God’s goodness. They forgot God and indulged in practices that were destructive to their lives and communities. The cost was significant. We’ve lost so much already and there is even more to lose.
We can’t afford NOT to REMEMBER.
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.
Ron DeSantis Started Out With A Roar And Ended With Just A Murmur. What Happened?
By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
Be careful about self-promotion and talking too much. Sometimes it can come back to haunt you. It’s better to start off in the back and be asked to come to the front.
We all know people who specialize in talking about themselves. In today’s world of high-octane media, it’s about getting ‘likes and “shares”. I have always believed that your good work and deeds should speak for themselves.
The debates are over. Republican primaries have already been held in Iowa and New Hampshire. South Carolina will be coming up soon. It will give the candidates another chance to see where they stand.
There were roughly a dozen
candidates who started off some months ago with high aspirations about being the next president of the United States of America. Their platforms were similar as their main goal was to go after President Joe Biden. That refrain became a bit stale, so they started to go after each other.
The only candidate that had a steady stream of criticism for former president Donald Trump was Chris Christie, former governor of New Jersey. Everyone else had cold feet and didn’t want to agitate Mr. Trump.
The name calling and verbal jousting were on full display. One candidate in particular, Vivek Ramaswamy, an investor and author would begin his bashing saying when, “I become president.” I guess it made him feel pretty good to utter his name and president of the United States of America in the same breath. Mr. Ramaswamy is now long gone and forgotten.
One by one, the Republican nom-
inees dropped out of the race. They spent millions with no tangible results. Lay-offs and not face-offs have happened over the past few months. Volunteers, once hopeful, became hopeless for a lost cause.
Shortly after the Iowa Caucus, there were 3 candidates left. They were, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina and Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida. Now there are only two candidates.
Breaking news came in last week saying that Ron DeSantis was suspending his campaign and that he was endorsing Donald Trump.
Was that a surprise he was endorsing Donald Trump? I hope not. Mr. DeSantis was in the Trump camp all along. He just took a long break from being governor to pretend he was running for president.
During his campaign, his message was uninspiring and unmotivating. He was talking loud and
saying nothing. He has been Mr. T’s mouthpiece for much of his career and never created an identity of his own. He was unpopular on the campaign trail and is also unpopular in his home state of Florida.
He had the money but didn’t have the magic to sustain his candidacy. He had no innovative ideas and no solutions for the issues of the day. He is now left to assume his original position and that is to be a “Trump volunteer”.
Some are suggesting he is a potential presidential candidate in 2028. He and other Republican hopefuls are in Trump’s shadow. If Trump remains relevant, DeSantis and the others will receive the crumbs from the table.
As the November election draws closer, will he campaign for the former president? If I was in his shoes, I would be a bit embarrassed to stump for someone who has stepped on me so hard. It would just look strange to advocate
for a person you wanted to kick to the curb just a few months ago. Additionally, I muse about how the GOP sees Governor DeSantis and whether they want to toss him a political life jacket? Obviously, he doesn’t have any shame. He has already sold his soul and his judgment is waning. What’s left?
At one point, Ron DeSantis had the bright lights on him. Now, he may only have a few parking lights shining dimly on him.
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.
UTSW molecular geneticist wins Hill Prize
Russell DeBose-Boyd, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Genetics at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been awarded the Hill Prize in Biological Sciences from the Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST) in recognition of his long-standing research into a key mechanism necessary for cholesterol control.
The Hill Prize is a new award from TAMEST designed to accelerate high-risk, high-reward research ideas in Texas with significant potential for real-world impact. Funded by Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Hill Prizes are awarded in five categories – Medicine, Engineering, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Technology – providing $500,000 to each recipient as seed funding to advance groundbreaking science and highlight Texas as a premier destination for world-class research. The prizes were announced Feb. 5 on the opening day of the TAMEST 2024 Annual Conference: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by Lyda Hill Philanthropies and TAMEST with this elite group of researchers making advances in so many different fields. These funds will help advance our work to better understand how cholesterol is produced,” said
Dr. DeBose-Boyd, who holds the Beatrice and Miguel Elias Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Science at UTSW.
Dr. DeBose-Boyd’s research focuses on the regulation of HMG-CoA reductase, which produces mevalonate, a crucial intermediate in the synthesis of cholesterol. Inhibitors of HMGCoA reductase – collectively called statins – have revolutionized the treatment of high blood cholesterol levels. Statins trigger effects that result in the decrease of LDL-cholesterol, thereby reducing the incidence of heart attacks. Understanding how statins lower LDL levels was based on the Nobel Prize-winning research of UT Southwestern scientists Michael S. Brown, M.D., Professor of Molecular Genetics, and Joseph L. Goldstein, M.D., Chair and Professor of Molecular Genetics.
The deficiency in mevalonate-derived products that accompany statin therapy leads to a compensatory increase in HMG-CoA reductase protein, resulting in the need for higher doses of the drug to maintain cholesterol-lowering effects. Dr. DeBose-Boyd’s research aims to understand the mechanisms for this compensatory increase in HMG-CoA reductase, which could provide a foundation to develop novel therapies that enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of statins.
“Hundreds of millions of pa-
tients worldwide take statins to protect their heart health. Dr. DeBose-Boyd’s research could eventually lead to drugs that work significantly better to achieve this goal,” said W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Executive Vice
ti Award in Lipids for outstanding research contributions in that field. He also mentors students in Biological Chemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology in the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School.
Dr. DeBose-Boyd, who was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2023, joined UT Southwestern in the laboratory of Drs. Brown and Goldstein as a fellow of the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research. He joined the UTSW faculty in 2003, received an Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association in 2005, and was appointed a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Early Career Scientist in 2009. In 2022, Dr. DeBose-Boyd was recognized by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with the Avan-
Founded in 2004, TAMEST brings together the state’s brightest minds in medicine, engineering, science, and technology to foster collaboration and advance research, innovation, and business in Texas. With more than 335 members, eight Nobel Laureates, and 22 member institutions, TAMEST is composed of Texas-based members of the three National Academies (National Academy of Medicine, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Sciences) and other honorific organizations.
“Researchers at UT Southwestern and across Texas are pursuing ideas with the potential for global impact,” said Lyda
Orchestrated Greatness cont. from page 1
Hill, entrepreneur and founder of Lyda Hill Philanthropies. “Through its critical work, TAMEST brings together many of our state’s leading innovators, and it is exciting to see the significant contributions of Dr. DeBose-Boyd and all of this year’s recipients.”
TAMEST President Brendan Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine, said: “We are thrilled to announce this year’s recipients of our Hill Prizes and to support these top researchers in our state as we watch them change the world. These prizes will accelerate their groundbreaking contributions and put them in a stronger position to receive more research funding in large-scale grants and collaborations. We are proud to advance these exceptional innovators and ideas and highlight the most exciting research in the state thanks to the vision and support of Lyda Hill.”
Drs. Brown and Goldstein are Regental Professors at UTSW. Dr. Brown is Director of the Erik Jonsson Center for Research in Molecular Genetics and Human Disease. Dr. Brown holds the W.A. (Monty) Moncrief Distinguished Chair in Cholesterol and Arteriosclerosis Research, and the Paul J. Thomas Chair in Medicine. Dr. Goldstein holds the Julie and Louis A. Beecherl, Jr. Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Research, and the Paul J. Thomas Chair in Medicine.
were a highlight as well.
The Community Music Service Award was presented to world - renowned music composer and conductor Dr. Clark Joseph. Youth Classical
Artist Competition Winners
Tinashe McGowan, Jeffrey Berry and Ian Smith wowed the audience with their performances before collecting their awards. The orchestra and children’s
choir presentation, with special guest vocalists woven in between, was a fusion of Classical, Spiritual, Soulful and Hip Hop music.
Texas Metro News Lifestyle & Culture Editor Eva D. Coleman served as Mistress of Ceremony.
Event chair Vivian Johnson was well-pleased with the concert that also recognized and
celebrated African American Museum of Dallas President & CEO Dr. Harry Robinson, Jr. for exposing the community to multiple art forms.
Photo credit: Courtesy of TAMEST (Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology)
Dr. Anne Lundy directs orchestra during Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra concert in Dallas Feb. 3, 2024
Dr. Clark Joseph receives Community Music Service Award at Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra concert in Dallas Feb. 3, 2024
Event Chair Vivian Johnson poses with planning committee at VIP dinner following Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra concert in Dallas Feb. 3, 2024
Eva D. Coleman with African American Museum President and CEO Dr. Harry Robinson, Jr. at Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra concert in Dallas Feb. 3, 2024
Photos: Eva D. Coleman
South Dallas Nonprofits Receive $662,000 through State Fair of Texas Community Giving Program
The State Fair of Texas is proud to announce that in 2023, 101 organizations serving the South Dallas/Fair Park area received more than $662,000 in project funding through community grants and sponsorships. With community involvement as a pillar of the State Fair’s nonprofit mission, the State Fair of Texas is happy to continue its Community Giving Program in 2024; nonprofits serving the South Dallas community can APPLY NOW to receive a grant for this year at BigTex.com/grants. The deadline for 2024 grant applications is Friday, March 15, at 5:00 p.m. Central time.
“The State Fair of Texas was proud to welcome more than 2.3 million visitors through the gates in 2023, as each and every one of those fairgoers contributed to fulfilling our nonprofit mission of community involvement,” said State Fair of Texas President Mitchell Glieber. “Our Community Giving Program recognizes organizations in need who prove their commitment and impact in the South Dallas area. We are grateful that the success of our annual 24-day exposition allows us to continue our giving efforts and presents the opportunity to collaborate with these organizations with the common goal of giving back to our community.”
The State Fair received a competitive pool of grant and sponsorship applications in 2023. Applications were reviewed by a committee composed of a diverse group of stakeholders. Applicants are selected according to their alignment with the Fair’s focus on education, capacity building, economic development, and food security, targeting other nonprofit organizations serving Fair Park’s neighboring zip codes. Criteria for approval include assessing the program’s impact in the South Dallas area, collaborations with other local entities, program design along with its implementation and evaluation methods, and overall sustainability of the program. Those receiving funding will allocate the money strategically to build stronger communities in the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhoods.
2023 State Fair of Texas Grant Cycle & Sponsorship Recipients:
• 180 Impact
• 2 Inspire Peace
• Abide Women’s Health Services
• Ability Connection Texas
• **African American Museum
• All Stars Project of Dallas
• Alzheimer’s Association
• **Austin Street Center
• Beckles Dancing CompanyArga Nova Dance
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star
• Book Drive for Kids
• Buckner International
• C5 Texas
• Carter’s House
• Catch Up and Read
• Children At Risk North Texas Hats Off to Children Reception
• Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas
• Circle Ten Council, Boy Scouts of America
• CitySquare Fighting Poverty in Dallas
• Cornerstone Community Development Corporation, Inc
• Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce
• Dallas Education Foundation
• Dallas Holocaust Museum Center for Education Ethnic Studies - Craft Kids Pane
• Dallas Leadership Foundation
• *Dallas Legacy Mission
• Delighted to Doula
• DFW CARES Mentoring Movement
• DISD - State of the District 2023
• Education Opens Doors
• Equest
• Evergreen Life Services of Texas
• *Fairview Youth Foundation
• FEED Oak Cliff
• First Choice Social Services
• For Oak Cliff - Dallas Foundation
• Francis Byrd Horn of Plenty Food Pantry - Mount Olive Lutheran Church
• Frazier Kids Out of School Time
• FRIENDS of Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy
• Friends of Juanita Craft Civil Rights House and Museum
• Friends of MLK
• *From Gang to Glory by Collective Activism, Inc.
• Frost Bank Reality Fair
• Girls Empowerment Network
• Golden Gate Adult Rehabilitation Ministry
• Greater Dallas Planning Council (GDPC)
• Green Careers Dallas
• Head Start of Greater Dallas, Inc.
• Healthy Futures of Texas
• *Helen’s Project
• Helping Us Help Her (HUHH)
• H.I.S. BridgeBuilders
• *Hope Farm Inc.
• Housing Crisis Center
• ilooklikeLOVE, Inc.
• Incarnation House
• Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House and Museum
• Jubilee Park & Community Center
• Lakewood Early Childhood PTA
• Lone Star CASA, Inc.
• Lone Star Justice Alliance
• Mayors Back to School Fair
• New Friends New Life - Amy’s Friends
• One Man’s Treasure
• One World Recovery Network
• Raise Your Voice
• Race to Kindness Book Fair
• Restorative Farms
• Restorative Farms- DIGGS
• Ronald McDonald House of Dallas
• Serving Neighbors, Inc. (Samuel Development Corporation)
• *Single Parent Advocate
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc
• South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corporation (ICDC)
• Southern Dallas Link
• Spida Inc. dba Braswell Child
Development Center
• Stand 4 Sisterhood
• Stars United Global Outreach
• St. Philip’s School and Community Center
• Swan Strings
• TeCo Theatrical Productions, Inc. dba Bishop Arts Theatre Center
• The Body of Christ Assembly dba BOCA Creative Support Service
• *The Bridge Steps
• The Concilio
• The GEMS Camp
• The Magdalen House
• The Robinson House Foundation
• *The Village of Texas
• The Walls Project
• The Well Recovery Center - The Well Ministries of DFW
• TMJ Dance Project
• T.R. Hoover Community Development Co. - Summer Enrichment Camp
• Under 1 Roof
• Union Development Corporation dba Project Unity
• Viola’s House
• Vision for Families
• *Watermark Community Development Corporation
• Well Community
• West Dallas Community School
• Wilkinson Center
• Women Empowering Women for the Next Generation Ministries
• YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Park South
*Denotes a first-time State Fair of Texas grant recipient.
**Received a grant and a sponsorship from the State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas continues to expand outreach programs, with a priority of promoting community involvement at the local level. In addition to grants and sponsorships, there are several initiatives the Fair has developed and continues to invest in, such as Community Engagement Days, Big Tex Urban Farms, NEXT Fest, and the Big Tex Business Master Class. Community giving includes sponsorships, supporting programs through funding (aka community grants and sponsorships), in-kind donations, technical assistance and training, and investments made through our signature programs benefiting South Dallas/Fair Park area organizations, students, and residents. Along with offering financial resources, the State Fair of Texas connects with local organizations to foster community relationships, form partnerships, and develop initiatives that work to make a positive impact.
While 2023 financials are not finalized yet, in 2022 alone, the State Fair of Texas contributed nearly $18.5 million through philanthropic and Fair Park giving. This includes philanthropic giving, funding for upkeep and historical preservation of Fair Park, annual rent to the City of Dallas with the agreement the funds go towards Fair Park, and funding for other Fair Park Improvements and State Fair Operations.
The State Fair of Texas is honored to give back to its neighbors. We value the many partnerships and collaborations that help grow our ability to serve. The State Fair commits to continuing to listen and learn from our community because it is through collective efforts that we make the greatest impact. Together with our community, we are dedicated to the residents who call South Dallas home.
The 2024 Community Giving Program is now accepting applications! To learn more about who is eligible and how to apply for a 2024 grant, sponsorship, and for other State Fair opportunities, please visit BigTex.com/community.
For Such A Time As This...
Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III
Installed as President & CEO of The Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Founder’s Day
International Supreme Basileus Danette Anthony Reed speaks at Alpha Xi Omega Chapter’s Celebration
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Founders Day
International President Elsie Cooke-Holmes speaks at Dallas Alumnae Chapter’s 100th Anniversary Celebration
Photos: Brenda Eikner-Jones
The Gatehouse launches Education Initiative
The Gatehouse, a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing women in Dallas-Fort Worth with a hand up for permanent, positive change without government assistance, has launched enrollment for a firstof-its-kind regional education initiative.
The nonprofit’s new Education Track focuses on empowering goal-oriented, single moms overcoming crisis and temporary hardships to complete their associates, bachelor’s and master’s-level degree programs in on-demand career fields including healthcare and education.
back from becoming permanently self-sustainable include onsite quality early learning, childcare and access to Grapevine ISD schools, reliable transportation, legal assistance,
wage, so they never need our help again.
“The current economy is such that single women and moms are barely able to ‘do it all,’ and with this new Program, they can have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete their education without worrying about housing, childcare and the rising cost of managing a household.
The Program furthers The Gatehouse’s success with its existing Career Track, which serves underemployed, motivated women and single mothers in building their careers and to-date includes serving over 800 people.
As part of its programs, The Gatehouse, founded in 2015 by Lisa Rose and located on 61 acres in Grapevine, Texas, offers ample time, practical resources and supportive relationships for up to two years in fully furnished, rent-free apartments in a gated community.
Key resources that The Gatehouse offers based on need, in order to eliminate barriers that hold women
basic medical care, professional counseling, a proven curriculum for positive parenting and a monthly stipend to offset other regular expenses.
Throughout their time in the Program, graduates of both the Career Track and the Education Track build vital life skills and healthy relationships and are put on a path to earn a family-sustaining wage to permanently reduce or eliminate debt.
“Our new Education Track offers one more avenue to support women in overcoming temporary hardships and empower them to create a foundation for permanent self-sustainability,” said Rose. “Our goal is to provide a hand up to women and single moms on career paths with the tools to earn a family-sustaining
Through our Education Track and Career Track, we remove barriers for women as they achieve their God-given potential. We are about permanent, positive change — inside and out.”
Participants in the Education Track may be enrolled in any accredited college or university throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. Current students at Parker University, Texas Women’s University or The University of Texas at Arlington, which are part of The Gatehouse’s growing list of official partners, receive priority admission.
provides an estimate of what people need to earn to cover living expenses such as housing, food, insurance and other essentials for their families.
According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, single mothers in Texas who graduate
in two years and have children between the ages of 1 to a senior in high school. During her time at The Gatehouse, children of enrollees participate in the Student Enrichment Program, which includes fun and meaningful activities to build a foundation for their educational, social and emotional success.
with even an associate degree are 70% less likely to live in poverty than a high school graduate. This also saves Texas $41,995 in public assistance spending over their lifetime.
The Education Track focuses on degrees that help participants earn a family-sustaining wage based on MIT’s Living Wage Calculator. The nationally recognized calculator
To qualify for the Education Track, a single mother in the Dallas-Fort Worth area must be at least 21 years old, complete her degree from an approved institution with-
The Gatehouse focuses on children in the same manner that they focus on empowering women.
“We know that education can create a foundation for lasting, positive change, and our Education Track equips women who are motivated to make a significant change in their own lives and their children’s futures,” said The Gatehouse President Mary Parker. “Through this Program, The Gatehouse also supports women in fostering their self-worth and the endless possibilities of a lifelong, fresh start. This is a win for them, their families and everyone in our region.”
To learn more about The Gatehouse, its Education Track, becoming an official school partner, or to apply for admission, visit https://gatehousedfw.org/education-track/.
Dallas-Area Teens Join Disney Dreamers Academy
From Staff Reports
Five Dallas-area teens are among the new Disney Dreamers Academy class of 100 students from around the country that was revealed on the Martin Luther King Day holiday by Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, where the annual mentoring program was created to broaden career awareness and inspire teens from Black and underrepresented communities to dream beyond their wildest imaginations.
The 100 selected students were
featured during a live TV segment on ABC’s “Good Morning America.’’ The segment highlighted one of the selected students,16-yearold Sophia of South Orange, New Jersey, who is involved with her local YMCA, Girls Scouts, orchestra, lacrosse and the math team, and aspires to become an aerospace engineer.
At the four-day program at Walt Disney World, the 100 Disney Dreamers will engage with business leaders, Disney executives, celebrities and educators, who will
The students from the Dallas area selected to participate in the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy are:
immerse them in workshops and seminars designed to supercharge their career dreams. The students will also explore a wide range of career disciplines while also learning essential skills, such as effective communication techniques, leadership and networking strategies.
And, of course, they will spend plenty of time experiencing the magic of Walt Disney World.
“We eagerly anticipate the arrival of another exceptional group of high schoolers from all corners of the country for our 17th year,” said Tracey Powell, Senior Vice President of Consumer Insight, Measurement & Analytics and Executive Champion of Disney Dreamers Academy. “These future leaders are poised to embark on a transformative journey, gaining an experience of a lifetime that will propel them towards achieving their dreams.”
Each year, the Disney Dreamers are selected from thousands of applicants who answer essay ques-
tions about their personal stories and dreams for the future. The students and a parent or guardian enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World. The program is an important part of Disney’s commitment to supporting diverse communities by encouraging the next generation to think and dream big.
Since 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,600 students from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of pos-
sibilities as they prepare for their futures. In the years following, graduates have become storytellers, artists, engineers, innovators, journalists and more, and have transitioned into mentors to the Disney Dreamers who follow them.
For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are available on social media at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy and Instagram.com/ disneydreamersacademy.
Sophia Halm on GMA
Tyrese Maxey Named To NBA All-star Team
From Staff Reports
The NBA announced that Tyrese Maxey has been named to the 73rd NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis on Sunday, Feb. 18. The fourth-year pro was one of the 14 players selected as an All-Star Game reserve, an honor voted on by the league’s 30 head coaches.
It is the first career All-Star selection for Maxey, who becomes the fifth-youngest player in franchise history to be named to the game.
Maxey joins Joel Embiid as Philadelphia’s two All-Stars this season, after the 2022-23 Most Valuable Player was named an Eastern Conference All-Star starter on Jan. 25.
In 42 games this season, Maxey is producing career highs in points (25.7), rebounds (3.6), assists (6.6), steals (1.0), and plus-minus (+8.1). He is the only player in the NBA this season with at least 1,000 points and 275 assists with fewer than 70 turnovers.
Maxey has reached the 20-point
FIRST CAREER ALL-STAR NOD FOR MAXEY BECOMES FIFTH-YOUNGEST PLAYER IN FRANCHISE HISTORY TO RECEIVE THE HONOR AVERAGING CAREER HIGHS IN POINTS, REBOUNDS, ASSISTS, STEALS, AND PLUS-MINUS
mark a career-best 34 times in 42 games this season, surpassing his previous high of 33 in 60 contests in 2022-23. His seven games with at least 20 points, five assists, and zero turnovers are tied for the NBA lead.
A recipient of his first career Player of the Week honor earlier this season on Oct. 30, Maxey has recorded multiple 40-point games for the first time in his NBA career, including a career-best 50 points on 20-of-32 shooting against Indiana on Nov. 12. He became the youngest player to reach the 50-point mark in the NBA this season and joined Hall
of Famer Allen Iverson as the only 76ers ever with a 50-point, five-rebound, five-assist game prior to the age of 24.
With his first All-Star nod, Maxey becomes the 33rd player in franchise history to earn an AllStar selection.
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the most storied franchises in the National Basketball Association, having won three World Championships, earning nine trips to The Finals and making 53 playoff appearances over 74 seasons. The Philadelphia 76ers organization is a Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment property.
Baylor WBB Set to Retire Brittney Griner’s Jersey on Feb. 18
From Staff Reports
The Baylor women’s basketball program is set to retire former Baylor Bear Brittney Griner’s No. 42 jersey in a pregame ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 18, when the Bears host Texas Tech at 3 p.m. at Foster Pavilion.
“I’m honored to return home to Baylor and celebrate where so much of my journey started,” Griner said. “I’m grateful to Coach Nicki (Collen) and the entire Baylor community and am looking forward to the opportunity to be back on campus, spend time with the team and have my family beside me to share in this incredible moment. Sic ‘Em Bears.”
“We are excited to welcome Brittney back to Baylor and share this special day with her,” Baylor Vice President and Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades said. “There’s no doubt she is one of the most decorated student-athletes in Baylor athletics history and we’re thrilled the timing has worked out for all of us to celebrate and honor her. She always has been,
The Bears host Texas Tech at 3 p.m.
and always will be, a significant member of the Baylor Family.”
The most decorated women’s basketball player in Baylor history, and one of the most accomplished collegiate players in the NCAA, Griner finished her collegiate career with 3,283 points and 1,305 rebounds. Griner was a two-time consensus National Player of the Year, and four-time All-Big 12 First Team and All-Defensive Team selection. She won the league’s Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honor in 2010, before sweeping the Player and Defensive Player of the Year Awards in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Griner finished her career as a three-time All-American by five different outlets and holds the conference record with 21 Big 12 Player of the Week honors. She recorded the first triple-double in Baylor women’s basketball history and holds the Big 12 record in points scored (3,283), field goals made
(1,247), free throws made (787) and attempted (1,054) and blocks (748). Additionally, she still holds the NCAA blocks record for a season (223) and career. She’s the only player in
NCAA women’s basketball history to have over 2,000 career points and 500 career blocks. For her career, Griner scored in double figures in 146 of 148 games played, which is the second most in NCAA history.
A native of Houston, Griner
helped lead the Bears to a 40-0 record and the 2012 National Championship. She helped the Bears post a 135-15 record over her four-year career, which included the second national title in program history, a pair of Final Four appearances, six Big 12 Conference Championships and 40 consecutive Big 12 Conference regular-season wins to conclude her career. In league regular-season games, Griner helped lead the Bears to a 50-8 record over her four years.
Griner was selected as the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury where she’s spent the last 10 seasons. She’s a six-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA. Griner completed her Bachelor of Science degree in education at Baylor in 2019.
“We’re excited to have Brittney back on campus and honor her with the retirement of her jersey,” Baylor Coach Nicki Collen said. “I have been say-
ing this since I arrived at Baylor that she deserves to have her jersey retired and I wanted to make sure that happened when the timing was right. With the opening of Foster Pavilion, and the WNBA offseason fitting into our season, this seemed like the right time to honor Brittney and welcome her back home. She is one of the best basketball players in Baylor’s history and we’re thrilled that the time has come to celebrate Brittney and all of her accomplishments.”
This will be the seventh Baylor women’s basketball jersey retired in its illustrious history, including Odyssey Sims, Melissa Jones, Nina Davis, Suzie Snider Eppers, Shelia Lambert and Sophia Young.
Tickets are available for the game vs. Texas Tech, starting at $20. Fans can purchase tickets via BaylorBears.com/WBBvTech.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor women’s basketball, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorWBB.
Tyrese Maxey
Brittney Griner
Metro Community Calendar
FEBRUARY
8
Almas Muscatwalla and Christina Melton-Crain, two Living Legends, will be on Verna’s H.E.L.P. Foundation - Metroplex Buzz Podcast. Almas Muscatwalla will be featured. The podcast will start at 7:00 PM and end at 8:00 pm. Call in to listen and talk to the host at (563)999-3739.
10
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority celebrating 116 years of A Legacy of Love, Sisterhood, and Service. 2024 DFW Metroplex Founders Day Luncheon, head to The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel for a remarkable celebration of sisterhood, leadership, and community.
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A night of jazz, blending R&B and pop, the six-time Grammy award winner David Sanborn takes the Meyerson stage for a night of music at 7:30 pm, 2301 Flora St. - Dallas ***
Dallas Examiner presents Monday Night Politics Meet the Candidates, 6-9pm at the African American Museum at Fair Park, 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas.
13
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold hosts the District 4 Annual Senior Valenrine’s Lunch and Learn from 11am-1pm at the Hiawatha Williams Recreation Center, 2900 Ummings St in Dallas. For info or to RSVP. Call 214-671-9347
16
Garland Branch - NAACP hosts 23rd Annual Winter Ball “Meet the 2024 Candidates” at the Hyatt Place Garland, 5101 N. George Bush Highway, 7:00 pm 17
St. Paul Baptist Church Women’s Department presents Queens of the Kingdom Women’s Conference at 10am, at St. Paul Paris, 444 2nd NE St., Paris, TX
Host- Dr. Shay Bills
Educational First Steps (EFS) and event co-chairs Angela Hosseini and Lupe Mora-Duarte are proud to announce the “Striving for Greatness with Allyson Felix” benefit gala at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas. Special guest Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field Olympian, mother, and women’s rights activist is returning to North Texas to shine light on the importance of early childhood education and childcare in our community. Kristi Nelson, three-time Emmy Award-winning news anchor with NBC 5, is the host and moderator
DCDP 2024 Fish Fry, 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm at SokolHall, 7448 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231 24
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
Weekday mornings on FaceBook at 8:45 am Bringing you hype you can believe!
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 jazz sensation Mahogany The Artist.
AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM FAMILY/COMMUNITY DAY AND READ-IN from 11 am-3 pm at African American Museum, Dallas. Free and open to the public. This free family-fun day will offer arts and crafts, a paint party, live music, exhibition trivia and documentary and film screenings throughout the day. The event will also feature the African American Read-In, presented by The Dock Bookshop in collaboration with the AAM. 18 19
Dallas Examiner presents Monday Night Politics Meet the Candidates, 6-9pm at the African American Museum at Fair Park, 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas.
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Featuring T.J. Taylor at 7pm
African American History Month, every
The World According to Drew on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. CST. Sundays Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening,
and entertaining news and commentary. Join Andrew Whigham on the call 646-200-0459
HONOREES: Michael Bell, Jill Darden, Hasson Diggs, Shannon Fletcher, Douglas “Ray” Gates, Colleen Love, Sean Madison, Roderick Miles and Teresa Nelson
Cannabis and CBD could help relieve Alzheimer’s symptoms
Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University.
Is it conceivable that marijuana, a substance known for its potential to induce memory loss and impaired cognitive abilities, might provide benefits for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and various forms of dementia?
Several research articles and scientific literature reviews suggest the possibilities, including a 2021 review published in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) that explores the utilization of cannabis and cannabidiols in the treatment of Alzheimer’s patients.
“The use of marijuana and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in addressing neuronal inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases like AD [Alzheimer’s disease],” an excerpt from the review states.
Dr. Kyron Tamar, a qualified medical marijuana physician practicing in the Central Florida cities of Brooksville and Clermont, underscores the established anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis.
“Inflammation is a basis for all diseases,” Dr. Tamar states, noting the efficacy of cannabis in suppressing inflammation. “Cannabis is AAARP — anti-aging, an -
ti-inflammatory, antioxidants, and restorative and protective,” he said.
Dr. Tamar is an enthusiastic proponent of medical cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) to not only help relieve symptoms of Alzheimer’s, such as anxiety, sleeplessness and agitated behavior, but also to prevent the onset of the disease.
“Let me say this, CBD protects the brain. It’s neuroprotective,” he says, adding that taking CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, helps improve mental acuity.
“You need more CBD during the day so you can focus, concentrate, do daily activities, operate machinery, go to school, study, get good grades, be a better mother and father, be a better person, because CBD enhances the efficacy of the mitochondria, the powerhouse of every cell in our body,” he explains.
Alzheimer’s disease is not named as a qualifying condition by the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). However, OMMU’s website states “medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those listed” are treatable by a qualified physician.
Alzheimer’s shares similarities with the qualifying conditions Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as
Lou Gehrig’s disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Dr. Tamar says.
“If you have anything related to anxiety, depression, sleep, pain, and appetite issues, you will qualify,” he adds.
Highlighting the potential dangers of self-medicating with street-bought marijuana, Dr. Tamar warns against the uncertainty of THC levels and the possibility of contamination with harmful substances, including the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
With Alzheimer’s patients being unlikely to be able to take care of themselves, the responsibility of administering recommended medical marijuana treatments would fall on their caregivers. Such an undertaking is regulated by Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use, which lists caregiver requirements at www. knowthefactsmmj.com/caregiver-faq.
“They need socialization, and they need to eat right,” emphasizes Dr. Tamar, who promotes the MIND and Mediterranean diets, which stress eating whole grains, beans, poultry, fish, vegetables and fruits. He also says a healthy diet and the use of CBD can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life.
Visit https://bit.ly/MMERINovember2023 to watch MMERI’s Conversations on Cannabis Virtual Forum featuring Dr. Kyron Tamar discuss Cannabis and Alzheimer’s disease.
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FEBRUARY
The High Arts Foundation presents A Taste of JAZZ featuring Ms. Erika Nicole Johnson and artistic director Kirk Nobles at the Sammons Center for the Arts
The Living Legends and Scholarship Gala at the Statler Dallas Hotel, 914 Commerce St. at 7pm. The guest speaker will be Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown and honorees are Constable Tracey Gulley, Libbie Lee, Allen Madison, Barbara Brown McCoy, Dr. Kellee Murrell and Keith Solis. Tickets available at Eventbrite. com. For info, call 469-781-9005
Join the African American Education Archives and History Program in celebrating its Annual Founders Day Observance, 11 am at the African American Museum – Auditorium, 3536 Grand Avenue, Dallas. Speaker: Shirley Ison-Newsome, Educator 11
Go Oak Cliff Go Oak Cliff
2024 Oak Cliff Mardi Gras parade
The parade will kick off at 1:00 pm
CST and will run along Davis Street from Nova
Join the national award-winning Garland NAACP Branch as they present POLITICAL CANDIDATES Texas State Primary Ballot 7:00pm at Hyatt Place Garland
An Evening with Sadeqa Johnson & Booksigning for at 7pm at the Dock Bookshop, 6637 Meadowbrook Dr., Fort Worth
17
2024 UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball –North Texas. Honorees are Toyota and Pastor
Richie and Neisha Butler of St. Luke “Comunity” United Methodist Church, 6:00 - 10:00 pm HYATT REGENCY DALLAS, 300 REUNION BLVD., DALLAS, TX
Booksigning for author
Takiyah Wallace-McMIllian at 6pm at the Dock Bookshop, 6637 Meadowbrook Dr., Fort Worth
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 Blackowned businesses. Registration is required. To register, click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hbcu-fair-black-business-expo-tickets-698117065937?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
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. 8
candid talk about protecting our sacred right to vote and what it will tae to save our democracy at this critical momet 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
APRIL
6
The 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.
METRO HYPE NEWS
w/Cheryl Smith Weekday mornings on FaceBook at 8:45 CST Bringing you hype you can believe! SEND CALENDAR ITEMS TO editor@texasmetronews.com or call 214-941-0110
Join the Hon. Beto O’Rourke for a
Ed Bell Construction Company An Equal Opportunity Employer
November 1, 2023
Ed Bell Construction is a Dallas based heavy highway contractor doing business in the North Texas market since 1963. With clients such as TxDOT, Dallas County Public Works, and the Cities of Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson, and Mansfield (plus many others), we have a strong backlog of work in the highway market locally.
By La Juana Barton
We are currently hiring for the following positions:
Years of Experience required will vary, from 6 months to 2 years (depending on position)
Physical and Drug Screen Required
Must have a Clear Background
Must be at least 18 years old (CDL Driver, 21 yrs.)
Must APPLY IN PERSON at 10605 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75220 from 7am-11am Mon-Fri. Please visit our website: www.edbellconstruction.com/careers Or email your resume to: careers@edbellconstruction.com
