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• Vol. 13 • May 15 - 21, 2025

All ice is 32 degrees Fahrenheit Cheryl Smith

MY TRUTH When I received word that I was being inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in 2022, I didn’t know what to say, think or feel.

Which brings me to my truth!

I am sharing my acceptance speech again because someone recently said my message remains relevant three years later as we prepare to induct new members. They said people still don’t realize the power, excellence, greatness and more that is what makes supporting Black the right thing to do.

Sharing this message is also a good way to keep me grounded; showing that I

don’t have amnesia and know I didn’t get where I am today on my own.

This same message was with me as I joined esteemed educators in the African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Sadly some people forget or fail to acknowledge.

I never want to forget those whose shoulders I stand on, or those who pushed, pulled, and cheered me on through life.

So here’s my WHY! Thanks NABJ family. To God be the glory. To my soror Valerie Fields Hill, my sis Eva Coleman and esteemed NABJ founder Norma Adams-Wade — thanks for nominating me.

To this Hall of Fame Class, you’re the best.

Sarah Glover (former See MY TRUTH, page 10

METRO SPOTLIGHT

Carol West

WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM

in the Texas Senate, representing District 23. A graduate of Dillard University, Carol is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Links Inc. and Concord Church.

Pan African Connection Bookstore 4466 S. Marsalis Ave.

320 S. R.L. Thornton Frwy. #100 Dallas, TX 75203

Sunday, May 18 12-5pm

Sherri Shepherd:

Redefining Motherhood While Keeping It Real

Black America Celebrates African Descent Heritage of Pope Leo XIV

By Sylvia Powers Correspondent Texas Metro News

Comedian Sherri Shepherd is soaring high as her daytime talk show celebrates a fourth season renewal, while she gears up to release her debut book and stars in an upcoming Tyler Perryproduced film this summer.

Sherri Shepherd wears many hats—comedian, actress, and talk show host—but her most treasured title remains “Mom.” In an era when motherhood is often portrayed as a perfectly curated journey, Shepherd’s story stands out for its honesty, humor, and heartfelt resilience.

Her parenting journey with her son, Jeffrey Charles Tarpley, Jr., is one she navigates with tempered love and unapologetic transparency.

Jabari Thomas II

Credit: Dallas ISD

Jabari said, his eyes lighting up with curiosity.

“When I was little, I loved watching ‘Thomas & Friends.’ Trains fascinated me. It always amazed me how we turn boiling water into the power to

Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Photo by Vatican Media

By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

travel across the country.”

That childhood fascination turned into a passion, one that only grew stronger over the years.

From learning about engines and gears to participating in robotics camps and STEM programs, Jabari chased every opportunity to fuel his interest in mechanical systems. A member of Kimball’s P-TECH program, one of Jabari’s proudest moments was

Black America is taking pride in a truth shaking up the Vatican and resonating through the streets of New Orleans: Pope Leo XIV—formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago— has Black and Creole roots. The Pope’s factual anthropological roots are not just symbolic. According to genealogist Jari Honora, his maternal lineage traces directly to the Black community of New Orleans’ 7th Ward, with family ties to Haiti, and census records identifying his ancestors as “Black” or “Mulatto.” “By the Europeans’ own ‘1/8th’ rules, we have a Black Pope,” noted author Elie Mystal declared.

“Anyway, Pope’s grandfather is Haitian. We kind of got a Black Pope. ‘End Woke’ is not gonna be happy about this.” Further, New Orleans historian Jari Christo-

See DALLAS ISD, page 8

See POPE LEO, page 9

Raised by a village, driven by a dream DALLAS — Jabari Thomas II is no ordinary student. By the time he crosses the stage, he’ll already be steps ahead on his path to becoming a mechanical engineer.

He is set to graduate from Justin F. Kimball High School this spring, not only with his high school diploma but also with an associate degree from Dallas Community College.

“I like learning about how any machine works,”

Pope Leo XIV

See SHERRI SHEPHERD, page 10

LEAVING A LEGACY AT DALLAS ISD:

Special to Texas Metro News

Carol West was sworn in as the first African American president of the Texas Senate Ladies Club!

She is married to State Senator Royce West, who is serving his 32nd year

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• Vol-13

• May 15 - 21, 2025

INTERNATIONAL/WORLD

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TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER SERIES

THIS WEEK IN AUSTIN

Trump signs Executive Order to protect Americans from future gain of function research

HB2806, a bill to enhance penalties for dangerous dog attacks

By Rita Cook

Correspondent Texas Metro News

WASHINGTON DC – Last week President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order to achieve improved safety and security of biological research.

In short, this order ends any present and all future Federal funding of dangerous gain-of-function research in countries of concern like China and Iran and in foreign nations deemed to have insufficient research oversight.

For example, it gives the National Institute of Health and other federal agencies the power to recognize and close biological research that threatens public health or national security.

Specifically named in the EO was lab-related incidents involving gain-offunction research, “like that conducted on bat coronaviruses in China by the EcoHealth Alliance and Wuhan Institute of Virology.”

Americans through this order will be protected from lab accidents and other biosecurity incidents, “such as those that likely caused COVID-19 and the 1977 Russian flu,” the executive order read.

Some have said this was a bold move

by Pres. Trump “banning all federal funding for gain-of-function (GoF) research— ending one of the most dangerous and unaccountable scientific experiments in modern history.”

Trump believes this EO is unlike previous policies since it contains enforcement and reporting mechanisms to strengthen oversight and discourage subjective interpretation of policies that researchers have used in the past to evade biosafety and biosecurity oversight.

Trump was joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya during the signing of the executive order with an overall tone of making it clear that America will not be bankrolling science experiments that weaponize viruses and endanger humanity under the pretense of “pandemic preparedness.”

“For years, unelected bureaucrats like Dr. Anthony Fauci funneled taxpayer dollars into secretive labs, including in Communist China, to manipulate viruses and make them more deadly,” Trump stated.

“That ends today.”

Reportedly Kennedy has traced the origins of GoF research back to post-WWII military programs. He said more recently it was discovered the globalist establishment began the program again with Dr. Anthony Fauci at the helm.

Kennedy said, “The justification was always defense, but the real goal was control—controlling populations, controlling pandemics they helped create, and building billion-dollar vaccine markets.” he further added.

He added Fauci had received a 68% pay raise from the military for his involvement in this high-risk work. “This wasn’t science—it was militarized biological experimentation,” Kennedy said.

Bhattacharya told reporters he believes this EO will help research leaking out by accident under control to therefore avoid another pandemic.

A second executive order Trump signed related to pharmaceutical companies. The idea for that executive order is to improve domestic manufacturing of pharmaceuticals along with the permitting processes around building pharmaceutical manufacturing sites.

Trump has been talking about executing tariffs on pharmaceuticals made overseas too.

He believes necessary drugs used by the American people should be manufactured at home so there is not so much of a need for foreign supply chains.

“We’re going to have a big announcement next week on some of this kind of thing, but more related to costs,” Trump said after signing the executive orders on May 5.

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.

By Rita Cook

Correspondent Texas Metro News

AUSTIN - Plano resident Donna Macey was happy several weeks ago when her State Representative Mihaela Plesa, District 70, posted on X that she had signed on to HB2806 by San Antonio State Rep John Lujan.

The bill enhances penalties for dangerous dog attacks.

As she thanked Macey for her advocacy, Plesa said, “This has been an important issue to our HD70 residents, and I am proud of the strides we’re taking to improve public safety.”

The bill passed in the House Public Health Committee, one small step for it to reach Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk again.

A bill by Lujan addressing dangerous dog attacks was vetoed during the last session because the governor said he believed existing state penalties for irresponsible dog owners were enough.

In Macey’s case she lost her beloved Yorkie Abby who died of a cruel dog attack.

Macey began an awareness campaign called “Justice for Abby” but she said she felt no one on the City level was listening or cared.

She spoke at the Plano City Council meeting in June 2023, offering a timeline for the gruesome event: Familymembers, Abby and two other leashed pets were on their daily walk on Cherokee Trail in Plano. Suddenly they were attacked from behind by two large pit mix dogs.

“My spouse was knocked

GABS

to the ground twice sustaining dragging injuries, and numerous broken front teeth,” Macey said.

It was worse however since Gabby, her 11-pound Yorkie was “torn apart.”

Neighbors had seen the incident and one who ran to help was also bitten numerous times.

Macey’s spouse needed facial plastic surgery and is permanently scarred.

Five neighbors caught the incident on their RING videos.

Macey said they immediately drove to the Emergency Animal Hospital of Collin County.

“At that time an individual came into this same facility while Gabby was being treated looking for her two large dogs that had been found and brought to the clinic,” Macey said. “Only one dog had a microchip.”

Turned out the two dogs (the same dogs who had attacked the family and killed Gabby) were unregistered,

Credit: Rita Cook

unvaccinated, and had been off leash, but were still released back to the owner, according to Macey.

Macey explained there was a police report filed with multiple witness statements as well as a “vicious dog” notarized affidavit, but nothing was done.

On May 17, Macey said the Plano Animal Control did rule that one dog was vicious.

There were fines levied, but Macey was still left very unsettled. She said she believed the city did little to avoid a repeat occurrence.

Macey said she believed the City of Plano Police Dept, the Plano Animal Control and the Emergency Animal Hospital of Collin County failed her.

Since that day Macey has been working hard to bring awareness to changing legislation to “hold irresponsible pet owners accountable with a significant increase in fines, stiffer penalties and euthanasia of dogs that kill.”

With HB2806 she sees the

possibility of that happening.

Lujan has pushed for his bill again during this session with some alterations and he hopes the governor will see the significance of it this time around.

In Lujan’s district vicious dog attacks took the life of an elderly man Ramon Najera who was mauled and killed in 2023 due to a dog attack.

There was also the death of one-year-old Jiriyah Johnson, who died due to a vicious dog attack while at a babysitter’s home.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with an estimated 800,000 requiring medical attention.

According to the Department of State Health Services, children account for approximately half of all dog bite victims, with the elderly being the second most common group of victims.

HB 2806 seeks to address this issue by authorizing an applicable animal control authority to investigate an incident when a report on a dangerous dog is made by observing and documenting the behavior of the dog or by examining the sworn statements of any witnesses. It also emphasizes holding dog owners accountable.

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.

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DELIVERING NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Vol-13

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City of Ferris at Center of Landmark 5,200-Acre Development Cawley Partners Launches Visionary Mixed-Use Project in Southern DFW

Harris Slams Trump’s Agenda as ‘Decades in the Making’

FERRIS, TEXAS – In one of the most consequential development moments in the City of Ferris’s 150-year history, Cawley Partners has officially acquired over 5,200 acres straddling Dallas and Ellis counties for a transformative mixed-use project—marking a new era of opportunity and growth for Ferris and the southern DFW corridor.

The master-planned development, known as South Creek Dallas, will include up to 5,000 homes, expansive digital commerce parks, data centers, advanced manufacturing, and potentially a corporate campus exceeding 1,000 acres. Strategically located near the future Loop 9 corridor, the site surrounds land already annexed by the City of Ferris and lies squarely within the city’s long-established planning and influence zone.

“This is a generational turning point—not just for the land, but for the future of Ferris,” said Brooks Williams, City Manager.

“What’s unfolding here is not luck. It’s the result of deliberate decisions, re-

By Stacy M. Brown

BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent

lentless preparation, and an unwavering belief that Ferris is destined for more.”

Ferris isn’t simply adjacent to this project, it is the launchpad. With unmatched proximity to Interstate 45 and downtown Dallas, and a bold approach to government, education, healthcare, and public safety, Ferris offers a complete ecosystem for next-generation community development: A Competitive Financial Climate - With one of the lowest full-service municipal tax rates in the region, Ferris makes it easier for families and businesses to thrive—stretching every dollar further while de-

livering and developing high-performance public services.

Innovation in Education – Ferris is home to a strong partnership between its Municipal Government and Ferris Independent School District, along with being home to the idea of Leaders at Heart Academy, which will be one of only a few municipal charter schools in Texas, offering students personalized pathways, bilingual immersion, early college credit, and industry certifications—all built around preparing tomorrow’s workforce today.

Revolutionizing Healthcare Access – Through Tap Telehealth (from MD

Health Pathways), every Ferris resident can access medical care, directly with a physician, in under 60 seconds from any device, making Ferris one of the most connected cities in the region for urgent and routine care.

Elite Public Safety Model – Ferris fields a fully integrated Department of Public Safety with triple-certified officers trained in police, fire, and EMS—delivering response times that far exceed industry standards and providing 24/7 protection that is both agile and comprehensive.

Read more at www.texasmetronews.com

For Wilmer residents unable to attend city council meetings, Facebook. com/cityofwilmer now offers live or archived option

Wilmer Mayor Sheila Petta

WILMER, TX – For Wilmer residents whose schedules do not allow them to attend city council meetings, they can still stay informed by watching the monthly meetings online live or archived at Facebook.com/cityofwilmer.

Wilmer’s city council meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.

Agendas are posted on the city’s website prior to the meetings at https:// www.cityofwilmer.net/.

“We realize many citizens are not able to attend city council meetings due to busy schedules,” said Wilmer Mayor Sheila Petta.

“Offering citizens the chance to watch the meetings live or afterwards is the city’s dedication to

transparency.

It allows the residents to stay informed and that is important for continuing the growth of this great community.”

The City of Wilmer invites you to “like” the City on Facebook.com/cityofwilmer and follow us at twitter.com/welcometowilme1 and Instagram.com/ cityofwilmer.

In her first major speech since leaving the White House, Kamala Harris called on Americans to resist what she described as President Trump’s assault on truth, democracy, and the economy. Speaking at the annual Emerge gala — an organization focused on training Democratic women to run for office — the former vice president delivered a fiery critique of Trump’s leadership, warning that the country is heading into what she called a “man-made economic crisis.” “We all know, President Trump, his administration, and their allies are counting on the notion that fear can be contagious,” Harris told the crowd. “But what they’ve overlooked is that fear isn’t the only thing that’s contagious.

Courage is contagious.”

Harris said the administration is abandoning the nation’s core values, operating not in chaos, but with deliberate speed. “A vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making,” she said.

“An agenda to slash public education. An agenda to shrink the government and then privatize its services. All while giving tax breaks to the wealthiest among us.” A day after Trump reached 100 days in office, Harris accused him of betraying his promise to cut costs. She said working families and small busi-

Former Vice President Kamala Harris

nesses are being punished instead. “Some people are describing what’s been happening in recent months as absolute chaos. And of course, I understand why,” Harris said. “It’s certainly true of those tariffs. Tariffs that — as I predicted — are clearly inviting a recession.”

She called Trump’s tariff policy the “greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history,” warning that the trade war is driving up costs, damaging retirement accounts, and crippling small businesses. “Instead of an administration working to advance America’s highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals,” she said. While Harris said she wasn’t offering all the answers, she insisted that Americans must keep fighting. “The one check, the one balance, the one power that must not fail is the voice of the people,” she said.

And she ended with a blunt message. “Things are probably going to get worse before they get better,” Harris said. “But we are ready for it.”

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MetroNews DELIVERING NEWS YOU CAN USE

founded in 2012

Publisher: Cheryl Smith editor@texasmetronews.com

320 So. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Ste. 100 Dallas, TX 75203 www.texasmetronews.com 214-941-0110 Texas Metro News is your premier statewide news source, delivering comprehensive, inclusive, coverage of news, sports, features, opinions, and more. Stay informed with our diverse range of content designed to keep you engaged and informed.

The Texas Metro News’ mission is to inform, educate, enlighten, inspire, entertain, educate and empower, by providing thought-provoking news, photos, stories and commentary.

Texas Metro News, a Texas-based publication is published daily on www.texasmetronews.com with new and breaking news from a respected group of journalists and media professionals, and hits newsstands every Thursday, in addition to being distributed to an extensive list of social media sites, media lists and the Texas Metro News database.

In strategically placed bins, you can purchase copies of Texas Metro News for $1 per copy or you can have delivered to your home for $100 annually.

Additionally there are more than 200 sites across the state: including churches, public buildings, libraries, schools, restaurants and businesses where you can secure copies.

We welcome your submissions but do not guarantee publishing, unless submission includes an executed insertion order. We are not responsible for errors in advertising, however we will work to make good on our errors.

We are local and global, for you!

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.

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Is The United States Of America Headed In The Right Direction?

James B. Ewers Jr. Ed. D.

OUR VOICES

There are a lot of people asking that question these days. Your friends and my friends are wondering what’s happening. Is Old Glory up or down?

In recent months, some would say that America is in a tailspin. Those in control are out of control.

Because they have lost control many of our venerable institutions are tossing and turning. Executive orders are being written by the hour. Keeping up with them is confusing. Is that on purpose?

There are people asking about the need for these orders which seem to be extreme and wrongly placed.

It is being said by some that we are living in nightmarish conditions. The headlines are never favorable for most of us. They always say that programs are being cut, and funding

is being reduced.

Is this good for America?

Doom and gloom are never good, always bad.

The wealthy are guiding the country now and they are unfeeling and unfazed by the increased cost of goods and services.

We the people go to the store, so we know the cost of things. Our budgets are stretched, and our pocketbooks are lighter. Do they care? You know the answer to that question.

I heard someone talking recently about toys and that girls should limit the number of dolls they get.

It was a bit sarcastic as the economy is worsening and the analogy was about toys.

Recent reports say, “Seventy-six percent of workers expect layoffs to increase in 2025, while 63% expect more business closures compared to 2024. Additionally, 53% anticipate a rise in the unemployment rate.”

We already know that food insecurity is rampant in America. How can food

insecurity occur in the richest nation in the world?

It would be safe to assume that people would not go hungry here, but they do.

A related report says, “The USDA cut over $1 billion in funding for food programs impacting food banks and school lunch programs across the country. The cuts could affect millions of students and families.”

What these cuts mean is that some children won’t be eating on a regular basis.

Those in charge should be ashamed and embarrassed as they are taking food out of the mouths of kids.

Organizations receiving grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities are in danger.

Recently the White House announced they are freezing all monies.

If you are a dance company or a company that produces plays, then your budget will be compromised.

Another move by this current administration has

caused concern among military personnel. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth plans to eliminate 20% of four-star general positions.

According to those who follow this news, it will mean the early forced retirement of approximately 150 senior officers.

There are 38 active duty four-star positions in the U.S. military. Some are saying we are at a tipping point in the U.S. Armed Services.

Will this have reverberations for new recruits and for seasoned officers looking for promotions? I believe it will. Recruiters will have their work cut out for them as they try to reach their recruitment goals.

Veterans are also getting bad news from the Department of Veterans Affairs. It has been reported by FoxNews.com that 80,000 workers will lose their jobs with the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a result, there will be a 15% drop in their workforce.

Democratic Represen-

tative Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania said, “There are real-life dangerous impacts for veterans.”

ProPublica reported last week that roughly 9 million veterans will be affected. The scenario being painted is that a soldier who has served in the United States Armed Services returns home to inadequate healthcare.

Food being taken away, jobs being eliminated and services being cut are all signs of demoralization.

Our America must fasten our seatbelts as those in power attempt to rip the moral lining from our souls.

America, stay afloat and don’t bolt. Our democracy and its bearings are too strong for a temporary windstorm to unravel it.

Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a long-time 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.

Hate Is Tearing Us Apart from Within—And Opening the Door for Our Downfall Bobby Henry, Sr.

OUR VOICES “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”

Proverbs 10:18 (NIV) What are we doing to ourselves?

The foundation of America has always rested on an uneasy but determined unity—a nation of disparate people striving for liberty, equali-

ty, and justice. But that foundation is cracking, and it is hate that is hammering the fault lines. We are being torn apart from the inside, and history has taught us this truth plainly: a house divided against itself cannot stand.

In recent months, our social fabric continues to be ripped apart by moments that reveal a dark, ugly and continuous sickness. In Minnesota, a woman caught on video using a racial slur against a young autistic

Black child somehow raised over $700,000 hate dollars through an online fundraiser—not for the child she harmed, but for herself, claiming the need to relocate, which says to me there are places in America that harbor these types of feelings.

Instead of shame, she was rewarded. When cruelty is profitable, what incentive is left for civility?

Former President Donald Trump, speaking to wounded soldiers, described their injuries as “amazing” in a moment

that underscored how numb and detached our leadership can become from the dignity of human suffering. This isn’t just a gaffe—it’s part of a culture that increasingly treats empathy as weakness and spectacle as strength.

In a disturbing case of censorship and racial discomfort in the medical field, an ER doctor faced professional retaliation for sharing an experience with a patient who refused care from Black medical staff. Instead of

addressing the racism, the system tried to silence the truth. This is how rot spreads: by suppressing the voices who shine light in dark places.

And in California, yet another video shows a woman repeatedly hurling the N-word during a confrontation in a parking lot—her rage not just loud, but casual. That incident is now under investigation as a hate crime, but one wonders how many other such See HATE IS TEARING, Page 17

OPINION

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Chaos, Confusion and Delusion — 100 Days of Lies and Insanity Dr. Julianne Malveaux

THE LAST WORD Are you better off than you were three months ago, when the current president was sworn into office on Jan. 20? That’s the question President Ronald Reagan posed to voters when he squared off against President Jimmy Carter in 1980. Voters concluded that they were worse off and chose Reagan over Carter. But the current president is lucky that no election is taking place tomorrow. His approval ratings have tanked. He has the lowest 100-day approval rating of any president since pollsters

started asking this question.

Are you better off?

Don’t ask the thousands of federal workers who have lost their jobs, including those who used to work at USAID, or the IRS, or the Social Security Administration, among others.

Don’t ask the elders who are frightened about the future of Social Security. Don’t ask the university professors who wonder if their free speech rights will be protected. If you ask any of these folks, they are likely to tell you that they are worse off than they were 100 days ago since the president took office, though some will tell you they are patiently hoping for things to get better.

When the current president was elected, he promised to

lower prices and inflation. Prices have not come down, nor has inflation. Instead, this president has behaved like the proverbial bull in a china closet, wreaking havoc and creating chaos across the board. The president’s basic economic policy is tariffs.

His rationale is that U.S.-based manufacturing will grow if imports are more expensive than domestic goods. But the United States has neither the workforce nor the capacity to significantly increase manufacturing in the United States.

No matter. The president is stuck on senseless and can’t seem to make up his mind about economic policy. First unreasonably high tariffs were imposed, then suspended for everyone except China. The

chaos and confusion make it impossible for businesses and consumers to plan. Planning an automobile purchase?

Would you buy the car now or hold off, given looming tariffs?

What about electronics? Initially caught up in the tariff wars, a call from one of the president’s tech bros has suspended, for now, tariffs on electronics.

What will happen three months from now?

Co-President Elon Musk, who was allowed to purchase a major role in government, is moving unchecked through the federal organization, clowning with a buzz saw, while workers are apprehensive about their futures. The federal government is experiencing brain drains, with many of the longest-serv-

ing workers preferring to retire than deal with the whiplash of trying to figure out what’s next.

Recession fears are now at the 1990 level, and consumer confidence is at its lowest level since 1952. Musk’s economic acumen is demonstrated by the precipitous drop — 71%— in his stock since he announced he will cut back on his work with the Department of Government Efficiency.

In his 100-plus days, marked on April 30, this president has issued about 140 executive orders. Though he was elected to manage the economy, few of See 100 DAYS OF LIES, Page 17 Dr. Julianne Malveaux, a former college president, is an economist, author and commentator based in Washington, D.C.

What Else Could Possibly Go Wrong for Women?

E. Faye Williams

WAKE UP AND STAY WOKE For years, I have been saying, “It is through our struggles that we gain our victories,” but I am beginning to wonder where the struggles end for women. The same is true for Black women, but I am on women in general today!

A short time back, people pretended to excuse everything the orange man said. Sen. John Thune said when he was saying crazy things, “He’s having some fun with it. He was just joking.”

His tongue must be tied lately — especially when he talked about being a dictator only on Day One. We are now in the second 100 days — long past Day One, and he hasn’t stopped being a dictator.

He’s not stopped praising the communist dictator of Russia.

Well, he gets credit for pausing while at the pope’s funeral — but not for long! I think he was great-

ly outnumbered there. And at least one person, jokingly or not, said, “The pope had survived a lot — 35 days in the hospital with pneumonia, to be exact — until the vice president went near him and shook his hand while leaning over to him. The pope died just hours thereafter! Don’t you have to just wonder what happened during that encounter? I am told it wasn’t positive!”

Well, let’s get caught up with the orange man’s recent activities. You’ll remember how he told his friends during the 2024 campaign that he could end the war of Russia against Ukraine immediately once he was back in office. He’s back, and he began praising his good friend Putin to give him some help. When he decided to run over to the Vatican to attend the pope’s funeral, where he was surrounded by a lot of other powerful world leaders, he changed his tune!

While there, he actually said he didn’t think his friend Putin was serious about ending the war!

You think some of that religious stuff got through to him?

Let’s move to another area. I

**FILE** Abortion rights rally at the Supreme Court, Jackson Women’s Health v. Dobbs.

Credit: Shala W. Graham

pray that our white sisters are listening to what they voted for in 2024. Lately, the MAGA group’s leader has been urging women to have more babies — even talking about putting that in the budget! Even though we know the orange man didn’t mean that women with melanin should have more babies, it was a tragedy no matter who the woman was who suffered a miscarriage recently. And in the midst of it all, she was arrested and taken to jail!

That’s right. A 24-year-old woman in Georgia is currently being put through an unimaginable situation. After a tragic miscarriage 19 weeks into her pregnancy, she was arrested!

Georgia authorities are claiming that the woman who lost her pregnancy naturally is a criminal because of how she dealt with the aftermath of the fetus. You see, the Georgia state lawmakers have a law that allows that to be done. Citizens are protesting it and calling for the law to be repealed. It’s a law that police are using to arrest women who are already grieving the loss of their child. Georgia has been using this law since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The law in effect bans abortions after six weeks, before most people even know they are pregnant. Part of that law includes language that could be interpreted as granting fetal personhood — and that is the part of the law that authorities are using to charge this woman.

After she suffered the miscarriage, she disposed of the fetal tissue before she passed out. There is absolutely no law

in Georgia that dictates how a person must handle a nonviable fetus after a natural miscarriage, and yet authorities are claiming that she broke the law by throwing the remains away. Georgia has no law for the disposal, but Georgia finds that she broke the law! Amazing!

The coroner confirmed that there was absolutely no injury or trauma to the fetus. At 19 weeks, the fetus would not have been able to survive outside the womb, defining it as nonviable.

The arrest of this woman is downright evil and unjust. So, in addition to all the other crazy and insensitive behavior of people who aren’t even doctors, we must work to have the Georgia legislature (Georgia General Assembly) to overturn this brutal law for women in the state, or it’s just around the corner for women in others.

What else could possibly go wrong for women who are continuously losing the right to control their own bodies?

Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of The Dick Gregory Society

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ROISD honors Parents, Partners, and Volunteers at 2nd Annual Reception (RED OAK, TX) — Red Oak ISD and the ROISD Education Foundation collaborated to honor Parents, Partners, and Volunteers at the second annual appreciation reception on April 17.

After a wonderful choral performance by Red Oak Elementary, campus principals honored their top five parents/volunteers and the 2024-2025 VIP from their school. These parents and volunteers are often part of the PTA, support student incentives and awards, staff appreciation activities, and volunteer at school functions like the book fair, field trips, and family academic nights. They also acknowledged their campus partners of the year, who have donated time, in-kind items, and financially to support students and staff at the school.

Campus Parents/Volunteers of the Year: • Eastridge Elementary – Erika Rylander • Red Oak Elementary – Elizabeth Inyang • Schupmann Elementary – Victoria Gray • Shields Elementary – Brandy Horton • Wooden Elementary – Edith Sanchez • Red Oak Middle School – Monica White • Red Oak High School – Dave Cowger Superintendent Brenda Sanford and Board President Melanie Petersen presented a special thank you to the campus PTA Presidents for dedicating their time and experience to the campuses and lead-

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Are Student Loan Payments Going To Be Higher For Married Borrowers?

Let’s Fact Check!

Credit: numbeos/Getty

By Tomas Kassahun Blavity.com

Wooden Parents, Partners and Volunteers

Mark and Karent Stanfill or Animal Hospital of Ovilla Avery Jamieson of The Oaks Church

ing their parent-teacher organization.

The ROISD Education Foundation also celebrated its 2024-2025 Partners of the Year. These entities and individuals support the Foundation's mission to benefit ROISD educators and students.

They help fund innovative grants, scholarships, and district initiatives. Presenting the awards were Foundation Executive Director Karen Anderson and Foundation Board Chair Donny Lutrick.

• Access Self Storage • John and Karen Anderson • Animal Hospital of Ovilla • Atmos Energy • Baylor Scott & White Waxahachie

• Citizens National Bank of Texas • Community National Bank • Corgan Associates, Inc. • CT Excavating • Google, LLC • Higginbotham • HILCO Electric • Joeris Construction • Leland Collier Electric Company • Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson • Prosperity Bank • Qarbon Aerospace • SAMCO Capital Markets • State Farm Insurance – Andrea Walton • State Farm Insurance – Danny Humphreys • Walmart Red Oak Finally, ROISD Superintendent Brenda Sanford and Board President Mela-

nie Petersen presented the ROISD District Partners of the Year. These entities partner with the District to provide services, sponsor District awards and initiatives, and champion staff appreciation functions.

• Access Self Storage • Animal Hospital of Ovilla • Baylor Scott & White Waxahachie • Care Portal • Chick-fil-A Red Oak • Complete Logo Source • Ellis Unite • First Red Oak Baptist Church • Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson • Qarbon Aerospace • State Farm Insurance – Andrea Walton • The Oaks Church • TSTC

The Trump administration is adding clarification to a report that suggested that married student loan borrowers may have to pay higher monthly payments.

According to Business Insider, the Department of Education initially stated that there would be changes to how it calculates payments for income-based repayment plans,.

Why were student loan borrowers worried about the new policy for married couples?

The borrowers, per Business Insider, were worried because the new policy suggested that spousal income would be included in their monthly payment calculation if couples file taxes separately and this would mean higher monthly payments. However, Acting Under Secretary Bergeron filed a corrected declaration on Tuesday, stating that spousal income will not be factored into the payment calculation for a married borrowers who apply for ICR, IBR, or PAYE and file separately.

The amended declaration adds that the payments for married borrowers may actually decrease because income-driven monthly payments are not only calculated by income, but also family size. Larger families may get lower payments, per the statement.

What’s happening with the plans for student loan payment calculations?

President Joe Biden initially established the SAVE plan to help borrowers reduce their payments and create a path for loan

forgiveness. However, the policy faced legal challenges and caused the loan income-driven repayment system to shut down since February. After the Department of Education pushed for the shut down of the entire IDR system, including the plans for ICR, IBR and PAYE, The American Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit, arguing that the block would significantly harm borrowers who need income-driven plans for affordable payments.

After the lawsuit, the Department of Education indicated that it would soon resume processing applications for ICR, IBR and PAYE. However, borrowers became concerned when they saw a statement from Bergeron on Friday, Forbes reported.

“Education expects that by May 10, 2025, servicers will implement the treatment of spousal information for ICR, PAYE and IBR such that married borrowers filing separate income tax returns or separated from their spouses will have spousal income counted for the purposes of calculating monthly payment amount under IDR plans, which is a required consequence of the Eighth Circuit’s opinion directing a broadened preliminary injunction,” Friday’s declaration stated.

The statement appeared to contradict the federal law, which states that the Department of Education “shall calculate the amount of the borrower’s income-based repayment under this section solely on the basis of the borrower’s student loan debt and adjusted gross income.”

Bergeron has now confirmed that the education department’s policy aligns with the law.

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Study buddies: Mother, son walk the stage together Friday at TCU graduation

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Five Years after George Floyd, Racial Justice Hopes Fade

By Stacy M. Brown

Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Mom, Brandi, and son, Kyle Fields, graduate together from Texas Christian University.

Credit: TCU Neeley Sch

By Maria Salette Ontiveros Trending Reporter

There were many nights Kyle Fields, 22, would come home from work or after a long day and not want to do homework. He was a graduate student at Texas Christian University with a busy schedule.

Then he would see his mom reading a case study late at night, writing an essay, and handling all her schoolwork after a full day of work and cooking dinner.

“Watching her do that was inspirational because it pushed me to want to be just like her,” he said.

Brandi Fields, 50, and her son Kyle walked the stage together at Texas Christian University on Friday, each receiving a graduate degree in a ceremony ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday.

While Brandi completed the executive master’s of business administration program at TCU Neeley School of Business, Kyle earned a master’s degree in liberal arts from the AddRan College of Liberal Arts.

The Fields family’s journey at TCU began when Kyle chose the university for his undergraduate studies. The family moved from California to Fort Worth to join him.

“I was an empty nester with my sons off at college, and we had just moved to Fort Worth. I saw it as a good opportunity to focus on myself, make new friends, and network since we were new to the area,” Brandi said.

When Kyle learned his mom had decided to pursue her MBA, he said he felt happy with the idea of creating memories with her.

“I think it was cool having my mom go through the same experiences I was, because she can keep me on track,” he said.

Although they were not on campus simultaneously, Brandi and Kyle often sup-

ported each other through their studies.

“We often did homework together. He was my little tech support,” Brandi said.

“It was a motivator for both of us to be able to sit together and do homework.”

Mother’s Day present early Graduating together on Mother’s Day weekend brought a mix of emotions for the family of four.

“It’s very emotional. I’m happy and excited for Kyle. I’m sad that his time living at home and attending school is over,” Brandi said. “But it’s very emotional to be going through it with my son at the same time.

The timing of their graduation, just before Mother’s Day, made the occasion even more memorable for Brandi.

“It’s going to go down as one of the most memorable Mother’s Days, for sure,” Brandi said. “I’m just looking forward to being at home with my boys and dogs and doing nothing on Mother’s Day.” Brandi and her husband are both military veterans: She served in the Navy, while he was in the Marine Corps. In addition to Kyle, the couple has a younger son, who is 19 years old and a sophomore at Texas Tech University.

The Fields family planned to celebrate with friends and relatives on Saturday.

Brandi’s experience spurred her to encourage others, especially mothers, who are considering more education.

“Moms often get caught up in caring for their children and their families,” she said. “I would gently remind you to do something for yourself as well.”

This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News.

The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.

• May 15 - 21, 2025

As the nation approaches the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, a new Pew Research Center study reveals a sobering assessment from Americans: the heightened focus on race and racial inequality following the 2020 protests has largely failed to improve the lives of Black people. In the immediate aftermath of Floyd’s death at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murder and manslaughter and sentenced to over 20 years in prison, public attention surged. Millions joined protests across the country. Support for the Black Lives Matter movement peaked, with 67% of Americans backing the cause, and 52% believed at the time that the national reckoning would result in meaningful change for Black Americans. Today, only 27% say those changes materialized. Pew’s new survey, conducted February 10–17, 2025, among 5,097 adults, finds that 72% now say the increased focus on racial inequality has not improved life for Black people. Even among Democrats, optimism has waned significantly — just 34% believe the racial reckoning made a difference, down from 70% in 2020.

Support for Black Lives Matter, which surged in 2020, has dropped to 52%. Favorability has remained highest among Black adults (76%), Democrats (84%), and adults under 30 (61%), while only 45% of White adults and 22% of Republicans express support. “The justice system is not fair when it comes to Black people,” said a Black Republican in their mid-40s, one of many respondents offering open-ended reflections. “When convicted of crimes, Black people always get heavier sentences than their White counterparts, even when

George Floyd

they have no prior convictions.”

The study also finds that Americans have become more pessimistic about the future of racial equality. Among those who believe the country hasn’t gone far enough on equal rights, only 51% now say it’s likely that Black people will eventually achieve equality with White people, down from 60% in 2020. Just 32% of Black adults say they believe racial equality is attainable — a stark contrast with 61% of White adults who say the same. As companies once eager to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) now pull back — a trend accelerated

by Donald Trump’s executive order banning DEI efforts across the federal government and pressuring private employers to follow suit — public sentiment toward such initiatives has soured.

Lawsuits and backlash have contributed to the rollback, even before Trump’s intervention.

Americans are split on whether companies should weigh in on political or social issues: 50% say it’s important, while 50% say it’s not. However, among those who remember corporate responses to the 2020 protests, 69% believe those statements were made under pressure rather than out of genuine concern. Pew’s findings also show how partisan divides color perceptions of race in America. While 82% of Black Americans say the country has

not gone far enough on racial equality, only 14% of Republicans agree. A majority of Republicans (66%) say too much attention is paid to racial issues, while 56% of Democrats say there’s too little. Video footage of police violence continues to shape opinion. Nearly nine in ten Americans have seen such videos, with 63% saying they help hold officers accountable. Yet 54% say the videos make it harder for police to do their jobs. Black adults (65%) and Democrats (68%) are most likely to view widespread sharing of the videos as a good thing.

As the 2020 movement fades in visibility, feelings of exhaustion have risen. Half of Americans, including 54% of Democrats and 48% of Republicans, say they feel extremely or very often exhausted when thinking about race in the U.S. Democrats are also more likely to feel angry and fearful, while Republicans are more likely to feel uninterested or satisfied.

In measuring change, the verdict is grim.

Most Americans (54%) say the relationship between Black people and police is no better than it was before Floyd’s killing. A third say it’s worse. Just 11% say it’s better. Looking ahead to Trump’s second term, 48% of Americans believe he will make racial matters worse, compared to 28% who believe he will improve things.

Party affiliation predicts opinion: 82% of Democrats expect conditions to deteriorate, while 53% of Republicans think they’ll improve.

The Pew Research Center’s comprehensive study reveals that what was once hailed as a racial awakening now feels, to many, like a missed opportunity. “[Black people] still are paid less than Whites when both are performing the same job,” said a Black Democrat in their early 70s. “Black people are still looked at as criminals when they haven’t committed any crimes.”

5/2/25, 2:17 PM

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Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and par Create and print customized word search, criss-cross, math puzzles, and more-using your own word lists.

Leaving a Legacy at Dallas ISD:

MOTHER'S DAY

Raised by a village, driven by a dream cont. from page 1 being selected for Mark Cuban’s Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp, where he not only thrived but became the 2023 Youth Ambassador.

But behind his accolades and academic success is a story rooted in the deep love and support of a village.

Jabari is the sixth member of his family to graduate from Dallas ISD and the last of three grandchildren to attend college, continuing a tradition paved by generations before him. His parents were pillars of guidance, but his grandparents, Margaret Gaines and the late Willie N. Gaines, played a vital role in shaping his journey.

It was during the summer before his sophomore year when Jabari’s village truly rallied around him.

Determined to stay ahead, he enrolled in summer school. His grandparents took on the responsibility of ensuring he made it to class every day until his grandfather’s health began to decline.

Jabari’s world shifted when his grandfather passed away.

In a moment that would test his strength, Jabari’s parents had to go through approvals to receive permission to temporarily excuse him from summer school so he could attend the funeral. And even then, Jabari made the selfless decision to return to class immediately after the service, missing the burial of a man who meant the world to him.

Their bond was more than familial, it was a foundation.

2025 Mr. Blue Revue Jabari Thomas II and Miss Blue Revue Asia Smith!

Criss C

ACROSS 4. MOMMY DEAREST 5. MOTHER'S DAY OBSERVED 7. THEY ARE THE BEST AT THIS 8. COSBY SHOW MOTHER 10. OFFICIAL MOTHER'S DAY FLOWER 12. LEADER OF THE FAMILY 13. EARLY MEAL 15. GEORGE JEFFERSON'S WIFE 17. NUMBER ONE GIFT 18. COLOR THAT HONORS MOTHERS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY DOWN 1. MOTHER ON GOOD TIMES 2. MOTHERS DO FOR THEIR CHILDREN 3. PERSON WHO IS LIKE A COPARENT 6. MOTHER ON LEAVE IT TO BEAVER 9. ODE TO HIS MOTHER 11. RECORDED I'LL ALWAYS LOVE MY MAMA" 5/2/25, 2:17 PM

14. ANOTHER NAME FOR A MOTHER

Criss Cross Puzzle | Discovery Education Puzzlemaker

16. DOES EVERYTHING

Use the clues to fill in the words above.

Jabari Thomas II

“He always believed in me,” Jabari said. “He’d sit me down and talk to me about life and about doing something meaningful.

I promised him I would keep going, that I’d study mechanical engineering. And I’m keeping that promise.”

Jabari earned scholarships from the University of New Mexico, Bethune-Cookman University, and Delaware State University. But his heart is set on Prairie View A&M University, where he plans to major in mechanical engineering.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Jabari spent the last decade as a proud member of the Sigma Beta Club through Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He also recently participated in the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Upsilon Nu Zeta Chapter’s 2025 Blue Revue Cotillion-Beautil-

Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and parents.

Create and print customized word search, criss-cross, math puzzles, Words can go across or down. and more-using your own word lists.

Credit: Dallas ISD

lion Scholarship Program, earning the esteemed title of Mr. Blue Revue.

Each step he takes is a tribute to those who’ve lifted him, guided him, and believed in his dreams.

Especially the grandfather whose memory continues to inspire every achievement.

Jabari’s story is a living testament that it truly takes a village—a village of parents, grandparents, educators, mentors, and peers who poured into his purpose. Jabari carries not only the weight of a promise made to his late grandfather but also the honor of a family legacy rooted in perseverance, pride, and public education. With his eyes on the future and his heart anchored in the values that raised him, Jabari is ready to build a world where dreams are engineered, and villages are never forgotten.

Letters are shared when the words intersect.

MOTHER'S DAY

18 of 18 words placed.

Copyright © 2025 Discovery Education. A

ACROSS 4. MOMMY DEAREST 5. MOTHER'S DAY OBSERVED 7. THEY ARE THE BEST AT THIS 8. COSBY SHOW MOTHER 10. OFFICIAL MOTHER'S DAY FLOWER 12. LEADER OF THE FAMILY 13. EARLY MEAL 15. GEORGE JEFFERSON'S WIFE 17. NUMBER ONE GIFT

18. COLOR THAT HONORS MOTHERS WHO HAVE PASSED AW DOWN 1. MOTHER ON GOOD TIMES

Editors note: Due to a production/printing mishap, the complete MOTHERS DO FOR CHILDREN Mother’s2.Day puzzle did not runTHEIR in Texas Metro News, last week.

ACROSS 3. PERSON IS LIKE A COPARENT 4.The MOMMY DEAREST complete puzzle WHO did appear in the newsletter which you can 5.subscribe MOTHER'S DAY to OBSERVED at www.texasmetronews.com. We regret the error 7. THEY ARE THE BEST AT THIS and hope you will still enjoy the feature.

8. COSBY SHOW MOTHER

10. OFFICIAL MOTHER'S DAY FLOWER 12. LEADER OF THE FAMILY 13. EARLY MEAL 15. GEORGE JEFFERSON'S WIFE

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Prominent pastor notified books loaned to African American museum may be returned amid review

By Matt Brown

www.phillytrib.com

WASHINGTON — A veteran activist of the Civil Rights Movement said he was notified by the Smithsonian Institution that items he loaned to the National Museum of African American History and Culture may be returned, amid a potential review of the museum’s collections ordered by President Donald Trump.

Rev. Amos C. Brown, pastor of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, loaned two books to the Smithsonian, which have been displayed since the museum opened nearly a decade ago. One of his items is an edition of “The History of the Negro Race in America”

by George Washington Williams, which was written in

1880 and is among the first books to document Black American history and racism in the U.S. The other is a Bible that Brown carried during protests alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The reasons given for the items’ return initially raised alarms that the Trump administration had begun to make visible changes to a museum considered to be a crown jewel of Black American culture.

Recent reports that the museum has already removed exhibits documenting the civil rights struggle are false, the Smithsonian said. The White House had no comment for this story.

However, the threat of changes to the African American museum has prompted strong responses

FILE - The National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall is seen on Friday, March 28, 2025, in Washington.

Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File

from Democratic lawmakers, historians, civil rights leaders and education advocates, many of whom planned to demonstrate in support of the museum in the nation’s capital Saturday.

Brown, who counts former Vice President Kamala

Harris among his parishioners, received an email last month from a Smithsonian official telling him that his items would be returned over concerns about their preservation due to museum lighting. Brown told The Associated Press he found the claim “a flimsy excuse

for a museum.”

After the initial email to Brown, a different Smithsonian official reached out to him to express regret that the initial reason had caused a “misunderstanding,” Brown said. Instead, according to Brown, the official said Smithsonian archivists will defer to “a panel that will reconsider whether or not my artifacts should be there.” He said he was told this would be done for a wide range of historical artifacts.

Smithsonian officials did not respond to questions about whether such a panel has been formed.

After that interaction, Brown said a third Smithsonian official later reached out to him and scheduled a video conference meeting for Friday afternoon.

He said he was not given the names of who would join the call, but was told it would include senior Smithsonian leadership.

The Smithsonian “routinely returns loaned artifacts per applicable loan agreements and rotates objects on display in accordance with the Smithsonian’s high standards of care and preservation and as part of our regular museum turnover,” according to a statement the institution sent to the AP. “Recent claims that objects have been removed for reasons other than adherence to standard loan agreements or museum practices are false,” the statement reads.

Read more at www.texasmetronews.com

Black America Celebrates African Descent Heritage cont. from page 1 pher Honora also speaking to the National Catholic Reporter and Black Catholic Messenger, detailed how the pope’s grandparents married in 1887 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church on Annette Street in New Orleans before migrating north. His mother, Mildred Martínez, was the first child in the family born in Chicago. “The Holy Father’s ancestors are identified as either Black or Mulatto,” Honora said.

The Chicago Tribune and New York Times also reported on Pope Leo’s mixed-race background and Creole lineage, noting that his election marks a defining moment in the Church’s evolving identity. “As a Black man, a proud son of New Orleans, and the U.S. Congressman representing the very 7th Ward neighborhood where our new Pope’s family hails from, I am

bursting with pride today,” said Rep. Troy Carter. “This is history! The first American Pope, with Creole and Haitian roots, rising from the streets of New Orleans to the Vatican. As a Xavier University alum, I know how deeply faith and resilience run in our community. We celebrate this moment—with joy, with prayers, and with pride.” Former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial called Leo XIV’s background “universal,” saying, “Here’s an American whose ministry was in Peru, who has roots in the American South and also ancestry in the American Black community.” Leo XIV is a member of the Augustinian Order, named after the African theologian St. Augustine of Hippo. His election came from a conclave in which two other leading contenders— Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana

and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo—were also men of African descent.

But Leo XIV stood apart—not just as the first pope from the U.S. but as one known for his outspokenness on racial justice, immigrant rights, gun reform, and the abolition of the death penalty. TIME Magazine reported that his selection represented a Vatican rebuke of efforts by wealthy Americans and political operatives aligned with Donald Trump to influence the papal outcome. Known in Rome as “The Latin Yankee,” Leo XIV used his verified X account (@ drprevost) to amplify criticism of Trump-era immigration policies, often reposting commentary from respected Catholic figures. The New York Post reported that his last post before

his election was a retweet of Catholic journalist Rocco Palmo slamming Trump’s alliance with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele over migrant deportations. Back in 2017, the Roman Catholic leader also reposted a message quoting Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich, calling Trump’s refugee bans “a dark hour of US history.”

Though Trump offered lukewarm congratulations from the White House driveway, his far-right allies were quick to lash out. Laura Loomer tweeted, “WOKE MARXIST POPE,” calling Pope Leo “just another Marxist puppet in the Vatican.”But outside the MAGA echo chamber, in Black communities across the globe, the emotion is pride. “The pope is Black,” journalist Clarence Hill Jr. said bluntly. And that means

something in the Black neighborhoods of Chicago and the Creole corridors of New Orleans. Many said it means representation, resilience, and the reshaping of history at the highest level of the Catholic Church.

“We celebrate this moment— not because it erases the struggles of our past, but because it affirms that our faith, our heritage, and our presence matter,” Rep. Carter said. “This is history, and it belongs to all of us.”

The. Reverend Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. affirmed, “On behalf of the Black Press of America as the authentic voice of 50 million African Americans and millions more throughout the African diaspora, we join to celebrate Pope Leo XVI, a world leader of African descent who speaks truth to power with courage and grace.”

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HEALTH

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• May 15 - 21, 2025

Sherri Shepherd: Redefining Motherhood cont. from page 1 Jeffrey, born prematurely and living with developmental delays, has been the driving force behind Shepherd’s growth as a mother and as a woman. She says that rather than allowing his challenges to define his potential, she has become his greatest advocate and protector.

Through laughter and tears, Shepherd says it’s her village—including longtime friend and fellow comedian Kym Whitley—that helps her navigate the ups and downs of motherhood. There are times she calls Whitley, who is also a mom and says, “Being a mom of an autistic son is rough.”

Often times she shares key highlights and milestones of their lives.

The two share birthdates, April 22, which is also during Autistic Acceptance Month, and she considers him a blessing. When Jeffrey was born at a mere one pound and 10 ounces, he joined a growing number of autism-diagnosed Americans. According to recent National Autism Association numbers, 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which a bio-neurological developmental disability found primarily in males.

“I have to accept who my son is and not who I want him to be,” Shepherd shares candidly. “I’m

very bubbly. I’m a morning person.

My son is not. He doesn’t show his feelings like I do. And sometimes, that’s hard—but I’m his advocate no matter what.”

Now 20, Jeffrey’s growing independence brings new challenges.

Shepherd has turned down significant career opportunities to prioritize her son.

“I’ve had to trust that if I say no to something, God will bring it back around at the right time,” she said, during a recent interview with Texas Metro News. “Jeffrey is my first assignment.”

But Shepherd’s greatest struggle, she confesses, has not been motherhood—it has been believing in herself.

“My biggest challenge has always been me,” she says. “Getting past fear. Asking for what I’m worth.

Believing that I deserve what I dream of. It’s taken years, but I’m finally competing against the best version of myself.”

Discipline is the cornerstone of her daily routine—from 4:30 a.m. workouts to managing Type 2 diabetes. “I don’t go to the gym to get into a new outfit,” she emphasized. “I do it because I want to be healthy. Not tomorrow—today.

There’s an urgency to it now.”

In 2022, Shepherd launched her

My Truth: All Ice cont. from page 1 NABJ president), The mark of a true leader is the ability to recognize, cultivate, uplift and encourage others. Thanks for seeing that I had so much more to give. Our founders wanted us to embrace every member no matter the age.

I joined NABJ as a junior at THE Florida A&M University. DFWABC’s Dallas Mafia later embraced me. After more than 40 years of service - 10 on the NABJ Board- I stand before you feeling kind of special.

I thank Joseph and Earline. Just look what Black Love produced!

My Godparents Charles and Liz Braswell were always Team Cheryl.

I’m from East Orange NJ, by way of Newark; I grew up loving James

Brown. The library was my place of refuge and respite as I read Nikki Giovanni, Dr. Maya Angelou and Iceberg Slim and listened to James Brown.

Jim Washington at the Dallas Weekly gave me a chance and others followed. Teaching at Paul Quinn College and managing DFWABJ’s Urban Journalism Workshop helped make me better.

With resources from my foundation, more than $250,000 in scholarships, internships and fellowships also helped send students to NABJ conventions.

I wish Arthur E. Teele Jr., who gave me my first job at Capitol Outlook, Chuck Smith who introduced me to radio at Soul 73 KKDA, or my

own nationally-syndicated daytime talk show, Sherri. Now entering its fourth season, the show is a dream realized in a time when many thought it would be impossible.

“I really want to show my sisters that it can be done. I’ve been working in this business a long time, but now I’m really getting to live my dream. I’m hosting my own talk show in a season when people told

me it would never happen because I was too old,” Shepherd admitted.

She turned 58 last month and says she’s embracing everything that comes with it.

A firm believer in self-care, Shepherd often speaks out about how women—especially Black women—must prioritize themselves.

“We’re always caring for somebody,” she said. “If it’s not our kids, it’s a cousin, a parent, or somebody moving back in with us. But we’ve got to start with ourselves, or the whole house can fall apart.”

Faith is also a core part of Shepherd’s life. Raised a Jehovah’s Witness and now an active Christian, she refuses to tone down her commitment to Christ.

“I’m not here to beat anyone over the head with a Bible,” she explained. “But I have to tell people why I smile, why I have joy. That’s my job—to love people as they are and let God do the rest.”

It helps, she said, to have good friends along the journey.

Shepherd and Whitley continue to blend their friendship into the successful podcast Two Funny Mamas, where they discuss culture, sisterhood, motherhood, and life as working women.

“We started the podcast right

friends Dick Gregory, George Curry, Pius Njawe or Lawrence Young could be here today.

Mentors, mentees and their families. The FAMULY, The Warriors, my Godbrother Richard Moore in Ghana, HBCUs, praying loved ones, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Divine 9 greatly enriched my life.

Yes — Coleman Love is Strong!

Just ask Stewart Curet — who is my fire and desire!

Congrats to mi Hermana, SPJ president and NAHJ Hall of Famer Rebecca Aguilar.

I’m proud to have my line sister- the Ace- here. Elusive Ladies Spring 78. We’re the BADST! Thanks to others who traveled to be here and those who are watching on line.

The oldest of my three live crew

plus one, my heart, Andre, is here with his wife, my daughter-in-law and love Emma. Many of you here helped me raise my sister’s 4 children including Alayna, Annya and Ayanna. You all are my family, why I do what I do.

Garry Howard you always have my back. I can’t stop won’t stop.

You see, I chose the Black Press.

I chose to go to FAMU, I chose to walk this journey and have never wanted to walk it back.

I am Black. I am Black-ish and I can get Blackity Black as I tell the stories of my people, and elevate the worlds’ muted voices.

Thanks to those at the Dallas Morning News and UNT who said, “let’s do great journalism together’ and I’m excited about The Black News Link and our future.

This year the Black press cele-

At 58, Sherri Shepherd isn’t trying to look younger, she’s focused on living healthier and proving to other women that anything is possible.

before COVID hit. During the pandemic, we were doing it for ourselves, but we found out that it was really for other people. They look to us to take them away from all of the stuff they were going through—the anxiety, the fear, the boredom.”

Five years and three NAACP Image Awards later, Shepherd says, “We really see how it touches people—being able to just forget about their worries for an hour.”

With her faith as her compass and her son as her motivation, Shepherd continues to break barriers. Her upcoming Netflix film Straw, written and directed by media mogul Tyler Perry, and her children’s book The Sunshine Queen—a celebration of sisterhood—are just a few projects on her horizon.

And she’s already dreaming about writing and directing a comedy based on the behind-thescenes craziness of a daytime talk show.

Whether she’s on-screen or onstage, Sherri Shepherd is living proof that motherhood isn’t about perfection—it’s about purpose, persistence, and keeping it real.

Sylvia Powers is an awardwinning author, accomplished writer, gifted photographer, and nationally recog-nized breast cancer advocate with a deep passion for empowering others.

brates 195 years, Thanks National Newspaper Publishers Association and all Black media for being that VOICE, even when those we are speaking for sometimes don’t realize that all ice is 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Speaking truth to power is what I do. The Black Press is here for you. If it is not what you want or need, use what you got to help it become better. Don’t tear it down.

I close by paraphrasing a message from my friend and creative genius, Chuck D of Public Enemy, People will tear you down and try to break your spirit. Faith and fear can’t occupy the same space. Be the leader you are looking for and Whoever you are, Wherever you go, and Whatever you do—Don’t Believe the Hype!

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Keeping Hope Alive is Critical

Garland Clinic has been delivering love, health, and hope since 2001

By Cheryl Smith While then-presidential candidate and activist Rev. Jesse L. Jackson may not have been referring to Hope Clinic of Garland, Inc. when he coined the phrase, “Keep Hope Alive,” Hope Clinic is just the type of place that exudes the spirit of his message.

The citizens of Garland are committed to keeping Hope Clinic alive because they know the city is better off because of it.

Born out of the church, First Baptist Garland, 23 years ago, two members focused on providing healthcare to “indigent and uninsured residents,” and making sure the least did not go without.

Located at 800 S. Sixth Street, Suite 100 in Garland,TX, Hope Clinic’s staff, medical team, and volunteers provide seemingly endless support to underserved eastern Dallas County communities.

It’s their “holistic approach to treating patients, addressing physical, emotional and spiritual health” that makes Hope Clinic such a vital asset to the many who come seeking health and other benefits.

If there’s any institution that deserves support, Hope Clinic has proven time and time again how much it benefits those it was designed to help.

At its recent 2025 Celebration of Hope breakfast, executive director Tanya Downing, and others shared why the clinic was so important to citizens. Some were moved to tears as she talked about facing and overcoming funding challenges.

Tanya Downing

Executive Director

As she talked about its successes and failures, it was clear those who come into contact with the Clinic become committed to keeping it alive.

And there have been challenges, even a time most recently, when the threat of closing appeared to be imminent.

This was not what the community wanted nor needed, especially when citizens need medical attention, as well as information about securing shelter, or other services from agencies like the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Supporters like, Jamie Miller of Vertex Bank serves on the board and is committed to its success.

He summed up the feelings behind those who give to and support.

“Hope Clinic has meant so much to so many,” he said in during th celebration. “It’s a city of need and a city of resource.”

He also applauded the many volunteers who give of their time and services, adding that he was taught that “you can pretend to care but you can’t pretend to show up.“ Spiritually grounded and community-centered, since 2001 Hope Clinic has served

Lucy Marroquin

Volunteer Coordinator

with excellence and caring, according to volunteer coordinator Lucy Marroquin and volunteer Melody Siroosian.

Siroosian not only volunteers; she was recently accepted to medical school and has committed to returning as a doctor She said she wants to continue to serve at the 5,400 square foot clinic, which includes five examination rooms, a triage area, a laboratory, a spiritual care room, a doctor’s office, and a health education room.

While the ministry of Hope Clinic of Garland, Inc. is funded by donations from individuals, churches, foundations, and business leaders concerned about the health and welfare of the uninsured and underserved residents of Dallas County, according to the website, there’s also support from an annual car show, Wheels of Hope.

Thanks to Vertex and other supporters, the car show is an overwhelming success, said Miller, who plays a key role in producing the event.

And others are also noticing the great works of Hope Clinic. In 2024, Hope earned a Gold Rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) Quality Standards Program.

Melody Siroosian Future Doctor

Jamie Miller Veritex

Services provided by Hope, include: In-Office Medical Services Physicians, nurses, and volunteer health care professionals of Hope Clinic give unselfishly of their time to provide a high level of quality services to the poor and uninsured residents of Dallas County. Patient education is a key priority in healthcare management. All aspects of well-being: physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological and intellectual are addressed.

For Emergencies: Call 911 Or for an Appointment: Call 469-800-2500 Telehealth Services Sometimes, patients suffer from issues that can be dealt with through telehealth services. Without ever leaving their home, patients can speak face-to-face with their doctor using a computer or smartphone.

Many medical issues can be dealt with through our telehealth services.

These are the same doctors that patients see in our clinic. Telehealth services must be scheduled in advance. To make a telehealth appointment with doctors, call (469) 800-2500 and ask to schedule doctor/patient virtual visit.

Behavioral Health Services Our Licensed Clinical Social Worker provides emotional support and assists with identifying and practicing healthy ways of dealing with some of life’s biggest challenges. Services are free of charge to patients and are available by phone, secure video, or in person.

Hope Clinic of Garland patients who need help, call at (800) 469-2523 or email Eva.Murillo@ BSWHealth.org.

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COMMUNITY/LIFE/CULTURE

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NCBW fundraiser benefits programming and scholarship The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Dallas Metropolitan Chapter hosted "NCBW Dallas Derby Day, A Crown & Roses Affair," its annual Signature Fundraising Event on May 4, 2025, at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, TX. A day filled with good music, laughter, raffle prizes and contests, all set against a majestic backdrop of horse racing, and held on the iconic Kentucky Derby weekend.

This event featured comedian Shed G, DJ Kevy Kev and emcee’d by Majic 94.5’s Queen Indy Bee. NCBW Dallas Derby Day was a day of fellowship and good times, but more im-

portantly, a day of purpose as the organization raised funds to provide scholarships to young Black women and girls pursuing higher education.

The key sponsors for the event were 100 Black Men of Greater Dallas Fort Worth, CR8IVE OUTLET, and Dallas Dinner Society.

Led by President Sonya Irby, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Dallas Metropolitan Chapter’s mission is to advocate on behalf of black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment.

COMMUNITY/LIFE/CULTURE

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A Closed Mouth Doesn’t Get Fed— and a Silent Voter Gets Starved Terry Allen

BIG MAMA SAID Big Mama Lucille Allen was more than just a matriarch— she was a moral compass, a front-porch philosopher, and a fierce believer in the power of voice. She survived Jim Crow, marched during the Civil Rights Movement, and raised generations who learned that silence, especially in the face of injustice, is a dangerous accomplice.

Her advice was “A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.” But she’d always add, “Baby, a silent voice will just get starved.”

Look at our history. The Montgomery Bus Boycott didn’t begin with silence—it started with a voice, with Rosa Parks’ bold “No.” That simple act—refusing to be silent—rippled through a city and birthed a movement.

The power came not just from protest, but from participation.

Black folks chose to walk, organize, vote, and demand better.

They fed the future by speaking up.

Fast forward to today. How many opportunities have slipped through our fingers because we stayed silent at the ballot box?

How many school boards, city councils, and state legislatures make decisions about our communities without us because we don’t show up or speak up?

Take City Men Cook, for example. What started as a small cultural tasting fhas grown into a impactul platform for mentoring and empowering young Black men, infusing mental and physical wellness impacting the lives of man —because a few people had the audacity to speak up

and organize. Our men stopped dying so fast as we reduced our Mortality rate from 22% to 4%!

Programs like these don’t flourish in silence; they grow because folks showed up, donated time & resources, and demanded corporate investment.

Globally, mentoring models we built here are being replicated from Chicago to Ghana. That only happens when people decide that their voice matters.

So what is on your plate: If you’re tired of being overlooked, outvoted, and underserved, it’s time to stop starving yourself.

Open your mouth. Register.

Vote. Run. Organize. Join the

City Men Cook Movement today.

Big Mama didn’t raise a quiet voice —she raised disruptive soldiers. send me an email to Terryallenpr@gmaii.com and let me know if you see that “noyse” in me..

Join the City Men Cook movement today, email me 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

Representative Davis congratulates Ms. Berna Dean Steptoe on her retirement from WFAA

Berna Dean Steptoe and Rep. Yvonne Davis

State Representative Yvonne Davis (District 111) recently honored and congratulated Ms. Berna Dean Steptoe on her retirement from WFAA

- Channel 8, concluding a noteworthy career spanning 33 years with the television station. Ms. Steptoe was recognized on the floor of the Texas

House of Representatives

by Representative Davis with House Resolution Number 987 on Wednesday, May, 8, 2025 at the State Capitol.

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‘Sinners’ Hits Home With Deep Dive into Black Roots, Spirituality and the Quest for Liberation

By Jada Ingleton The Washington Informer When it comes to the search for freedom in African American history, Ryan Coogler’s latest film transcends cinema to say: today is not unlike the realities of Black America during Jim Crow.

Set in 1930s Mississippi, “Sinners” presents an introspective analysis into the ideals of music, faith and identity as a means for liberation – coupled with cultural innuendos, blood-thirsty vampires, and double the Michael B. Jordan.

With the religious division and push to diminish Black history seen today, the two-hour film delineates the power of ancestral ties that have shaped generations of culture throughout the diaspora and beyond – from the origins of the blues and Christian practices, to the depth of African spirituals and folklore.

According to Kwesi Hargrove, a senior film student at Morgan State University, that moment of deliverance was felt by simply watching the cinematic masterpiece unfold last Tuesday.

“This is the first movie I’ve seen where it was, like they kept saying in the movie…for us, by us,” Hargrove told The Informer.

“The quality of the film and the level of the acting, that in itself just showed the film industry that Black people can do anything.”

“Sinners” hit theaters across the nation on April 18, which was also Good Friday, and is already well on its way to reaching the $200 million mark in box office sales. According to reports, the cinematic project brought in $45 million this past weekend, a mere 6% drop from its opening weekend record of $48 million.

Since its debut, the critically acclaimed film has earned numerous endorsements from social media users, film critics,

Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton star in “Sinners,” a vampire slasher set in 1932 Delta Mississippi that explores the ancestral ties of music, spirituality and liberation in African Americans. (Courtesy photo via Instagram)

and household names, including LeBron James, Spike Lee and Tom Cruise.

Meanwhile Maryland film fanatics like Hargrove, who has seen the film twice already, and Montgomery County resident Celine Corbie are also encouraging others to take a bite out of the vampire slasher.

After attending an April 25 show at AMC Wheaton Mall 9, Corbie rated the thriller a 9 out of 10, adding that it was “definitely worth the hype” seen across social media.

As a fan of Coogler’s work – which includes other powerhouse productions with Jordan, such as Fruitvale Station (2013), Creed (2015), and Black Panther (2018) – Aminah Cole of Fort Washington, commended the directorial vision and thorough research that brought the film to life.

She said she considers the box office hit a “tasteful” exploration of not only cinematic art, but the deep-rooted staples of the African diaspora.

“We’re continuing to evolve, and we’re seeing more and more of our stories being told,” Cole said after a showing in Silver Spring on April 27. “Since we

were in the cotton fields, to now having corporate jobs and these high positions, music, faith, everything that represents Black people overall is a good thing.”

‘Sinners’ Offers D.C. Pride While the film is set in the Mississippi Delta, there’s some D.C. pride throughout “Sinners.”

Cole, a marketing specialist, gave a nod to the breadth of talent on screen, touting her own DMV roots as she spoke fondly of Washingtonian Jayme Lawson, who plays Pearline, love interest to breakout star Miles Caton’s character, Sammy (affectionately known as “Preacher Boy”). “[The] DMV represents…in Broadway, we represent in movies, singing, from politics on the hill all the way down to being an actor,” Cole lauded. “We continue to show up and show out.

[Lawson] did an amazing job.”

An alumni of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA) in Northwest, D.C., Lawson has always proved she’s had what it takes to go far.

“From the moment she walked into Duke Ellington’s School of the Arts, she was a professional,

and we knew from day one that she was going to have an extraordinary future,” Ken Johnson, chair of DESA’s Theatre Department, told The Informer. “When she was accepted to Juilliard – into their acting program, nonetheless – we weren’t surprised that out of the 2,500 students that auditioned, she was one of the 20 who got in. We know she had an outstanding time there at Juilliard, and [has] really came right out and stepped into the industry.”

Johnson emphasized Lawson’s ability to bring important roles to the screen, from one of Lawson’s major breakout roles as Bella Reál in “The Batman” (2022), to her portrayal as a young Michelle Obama in “The First Lady” (2022) and Betty Shabazz in the National Geographic and Hulu television series “Genius” (2024).

Since her graduation in 2015, Lawson has been intentional about giving back to her high school alma mater.

“She’s come back to Duke Ellington multiple times to work with the students, and we’re as proud of her as you would imagine anyone would be,” Johnson said, “and I believe this is just the beginning for her of what is going to be an extraordinary career.”

Highlighting the Breadth of African American Belief Systems, Culture In addition to Lawson’s performance–and admittedly, the sight of Jordan playing twins–Cole said another thing she appreciated about the film was Coogler’s intent to do Black history justice, especially as it pertained to the oppressive Jim Crow South.

“Sinners” navigates the return of twin brothers Smoke and Stack as they kickstart a juke joint in their hometown of Clarksdale,

Mississippi, after several years away.

With the mythological elements of fantasy and horror, plus strong supporting characters like Delta Slim (played by Delroy Lindo), Mary (played by Hailee Steinfield), and Wunmi Mosaku’s portrayal of Annie, the story revolves around an internal yearn for freedom through music and spirituality that’s rooted in the Mississippi Delta.

Further, the cinema highlighted the presence of Chinese immigrants and Indigenous groups that existed in the South during that time, while honing in on rampant themes that have shaped diasporic connection.

“The message I got from that is, even though we’re so far away from our ancestral home, we’re that same people, no matter what we’re going through,” Hargrove shared. “The idea of spirituality and music connecting the past, present and future, that’s so prevalent in different forms of African spirituality and churches.”

Actors like Lindo and Caton deliver a standout performance dispersing monolithic ideals of music and religion in the Black community.

As the son of a pastor who considers music to be a sin, Preacher Boy’s journey through identity, faith and ancestral stipulations brought a perspective that Hargrove admitted “a lot of people probably got something from.”

“I have aunties in the South [that] go to church and think dancing and singing is the devil, but then I have other aunties that are deeply rooted in African spirituality,” he explained. “[This] was a good reflection showing that we’re not really a monolith.

There’s a bunch of different ideas and views about things that are ours.”

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cluding: Timbaland – Game-changing producer and chart-topper, Pretty Ricky – The ultimate 2000s slow jam squad, Soulja Boy – “Crank That” pioneer and viral legend and Trina – The baddest to ever do it

Snow Crab, Shrimp, and Rock-a-Ritas!

By Rockfish Seafood Grill 15th- 18th.

For $24, get one cluster of snow crab, one dozen large easy peel shrimp, corn, and potatoes tossed in your seasoning of choice. 3785 S. Cooper St. Arlington.

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Afrofire! #1 Afrobeat Dance Workout in DFW. Thursdays in Dallas. Dance to Afrobeat, Reggaeton, and Soca.

The ultimate afro workout party.

Feel sexy and cool! Sweat! & burn calories. 7 - 8 pm. 4230 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy, Suite 226. https://bit. ly/44rjHbW

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The DFPS Advisory Committee on Promoting Adoption of Minority Children (ACPAMC) will hold a meeting at 2:00 p.m. CST. Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Avenue, Houston, TX 77004

16 Donnell Rawlings by Arlington Improv, 16th- 18th vent by Arlington Improv, 309 Curtis Mathes Way, #147, Arlington. Times vary. Tickets: https://improvtx.com/arlington/ comic/donnell+rawlings/

15-17 Divine 9, join the Black Wall Street Rally 2025. Happening May 15 - 17th in the historic Greenwood District, located in Downtown Tulsa, OK. Make a difference by impacting the community through service and volunteer efforts that will soon be announced. Ain't no party like a D9 Party!www.blackwallstreetrally.com

17 4th Annual Tacos & Tequila Festival is rolling into Panther Island Pavilion Presented by Tapatío™ Frozen Meals, Tapatío® Hot Sauce, and Social House Entertainment, this 21+ party is all about epic throwback beats, bold street eats, handcrafted cocktails, and nonstop fun. It’s a one-day-only, flavor-packed explosion of music, food, and culture— 🎤🎤🎤 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤C HIP-HOP + R&B ARTISTS LIVE ON STAGE Bring your crew to the largest lineup that Tacos & Tequila Festival has ever had and relive the golden era of hiphop and R&B with performances in-

COMMUNITY CALENDAR event will celebrate with children’s activities, live cultural entertainment, speakers, food, and fabulous vendors. 12 - 5 pm CDT. Pan-African Connection Bookstore, Art Gallery, and Resource Center 4466 South Marsalis Ave., Dallas. https://bit. ly/4mdNz24

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Inaugural Afro Air Festival lands at Fair Park Celebrating Afro-Latin, Afro-Caribbean, Black American, and African Diaspora Culture

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Boots on the Ground Denim & Boots Day Party, by Antoine White. This is an Epic event. Come dressed in your denim & boots. 12 – 6 pm. Cooper’s Bar & Grill, 3610 South Cooper Street #120, Arlington. Tickets: https://bit. ly/4cNLyoR

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Asian American Pacific Island inaugural Celebration Mini Festival ath the DeSoto Amphitheatre, 211 E. Pleasant Run Road 12-8pm

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Pan-African Connection Film Premiere. A night filled with learning, reflecting, and community. Be the first to experience the film on the big screen! 5:30 - 7 pm CDT. Doors at 5 pm. Angelika Film Center & Café, 5321 East Mockingbird Lane #230, Dallas. https://bit.ly/44x4Htc

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Black Author Book Swap & Market “The Black Book Exchange”. A swap featuring books by Black authors and a Black business market! A fun way to learn about new reads and make friends! 1 - 3:30 pm. Forest Green Branch Library, 9619 Greenville Ave., Dallas. https://bit.ly/4d9mZTD

18 2025 Malcolm X Festival- Ubuntu Farmers Market. This family-friendly

24 DALLAS BLACK DANCE THEATER 51st Annual Recital @ Majestic Theatre - 3:30pm

African American Museum - Fair Park

Second Annual AmpliFair, hosted by your Dallas Wings LGBTQ+ Champions of Change! Sue Ellen’s (Dallas, TX) 2:00–5:00 PM

3 E’s: Entrepreneur Highlight & Hiring Expo - Shine Conference 10:00 am - 3:00 pm J. Erik Jonsson Central Library 1st Floor (1515 Young St, Dallas, TX) RSVP: www.3in1trinity.org Event: Small Business Impact Event ( open to all business owners)

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Black Mommas & Their Babies: Promoting Infant & Maternal Emotional Health. They will identify the emotional health needs of Black mothers and their babies and describe culture-centered interventions to be used with them. Noon. It’s an online event. Registration: https://bit. ly/3YGloi6

21

Downtown Dallas Democrats May Meeting at 7 - 8 PM, Harwood Tavern 333 S Harwood StDallas, TX 75201 Join the Downtown Dallas Democrats as they kick off their meetings for 2025! They’ll be charting their path forward for the year, and brainstorm how to get more people involved.

22

2nd Annual Arlington Small Business Resource Expo, by Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Connect with 125+ small business resource exhibitors—the businesses that will help you grow your business. 11 am – 4 pm. Texas Live! 1650 East Randol Mill Road Arlington. Registration: https://bit.ly/3YMRrNa

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RJ Prince at The Arlington Improv.

He stars in a national commercial for Ellen’s Kitchen. He has headlined at the Improv, Hyenas Comedy Club, and The Comedy Arena, and has performed at the Laugh Factory—7:30 pm. 309 Curtis Mathis Way $147 Arlington. https://improvtx.com/ arlington/comic/rj+prince

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Cyber Safety For Good - Avoiding Fraud & Scams and Jugging for our Senior Citizen- 10:00 am - 11:30 am Martin Weiss Recreation Center 1111 Martindell Ave. Dallas, Tx. RSVP: https://events. chase/300063661

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Africa Day 2025 Celebration.

C

elebrate Africa Day 2025 at Aso Rock Market with music, food, and culture! 12 - 4 pm. Doors at noon.

Aso Rock Market – Frankford, 18110 Midway Rd. #208, Dallas. https://bit. ly/4331KxX Afro-Caribbean Explosion: Memorial Weekend Wahala. A night of pure Afro-Caribbean magic. 9 pm - 2 am.

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

26

Elusive Ladies 47th Deltaversary

29

Ensemble Auditions 2025

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@ DBDT studios If your student is interested in performing on a regular basis representing Dallas Black Dance Academy, come audition for one of the academy ensembles!

Thursday, May 29, 2025, 6-8:30pm DBDA 2025-2026 Ensemble Auditions

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Summer Enrichment 2025 @ DBDT studios (Ages 9-16 years old) Experience intensive training during the summer with DBDT professional company members.

June 2-13, 2025 (Monday – Friday 8:30am-3:00pm) Dallas Black Dance Academy Summer Enrichment 2025

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

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

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

Arts Theatre Center, 215 South Tyler St., Dallas. https://bit.ly/3RZob22

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

31 Fire Truck Pull 2025 in Duncanville, 16th Anniversary by Duncanville Police Department. They team up with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office for an action-packed day of community spirit and friendly competition.

9 am at 100 James Collins Blvd.

Donate: https://bit.ly/42K4QIa Jazz on the Trinity returns with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Lalah Hathaway headlining a star-studded lineup. Held at Panther Island Pavilion, this year’s festival features performances by Rick Braun, Kevin Ross, Lindsey Webster, Latin Express, and Richmond Punch, promising an unforgettable blend of jazz, soul, and R&B. In addition to the music, attendees will enjoy curated experiences like: Q&A panel and meet & greet with viral influencer group The SilverFox Squad, Black-owned tasting tent

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Target CEO Attempts Damage Control After Weeks of Silence and Mounting Backlash

By Stacy M. Brown

Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Target CEO Brian Cornell acknowledged in an email to employees this week that a monthslong lapse in communication has created uncertainty. The retailer is grappling with falling foot traffic, public boycotts, and criticism over its retreat from diversity goals.

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Cornell’s message to staff admitted it has been “a tough few months.” It said media coverage, social media chatter, and internal conversations “may have left you wondering.”

He insisted, however, that Target’s values have not shifted.

“I recognize that silence from us has created uncertainty, so I want to be very clear: We are still the Target you know and believe in,” Cornell wrote.

Since the beginning of the year, the retail giant has faced a storm of challenges. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on global imports have squeezed the company’s margins.

Target’s decision to scale back

its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives prompted widespread backlash from Black leaders and organizations.

“Black consumers helped build Target into a retail giant, and now they are making their voices heard,” said Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

The NNPA is a trade association representing the 198-yearold Black Press of America.

Earlier this year, the Black Press began a public education and selective buying campaign in response to Target abandoning its commitment to Black America.

“If corporations believe they can roll back diversity commitments without consequence, they are mistaken,” Chavis stated.

In an email to Black Press USA, a Target spokesperson said “Target’s team members are the foundation of our success—they support our guests, strengthen the 2,000 communities we serve, and impact millions of lives nationwide.

As we continue to run our business, it’s more important than ever to keep our team

aligned on who we are and what we can achieve together.”

Target has lost a reported more than $15 billion in revenue this year, seen its stock price fall by as much as $27.27 per share, and is facing multiple lawsuits tied to its DEI policy changes. Cornell’s email still struck a tone of reassurance, calling the company’s values of “inclusivity, connection, drive” non-negotiable.

“We’re committed to sharing more of that impact with you and our guests because it reinforces our values and shows the real heart of our team,” he wrote.

Still, retail analysts were sharply critical. Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail, said the email fails to address the root causes of public concern.

“They say, ‘Our products and experience are second to none.’

Well, actually, no, they’re not.

That’s not true anymore,” he said.

According to data from Placer.ai, foot traffic to Target stores has dropped for 11 straight weeks, with only a slight uptick during the weeks of April 14 and April 21. Overall, foot traffic declined 3.3% in April.

In recent weeks, Cornell met with Rev. Al Sharpton and lead-

ers of the boycott movement to discuss Target’s DEI pullback.

He also met with Trump to outline the damaging impact of tariffs on retailers.

Neither meeting was believed to have been mentioned in his message to employees. Rev. Jamal Bryant, who launched a national Target Fast to protest the company’s direction, has called for continued mobilization and accountability.

Retail consultant Carol Spieckerman said the CEO’s email failed to take responsibility. “His email acknowledges but doesn’t take responsibility for any of the concerns and controversies surrounding the company,” she said. “The tone implies that things are happening around and to Target that are out of its control.”

Both Spieckerman and Saunders described the message as unfocused. “It’s a really jumbled email,” Saunders said.

“And you know if it’s come from Brian Cornell, it’s probably been through about 30 different people and various PR teams, and it still comes out as this big, jumbled mess.”

100 Days of Lies and Insanity cont. from page 5 these executive orders have to do with the economy. Instead, he has leaped into the culture wars, including executive orders specifically targeting some of the Smithsonian Museums, especially the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The executive orders, which are not laws, have introduced an atmosphere of fear and obeisance. Law firms, universities and others are happily kowtowing to this president’s racist, anti-diversity agenda. Too many, including elected legislators, are operat-

ing out of fear, too intimidated to say that the emperor is wearing no clothes.

Our economy is suffering, and so is our international reputation. Mexico and Canada –among our largest trading partners–are furious with us, so much so that Canadians elected a Prime Minister, Mark Carney, who was trailing in the polls until this president started attacking Canada. Who can trust us or plan to do business with us after our vacillating policies have left them confused? Who will lend us mon-

ey when they can’t trust our stability? Can the European Union use this uncertainty to strengthen the euro? Will the euro supplant the dollar as the world’s default currency?

In addition to the chaos and confusion, there is also the delusion that this president continues to embrace — that he won the 2020 election. This delusion fuels much of his decision-making, as many who investigated him have now been threatened with investigation. This administration seems to revel in delusions, in-

cluding delusions about history, delusions about prices (the president keeps saying grocery prices have dropped — they have not), and delusions about reality.

If I had to grade this president on his 100-day performance, I’d give him lower than a failing grade, call it a F minus. He is wrecking both the national and the international economy. He has ushered in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. And he has the nerve to say he’s “having fun” in the process.

• May 15 - 21, 2025

Hate is Tearing cont. from page 4 moments pass undocumented, unchallenged.

These are not isolated outbursts. They are signs of a nation unraveling.

We are in the middle of an internal erosion, and as our moral integrity dissolves, outside forces—hostile governments, foreign influencers, economic opportunists—are watching closely. They don’t need to invade us. They don’t have to fire a shot. All they have to do is wait, feed the flames of division through misinformation, and let us destroy ourselves.

Make no mistake: we are giving them the torch and dousing ourselves in jet fuel.

When hatred is normalized, when cruelty is celebrated, when truth-tellers are punished, and when division becomes political currency, we don’t just risk instability— we guarantee it. A fractured America cannot defend itself.

A bitter America cannot lead.

An America at war with itself becomes vulnerable to every external threat that seeks to exploit our chaos.

We must wake up. We must turn back.

There is no savior coming from the outside. The solution lies with us—with our choices, our accountability, and our willingness to demand better from ourselves and from each other. Because once we collapse from within, no enemy need defeat us. We will have already done it ourselves.

What kind of America do we want to be remembered as? And is there still time to change course before it’s too late?

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

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South Dallas Club welcomes U.S. Cong. Jasmine Crockett, awards $70,500 in Scholarships

By Gwendolyn H. Daniels Special Correspondent

Attendees at the 61st Annual V. Alyce Foster Trailblazer Awards Luncheon South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. (SDBPWC) recently held in the elegant Chantilly Ballroom at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, were in for a real treat with a keynote speech from U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.

Thunderous applause greeted her as she praised SDBPWC for their work and shared insight into the work she had been doing to benefit District 30 and Texas.

Last year Crockett was honored at the luncheon but was unable to attend because of congressional duties.

In their 71st year of service in the greater Dallas Community, the Club awarded 10 deserving high school seniors with scholarships totaling $70,500. It was the largest scholarship funding ever donated by SDBPWC. An audience of more than 900 guests received the members of the historic Club as they formed a processional in their signature red and entered the ballroom at high noon.

Dr. Lavern J. Holyfield, the 35th president of SDBPWC, was the last to enter the Chantilly, escorted by her husband, Ombudsman Winston Holyfield, to a standing ovation. Immediately prior to the President’s entrance was Dr. Terri O’Neal Ford, National President and CEO of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional

Women’s Clubs, Inc. “Stony the Road We Trod: Paving the Way for Community Empowerment” was the theme chosen by Jocelyn Medlock Price, SDBPWC’s 2025 luncheon chair who was assisted by Nakisha Lewis-Williams and Gwendolyn H. Daniels, co-chairs of this signature event. Everyone was entertained throughout the luncheon by the dynamic Rob Holbert Group, featuring Rick Bernard James. WFAA - Channel 8 News Reporter Brittani Moncrease served as the luncheon emcee, and Rev. Dr. Sheron C. Patterson stirred attendees with an electrifying opening prayer.

SDBPWC recognized 11 deserving individuals for their outstanding career and/or service contributions in the community.

Awardees included: Dr. Brittany Drake, Sojourner Truth (the highest award presented by the Association); five distinguished Trailblazers: Dr. Cicely Jefferson, Maisha Bankhead, Deseri Kelley, Kimberly Tolbert and Nekeya Webster; Charlotte Berry, Woman of the Year; Michelle Briscoe, Humanitarian Award ; Mary Boyd, RN, Mabel Meshach White Businesswoman Award; Alberta Blair, Professional Woman Award; and Michaiah Joubert, Youth Achiever.

Scholarship recipients of $70,500 included: Zoe Blackburn of Yvonne Ewell Townview Magnet Center ($5,500); Amir Bland of Sachse High School ($6,000); Jaden Saunders of W.T. White High School ($6,000); Layla Jackson of South Grand Prairie High

School ($7,000); Rihanna Sherman of South Oak Cliff High School ($7,000); Ikeoluwa Sowemimo of North Garland High School ($7,000); Evan Straughter of Garland High School ($7,500); Grace Spencer of Lincoln High School ($8,000); Ebonie Zachery of Red Oak High School ($8,500); and Saron Elias of Garland High School ($9,000).

The South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. was founded in the fall of 1954

by Sarah J. Holbert and 15 brilliant African American business and professional women.

SDBPWC has made a profound impact in the greater Dallas community over the past seven decades. For more information on SDBPWC, contact them at: southdallas1954@ yahoo.com.

Gwendolyn Daniels is a special correspondent for Garland journal. A true community servant, she is a past president of the South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc.

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Public Notice

24 Hour Wrecker Serv 24 Hour Wrecker Service Public Notice VSF 0514204 The following vehicles will be sold at public auction on Monday 5/19/2025 if not released to register owners.

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Date

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Vehicle

TIMS LPD LPD LPD CHPD LPD CHPD LPD CHPD LPD LPD LPD HUTCHINS PD TIMS TIMS HUTCHINS PD LPD TIMS TIMS LPD LPD LPD CHPD CHPD TIMS LPD TIMS TIMS TIMS TIMS

309526 208546 309944 208545 310008 310006 310210 309937 208539 309932 310108 310253 310004 310229 310121 309985 310136 310113 310023 310106 310118 310064 310211 208540 309982 309938 310122 310251 307948 309691

1970 Chevrolet Silverado (BLACK) 1984 Toyota Corolla Le (BLUE) 1995 TRANSCRAFT TRAILER (BLACK) 1998 Chevrolet C1500 (Gold) 1998 Chevrolet C2500 (Gold) 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (WHITE) 2004 Ford Focus Zx3 (GREY) 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Gls/Lx (BLUE) 2007 Saturn Vue (SILVER) 2008 Chevrolet Impala Lt (BLACK) 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis Gs (BLUE) 2008 Toyota Camry Ce/Le/Xle/Se (SILVER) 2009 NISSAN Cube Base/S/Sl (SILVER) 2010 Chevrolet Malibu Ls (BLACK) 2010 Honda Civic Lx (WHITE) 2011 Kia Soul +/!/Sport (WHITE) 2012 Toyota Camry/Se/Le/Xle (Red) 2013 Chrysler 200 Lx (BLACK) 2013 Chrysler 200 Lx (BLUE) 2013 Hyundai Sonata Gls (GREY) 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Ls (BLACK) 2014 NISSAN Rogue Select S (BLUE) 2014 Toyota Corolla L/Le/Le Plus/Le P (WHITE) 2015 Dodge Dart Sxt (SILVER) 2016 Ford Taurus Limited (SILVER) 2016 Kia Rio Lx (WHITE) 2016 NISSAN Rogue S/Sl/Sv (GREY) 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300 (BLACK) 2021 NISSAN Altima Sr (SILVER) 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ls (GREY)

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Oak Cliff 49ers win Championship

Left to right: A-Train (22), Head Coach Alex Thomas, Aaron Scofler (0), Carter White (8), and Galvin Huckaby (2) stand proudly as the 7U Champions of the Big Youth League.(Photo courtesy of Head Coach Alex Thomas)

The Oak Cliff 49ers 7U team, led

by Head Coach Alex Thomas, went undefeated this spring to win the Big Youth League Championship with an 8-0 record. They defeated Dallas Elite 19-7 in the title game.

Quarterback Carter White (8), running back “A-Train” (22), Galvin Huckaby (2), and Aaron Scofler

(0) were all named game MVPs. A-Train opened with an 80-yard touchdown. White and Huckaby each added two rushing scores, while Scofler led the defense with 10 tackles. “The boys showed grit and growth,” said Coach Thomas.

“All the credit goes to the parents for trusting the process.”

Dallas Wings Season Opener

After a strong preseason, the Dallas Wings are set to kick off their 2025 season this Friday against the Minnesota Lynx. The team split their two preseason games, losing to the Las Vegas Aces and defeating the Toyota Antelopes. In the two games combined, Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale totaled 32 points, 12

assists, and nine rebounds. Bueckers contributed 15 points and six assists in the win over the Antelopes, while Ogunbowale scored 14 points in the first half alone.

The duo’s impressive chemistry has sparked excitement as Head Coach Chris Koclanes looks to implement a high-powered offense this season.

SPORTS DeSoto Lady Eagles play for Championship The DeSoto Lady Eagles have claimed the Southern Region Driven by Bridgestone District Championship and are headed to the Dallas Cowboys Girls Flag Football Championship on May 19, 2025. Competing at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, DeSoto will battle for the title after a stellar season. Meanwhile, the Pinkston Lady Vikings

have also secured the Dallas ISD District Championship, earning their spot in the championship event.

Both teams have showcased exceptional talent, teamwork, and determination throughout the season. They’re ready to prove themselves in one of the year’s most exciting and competitive girls’ flag football events.

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Division II HBCU transfer takes talents to Big Ten

By Wali Pitt

www./hbcugameday.com

Fort Valley State defensive lineman Josh Burney is making headlines by transferring to Purdue – a leap from a Division II HBCU to the Big Ten. The move was first reported on April 30 by On3Sports reporter Pete Nakos.

Burney, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound graduate transfer, played four seasons at Fort Valley State (SIAC) and will have one year of eligibility. Purdue has aggressively loaded up on portal talent, and Burney becomes the Boilermakers’ 22nd portal pledge this spring. He is the third defensive lineman Purdue has added in April, following players from North Texas and

Arkansas State.

In his senior season, Burney posted 20 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and five sacks in just nine games—his most productive campaign. Over his Wildcats career, he appeared in

28 games, tallying 50 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and seven sacks.

Before choosing the Boilermakers, he entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this offseason and attracted interest from multiple FBS programs.

DII to P4 Burney’s commitment to a Big Ten school like Purdue is a notable anomaly in college football’s modern transfer era and a testament to the talent depth of Division II HBCU football. While FCSto-FBS transfers have become common, Division II players— especially from HBCUs—rarely make the leap directly to Power 4 programs. Purdue’s decision to “dip down” to the DII ranks reflects Burney’s talent and the shifting dynamics of roster building in the NIL and transfer portal era.

His transfer also highlights the massive roster turnover occurring at Fort Valley State. Since head coach Shawn Gibbs departed to take the helm at North Carolina A&T in December 2023, numer-

ous Wildcats have entered the portal, many finding new homes.

Among them, standout quarterback Kelvin Durham transferred to Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), the stars of the HBCU Gameday Original docuseries Brick x Brick. Meanwhile, All-SIAC linebacker Malik Harp signed with MEAC champions South Carolina State, continuing a trend of top HBCU DII talent moving on to competitive FCS programs.

Josh Burney’s P4 power move is a major step for the visibility of Division II HBCU players seeking to compete at the sport’s highest levels. As HBCU football continues to evolve, Burney’s journey serves as a testament to the talent cultivated at programs like Fort Valley State under HBCU coaches like Shawn Gibbs.

HBCU product could make history with brothers on NFL roster

By Wali Pitt

HBCUGameDay.com

Giovanni Williams is on the verge of turning his football dreams into NFL history. The standout linebacker from Miles College, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Alabama, earned a tryout with the New York Jets during rookie minicamp. But this isn’t just any opportunity. If he makes the team, Giovanni would join his older brothers, Quinnen and Quincy Williams, on the Jets’ active roster, making them the first trio of brothers to play on the same NFL team in the modern era.

That’s not a stat you hear every day. The last time three brothers suited up for the same NFL team was nearly a century ago, when the league still had teams like the Duluth Eskimos, Columbus Panhandles, and Dayton Triangles. The Rooneys, Nessers, and Kinderdines may have done it back then, but none of their franchises exist today.

If Giovanni sticks, this would be a first for the modern NFL—and it would be an HBCU football player who made it happen.

From Miles to MetLife Giovanni’s path to the league didn’t follow the standard Power Five hype train. After high school, he took a quieter route to Texas A&M University–Kingsville. He appeared in nine games in the 2021 season, amassing 33 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, and three sacks.

Williams then transferred to Division II HBCU football power Miles College, where he played under head coach Sam Shade, the former NFL safety who suited up for Washington and Cincinnati in the early 2000s. Under Shade’s leadership, Williams was developed into a key cog for the Golden Bears’ defense. In 2024, Williams played in 11 games, recording 29 tackles (11 assists), five for a loss, and one sack.

Helping Miles to its best season in school history: a 10-win campaign, a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) title, and the school’s first-ever NCAA Division II playoff win.

It was a massive statement year for the program and its coach, with Shade taking home SIAC Coach of the Year honors. More importantly, it put Giovanni on NFL radars.

the brothers are cornerstones of New York’s stingy defense—and adding Giovanni to that mix would be more than a feel-good story. It could be a nightmare for opposing offenses.

The NFL Runs in the Family The Williams NFL bloodline is no secret. Quinnen Williams, the youngest ever finalist for the Outland Trophy at Alabama, was drafted No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in 2019. He’s since become one of the league’s most dominant interior linemen, racking up 32.5 career sacks and earning First-Team All-Pro honors in 2022.

Quincy Williams, a third-round pick by Jacksonville in the same 2019 draft, found his stride after joining the Jets in 2021. Known for his speed and punishing hits, Quincy broke out with a First-Team AllPro campaign in 2023. Together,

Make My Own Name Still, Giovanni isn’t riding any coattails, but he’s not too proud to ask for advice from his NFL All-Pro brothers. “Quinnen told me, ‘Be yourself,’ ” he told SNY. “Whatever happens, happens. God already got it for you… Quincy told me he knows the position we play. We play the same position. He told me, ‘Control your mind, control your body. Just have control of yourself, and you can have control of your game.”

“Just because living behind them, making my own name, I had to still live behind them, but it’s sweet because me and my brother play the same position. I can call on him for help and we got the same competition level, so it’s gonna be like competition, just like always, just like we’re back home, a big competition.”

He also joked with the New York

media that he used to weigh 350 pounds in high school and still played linebacker before eventually dropping to his current playing weight of around 220 pounds. In typical sibling fashion, Quinnen and Quincy used to pick on him for being big, but they were always impressed with his speed.

“Honestly, I’m in the middle.

So I got Quincy’s speed, but I got Quinnen’s build. So it’s like I’m in the middle of both of them, everybody compares me as the hybrid of both,” Williams said. “I have my own dreams, my own story,” Williams said. “I just didn’t want to follow behind Quincy and Quinnen, I want to make my own name.”

A Moment in the Making If Giovanni Williams makes the New York Jets final roster, it won’t just be a personal triumph or even a family one—it would be a milestone for the NFL and a shining moment for HBCU football. From Miles College to MetLife Stadium, this story is bigger than football.

It’s about legacy, determination, and rewriting history—one snap at a time.

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Happy Birthday Malcolm X 1925-2025 New York Times-bestselling, National Book Award-winning author, Dr. Ibram Kendi comes to Dallas-Fort Worth on Monday, May 19, 7p at The Dock Bookshop, 6637 Meadowbrook Dr., on the South Eastside of Fort Worth. May 19 is the Centennial Birthday of Malcolm X., one of the most influential Americans of all time. Dr. Ibram Kendi will be sharing from new release "Malcolm Lives" which is a powerful, ground-breaking narrative of Malcolm X's life for young readers.

Also, Dr. Kendi will visit two schools - one in Dallas and one in Fort Worth. Special thanks to Texas Metro News for donating 100 books to 100 students in Dallas.