I Messenger

JANUARY 24, 2020

VOL IX NO 23

I M essenger

NNPA HONORS

MOLLIE FINCH BELT

IMessenger An IMM LLC Publication

Shaq, JC Penney, surprise SOC athlete

Legend knows firsthand the difficulties of dressing big men

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Established 2011 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.

JANUARY 24, 2020

(r)Shaquille O’Neal with Jill Soltau, JCPenney CEO and Kylon Owens

By Jessica Hayden Photos: Dennis Cotton

It was the surprise of a lifetime for 17-year-old Kylon Owens, a senior basketball player at South Oak Cliff High School, courtesy of department store chain, JCPenney.

A look of surprise came across his face as he was informed that he would be the recipient of a new wardrobe and then greeted by his personal stylist, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.

The team captain of his school’s basketball team, Kylon is described as a compassionate captain who give rides to his teammates and is always trying to help his fellow teammates while keeping his grades up.

Switching gears from who he is off and on the court to how did he win the JCPenney giveaway? Kylon said, "My dad received an email about winning a free

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clothes giveaway. I had no idea what was going on.�

He didn’t know that Mr. O’Neal would be there to help him find the best suits for prom, draft day, and professional events. “Finding clothes to fit me is hard sometimes,� he said. “I have to go across town to find pants, then go on the opposite side to find a shirt.�

Now that JCPenney has provided him with a new professional look, he says, it puts less of a stress on his parents and him to find the proper clothing.  The star athlete is 6-foot-9 inches tall, and Mr. O’Neal is 7-foot-1�.

"As JCPenney's style ambassador, I understand how hard it is to find stuff for big guys and big children, to find clothes that look good,� Mr. O’Neal said, “Sometimes as a big guy, they just give us the cheap stuff — the beige, never browns, any

patterns, and I got tired of that.�

And in addition to the closes, Mr. O'Neal gave Kylon some words of wisdom "Listen to your parents,� he encouraged.

"I got where I am right now by my family. Your parents have your best interests at heart; they can help guide you the right way. That is why I am the man I am today. Guidance in life goes a long way in a student athlete's performance in school to anything else they would do in life. Mr. O'Neal even gave Kylon's dad his number to stay in touch, which Kylon plans on doing. “Yes, hopefully, now that I have his number."

And he will share his experience with friends, “I will tell them It's a blessing and give encouraging words back to them that they can be in this position too if they work hard on and off the court." myimessenger.com

INSIDE

TRUTH

THINKING

One of the staples for a really good soul food dinner has to be macaroni and cheese.

It’s often called a “comfort food” and there are varying theories about why it is so popular and a go-to item for many in need of a feel-good moment.

Robert Pitre has spent most of his life listening.

The nonstop Dallas entrepre-neur and youth advocate will be the first to tell you.

Listening is how he learned what he knows.

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HONOREE A tragedy initially brought Mollie Belt into the world of newspaper publishing.

Now, 34 years after the tragic murder of her parents – Dallas Examiner Publisher and Civil Rights leader Fred Finch, Jr., and Mildred Finch – Belt’s foray into the news business is nothing short of a triumph.

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Houston, B.I.G. enter Hall of Fame

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Whitney Houston and the Notorious B.I.G. head an accomplished class who have earned induction into the 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Houston, who died in 2012 at the age of 48, was the preeminent voice of her generation. myimessenger.com

In addition to two Emmy Awards, Houston earned six Grammys, 30 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards.

In 1992, Houston starred alongside Kevin Costner in the blockbuster film, “The Bodyguard,” which earned $411 million at the box office. The soundtrack, which featured a bevy of hits

by Houston, became the second best-selling ever with more than 45 million units sold worldwide.

B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace, died after being shot in 1997 at the age of 24.

The induction cere-mony will be held at Cleve-land’s Public Hall on May 2 and will

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air live on HBO and the SiriusXM Rock and Roll Hall of Fame radio station.

In addition to Houston and Wallace, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, the Doobie Brothers, and T. Rex will join the 2020 class. Additionally, Jon Landau and Irving Azoff, two of the most successful managers in rock history, will be presented with the special Ahmet Ertegun Award for their contributions to the industry.

This year’s inductees count as diverse a group the Hall has seen.

“Each of those bands has helped shape the form that rock & roll has taken over the years,” Michael McDonald, who is being inducted for his work in the Doobie Brothers, told Rolling Stone. “That’s what I like to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame do: pick those bands that have sculpted what we see rock & roll as today.”

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MY TRUTH

by Cheryl Smith, Publisher

And the winner is...

One of the staples for a And even though over the King, Jr.’s favorite dishes really good soul food din- years I have learned nu- so, it was aso appropriate ner has to be macaroni and merous recipes for the dish, to have as this year’s choice for the Realizing the cheese.

TRADITIONAL Dream Healthy LivIt’s often called a ing Expo cook-off. “comfort food” and Dr. King loved there are varying theFirst Place: Two Podners sweet potatoes and ories about why it is Second Place: Elaine’s Kitchen last year, sweet potaso popular and a goto pie was the selectto item for many in WITH A TWIST ed dish for a spirited need of a feel-good competition. moment.

First Place: Olive Garden This year, it was Memories are parta challenge getting ly the reason, accordSecond Place: Nicolette Bynum people to go deep ing to some researchinto their roots and ers.

MEAT-LOVERS come out with a Which brings me to my truth. pan. Some talked a First Place: Olive Garden good game, but they The last dish that couldn’t produce. my mother and I Second Place: Eatzi’s To them, I said, cooked together was macaroni and cheese.

“Maybe next year!

And at this year’s Actually, I rememfolks gathered ber talking to her almost as some that include meats Expo, she did to me when I was and others that include around anxiously as judga young teen and she had multiple cheeses; I resort to es tasted some of the most popular macaroni and me in the kitchen teaching my mother’s recipe! me the art of cooking that It was also reported to be cheese dishes in the area. wonderful dish. one of Dr. Martin Luther Following the announcJANUARY 24, 2020

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ing of the winners, there was a constant line ready to taste the winning entries and do their own judging!

I just loved seeing the interest the contest generated from all ages. I felt comforted and full of warm memories of being with my mother and sharing those invaluable times in the kitchen. ed. Folks were feeling good We should all create and the entire experience memories that evoke was accented by the number one comfort food.

It’s important to note that a few balloons burst in the beautiful African American Museum and noone ran or ducked for cover!

We need to have strong feelings of love and more family-type, safe, comfort; while establishing traditions.

I know that having so many relatives to transition, I rely on those precious memories because they help me make it through rough times.

At the Healthy Living Expo I really felt comfortmyimessenger.com

wholesome events and we need to ensure that all venues are free from violent behavior.

Next year, I’ll get to see how comforting it is when we see who has the best collard greens.

Isn’t it comforting to know that you can make someone feel good with your special recipe?

Guess what, it’s important to note that a kind word or a smile could help too!

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myimessenger.com

THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Spotify

By VALDER BEEBE

As I’ve launched VISION 2020 Baby Boomers on the Valder Beebe Show we’re exploring how we Live, Love, Work, Play.

Finding what we embrace, what we love and what we are experiencing has been an amazing eye-opening experience.

As we enter the New Year, updating your workout and selfcare routine are likely top of mind.

With more than 54 million workout-focused playlists on Spotify, expert Shanon Cook is taking a closer look at trends and sharing our 2020 fitness and wellness predictions based on current listening globally.

Spotify’s key findings: Listeners have created more running playlists than any other workout type.

Our listening audience is focusing on self-care will continue to reign supreme in 2020. Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next”, Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” and Hailee Steinfeld’s “Love Myself ” are popular female empowerment anthems on people’s “self-care” playlists.

113% increase in streams of meditation playlists in the past

year, higher than for any other workout and wellness type.

Working on Our ZZZzzz’s: Listening to Health & Fitness podcasts increased 145% in the past year.

Some popular picks for workout-themed playlists at my guest Shanon Cook is the Spotify trends expert for TV, radio and online and formerly a CNN music and entertainment reporter.

During Shanon’s career she’s interviewed many of the world’s top entertainers, including Sting, Annie Lennox, Kanye West, Paul Rudd, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Claire Danes, Peter Gabriel, R.E.M., Duran Duran, Mariah Carey, Harry Connick Jr. and Yo-Yo Ma. For more than ten years her reports have broadcast worldwide in more than 200 countries on CNN International and in the U.S. on CNN and HLN. Spotify transformed music listening forever when it launched in Sweden in 2008. Today, Spotify is the most popular global audio streaming subscription service with 248m users, including 113m subscribers, across 79 markets.

Text provided by Spotify Shannon Cook’s publicists in conjunction with the Valder Beebe Show VBS: My audience of Baby Boomers, I am sure they are included in the workout trends survey by Spotify. Does Spotify know what type of workouts BB are engaging in?

SC: Yes, and that’s a good question. The most created playlists are for running. Yoga, weight lifting (which is hard core) meditation and well care play lists have increased by 113%.

Yoga and meditation are among the most popular playlists. The latter are increasing as people lives are so busy and stressful. ………Shanon Cook’s full interview…….SoundCloud. com/valderbeebeshow Valder Beebe hosts the Valder Beebe Show on FM and streaming TV: ValderBeebeShow.com, 411RadioNetwork.com; SoundCloud. com/valderbeebeshow FM Broadcast: KKVI FM 89.9, KRER FM 102.5; Streaming on ROKU & Amazon Fire: YouTube/ValderBeebeShow; VBS affiliate broadcasters; PChatman Network [Roku TV]

Valder Beebe Show THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW On-Demand video: ValderBeebeShow.com, 411RadioNetwork.com, Youtube.com/valderbeebeshow; PODCAST audio: Soundcloud.com/ valderbeebeshow, Soundcloud.com/kkvidfw; Broadcast:KYBS FM Y99.9, KRER FM 102.5, Streaming TV PChatman Network and VBS affiliate broadcasters; On-Demand 411 RadioNetwork.com,.

– Now available on 411RadioNetwork APP (download free in Google Playstore); Valder Beebe Show is a Power of 3 Women media influencer consortium partner myimessenger.com

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Fulfilling Dr. King’s Dream

CATHY HUGHES

By Keith L. Alexander

OXON HILL, Md. – Inside the illuminated MGM National Har-bor all have gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Urban One Inc., the nation’s largest distributor of news and entertainment aimed solely at Black consumers, which also includes the largest African American owned TV network.

Still at the helm of Urban One is the legendary woman with the mic, camera and now computer keyboard is the company’s founder and chairwoman, Cathy Hughes. On this recent night, the 72-year-old energetic JANUARY 24, 2020

and spirited Hughes is also serving as co-host for the 40th anniversary Urban One Honors awards show with comedian Chris Tucker, aired on Hughes’s TV One network Jan. 20.

The orchestra begins playing and Hughes and Tucker walk on stage arm in arm to begin the two-hour show.

No one messes with Cathy Hughes, especially when she is their boss. That’s right, in addition to the various entertainment companies, Urban One also owns nearly 7 percent of the $1.4 billion, MGM casino, hotel and resort, a purchase the company made when the resort opened three

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years ago.

As the nation celebrates the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month, those who knew King well, say Hughes and Urban One are the epitome of King’s dream.

Dr. Benjamin Chavis, who worked as a youth leader for King in the 1960’s, said Hughes was able to break through the historically, white male controlled world of media ownership and create her own media company that she uses to not only to reach millions of people around the world to ensure that the voices of African Americans continue

to be shared and visible.

myimessenger.com

THE LAST WORD DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX

Julianne Malveaux is an author

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Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dallas City officials and Martin Luther King Jr. Center Board members participated in annual march/parade. See more pictures inside on page 9.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day parades in Fort Worth, Garland, and Dallas

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Check out The Kinsey Collection at the African American Museum in Dallas 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210 214-565-9026

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myimessenger.com

DALLAS WOMEN MARCHING

Thousands march to City Hall for Women’s March rally

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JANUARY 24, 2020

Listen, Learn, Teach I WAS JUST THINKING...

Robert Pitre has spent most of his life listening.

The nonstop Dallas entrepre-neur and youth advocate will be the first to tell you.

Listening is how

By Norma Adamshe learned what he Wade knows.

I Messenger Media And Pitre knows a lot -- about Vision. business, life, people, determination, and Self-employed and overcoming challenges. independent.

I saw a social media post a few days ago that alluded to I was just thinking about his staying power in business.

Pitre was thanking the what it takes to be able to Creator as he celebrated truthfully make that claim. I 50 years as a self-employed, called up Pitre – a longtime independent entrepreneur. acquaintance as is his lovely He owns Pitre Auto Sales wife Pennie. Robert, let’s in South Dallas, Skyline talk, I said. Tell me about Ranch in Oak Cliff, is those 50 years. How did you one of Dallas’ largest land make it through that span of owners, and mentors under- time? What hurdles did you privileged youth through have to clear? Did you ever various nonprofits he vow to throw in the towel? established, including Pitre What inside of you kept you JANUARY 24, 2020

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moving forward?

Pitre is a captivating storyteller.

Through recall, he took me back to his childhood in his Beaumont, Texas hometown.

He was a precocious child, one of three children of Presley and Beatrice Pitre, and very self-motivated after his hero father died when young Pitre was age 5. He thought of himself as a backup for his mother who took on the role of a single parent after her husband died.

And somewhere in that mish mosh of circumstances, Pitre began to listen. Listen and learn became his lifestyle trademark. He had the good sense to realize that his elders knew way more about life and survival than he did.

So, he paid attention when they talked and watched myimessenger.com

closely how they managed their lives.

“I was always asking questions and listening to answers,” Pitre said.

His grandfather taught him the importance of owning land.

He never forgot the lesson and put it in practice as an adult. A successful rancher in Beaumont impressed young Pitre to the point that he made owning a ranch a goal for when he grew up. He realized that goal through Skyline Ranch.

To listen and learn became his M. O., his standard routine, in business as well. Pitre related numerous stories of successful business powerbrokers that he made a point of meeting and taking on as advisers – beginning as a pre-teen and teenager back home and expanding the practice in Dallas. His many advisers included prominent businessman H. R. Fender in Tyler and in Dallas -bankers Buddy Kemp and Thomas Hoaglin and fleet owner Gordon K. Allen.

He came up against the discriminatory practice of redlining African-American myimessenger.com

neighborhoods and banks refusing to approve loans for African-American business owners. Pitre passionately took on that battle as a hotbutton issue. He still pursues

PENNIE AND ROBERT PITRE it like a hungry lion chasing a prey.

As a result of his relentless pursuit and in-your-face challenges, the number of African American bank executives and workers in Dallas and southern cities climbed steadily over the years.

While listening and learning for himself, Pitre began to teach others.

He speaks regularly at schools, organizations, and community events.

His popular Life Guide for America Map hangs in 15

schools, churches, and offices of important people who care about others. The map that he designed illustrates right and wrong paths that youths can take along their life journey that will lead them to success or destruction.

He had to make many detours on his own journey, but never thought of quitting. “I did not have that option,” he said.

He told of being offered a very tempting, large sum of money from a power broker. But he knew there would be string attached.

“I told myself, ‘If I take this money, I won’t be able to say anything negative about them.’ I turned him down.

And in no time, God blessed me.

“I tell people, God will test you and bless you. I’ve been through lots of tests. But God has always blessed me.”

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

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myimessenger.com

ASK ALMA

He’s my daddy!

Dear Alma, My parents divorced when I was nine. It was cool, because I spent a lot of time with my father and I got along well with my stepfather. My biological father and I had a great relationship and spent weekends and holidays together. Things changed after I graduated from high school. My father worked three jobs and was very serious about instilling in me the importance of hard work, but he didn’t see the need to go to college. He did everything for me, but he wouldn’t pay or contribute to my college education. I talked to him and told him how important it was to me, but he just wouldn’t.

He didn’t even come to my college graduation.

I didn’t then and still don’t understand. I’m now a father and will do everything to help my boys go to college.

I have a great salary myimessenger.com

and have started their college fund. Here’s the reason I e-mailed you.

My father’s health is failing. He isn’t ready for a nursing home, but he needs help, because he lives alone. I don’t want to help him, because he didn’t help me.

How can I explain to him, he doesn’t deserve my help?

My Father’s Son Dear My Father’s Son, Hmmmm, slow your roll my darling. I sympathize with you and totally understand your side of this situation, but you know what – you’re wrong.

Yep, you’re wrong and your Daddy was wrong and two wrongs don’t make one right. Your life didn’t start when you graduated high school. Sounds like the two of you maintained a wonderful relationship up until then. His teachings and example of hard work, propelled

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you many a night when it came to cramming, and hitting those books, I’m sure. I know you are hurt and you felt abandoned, but you know what – you did it; you succeeded. His decision not to donate or contribute to your education didn’t stop you from completing your academic goals and graduating from college. Congratulations to you. Sure, you’ve got student loans and other grown up bills to pay, but don’t we all? It’s time to let that go.

In my opinion when it comes to caring for our parents, that’s a responsibility regardless of the relationship, unless there’s some kind of abuse. Reason being, both of my parents have gone on to be with the Lord and you know what, I can’t remember one argument. I don’t recall one disagreement or a time when I just didn’t want anything to do with them. Mind

you, there were many LOL moments, I just choose not to recall.

At this stage of my life I’ve realized, none of that nonsense was important anyway. You’re the creator of the life story your sons will recall and remember.

You have an obligation to rewrite this chapter when it comes to what happened between you and your father. You can blaze a new path in your family legacy, one that includes the support for education. Teach by example to your sons and be there for your father.

Show your young men how you are honoring your father in his time of need, here at the end of his life. Choose to be at your best for your boys. It’s not about your Dad or the cracks in the wall of your relationship. This is about what your sons will see, while they’re watching you, be the best son you can to your father.

Alma

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Sixth Annual Comerica Bank Prom Dress Drive Begins February 1 Forest Lane; Dallas) NorthPark (8850 Boedeker Street; Dallas) Parker-Premier (3310 Premier Road; Plano) Preston Center (8225 Preston Road; Dallas) Snider Plaza (6829 Hillcrest Avenue; Dallas) – NEW Location

Comerica Bank will host its sixth annual Prom Dress Drive, benefitting Dallas CASA and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, during the month of February.

Six Dallas-area Comerica banking centers, including its newest location in the Snider Plaza area, will serve as drop-off locations for new or gently-used, cleaned formal dresses and accessories.

Donations will benefit local teens, who otherwise may not be able to afford formal attire and experience the high school tradition of prom. Comerica has donated close to 4,000 dresses to Dallas CASA and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas in the last five years.

WHAT: Comerica Bank Prom Dress Drive Benefitting Dallas CASA and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas WHO: Comerica Bank colleagues, customers and individual donors WHEN: Friday, Feb. 1 – Saturday, Feb. 29 WHERE: Participating Comerica Banking For more information, Centers visit comerica.com/ Cole-Fitzhugh (3202 North Fitzhugh; Dallas) promdress.

Forest-Inwood (5200 JANUARY 24, 2020

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Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management.

Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful.

In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. myimessenger.com

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BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

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The 411: Top Five Beauty ABOUT YOUR HAIR

BY DR. LINDA AMERSON www.hairandscalpessentials.com

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Publisher Mollie Belt to receive NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

A tragedy initially brought Mollie Belt into the world of newspaper publishing.

Now, 34 years after the tragic murder of her parents – Dallas Examiner Publisher and Civil Rights leader Fred Finch, Jr., and Mildred Finch – Belt’s foray into the news business is nothing short of a triumph.

A former long-time govern-ment JANUARY 24, 2020

employee, Belt is set to receive the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) 2020 Publisher Lifetime Achieve-ment Award during the trade organization’s Annual Mid-Winter Training Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Friday, January 24.

The NNPA’s Executive Committee unanimously selected Belt for the honor.

With the theme, “Publishing Industry: Innovation & Sustainability of the Black Press

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of America,” the three-day conference which begins on Jan. 23 includes training workshops, panel discussions, and presentations.

“It is with great pleasure that the NNPA Executive Committee has selected Mollie Belt for the honor of the Publishers Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the NNPA for so many years,” said NNPA National Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards.

“Mollie has demonstrated great myimessenger.com

leadership and guidance to uplift the publishers and the entire organization.”

NNPA President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., said the NNPA “resolutely congratulates Mollie Finch Belt for being selected to receive the 2020 NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award.”

“Mollie’s local, statewide, regional, and national leadership as the distinguished publisher of the Dallas Examiner exemplifies the best of the Black Press of America,” Chavis said.

For Mrs. Belt, the conference isn’t just about accepting such a distinguished honor from her peers, but it’s a reminder of how important the Black Press remains to its readers, sponsors, and advertisers.

“It’s imperative that we publish the news and remember at all times that we are the voice of the Black community,” she explained. “We have to remember that we are here to print the news. I always think of what someone told me years ago, which was to not worry about getting more advertising, to just print the news, and if your editorial content is good, the advertising dollars will come.”

In Dallas, Mrs. Belt observed that the Examiner counts as the only Black-owned entity in which the community can receive news of interest to African Americans. “We are the only voice that I know of in Dallas. We don’t have a Black-owned television station or a Black-owned myimessenger.com

radio station, or even a station that has a Black commentator.”

Born in 1943 in Dallas, Mrs. Belt’s mother was a mathematics instructor while her father was an attorney and civil rights leader who, in 1986, founded the Dallas Examiner.

Tragically, after publishing just four issues of the newspaper, her parents were murdered in their home.

A Spelman College alum and a sociology and psychology graduate of the University of Denver, she was forced to take over the paper.

She did so without any experience.

Mrs. Belt spent her career working as an employment counselor for the Texas Employment Commission, and she also held several positions for the city of Dallas and the federal government.

“I was the only child, I inherited the newspaper,” she said. “I did not know the newspaper industry, and it was something that I had to learn on the job. My father wasn’t a newspaperman either and when I look back, there are a lot of things that we do differently today. We have a niche market, and we have to continuously stress that.

“Even though we know that we now live in a digital world – and we have to have a digital presence – we also have to remember the print edition and that our community still enjoys reading the print edition and our community loves pictures.”

After taking over the paper, Mrs. 25

Belt decided to pour much of her resources into making the Examiner a success, in part, to carry out her parents’ legacy.

In a 2013 HistoryMakers interview, she noted that she successfully applied for a grant from AT&T to start, “Future Speak,” a publication aimed at developing young minority journalists.

She also used the Dallas Examiner to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention by publishing numerous articles and special supplements, including her award-winning pieces titled, “PROBE,” “Battling AIDS in Our Community” and “Innocence Lost.”

Under Belt’s guidance, the Dallas Examiner has won a host of local, state, and national awards. In 2002, the newspaper earned honors as “Best Weekly Newspaper” by the Texas Publisher’s Association.

The Dallas Examiner also has captured at least 12 awards from the regional chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, including “Best Newspaper” and “Best Practices.”

For her, the NNPA Publishers Lifetime Achievement Award will forever stand out as most special.

“When you receive an honor from your peers, it’s all the more meaningful,” Belt said. “I get a lot of awards and honors from various organizations, some of which are related to the community. But, this one is very special, and I’m really touched.”

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FROM THE CAPITOL

BY CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON Congresswoman Johnson represents the 30th congressional district of Texas in the US House of Representatives.

Stopping Chemical Pollution!

The presence of life-threatening chemicals in our air, our food and our water is a significant health risk to our country, its adults and its children. As a health professional I realize the magnitude of the dangers we face. That is why I supported legislation passed recently in the House of Representatives designed to address the problem.

Chief among its goals, the legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency to closely monitor and regulate deadly chemicals that are a serious danger to the water that all of us consume, and to the air that we breathe.

Unfortunately, the current administration is not concerned about the quality of the water that Americans consume, or the safety of the air. It has reversed many of the environment-friendly policies and regulations established during the presidency of former President Barack Obama.

Its policies have created a regulatory environment in which anything goes, and in which bad practices run rampant while people become sicker, and com-munimyimessenger.com

ties suffer. It is a throw-back to a time when there were few sensible standards; science was rejected and common sense abandoned.

If this administration were allowed to have its way, communities in North Texas, those throughout our state and others across our nation, will continually be victimized by chemical pollution, resulting in poor health and an increase in preventable deaths.

The legislation that the Democratically--controlled House fought for was passed by a vote of 247 to 159.

Twenty-four Republican members voted in favor of the bill. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president it will help us in the battle against chemical polluters, and the products that they use.

It will ensure that the environment is free of deadly chemical pollutants that currently plague us. It will also provide federal grants for states such as Texas to eliminate and cleanup areas that are environmentally unsafe.

The evidence for action is alarming. In November of last year chemical explosions at a plant near Houston resulted in injuries to workers, and the evacuation of approximately 50,000 residents who found themselves having to sleep in shelters.

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ABOUT YOUR HAIR

BY DR. LINDA AMERSON

www.hairandscalpessentials.com

The terms used to describe hairstyling for the deceased is Desairology, Eternal Grooming, or Make Ready. The Funeral Home Business is a billion dollar industry. Someone dies everyday. The last grooming service for a loved one is most often done by a licensed cosmetologist, barber, braider, or wig stylist. If the family would like the fingernails of their loved one polished, this service may also be done by the professional. If there is damage, cuts, or discoloration to the hands, the morticians may cover the hands with a bible, scarf, or handkerchief.

In the United States alone, there are thousands of Funeral Homes and growing.

In Texas, there are numerous Funeral Homes. The Texas Prepaid Fund has grown to approximately $17 million.

Pre-Need Counseling Services are available to consumers to lighten the burned during a difficult time of transition of a a loved one. Everything is in writing, and the price is locked in for expenses, however other expenses may be required.

Such as flowers, limousine service, or grave site digging, just to name a few. The family of the deceased have choices including: an organ donor, donate their body to science, cremation, casket, mausoleum, or pine box.

Furthermore, Dr. Terry S. Masters, Funeral Director JANUARY 24, 2020

Make-ready grooming

of Bethesda Funeral Homes in Mexia and DeSoto, TX shared info about ‘Personalized Funerals’...also called ‘Lavish Funerals.’

These type of funerals are popular globally per the families request. One example, Dr. Masters shared, a man wanted to be laid to rest in his car...so the family granted his wish.

The motor was removed prior to lowering the car into the oversized grave.

Another example includes a reality TV show. Golden Gate Funeral Home, Dallas, TX began a Reality Television Show on the TLC Network, showcasing ‘Personalized Funerals’ under the heading “The Best Funeral Ever.” I have watched this program, observing a casket made in the shape of a barbecue pit, yet the body was never shown. The Owner Mr. John Beckwith confirmed the fact that the body is never shown during the televised segments.

In addition, in other countries such as Ghana, India, etc, custom caskets may be ordered according to a person’s profession.

Dr. Doris Whitaker, who works at Grimes Funeral Home, Houston, TX mentioned that family members need to be aware about choosing the right garment for their loved one.

If it is a female, make sure the garment is not low cut in the neckline area. If it is too

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low cut, they will add a scarf or cloth insert in that area to conceal cuts, scars, incisions, etc. Do not bring hanging earrings...studs are preferred.

Retired National Beauty Culturist’s League Instructor of Desairology Dr. Dorothy Ward shared some valuable information for beauty professionals, who offer this service.

1) Protect yourself by using gloves, gowns, a mask and covered shoes.

2) You will need the following Implements: combs, brushes, chips, hairpins, sheen and holding hair spray, oil, gels, colors, color rinses, rollers, thermal combs and irons, thermal stove, blow dryer, shears, clippers, and head rest.

If you use a flat iron, use a disposable kind, not one that you use daily on your clients.

The reason is, the embalming fluid affects the heating mechanism, therefore it will not get as hot you will notice on other clients...even after cleaning it.

3) Some funeral homes will have the hair already shampooed, however, if you are required to shampoo the hair, remember these hazards.

Test the water to make sure it is not hot. Hot water will cause hair removal. Be sure to rinse thoroughly all-foreign matters from the hair and scalp before proceeding with a service. Be

sure to test curlers-hair is easy to burn as well as the hairline skin can burn easily. Hair is in a very dry state and very easy to lift from the scalp due to various causes of death and conditions.

Be cautious around the hairline also with hair colors.

4) Procedures: Examine the scalp in order to make sure there is not any seepage from an autopsy or abrasions of the scalp. If scalp looks OK, proceed with cleaning the scalp and hair with tepid water and shampoo, or a dry shampoo substance. Towel dry or blowdry all excess moisture from the hair. Use careful strokes with the comb or brush so that the hair will not tangle, because the hair is easy to comb out at this point. Select a style and proceed to press the hair if it is virgin hair. Curl the hair so that it can be styled to accentuate the person’s face, since the concentration is only on the front and sides. Remember that the right side is the viewing side.

Be sure you have the proper implements to achieve whatever style you wish to accomplish, such as, combs, brushes, clips, hairpins, hair sprays oils, gels, hair colors and rinses and shears and clippers.

5) The time spent for grooming depends on the stylist ability and expertise. Price is determined between the mortician and the stylist. The average rate is currently $50 per person and up. myimessenger.com

Inspired Vision serving millions Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Inspired Vision Compassion Center

Dallas City Councilmember Jaime Resendez and A+ Charter Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenton White were among the hundreds of supporters, volunteers and citizens attending the grand-opening of the facility that will provide food, clothing, services and other goods to citizens.

2019 N. Masters Drive Dallas, Texas, 75217

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KEEPING HOPE ALIVE

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