I Messenger

DECEMBER 20, 2019

VOL IX NO 18

I M essenger

SPREADING HOLIDAY LOVE J udge A ndrea M artin L ane

Andrea Martin Lane has been the Presiding Judge of the 304th District Court of Dallas County, Texas since January 1, 2015.

COMMENTARY

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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.

DECEMBER 20, 2019

by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Impeaching a president Until now, there have only been three instances in the history of our great nation when members of the House of Representatives have had to consider impeaching an American president.

Most recently members of the House Judiciary Committee, whose task it was to consider the articles of impeachment brought against President Trump, found themselves having to pray before voting, seeking guidance, asking God what they should do in the midst of a turbulent national crisis.

Away from the cameras and distant from the rancor of debate they bowed their heads and tuned their hearts to seek a higher guidance, to search for a greater peace that had eluded them in the precedent hours, weeks and months.

And now members in the House of Representatives have made their decision, sending the issue to the United States Senate where its members will decide whether or not the 45th president of the United States should be removed from office.

It is indeed a sad and

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valid subpoenas.

Even in the face of a ruling by a federal district court judge stating that the president was not a “king� who acts without constraints, President Trump decided to stressful time in the abandon prudence and history of our democracy. insisted that his aides not Had the founders of our appear, defying Congress. country not believed The power to issue that a discreditable chief subpoenas is a critical executive would one function of the Congress day occupy the highest as a component of office in our land they government, equal to would not have included both the presidency and a procedure in our the Supreme Court. That constitution identifying much is taught in high steps to remove him or school civic classes. her from office.

The authority and The House has charged power of Congress are President Trump with constitutionally-based, abuse of power and and cannot be voided contempt of Congress. by the whims of any In the first instance it is single individual, even if alleged that the president that person happens to asked the president of be the president of the Ukraine to personally United States. Certainly assist him in his bid for President Trump should reelection by producing understand that. unfavorable evidence on a political opponent, Congresswoman former Vice President Joe Johnson represents Biden. the 30th Congressional The second charge District of Texas alleges that the president in the House of refused to allow aides in R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s his administration to give where she chairs the sworn testimony before Committee on Science, congressional panels, Space and Technology. even though they received myimessenger.com

INSIDE

LAST WORD

WORDZ I’ve watched and re-watched the documentary, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, more times than I can count.

The scene that stood out most recently was one featuring poet, activist, and scholar Sonia Sanchez, who also happens to be one of Morrison’s closest friends.

California Senator Kamala Harris (D) threw her hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination for President before more than 20,000 people in Oakland, California.

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FORWARD The older and more sophisticated I become, the more I realize the genius that resided in our mothers, fathers, and grandparents. When I was eight at Goodwill Baptist Church, listening to Reverend J. C. Huey preach and the choirs sing, I didn’t always understand.

17 Now I do.

Miss Jamaica makes history From Staff Reports

History was made! Miss Jamaica, Toni-Ann Singh, was crowned Miss World on December 14, 2019 in London, Eng. She is a women’s studies and psychology student at Florida State University who aspires to be a medical doctor.

Previously she has worked as president of the Caribbean students association on campus.

Miss Jamaica Toni-Ann Singh Miss World

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DECEMBER 20, 2019

MY TRUTH

by Cheryl Smith, Publisher

Be for real

Sadly the issue has not gone away. Truth in advertising. It’s simple. I don’t mind paying for what I get, but you need to give me what I pay for.

There are more and more restaurants that are passing off a popular fish, Swai, as catfish.

That’s a no-no for a number of reasons. First it is unethical.

What’s the big deal? Well, if it weren’t a deal, then why are business owners not informing consumers that they are serving something other than what appears on the menu? Would you not like to be informed if you order chopped beef but the server brings out chopped horse?

Some have started referring to Swai as catfish because it is similar.

Trust me, it is not the same.

Nearly 90% of the catfish (Swai) imported to the U.S. comes from Vietnam, where the use of antibiotics that are banned in the U.S. is widespread, according to consumer reports. Furthermore, the two varieties of Vietnamese catfish sold in the U.S., Swai and Basa, aren’t technically considered catfish by the federal government and therefore aren’t held to the same inspection rules DECEMBER 20, 2019

wink customers with Swai. that other imported catfish are.

Heck, put some hot sauce, ketchWell, try telling this to the restaurants that have sold Swai, passing up, mustard or tartar sauce on it it off as catfish. On the occasion and who can tell the difference? when I have been served Swai, I I can and more and more frequently others are recognizing and sharing their displeasure.

To date there’s never been an issue when I whisper my concern.

Actually they quietly try to resolve and address my concerns, without bringing attention to our interactions.

Swai is native to Southeast Asia—Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia—and sells locally for around $3.99 a pound, according to Tod Marks of illlion dollar question Consumer Reports.

You’re going to pay s this or as little as $1 to up to have immediately let my server $4 a pound more for catfish. know that the fish before me was Clearly Swai is cheaper. So not catfish. wouldn’t you think that the savI’ve been served Swai at seafood, ings should be passed on to conChinese and neighborhood restau- sumers? rants. Some of my favorite catfish Instead you have business ownjoints, that actually have “catfish” ers who have no issue with violatin their name, do not serve catfish ing truth in advertising policies, anymore because they can hood- in addition to being completely

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B

: CATFISH SWAI?

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deceptive.

Now, full disclosure: I like Swai. I especially like it grilled or blackened. But I want what I order.

I was pleased to see that Rocking Crab at 775 W Wheatland Rd, Duncanville, TX 75116, where they have some of the best crabs and special sauce in the Metroplex, has a sign that makes the distinction between the two?

That’s right, you know you are getting Swai, and not catfish!

Deception is not an admirable trait.

Imagine my surprise when I was told by a Joe’s Crab Shack manager that they cook their crabs along with their pork sausage. I asked the manager what do they do when serving Jewish customers. To say they cared would be a gross over-statement. His response, to me, was disrespectful.

It was also unconscionable as I thought about people of the Jewish and Islamic faith who haven’t a clue about Joe’s Crab Shack’s disgusting practice.

While I won’t begrudge anyone else the pleasure of eating at Joe’s; now that I know what they do in the kitchen, I won’t be eating there anymore and I want to make sure I share what I know and consider to be bad business.

With dietary, religious and health restrictions, you have to be careful today.

When my brother and I told my mother that we would no longer eat pork, she supported our decmyimessenger.com

laration. She did tell us however, that we had better not forget how we were raised and that if we went to anyone’s home, we were never to question what they put into their

Nearly 90% of the catfish (Swai) imported to the U.S. comes from Vietnam, where the use of antibiotics that are banned in the U.S. is widespread, according to consumer reports. Furthermore, the two varieties of Vietnamese catfish sold in the U.S., Swai and Basa, aren’t technically considered catfish by the federal government and therefore aren’t held to the same inspection rules that other imported catfish are. pots. Instead of asking if there was pork in those collard greens, we needed to say “no thanks,” and pass.

Since we were so adamant about keeping pork out of our bodies, she altered our menus to accommodate us. She began serving beef and smoked turkey, although she never stopped eating her ham hocks, center cut pork chops and neckbones.

And we honored her edict. If we even thought something was 5

seasoned with pork, we politely passed.

I remember sitting at the table of someone I was dating and his mom was clearly outdone because all I had on my plate was potato salad, yams, macaroni and cheese and turkey. She called me out, pointing that her son “didn’t eat pork but he eats chitterlings!”

I politely responded, “Then he eats pork!”

Then I added, “And no, I can’t eat the Jiffy cornbread, because it is made with lard!”

I felt so uncomfortable and I told myself that day that I refuse to be put in situations where people attempt to make me feel bad because I don’t eat or do things the way they do.

Just like my mom would have considered it rude for me to ask about pork, I think it is rude for people to mock others or trivialize their feelings by saying something like, “it won’t hurt you. Just eat a little bit.” Or worse, “Just pick it out.”

Unfortunately over the years I have seen pork eaters attempt to deceive non pork eaters.

Honesty is the best policy and respect is an admirable trait. I think it is important that in all you do, you do the right thing. I don’t care who you are!

So if your company is “CATFISH” anything, you need to serve CATFISH! Like Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes sang in the 1970s, “Be For Real!”

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DECEMBER 20, 2019

DECEMBER 20, 2019

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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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DECEMBER 20, 2019

DECEMBER 20, 2019

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Spreading Holiday Love

Road And Bridge District 2 - Dallas

CAAPCO Concord

DALLAS LGBTQ Bar Association

U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson

Adoption

Garcia & West

MOCCA Cosmetics

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I MESSENGER

DECEMBER 20, 2019

Laugh to Keep from Dying WORDZ OF WILSON

BY CHELLE LUPER WILSON I’ve watched and re-watched the documentary, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, more times than I can count.

The scene that stood out most recently was one featuring poet, activist, and scholar Sonia Sanchez, who also happens to be one of Morrison’s closest friends.

She explained how Morrison’s work made you feel a full range of emotions. She talked about being so mad reading The Bluest Eye that she just threw the book against the wall.

As only she can, Sanchez then described the tears that flowed from her eyes as she came back the next day to read more. She says, “You read Toni and you cry and you gotta laugh...If you don’t laugh; you don’t survive.”

Her words, “If you don’t laugh; you don’t survive,” have haunted me ever since.

As most children of Black parents, there have been times when we as kids, didn’t see the funny in many situations that amused the elders.

However, I remember hearing my mother say a lot, “Sometimes you just have to laugh to keep from crying.”

In the times we now find ourselves in, there are plenty of outrageous DECEMBER 20, 2019

things happening that ordinarily would warrant a good laugh, but right now, all I want to do is cry.

Finding something that really made me laugh has been a challenge, until Eddie Murphy returned to my screen.

I honestly didn’t know how much I needed a good laugh until I had one—a really good one, the kind that makes you spit out your drink, causes your eyes to water, and requires you to hold on to your sides because they hurt from laughing.

Recently, several people have told me I needed to see Dolemite Is My Name. I knew the story of Rudy Ray Moore wouldn’t be appropriate to watch as a family but finding time away from the kids to “Netflix and Chill” isn’t easy.

On a 6am flight, a week or so ago, I paid for Wi-Fi and started watching it. I laughed out loud (and I do mean loud) so many times.

Ordinarily, I’m a quiet flyer, especially at 6am, but the laughs came louder and quicker than I could stop them.

It didn’t seem to bother the beautiful and distinguished seasoned Black woman seated next to me, and as we were landing, I said, “I hope my laughs did not bother you. I just

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watched Dolemite Is My Name.” She turned to me and said, “You did not bother me, and listen honey, I understand. I watched it last night.”

Yes, Dolemite Is My Name, is very funny. The cast is phenomenal, Murphy has brought so much Black excellence together in this one film. I kept saying, “Wait, was that?” Yes, it was.

Let me tell you, Wesley Snipes delivered as D’Urville Martin and said aloud what everyone, outside of the cast, had to be thinking.

Surprisingly, it is also very heart warming. It is a story of belief in self no matter what. It is a story of authentic friendship. It is a story of representation. It is a story of community—the way we come through and show up for one another.

It is a story that visually depicts our experience, “when they slam doors, go find another, or build a window... do whatever it takes to keep going.”

This movie is all of that, and did I also mention it is funny?

When I think about the African American experience in a historical context, one of the factors that I believe has contributed to our resilience and survival, is that despite our circumstances, we have somehow always been able to find joy. myimessenger.com

Those who held racist beliefs rooted in white supremacy couldn’t fathom the concept that enslaved persons could still find reasons to smile, and so, they concluded this happiness must mean those of African descent were childlike with lesser developed minds.

After all, how could anyone find happiness within a life of bondage, sorrow, and pain.

What those racists couldn’t understand was the fact that while my ancestors’ bodies were bound, their minds were free.

Their minds were able to tap into a metaphysical connection that allowed them to transcend present circumstances and as real as sunshine and rain, they conjured joy from pain (shout out to Frankie Beverly).

The ability to separate the spiritual from the physical was not only an ability that far exceeded average levels of mental comprehension; it was also necessary for survival.

However, I like to think it wasn’t just about their survival, but the joy that resonated from the depths of their souls soared as the ancestors visualized us, not just surviving but thriving.

They could find ways to laugh, and dance, and sing because they knew this life was not our end. myimessenger.com

In times like these when seemingly everyone and everything is working against our ability to survive, sadly sometimes even ourselves; we must find sources of joy.

Richard Pryor once said, “All hu-

mor is rooted in pain.” With climate change, global unrest, voter suppression, senseless violence, chaos in the Oval Office, there is more than enough pain to go around. It is enough to break your spirit all the way down and for many people, it has. You can see its effect on their faces, bodies, minds, and spirits.

Sanchez tried to tell us, “If you don’t laugh; you don’t survive.” Before Sanchez, the Bible told us that “A merry heart doeth good, like medicine (Proverbs 17:22). Medical studies have proven that laughing boosts the immune system, de-

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creases risk of heart attacks, helps reduce blood pressure, and can aid in weight loss (I’m trying hard to fit in my new jeans so I’m gonna start laughing right now).

If you haven’t seen the movie, I know by now I’ve piqued your interest.

Let me know when you get to the scene in Dolemite when Murphy as Moore brings in the idea of including Kung Fu, that part WILL make you laugh out loud.

I’m taking Eddie Murphy’s energy with me into 2020, because even though he said these words as Dolemite to Mighty Donald, I know he was talking to both himself and us when he said, “Don’t never let nobody tell you, you can’t be anything you wanna be. Understand?”

Like Anita Baker, these words bring me joy! This holiday season, I ask that you join me in finding at least one thing that brings you joy, not just the type of joy that makes you smile, but the kind that makes you laugh out loud.

Chelle Luper Wilson is a writer, motivational speaker and activist. She is the International Secretary of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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DECEMBER 20, 2019

COMMENTARY

by Dr. Julianne Malveaux

KAMALA HARRIS – STILL A WINNER

California Senator Kamala Harris (D) threw her hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination for President before more than 20,000 people in Oakland, California.

She made the announcement on the official Dr. Martin Luther King holiday, January 21, 2019. She jumped into the race with enthusiasm, and many had high hopes for her.

Unfortunately, she suspended her race basically because she lacked resources.

Negative media coverage, perhaps informed by race and gender bias, along with rumors of discord in her campaign were being circulated widely. While I was sorry to see Senator Harris exit the field, I’m still a fan, and I think she is still a winner.

Harris has three more years in her Senate term. Until 2022, she can continue to slice and dice witnesses in the Senate, advance legislation “for the people”, as her campaign slogan suggests, and solidify her base in California. Hopefully, then, she can be reelected and look at Presidential possibilities in 2024 or 2028. And she can use her most recent experience to guide her in her next national campaign. Few candidates for President collect the nomination on their first time out.

President Barack Obama was an exception, but this is VicePresident Joe Biden’s third bite at the apple, and many DECEMBER 20, 2019

(including Bill Clinton) tried at least once before winning.

Kamala was the third Black woman to vie for the Democratic nomination.

Shirley Chisholm’s historic run in 1972 inspired Black women all over the country. She

year, but thanks to Republican dirty tricks, the electoral count wasn’t even close. Mosley Braun had a handle on the issues, especially issues about women’s financial security.

But she had neither the resources nor the support to

was the first Black woman to sit in the United States Congress, and is well known for her motto, “unbought and unbossed.” She made it to the convention floor with 152 delegates, some who had been pledged to Hubert Humphrey until he released them. Chisholm said she ran because she had the “sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo.”

Carol Mosley Braun, the first Black woman to serve in the United States Senate, attempted a presidential run in 2003 and dropped out in early 2004.

John Kerry ended up with the Democratic nomination that

make it to the convention.

Now we have Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor and California Attorney General who burst onto the Senate scene with skills and focus.

Few will forget the way she made Attorney General Jeff Sessions look like a bumbling fool.

And her cross-examination of Brett Kavanaugh was masterful.

As she crisscrossed the country, she inspired Black women and girls, and others. Indeed, she garnered the support of Higher Heights, a Black women’s PAC that endorsed her in early November, despite her low

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polling numbers.

I was saddened to see Kamala leave the race. I would love to have seen her debating 45. I bet he wouldn’t have rattled her the way he pushed Hillary off her game.

I’d like to have seen her with a smaller group of Democrats so that everything didn’t seem so rushed, and people could answer questions more expansively.

Kamala’s’ withdrawal from the race is not her loss but the nation’s.

The way we are going, the next debate will be a white-only affair unless Tulsi Gabbard or Andrew Yang qualify.

In the last debate, Kamala Harris talked about the fact that Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party.

You wouldn’t know that from the representation on the debate stage, or in party leadership.

Black women have been loyal to the Democratic Party, but the party has not been faithful to us.

Kamala Harris is still a winner. Like Shirley Chisholm and Carol Mosley Braun, she refused to accept the status quo.

Her withdrawal from this race is not the end; it is a new beginning for the tenacious Senator who will undoubtedly continue to fight “for the people.”

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DECEMBER 20, 2019

Olivia Frazier Kerr

July 27, 1956 - December 11, 2019 DECEMBER 20, 2019

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Services will be held for long-time educator, businesswoman and community servant Olivia Frazier Kerr, who died recently after a lengthy illness.

Known for her effervescent smile and giving heart, Ms. Kerr began teaching Office Technology (now Business Office Systems and Support (BOSS) courses at Brookhaven College in 2002 as an adjunct instructor.

Also in 2002, she began teaching Basic Skills/GED and Office Technology courses in the Contract Training area within the Continuing and Workforce Education Department at El Centro.

From 2004 through 2006, she was a visiting scholar at Brookhaven in the Business Studies Division. She moved myimessenger.com

to El Centro College in 2006, first as an adjunct instructor and then as a full-time faculty member of the BOSS. She served as the coordinator of the BOSS program at El Centro College.

Ms. Kerr holds a BA degree in administrative office management from Bishop College, a Masters of Business Administration degree in strategic leadership from Amber University (now known as Amberton University) and has done additional graduate work at Northcentral University in Phoenix, Arizona.

With more than 20 years in the corporate workplace as a consultant and technical writer for companies such as IBM, Verizon, Sprint, Motorola, GTE, Ericsson and Burlington 15

Northern Railroad, she has served on several boards and committees in the business and arts communities as well as within the colleges of DCCCD. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she also was an active member of the National Business Education Associations, the International Business Education Association, the International Virtual Assistant Association, and the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

Most recently, she had become a CTFO Independent Associate.

Services will be held Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 11:00a.m. at First Baptist of Hamilton Park. The viewing will be from 10:00-11:00am.

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DECEMBER 20, 2019

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR THE LIVING The Purpose of Funerals

A funeral is a ceremony to honor, remember, and celebrate the life of a loved-one. A funeral can come in many forms, but the primary purpose is to memorialize a person who impacted your life through a meaning relationship.

There is hurt when a loved-one passes, but we should look for ways to celebrate how someone contributed to our lives and society.

Funerals can offer continuity and hope for the living.

The memorialization of some one allows the grief or hurt we feel on the inside to begin to come outside and start the process DECEMBER 20, 2019

to recover from the loss. When we love or cherish someone, a funeral allows us to say goodbye.

Funerals also brings family and friends together to remember how all these relationships started while recognizing the importance of the similarities of shared experiences and passages in life. This point of remembrances motivates us and gives us the will to live not just for ourselves but for others.

A funeral allows us to reflect on the meaning of life and death. We realize we are here temporarily and rethink how to

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make our own life more meaningful and make every day we have be significant.

A ceremony allows us to express individually and collectivity in many forms what a person has meant to us. Expressions can come in the form of a speech, a poem, music, dance, or social gathering. Public expression relieves grief and promotes sharing a common belief, thought, and feeling.

At Black and Clark Funeral Home, we work for you to have a meaningful funeral. We spend all the time you need to plan a program and memorialization

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that fulfills your family's form of expression. Using visuals, a program, and/or a various form of social media; we communicate the news of the passing of your loved-one and when the eremonyl will occur.

A funeral is part of the living experience.

We want your funeral to be meaningful and successful.

Black and Clark is located at 2517 East Illinois Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75216.

The office phone number is 214-3768297. Next month we will discuss making funeral arrangements.

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QUIT PLAYIN

QUIT PLAYIN

A way some how...

By VINCENT L. HALL Vincent L. Hall is

an author, activist

and award-winning columnist

The older and more sophisticated I become, the more I realize the genius that resided in our mothers, fathers, and grandparents.

When I was eight at Goodwill Baptist Church, listening to Reverend J. C. Huey preach and the choirs sing, I didn’t always understand.

Now I do.

There was a woman at the piano named Miss Dorothy, and I never could quite make out what she was saying. She could invigorate them ivories, and she used the ball of her foot against a hollow wooden floor for percussion. I love having drums as we do in most churches now. However, Miss Dorothy’s homemade metronome on that thinly varnished wood floor, was priceless!

Now that I am older and slightly sophisticated, I know that I’ve probably always been ADHD. While all the singin’ and shoutin’ was going on, I was distracted.

My mind was somewhere between fantasizing about a brown-skinned girl with “water-waved” pigtails, or begging my mama for peppermint. Either way, I missed the verses of most songs. myimessenger.com

Whatever lyrics were sung before the chorus was lost amidst my physiological unrest.

Nevertheless, the universal message of the song; the tag line if you use today’s vernacular, stuck with me.

Whatever else Miss Dorothy belted out, she had my full attention when she repeated the refrain; “The Lord will make a way somehow.”

Songs like those are making a comeback for African Americans in and out of the church.

Churches in every community are losing membership in large numbers, and the messages of hope that kept our spirits for 400 years are reaching fewer and fewer people.

The stats published in a Pew Research article in late October, reflect what local and national church leaders are seeing or not seeing in their pews. In “U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace, An update on America’s changing religious landscape,” the state of church membership and attendance looks bleak.

“The religious landscape of the United States continues to change at a rapid clip.

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In Pew Research Center telephone surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019, 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christians when asked about their religion, down 12 percentage points over the past decade.

Meanwhile, the religiously unaffiliated share of the population, consisting of people who describe their religious identity as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular,” now stands at 26%, up from 17% in 2009.

Among white adults, the share of people who say they attend religious services a few times a year or less now exceeds the share who attend monthly or more (57% vs. 42%); a decade ago, the white population was evenly divided between those who went to church at least monthly and those who did not.

Regular churchgoers still outnumber those who infrequently or never go to religious services among black Americans (58% vs.

41%), though the share of people who say they attend religious services a few times a year or less often has risen over the last decade among Black Amer-

by Vincent Hall

icans, just as it has among the population as a whole.”

To marry the numbers to the times, consider that the last time we impeached a president, 11% of the nation declared that they never attend church. As we approach the constitutionally mandated impeachment and removal of Donald J. Trump, 27% of the country is proud to say that they never attend church.

What that means to White folks is kinda beyond me. If they truly believe Donald Trump is the “Chosen One,” we must agree to disagree on who God is. A book by Bebe Moore Campbell, “Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine,” brought me to the realization that everybody’s God ain’t my God. However, for Black folks who shun Christianity and or Spirituality, it explains our feelings of defenselessness and despair. If you never hear or conceive that the “Lord will make a way somehow,” dealing with racism, sexism, climate change, or an orange-tinged White Nationalist could scare you to death.

This holiday season happens to be the most political in our history, but shouldn’t be jaded by our national predicament. My hope is built on nothing less than Rev. Huey’s God; who has, can, and will make a way…

Somehow!

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DECEMBER 20, 2019

ASK ALMA

By Alma Gill

Guess what time it is . Alma, I’m 28, and I ended my last relationship about three years ago. I had been dating this guy since college and thought he would be the one I’d marry and have children with. Shortly after college, I moved to his hometown while he stayed in the area where we’d attended college (my hometown). We had a great relationship for several years before he became frustrated with our long-distance status.

I made the very difficult decision to move back to be closer to him -- don’t worry; I nailed an awesome job before I made the trek. You probably saw this coming: We broke up about a month after I’d moved back. Only we didn’t actually break up -- we took “a break” and maintained an on-off relationship for the next two years. It was only last year that we finally admitted that we weren’t going to make it work. We met up, talked for over an hour, cried a little and shared a kiss.

During our conversation, he confessed that he’d met a woman he really liked during an out-of-town trip for work.

I wished him well and soon found out that they were officially dating. He informed me that he wasn’t sure he DECEMBER 20, 2019

could just be friends with me and that she probably wouldn’t like it if he and I maintained a friendship. It hurt, because we had been so close. I stopped talking to him and blocked him on social media so neither of us would be tempted to reach out. Earlier this year, I received a Facebook message from his new girlfriend, basically asking if he had cheated on her with me. I balked at being involved in their drama (especially while I was doing my best to forget about him and the loss of our relationship) and told her she needed to ask him if she had doubts. I emailed him to let him know what was going on and asked him to make sure I was left out of it. Fast forward to last week when one of my best friends called to ask if I’d heard the news: they’re engaged. Alma, I know this isn’t the guy for me, but I’m still devastated. I can’t believe he’s engaged to this woman he’s known for barely a year.

It adds insult to injury that their relationship was even more long-distance than ours, and I’m skeptical about anyone who Facebooks an ex to find out if their partner is being faithful. Why am I so upset? And how do I get out of this funk?

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Unsigned (Clutching my pearls) Lawd, have mercy; you’re still pinning for that man!

You and I both know that you’re not over him. Clearly you had him pegged as your husband and the father of you children. But you didn’t mention when and how he proposed to you. That leads me to believe that this is a situation where he knew you were his Eva while you thought you were his Eve. I’m sorry, Sweetie; he still holds the keys to your heart. I can understand your heartbreak at the thought of him marrying someone else. It feels like she’s walking down your isle, but, she’s not.

He’s no longer your boo. He told you that. But it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.

I can’t sugar coat this thing because that’s just not the kind of girlfriend I am. If a man tells you he doesn’t want to be with you, believe him.

Your purpose-filled path in life is never connected to anyone who can walk away.

Be it The Hilton or The Heartbreak Hotel, check in for a moment, but don’t try to live there. Pull back the covers from over your head.

Wipe your eyes, blow your nose, pack up your heart and

check out. Ready to release and let it go.

Never convince yourself to settle for a one-sided relationship. We all deserve an Oleda Adams, “You can reach me by sail boat, climb a tree and swing rope to rope” kind of love.

Over the years, I’ve discovered the loves that I found weren’t always the best loves for me, but the love that found me – oh girl! You ain’t seen nothing yet. You hear what I’m saying…………??

Go have lunch or drinks with that guy who asked you and stop texting the one that won’t text you back.

Open yourself to receive the kindness of that guy you won’t give a second glance and see where it leads. Take a step off your “comfortzone” doormat. Maybe he speaks another language, or is possibly from another country. The world is your oyster.

There’s a fantastic man out there waiting to meet you.

If necessary, he’ll move or maintain a long-distance dance, just for you. You will hold the keys to his heart and you’ll quickly recognize and appreciate his efforts, birthed from the pain of this life lesson.

Alma myimessenger.com

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DECEMBER 20, 2019

DALLAS/FORT WORTH CHAPTER 2020 Scholarship Luncheon

“Diversity and Inclusion: From Awareness to Action”

Our Industry Professional Honoree

Our Keynote Speaker

Ms. Cynthia M.A. ButlerMcIntyre

Mr. Craig Dunn Executive Vice President and Texas Region Leader AmWINS Brokerage of Texas, Inc.

Motivational and Educational Speaker

January 10, 2020 11 AM -1:00 PM Doubletree Hotel Campbell Centre 8250 N Central Expressway, Dallas, Tx 75206 Tickets $50 @ naaiadfw.org

For additional information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Machelle Allums 972-768-3650 or

mallums@senecainsurance.com

DECEMBER 20, 2019

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THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Romeo Miller

By VALDER BEEBE

The Artist Romeo Miller is a returning guest on the Valder Beebe Show and he’s back as Host of MTV’s latest dating sensation hit global franchise “Ex on the Beach” and spinoff “MTV Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love”. Romeo will guide 10 celebrity reality show singles to New Zealand as they search for love.

MTV is taking dating to new heights this winter with “Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love.” The series brings 10 international celeb-reality singles to the mountains of Queenstown, New Zealand as they search for their true love, only to be unexpectedly confronted by their past relationships.

Since its launch in 2014, “Ex on the Beach” has become MTV’s most widely traveled and locally adapted show, with 15 versions and over 580 episodes created around the world.

Romeo

Miller

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an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur and model. He gained fame as a rapper in the early 2000s after signing for a label owned by his father Master P. Under the stage name Lil

with the Valder Beebe Show.

VBS: Romeo welcome back to the Valder Beebe Show. It’s been a while since your last interview.

RM: Valder! What’s going on! D Town Baby!

Romeo, he released his debut single My Baby in 2001, which went on to be certified platinum.

Later the same year, Miller released his debut album Lil’ Romeo, which charted the US Billboard 200 at number six and went on to be certified gold, selling over 500,000 copies.-Text provided

by Romeo Miller’s is publicists in conjunction

VBS: Thanks for being here once again. We did a Q&A of you and your famous father Master P with our audiences on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and beyond.

They know a lot about you. You are the host of MTV’s latest sensation Ex On The Beach, you also host the latest spinoff, Ex On the Beach: Peak Of Love. It’s global.

Congratulations!

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RM: Thank You. All on God’s timing. It’s very interesting because I never wanted to get into hosting except when MTV came to me with this show I was like ‘I’m down’. Like, I love being able to inspires people. Look, my name is Romeo, my friends have called me Cupid.

I could be the Dr. Phil of this show. Years later I’m a part of one of the biggest sensation on MTV. Now we have a new spin with Peak Of Love.

VBS: OK, Romeo aka Cupid, give my audience one thing that you have learned about love?

RM: How much time do you have? They call me Dr. Phil on the show because this is what I do. I’ll tell you the main thing and what I learned about love in general………

Romeo Miller’s full interview…….YouTube. com/valderbeebeshow

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The 411: Top Five Beauty Dislikes of Men-Part 1 ABOUT YOUR HAIR

BY DR. LINDA AMERSON www.hairandscalpessentials.com

Beauty comes in many sizes,

shapes and ethnicities. Women spend so much money on themselves for beauty from head to toe to attract men.

In addition, women look at celebrities as role models, when they hire a team of specialists to keep them looking glamorized.

Sadly, children and teenagers are also copying the looks of celebrities with starvation diets, and bulimia to stay a certain size…then plastic surgery as a graduation request!

Everyday beauty advertisers show images of women of what society perceives as beautiful, and acceptable.

Therefore, I asked several men to share their beauty viewpoints.

They have shared the top five things they regard as a ‘turn off’ regarding a woman’s beauty.

Read the interesting answers shared to enlighten women.

Talance Sawyer, Retired NFL Player for the Minnesota Vikings 1) A woman that’s wearing costumes not showing her natural God given beauty creating false illusions.

2) A woman that does not take her health serious. myimessenger.com

3) A woman that is always judgemental base on her past experiences. Every man is not the same!

4) A woman who’s conversation is mostly about finances.

5) Last but not least, a woman who doesn’t like to cook and constantly wants to eat out.

2) Wearing too much makeup. You want to enhance the beauty not take it over the top.

3) A selfish woman is a turn off. If she’s not a giver, if she expects anything in return from a person. Do it because you want to.

4) Hair extensions should blend with your skin and your Kenneth Earl Davis, natural hair. Ex: Over the top supervisor at a Residental blondes, not all skin tones works Treatment Center for Boys with. I like natural, but if you’re ‘Beauty Has It’s Own Destiny!’ going to wear a weave, please do it right.

1) TOO much MAKEUP 5) A woman with no is a MAJOR Turn Off…Natural drive. Waiting on the man to is better. take care of things. Have some 2) HAIR is something goals and work to meet them… that is a MUST! NO HAIR is a set new goals and continue. turn off as well!

6) I have to add this…a 3) Super long woman that does not know how NAILS is another. to communicate in an adult 4) Tattoos that are on manner! Listening skills is a the NECK or FACE AREA is MUST!!! It’s the biggest part of another one. communication.

5) Body percing in face or eye area.

Percy Ray, A.M.P. Advertising, Marketing, Promotions Greg Johnson, Radio Personality 1) Hair extensions hate them…too many styles 1) I’m turned off by to choose from while staying a negative attitude. It takes natural (too costly) away the inner beauty of the 2) Makeup – zero to woman, which makes the outer none…want to see what I will appearance ugly to me. wake up to!

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3) Fragrance a must!

Wake up smelling good and go to bed smelling angelic!

4) Feet and hands have to be well manicured, anything else uncivilized.

5) Inner beauty (spiritual) goes further than exterior beauty…that fades away!

John Boston, Naturally Skintelligent Products 1) Bad attitudes 2) Too tightly fitted clothing…buy your size please!

3) Smoking 4) Too much MAKEUP 5) Bad teeth…get them fixed!

Conclusion, men like and look for certain qualities in a woman. We hope this information enlightened you to stop stressing excessively about your image! Live, Love, Laugh!

All questions should be forwarded to world renown Trichologist, Dr. Linda Amerson 817 265 8854. www.hairandscalpessentials. com FB: www.facebook.com/ Hair-and-Scalp-Essentials Twitter: @ScalpDoctor

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DECEMBER 20, 2019

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HBCU Homecoming 2019 dates: Alabama A&M University Visitor: Texas Southern University Louis Crews Stadium, Huntsville, AL Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 2 PM Alabama State University Visitor: Prairie View A&M University ASU Stadium, Montgomery, AL Date: Nov. 28, 2019 | 2 PM Albany State University Visitor: Lane College Albany State University Coliseum, Albany, GA Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM Alcorn State University Visitor: Savannah State University Spinks-Casem Stadium, Lorman, MS Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM Benedict College Visitor: Miles College Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, Columbia, SC Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM Bethune-Cookman University Visitor: South Carolina State University Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach, FL Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 4 PM Bowie State University Visitor: Chowan University Bulldog Football Stadium, Bowie, MD Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 1 PM Central State University Visitor: Fort Valley State University McPherson Stadium, Wilberforce, OH Date: Oct 12, 2019 | 1 PM Clark Atlanta University Visitor: Savannah State University CAU Panther Stadium, Atlanta, GA Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM Delaware State University Visitor: South Carolina State University Alumni Stadium, Dover, DE Date: Oct. 10, 2019 | 1:30 PM Edward Waters College Visitor: Allen University Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 3 PM Elizabeth City State University Visitor: Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) Roebuck Stadium, Elizabeth City, NC Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 1:30 PM

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Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM

Fayetteville State University Visitor: Livingstone College Luther Nick Jerald’s Stadium, Fayetteville, NC Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 2:00 PM

Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) Visitor: Virginia Union University LU Football Stadium, Lincoln University, PA Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 1 PM

Florida A&M University Visitor: North Carolina Central University Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 2 PM

Livingstone College Visitor: Fayetteville State University Alumni Memorial Football Stadium, Salisbury, NC Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 1:30 PM

Fort Valley State University Visitor: Morehouse College Wildcat Stadium, Fort Valley, GA Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM

Miles College Visitor: Clark Atlanta University Sloan-Alumni Stadium, Fairfield, AL Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 4 PM

Grambling State University Visitor: Texas Southern University Robinson Stadium, Grambling, LA Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 2 PM

Mississippi Valley State University Visitor: Virginia University of Lynchburg Rice–Totten Stadium, Itta Bena, MS Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 2 PM

Hampton University Visitor: Virginia University of Lynchburg Armstrong Stadium, Hampton, VA Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 2 PM

Morehouse College Visitor: Benedict College B.T. Harvey Stadium, Atlanta, GA Date: Oct. 26 2019 | 2 PM

Howard University Visitor: Norfolk State University William H. Greene Stadium, Washington, DC Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 1 PM

Morgan State University Visitor: Delaware State University Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, MD Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM

Jackson State University Visitor: Alabama State University Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, MS Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM

Norfolk State University Visitor: Morgan State University William “Dick” Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 2 PM

Johnson C. Smith University Visitor: Shaw University Irwin Belk Complex, Charlotte, NC Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 1 PM

North Carolina A&T State University Visitor: Howard University Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, NC Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 1 PM

Kentucky State University Visitor: Clark Atlanta University Alumni Stadium, Frankfort, KY Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 1 PM

North Carolina Central University Visitor: Norfolk State University O’Kelly–Riddick Stadium, Durham, NC Date: Nov. 9, 2019 | 2 PM

Lane College Visitor: Kentucky State University Lane Field, Jackson, TN Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM

Prairie View A&M University Visitor: Virginia University of Lynchburg Panther Stadium, Prairie View, TX Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM

Langston University Visitor: Texas Wesleyan University W.E. Anderson Stadium, Langston, OK Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 2 PM

Saint Augustine’s University Visitor: Johnson C. Smith University George Williams Athletic Complex, Raleigh, NC Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 1 PM

Lincoln University (Missouri) Visitor: Northeastern State University Dwight T. Reed Stadium, Jefferson City, MO

Savannah State University Visitor: Albany State University

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Theodore A. Wright Stadium, Savannah, GA Date: Oct. 26, 2019 | 3 PM Shaw University Visitor: Livingstone College Durham County Stadium, Durham, NC Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 12 PM South Carolina State University Visitor: Morgan State University Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Orangeburg, SC Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 1:30 PM Southern University and A&M College Visitor: Alabama A&M University A.W. Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 4 PM Tennessee State University Visitor: Austin Peay State University Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 4:30 PM Texas Southern University Visitor: Missouri S&T BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, TX Date: Oct. 12, 2019 | 2 PM Tuskegee University Visitor: Miles College Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium, Tuskegee, AL Date: Nov. 9, 2019 | 1 PM University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Visitor: Lane College Golden Lion Stadium, Pine Bluff, AR Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 3 PM Virginia State University Visitor: Bowie State University Rogers Stadium, Ettrick, VA Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 PM Virginia Union University Visitor: Chowan University Location: Hovey Field, Richmond, VA Date: Oct. 19, 2019 | 1 PM West Virginia State University Visitor: West Liberty University Lakin Field at Dickerson Stadium, Institute, WV Date: Oct. 5, 2019 | 1 PM Winston Salem State University Visitor: Shaw University Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC Date: Nov 2, 2019 | 1:30 PM

DECEMBER 20, 2019

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Subscribe today, call

214-941-0110

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DECEMBER 20, 2019

From Marva with

I worked for Wal-Mart in their headquarters. I worked for them for 11 long years. So up until 2017 that is two or three years ago that is when I moved to Dallas.

And now I am a full time designer.

By Marva Sneed

On "From Marva with Love", I interviewed Daniel Mofor of an award-winning Blackowned custom menswear label Don Morphy. Daniel Mofor, began his career as a engineer for Walmart.

Daniel is from Cameroon, Africa.

He left Walmart to pursue his dream of becoming a menswear fashion designer. New to the fashion industry Daniel has now hit several incredible milestones: Fashion Group International's Rising Star Award Winner of 2019 in Menswear, Fashion Group International of Dallas Rising Star Award Winner of 2019 in Menswear. He is, Custom Suit Clothier to the Stars: Tyra Banks, Diddy, Emmitt Smith, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Dwight Howard, Tyson Chandler, etc. And still pending he is named One of Dallas' Top 50 Innovators of the Year for 2019-2020.

Daniel Mofor is the only small label (as a blackowned business) to ink a major deal with Kathy Ireland and her global brand, MIVI and now he is the exclusive menswear DECEMBER 20, 2019

Daniel Mofor designer for her Weddings and Resorts location around the world.

MS: Daniel let’s talk fashion. Tell a little about how you started your company.

DM: I am the founder and lead designer of Don Morphy. I am originally from Cameroon that is in West Africa. I've been in the United States for 19 years. I went to school in Houston, Texas. I didn't go to school for fashion. I was a computer engineer.

I have my bachelors in computer engineering and a MBA. So after school I moved to Arkansas where

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your passion?

MS: So up until a couple of years ago you were working for WalMart. Is fashion

DM: Yes, fashion has been my passion all my life.

When I small, I wanted to always be the best dressed guy, to all the events an all the parties. So I have loved fashion. I've loved all kinds of fashion, men's shoes, men's suits, men's overcoats. Fashion colors, fabrics. Since I started Don Morphy I have been lucky and blessed that it is paying my bills right now.

MS: Being from Cameroon, I can imagine how beautiful the colors are although I have never been to Africa. Do you

bring that to your fashion style?

DM: Yes, yes I do. That's where I get most of my colors from. So when it comes to men's fashion, when we talk about men's fashion we talk about Italian, that is the best when it comes to men's fashion. And that is where I get my inspiration. So what I do is my whole company we goes to Italy, we go to France and we go to Europe. Top fashion is from there and we go to the factories. This where we get our fabrics from and that is how we get our inspiration to design our suits.....

We talked about so much more in today's men's style. To here the rest of the interview go to BlogTalkRadio.com Cheryl's World on "From Marva with Love."

Don Morphy is located in Dallas. Daniel says you can get your New Years Eve suit “custom fit” by New Years Eve. You can find Daniel at DonMorphy. com and Don Morphy on FB & IG. Tune into "From Marva with Love" Fridays on B l o g Ta l k R a d i o . c o m Cheryl's World from 11 am. -1 pm. myimessenger.com

LIFESTYLE Flow of Ci and Co On Wednesday, December 4th’s episode, Cierra and Courtney start their podcast with a “Quote of the week.”

These quotes help motivate ourselves and others to push through a rough week. “You can rise up from anything. You can completely recreate yourself. Nothing is permanent.”

A quote from Cierra, as she talked about becoming the person you want to be in life.

Recreating yourself is always needed in order for you to grow. “You need to ignore what everyone else is achieving.

Your life is about breaking your own limits and outgrowing yourself to live your best life.” A quote from Courtney, as she mentions to never forget about the path that God has for you and to always stay focused on myimessenger.com

value of family and they’ll rather work or do friendsgiving. I have to disagree because I believe that everyone’s you. family is different, and On the tenth episode it is okay to do family of the Flow of Ci & Co, things with friends. we discuss many topics Courtney: I think I’ll from: Thanksgiving weekend, Thoughts have to agree with you. about friendsgiving Some people consider and are we losing the their friends family.

Everyone may not meaning of family value, have family around to Black Friday meaning celebrate so to be able to and why it exists, Cyber create that feeling with day sales, and a social friends is wonderful. media debate the correct I have never done a way to place tissue on friends-giving, but I its holder. A topic that think it would be nice to took our interest was the have one. meaning of friendsgiving It is not about who and why it is important. you are around. If you are celebrating with the Cierra: There has people you love that’s all been some chatter that matters. about “Friendsgiving” becoming more popular Cierra: I definitely than Thanksgiving. agree. I also want to There was a post I mention that some ran across that said, people travel for “Friendsgiving” is Christmas and not becoming more popular thanksgiving or vice than Thanksgiving. versa.

It tells us that family I can say that’s a reason doesn’t link up anymore. why friendsgiving may America is losing their have been created and 29

that’s because some people aren’t able to be with their families.

Courtney: For example, I wasn’t able to spend time with my family this year, but I enjoyed spending thanksgiving with my friend’s family. I chose to spend Christmas with my family.

Cierra: I’m glad Friends-giving is a thing because it’s cool to cherish the ones you love including your friends.

Do you think America is losing their value of family?

Courtney: I don’t think America is losing their value of family.

I do think that we are losing the value of marriage and how to love one another. Now people are more focused on their career and starting businesses.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and hooray to the holiday season.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR COMMUNITY CALENDAR Diabetes Awareness Month

December 20-23 The Polar Express, In the Omni Theater, Ft. Worth Museum of Science & History, 1600 Gendy St.11:15a-1:15p. Tickets: fwmuseum.org.

Family Caregivers Month

December 20

Recurring Events

The Last Live Jam of the Decade, The Attache Cigar Lounge, 4099 W. Camp Wisdom Rd. #101.

Feeding The Needy, Host: Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez, 1641 Corsicana St, Dallas. 3-5p., Sundays.

The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection, A. A. M. 3536 Grand Ave. till 3-1-20.

If Scrooge Was A Brother, Jubilee Theatre, 506 Main St. Ft. Worth. 8-10p. Tickets: www.jubileetheatre.org. 11-2212-22-19.

2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade: Sign Up, for info contact: La Ronda Bacon or Natashia Cooper at the King Center, 214-670-8418.

December 18 Once On an Island, Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. 7:30p. Tickets: attpac. org.

The MLK Fresh Produce Distribution Ctr, Bldg. A 2929 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Wed. 10:30a. Sat. 10a.

Animated Christmas Tree in the District, The Shops at Willow Bend, 6121 W. Park Blvd. Plano. 6a-12a.

December 19-22 Black Nativity By Langston Hughes, African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave. Times vary. Tickets: At the door only.

Regional Premiere of Colman Domingo’s DOT, South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave. Thur. 7:30pm, Fri 7 Sat. 7:30p Sun. 3pm. Tickets: www.soulrep.org

December 19

Happy Hour w/ A Purpose, Brick House Lounge, 2021 N. Hampton Rd. DeSoto. 5-10p.

The MLK Fresh Produce Distribution Center, Bldg. A, 2929 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Sat. 10a.

Christmas in Auto Bldg.

the 101

Christmas Performance, St Phillips School & Community Ctr. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 6:30p.

DECEMBER 20, 2019

Animated Christmas Tree in the District, The Shops at Willow Bend, 6121 W. Park Blvd. Plano.

6a-12a. 12-28-19.

December 25

Park, Fair 1st Ave.

Park 8:30a.

Christmas Day Holiday Brunch, Omni Ft. Worth Hotel, 1300 Houston St. 10:30a-2:30p. RSVP: 817-350-4106.

Holiday at the Arboretum, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Rd. 9a-5p. 12-31.

Christmas Gala for all ages, DeSoto Civic Ctr., 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd. 7-10p. Bring an unwrapped toy.

Cowboy Christmas in Joppee, South Central Civic League, 811 Pemberton Hill Rd. 7-11p. Info: joppee1872@gmail.com.

Breast Cancer Holiday Charity Event, The Quixotic World Theater,2824 Main St. 12-4p.

Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

December 29 Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics 2nd Annual Pre New Year’s Eve Smooth Jazz, DFW Social 40, DFW Airport, 2400 Aviation Dr. 7p-12a. Tickets: www.dfwsocial40.com.

Jeff Aycock Presents: “Jazz for the Season” Red Carpet Invitation, Black Box Theatre, 211E. Pleasant Run Rd. DeSoto.

Christmas One Service, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. 10a.

December 30 Nia - Purpose Gary Owen’s DFW-NYE Take Over IV, The Theatre at Grand Prairie, 1001 Performance Pl. 7p-2a. Tickets: AXS.com

December 31

December 26

Christmas Candy Land 2019, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. 9a-2p.

New Years Eve

Kwanzaa Begins Umoja – Unity

Kuumba - Creativity

December 22

Simple & Health Cooking Classes, Foremost Family Health Center, 2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Bldg. B. 1-2p.

New Beginnings NYE 2020 Celebration, NYLO Hotel, 8201 Preston Rd. Plano. 6p-1a. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

She Shines Like A Diamond, Unique Visions Upscale Events, 324 S. Hampton Rd., DeSoto. 5p. Info: 817-680-0782.

Conversations at The West, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 Wheatland Rd. 7p.

NYE Party Hosted by: African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave. 8:30-12:30a.

December 27

Arthello Beck Gallery Presents: Nitashia Johnson The Self Publication, South Dallas Culture Center, 3400 Fitzhugh Ave. 11-9-1-4-20.

Kujichagulia Self Determination Jokes & Smokes Comedy Show NYE Pre-Party, Host: Flo Hernandez & Uncle Hollywood, Allure Lounge 110 S. Cockrell Hill Rd. 8p.

Christmas One Service, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. 10a.

December 23 Dallas Zoo Lights:

by Reliant, Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy. 5-9p.

Tickets: mydallaszoo.com.

Now till 1-5-20.

Holly Jolly Kick Back Sr. Benefit, a new pair of socks.

3315 S. Lancaster Rd. 5-8p.

RSVP: district110.Rose@house.texas.gov.

LCUPN Holiday Appreciation Mixer, Fogo de Chao, 5908 Headquarters Dr. #K150, . 5:30-10p

Vitruvian Lights, Vitruvian Park, 3966 Vitruvian Way, Addison.

5-11p.

December 21

Ginuwine, House of Blues, 220 N. Lamar St. 7p. Tickets: LiveNation.com.

Night of Lights, The Point Event Center, 1511 FM 664, Waxahachie. 5-7:30p.

December 24

Prairie Lights-Holiday Lights Experience, 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy. 6p. Tickets: Prairielights.org.

11-28-12-31.

Linny Nance’s Hour of Power, Balcony Club, 1825 Abrams Rd. #B. 8:30-9:30p.

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Pajama Vision Board Party, Bishop Arts District, Host: Brown Sugar Beauty Supply. 7p- 11a. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

December 28 Ujima – Work & Responsibility Rhythm, Jazz & Vibes w/Saxophonist Marcus Anderson, Sway’s Rm. in The R Lounge, 1175 N. Watson Rd., Arlington. 9p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

The MLK Fresh Produce Distribution Center, Bldg. A 2929 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Wed. 10:30a. Sat. 10a.

Pre New Years Eve Soul Bash, The Warehouse, 1125 E. Berry St. Ft. Worth. 8p. JimAustinonline.

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NYE in Dallas: Party On The Plaza, 1500 Marilla St. 7p-12:30a.

NYE 2019 Living My Best Life, The Attache Cigar Lounge, 4099 W. Camp Wisdom #101. 9p.

The Jazz Jam, Jazz BeCuzzArt Center, 9319 LBJ Fwy. Ste. #120. Tickets: via Eventbrite.com. Tuesdays.

Karaoke Night $2 Tuesday’s, Hero’s Lounge 3094 N. 35 Fwy. 7p-2a. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Free Dance Classes, Ballet Classes South Dallas Culture Center, 3400 Fitzhugh Ave. 6-6:55p. Tuesdays, Ages 11 & up.

Register: www.becklesdancingco.org.

January 1 Happy New Years Imani - Faith

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