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MetroNews TEXAS

Dear College Freshman

Cheryl Smith

MY TRUTH

I hope this letter helps you navigate through your college years without some of the trials and obstacles that could sidetrack you and keep you from graduating.

Just remember, when all else fails, go to the library. Some of the best friends I have were found in the library, like Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, and Iceberg Slim!

When you arrive on campus, you will experience things you never experienced before. You must understand that, while you think you are “grown” what you know as “grown” is not the entire story.

Sure you can drink if

you are 21, or you get around folks and perpetrate. But there’s more to being “grown” than drinking, staying out, coming and going when you choose, smoking and not having to answer to anyone.

I remember when a family member felt they didn’t have to tell when they were coming and going because they were “grown.”

Well, guess what? Being grown means you don’t have a problem telling your comings and goings. And guess what, you might want to tell someone because one day you may need an alibi, or worse, you may need someone to come and rescue you!

There’s so much for you to learn.

METRO SPOTLIGHT

GOP Controlled U.S. Senate passes largest cut to Food Assistance

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Correspondent

After a record number of consecutive votes over two consecutive nights, the Republican controlled U.S. Senate passed President Trump’s budget bill that includes the largest cut to food assistance in history.

The bill also threatens health care coverage for over 15 million Americans.

“This is a reversal of so much progress we’ve had. Under Biden-Harris, we reduced childhood poverty in half, this rolls that back,” said Jotaka Eaddy, the founder of Win With Black Women.

“This bill takes health care away from 16 million Americans,” State of the People founder Angela Rye pointed out. The two were

on a marathon State of the People broadcast that featured Black religious, political, and community leaders.

The Senate passed Trump’s budget bill with the assistance of a tie-breaking vote from Vice President J.D. Vance. The legislation now goes to the U.S. House.

President Trump is focused on undoing the work of President Biden. The legislation passed by the Senate repeals the Inflation Reduction Act and cuts the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPS) that provides lowcost health coverage to children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but who cannot afford private insurance.

President Trump is also focused on giving a tax cut to the wealthiest Americans in the country. “Republicans jammed through a partisan megabit that slashes Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs,” wrote Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) after the vote.

“Republicans have jammed through a cruel and callous bill that will rip health care and food assistance away from millions of Americans. All so Donald Trump can give massive tax breaks to his billionaire donors.

It’s a gutting betrayal of working-class Americans,” said Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) after the bill passed The legislation extends the 2017 tax cuts that disproportionately

New Museum head named

DALLAS – Following a national search, the African American Museum, Dallas has named Lisa Brown Ross as its new president and CEO. A respected senior executive with a distinguished career in public affairs, nonprofit leadership and strategic communications, Ross steps into the role previously held by Dr. Harry Robinson, Jr., who led the Museum for more than 50 years. Ross will begin her new role on July 21.

“Lisa brings an

extraordinary depth of experience and vision to this role,” said Levi Davis, board chair of the African American Museum, Dallas.

benefit the rich, it overhauls who is eligible for Medicaid and food stamps, adds paperwork that is likely to reduce program eligibility, and it phases out green energy tax credits. The bill also adds 4.5 trillion to the debt, according to most estimates.

Three Republican Senators voted against the bills: Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). “My hope is that the House is gonna look at this and recognize that we’re not there yet,” Sen. Murkowski said after voting for the bill.

Though there are members in the Republican House Freedom Caucus who don’t agree with aspects of the legislation, it is likely to pass.

Senate

for

“Her leadership, storytelling expertise, and deep commitment to African and African American culture make her the right person to guide the Museum into its next chapter.”

Ross most recently served as director of marketing and development at Anthem Strong Families, where she led a comprehensive rebranding initiative, grew community partnerships, and helped

Former U.S. Rep. Colin

has launched a campaign for the Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn, pledging to be a voice for Texans wracked by higher costs of living and what he views as a “rigged” political system.

Judge Audrey Moorehead is the Texas A&M University School of Law Alumni Board of Trustees President-Elect!

Hon. Audrey Moorehead

Lisa Brown Ross Photo credit: Chris McBrown

Colin Allred Photo credit: DMN

Allred

Dallas Democrat Colin Allred launches

campaign

seat held by John Cornyn

By Gromer Jeffers Jr. Political Writer Dallas Morning News

Dallas Democrat Colin Allred

cont. from page 1

TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER SERIES

Cooperation for wildfire prevention

“Everything’s backwards. Folks are working harder than ever and they still can’t get ahead, but the folks who are cutting corners and cutting deals are doing just fine,”

Allred told The Dallas Morning News in an exclusive interview, on Monday. “I know Washington is broken and I’m going to be laser-focused in this campaign on getting back to some of the basics, on lowering costs, on fighting for health care, for fighting against corrupt politicians like John Cornyn and Ken Paxton.”

In a campaign kickoff video launched Tuesday, Allred stressed his commitment to working Texans.

“Texans are working harder than ever, not getting as much time with their kids, missing those special moments, all to be able to afford less,” Allred said in the video. “And the people that we elected to help — politicians like John Cornyn and Ken Paxton — are too corrupt to care about us and too weak to fight for us.”

Allred, 42, is staging his second statewide campaign launch in two years. Last year he lost a Senate challenge against incumbent Ted Cruz by nearly 9 percentage points. It was a disappointment for Democrats hoping Allred would propel them to their first statewide contest since 1994.

The March Senate primaries are expected to be competitive. Paxton, Texas’ attorney general, is challenging Cornyn in a GOP primary that could also draw other contenders. Several hopefuls are considering running in the Democratic primary.

The Dallas Democrat said he’s learned from the loss to Cruz. His time away from Washington, spent primarily at home raising his two young sons, gave him a different view of the political scene. he said.

“I’m hoping that I can show folks that I’m not just running again, but that I have a plan for what I think we can do to address a broken and rigged system, that I’m going to

campaign harder than I’ve ever campaigned, that I’m going to spend time having conversations with ordinary folks and talking about what’s going on their lives,” Allred said.

A former NFL linebacker, Allred is on a political playing field that’s considerably different than in 2024.

Historically, the party in power typically takes losses in midterm elections. Democrats hope Republicans face headwinds next year. There’s also the prospect of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton beating Cornyn in the March Republican primaries. Many analysts consider Paxton a weaker general election nominee than Cornyn.

Still, Texas has proven to be reliably red.

Allred said he doesn’t get “bogged down in the past” or in his party’s past futilities. He does hope to maintain elements of his successful 2018 campaign that flipped Dallas County’s Congressional District 32 from red to blue.

“Folks are just looking for someone who can offer a little bit of hope that things can change,” Allred said. “I know that we can’t continue like this, and that we need somebody who’s going to be laser-focused on lowering costs and fighting for us.”

At least three other big name Democrats — U.S. Rep. Joaquin

Castro of San Antonio, former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke of El Paso and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin are considering Senate campaigns. Terry Virts, a retired NASA astronaut, has already announced his Democratic campaign for Senate.

“I’ve told them I was going to make my own decision, not based on anyone else,” Allred said. “Everyone else has to make their own decisions, and I respect that.”

Doing things differently

Allred campaigned against Cruz as a problem-solving bipartisan. His endorsements included former Republican U.S. Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. Cheney campaigned with Allred in North Texas.

Allred criticized former President Joe Biden on issues like border security, and he didn’t seriously campaign with Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, until a Houston rally that featured Beyoncé just days before the election.

Though he raised $94 million in campaign cash, some critics have pointed out Allred did not hold many rallies across Texas that could have elevated his name recognition.

By Rita Cook Correspondent Texas Metro News

WASHINGTON DC – As of June 16, 2025, President Donald Trump signed his 163rd executive order. That number is significant in that Trump has been in office 147 days and his signing spree has already put him over the number of EOs Joe Biden signed during his four years in office. One significant Executive Order #14308 signed last week was a nod at empowering commonsense wildfire prevention and response.

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum were present during Trump’s signing, as the president directed federal agencies to use commonsense regarding wildland fire capabilities for the future.

The order was a reaction to the devastation of the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires with a look at the “catastrophic consequences when state and local governments are unable to quickly respond to such disasters.”

Through this order a rational consolidation was called to be put in motion for wildland fire programs in order to achieve “the most efficient and effective use of wildland fire offices, coordinating bodies, programs, budgets, procurement processes, and research and, as necessary, recommend additional measures to advance this objective,” according to the executive order.

The order also guides the appropriate agencies to update wildland firefighting efforts to ensure wildfires are prevented using proactive versus reactive measures for future success.

“American farmland, forests, and communities have suffered the devastating consequences of slow and inadequate fire

response caused by reckless mismanagement and lack of preparedness,” Secretary Rollins said.

“President Trump’s suite of executive orders show that this Administration will not sit back and watch the destruction of our forests and property. We have the largest and most well-respected wildland firefighting force in the world, and the Trump Administration is working in lockstep to reduce fire risk and respond quickly to emerging fires. We will keep working to ensure that no American town or family is left vulnerable to wildfires.”

To show support for the EO U.S. Forest Service Wildland Firefighters, including Forest Supervisor of the National Forest in North Carolina James Melonas, Helena Hotshot Superintendent Charlie Palermo, and Assistant Fire Management Officer of the Flathead National Forest Justin Kaber were at the oval office EO signing.

President Trump’s stance as written in the Executive Order “Too many cases, including in California, [with a] slow and inadequate response to wildfires, is a direct result of reckless mismanagement and lack of preparedness.”

Within 90 days of the order the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture are mandated to consolidate the wildland fire programs to achieve the most efficient and effective use of wildland fire offices for the maximum success of wildfire preparedness and response.

Rita Cook is a world traveler and writer/editor who specializes in writing on travel, auto, crime and politics. A correspondent for Texas Metro News, she has published 11 books and has also produced low-budget films.

Former Senate candidate Colin Allred walks to the stage for a Q&A session hosted by Principles First at the Arts District Mansion in Dallas, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Credit: Liz Rymarev / Staff Photographer

A reminder in train crossing safety

By Rita Cook Correspondent Texas Metro News

WAXAHACHIE - If you are one of those drivers who sneaks up close to the train track while the train is going through the intersection, you might want to remember train cars can and do derail and overturn.

Last week in Waxahachie a 110-car Union Pacific train near downtown did just that with 16 derailed cars and 14 overturned cars that blocked five intersections at one point after the derailment.

There were no injuries, but the derailed cars contained flammable ethanol.

Fortunately, no leaks were detected, but hazardous material specialists were called in for investigation.

Waxahachie City Manager Michael Scott said road damage on streets in the area near the tracks would need maintenance and it would be a lengthy cleanup.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported injuries and deaths occur at rail crossings every day. In 2021, there were more than 1,600 collisions between vehicles and freight and commuter trains, and nearly 500 collisions at transit train crossings in 2020. Overall, 133 people died and 644 people were injured. Most of the tragedies were preventable.

NHTSA offers these safety tips:

• Stop, look both ways, and listen and remember trains have the right of way.

• Don’t stop on the tracks. Make sure you have room to get across.

• Stop 15 feet away from flashing red lights, lowered gates, or a stop sign.

• Never drive around a lowering gate or ignore signals.

• After a train passes, wait for gates to fully rise and for all lights to stop flashing.

• Never assume there is only one train coming from a single direction.

• If your car stalls on a track, get everyone out — even if you don’t see a train coming and run away from the tracks and your car to avoid being hit by flying debris.

LEGAL NOTICE

THIS WEEK IN AUSTIN

Over 300 bills signed into law in Texas

By Rita Cook Correspondent Texas Metro News

AUSTIN – Some Texans looking on at the 2025 legislative session might be scratching their heads at the pile of bills Texas Gov. Greg Abbott chose to sign or veto by his deadline of June 22.

Abbott signed over 300 bills into law.

Yet, the onlooker might be wondering why bills like the requirement for the Ten Commandments to be displayed at schools as well as time allotted for staff and students to pray or read their bibles during school hours would pass while a clear religious directive at what that same bible teaches about helping those in need was overlooked.

Breaking that idea down, Abbott greenlighted the heavy-handed law to require the Ten Commandments and prayer time, but he decided to slash a lone item from the Texas budget not to fund the Summer EBT program to provide food assistance to children who depend on access to school meals.

In fact, the Summer EBT program was the only item Abbott slashed for the state’s $338 billion budget using his line-item veto to remove the $60 million feeding program.

The religion-based bills will come under legal scrutiny and already have since some Texas families and even church leaders are concerned of violations regarding separation of church and state.

A number of organizations have said they will file lawsuits regarding the separation of church and state issue including The American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State,

and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

One lawsuit already filed with the federal government stated “The government should govern; the Church should minister. Anything else is a threat to the soul of both our democracy and our faith.”

THC supporters were able to rally behind somewhat of a victory when Abbott vetoed SB3, the THC banning bill. However, adamant lawmakers and Lt. Govt. Dan Patrick will keep this issue going, likely due to pressure from lobbyists.

The topic will be back during the upcoming special session to begin July 21. The idea will be to consider regulating THC products much like alcohol to keep children safe. The challenge is safety for children, while at the same time respecting the thousands of Texas veterans and adults who are mature enough and aware of the pros and cons of THC use.

Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu said “House Democrats fought hard alongside business owners, veterans, and everyday Texans to stop SB 3’s unconstitutional overreach” stating he is glad Abbott listened.

Wu said on the other hand “We’re deeply disappointed that in the same stroke, Abbott vetoed food for hungry Texas kids and a bipartisan bill ensuring Texans don’t sit in jail longer than their potential sentence.”

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, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

EDITORIAL

Profiling in Brown?

Vincent L. Hall

Undoubtedly, it’s my upbringing, but putting on my best face and smile for the average Joe or Josefa has always been a thing. In my Mama’s house, there was one mainstay and mantra. “Son, if you didn’t sleep with them…Speak to them! And so I have for all of my life.

Even into adulthood, that practice of presenting a congenial, warm, and welcoming demeanor has stuck. “Speaking” is the anchoring of Southern hospitality. Once my brother was called to the pastorate of a large church in Jamaica, Queens, New York, he was forced to adjust Mama’s rule.

Upon my first visit to the Big Apple we walked through the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens. I was as talkative as a Wal-Mart greeter. “Good morning, how are you? Good afternoon. Isn’t the weather beautiful today?”

My younger brother, always respectful of my birthright and big brother

status, finally had enough. “Vincent, stop talking to everybody you see! This is not Dallas; they don’t speak to each other like that here!” I was taken aback at first but quickly realized that he was right. People were giving me some strange looks and throwing off some bad vibes.

My gleeful greetings stopped until I got back to Texas. I enjoy meeting people on the street with a reassuring word, a smile, or a deed that lets them know I respect their personhood. If I didn’t sleep with you, I speak to you!

However, that has become increasingly difficult these days. Let me offer the opening to a recent LA Times article.

“Jackie Ramirez has always been aware of the color of her skin. There was the school crossing guard who nicknamed her Morenita, a little brown girl. The uncle, who affectionately called her Paisita, was a country girl.

But never has skin color felt so top of mind than this month, as immigration agents have descended on Southern Califor-

nia, conducting hundreds of arrests. Videos and stories have circulated of people arrested at car washes. The heightened fear that kicks in for those “driving while Black” is widely known. But the recent immigration sweeps have underscored how much of an issue skin color — and all the circumstances that attach to it — is for Latinos as well.”

“You’re scared to be brown,” said Ramirez, a Los Angeles radio host for “The Cruz Show” on Real 92.3. “You’re scared to look a certain way right now.””

It is one thing to disavow my mother’s rule,

New Museum head cont. from page 1

secure $15 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She also served as President of the LJR Group, a strategic communications and public relations firm with clients ranging from government agencies to cultural institutions.

Her national and international

experience includes a senior leadership role with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where she oversaw communications for education initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa, helping more than 15 million children – including 1.5 million girls –access learning opportunities. Ross has also held executive roles with the Robert

but can you imagine being Brown in the midst of Trump’s Gestapo-styled immigration sweeps? Can you imagine having to do a double take on everyone who looks like they work in an official capacity?

As a county worker who wears the emblem on my chest, hat, and the front doors of my truck, I have been saddened by the apparent fear and trepidation my initial appearance is causing for a race of people I love.

My first school encounter with White kids was in the 10th grade. But I grew up in elementary school with Mack Salazar and Hilaria Rodriguez. To

Wood Johnson Foundation’s Urban Health Initiative and the Seattle Police Department, where she established the department’s first public affairs office.

“As someone who has spent a lifetime building this institution, I see in Lisa the same dedication to education, a steadfast resolve to preserving our heritage, and a passion for building community. She is not only capable – she is called to this work,” said Dr. Robinson, who now serves as the

watch my Brown family hurt is hurtful for me. And these one-dimensional Black folks in “you get what you deserve” mode need to refocus. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere! Today it’ them, but Black folks are never off the radar. If you can’t laugh at racial profiling or the horrors of driving while Black, watching “Brown people” facing injustice can’t be amusing. Profiling is wrong…Regardless!

lifelong Drapetomaniac.

museum’s president and CEO, emeritus. “It brings me great joy to pass the torch to someone as accomplished, creative and committed as Lisa.”

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ross has long been active in the North Texas arts community. She completed a strategic plan for Bishop Arts Theatre Center

A long-time Texas Metro News columnist, Dallas native Vincent L. Hall is an author, writer, awardwinning writer, and a

OPINION

Is America’s Priority Feeding The Hungry Or Having Parades?

James B. Ewers Jr. Ed. D.

OUR VOICES

I suspect the above question has some moral underpinning to it. The subject for some is touchy, and a bit uncomfortable.

Answering it in some way gives you a perspective on what’s important. The United States of America is a strong and powerful country. When you are strong and powerful, do you need to show it?

Some believe that you should show off your prowess and might. I guess the expression, “I’m big and I’m bad” comes into play here.

Maybe that was the reason behind the parade held in Washington DC

on Saturday, June 14 th . It celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States Army.

Others would say that ego and narcissistic behavior had a great deal to do with having the parade. Showing off for other people makes some people’s day. That’s just the world we live in these days. In clear and undeniable assertions, our leaders were saying our military might is the greatest on earth. Will there be a military parade next year. I don’t know if anyone has the answer to that question. At best, we can only speculate.

As armored tanks were rolling and troops were marching down the streets of our nation’s capital, people were going without the basic essentials for daily living.

What is our country’s priority? Is it showing our might or showing our mercy? Is it being callous or is it being caring? We have different answers to those questions.

The report on the number of people in this country that go hungry and suffer from not having food to eat is frightening but a cold reality. A confirmed report says approximately 47 million people are suffering from lack of food. How can that be? It isn’t for the lack of resources.

This number includes almost 14 million children who go to bed hungry each night. This is sad and painful.

Now with the current leadership, food agencies are being underfunded. My opinion is that humanity and empathy are not subscribed to with the

new group in Washington DC.

The proposed budget that hasn’t been passed yet has the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) receiving an 11.5 percent cut. The Senate will be voting in the coming days on the budget.

The parade statistics reported by a White House spokesperson said approximately 250,000 people were in attendance. However, there were demonstrations in Washington DC that railed against the parade. It was called a no kings parade by some participants. I suspect we know what that meant.

Events are occurring in this country that are troubling and scary. For example, ICE continues to show up across the country. They went to Dodger Sta-

dium last week but were denied access.

Globally, America bombed sections of Iran on Saturday, June 21 st .

The commander in chief called it a success. However, some military leaders are giving a more reasoned response.

The reactions have been mixed to this attack. Many are wondering whether we will be at war in the coming weeks.

Speculation is running high because of the ramifications of war.

This country is reeling now because new policies have brought on consternation and confusion. From day to day, we are usure about what is going to happen.

Depending upon what stage of life you are in you have a different reaction. If you are in the 4

th quarter or in overtime, you are probably glad that you are on the way out so you won’t feel all the consequences of what might happen.

If you are about to retire, you are afraid because you are unsure about Social Security and your retirement funds. If you are locked in the workforce, you are fearful of losing your job because of the current climate.

However, no matter what stage of life you are in, apprehension is a commonality for each of us. So here we are America bothered and filled with anxiety.

Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a longtime educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

“When Ignorance holds the Gavel: How History Repeats Itself” OUR

Bobby Henry, Sr.

VOICES

When history repeats itself, it is not by accident; it is by negligence. It is by willful ignorance dressed as patriotism, by fear disguised as policy, and by power wielded without justice.

From the smoldering ashes of the 1965 Watts Rebellion to the global outcry following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, America’s refusal to confront its original sins has

become its most destructive tradition.

And today, as Donald Trump re-emerges as a central force in American politics, wielding rhetoric that inflames division and rewrites the past, we are watching history loop in real time—only this time, the stakes feel apocalyptic.

Do we hear the echoes of Watts riots and the cry of George Floyd?

In August 1965, the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles erupted. What began as an arrest over alleged drunk driv-

ing spiraled into a six-day uprising fueled by poverty, over-policing, and systemic racism. The response was predictable: military-style crackdowns, finger-pointing, and promises of reform that rarely materialized. Fast-forward 55 years to the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer who put his knee to George’s neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds all captured on video for the world to see. The response again was familiar: protests, outrage, a few political statements, and then… apathy. The cycle is brutally

consistent: a Black man killed by law enforcement, protests erupt, calls for reform echo through the chambers of government, and then America forgets. Or, more accurately, America chooses to forget. Injustice thrives where memory fails. And now, we have a political movement actively erasing that memory altogether.

So, are we witnessing ignorance at the helm, or a just don’t give damn?”

Former President Donald Trump, emboldened by a base fueled by griev-

ance, nostalgia, and misinformation, is not just ignoring history he is whitewashing it with a power hose. His calls for “patriotic education” are thinly veiled attempts to sanitize the violent truths of American history. Slavery becomes a “necessary evil,” racism is dismissed as a liberal illusion, and books that challenge these distortions are banned from classrooms and libraries.

This is not education, it’s indoctrination. It’s intellectual vandalism. And in the long arc of history, it is how nations lose their moral compass. At the same time, Trump’s immigration rhetoric and policies have reignited xenophobic flames with alarming efficiency. From Muslim bans and family separations to promises of mass deportations, his policies echo the darkest chapters of America’s past from the Chinese Exclusion Act to Japanese internment camps. The

See HISTORY REPEATS, Page 10

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

Cavin Yarbrough viewing at Hall of State

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

Many family members and friends from around the country showed up to pay their respect for Cavin Yarbrough of the legendary group Yarbrough & Peoples who died on June 19, 2025. Yarbrough’s body lay in state at the Hall of State in Fair Park of Dallas, Texas on June 29, 2025 from 2 to 6 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at The Black Academy of Arts & Letters (TBAAL).

The funeral and Omega Omega services for Jovern Kelly James, 35th President of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Good Street Baptist Church, 3110 Bonnie View Road, Dallas, TX 75216.

The Omega Omega service will precede the funeral. Also a member of Links Incorporated, she was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Coach Earnest James.

NNPA CONVENTION COVERAGE

Rev. Jamal Bryant’s Corporate Challenge Earns Top Black Press Honor

By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA

Senior National Correspondent

At the annual convention of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), held under the theme “The Black Press: Engaging Black America— Empowerment, Justice and Prosperity,” Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant will receive the NNPA’s prestigious 2025 Newsmaker of the Year Award. Bryant will be honored during a ceremony on June 27 where the organization will recognize Bryant’s bold leadership in confronting corporate America’s retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), most notably through his ongoing boycott of Target.

The NNPA is the trade association representing more than 200 African American-owned newspapers and media companies that comprise the 198-year-old Black Press of America.

Bryant, the Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in metro Atlanta, launched a 40-day fast—aligned with Lent—as an economic protest against Target after the company announced in January it would end its DEI initiatives and cancel a $2 billion pledge it made in 2020 to support Black-owned businesses following the murder of George Floyd.

“After the murder of George Floyd, [Target] made a $2 billion commitment to invest in Black businesses,”

Bryant said during an earlier appearance on the Black Press’ Let It Be Known news program. “That commitment was due in December 2025.

When they pulled out of the DEI agreement in January, they also canceled that $2 billion commitment.”

Target has told Black Press USA that it has exceeded its commitments made after Floyd’s death.

However, Bryant cited the $12 million spent daily by Black consumers at Target as a driving reason to focus the protest on the retailer. Within just one week of launching the petition at targetfast.org, 50,000 people had signed on. “This is just phase one,” he said. “Amazon and others come right after. America has shown us time and time again: if it doesn’t make dollars, it doesn’t make sense.”

Beyond the restoration of DEI programs, Bryant has called on Target to invest $250 million in Black-owned banks to help scale Black businesses and to partner with HBCUs located near the company’s 10 distribution centers. “White women are the number one beneficiaries of DEI,” he said. “What I am asking for is a quarter of a billion dollars to be invested in Black banks so that our Black businesses can scale.”

The NNPA, in response to widespread corporate rollbacks, also launched a national public education and selective buying campaign.

“We are the trusted voice of Black America, and we will not be silent or nonresponsive to the rapid rise of renewed

Rev. Boise Kimber, president of the National Baptist Convention, said the denomination is working on a three-year plan with Target that “will be very beneficial to the Black community.”

Bryant has spent decades as a leading voice for justice. From his early work as National Youth and College Director of the NAACP, where he mobilized over 70,000 young people in nonviolent campaigns, to founding Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore—once the fastest-growing church in the AME denomination— to now leading New Birth, supporters said Bryant has never wavered in his commitment to mobilizing faith, economic power, and activism.

Jim Crow racist policies in corporate America,” said NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr.

“Black Americans spend $2 trillion annually,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. “We must evaluate and realign to question why we continue to spend our money with companies that do not respect us.”

Bryant has also partnered with Ron Busby, President and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, to provide consumers with a directory of over 300,000 Black-owned businesses. “You can’t tell people what not to do without showing them what to do,” Bryant said. “If you’re not going to Target or Walmart but need essentials like toilet paper, soap, or detergent, we’ll show you where to get

them and reinvest in Black businesses.”

He said the impact has proved major. “Since Black people have been boycotting Target, the stock has dropped by $11. Stockholders are now suing Target because of the adverse impact this boycott has had on their stock,” Bryant proclaimed.

He also addressed Target’s recent $300,000 agreement with the National Baptist Convention. During a sermon, he accused the convention of allowing the company to sidestep accountability. “You thought you were going to go around me and go to the National Baptist Convention and sell out for $300,000?” Bryant demanded. “Are you crazy to think that we gonna’ sell out for chump change? You must not know who we are!”

A Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and two-time Grammy Award winner, Bryant has established ministries that combat injustice, foster entrepreneurship, and empower economically disadvantaged individuals. He rose from earning a GED to receiving a Ph.D., reaching across generations and building bridges between the Civil Rights era and today’s movements.

Chavis said Bryant’s award at this year’s NNPA convention aligns directly with the event’s theme.

“Dr. Bryant has shown that prophetic voices still matter in the marketplace,” Chavis affirmed. “And the Black Press will always amplify those voices who fight for empowerment, justice, and prosperity.”

Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, the Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Metro Atlanta. Courtesy photo.

NNPA Convention held in Savannah, Ga

NNPA CONVENTION COVERAGE

Sacramento Observer, Savannah Tribune win big at 2025 NNPA Messenger Awards

By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

SAVANNAH, Ga. —The Sacramento Observer and The Savannah Tribune stood out as the top honorees at the 2025 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Fund’s Messenger Awards, held during the Black Press of America’s annual convention at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District Hotel.

The convention, themed “The Black Press: Engaging Black America— Empowerment, Justice and Prosperity,” marked the 198th year of the Black Press of America, which today comprises more than 200 African American-owned newspapers and media companies committed to covering the stories and issues that shape Black communities nationwide.

The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories.

The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns.

The publication also placed among the top three in several additional categories, including Environment, Social

Criminal Justice, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle, underscoring its consistent strength in both editorial content and audience engagement.

While the Observer dominated the content awards, The Savannah Tribune was honored for its leadership and community impact.

Publisher Shirley Ann Barber James received the Publisher of the Year Award, recognizing her decades of dedication to preserving and strengthening the Tribune’s voice.

Accepting the award, James thanked her family, staff, and Savannah’s civic organizations for supporting the paper’s mission and expanding its reach.

Other publications also earned multiple honors.

The Houston Defender captured first-place awards in Health Reporting, Environment Reporting, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle. The St. Louis American earned first place in the categories of Special Editions, Original Advertising Campaigns, Broadsheet Layout and Design, and Video Campaigns. The Afro-American Newspaper of Baltimore and the Chicago Defender also collected several top finishes.

All winners by category included:

Health Reporting –

Emory O. Jackson Award

• 1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: Birmingham Times

• 3rd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

Education Reporting –

Frank L. Stanley Award

• 1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

• 2nd Place: Washington Informer

• 3rd Place: Savannah Tribune

Social Criminal Justice –

Ida B. Wells Award

• 1st Place: Chicago Defender

• 2nd Place: Dallas Weekly

• 3rd Place: The Sacramento Observer

Environment –

Wilbert L. Holloway Award

• 1st Place: Houston Defender

• 2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer

• 3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Faith & Religion

• 1st Place: L.A. Sentinel 2nd Place: Baltimore Times

• 3rd Place: Final Call

Business Reporting

• 1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Chicago Defender

• 3rd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: Savannah Tribune

Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle–

Ada S. Franklin Award

• 1st Place: Houston Defender

• 2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer

• 3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Special Editions –

Leon H. Washington Award

• 1st Place: St. Louis American 2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

• 3rd Place: Washington Informer

Original Advertising Campaign – E. Washington

Rhodes Award

• 1st Place: St. Louis American 2nd Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

Editorial Opinion –

Robert S. Abbott Award

• 1st Place: Forward Times

• 2nd Place: Washington Informer

• 3rd Place: Texas Metro News

Original Photography

• 1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

• 2nd Place: Houston Defender

• 3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Entertainment Coverage –Armstrong Ellington Award

• 1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

• 2nd Place: Washington Informer

• 3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Sports – Don King Award

• 1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

• 2nd Place: St. Louis American

• 3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Youth and Children Coverage

• 1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

• 2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Instagram Campaign

• 1st Place: Texas Metro News

2nd Place: Chicago Defender

• 3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Video Campaign

• 1st Place: St. Louis American 2nd Place: Houston Defender

• 3rd Place: L.A. Sentinel

Community Service –Karl Murphy Award 1st Place: Baltimore Times

• 2nd Place: L.A. Sentinel

• 3rd Place: Texas Metro News

• 3rd Place: Seattle Medium

Layout & Design (Tabloid)

- Robert L. Vann Award 1st Place: Washington Informer

• 2nd Place: Texas Metro News

• 3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Layout & Design (Broadsheet) –

Robert L. Vann Award

• 1st Place: St. Louis American

• 2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

• 3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Website Excellence –

A. Philip Randolph Award

• 1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

• 2nd Place: Michigan Chronicle

• 3rd Place: St. Louis American

Facebook Campaign

• 1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

• 2nd Place: Forward Times

Community Engagement –W.A. Scott II Award

• 1st Place: Dallas Weekly

• 2nd Place: Houston Defender

• 3rd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

Newspaper Excellence –John H. Sengstacke Award 1st Place: Philadelphia Tribune

• 2nd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

• 3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Newsletter Excellence

• 1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

• 2nd Place: Savannah Tribune

• 3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

“This is an opportunity to showcase the amazing publications, publishers, and journalists, and their staff who keep the Black press alive,” NNPA Fund Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards stated.

Messenger Award winners Larry Lee, publisher of the Sacramento Observer and Shirley Ann Barber James, publisher of the Savannah Tribune. Photo credit: Mark Mahoney, DreamInColor Photography for NNPA

UPLIFT

Put Some Respect on Our Name— The NNPA Built This

By Dawn Montgomery NNPA Culture Critic

Before there was NABJ, there was the NNPA. That’s a fact—not a footnote.

So when I saw Joy Reid call NABJ the “lone” trade organization representing the Black Press, I gasped. I read it again. Then I made a few phone calls to make sure I wasn’t tripping. We have a duty to speak up when legacy is being erased—even when it comes from people we support. Reid may have meant well in backing the 19th’s Editor-At-Large, Errin Haines, for NABJ president, but that post started off wrong.

There’s a right way to lift someone up. That includes telling the truth. To be clear, this is no shade toward Errin Haines. That said, the NNPA has represented the Black Press since 1940. To call NABJ the only trade group for Black media? That’s not just wrong—it’s erasure. And I can’t let that slide.

Let’s get into it. Here’s what’s off about Reid’s post:

The Facts — NABJ matters. But it’s not the first, and it’s not the only. Saying it’s the “lone” group for Black journalists erases the NNPA. The Black Press is a nearly 200-year-old institution. Founded in 1940, the NNPA preceded NABJ by 15 years. Her Influence – Joy Reid knows the Black Press has her back. When MSNBC dropped her show, the Black community showed out—and the Black Press spoke up. We did the same for Tiffany Cross. We did so without fear, but certainly with favor. We’ve always

stood in the gap. Therefore, please don’t ignore us because we never ignored you.

I’m Seeing a Pattern –This isn’t the first time. And it’s not a small thing. We are living in a time when Black stories—and the truth— are under attack. And sometimes that erasure doesn’t come from the outside. It starts within. If we don’t speak up for all of our history, who will? Reid knows what the NNPA is. She also knows who our 200+ Black-owned media outlets serve. It’s time she said it out loud.

And here’s another thing—this legacy began with Black people who took risks. Our ancestors were still enslaved at a time when it was illegal for them to read—yet the truth prevailed.

We ain’t new to this; we are true to this. If you run a Black-owned media business and haven’t considered joining the NNPA, you might need to do some soul-searching. It’s 2025. NNPA outlets are digital. They’re live. They’re daily. They’re everywhere our people are.

Running a close second to the Black community itself, NNPA is the most powerful advocate for Black-owned newspapers and media platforms. Try as some might, it’s impossible to erase that legacy.

However, a real collaboration with NABJ remains unestablished. Why? Why pretend we’re not connected? Let’s be real: without the NNPA, there is no NABJ.

Whoever becomes president of NABJ this year—I hope you and

others finally address this issue. If for no other reason, do it for the culture and the truth, not for politricks or likes. We can prosper together—as long as we show mutual respect.

Don’t let ambition

make you forget the people who laid the foundation. As Birdman said on The Breakfast Club, “Put some respect on my name.” And while you’re at it, Joy—put some respect on the NNPA, too.

“When Ignorance holds the Gavel: How History Repeats Itself”

message is clear: America is only for some, and everyone else must either assimilate or disappear.

This is how a nation implodes not all at once, but piece by piece, as justice is sacrificed for political gain and history is gutted to protect fragile egos.

How much more do we have to pay the price of forgetting when they show us who they are, believe the first time?

When ignorance holds the gavel, justice cannot preside. When leaders erase the past, the people are condemned to repeat it. Watts was a warning. George

Floyd was a scream. Yet here we are, again teetering on the edge, because we refuse to listen and refuse to learn.

If we want to escape this endless loop, we must confront the truths that make us uncomfortable. We must teach our children the full, unvarnished histo-

ry of this country, not because it is easy, but because it is essential. We must push back against leaders who traffic in fear and fiction. And we must stop electing those who would rather bury the past than build a future. This is not about left or right. This is about right and wrong.

cont. from page 5

The question before us is urgent: Do we continue letting ignorance lead, or do we reclaim the wheel and drive toward justice?

Dear Joy, This isn’t a read. It’s a reminder.

Joy REID “the “lone” trade organization representing the Black Press”

NIH Pulls Plug on Black Infant Health Study

By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA

Senior National Correspondent

A federally funded study exploring why Black babies in Detroit are disproportionately born prematurely has been abruptly terminated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as part of a wider effort by the federal government to eliminate research tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The study, which focused on how stress associated with racism and poverty might alter gene function and contribute to adverse birth outcomes, lost its funding under a

new NIH directive targeting research areas deemed inconsistent with national priorities. In termination letters sent to researchers, the NIH claimed the project relied on “artificial and non-scientific categories” linked to DEI and asserted it did not “enhance health or advance science.”

Researchers behind the project strongly contest that explanation, calling the decision politically motivated. The cancellation aligns with a broader initiative by the Trump administration to dismantle DEI initiatives across the federal government, including within health and science agencies. Numerous projects focused

on minority and LGBTQ health have been defunded under the same rationale.

An internal NIH email dated March 13, 2025, from Michelle Bulls, director in the NIH Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration, directed senior officials to issue revised Notices of Award (NOAs) formally terminating affected grants. Bulls provided termination language and a spreadsheet of canceled projects, urging officials to act swiftly. She also made clear that “hard funds restrictions” would be applied and future years of funding eliminated.

Among the target-

ed research areas were studies focused on DEI, gender identity, vaccine hesitancy, and those affiliated with Chinese institutions. According to NIH guidance, DEI-based research “provides low returns on investment” and may support “unlawful discrimination.” Gender identity studies were called “unscientific,” while research into vaccine hesitancy was dismissed as not benefiting “the American people.”

The Detroit-based study’s termination has sparked concern among medical professionals and community health leaders. Dr. Alex Peahl, an OB-GYN at the University

of Michigan and co-director of the Partnering for the Future Clinic—which serves pregnant patients dealing with opioid and other substance use— warned of the far-reaching impact.

“Health-related social needs are health care,” Peahl told NPR. “And if we want to improve the health of pregnant people and their families, we have to care for every part of their lives, not just the clinical pieces.”

Peahl noted that access to prenatal care is deeply tied to social determinants like transportation and food security—stressors the defunded study was directly examining.

“It is really hard to come to your prenatal visit if you don’t have a car, or to take a medication if you don’t have food on the table,” she added.

Despite the NIH’s actions, a federal judge recently ruled that the agency’s cuts to minority health research were illegal. That ruling could face appeal, and its outcome may determine whether similar projects can be reinstated.

In the meantime, the research team in Detroit is scrambling to secure private funding to continue its work, even as the NIH stated in its termination notices that its decision is final unless formally appealed within 30 days.

If He brought you to it, He’ll carry you through it

Terry Allen

BIG MAMA SAID

Lucille “Big Mama” Allen wasn’t just our family matriarch—she was our divine compass. She led with scripture in one hand and wisdom in the other. Her kitchen was her pulpit, her life a masterclass in faith. When she spoke, you listened. When she prayed, things shifted. Her voice still lives in my soul—especially when the call to serve meets the reality of pain.

This month, I heard her say, “Baby, if God gave you the task, He’s already equipped you to finish it. Accept it. Complete it.” And I did.

To God be the glory. While undergoing cancer treatment,

moving slower, and suffering a dislocated shoulder from a Brother who hugged a little too strong, I still showed up for what I was called to do. But the hardest cross I bore wasn’t physical—it was spiritual. This month, I had to say goodbye to my son without being by his side. That grief is heavy. But God carried me through that valley too.

At City Men Cook, I stood in the gap for our men and families—not for the applause, but

for the assignment. showcasing Black men in a positive light.,

At Mental Health Sunday at SLUMC, I spoke about healing the “invisible che” while walking through my own.

At the Bowlathon, I laced up, showed up, and gave joy—even when energy was limited because I love the allyship with Cheryl Smith.

For Men’s Month at SLUMC, I stayed faithful, pouring into purpose and brotherhood.

I didn’t move fast, but I moved forward. I didn’t feel strong, but I stood. Every step, every smile, every seed planted—God made it possible. And Big Mama would’ve been proud.

This wasn’t about me—it was about a God who uses broken vessels to pour out full blessings. I accepted the assignment, completed it in faith, and left behind crumbs of hope for others to taste and see that the Lord is still good.

If you’re feeling tired, discouraged, or unsure—remember Big Mama’s words: “If He brought you to it, He’ll carry you through it.” Email; me at Terryallepr@gmail.com and let us know what you have completed. Amen and Ashé.

Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning 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

Superb Women

MARY BOYD

Our Superb Women!

By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News

2021 was the "Year of the Woman," especially the Black Woman! For 10 months, we dedicated this space to uplifting Black women and spreading a message that we need to show love and empower people with love instead of destroying them with hate and disrespect. We celebrate Black Women and call them SUPERB! AND WE ARE KEEPING THE CELEBRATION GOING FOREVER! We love you Black Queens!

DR. BRITTANY DRAKE

June 2025

SHEREKA WRIGHT

Dr. Brittany Drake is a dynamic leader in human resources and education, with over 15 years of experience driving innovation and managing performance. She received a BA Degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University, a MS Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Masters of Education before earning her Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision from East Texas A&M University in 2022. A dedicated mother and aunt, she raised her son and three nephews while advocating for equity, launching the first Black History program at a predominantly white school in Murphy, Texas. Dr. Drake also supports incarcerated individuals through Amazing Grace Prison Ministry.

ALBERTA BLAIR

Mary Boyd, RN, is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 35 years of experience in the field. She began her career at the Harris County Hospital District in Houston, Texas, where she gained expertise in trauma and labor and delivery. After moving to Dallas, she held several key positions with Dallas County Health and Human Services, including Public Health Manager. Mary founded Medical Connections Home Health Services, which focuses on personalized care for elderly and disabled patients. She is dedicated to delivering accessible, compassionate care, particularly to uninsured patients. Mary also advocates for health education and community wellness initiatives, emphasizing the importance of health equity and early intervention.

GISELE MARCUS

Gisele Marcus is a dynamic business executive, educator, and speaker with over 20 years of global leadership experience. She is Professor of Practice and Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Washington University’s Olin Business School. A five-time general manager, she has revitalized businesses at firms like Accenture, Johnson Controls, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, managing operations up to $800 million. Gisele earned her MBA from Harvard University and a BS from Syracuse University (where she also served on the Board of Trustees). A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, she also serves on the board of First Mid Bancshares and is a TEDx speaker.

ROISHENE JOHNSON

Alberta Blair is a civil engineer who began her career at Dallas County Public Works in 1993. A graduate of Ursuline Academy, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. Alberta has held various positions throughout her career, including leading the engineering and construction division for 15 years. Before joining Dallas County, she worked for the City of Dallas, managing projects such as the McKinney Avenue Trolley and Farmers Market. Alberta is known for her leadership in major transportation initiatives and her commitment to mentoring women in the engineering field, fostering diversity, and advancing infrastructure development in Dallas County.

Roishene Johnson is a biology professor and entomologist currently serving as a Visiting Lecturer at Texas Christian University, where she teaches Contemporary Issues in Biology and Anatomy & Physiology Lab. Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, she earned her bachelor’s in Biology and master’s in Entomology from Texas A&M University. While in graduate school, she identified two distinct parasitoid species. She previously served as General Science Program Director at Bossier Parish Community College and was awarded the 2023 LCTCS President’s Faculty Fellowship. Johnson is also a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, affiliated with Northwestern State University.

Shereka Wright, born in Fort Riley, Kansas, is the head coach of the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) women’s basketball team. She played college basketball at Purdue University, earning a degree in health and fitness. Wright was selected 13th overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock and played two seasons with the Phoenix Mercury. Before joining UTA, she was an assistant coach at Texas Tech, Alabama, and Vanderbilt. Named to the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020, Wright led UTA to an NCAA Tournament appearance in her second season and earned Sun Belt Coach of the Year honors.

ALEXANDRIA WILLIAMS

Alexandria Williams, born in Dallas, Texas, is the Director of Marketing, Corporate Sponsorships & Merchandise for the Dallas Mavericks. She earned her degree in Marketing from the University of North Texas. Williams has over 10 years of experience leading brand strategy, digital marketing, and fan engagement initiatives. Before joining the Mavericks, she held marketing roles at Target and the University of North Texas at Dallas. Known for her creative leadership and strategic vision, she played a key role in the Mavericks’ merchandise rebrand and All-Star campaigns. Outside of work, Alexandria is passionate about community involvement and mentoring young professionals.,

CHATASHIA BROWN

Chatashia Brown is a proud Dallas native and the Director of Opportunity & Impact at the Dallas Regional Chamber.

In her role, she leads diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to create more equitable opportunities for underrepresented communities across the Dallas region. She previously worked as the Assistant Director for Student Diversity & Inclusion Program at Texas Wesleyan University, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator for the City of Dallas, and Director of Opportunity & Impact for the Dallas Regional Chamber. A proud graduate of Texas Woman’s University and TCU. With a masters in Higher Education Leadership, she has been dedicated to the craft of DEI.

Superb Women cont. from p12

TRICIA MAYES JOHNSON

WHYNDII DUNN

Tricia Mayes Johnson is a dedicated community leader based in Texas. She serves as the President of the North Harris County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she leads initiatives that align with the sorority’s Five Point Programmatic Thrust, focusing on economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement a graduate of Jackson State University.

JONCHERRICA JONES, ESQ.

Joncherrica Jones is a devoted mother, proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a shining example of excellence and determination. Originally from Vicksburg, Mississippi, Joncherrica holds a Social Justice and Criminology degree from Delta State University and earned her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Now thriving in Richardson, Texas, she serves as Legal Counsel at Just Energy. Previously an associate attorney at Crain & Wooley and a junior associate at Ben Abbott & Associates, PLLC, she is also a digital creator. Joncherrica leads with heart, purpose, and a commitment to uplifting others in every space she enters.

MICHON WYNN

Hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada, Michon Wynn began her career as an Assistant Account Executive at MassMedia Corporate Communications, where she developed brand strategies and wrote an award-winning “Women to Watch” nomination. A proud graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, she earned her BA in Journalism with a focus on Public Relations and Communication Studies and Master of Public Health (MPH) from Argosy University-Phoenix Online Division.She spent more than a decade volunteering as a Prep Cook and Server at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Las Vegas Michon served as Assistant Director of Admissions at The Art Institutes, consulted with senior directors, and worked more than seven years with the City of Grand Prairie. Today, she brings her experience and passion to Waxahachie as Assistant Director of Human Resources.

Whyndii Dunn is a versatile leader and educator whose journey reflects dedication and excellence. She is an educator, leader, and strategist whose journey is as dynamic as her skillset. A proud graduate of Murray State University, she earned her degree in Education, followed by a master’s from Grand Canyon University, graduating summa cum laude in Educational Administration and Supervision. She’s served in roles from curriculum writing to program management, saving DeSoto $38,600 per semester in consulting fees and serving as an Early College Liaison in Cedar Hill. Now a Leadership Development Advisor for The Flippen Group, she’s also a proud mother of two recent 2025 graduates.

supporting diverse learners, and stresses the importance of collaboration between educators and parents, and how to foster a culture of acceptance. A highly regarded speaker, she says it is important to support and empower neurodivergent learners. Check out the podcast, Empower Series on Youtube to learn more about her work.

KENNEDY MOORE

Kennedy Moore currently serves as the Community Coordinator at Buckner Family Hope Center in West Dallas, where she focuses on empowering families through outreach and support programs.

JEANNE MARIE

Jeanne Elder is a dedicated educator with extensive experience in both the Waxahachie and Dallas Independent School Districts. She has taught students as young as second grade and is committed to fostering their academic growth. Currently at Prosper ISD, Jeanne earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of North Texas at Dallas and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education from East Texas A&M University. Jeanne’s passion continues to inspire students and educators alike.

TAMESIA CHATMAN

A proud Summa Cum Laude graduate of Texas State University, she earned her degree in Mass Communications and Electronic Media. Kennedy has a strong background in multimedia and community engagement, having worked with the City of Lancaster, Radio One, and as a Creative Producing Intern at NFL Films. With a passion for storytelling and a heart for service, Kennedy continues to make a positive impact in both the media and her local community.

MIKAH SNOW

Tamesia Chatman is a passionate financial professional dedicated to helping Texas families protect their homes, build generational wealth, and achieve financial growth. With nearly 14 years of experience as an elementary educator and campus math specialist in Richardson ISD, she brings a strong foundation in leadership and education to her financial work. Tamesia holds a degree from Texas Woman’s University and earned her Master of Education from Concordia University Texas. Now serving as a Regional Vice President with Primerica and a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator, she continues to empower others. Outside of her career, she is a proud wife and mother.

MIRTHA BROWN

Mirtha Brown is the founder and director of Discovery Learning Academy, an early childhood elementary private school located in Dallas, Texas. She received a Bachelors degree in Environmental Science from Rutgers University and a Masters Degree in Information Studies from Texas Woman’s University. She provides practical strategies for

Mikah Snow is a passionate 2nd-grade teacher at Argyle South Elementary in Argyle ISD. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Education Degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition to teaching, Mikah works as a freelance graphic designer for Southern Methodist University, where she creates unique visuals using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Before her full-time teaching role, she gained experience as a long-term substitute and student teacher across multiple grade levels, dedicated to fostering creativity and learning in both her classroom and design work.

Danni Hunter is an accomplished Account Executive with Move Concierge. Skilled in sales, customer acquisition, and retention, and account management, she studied Pre-Athletic Training at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette from 2013 to 2015. A Louisiana native, she has lived in Texas for the past four years. Her background includes retail consulting and freelance makeup artistry, blending creativity with strategic thinking. Danni is passionate about aligning clients with solutions that meet their evolving needs. She is a proud daughter and

DANNI HUNTER

COMMUNITY/LIFE/CULTURE

Superb Women

cont. from p13

sister who values service, strong relationships, and delivering impactful results in both her professional and personal life.

THERESA YOUNG

AZIZA TAYLOR

Tribune since 1983, she has preserved and strengthened one of the nation’s oldest Black-owned newspapers, established in 1875. As only the second female publisher in the newspaper’s storied history, she has ensured that this crucial institution—the only dedicated vehicle for amplifying Black voices in the Savannah community—continues its mission of informing and advocating for the community. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, she spent 32-year career at Savannah State University, culminating as interim Vice President for Student Affairs.

JEANINE D. WHITE

Theresa Young is a results-driven Real Estate Tax Analyst based in Lewisville, Texas, with over eight years of experience in tax administration, mortgage and loan processing, and project management. A proud graduate of the University of Mississippi with a B.Ed. in Education, she’s known for her expertise in risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and data analysis. Theresa has worked with firms such as Ryan and Altus Group, streamlining tax workflows and enhancing team productivity. She’s also a certified SheCodes alumna and Loan Production Basics credential holder. Theresa excels at helping organizations achieve operational excellence through clear vision, strategic planning, and impactful cross-departmental collaboration.

NICOLE BAKER

Aziza Taylor is a visionary storyteller and brand strategist dedicated to empowering youth globally. Since founding Own Your Narrative 54 in 2017, she has developed innovative programs, mentorships, and workshops that promote leadership, advocacy, and entrepreneurship across the United States, the United Kingdom, Africa, and the Caribbean. Aziza earned her Master of Science in Global Affairs from New York University, with a specialization in social impact and international law. Combining marketing expertise, media, and a passion for change, she drives transformational impact. Recently, she was honored as one of the 100+ visionary founders in the 2025 Tiny Fellowship, inspiring future global changemakers.

NYEELA LOVE

Nicole Baker is an Emmy Awardwinning anchor, host, and storyteller with over a decade of experience in broadcast journalism. She currently anchors for CBS News and Stations in Dallas, driving impactful storytelling and boosting audience engagement across digital and on-air platforms. A proud Spelman College alumna and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Nicole is also a dedicated member of the National Association of Black Journalists. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she’s a true “country-city” girl who considers herself a southerner at heart and now calls Texas home. Fluent in Spanish, Nicole is a big sister to two younger brothers and a loving “dog-mama” to two mixed poodles, Jackson and Nas.

SHAREEFAH NADIR-MASON

Nyeela Love is a Dallas-based producer, actor, life coach, and management professional with over 20 years of experience in the creative and healthcare fields. She studied at Media Tech Institute and Columbia College Chicago, developing skills in media production and storytelling. Recognized in 2019 by the City of Los Angeles for her leadership in the South LA Community Safety Initiative, she helped lead “Healing Circles” for trauma recovery. Her passion for service began at the age of five, when she cared for her grandmother in a nursing home. Known for her integrity, emotional intelligence, and attention to detail, Nyeela builds lasting, supportive relationships wherever she enters.

ANGELA HUCLES MANGANO

Shareefah Nadir-Mason is a dynamic leader in education and community advocacy. As Director of Education at For Oak Cliff, she develops impactful programs that uplift students in Dallas. A Nicholls State University graduate with a Political Science degree, Shareefah has also been Associate Dean at Dallas College and Director of Teacher Experience at City Teaching Alliance. She is a Presidential Leadership Scholar, Independent Sector Bridging Fellow, author, and executive producer of the documentary From the Block. Beyond her professional roles, Shareefah is a devoted mother, daughter, and sister; deeply committed to empowering her community through education and strong, inspiring leadership.

Angela Hucles Mangano is President of Soccer at Houston Dash and a former U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team star. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in Anthropology. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup bronze medalist, Angela excels both on and off the field. She is a real estate professional specializing in sports and entertainment, a Fox Sports and NBC analyst, and a motivational speaker with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Angela is also a dedicated wife and mother who inspires others through leadership and empowerment.

SHIRLEY ANN BARBER JAMES

Shirley Ann Barber James is a Spelman College Class of 1968 alum who has been feted in recognition of her dual legacy as Publisher of The Savannah Tribune and her transformative work in voter empowerment, alongside her extraordinary lifetime of service, leadership, and commitment to civic engagement. As Publisher of The Savannah

Jeanine D. White is the Program Director for Faculty-Led Programs at the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership at Morehouse College. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Arts from Morris Brown College in 1994 and joined Morehouse in 2000. Over the past two decades, she has served in various roles, including office manager, coordinator of study abroad, and program director. She oversees global learning initiatives, supports students and faculty, and manages international partnerships. In 2023, she received the IES Abroad Professional Development Award. Jeanine is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and a dedicated mother of two.

COYA HOUSTON

Coya Houston is a powerhouse in digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment. With over a decade of experience, she currently serves as a Digital Marketing Strategist at Cox Automotive, where she leads impactful B2B campaigns across the automotive and finance sectors.

A proud graduate of both Clayton State University and Spelman College, where she studied economics, Coya brings strategic insight, creativity, and purpose to every role she holds.She is also the founder of Her Daily Guide, a faithbased lifestyle brand that equips busy women especially moms, wives, and leaders with the tools to live intentionally and thrive. Married since 2012 and a devoted mother of two, Coya balances career, faith, and family with grace and purpose.

DENISE ROLARK-BARNES

DENISE ROLARK-BARNES is the publisher of The Washington Informer which has been a staple of the DMV community for more than 60 years delivering relevant, informative, and positive stories to uplift the Black Community. Denise is a true advocate for the community, dedicated Washingtonian and a trailblazer in the publishing industry.

Skilled in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Crisis Communications, Breaking News, Radio, and Media Relations, Denise is a strong media and communication professional with a B.A. in Communications and J.D. focused in Communications Law from Howard University. She also attended Hampton University pursuing a degree Mass Communication/Media Studies.

Target CEO Brian Cornell Meets with CBC Diversity Task Force

DNC, DCCC, DSCC, DGA, and ASDC announce coordinated “Organizing Summer” Program

On the heels of town hall spring, the DNC, DCCC, DSCC, DGA, and ASDC announced a new “Organizing Summer” program to build Democratic enthusiasm across the country ahead of the November 2025 elections and the 2026 midterms to fight back against Republicans’ tax scam that will take health care and food away from millions of Americans while gifting Trump’s billionaire backers a massive tax break.

By Lauren Victoria Burke BlackPressUSA Newswire Contributor

Target CEO Brian Cornell was on Capitol Hill on June 26 and met with members of Congress.

The meeting included a small group of Congressional Black Caucus members that make up their diversity task force. The members included Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Yvette (D-NY), Rep. Steve Horsford (D-NV), and Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA).

Companies have been conflicted about diversity policy because the Trump Administration has pushed hard against diversity and inclusion policy. The Trump Administration has targeted corporations and law firms and pressured them to retreat from DEI.

When Cornell departed the meeting with a small staff of four, he answered two questions from Black Press USA.

“It’s always helpful to have meetings like this and get some candid feedback and continue to evolve our thinking. We look

forward to follow-up conversations,” Cornell answered as he walked down a long hallway in the Cannon House Office Building.

When asked if the issue of the ongoing boycott was discussed, Cornell’s response was, “That was not a big area of focus — we’re focused on running a great business each and every day. Take care of our teams. Take care of the guests who shop with us and do the right things in our communities.”

On January 20, President Trump issued an executive order entitled, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs” as an opening shot against all diversity and inclusion related policies.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the owner of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show Comms Class on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@ gmail.com and on twitter at @ LVBurke

“Organizing Summer” is an organizing campaign – featuring in-person and virtual events and activations to cultivate a robust volunteer base ready to put pressure on Republicans, and ensure that state parties are registering voters ahead of crucial elections in November and the midterms in 2026.

The DNC, ASDC, DSCC, DGA, and DCCC will expand the DNC’s distributed organizing program by hosting activations and organizing events in key gubernatorial, House, and Senate battleground states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minne-

New “Organizing Summer” program will launch in key gubernatorial, House, and Senate battlegrounds and other localities across the country with organizing efforts, voter registration, and voter engagement in non-traditional spaces

sota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Additionally, “Organizing Summer” will include:

• Voter registration events and activations through Democratic state parties to ensure Democrats are meeting the moment and countering Republican efforts to register voters.

• Equipping volunteers to authentically enter conversation in non-political spaces, both

within their personal networks and in their communities, online and in-person, such as in sports forums, community groups, book clubs, and on social media platforms.

• In-person organizing at functions across the country to bolster Democratic outreach and rally against the budget bill such as at summer concerts, sporting events, and state and county fairs.

• Empowering supporters with a direct pathway to share feedback they receive from voters, and what they are seeing online, helping the party inform its messaging and strategy on an ongoing basis.

“Organizing Summer” will boost the Democratic Party’s organizing program by training volunteers and conducting outreach to meet voters where they are and registering thousands of voters across the country, putting us in the best possible position to win the November 2025 elections and the midterms in 2026.

[Washington] – The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Pamela Prince-Eason, President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a long-time supporter and ally of the organization. The entire USBC family deeply mourns and extends heartfelt condolences to the WBENC family on her untimely passing. A passionate supporter of small businesses, especially women-owned enterprises, Pam was a dedicated

advocate for creating equitable opportunities in government and supply chain contracting. Her relentless pursuit of solutions to

provide equal access for growing firms exemplified her unwavering commitment to empowerment and growth.

“Pam’s leadership in professional development was central to her mission,” said Ron Busby, Sr., President & CEO of USBC. “Her collaborative spirit with organizations like USBC was widely celebrated by all who knew her. Her warmth and generous nature leave a lasting impression—we will truly miss her kindness and presence. Pam’s passion, intellect, and relentless

commitment to empowering women-owned businesses have made a profound impact on countless lives.”

Whether serving on the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) or applying her corporate expertise to elevate women-owned businesses, Pam exemplified strength, advocacy, strategic vision, and collaboration. Her leadership within WBENC created invaluable opportunities for diverse chambers and opened many doors—an enduring legacy for which we are eternally grateful.

Target CEO Brian Cornell was on Capitol Hill on June 26 and met a small group of Congressional Black Caucus members that make up their diversity task force Photo by Lauren Victoria Burke

Pamela Prince-Eason

USBC Mourns Loss of Pamela Prince-Eason of WBENC

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Wings for the Win!

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

Members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists (DFW/ ABJ) board of directors, family and friends enjoyed African American Heritage

Night at the WNBA Dallas Wings vs. the Washington Mystics game on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

The evening saluted legends Dr. Harry Robinson who recently retired from the African American Museum and women’s boxing champion

Shurretta Metcalf.

Attendees received custom African American Heritage Night themed t-shirts while they lasted and were also entertained by Urban Trivia and Trinity Steppers.

The Wings defeated the Mystics 79-71.

Dear College Freshman

Which brings me to my truth.

I will be writing more to you about topics that either I deemed worthy or you reached out and asked me about. In the meantime, here are a few tips that I know you will serve you well.

Listen more than you talk. (Especially when it comes to sharing personal business). You are just meeting for and you want to be careful about sharing information that may be used against you by the street team. In a nutshell, just like friends from high school will disappear, you can bet folks you meet, especially early on, will not be with you til the end.

Meet your professors. Schedule a meeting with your advisor. Establish a rapport with these people who you may need for a recommendation letter one day!

Do not go to parties alone and make sure you leave with who you came with. While at the parties or other gatherings, never take drinks from people you don’t know and really from those you think you know - it’s too soon to trust, in many cases.

Do not spend the night, lay in the bed, or have sex in fraternity or sorority houses or a potential partner’s dormitory room. You’re exposing yourself to some situations that have proven deadly, unfortunately.

Try not to date multiple fraternity brothers or sorority sisters, athletes, students. Heck date your books.

Join organizations that are geared toward your major course of studies, what you’d like to have as a profession.

Inquire about and apply for scholarships, internships and fellowships. This is important. Even if you have your tuition paid for, applying for scholarships puts you and your work in front of people you need to meet.

Securing internships and fellowships will prepare you for future employment and entrepreneurial opportunities; while also helping you to develop your work ethic and make those mistakes early before you are ON THE JOB for real. And don’t count on college work study to give you what you need.

If you have an issue with your professors, contact them outside of class.

Most public confrontations don’t end well. And on this same note. Don’t become overly friendly with your professors. If they attempt to take the relationship to another level, don’t flatter yourself. You aren’t the first!

Don’t wait until the end of the semester to reach out to your professors. And when you realize you don’t understand the assignment, immediately share this information. Professors know some students are going to come late with their excuses. In this new day, many are making concessions, but why try them? Do your darned work and keep up with everything!

Just because you miss class does not mean the assignment is not due. I

often tell my students that their asses or their assignment better be before me. My class is not for play play!

Now it is amazing how many “grown” folks resort to tears when they get called out. Yes, today especially we are dealing with “feelings.”

All I can do is shake my head and make sure I have my paper trail. And you should understand just like your supervisor or employer will have a paper trail that shows up in a performance review, professors will also prepare for your nonsense.

Finally ladies, when the young men or women (I don’t judge) come after you. Firmly say to them: “I am here for two things: to get a degree and to get married! Believe me, you just held up garlic, a stake, or something similar because usually they run because they don’t have the same vision as you. They want a degree, yes, but they want to have fun. Most aren’t looking for a committed relationship. Now, keep in mind, you have to let your actions mirror your declarations. You can’t be out there dropping it like it’s hot all over everyone and spreading your “love,” because they won’t respect you in the morning!

Now I will end here. Questions, give me a call at 214-941-0110 or email me at editor@texasmetronews.com

Just know I will NOT agree to disagree. However, I will listen and also provide the space for your rebuttal!

SPORTS

Mavs Take Cooper Flagg No. 1 Overall in NBA Draft

By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor Texas Metro News

After being drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in Wednesday’s NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg was asked if he could see himself becoming the second, first pick to ever win a championship in his rookie season. (Magic Johnson was the first with the Lakers).

“Of course. Of course, yeah. My mindset has always been to be a winner, so I’m going to try to win as hard as I can everywhere I go.

“I’m looking forward to being successful and winning a lot of games, for sure.”

And with that, the Mavericks made it official, drafting Flagg, the 18-year-old forward from Duke University with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

“What an exciting night

for the Dallas Mavericks franchise, the fans, the City of Dallas,” said Mavs GM Nico Harrisoin.

“We are just super excited to get Cooper. He’s a generational talent, a once in a lifetime chance and so we are top to bottom excited.”

In one season at Duke, Flagg (6-9, 225) averaged 19.2 points (.481 FG, .385 3FG), 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in 37 appearances (all starts) while leading the team to their second NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance in the last 10 years.

Earlier this year he was named National College Player of the Year (USBWA, NABC, AP, Wooden, Naismith, CollegeInsider. com), becoming the 11th player from Duke to be awarded the honor and the second freshman from Duke to do so (Zion Williamson).

Flagg - who will wear No. 32 for the Mavericks - said being drafted No. 1 overall hadn’t really sunk in yet.

“I don’t think it’s set in yet. It feels surreal. I’m just playing the moments back in my head, standing up, hearing my name, and it went so fast,” Flagg said.

“It feels like a blur. But I just feel really blessed and honored just to be here.”

Flagg has a built-in-brotherhood ready

and waiting to help him transition from college to the pros when he arrives in Dallas. New teammates Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II both went to Duke as well.

“I’m really excited. I think I keep saying I’m excited to be a sponge, to get down there and just learn, be surrounded by Hall of Fame-caliber guys and just to be able to learn from them,” Flagg said. “It’s go-

ing to be an incredible experience.”

Harrison said there were many things that led to the Mavs decision to draft Cooper Flagg with their prized No. 1 pick.

“I think it’s two things; win now and win in the future. Eventually it’s going to be Cooper’s team, we don’t know when that transition will happen,” he said. “So I think it’s win now and set yourself up to win in the future as well.”

Flagg, a Maine native, set the ACC freshman single-game scoring record after recording 42 points against Notre Dame on Jan. 11. He led Duke in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game, becoming the second freshman in the last 25 years to lead his respective team in all five categories (Ben Simmons).

Flagg represented Team USA at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World

Cup, where he was named All-Tournament Team after averaging 9.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.4 steals en route to a gold medal campaign for his country and was chosen for the USA Select Team ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Additionally, he was voted consensus First-Team All-American and National Freshman of the Year. In the Atlantic Coast Conference, Flagg was also selected as the AAC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year and named to All-ACC First Team, ACC All-Defensive Team and ACC All-Rookie Team.

J. Gentry covers sports for Texas Metro News. She is an English and Journalism teacher in Irving ISD and has been a journalist for more than 30 years. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a degree in journalism and communications.

Dallas Stars officially name Glen Gulutzan as next head coach

The Dallas Stars have made it official.

After reports over the weekend began to emerge, the organization officially announced Tuesday morning the hiring of Glen Gulutzan as the Stars’ next head coach.

“We are thrilled to name Glen as the head coach of the Dallas Stars,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a statement. “Since his previous time in Dallas, Glen has worked tirelessly to establish himself

as one of the most respected coaches in the NHL.

“Glen has worked with some of the best players in the world and continually found ways to maximize their skill sets to contribute to team success. We have full confidence that he is the right person to elevate our team to the next level.”

Gulutzan, who was most recently an assistant for the Edmonton Oilers, served as the Stars’ head coach for the 201112 and 2012-13 seasons before being fired by Nill as one of his first acts as general manager.

This is the second time in Nill’s career the GM has hired

a former Stars coach to take over the team. He hired Stanley Cup winner Ken Hitchcock for his second stint in Dallas in the 2017-18 season.

The Gulutzan hire comes three weeks after the Stars fired Pete DeBoer after three years leading the team.

“My family and I are excited to come back to Texas where I started my NHL coaching journey more than a decade ago,” Gulutzan said in the same team statement. “Jim and his staff have built a roster that is one of the most talented and deepest in the entire League. The right pieces are in place

to compete for the Stanley Cup on a yearly basis. I’m ready to get to Dallas and start the preparation for next season.”

Gulutzan was one of three known candidates interviewed for the opening, alongside Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham and Dallas Stars defensive assistant Alain Nasreddine. Gulutzan has not served as a head coach since the 2017-18 season.

He has a 146-125-23 record in his 294 games as a head coach and made the playoffs just once when Calgary lost in the first round to Anaheim in 2016-17.

The Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, native also served as an assistant for the Vancouver Canucks and the Oilers, most recently. He had worked in Edmonton since 2018, running the Oilers’ lethal power play led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Cooper Flagg No. 1 NBA Draft Pick. Credit: Charles “City” Gbadebo

Dorothy

Dallas Stars coach Glen Gulutzan is pictured on the bench during the Columbus Blue Jackets vs. the Dallas Stars NHL hockey game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Thursday, April 25, 2013.

Credit: Louis DeLuca / Staff Photographer

Juneteenth Has Twin Success with Ancestral Echoes and Tennis Exhibition

What does tennis, African drums and cultural legacies have in common?

It’s all about learning how to enjoy, remember and honor Juneteenth.

Youth activities are the main focus of the fourth annual Juneteenth Tennis Exhibition (JTE), held Saturday, June 21, at Kiest Tennis Center.

Players from high schools in southern Dallas aced and volleyed their way through their sets, as judges determined which top three would ultimately receive Tennis Summer Scholarships. Many of the players came from South Oak Cliff, Spruce, Sunset, Pinkston and Roosevelt.

iPlayTennis, a special JTE feature this year, allowed youth 5 to 12 years old to learn tennis fundamentals. The free lesson was a first for many of the 12 or so participants. “I had fun learning how to play. I wanna play again,” said nine-year-old first-time player Jason Berry.

Celebrity Doubles Match, the exhibition’s main fundraising event, also stirred plenty of excitement. Dallas City Councilmen Chad West and Zarin Gracey outlasted Rev. Edlen Cowley, of the Horizon Texas Conference United Methodist Church (UMC), and Johnny Rogers, president of Trinity Review Services.

Gracey joined West to congratulate Camp Wisdom UMC, aka, The Camp, on creating an active community event, encouraging youth to broadening their sports interest.

JTE’s largest donor, Rogers added that he was skeptical about his performance, yet “had fun just hanging in there.”

Rev. James Minor and Gemeral Berry truly survived in their Old vs. New School doubles match against the much younger scholarship winners. “… grueling is the word,” said Rev. Minor. “I’m just glad I’m still able to stand.”

“This tennis event can bring greater interest to our young people,” said Aaron Wallace, assistant athletic director over tennis in Dallas Independent School District, saying he’ll support it.

“… a great turnout by our area high school players and our young beginners,” JTE co- chair Jonathan Thomas, said, adding

that with fantastic support from the community, DISD and our sponsors, it’ll continue to grow,

“Ancestral Echoes” Connects Our Past to the Present

African drums, dancers and storytelling rounded out Camp Wisdom’s Juneteenth celebration titled “Ancestral Echoes: Sacred Sounds and Movements.”

Performances included Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Oba the African Story Teller and a panel on hymn lining. The program was awarded a grant

from the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture. Bandan Koro’s powerful performance celebrated life using the medium of Caribbean and West African cultural expressions.

The ensemble was true to its name, which, in Malinke, means “under the tree,” a community gathering place to connect knowledge with inspiration.

Hymn liners Ms. Ulanda Crivens, Rev. Jacoby Ervin and Rev. James I. Minor reminiscenced with poignant, spirit-filled renditions. Each lead the audience with traditional call and response songs, like “I Loved The Lord

He Heard My Cry.” They urged that hymn lining, or linedhymn, be keep alive because of its strong healing power. It also relates to how we, like our ancestors, can rely on it in good times and bad.

Oba gave a finale that brought his audience high energy, enthusiasm and a wealth of African tales.

“This event was truly a wonderful occasion,” said Brenda Bright, lead manager for the celebration. “Our performers were exciting and inspiring. I’d like to see more cultural events. Our community can’t get enough.”

Celeb Doubles Winners Zarin Gracey and Chad West; Scholarship Recipients Precious Azua, Genesis Mendoza and Nablut Moo; Celeb Doubles Runners-up Rev Edlen Cowley and Johnny Rogers; and in back, Gemeral Berry, JTE co-chair.

Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble.

The iPlayTennis players. Second row: DISD’s AAD Aaron Wallace, Kiest Tennis Center Coach Jandiya and Coach Sara, and Co-chair Berry.

Hymn liners, from left: Rev. James I. Minor, Ulanda Crivens and Rev. Jacoby Ervin.