GarlandJournal
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MY TRUTH
By Cheryl Smith Publisher
What will be your boss move? Power and influence. When you have an opportunity to make a difference, to do good when all around you seems bad; do it! Excitement was in the air as news that the cancelled CBS drama, “All Rise” could be coming back for a third season. According to numerous reports The Oprah Winfrey Network was negotiating with Warner Bros.
SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 VOLUME X
Raising the Next Generation of Heroes Hometown Hero Tyrese Maxey, and the Tyrese Maxey Foundation has partnered with the local Spring Valley Studio Movie Grill to unite the future heroes of Garland for popcorn and superhero action movies at the first ever Tyrese Maxey Foundation Marvel Family Movie Night. Slated for September 4, 2021 at 2:30 p.m., at the Spring Valley Studio Movie Grill located at 13933 N. Central Expy, Dallas, TX, 75243, the Tyrese Maxey Marvel Family Movie Night is purposed to unite the local youth of Garland through community self-sustaining giving. With Maxey’s love for Marvel Movies and the collective help of community sponsors, the Tyrese Maxey Foundation, Studio Movie Grill and the entire Garland Community; the foundation’s Marvel
I Was Just Thinking... By Norma Adams-Wade
Harllee-Phelps family: Dallas Black dynasty of achievement - Part I Family Movie Night is providing Garland’s youth with the resources and tools to build and rebuild their community from within. Building on the Foundation’s core value of faith and family, Tyrese said he is hoping to instill his community with the knowledge of giving to help others, or “save the day” in the same community. By encouraging local youth to give back to others within
their own community, Maxey and the Tyrese Maxey Foundation will not only help to raise the next generation of leaders but raise the next generation of Superheroes. To serve as an example, Maxey will serve as guest speaker for the event. Local youth will have the opportunity to meet and greet with Tyrese before the start of the event,
How much achievement can come from one family? Yes, there are many examples of families that set high bars and just about all, if not all, of the family members clear the hurdle and then some. They go out into the world and stand tall above us average citizens.
See HEROES page 6
30th Annual Freedom Fund Virtual Brunch and Silent Auction – Garland, Texas Simone Missick
What good news to hear when we are surrounded by so much news that is wreaking havoc in the minds of so many. And nothing’s wrong with a little entertainment! Just imagine, we could get to see the talented, gorgeous and smart Simone Missick back on the bench as the socially-conscious and conscientious Judge Lola Carmichael. And you get See MY TRUTH, page 7
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Garland, Texas Unit- serving the Garland Community will host its 30th Annual Freedom Fund Virtual Program and Silent Auction.
Date: Saturday, September 18, 2021 Time: 10:00 A.M. Brunch Silent Auction (online one week) September 12, 2021 – September 18, 2021 2021 Theme “The NAACP, Still A Voice in the Community”
Keynote Speaker / Master of Ceremony/ Scholarships • Keynote Speaker – Dr. Devin Atchison, Senior Pastor for Westside Baptist Church, Lewisville, TX • Mistress of Ceremony – Mrs. LaKisha Culpepper, Garland ISD Liaison to the African American Community • Elaine Bradley Scholarship – NAACP Garland Youth Council
member to be announced • GISD African American seniors with the highest GPA will be recognized for each of the seven high schools • John Willie Washington Legacy Scholarship – An African American student enrolled in a Texas state certified vocational or technical school, or the Dallas County Community College District
Adult Award Recipients • Education Award – Dr. Ricardo Lopez, Garland ISD Superintendent • Volunteer Service Award – Timothy Robinson, Founder and Chairman of Inspired to Help • Community Service Award – Garland Health Department • Bridge Builder Award – Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery Note: For more information on this event, contact the NAACP Garland Unit at 972.381.5044, voice box #5, or visit the NAACP Garland Unit’s Web site at: www.garlandtxnaacp.org.
Superb Women
August 2021
TERRY WADE-OTTLEY Whether she’s in the board room or out in the community, Terry Wade-Ottley is putting her best foot forward for the betterment of all! Terry Wade- Ottley is the Community Affairs/Development Manager–Texas for Regions Bank. Terry has over 30 years in banking. She has spent 20 years of her banking career specializing in community development, economic development, and community outreach working with non-profits. Terry has advertising and public relations experience in both private business and as a volunteer for non-profits. In August 2008, using her own funds, she began fostering nine horses and several cats and dogs that were neglected. This was the foundation of Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK (Acts of Real Kindness) (GSA). Much of her work involved young people and their families. Terry is a servant leader. She also is involved in assisting families affected by domestic violence, encouraging and promoting small businesses, women entrepreneurs and providing outlets, like working with horses, for children in low-to-moderate income families. JUDGE STACI WILLIAMS Judge Staci Williams is smart, committed and focused. Judge Staci Williams is a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center, Smith College, and The Hockaday School. A twoterm Judge of the 101st District Court in Dallas County, Texas; she has served on the Board for The Hockaday School; Dispute Mediation Service, Inc., S.A.A.V.E.D. and North Texas Volunteer Center; and, as Chair/Co-Chair of various committees for the Dallas Bar Association and the J.L. Turner Legal Association. In September 2015, Judge Williams created the Citizens’ Civil Academy (CCA) to educate citizens about the civil court system. She has over 10 years judicial experience and 27 years of legal experience including: Trial Attorney and Administrative Judge with the EEOC; Arbitrator for NASD/FINRA, U.S. Postal Service, Dallas Area
Rapid Transit (DART), Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), and the Washington Metropolitan Airport Board; Counsel, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee; and Dallas Municipal Court Judge. And guess, what? She’s also a twin, so there are two superb Williams women walking around town! HON. GYNA BIVENS Gyna Bivens is the Mayor Pro Tem of Fort Worth, TX Gyna M. Bivens is the Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Fort Worth. She also serves as president and executive director of North Texas Leaders and Executives Advocating Diversity (LEAD), a consortium of major employers in North Texas whose chief executive officers seek to increase diversity in their managerial ranks. Prior to accepting this role, The Fort Worth City Councilwoman, who recently was reelected to another term, was recruited in 1998 to become the first African American corporate spokesperson for one of the nation’s largest electric utility companies. Gyna spent part of her career as a television news reporter, giving her the opportunity to interview every U.S. president dating back to Jimmy Carter. Many became familiar with her voice on Soul 73 KKDA-M.She has volunteered with many organizations, and was twice elected Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for the Fort Worth Transportation Authority. She has served on more than 30 boards and commissions and has been recognized, awarded and presented by several organizations. BERNETTA JO YOUNG Bernetta Jo Young is a consummate professional who is well-prepared and focused. Bernetta Jo Young, a native of Dallas County with more than 34 years of professional experience inclu-ding 16 years with the City of Dallas; is currently serving as Interim Division Manager III for the City of Dallas. Bernetta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business
Administration from the University of Oklahoma, where she was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She previously served as District Director for U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; Registrar and Manager of the Office of Vital Statistics for the City of Dallas; and worked in the corporate banking industry for 13 years at AmeriTrust, where she became the first African American female in the state of Texas to be promoted to trust officer. Bernetta is loyal, honest and a sincere member of Community Missionary Baptist Church of DeSoto. She is a Texas Registered Code Enforcement Officer and a National Safety Council Defensive Driving Instructor. DR. JENNIFER STIMPSON Dr. Jennifer Stimpson is the type of educator you want in the classroom! Dr. Jennifer Stimpson makes learning science an exciting experience. A graduate of Dillard University with a BS Degree in Chemistry, she received a MA Degree in environmental chemistry from the University of Northern Iowa. Dr. Jennifer received her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Prior to teaching fifth grade science at The Hockaday School, she taught chemistry in the Dallas Independent School District. Dr. Jennifer is the founder of JSTEMP Science, an education platform to inspire students to consider STEM. The recipient of numerous recognitions and honors, she received Texas Women’s Foundation Maura Leadership Award, Dillard University’s Alumnae Award for Professional Excellence, The “Hidden Figures in STEM” award from the National Society of Black Engineers and an Inspiration Award from the Michael Jordan Foundation. A finalist for Ebony Magazine People’s Choice Award, this member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was featured in O: The Oprah Magazine as a “Rock Star Scientist.” REP. RHETTA BOWERS Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers is a proud native Houstonian, wife and mother who has been honored by several organizations. Texas State Rep. Rhetta Bowers represents House District 113 and made history elected as the first African American to represent this district that includes all or parts of Rowlett, Garland, Mesquite,
Sunnyvale, Seagoville, Combine, Balch Springs, and Dallas. Rep. Bowers is an alumna of Spelman and Texas Southern University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism. She began working in DC in public television at PBS headquarters and WETATV 26/Radio 90.9. She returned to Texas’ KCENTV 6 and was later promoted to news producer. She also was educational services coordinator for KERA TV 13/Radio 90.1. A former educator and volunteer within Garland ISD, she is a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Rep. Bowers is a cofounder and four-time Co-chair of the Dallas Women’s March. She is the recipient of the 2019 Bands of Hope “Trailblazer Award,” Afiya Center’s “Legislative Achievement Award,” TSU’s “Distinguished Alumna of the Year and Texas Legislative Black Caucus 2019 “Freshman of the Year.” SHERYL ADKINS-GREEN Sheryl Adkins-Green is brains, beauty, influence and grace! Sheryl Adkins-Green is the Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer at Mary Kay, Inc.; leading the global marketing strategy, brand positioning, new product development, advertising, digital marketing, social media, product education, and customer insights. She has worked as the Business Director at Kraft Foods, Regional President at Citibank, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Cadbury Schweppes/Snapple Beverage Group, and Vice President, General Manager at Alberto Culver. In 2020, Sheryl received the CMO Leadership Award, and in 2019, she was named to BLACK ENTERPRISE’s 2019 Most Powerful Women in Corporate America List. Sheryl earned a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin and received her MBA from Harvard Business School. A trustee of Texas Christian University, she serves on the boards of the AT&T Performing Arts Center and the Dallas Museum of Art and she also serves as a judge for the 2021 Miss Universe Pageant.
N. W. Harllee
Photo credit: Dallas ISD
Such a family was the Harllee and Phelps family of Dallas whose achievements we will chronicle. I was just thinking…, this family dynasty illustrates one of many chapters of Black history lost in the rapidly- turning pages of time. But let’s remember them here. We begin with the family patriarch: See THINKING, page 7
DR. JACQUIE HOOD MARTIN Dr. Jacquie Hood Martin is a treasure. Always calm and focused; she is a joy to be around! Jacquie Hood Martin, PhD is an ordained minister, columnist, documentary creator, speaker handbook author. Dr. Jacquie served for a decade as the first female staff pastor at The Church Without Walls in Houston, TX, and she served for two years as pastor at The Bridge International in Chicago, IL, a church she cofounded. Currently she serves as co-chair of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Sunday of Hope Advisory Council. Dr. Jacquie was also Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at City College of Chicago. She received a M.Ed. in Higher Education/Online Technology from Northcentral University and her PhD at Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary. She is sincere and so helpful because she empowers attendees. A loving wife, Rev. Jacquie is a certified master coach, DiSC certified trainer, author, documentary creator, leader in strategic planning, professional development, education advancement and personal empowerment. Check her out at www.jhoodandassociates.org JUDGE STEPHANIE HUFF Judge Stephanie Mitchell Huff is conscientious, committed and highly respected because of her sincere approach to everything she is involved in. Judge Stephanie Mitchell Huff received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law. The Navarro County District Attorney’s Office in 2007 as the Chief Juvenile Prosecutor. She later became a felony assistant district attorney in Dallas County and from 2013 - 2014, she served as the Chief Felony Prosecutor of the Dallas County Gang Unit. In 2015, she was sworn in as the youngest sitting Criminal District Court Judge in Dallas County, for the 291st Judicial District Court. The judge is also an adjunct professor of criminal law, contracts law, and criminal procedure at Kaplan College. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Concord Church. Judge Huff has a received numerous awards, including: Felony and Misdemeanor Prosecutor of See SUPERB WOMEN page 8