Garland Journal 5-6-21

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MY TRUTH

By Cheryl Smith Publisher

Can’t expect others to love you and you don’t love yourself!

SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS

Persistence, patience, preparation key to success for Maxey As a South Garland junior Tyrese Maxey was the 2018 Dallas Morning News boys basketball player of the year.

Maybe it is the times we’re living in, dealing with COVID-19, social injustices, social distancing, isolation, uncertainty, pain, suffering, racism and the inability to do what you want to, when you want to. You know, like a Ball of Confusion, as the Temptations sang.

Freedom and free will have fallen by the wayside, in hopes, for some, of surviving another day.

For those reasons, and others; I actually find myself spending more time than I care to admit, wondering why there is so much hatred in the world and where can I go to find that peace, somewhere where people realize that our time is so short on this earth so why do we spend so much time with the people, focused on things or carrying out acts that are really not worth the time of day?

Why is the hate so strong?

Which brings me to my truth.

See MY TRUTH page 7

THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021 VOLUME X

Credit: Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News

Garland’s own Tyrese Maxey announces AAU Team, Max Levels Elite Garland native and Philadelphia 76ers’ guard, Tyrese Maxey, has partnered with respected Coach Josh Woodson to create AAU team, Max Levels Elite, to teach technique and showcase talent.

Based in Garland, Max Levels Elite will incorporate off the court skills to help the players sustain long term success on and off the court, with team jerseys displaying the “Day by Day” motto to remind the team and fans that good things come to those who are persistent, patient, and prepared.

With a passion to give back to his hometown community and a personal connection with AAU himself, Tyrese said he created Max Levels Elite as an organization to create the next generation of future athletes, future leaders and the next generation of men with education at the core of its foundation.

At no-cost, today’s male youth are learning the fundamentals of being all-around leaders on and off the court; through honesty, hard work, consistency, coordination, integrity and other viable skills that are at the core of being

a leader.

At Max Levels Elite, the belief is that while basketball can provide an opportunity to play at a college or professional level, a “day by day” mentality coincided with hard work is key.

In partnership with local Dallas AAU coaches who had an influential impact in Tyrese’s life, along with a partnership with the Amateur Athletic Union; Max Levels Elite provides an exemplary program for elite players who desire to be better prepared for high school and/or collegiate level programs.

Athletes connect with collegiate trainers and coaches, as well as everyday mentors, as Max Levels elite provide exposure to better prepare participants for life, academics and athletics.

Together in partnership with AAU, Max Levels Elite is operated by local Dallas AAU Program Director Woodson, along with three other well qualified NCAA certified head coaches: Terrelle Woody, Vic Cochran, and Dominque Parker.

For more information on Max Levels Elite visit www.tyresemaxey.com or contact, Program Director Josh Woodson at (coachjosh@tyresemaxey.com).

Max Levels Elite, a 501c-3 non-profit basketball organization, is endorsed by Mr. Maxey and aims to provide an elite basketball program to create exposure for high school age teams for potential collegiate and professional recruitment. By providing the necessary resources, Max Level Elite’s overall goal is to create an exemplary program for elite players at no-cost who desire to be better prepared for high school and college level basketball.

According to the Max Levels Elite team, basketball “can provide an opportunity for some to play at the college or professional level,” but also believe that education, hard work and a “Day by Day” mindset is key to each student athlete’s success.

Superb Women - April 2021 Dr. Andrea Hilburn Dr. Andrea Hilburn was an educator for over 30 years and although she is retired she is still educating and enlightening.

A Dallas native, she graduated from Hamilton Park and earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas (formerly North Texas State University), where she was initiated into the Amazing Zeta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., of which she now has more than 50 years of service in. She received a Master’s degree from Texas A & M Commerce (formerly) East Texas State University), where she developed a prototype for a Special Education Work Activity Center for the Dallas Independent School District which was later utilized by Mary Kay Cosmetics. She prepared a Grandparent Study on Parental Involvement while studying for her Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Dallas. She has also worked as an adjunct professor. Dr. Hilburn currently serves as the president of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and she shows up and shows out every time. With almost 500 members in the chapter, at the onset of COVID-19 she reached out to every member, and most recently when members suffered in the weather storm, she reached out again. She cares, she loves she gives, she supports. She is superb.

Deborah Peoples Deborah Peoples is the current chairwoman of the Tarrant County Democratic Party and she is serious in her efforts to turn Tarrant County into a Blue (Democratic) City.

This member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University. A recipient of numerous honors, her impressive portfolio includes almost 35 years at AT&T and she retired as a vice president;

which speaks to her leadership, organizational and management skills! Deborah is an activist and philanthropist whose benevolence extends internationally. She is committed to her family and her community. She’s also an entertainer, in numerous ways. She can cook, host a gathering for hundreds or thousands, and she has even “starred” in a movie. If you like surrounding yourself around people who are honest, sincere, smart fearless, loving and supportive; Deborah Peoples is ideal.

And she plays a mean hand of cards!

Misha Sturns Misha Sturns is an award-winning, high performing Specialty Account Manager at Kroger Specialty Infusion. She’s a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Links Incorporated AND she is about to be a bride! Misha is a socialite! She studied Mass Media Arts/Public Relations at Clark Atlanta University and she has a servant heart! She’s one of the founding members of Friscovania, a philanthropic organization under the Model Behaviors umbrella and focused on raising funds to benefit underserved youth in Collin County.

Internationally known, Misha is a former professional high fashion model with the esteemed Kim Dawson Agency, where she traveled extensively while working for major fashion conglomerates such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms, Dillard’s, JC Penney, Saks Fifth Avenue and more. And that’s no surprise, because anytime you see her, she is impeccably dressed and her hair and makeup are on point. In two words: Misha slays!

Jill Louis Admittedly there was concern for Jill Louis in the past year. After all she is a powerhouse and the Dallas area has benefitted significantly from her involvement; so there was a concern that her line sister, Vice President Kamala Harris, was going to swoop her up and take her to Washington, DC. While she had a successful practice, currently she is the Dallas Office Managing Partner at Perkins Coie. We’re talking about someone who has served

as general counsel for companies with billion dollar portfolios! A graduate of Howard University and the Harvard Law School, Ms. Louis is a member of the board of trustees of Howard University, 2006 Class of Leadership Dallas and Junior League of Dallas; and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and The Links Incorporated.

She also serves on the executive committees of the AT&T Performing Arts Center and North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. (KERA/KXT). Ms. Louis served on the Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas, Board of Trustees, 2005 - 2010, Executive Committee, 2007 - 2009, Advisory Board Member, 2018 - present and she was a founding member of Village Giving Circle of the Texas Women’s Foundation. And we must say something about At Last, the school in Oak Cliff that will be a beacon of light for so many of our children. Yes, that Jill Louis! This sister is BAD Dr. Lasonya Moore Lasonya Moore is the President and Founder of Plan Empower Grow (PEG), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping small business owners.

Dr. Moore is a Sr. IT Portfolio Manager, supporting U.S., LATAM and Canada for Marsh and McLennan Companies. She has served as: President of Women in Leadership of the Dallas Tower Club, STEM Mentor, African American Black Film Festival (ABFF) volunteer, Congressional Black Caucus Conference volunteer, Democratic Women in Leadership member, Black Enterprise Women of Power volunteer, Grant Reviewer for the City of Austin, awarding over $100k in technology grants to non-profits, North Texas Alliance to Reduce Unintended Pregnancy in Teens (Ntarupt) Community Advisory Board member, City of Dallas One Billion Dollar Capital Bond Task Force member and currently serves as an active member of the City of Dallas Office of Business Diversity Task

Force team. With a BS in Computer Information Systems from Grambling State University, an MBA in Finance from LeTourneau University, a Master’s in Computer Information Technology from St. Edward’s University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Family and Consumer sciences/Human Sciences; this member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is an IT expert.

Dr. Deardra Hayes-Whigham Deardra HayesWhigham is Executive Director, School Leadership at Dallas ISD and she’s also a long-time principal. She graduated from Coppin State University where she was Miss Coppin State. She later studied Education and received a Masters Degree from UNT and a Doctor of Philosophy/Public Affairs at UTD. A life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; she is a past president of the Omicron Mu Omega Chapter. She’s also a member of the Dallas School Administrators Association and The Links, Incorporated. Her leadership skills have served her well in the education arena and also as a public servant. Dr. Hayes-Whigham led low-performing campuses to high-performing campuses. On the collegiate level she taught graduate and doctoral classes at Concordia University and Abilene Christian University. This wife and mother, who has lived a life of service, recently founded a much-needed nonprofit, Women’s Advocacy Center of Dallas; working with women experiencing depression. Talk about a legacy! Dr. Hayes-Whigham continues to excel!

Much respect here!

Trina Terrell-Andrews Trina Terrell-Andrews displayed an impeccable work ethic as a teen and years later, actually decades, she is not only exhibiting the same traits; she’s actually providing an example for others to model. As a high schooler, she interned at the Dallas Weekly and held her own amongst a competitive pool of college students and professional journalists. A graduate of David W. Carter High School, she went on to intern at The Dallas Morning News, having written her first story for the paper long before she stepped

foot on the campus of Grambling State University, and also served as the student rep on the board of the National Association of Black Journalists.

She interned with Sen. Royce West’s Dr. Emmitt J. Conrad Leadership Program and is now a dedicated and well-respected mentor and trainer. She’s had an impressive career in media and public relations and currently she’s the CEO of Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center, where this wife and mother not only oversees major community outreach, support, growth and development; but also trains young men and women in preparation for successful futures.

Always a fashion statement, she is a real DIVA! LaDonna Castro LaDonna Castro began pursuing her career in journalism at Duncanville High School and as a participant in the Urban Journalism Workshop sponsored by the D/FW Association of Black Communicators (now Journalists). After graduating in 1999, she lived in France as a Rotary Exchange student. She then returned to the States and enrolled in the “Global College Program” of Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. Fluent in five languages, she has studied in Kyoto, Japan; San Jose, Costa Rica; Bahia, Brazil; and completed her senior year in London, England. She studied in Cairo, Egypt and Dakar, Senegal where she completed her senior thesis, a video documentary, “Aswan Temples and the Nubians of Upper Egypt.”

A lover of the arts, she graduated with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree from Long Island University. The secretary/treasurer of DFW-ABJ, this mother of two is the creator of LaDoMedia International and she’s the person you want when looking for the best video producer. She is a modern day Griot who also loves to dance. She is the total package because she’s a pro. She’s a pleasure and joy to be around!

See SUPERB WOMEN page 8

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GarlandJournal

THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

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Virtual and liVe Community Calendar National Foster Care Month

May 8

Mental Health Month

Cheryl’s World presents Debra Brown-Sturns “Family, Friends and Others Sharing Memories of Mothers” on Facebook.com/Texas Metro News and BlogTalkRadio.com. 12-2 pm. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

Lupus Month Now-May 16

Crackin Jokes Catchin Chuckles Live Band And Comedy: at The Vault Arcade, 901 S. Polk St. #370. Tickets: Cash.me/ CracknJokes. Opens at 5:30 pm.

May 6 Developing and Leading Multi-Ethnic Congregations: A Black Church Choice. Host: Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Daniels, Jr. Host The Centre for Prophetic Activism. 11:45am-1:15 pm.

Raheem DeVaughn at Fair Park Music Hall, 909 1st Ave. 8 pm. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com.

Cece Winans Livestream Concert From Hampton! 6-10 pm. CDT. @cecewinansaneveningofthanksgiving - Concert Tour. Online with Facebook Live.

AARP Texas Meditation Series: Meditation for Better Sleep. Reg: https://bit.ly/3dswZtO. 9-10 pm. CDT.

Sounds of Freedom: The Music of Black Liberation. Event by New York Public Library. Online: eventbrite.com. 5:30 pm CDT. National Day of Prayer Service. Host DeSoto, City Hall @Facebook.com/DeSoto, Texas City Hall at 7am, 12 pm, & 7 pm. CDT. Special Salute to Mothers. Event by The Black Academy of Arts and Letters Inc. Facebook.com/The Black Academy of Arts and Letters Inc. at 7 pm CDT.

May 7

5th Annual Expressions of Determination, Strength, & Triumph. Host Tampa Alumnae Chapter - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 4 pm.

Reg: Eventbrite.com Feeding The Forgotten. Host PEER 2 PEER Wholewellness. The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center 1818 Corsicana St. 11 am.

Dwight Holt Jr & Friends Fitness Frisco Block Party. Event by Dominique Lashae Jones at Jam Box, 7151 Preston Rd. 9-11 am Tickets: www.jamboxfitness.com

M.A.D.E. Dallas, Makers-Artisans-Designers-Eats. Host Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S. Harwood. 4-8 pm.

Legacy Celebration Bishop Vashti M. and Dr. Stan McKenzie 10th District AME. Virtual Live on Facebook and You Tube @ 10th District AME. 5-8, 11,13&14 at 7 pm. CDT.

From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed.

11 am -1 pm. CST, Fridays on Facebook Live/@ TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com.

Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

Pan African Connections Feat: Book Signing and Discussion with Chief Obafemi Fayemi. Pan African Connection, 4466 S. Marsalis Ave. 10 am.

First Friday. Hosted by Pastor Rupert Bushner, Mt Pisgah SDA Church. Live online from 7-8:30 pm. CDT at https://www.facebook.com/Mt.PisgahSDA How is the Lack of Diversity in Research Hurting the Black Community? Event by Community Conversations 11 am.–1 pm. CDT. Reg: http://s.hamptonu.edu/05-07-21

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M.A.D.E. Dallas, Makers-Artisans-Designers-Eats. Host Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S. Harwood. 4-8 pm.

May 15

May 11 THE DOC SHEP SPEAKS SHOW! From 11 am.

CST on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, @fnsconsulting, and You Tube @docshepspeaks.

The Jirah Nicole Show with Jirah Nicole Mickle. From 11:30 am-1:30 pm. CST Tuesday’s on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646200-0459.

Happy Birthday to Norma Adams-Wade Southern University Alumni Federation-Dallas Chapter Presents The 38th Annual Bayou Bash. Drive-Thru Edition. 4-8 pm. African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave. Eventbrite.com.

3rd Annual Pizza Fest, host Dallas Pizza Fest. At Bottled Blonde Dallas, 505 N. Good Latimer Epxy. 12-8 pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Decluttering & Downsizing Part 1, host AARP Programs.

Facebook Live from 6-7 pm CDT. Event: https://bit.ly/3ugg9V3 NAMC Business Opportunity Meeting, feat: Melvin Mance and Ben Aguirre. RSVP: NAMCDFW.ORG 2:30 pm. CDT.

May 12 I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade. From 11 am -1 pm. CST On Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

Ask Dr. Amerson with Dr. Linda Amerson.12 pm. CST @DFWiRadio.com, and Live on Facebook @DrLindaAmerson Saxophonist Andre Cavor performing songs by: Whitney Houston / Aretha Franklin / Diana Ross. Live on Facebook @Saxophonist Andre Cavor. 6-7 pm. CST

May 9

The World According to Drew, host Andrew Whigham, III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8-10 am. It’s thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news commentary. Join the call at 646-200-0459.

From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed.

11 am -1 pm. CST, Fridays on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio. com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

The Crimson Connection B.O.S.S. Edition: Physical & Mental Health Session. Host Southwest Dallas County Alumnae Chapter of DSTS Inc. Facebook.com/Southwest Dallas County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 7:13 pm.

Magnificent Mom’s Day Experience at The MLK, Jr. Center, 2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd. (Mural |& Stage Area) 10 am-12 noon. Contact: 214-670-8418

Mother’s Day

May 14

Happy Birthday to Carlton McConnell

On Evans Flea Market, Meet & Greet, Networking/Social Hub. Evans Flea Market, 1701 Evans Ave, Ft. Worth. 9 am-5 pm. Sat. & Sun. Contact : Carolyn, 917-576-7094.

Happy Birthday to Dr. Stacia Alexander

The Crimson Connection B.O.S.S. Edition: Scholarships. Event by Southwest Dallas County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Facebook Live at 10 pm CDT. Reg: https://bit.ly/3xTPjV0.

May 10

Day Trippin Rooftop Day Party at Seven Lounge, 3017 W. Seventh St. Unit 500 Ft. Worth. 3-8 pm. Tickets: daytrippin2021.eventbrite.com.

The Legacy of George Floyd. Event by Cuyahoga Community College. Visit: tri-c. edu/georgefloyd to register.11am-12 pm.

CDT. Eventbrite.com.

AARP Texas Meditation Series: Meditation for Better Sleep. Reg: https://bit.ly/3dswZtO. 9-10 pm. CDT.

Sunday Drum Circle. Hosted by Pan African Connection, 4466 Marsalis, Dallas. 2:30-4:30 pm. Email: Panafric@airmail.net.

AARP Texas Meditation Series: Meditation for How to Meditate. Reg: https://bit.ly/3dswZtO. 2-3 pm. CDT.

Jubilee Theatre Presents Pooled by Moses T. Alexander Green. Tickets: Box Office if you have any questions, Tuesday-Friday 12pm5p as 817 338-4411.

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Salutes the 2021 DeSoto Eagles Basketball State Champions. DeSoto High School Dyer Gym, 600 Eagle Dr. DeSoto. 11:30 am.

Taste of the Bishop Arts District, Host Dallas Bites and Sights Food Tours at Hunky’s Old Fashioned hamburgers, 321 N. Bishop Ave. 1-4:30 pm. www.dallasbychocolate.com.

Watch My Shoes Rooftop Day Party @ Lava Cantina 5805 Grandscape Blvd. The Colony. 2-8 pm. Tickets: maturepartycrowd.com AKAnomics: Maximize Your Personal Wealth. Event by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Kappa Sigma Omega Chapter. 9-10:30 am. Online: regionsbank.webex.com.

Neo-Soul Day Party. Event by Young Black Entrepreneurs Networking. One Love Lounge Caribbean Restaurant, 2315 S. Cooper St. Arlington, at 3 pm–8 pm CDT. bit.ly/3gWWq8S. On Evans Flea Market, Meet & Greet, Networking/Social Hub. Evans Flea Market, 1701 Evans Ave, Ft. Worth. 9 am-5 pm. Sat. & Sun. Contact : Carolyn, 917-576-7094.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

AARP Texas Meditation Series: Meditation for Older Adults. Reg: https://bit.ly/3dswZtO. 6-7 pm. CDT. WE3 Virtual Feminar with Brandi Anderson Step Into Boldness. Host Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Reg: https:// bit.ly/3b2YsR4. 11:30 am-12:30 pm. CDT.

May 13

April is a SMH month for many as Murders continue of unarmed Blacks

By Texas Metro News Team

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More than a week after the jury found former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, the trial is still a subject for many even as three others who were with Mr. Chauvin await their trial and Black people are continuing to be murdered by police officers.

The month of April provides plenty of fodder for the history books.

There is that fateful day, April 4, 1968, that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated.

On April 20, 2021, the jury in the Derek Chauvin trial notified officials that they had reached a verdict that many felt could have led to potentially more if not the same level of outrage and civil rights protests that followed the seven days of deliberation when on April 29, 1992 four Los Angeles police officers were acquitted in the brutal beating Rodney King.

There were similarities in the cases in that White officers were on trial and critics wondered who jurors were going to believe: their lying eyes or the lying police officers. MR. King survived the beating, however Mr. Floyd died on May 25, 2020.

Mr. Chauvin was the first to stand trial, following the death of Mr. Floyd, who millions watched around the world as he called for his mother and told the officers he couldn’t breathe. Jurors continuously watched the video where Mr. Chauvin’s

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Chief Malik Aziz

knee remained on Floyd’s knee for approximately nine minutes and 29 seconds.

Were the jurors sending a message when they came to a unanimous decision after nine hours and 20-plus minutes, some ask? After all for weeks they kept hearing about nine minutes and 29 seconds.

In his opening statement, prosecutor Jerry W. Blackwell, told jurors, “The most important numbers you will hear in this trial are nine, two, nine. What happened in those nine minutes and 29 seconds when Mr. Derek Chauvin was applying this excess force to the body of Mr. George Floyd.”

While some called the conviction of Mr. Chauvin, “justice,” others said the verdict was “bittersweet” as still there have been numerous shootings of Black people since and President Joe Biden reaffirmed the verdict, saying, “It was a murder in the full light of day and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism. This can be a giant step forward in the march toward justice in America.”

For Malik Aziz, who retired from the Dallas Police Department as a Deputy Chief, and now heads the Prince

George’s County, Maryland Police Department, there is an overall feeling that “that due process was followed and justice prevailed.”

Chief Aziz said, “A nation breathes easier knowing that there is hope for those who have been disenfranchised. I have not heard from any police officer that believed what happened to George Floyd was justified.”

Because there were several officers who testified that George Floyd’s death was a case of unnecessary force on an arrested person who was handcuffed, on his stomach, and defenseless for at least 9 minutes and 26 seconds, the graduate of UTA and UTD said those actions signal a vibrant ray of hope for police-community relations.

He continued, “While I believe justice prevailed I remain convinced that polarization between police and community will remain. The challenges will and should be confronted head on.”

And he is optimistic about his future in PGC, as he brings a message for the department and community.

“The verdict should not mark celebration or anger, but deep reflection, intelligence, and courage to challenge the negative institutional and structural constructs that separate us,” he said. “I will tell my officers and police in my circle to remain steadfast. Hold to what is correct and rely on training and common sense. This job requires both.”

Continue reading here https://garlandjournal.com/5947/news/aprilis-a-smh-month-for-many-as-murders-continueof-unarmed-blacks/

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GUILTY Chauvin to face sentencing

By Texas Metro News Team

With less than 10 hours of deliberations and no questions or additional instructions, a jury convicted former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin on all charges in the death of George Floyd.

In an emotionally-charged trial that lasted three weeks, Judge Peter Cahill read the verdict late Tuesday afternoon from the seven women and five men that decided Mr. Chauvin, 45, was guilty. He was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of Mr. Floyd on a street corner last Memorial Day. President Joe Biden said the decision could be the moment of significant change. He called on the nation to unify.

President Joe Biden

Vice President Kamala Harris

Mr. Floyd’s murder “ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see,” the president said.

President Biden said he had reached out to the Floyd family, praising them. Still, he said, “We can’t think our work is done.”

“Today’s verdict is a step in the right direction,” he said, “…a step toward justice in America.”

His thoughts were echoed by Vice President Kamala Harris, who cautioned that “a measure of justice is not the same as equal justice” and that “racism is a problem for everyone.”

Derek Chauvin was charged in connection with kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds while he was handcuffed and lay prone against a city street.

In Dallas, Dominique Alexander, president and founder of Next Generation Action Network, called the verdict “bittersweet” and noted that Mr. Chauvin had a look of disbelief as the verdict was being read.

“Even he didn’t even believe it,” said Mr. Alexander. “He didn’t believe it because of this culture of policing that has allowed him through his years of service, has allowed

Mike Mata DPA President

Dominique Alexander

George Floyd

Convicted murderer Derek Chauvin

him to feel like he can get away with murder.”

June Jenkins, President, Collin County NAACP, said she was ecstatic that the former officer was found guilty on all three charges.

“And while I’m ecstatic about this case, it’s just the beginning of a long road or continuation of a long-winding road, I feel,” she said, citing a case in Collin County where law enforcement officials are being investigated.

“I’m hopeful. I think it’s a good sign that they came back that quickly,” she said. “I’m glad that justice was served in this case but there are many, many more cases that are ahead of us and many more that were previous to this case.

“I’m glad that with this particular case we were able to see justice served and look forward to seeing the same thing here in the Collin County community with some of the things we’ve got going on.”

Ms. Jenkins referenced Marvin Scott III who was in the custody of police at the time of his death.

That verdict, according to Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, was already written. “The system is not vindicated by one case.

He’s not the poster boy for justice.”

Referencing Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines, the commissioner said the judge has very little discretion and the trial “couldn’t have been scripted any better.”

“Not taking anything away from the prosecution because it wasn’t anything they could have added or deleted,” he said. What mattered was “whether or not the 12 jurors were woke.”

There was a collective sigh of relief as many cities and citizens had mentally and physically prepared for marches and demonstrations.

More than 3,000 National Guard troops were deployed to Minneapolis-St. Paul ahead of the verdict.

Dallas prepared as some establishments began boarding up their windows in anticipation.

Upon hearing news of the verdict, Mayor Eric Johnson said, “A jury of Derek Chauvin’s peers has delivered justice in the only way that they could. Ultimately, the rule of law prevailed.

“We still have more work ahead of us to make our city stronger, safer, and more equitable but, today, the system worked.”

Sgt. Michael Mata, president of the 2800-member Dallas Police Association, said that he respects the jury’s decision in Mr. Chauvin’s case.

“The only thing I have asked for is due process,” he said. “He was charged with the crime. He had a jury of his peers with the ultimate decision. I will always respect the jury and the verdict.”

But Sgt. Mata added that Mr. Chauvin should not have been charged with murder.

“It was a stacked deck,” said Sgt. Mata. “It was negligence or manslaughter at the most. I still don’t understand how you have three charges for the same act.”

Meanwhile social media, as was expected, was flooded with commentary from everyone from athletes and entertainers to educators and elected officials, media moguls and philanthropists.

Aside from Mr. Chauvin, three fellow officers were charged: Tou

June Jenkins

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson

Once the verdict was announced and each juror affirmed their decision, the State asked that bail for Mr. Chauvin be revoked and he was taken into custody.

He faces up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, up to 25 years for third-degree murder and up to 10 years for second-degree manslaughter.

Many talked about the video of Mr. Floyd, lying in the street while then-Officer Chauvin placed his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck, ignoring his pleas for relief. President Biden noted that his last words were: “I can’t breathe.”

Despite the concern of possible social unrest had the verdict come back “not guilty,” the president said the Floyd family was “calling for peace and tranquility no matter what that verdict is and I’m praying the verdict is the right verdict.”

A Life of Service I Was Just Thinking

By Norma Adams-Wade In a way, Diane Ragsdale is an architect and construction worker.

Technically, of course, she’s a longtime community organizers, advocate, registered nurse, and former Dallas City Council member. But you see, she builds things. She does not carry a hammer and wear a tool belt.

But she constructs communities and designs people.

Now she wants to do more of that – but in a different way. So, after 35 years at the helm, she has retired as executive director of the South Dallas-Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corporation (ICDC) at 4907 Spring Ave near Fair Park.

Ragsdale founded the nonprofit in 1986 while serving on the Council, from 1984-1991, and representing the area where ICDC is located. She will

Diane Ragsdale retiring from ICDC, planning different role remain for six months to help train her successor, Venus Cobb, who took office April 16. We will learn about Cobb in next week’s column.

“I have retired from ICDC, but not from the movement for justice,” said Ragsdale who also was Deputy Mayor Pro Tem during part of her Council tenure.

I was just thinking how future Black community and Dallas city leaders will benefit unknowingly from the years of labor Ragsdale amassed, both at city seats of power and leading protests in the streets of Dallas’ underserved communities. In a future Part II of this column, we will explore Ragsdale’s assessment of her past contributions and her plans for adding more.

ICDC’s mission was and is to improve the quality of life in that un-

THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

“While Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts today in the death of George Floyd, this is only the beginning of justice that our country is crying out for at this time. The Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz said today this verdict represents a pivotal moment for not only his state, but the entire country. Yes, the entire country is watching. The country is watching how justice is being served and how real change is not just necessary, but mandatory at this time.

Now - not tomorrow or next week, but today, right now.

And there will not be a light at the end of the tunnel for anyone in this country until every individual from any community can sincerely say they are no longer afraid of unfairness and police brutality in a country where injustice has plagued us for many years.

People are tired of business as usual. While Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts, now we begin to continue to create change. We must take to heart and see that our justice system is meant for every individual in this state and in this country. We must not only create it, but live it and be part of the change. The eyes of the LORD are on us to be fair, unbiased and impartial.

True impartiality means the system in America works for everyone not just a few.

I intend to always continue to work toward change that will create a fair and equal place for everyone no matter their race or their ethnicity.”

Texas State Rep. Carl Sherman “This year, we have witnessed traumatizing instances of police brutality that Black Americans disproportionally experience, with the murder of George Floyd at the forefront of the conversation,” Engelbert wrote. “While this verdict represents a step toward justice, we are reminded that justice is too often not the outcome for people of color. The WNBA/WNBPA Social Justice Council will continue its work to combat injustice and inequality in our country and hope this represents a true turning point for how the effects of systemic racism begin to be addressed. We stand with all those who have felt the deep impact of George Floyd’s death.”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert This verdict is justice for George Floyd and his family.

This verdict is also justice for everyone who has ever been treated unfairly by the police, authorities, and within the American justice system,” said.

Floyd’s brutal death sparked months of protests across the country and calls for needed legislation including the George Floyd Act in the Texas legislature and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 both of which seek to address racial bias, police misconduct and excessive force.

As the sentencing phase moves forward, and as similar cases across the country are heard in court rooms, and former cases are re-examined, it is our hope that justice will continue to prevail. This guilty verdict cannot be the end of the conversation. DCDP calls for continued and meaningful legislation and systemic changes that address racism in our justice system and further accountability for violent police misconduct.

We realize that all governmental systems are only as good as the people within those systems. We pray for justice; we pray for equality; and we hope that all within our country will realize, once and for all, that Black Lives Matter.

Carol Donovan, Dallas County Democratic Party Chairwoman

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The jury sent an unmistakable message today that George Floyd’s death was unnecessary and criminal, that every individual accused or suspected of a crime has a right to his day in court and should not be slaughtered on a public sidewalk and that a nation that purports to be a beacon of law, justice and equality is better than what we saw in that video.

We are pleased that the jury convicted Chauvin on all three charges: second-degree unintentional murder and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. It sends a strong message.

While we are delighted by the jury’s verdict, we are mindful that there’s still a lot of work ahead of us. Our criminal justice system remains deeply flawed. Black people disproportionately remain victims of police brutality and are more likely to be pulled over or cited for negligible or phantom traffic violations. Let us not relent in our efforts to press our local, state and federal elected officials for police reform, particularly as it relates to qualified immunity, bias training, de-escalation training and uniform hiring standards.

My prayer is that this will ignite a safer society where justice is equally allocated to absolutely everyone irrespective of socio-economics, race, religion or gender. Thank you to the many officers who do not stoop to such atrocities and honestly work toward protecting us every day.

Bishop T.D. Jakes After nearly a year of grief, pain, and outrage, in the wake of the senseless killing of George Floyd, we are left knowing that his killer will be held accountable. Nothing can bring back George Floyd, or erase the pain and loss his loved ones continue to suffer. But today’s verdict is a solace, small as it may be. We are seeing real change in our country.

George Floyd’s murder rallied millions and millions of Americans to take to the streets last year in our collective grief and outrage. We showed the world that we will not accept police brutality, and that the senseless killing of Black Americans will finally be met with consequences. All of us play a role in moving justice forward, and it starts with addressing the inequalities in our justice system.

Today’s verdict is a small step towards the dismantling of the gargantuan barrier that has prevented justice for so many families and communities affected by this national epidemic of senseless killing of Black Americans. It is a small step towards healing.

“My heart and thoughts are with George Floyd’s family today. This is an incredibly difficult, emotional time for them and for all the loved ones of the far too many Black Americans who have lost their lives to police brutality. Today, tomorrow, and always, Black Lives Matter! Black Lives Matter!

Black Lives Matter! The fight is not over. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, Jamarri Daiwon Tarver and far too many others should still be with us. We will keep fighting for justice in their name.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that, ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ Today, we can say that the arc is finally bending towards justice, so let’s continue protesting and pushing for equality, racial equity and major change to fulfill our promise of democracy.

Texas Democratic Party Vice Chair Dr. Carla Brailey

Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng.

Journalist Roland Martin provided commentary on his daily Commissioner digital show #RoJohn Wiley Price landMartinUnfiltered along with a variety of experts to discuss the trial including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s Sherrilyn Ifill and former police officer Cheryl Dorsey, author of Black & Blue (The Creation of

a Manifesto): The True Story of an African-American Woman on the LAPD and the Powerful Secrets She Uncovered.

Mr. Martin said the conviction Tuesday puts officers on notice across the country as they watched Mr. Chauvin taken away in handcuffs, “The verdict sends a loud and clear message!”

derserved community by building leadership, but that often gets smothaffordable homes for families, helping ered under the day-to-day grind of residents find and prepare themselves keeping an operation afloat; that is, for jobs, improving their education, managing people, making payroll, and providing better business services raising funds, and such. through economic development. ICDC But when serving a community of implemented its plans by partnering people, where making their lives betwith other nonprofits, agencies and ter is your goal, policy and advocacy residents that can help provide are paramount, she says. these specific needs.

“My focus will be a new Ragsdale stressed the position as volunteer importance of acknowlchair of policy and advoedging how others helped cacy,” she announced. implement her original viIn that role she seeks sion for ICDC. That vision to create ways to transbegan with a detailed form old operating land-use and zonguidelines of peoDiane Ragsdale ing plan, using much ple-serving entities of what she learned in earlier years that obviously do not work and advowhen she was appointed to the Dallas cate for changes that will work.

City Plan Commission. She expressed At ICDC, she will have more freegratitude for others who helped im- dom to advocate on behalf of the nonplement the ICDC plan and hired profit and space to consult and advise managers and staff. Ragsdale played without daily pressures of managevarious roles, including as a volun- ment. Beyond ICDC, she said she can teer, and finally in 2005 took the helm see herself tackling nagging comas managing director and founder. munity issues that beg for attention.

“I was the visionary founder,” she Poor relationships between police destressed. “I want to show respect for partments and people in underserved others who were keenly involved.” communities is a prime example, she After retirement, Ragsdale says she suggests. This column’s Part II will wants to focus on areas of leadership further explore that idea. that are vital, particularly in nonprofit ICDC board member Thomas

Muhammad recounted many ICDC achievements he said Ragsdale facilitated: He said it set national trends for low- to moderate-income homeowners; earned a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) award for housing models that led the nation; was key in holding Dallas Police accountable for unjustified fatal shootings; helped sponsor neighborhood safety workshops and helped set up neighborhood associations for safety; brought banks to the area for the first time; led the way to creating the South Dallas Fair Park Trust Fund that helps businesses in under-served areas before the fund ended early. At last count, Muhammad said ICDC had constructed about 400 homes in its target area.

He gave Ragsdale major credit, saying her integrity, community compassion, and political sense were key.

“Diane was the force behind so many of these accomplishments,” Muhammad said. “She was a champion.

You could not buy her and you could not scare her.”

Texas Metro News staff members Rebecca Aguilar, Eva D. Coleman, Dorothy Gentry, Stephenetta “Isis” Harmon, Valerie Fields-Hill, Marva Sneed and Cheryl Smith contributed to this report.

Norma Adams-Wade is a veteran, award-winning journalist, graduate of UT-Austin and Dallas native. One of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), she was inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame.

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THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

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WILLIAMS: Knock at the Door

Wake Up and Stay Woke

By Dr. E. Faye Williams There’s no doubt that there are faults and flaws in the American system of democracy. When I taught, my students learned that American democracy was established under the principle of one-man-one-vote/majority rules.

Indigenous people, Black people, women and other groups weren’t allowed to vote. Whichever white man got the most votes “ran the show.” There were, and always have been, schemes to unfairly shift the balance of political power.

My students also learned that our political model was established under a two-party system where compromise was ostensibly sought

to achieve consensus.

Today, rather than seeking compromise, legislating is tantamount to combat. Data tells us that nationally the Republican Party stands in the minority, yet rather than adhering to founding principles, they use every available tactic to ensure the “rule of the minority.”

Recently, the Republican legislature sent a bill to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp which he signed enacting voting restrictions aimed at communities of color. Objective observers view this new law as a “revenge law” for Democratic success in the 2020 general elections designed to prevent future election successes of non-Republican candidates.

Analysts attempt to justify the Georgia law by comparing it to laws of more progressive states.

This is a false narrative. The history of discriminatory voting practices in southern states in general, and Georgia specifically, is proof.

My friend Dick Gregory often said, “Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it right.”

Commonly, objection to the new law is that it was enacted in response to “Trump’s Big Lie” of a stolen election. The length of the

98-page law prevents a complete review, but research by Georgia Public Broadcasting reporter Stephen Fowler condensed the law and I will attempt to condense it further. The new law provides for:

Trump’s baseless claims about the 2020 election could be successful.

This provision concerns officials and activists in large Democrat-ran counties such as Atlanta’s Fulton County.

A food-and-drink restriction The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported an average wait time for an African American voter in Georgia was 51 minutes, in contrast to the average wait time of seven minutes for a white voter.

Criminalizing the distribution of food and beverages to waiting voters has an obvious and irrefutable disparate impact upon African American voters.

Guaranteed — limited — drop boxes The new law also limits ballot drop boxes in each county, as well as their hours of availability and location. Fulton County would go from 38 drop boxes to eight in the future. The law states that drop boxes need to be located at elections offices or inside early voting locations.

Additionally, the law alters or gives options for procedures to early and absentee voting. I encourage readers to familiarize and understand the new law and what it means to our communities. We already know that Texas and Arizona are considering similar legislation.

Brian Kemp is a self-serving politician who will discriminate to maintain his power. True to his discriminatory self-interests, the signing was done behind closed doors with six white cronies observing. When Georgia state Rep. Park Cannon knocked on Kemp’s door

Increased state power over counties The new law removes the Georgia secretary of state as the chair of the state elections board and allows the state legislature to appoint a “nonpartisan” chair of the board.

Accordingly, this board is empowered to determine whether county elections have been properly executed, and, if not, the legislature could use administrative remedy to correct them. This supports the likelihood that a recurrence of

Georgia state troopers arrest Democratic state Rep. Park Cannon in the state capitol on March 25 as Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law enacting broad voting restrictions that activists say target Black voters.

to bear witness to this modern jelly bean jar, she did it for us! We must likewise be willing to open the doors of racism and expose its ugly face to all. Keep on knocking, Park!

Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of the National Congress of Black Women and host of “Wake Up and Stay Woke” on WPFW-89.3 FM

The life-taking oppressive knee on our necks comes in more ways than one

Our Voices

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

Seeing the video of the torturous death of George Floyd stirs up inside of me emotions that are hard to suppress and what’s even harder is the will to want to stop them. I understand that we can’t always resort to our physical im-

pulses in combating and destroying that witch does not receive us as human beings.

Yes my heart goes out to the family members of George Floyd and to his friends and sympathizers. Yes we want justice, yes we want to be recognized for our humanness and compassion.

Yes, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

Are we to stop or are we to continue to forged on by any means necessary to obtain those unalienable unalienable rights? We will go to the ends of legitimacies even though our spirit tells us to circumvent and go straight to the quick to get our justice. Nevertheless, we fight on.

There is more than one kind of oppressive killing knee to our necks that we need to address.

Why do we spend our money and support those businesses

who don’t support or respect us?

So many times we look at the news and we ride through our Black communities, and we see places that are deplorable in their conditions and they allow illegal and disrespectful things to happen on their premises, and we don’t say or do a damn thing to try to stop it?

I am appalled even more at a news story that I saw on Channel 10 recently where a young Black 19-year-old sister recorded an incident at Kwik Stop Rims & Tires, 3091 NW. 19th St. in Fort Lauder-

dale, Florida.

Stearlia Dormeus went to return a tire that was the wrong size.

She said she asked if she could get her money back, and the guy with the gun said no and threatened to damage her car if she didn’t give him the tire she purchased or more money. The guy said he was gonna break her window if she didn’t take the tire out of her car because he was “the boss”.

If any of you Black men have seen this video, how can we sit idly by and watch our sister be disrespected and our brothers

who are perhaps being manipulated because of their addiction to drugs and alcohol be used as puppets to do the orchestrated work of a menace to our society as this operator did when he told a ‘do boy’ to break her window.

These oppressive knees on our necks are an extension to deep rooted racism and communicable self-hate akin to a powder-keg waiting to ignite civil unrest in this country.

Brothers and sisters, we have to stop the madness one way or another. It is extremely difficult for anybody to put their knee on your neck when you are standing tall with your head held high.

Mama told us a long time ago to walk tall and straight with your head up! You ain’t got nothing to be ashamed of”.

The post The life taking oppressive knee on our necks comes in more ways than one appeared first on The Westside Gazette.

Bobby R. Henry, Sr. is Publisher at The Westside Gazette.

Made to be Different

Faithful Utterances

By Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew Spring is one of my favorite seasons of the year. Despite the need for significant antihistamines, I still enjoy talking walks and experiencing the beauty of blooming flowers.

On Easter Sunday, my family and I had the chance to walk through an amazing park with so many beautiful flowers. One bush

caught my attention because of one dark pink flower surrounded by an unlimited number of light pink flowers.

It was indeed an anomaly. It stood out and its unique difference made it even more captivating.

In a world that loves uniformity, it’s very easy to conform to become just like everyone else.

There is this constant desire to fit in, to be accepted and even fly under the radar not to generate attention.

With the exception of a few celebrities, most people become targets for standing out. We are taught from an early age to behave, dress, and think a certain way.

When we do not comply with the standard, the consequences can result in being talked about, made fun of, isolated or even bullied.

We conform because we do not

Publisher: Cheryl Smith Address: 320 South R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75203 Phone:214-941-0110 Website: www.garlandjournal.com Editor: editor@myimessenger.com

want to be seen in a bad light. We want to be liked and if we feel as if our opinion goes against that of the group, for many, we are not willing to suffer the backlash that could result because of alternative points of view.

Conformity isn’t always bad. It is problematic when we hide who we are and who we were created to be in order to receive acceptance especially from those who do not matter. When we blend in like everyone else, our uniqueness is diminished. In Romans 12:2, our focus should be on pleasing God: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and

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perfect.” Addressing conformity requires a change in the way we think and focusing on God’s will for our lives first. To fight this need, we must practice constantly checking our thoughts to determine if our actions are to seek approval from others.

We are called to be different, to stand out. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:1416)

What makes you different? Are striving to be what God designed and destined you to be or are you more concerned with fitting in so that others are not uncomfortable by your presence? Are you losing your flavor to fit?

I hope this week you make it a habit to allow your light to shine bright. I hope that you are willing to blossom into the beautiful flower that you were created to be.

I hope that you are determined to stand out in a sea of conformity radiating God’s purpose for your life. I pray that you will stand rooted in the knowledge that you were made to be different, that you were made to shine bright even if you are the only one.

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is an author of three books and the host of The Tapestry podcast. To listen to episodes of the podcast, visit https:// www.spreaker.com/show/the-tapestry_1 and to learn more about her work, go to https://drfroswa.com/

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

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GARLAND JOURNAL will, once notified, correct any issue in the next issue. GARLAND JOURNAL is not responsible for any unsolicited material. Any use or reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the express written consent of the publisher. Annual mail subscriptions are $60 for 12 months.

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THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

5

BLACK MARKET

An Excerpt from “Life After the Village Tales from an Ex-Village People Cop“ What’s On Miles’ Mind

By Miles Jaye

Naïve is the first word that comes to mind when I think back on my early experiences in the music business or record industry, whichever you prefer. As a New Yorker, I had been exposed to a widely diverse, multicultural environment.

As a youngster I played in multi-cultural student orchestras, Brooklyn Borough-Wide Jr. High School Orchestra (3years) and New York City-Wide High School Orchestra (3 years). Brooklyn Tech, my high school, had a population of approximately 3,000 students from all five boroughs— Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island.

At Brooklyn College I had Jewish professors and Muslim schoolmates. I ate fresh hot bagels for lunch nearly every day.

My Air Force days were not only a mix of races but also of cultures with folks from virtually every corner of the nation bringing their own homegrown accents and attitudes right along with them.

The Air Force Band of the Pacific traveled from Guam and Hawaii

to Hong Kong, Japan, Burma, Taiwan, Philippines, and S. Korea.

When I traveled with jazz guitarist Eric Gale to the European Jazz festivals in Nice (France), North Sea (Holland), Capitol in London, I met folks from all over the globe. I performed with the Village People in Peru, Columbia, and Australia.

Well-traveled and exposed to so much of what the world had to offer; I was eager to experience more. What I experienced was the Black Market.

No, I’m not referring to the illegal exchange of goods commonly known as the Black Market, I’m referring to what is more commonly referred to as the Urban Market.

Urban means bBack folks. Island, like most record labels back then, actually had a Black Music Department.

After all the music I had made in my life up to that point, I was now limited and more accurately, restricted to making Black music.

I know, what did I think they were signing me for? I don’t know, making good music?

Wrong! Making good Black music.

Here’s a point of interest. At the time of my signing there were about 200 Black or Urban radio stations compared to roughly 3,000 General Market, Adult Contemporary, Rock, Pop, or White, stations.

Consider this; a successful mu-

sic industry career is predicated on exposure. The more you are seen and heard, the more likely you will reach your audience. Very few artists capture all audiences, they’re known as cross-over artists—Michael Jackson, Prince, Garth Brooks, Sting, Barbara Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion for example. At the time, the majority of Black artists live out their careers in the Urban domain.

Interestingly, jazz, disco, hiphop and rap all performed better in reaching diverse audience listening and buying platforms. R&B, soul, neo-soul are strictly for Black folks. Gospel is a little tricky and a little more difficult to explain.

Suffice it to say, it’s what I call, artist dependent. Meaning, if the General Market is comfortable enough with the look and style of the artist, that artist may have a shot at crossing-over. In an effort to capture some of the Smooth Jazz or Contemporary Jazz market, I approached Island about recording a jazz violin record—no chance.

They were clear about what they wanted—another Teddy, the next Teddy, the new Teddy. I politely reminded them that last I checked, although Ted was dealing with some very serious health and medical issues, he was by no means gone from the scene.

I thought trying to cop (pardon the pun) or emulate his style or

vibe would have just been disrespectful.

In fact, it wasn’t until after his passing that I felt comfortable enough to record a few of his hits.

That was paying homage to one of my mentors.

Truthfully, I knew I didn’t have that Teddy magic, swag, confidence or charisma. Only he had it.

Plus, I was silly enough to believe that given the chance, I could reveal my own God given magic.

Think about it, who else could step up to the mic and sing a few verses, then step back and play a jazzy violin solo, then finish out the song singing?

At least that was my logic and quite frankly my crutch, my secret weapon. I had to deal with cats like Luther, Jeff Osborne, James Ingram, Howard Hewitt, Will Downing and other brothers on the scene at the time. They were killing it. I was terrified! I felt like my only shot was to bring something unique to the table, but Island wasn’t having it. Unbutton your shirt and sing, so I wore suits.

Actually, I’ve always thought of myself as a musician first, singer second—still do.

The music industry’s unlevel playing field is nothing new. From the earliest days of the so-called Race Records marketed directly to Black folks to Michael Jackson and Prince using their music to expose unfair industry practices and ineq-

uities, this is nothing new.

Separating music genres by zip codes is patently ridiculous. I enjoy country music as much as MSNBC’s, Ari Melber, loves rap.

Music was once organic, pure, spiritual, and soulful regardless of race, culture or gender. What happened? Music was called the Universal Language.

What happened? I fell in love with the intoxicating beauty of melody, the irrepressible power of rhythm and the timeless art of expression, with no regard to White, Black, Brown, Red, Yellow of whatever.

How sad is it that once again with all that we contribute, with all that we accomplish, with all the skills that we have mastered, with the immense uniqueness of our gifts, there remains a stifling sense of insufficiency and inferiority.

I never learned to play Black music in the first place, and I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in selling out or selling my soul to cross over.

The only crossing over I’m concerned about is when it’s time to go see my Maker. Otherwise, if you want to hear my music, you’ll probably find it in the Black Market.

That’s what’s on my mind.

Website: www.milesjaye.net Podcast: https://bit.ly/2zkhSRv Email: milesjaye360@gmail.com

Your Obituary Goes Right Here!

Quit Playin’

By Vincent L. Hall

Editor’s note: This is a reprint from November 2020.

For years, my publisher Cheryl Smith has had a dream to print a weekly obituary page. Not just for the money, but because we continue to bury giants in this community without telling their stories. Ancestry.com needs us!

This story came during a funeral for the mother of a friend, Kevin Cowens, and his brother Kenneth. The history was so vivid and vibrant. We get syrupy about

“Hidden Figures” from all over and know little about the heroes and sheroes who grew up in our own back yard.

Mrs. French L. Cowens was born French L. Jackson to Willie Mae and Willis Jackson in Gladewater, Texas. She grew up in old North Central Dallas. As a little girl, she would walk to church on Sundays by herself to St. John’s Baptist Church.

On her way to St. John, caught the attention of sisters at the Sacred Heart of Mary convent from St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church across the street. They were so impressed with the little girl they asked her mother if she could attend St. Peters academy and live in the convent tuition-free. Her mother gave permission, and she was raised there. She went to daily mass, communion, and evening vespers daily. She excelled in academics and graduated at age 16 from high school with honors.

She attended the Xavier University School of Pharmacy in New Orleans. She completed the

demanding five-year pharmacy program in three and 1/2 years with honors. She pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and become president of the Pharmacy Club.

She was crowned, Miss Xavier (homecoming queen) in 1948.

After graduation from Xavier, French L. faced a dilemma. She was only 20 years old and too young to take the State Pharmacy Board. The required age was 21. She worked menial jobs for six months until she could take the Louisiana Pharmacy Board and passed. Upon returning to Texas, she faced the challenge of finding a pharmacy position. In the early 1950s, this qualified young African American woman could not get a job as a pharmacist in Dallas, Texas.

In the meantime, she began teaching Chemistry, Biology, and Algebra at Dallas Booker T. Washington High School. There she met and married Edward L. Cowens and had two sons. The Pharmacy Administrator at St. Paul’s hospital (Sister Florence) hired Mrs. Cowens to run the

pharmacy on the 3-11 shift for the 700-bed hospital. She would work alone, and she would arrive 45 minutes after the dayshift personnel left so they would not know she was Black.

One day a white pharmacist from the day shift made a medication error. An irate surgeon went to the pharmacy that evening to confront the pharmacist. To his surprise, he found Mrs. Cowens running the pharmacy, and the secret was out. Because her work was so impeccable, she was not terminated because of her race. She resigned after a newly graduated young White male pharmacist was hired to be her supervisor, and she was instructed to teach him his job.

Mrs. Cowens continued to pray. She opened a neighborhood pharmacy in North Central Dallas while teaching at her alma mater, S. Peters Academy. There she taught high school Chemistry and Biology.

She served as a powerful role model for hundreds of African American students. She was a practicing pharmacist at various outlets in

the Dallas Fort Worth area. In 1964, the Forest Avenue Hospital was opened by three Black physicians and a Black entrepreneur, and she became the Director of Pharmacy.

It was her dream position.

The tiny 65-bed facility provided medical care to over 65,000 Black and Hispanic patients in the South Dallas area. She operated the Forest Avenue Pharmacy until shortly before its closure in 1979.

Mrs. French L. Cowens was the first African American woman in the State of Texas to practice pharmacy.

Mrs. Cowens lived a life of courage and hard work. She bore great love for her family and her people. She referred to racial discrimination as “the civil war.”

She fought it! And her sons; they both became medical doctors.

Everybody else resurrects the best part of their history. Why should we keep burying ours?

(Thanks to Dr. Kevin Cowens for sharing your mom with us…again) Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

Has America come any closer to Dr. King’s dream?

Our Voices

By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson This year marked the 53d anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. Over half a century.

Has America come any closer to his dream?

He would be pleased at some of our progress. Segregation is no longer the law of the land. The Voting Rights Act helped open doors. Dr. King would be pleased that a majority of Americans joined to elect and re-elect an African American president. Georgians just elected a black minister from Dr. King’s own historic church to the U.S. Senate.

There are now 60 African American members of Congress, 54 Latino members, 20 Asian American or

Pacific Islander Americans and 5 native Americans.

Yet the reconstruction has brought reaction. By a 5-4 decision, right-wing judges on the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, even after overwhelming majorities of both parties voted to reauthorize it. Now across the country, Republicans, fearful of the growing involvement of minorities and the young, are seeking to impose restrictions that make voting more difficult.

Dr. King would be marching with those who seek to make it easier to register and to vote. He’d be urging the Senate to pass S1, the For the People election reform bill that would go far to limit voter suppression, gerrymandering and counter the role of secret big money in politics. He surely would be delighted that African American business leaders of major corporations and banks have joined in urging the corporate community to speak out against efforts to suppress the vote.

George Floyd’s murder would appall but not surprise Dr. King.

The shameful mass incarceration of African Americans and the structural racial inequities of our crimi-

nal justice system demand reform.

Again, Dr. King would be marching with the Black Lives Matter movement and would be encouraged by the multiracial outpouring of largely peaceful, nonviolent protests demanding reform.

Dr. King would be marching with those who seek to make it easier to vote. He would be appalled

by George Floyd’s murder, but not surprise.

Economic justice was the third movement of Dr. King’s civil rights symphony — and the most incomplete. The pandemic has once more stripped the veil off of America’s structural racial inequalities. African Americans and Latinos were the most likely to be infected, the most likely to lack health care, the most likely to be frontline workers, the least likely to be able to work from home.

When the economy shut down, African Americans and Latinos suffered the largest loss of jobs, and

the greatest collapse of incomes.

We are also vulnerable to the most evictions and foreclosures. The schools our children attend are the least likely to have adequate ventilation or space for social distancing.

The level of economic violence suffered daily by poor and low-income families is immoral and unnecessary. Millions of Americans still lack the basic right to adequate health care. Dr. King’s legacy has helped to inspire a new Poor People’s Campaign, giving voice to the 140 million low income and impoverished Americans who struggle to survive.

Dr. King protested as the War on Poverty was defeated in the jungles of Vietnam. He understood that a bloated military budget, constant interventions across the world, the arms race that threatened all humanity sapped the resources, energy and attention needed to make America better.

Today, the military budget is even higher — in comparable dollars — than it was at the height of the Cold War. The U.S. maintains nearly 800 military bases in more

than 70 countries. We fight endless wars on the other side of the world.

And worse, we seem headed into a new Cold War, this time with both Russia and China, and have launched a trillion-dollar program to build a new generation of nuclear weapons that we don’t need and cannot use.

Our priorities remain distorted.

There were no Republican votes for Biden’s Rescue Plan to deal with the pandemic and the economic collapse. Many predict that there will be no Republican votes for Biden’s American Jobs Plan to rebuild and modernize our infrastructure and begin to deal with the existential threat of catastrophic climate change. Yet there will be bipartisan support for a military budget far beyond our security needs.

Over half a century. We’ve come a long way, yet we still have so far to go. Hope is provided by a new generation — more diverse, more engaged, better educated, and increasingly on the march.

They are bringing new energy and new numbers to the struggle for justice and peace. About that, Dr. King surely would be pleased.

6

GarlandJournal

THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

Dallas Wings look to Take Flight After Historic WNBA Draft

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By Dorothy J. Gentry

Sports Editor Photos: WNBA/Dallas Wings

The Dallas Wings have missed the playoffs for the past two years. They hope their fortunes changed and they can return to playoff contention after Thursday night’s WNBA draft.

The franchise became the first team in history to make both the #1 and #2 overall pick after drafting Charli Collier from the University of Texas with the first overall pick and Awak Kuier from Finland with the second pick. The Wings also chose Chelsea Dungee from Arkansas with the fifth pick and Dana Evans from Louisville with the 13th overall pick.

“I’m very excited about our 2021 draft class,” said Dallas Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb. “I feel confident the addition of tonight’s draft class, along with the trio of players

who joined the organization last year, gives us a strong foundation moving forward.

“With this group joining our young and talented core roster, we are bullish on the future of the Dallas Wings organization.”

Upon hearing her name, Collier pointed to the sky.

“It’s my God. My God is so good. Every day I wake up with this passion. I love basketball,” she said. “My heart is racing right now. I worked so hard for this moment.”

For her, the selection as the first pick should also silence the naysayers.

“A lot of people have a lot to say about me but you can never question my work ethic,” she said of fans who throughout the season would label her ‘overrated.’ “I deserve to be here and I’m built for it.

Hate me or love me you gotta respect me either way. This is the game I love. I grind each and every day for this. This is my moment.”

Health & Fitness

Collier became the first player in WNBA history to be drafted first overall from the University of Texas and the second from the Lone Star State behind Brittney Griner, out of Baylor in 2013. The native Houstonian declared for the draft as a junior after she led her team to the Elite Eight, averaging a double-double with 13.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Collier was All-Big 12, an Academic All-Big 12 and a Lisa Leslie Award Top-10 finalist as well.

With the second pick the Wings chose Kuier who will be the first Finnish player to take to the court for the WNBA. She is also just the sixth player in draft history to be taken in the top five without NCAA experience. She currently plays for Ragusa in Italy with fellow Wing’s frontcourt member Isabelle Harrison, and the Finnish draftee is averaging 8.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Dungee made nearly 2,000 points in her three years at the University of Arkansas while

shooting 40% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the three-point arc. A WBCA AllAmerican and Ann Meyer’s Drysdale Award Finalist, the Razorback also shone on the defensive side of the ball, averaging 1.5 steals per game, and racking up 34 blocks during her three years in Fayetteville.

Evans helped lead Louisville to the Elite Eight averaging 20.1 points and 3.9 assists per game. The Cardinal also shot the ball well, making 37.7% of her threes and completing a total of 222 triples. During her four collegiate years, Evans was named a ESPNW and Sports Illustrated First Team All-American, twice the ACC Player of the Year and was a Naismith Trophy Semifinalist.

WNBA Training Camp is tentatively scheduled to begin April 25. The season starts May 14. The Dallas Wings are entering its sixth season in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

They play their games at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

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GarlandJournal

WWW.GARLANDJOURNAL.COM

THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

7

Death of reporter leads to call for newsroom diversity

By Valerie Fields Hill Texas Metro News

Residents of two historically Black neighborhoods remembered an African American journalist during a ceremony last week as a kind and skilled writer who reported news and events in those communities when others did not.

Mitch Mitchell, a 21-year veteran social justice reporter at the FortWorth Star Telegram, was so often the only reporter who showed up to write news in Fort Worth’s Morningside and Como neighborhoods that he became a friend to residents living there, they said.

Mitchell died Oct. 1, 2020 after suffering a brief illness. He was 63.

“We’re here to celebrate one of us who was our best,” said the Rev. Kenneth Jones Jr., senior pastor of Como First Missionary Baptist Church, during the services honoring Mitchell.

Mitch Mitchell

Jones was keynote speaker during the observance. It was organized by members of New Mount Rose Baptist Church, a cornerstone congregation of the predominantly Black Morningside neighborhood.

Earlier this year, Morningside church parishioners planned a remembrance service honoring Mitchell, but were forced to postpone it until last week due to inclement weather. Mitchell’s family

The Rev. Kyev Tatum, third from right, and Fort Worth Star-Telegram social justice reporter Mitch Mitchell, far right, at what Tatum says is Mitchell’s final Morningside community news event before the writer passed away Oct.1 2020.

Credit: Rev. Kyev Tatum

held a funeral for the news reporter on Oct. 4, 2020.

Nearly 100 Como and Morningside residents, Star-Telegram colleagues and Mitchell’s family members attended the service. The mid-morning event was held outdoors under a tent on a tree-lined lot adjacent to the New Mount Rose Baptist Church sanctuary.

The remembrance service included a release of shiny blue mylar balloons, shaped like stars, and the dedication of a fig tree in remembrance of Mitchell. Attendees were treated to a luncheon.

Jones, the keynote speaker, challenged Fort Worth Star-Telegram executives and other Dallas-area media outlets to continue Mitchell’s community-based journalism by hiring reporters, editors and photographers who understand systemic racism and social injustices - and who will uncover and report such issues.

“Mitch left us, but who’s next?”

Jones asked. “We need our own voices to tell our own story.”

“We need our own media,” Jones continued. “But even in the mainstream media, we need diversity.

Otherwise, we will only get the stories that feed the Jim Crow narrative.”

Mitchell’s passing leaves a void in equity on the D/FW newspaper, television, radio and online media landscape – the same imbalance that news and content outlets face across the nation.

According to the Pew Research Center, about 75 percent of newsroom employees across the country are non-Hispanic whites. By

Are we really in a race against the COVID-19 variants?

By David Greenberg, M.D.

Internal Medicine - Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine

Over the course of a year, we have experienced the ups and downs of the COVID-19 pandemic – from fear to frustration, loss to hope.

Even the excitement surrounding the delivery of highly effective COVID-19 vaccines has been tempered somewhat by the emergence of several variants of the SARS-CoV2 virus that were first identified in the U.K., South Africa, and Brazil.

As these variants have spread around the world, some scientists and news outlets have warned we are now in a race to vaccinate enough people before the constantly evolving virus eludes the immune responses created by vaccines. How much of a race we are in remains unclear.

Viruses have been mutating for millions of years, and we knew SARS-CoV2 would likely produce thousands of variants, most of which have little to no impact on the severity of disease in humans. For the few variants that do have the potential to increase transmissibility or skirt some of the antibodies created by vacci-

Variants of the SARSCoV-2 virus are raising concerns about another surge of COVID-19 cases.

David Greenberg, M.D. Internal Medicine - Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine

nes, sequencing becomes a critical public health tool so we can monitor them it in real time and respond quickly if needed.

We are doing some of that important work here at UT Southwestern, and recently I joined Dr. John Warner, Executive Vice President for Health System Affairs, to discuss this topic of variants on his video series “What to Know.”

Below is an edited transcript of our discussion, with some updates on the evolution of the variants.

What is a COVID-19 variant and why should we be concerned about them?

Viruses, particularly RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2, evolve and when they do, they make mistakes or typos in their genetic code.

That’s totally normal and expected. We see that with other viruses such as influenza, and that’s one of the reasons we get a yearly vaccine for flu because the virus is constantly changing.

The same is true for the virus that causes COVID-19, and these genetic changes create what we call variants. Sometimes variants are completely inconsequential. And sometimes they impact how the virus is transmitted. The variants we’ve been seeing lately fall into that category and raise questions about what it means to have them circulating in the community.

How many variants are we seeing and what are the differences between them?

Thousands of variants have already been documented. The U.K. variant has been in the news a lot partly because of how rapidContinue reading here https://garlandjournal.com/5976/covid-19-news/are-wereally-in-a-race-against-the-covid-19-variants/

At The Movies

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Mitch Mitchell interviews New Mount Rose Baptist Church Pastor the Rev. Kyev Tatum, Mitchell died last October after a brief illness.

Credit: Rev. Kyev Tatum

comparison, non-White Hispanics make up roughly 66 percent of all workers in the United States, the 2018 analysis concludes.

To address this issue, the American Society of Newspaper Editors set a goal “of minority employment by the year 2000 equivalent to the percentage of minority persons within the national population.” They failed to meet it.

Tatum said Mitchell nearly single handedly covered Fort Worth’s African American communities.

Star Telegram President and Editor Steve Coffman acknowledged Mitchell’s community-based coverage, saying the newspaper’s longtime political and restaurant columnist Bud Kennedy told him that he often used a search engine to research varied community topics, only to discover that Mitchell already had covered the issue.

“Bud Kennedy knew Mitch for a long time,” Coffman said at last

My Truth from page 1 If you are not Black, you might be a little turned off if you read further.

And, if you are Black, heck the way some of you are acting, you may feel like I need to be taught a lesson or two.

These nine words to the wise, I hope will be sufficient: Don’t come for me unless I send for you!

With that said, a deep conversation between friends focused on hatred. This was not a mixed company group and during the discussion someone said there is so much hatred for Black people, that every other ethnic group held us in such low regard and had little if any respect for Black people.

Now if this is the world we live in, where my skin color continues to be the determining factor when people are choosing whether or not to like, respect, treat me fairly, or let me exist; well I have a question for Black people.

First, when we review the results of the 2020 Census, as flawed as they may be, we’re going to find some shifts in populations. If so many “others,” do not like Black people, do not support Black businesses and institutions, don’t want to hire or provide opportunities to Black people, then what chance do we stand if Black people act just like the “others” and don’t have any love for Black people?

It doesn’t take 30 seconds for

week’s event. “When he did a Google search, Mitch’s was the only byline that showed up.”

Before his passing, Mitchell reported on a series of community meetings hosted by Tatum to address low life expectancy rates in the 76104 ZIP code where New Mount Rose is located.

According to recent data, the life expectancy rate of residents living in the 76104 ZIP code is 66.7 years – a dozen years shorter than the national average – and the shortest in the state.

More than 47 percent of the ZIP’s 17,400 residents are African American. The median income is about $22,200 a year. Many residents of the ZIP code do not have health insurance and heart disease is a major killer in the community, according to reports.

Continue reading here https://garlandjournal.com/5971/local-news/death-ofreporter-leads-to-call-for-newsroom-diversity/

something negative to come out of the mouths of some folks, especially since they have social media to hide behind.

If you don’t love your own, how can you expect others will? Folks see how you treat your own, which speaks volumes about who you are.

You aren’t better because you are the biggest critic, showing you can be “fair.” Actually you are worse than the person who enslaved Africans.

You see, it should be harder to hurt what is a reflection of what you see in the mirror. But that’s not the case!

If you truly want progress, it needs to begin in your heart. Love who you are. Embrace your blackness and help others along the way. For you to constantly tear down your own is the second most egregious act ever perpetuated against mankind because you don’t have to worry about anyone else bringing your people to a point of distinction.

No one really needs to worry about where we will be 50 years from now, because self-hatred makes us contribute to our own demise.

We need a pledge to stop the violence we are perpetrating against one another. Try uplifting over tearing down. Try building over destroying.

Try giving over always taking. Let your tongue be used more for good than evil. Fall in love with yourself and you will be so much closer to making this world a better place.

MORTAL KOMBAT

special effects a plus

By Hollywood Hernandez MORTAL KOMBAT has been on life support since 1997 with a version of the film that was universally hated by critics and MORTAL KOMBAT fans.

A third MORTAL KOMBAT script languished in movie hell until Australian director Simon McQuoid had his name attached to the project in 2015. McQuoid first made a name for himself directing commercials, one of which was a 2011 spot for Play Station which brought together some of the games greatest characters. That earned him a shot at directing the movie.

MORTAL KOMBAT goes back to the basics as it tries to reboot

The Rev. Kenneth Jones, Jr, senior pastor, Como First Missionary Baptist Church, in Fort Worth, celebrates Mitch Mitchell as a news reporter who “had a style of communication that could reach the common man. Mitch believed that all people mattered.”

Credit: Rev. Kyev Tatum

the series and continue with the movie franchise. It appears that he achieved his goal. In his first feature film he brings back a lot of the original characters from the

game, like Sub-Zero and Scorpion. The premise of the film is that the earth’s fighters are locked into a series of MMA battles with fighters from another planet called, Outworld. If Outworld wins the battle they will also win the rights to takeover our realm. They currently lead the battle nine matches to 1.

The story of the movie was a little confusing but the special effects and the gory fight scenes redeem the film. It’s rated R for some intense violence and lasts just under two hours. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” MORTAL KOMBAT rates a LARGE. It’s showing at theaters and streaming on HBO/ Max.

8

GarlandJournal

THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

SUPERB WOMEN OF APRIL 2021 continued from page 1

Sophia Johnson Sophia Johnson is Founder and President of ABI. The Dallasbased advertising and marketing agency has offices in Atlanta and Fort Worth. She is a Digital and Traditional Marketing Strategist, Speaker, Community Leader and supporter of women in business. This wife and mother is Chair of FRIENDS of Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee and Executive Committee member for AT&T Performing Arts Center. Ms. Johnson attended UCLA, UC Berkeley, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and The Wharton School. Her board service also includes the City of Dallas’ Trinity River Local Government Corporation, former Chair of The Concilio and former board member of Cafe Momentum, Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas and New Friends New Life Advisory Board. Ms. Johnson is also involved in several civic organizations including Boy Scouts of America, Girls Inc, Dallas Assembly, and local minority business advocacy organizations. She is an active member of Concord Church. She’s going to always greet you with a smile, because she knows what is in her arsenal.

Ms Johnson is well-prepared, intelligent, beautiful, fearless and focused. And, she’s happy. Living her best life!

Valerie Baston Valerie Baston is a proud graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School in Fort Worth. She went on to UT and received her last degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. In addition to being a member of The Cochran Firm, she had her own thriving law practice, Baston Law, P.C., in Fort Worth and DeSoto. The former Tarrant County ADA and Fort Worth Assistant City Attorney is also a college professor at the UNT Dallas College of Law. She has served as 2nd Vice President of the Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is a member of The Links, Incorporated. Someone you definitely want on your side in the courtroom, Atty. Baston is smart, generous and kind. She has served as a scholarship chair with the Black Women Lawyers Association of Tarrant County from 2008 to 2020 and she has been affiliated with L. Clifford Davis Legal Association, J.L. Turner Legal Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, State Bar Association of Texas, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Texas Democratic Women, Tarrant County Democratic Women, Thurgood Marshall School of Law Advisory Board and Jubilee Theatre Board of Trustees.

Yolanda Harper Yolanda Harper is president of Alpha Discovery Group, LLC, and program managerworksites for Texas Health Resources Community Impact. A motivational speaker and author, she’s a fitness trainer who established something we all could use, an outdoor fitness boot camp, The Fit&40 Crew®. She attended the University of Houston where she was the Women’s Track and Field Team Captain and most valuable female athlete.

She received a BA degree in Communication from Dallas Baptist University. Ms. Harper has served on the Board and as Chair of Women’s Business Division for the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce and Director of Ministerial Alliance at Bridge Builders International Church. A licensed minister, public speaker, mental health first aid instructor, certified corporate wellness specialist and certified conflict mediator; Ms. Harper’s impressive portfolio is extensive, intense and tested. Ms. Harper is committed to improving the lives of others through physical fitness and she is determined to empower you to LOOK better, FEEL better, LIVE better, and BE better! When she walks into a room, you immediately feel the vibe!

Elsie Cooke-Holmes Elsie

Cooke-Holmes is principal/owner of Cooke-Holmes, LLC a coaching and HR consulting firm, specializing in executive, leadership and career coaching, leadership development, facilitation, training and change management.

She’s a former director of human resources at PepsiCo. She studied engineering technology at the University of Memphis, and received her MBA in finance and operations management from Columbia University. Ms. Cooke-Holmes is the national secretary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an active member of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter. She previously served as National Second Vice President of the sorority and President of two chapters (University of Memphis and Westchester Alumnae). She is currently a member of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter and participates in a number of other community activities, including membership in The Links, Inc., NAACP, and NCNW. She attends St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church.

She is a member of the WiNGS, Inc. Board of Directors and the Werthing Foundation Board of Directors. Yes, she is Madam Secretary, but more importantly, she is and displays the true meaning of being a “sister.”

Maxine Pride A proud graduate of Alcorn State University, where she obtained a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. After 22 years with American Airlines, the Lambert,

MS native, retired, but she didn’t slow down! She served as president of the Dallas Metroplex Council of Black Alumni Associations for almost a decade!

Yes she loves Alcorn State, but she realizes the importance of HBCUs and she has worked tirelessly being a champion, spreading the message of the HBCU and how critical they are to society. Ms. Pride is a strong leader and even stronger supporter.

She is valued because she honors commitments and is 100 percent dedicated to anything she undertakes. This was evident in the tireless hours that she devoted not only to her alma mater, but others. Currently an independent associate with Legal Shield, Ms. Pride has a demonstrated history of working in the legal services industry. And as always, she focuses on bringing others along with her. That’s why people like her so much. She is a selfless leader and servant.

Jill Darden Noted and award winning journalist Jill Darden is a publisher and producer. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and she is the publisher of the Fort Worth Black News, following the footprints of her mother who also published a newspaper! She received a Bachelor of Arts focused in Broadcast Journalism from The University of Texas at Arlington. Brains, talent and beauty, while attending UTA, she was elected Miss UTA, making history as the first African American to hold that title. She received the prestigious Quest for Success Award, presented by the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce in 2011; was recognized as Outstanding Woman of the Year 2013, by the Tarrant County Minority Leaders & Citizens Council for her work in Publishing; and she is the recipient of the Eagle Award for Outstanding Media, presented the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce. In 2017, Ms. Darden was recognized by Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks for 20 years of service to the community and the Bigger and Better Business Award from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity in 2019. This woman of service has been a true servant leader and has an extensive portfolio in broadcasting and print, marketing and public speaking and relations. All hail, the Queen! Now support her newspaper!.

Judge Valencia Nash The Honorable Judge Valencia Nash is a homegirl who makes her community proud! The “V” in her name could represent “VOLUNTEER” because she has that giving spirit. She was elected to serve as Justice of the Peace in 2007 but long before that historic election she has been serving.

A native of Dallas, Texas and graduate of WilmerHutchins High School, she attended the University of Houston and received a Bachelor of Science Degree. Judge Nash received her Juris Doctorate Degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

She is licensed and has practiced law in Florida, Georgia, and Texas and has practiced in the areas of environmental law and justice, family law, juvenile law, construction law and litigation. A wife and mother, Judge Nash is a very active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill Inc.; she is committed to serving the community, enjoys mentoring students and strives to provide excellent customer service. As a Justice of the Peace, she is well prepared, compassionate but very knowledgeable of the law. And guess what?

If you have found that special person and want to get married, she can perform the ceremony!

Jamie Jazze Radio-Chica Maxie You’ve heard her for years and seen her in the community representing Urban One, Jamie attended UTA where she majored Broadcast Management with a Minor in Business. At Urban Radio, the home to 94.5 and 97.9, Jamie has multiple responsibilities as community affairs director and on-air personality. Radio has changed a lot with the pandemic, but Jamie knows how to pivot. Just like she was out in the community seeking opportunities for Urban One to be engaged, she’s taking the digital game to a new level by staying connected and reaching audiences virtually. She’s on the radio but could easily slide over to television or any other platform to display her talent, intellect and skills. When she has a job to do, Jamie is always well prepared and a joy to work with and be around. Then she’s drop dead gorgeous too! Wow! It’s important to note her level of professionalism because she wears a smile, but she’s thinking several moves ahead because she wants anything she does or is involved in, to be a success. She’s not about making excuses, she’s about taking care of business! And she’s about making opportunities for students as she coordinates opportunities working with the D/FW Association of Black Journalists. She can teach a lot because she is doing IT! Sherel Riley Sherel Riley is the Workforce Development Program Manager at Parkland Health and Hospital System, but, she is so much more! A graduate of UNT with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and Drama, she later received her MS Degree in Human Resources and Training from Amberton University (then Amber University). While at UNT, she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and she is still an active member today, despite a very grueling and intense schedule. After all, she is a performer, an entertainer, an artist! She has juggled her corporate career, with her community service commitments, and her entertainment focus, and family. She loves to sing jazz and you will love hearing her! If you are a member of or ever attended Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, you probably

heard her, even as a young four-year-old, singing her heart out, Her works provide an excellent argument for organizations to stop running all across America trying to find a headliner for your program. You have it all right here with the likes of Sherel Riley. Ms. Riley is very involved in community service and arts projects. She gives of her talents, experiences and resources in so many arenas; despite challenges that life throws her way. Ms. Riley just celebrated another birthday on April 11 and if you go back and look at our newsletter, you’ll see we didn’t forget her. She is unforgettable!

Akwete Tyehimba Businesswoman, philanthropist, and activist Akwete Tyehimba hails from She graduated from Richfield High School in Waco, Texas in 1981 and attended McLennan Community College in Waco. She then attended the University of North Texas and North Lake College. Akwete was active in the Dallas County Democratic Party, and worked on Eddie Bernice Johnson’s campaign for Texas State Senate in 1986, and served as Johnson’s office manager for a year after she was elected. In 1989, she and her husband, Bandele Tyehimba, co-founded the Pan-African Connection Bookstore, Art Gallery, and Resource Center in Dallas, Texas. A longtime employee of Delta Airlines, in 2012, when her husband passed away unexpectedly, Akwete continued to manage and operate the bookstore, which also sells fabrics, art, and jewelry and serves as a venue for community events. This mother of three is an outstanding writer. She became well known for her column, The Monroe Doctrine. Very astute, community oriented and socially conscious, Akwete has a servant heart and a beautiful spirit. Oftentimes quiet and assuming, Akwete is the epitome of grace and wisdom.

Cathy Conwright Cathy Conwright is a portfolio manager at IBM, where she has worked for almost 40 years! A proud 1981 graduate of Grambling State University, where “everybody is somebody,” she majored in computer science. In addition to serving in numerous positions, she also was president of the Dallas Alumni Chapter of the Grambling University National Alumni Association (GUNAA).

Hailing from Marion, Louisiana, the graduate of Marion High School is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her family became even more noteworthy for The Wayne family, from Marion, Louisiana, recognized at the Grambling State University Kicks Ball during the 2019 Bayou Classic weekend. The family is in the Guinness Book of World Records for holding the position of “having the most family members to graduate from the same university, than any other family in the world.” While she loves GSU, she also has love for all HBCUs and while she is an AKA, she loves all women. People know and love Cathy because she is full of love, spirit and support. She loves to dance and have a good time, but she is also about taking care of business. Loyal, committed and conscientious, Cathy is superb!

Henry Etta O’Neal Henry Etta O’Neal loves her alma mater and fortunately gets to sport colors in the same family for her college and sorority: Southern University and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Dedicated, supportive and a team player, Henry Etta has a reputation for taking care of business and her efforts have seen the Jonesville, Louisiana native, who graduated from Block High School, go on to represent organizations on a national and international level. For Sigma Gamma Rho, Henry Etta has served as Southwestern Regional Syntaktes (Director) (2012-2016), Southwestern Regional Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator and International Board Member (elected 2002), Southwestern Regional Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator (2008-2012). A wife and mother, Henry Etta received a degree in business management with an emphasis on marketing and she is an office administrator. Henry Etta is definitely the type of person you want representing your school and your organization. She works tirelessly and she honors her commitments!

Cynthia Nevels Cynthia Nevels is President of Integrality, LLC and known as “The Go-ToLady,” and for good reason. She’s a guru in the business world who also makes the time to mentor and advise others. She describes herself as a “strategist, entrepreneur, investor, techie, Salesforce.com expert, philanthropist, and kick ass mom.” Cynthia studied Accounting at Texas Woman’s University and her resume includes serving as a senior business advisor and alumni manager of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program in addition to making her mark in Silicon Valley.

Her clientele has included: Capital One Bank, Palo Alto Software, Dallas County Community College District, Denton County Transportation Authority, LiftFund, RealPage, Wells Fargo, City of Austin, City of Dallas, Tarrant County College and Stella McCartney Enterprises. And if she didn’t have enough on her plate, she owns and operates a vegan and vegetarian food truck, “Soulgood.” A sought after and accomplished speaker, she also established the Cynthia E. Nevels Foundation; a nonprofit organization, to “create a mechanism to do more in the communities we serve and to fill the poverty gap.” The Foundation offers grants, scholarships and social impact investing opportunities. Cynthia uses the education and experience that she received to help womenowned and minority-owned businesses. In a male dominated industry, Cynthia dominates!

WWW.GARLANDJOURNAL.COM

Lyria Howland Lyria Howland is a powerhouse in the public relations world. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and for 30 years she has been accredited in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America. Her work is legendary in a profession where you need someone you can trust to provide excellent service and represent your interests with the highest level of professionalism.

Lyria’s work ethic is impeccable. She’s highly respected and has received several awards for her work across the country. There’s nothing phony about Lyria and she lets her work speak for her.

She has mentored so many aspiring PR students and professionals, inspiring them to practice the highest standards, putting the client first, versus promoting themselves. Those who know Lyria know she is the consummate pro who comes armed with a notebook and that notebook is lethal because she has compiled the formula for your success. Lyria is very conscientious. She has won numerous awards for her works and community involvement. She was the Founding Chair of the FRIENDS of Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy and Past President of the Leadership Dallas Alumni Association. Her work, with Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Ramses the Great Exhibit, and the Alliance for Higher Education; was impeccable! She ought to be teaching because you don’t find many Lyria’s around, unless they came under her tutelage.

Beletra D. Thomas Beletra D. Thomas is a woman with a history of great service professionally and in the communities where she has lived and worked. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a BA Degree in Broadcast Journalism. She later received a Masters of Professional Studies in Strategic Public Relations. In addition to working for UTA as an information writer, she also honed her skills at Texas Woman’s University, Ware & Associates, Moroch and Associates, McDonald’s, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and now as the Sr. Manager of internal Communications US for Galderma. She’s a highly respected Senior Communications Leader, C-Suite Advisor, Brand Storyteller and Dot Connector. A graduate of the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists’ Urban Journalism Workshop, she’s a community servant and an entrepreneur. Her business, BE FLY DESIGNS uses the highest quality materials and the designs are definitely “FLY.” Beletra lifts as she climbs and this young, gifted and Black sister is someone to keep your eyes on because she is an excellent example of preparation + commitment + faith + hard work + love looks like!.

VirLinda Stanton Now how many people have a street named after them?

Well, VirLinda Stanton does — right in Tyler, TX. And she also has an extensive portfolio that makes her a hometown favorite for the East Texas community she grew up in. The multi-talented singer, actress, motivational speaker, philanthropist and activist is also an author. In the recently released Souled Out, she is a contributor and gives her testimony, sharing a secret she has kept close, only revealing to a select few. When the time was right, for her, she opened up about her HIV status and because she has lived with HIV for several years and no one knew, she has done much to help people understand that you can live with HIV. You never see VirLinda out looking as though she is in pain or having a bad day. That doesn’t mean that she isn’t in pain or that she’s not having a bad day; she’s just been managing and remaining faithful and spreading love and joy wherever she goes.

She’s been on stages nationally, appearing in The Color Purple National Broadway Tour, and locally at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters. A member of the Potter’s House in Dallas, VirLinda stays engaged and supportive of her community and programs that benefit her community. Here again is a talent, right in our backyards and she definitely is not a lightweight. She’s our songbird!

Lynne Haze This native New Yorker, Lynne Haze, is the “Daytime Diva w/ the Voice,” TV & Radio Personality on Smooth R & B 105.7, Corporate/Motivational Speaker and VO Talent.

She came to Dallas to Soul 73 KKDA, where she gained a loyal, huge fan base. She’s a highly-sought after emcee, voice-over talent and speaker. Women love her because of her sincerity and commitment to uplifting women. And men love her because she is smart, carries herself in a very dignified manner and always looks gorgeous.

Then there’s her conversation that is motivating and fun-loving, in addition to being a bright spot in the lives of those she interacts with. At the peak of her career, Lynne decided it was time for a challenge and transitioned to a career in the record industry, where for 10 years she thrived considerably at RCA Records, Warner Brother Records and Mercury Records. A former president for the National Black Programmers’ Coalition, Lynne has won numerous civic and entertainment awards, including Air Personality of the Year, Promotion Person of the Year at Mercury Records and a local award for the dedication at the West Dallas and Oak Cliff Boys and Girls Clubs. Her popular Meetings in the Ladies Room provided an outlet for women to grow and manage their lives. Lynne is that bright spot!

Tonya Derrick Tonya Derrick was born and raised in Terrell, Texas. The 1985 graduate of Terrell High School graduated from the University of North Texas with a BS in Library & Information Science and as a proud member of the Amazing Zeta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is employed as a

Sr. Security Analyst -eDiscovery for the City of Dallas. She is a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Terrell. Tonya is a past president of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and still remains active today, honoring her lifetime commitment she made more than three decades ago. Full of energy and dedicated to service, Tonya is passionate about education and helping young people to succeed. But her activism doesn’t stop with our youth, an involved and educated family and community is of benefit to the world. She has volunteered in the political sector for a number of years, holding a variety of roles and titles throughout her career. Committed to change in our world, Tonya has high standards and will always advocates for our students, our community and all people. People like and respect her because she carries herself with dignity and respect and she cares. Remember her name you’ll be hearing it more and more! Tonya Derrick!

Sheila Taylor Clark Sheila Taylor Clark.

That Smile. That Smile.

This three-time breast cancer survivor is a Lifetime Member of the National Association of Black Accountants (DFW Chapter) and a former National Treasurer and CFO of the organization; serving at the national, regional and local levels. Sheila is also a graduate of Lewisville Citizen’s Academy Leadership Program and was appointed by the Lewisville City Council as a Commissioner to the Lewisville Housing and Finance Commission, to serve a 2nd two-year term. She graduated with honors from Jackson State University and will this year receive a Masters Degree. A United States Army Reservist, Sheila has served on the Board of Directors for The Bridge Breast Network, an organization that provides lifesaving medical care to uninsured women diagnosed with breast cancer and this member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, Omega Alpha Omega Chapter, is also active with Komen North Texas and Komen Dallas. Still smiling! She founded the nonprofit, Sock it To Cancer, providing comfort items to women in treatment for breast cancer and she volunteers with Little Pink Houses of Hope which provides free weeklong retreats to breast cancer patients and their families. A member of the Junior League, she is also a contributing author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, having been published in four of the anthology’s books: My Kind of America; Best Mom Ever; Dreams and The Unexplainable; and Empowered Woman.

Dalphna Curtis Dalphna, or “Dee” Curtis owns and operates an accredited trade school, PC Center; offering programs in medical and computer technologies in Cyber Security, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Computer Technology, and Microsoft Office. She also founded and operates the JFS Women’s Center, assisting women in all phases of their lives. She has served on the boards of the United Negro College Fund, DeSoto Economic Development Corporation, Texas Women and Children’s Foundation and DeSoto Chapter of Southern Christian Leadership Conference. A graduate of the University of North Texas, the member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. received a Masters in Organizational Behavior Studies from UTD and she is currently competing her doctorate in Public Administration and Law. Dalphna is superb because she spends her waking hours trying to make lives better for women. And we know, when women are doing well, the world is doing better!

Jade Tinner Jade Tinner is the Vice President of Community Investment at Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and Founder/ CEO of JTBE INK. A publicist, strategist, and consultant; she previously worked as a Major Gift Officer for Catholic Charities Fort Worth. Jade holds a degree in Marketing from the Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she was a four-year Division I basketball player. She also serves on the Executive Board of BRIDGE Fort Worth and is an active member of the DFW Urban League Young Professionals, and the Minority Advisory Council (MAC). Jade is the founder of The One Unified Resource Foundation, a progressive nonprofit with the belief that we are all responsible for the overall well-being of OUR communities. Jade cares!

Dionne Anglin Born and raised in Fort Worth, Dionne Anglin graduated from Trimble Tech High School and pursued a career in Radio/ Television/Film at the University of North Texas, where she also interned at KDFW Fox4 and became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; a membership she cherishes to this day. She attends Saintsville Cathedral in Fort Worth and is celebrating a milestone year in television with stints in Tallahassee, Florida and other stops in New Orleans, Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Antonio; before landing home, where she is loved and respected! Dionne is the mother of a Class of 2021 College Graduate and she is dog owner.

She does the work that makes members of the National Association of Black Journalists proud and her hometown toots her horn also! She’s involved, she’s engaged and sincere. She’s a consummate professional and loved and respected by those in the industry. She encourages aspiring journalists to: “Follow your heart, pursue your passion and do not let anyone or anything discourage you from obtaining your goals and dreams.”