I Messenger 2-12-21

VOL X NO 22 FEBRUARY 12, 2021

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SUPREME

LADY Mary Wilson DREW PEARSON

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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.

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Virtual Exhibition to Showcase Contributions of Girls and Women talkSTEM, the Dallas nonprofit whose goal is to develop future generations of female and underrepresented STEM leaders, is launching “Her STEMlens,” powered by Comerica Bank , a national campaign to showcase a diversity of STEM moments contributed by girls and women from everywhere. The National Girls Collaborative Project is a community partner, supporting this initiative.

Her STEMlens, a virtual exhibition, kicked off on February 11, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and continue through May 31. Every month, the exhibition will be refreshed, showcasing images posted on social media fueled by the #herSTEMlens social media movement. Girls in K-12 classrooms, after school groups, families and more are invited to participate and appreciate STEM mindsets in action conveyed in the exhibition.

To participate, share your #herSTEMlens as soon as possible to be included in the virtual exhibition that will feature women who are leaders in a wide variety of STEMintegrated professions, women in STEM careers and young girls. First, post an image to your favorite social media platform. Second, add a question or idea that other girls and women can share.

Third, use #herSTEMlens on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook and tag @ talkSTEM. Also, make sure to link your post to this blog post or add it to your Linktree for Instagram.

“The goal of this campaign is very straightforward: Every girl or woman does STEM and STEM is everywhere,” said Koshi Dhingra, Ed.D, founder and CEO of talkSTEM “This exhibition invites all students and adults to explore and enjoy the view into diverse STEM mindsets that is provided through the virtual walk

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through the exhibition.”

So, what’s a STEMlens? It’s a photograph or short video that captures a STEM moment in any setting, e.g., at home or work, in a park, mall, street, everyday environment, sports field - absolutely anywhere. Each STEMlens featured in the exhibition includes a question.

“You and I can look at the same moon, the same tree and have very different reactions, very different questions,” Dhingra said. “What we’re hoping is that each visitor will come up with their own responses to the questions they view and other questions that come to their own

mind as they view the image through their personal STEMlens.”

Her STEM lens photos/videos by women leaders at Comerica Bank and other STEM-integrated organizations will be featured as virtual role models for girls everywhere. Additionally, talkSTEM has prepared suggested activities to complement the exhibition experience for school-based and out-of-school educators and parents. These are freely accessible on the talkSTEM website and widely disseminated by talkSTEM and talkSTEM partners’ social media.

To learn more, go to talkSTEM. org or contact Neil Foote, Foote Communications, neil@neilfoote.com, 214-448-3765 myimessenger.com

INSIDE

Quit Playin’

I Was Just Thinking

The Black Church and Black Preacher brought us from a mighty long way! These proclaimers of the Gospel developed a Black Hermeneutic, or biblical interpretation that nullified the Slave Bible. Oh, you didn’t know there was a Slave Bible? The History Channel’s website captures the essence of its function.

Shall we gather at the river… or City Hall, Kennedy Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center? Where? In Black history, our people gathered at the river or in the dense woods to plan strategies for gaining freedom and fighting inequities.

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What’s On Miles’ Mind

Who is Karen? What has such a common given name come to represent? Fairly or unfairly, the nomenclature is inaccurate if the intention is to simply identify a person or type of person who is not well-meaning, at best, and at worst is a clear and present danger to our community.

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MY TRUTH

by Cheryl Smith, Publisher

Silence could be deadly, not golden, when it comes to HIV/AIDS In 2021, folks are still silent about HIV and AIDS. We can’t afford to be silent or nonchalant.

I remember the first person I knowingly came into contact with who had full-blown AIDS. We sat for hours in a restaurant talking about his life, which had taken a devastating turn with his diagnosis.

He had been shunned by his family, his church members and anyone else he held near and dear. At the time he was in his 30s and didn’t seem optimistic about making it to his 40s.

The man poured out his heart to me because he wanted me to tell his story in hopes that others would be helped.

I still remember, him saying February 12, 2021

to me, over 35 years ago, that more people were going to become infected and end up dying because they have their heads in the sand. He tried to make and off-color joke by saying that people like him, gay and Black, actually caught the disease from being in that very position.

We’re talking about the mid 80s and so much was a mystery about HIV/AIDS. The young man talked of the hurt he felt because people did not want to be around him. He talked about as a gay, white male disease; HIV/ AIDS was for many, he said, contracted because of “deviant sexual behavior.”

Before we parted company, I assured him that I would tell his story with sensitivity and fairness. Then I did some-

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James A. Washington

thing that he said folks never did to him anymore. I took his hand and shook it.

The look on his face, said it all. He seemed grateful that here I stood, not treating him as though that handshake would kill me or that I would contract the disease.

I wrote the story and presented it to one publisher who wanted absolutely nothing to do with the story.

Then I took it to James A. Washington and the story ran on the front page of the Dallas Weekly.

Maybe that’s one of the reasons that Jim deserved to

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receive the National Association of Black Journalists’ 2019 Legacy Award. Just like he supported aspiring journalists, he was also committed to supporting and uplifting our communities.

Right now we need more advocates like the aforementioned and Mr. Washington.

Sadly the HIV/AIDS epidemic has gotten worse and we must work together. Ignorance is not acceptable.

For that man who gave me the story, and for the countless who have died because of causes related to HIV/AIDS, we have work to do. myimessenger.com

Let’s Dance WAKE UP AND STAY WOKE

DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ.

The hallmark of mother wit or many of the “old folk’s sayings” is simplicity. “The elders” had the talent of using the simplest statements to express depth and importance in their communication. I can’t recall the number of times I’ve heard “don’t let a hard head make a soft behind,” or “what happens in the dark always come to light.” Easily blown off as insignificant, these sayings were usually valuable as cautionary admonitions.

I often weigh situations against the catalog of the old folk’s sayings I have accumulated during my lifetime. I use this practice as I assess the possibilities of the Biden-Harris administration. Contrary to some assumptions, I don’t give carte blanche acceptance to political entities, even those with whom I agree. Instead, I hold them more accountable for competent and responsible conduct.

I have had few reservations with President Biden’s Cabinet choices or his numerous executive actions. Not surprisingly, I’m pleased that his initial actions hold true, or attempt to hold true, to campaign promises. My greater concern is the unlikely, but possible, onset of forgetfulness. To that possibility, I echo the admonitions of The Elders saying, “Don’t forget to dance with the one who brung you!”

It is true that in the past, myimessenger.com

Black people have given our full support to politicians who forget the importance of our votes. There are innumerable candidates who, during campaigns, have fought for pulpit space in Black churches on Sundays, but, after successful elections, pretend unfamiliarity with our interests or issues.

The Biden-Harris administration has identified “four converging crises — economic crisis, climate change, racial inequity, and COVID-19.”

Not only is there convergence in these crises, there’re also significant overlaps.

President Biden has promised swift action to combat these challenges. In doing so, he MUST NOT forget his promised support to the Black community.

My readers understand the economic disparities/ hardships in communities of color.

According to Forbes Magazine, in May 2020 the jobless rate for Blacks was 16.8% while for whites 12.4%. The median worth of Black households in 2016 was $17,150 while for white households was $171,000. Other statistics are reported, but the bottom line for Blacks is there are barriers that deny the accumulation of wealth. President Biden acknowledges these barriers and has pledged to address them.

He also acknowledges the critical impact of climate

change and pledges direct and immediate action. Hurricane Katrina is an example of a dramatic environmental disaster affecting a centralized community of color. These communities are disproportionately located in proximity to industrial areas where exposure to biotoxins is the norm

President Joe Biden

or, in the case of Katrina, where they’re located in environmentally unstable areas. I hope the president’s cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline permit is indicative of his recognition of the disproportionate impact of climate change/environmental issues on people of color.

Racial inequity is a problem older than the nation.

Naysayers believe it will never be resolved. President Biden has established credibility

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in communities of color and pledged practices which will have a positive impact on law enforcement/judicial process, economics and education.

Although we’ve seen nothing major, we will observe and hope.

COVID-19 has been a matter of grave concern in communities of color, especially ours, and is made more difficult by histories of unprincipled medical treatment. I have long felt that baseless assumptions are the greatest fault in cross-cultural medical treatment.

Rather than exasperation, medical professionals must learn the nuances of cross-cultural competence and communication.

Tackling these converging crises individually is a tremendous task.

Tackling them simultaneously is nearly impossible, with many potential missteps. We will closely monitor the Biden administration with hope, but will firmly hold him to promises made. We will enthusiastically work to achieve President Biden’s agenda, but will not accept his benign or unintentional neglect. Let’s dance!

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

February 12, 2021

Common Denominator

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW

One of the most disheartening things is to learn of leaders who mistreat their staff or have significantly high turnover. It pains me to learn of abuse, isolation, and ridicule when driving others so hard with unrealistic expectations.

Leaders are not perfect, but it is detrimental when we have blinders on about our inadequacies and shortcomings. If we cannot be honest with ourselves, it is hard for us to hear constructive criticism from others.

We can surround ourselves with ‘yes’ people who never challenge or stretch us because we drank the KoolAid of groupies who tell us that we are wonderful.

This not only hurts others, but we fail to embrace the totality of who we are. We also fail to extend compassion and empathy for others because we do not have it for ourselves.

The most painful prayer I’ve ever prayed was asking God to show me a mirror of myself years ago. It devastated me. I thought I was a person who wasn’t judgmental and yet, God would show me in the moment instances when I was judging others.

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I thought I was giving but there were times when God allowed me to see that I could be selfish. God allowed me to see that just as I could be kind, there were times that I was not a nice person.

It isn’t easy to recognize your shortcomings and it hurt me to the core to realize that the very things I hated in others was a part of me. We all struggle with the shadow self.

It is the part of us that we do not want to admit to ourselves

when are not operating at 100.

The problem becomes when we continuously ignore it and blame others. We don’t always see ourselves the way others may see and experience us.

It’s hard. Yet, the common denominator in all of your relationships is you.

None of us sees everything about ourselves completely— there is only so much we know because of the variables that obstruct our vision— poor thinking, challenged

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Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.”

(1 Corinthians 11:28-32)

that we have.

It is what we think is weak and so we deny this, hiding it and yet, it shows up in the way we often see ourselves and especially the way we view others.

All of us have a shadow self and it isn’t bad or the end of the world. There are times when we choose not to see those sides of who we are

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self-esteem, arrogance, past experiences, and hurts, and what we were told about ourselves.

As a kid, I remember rear view mirrors would have words in small print at the bottom that stated, objects in mirror are closer than they appear.

Sometimes, those very things that we choose to

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ignore and believe we have time to address, are closer than we realize. By not paying attention to them, we can damage ourselves or damage others.

Reflection is critical and it’s only when we sit back and take a deep hard look at ourselves, we can see those objects and our role clearly.

Everyone’s not crazy, mean, lazy, difficult.

Maybe it’s not everybody else…

Check the common denominator…

“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.”

(1 Corinthians 11:28-32) If everyone you hire or come in come in contact with is a problem or incompetent, maybe it’s not them. Check your mirror.

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the Founder and CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, specializing as a Partnership Broker and Leadership Expert for companies and organizations to thrive with measurable and meaningful impact. She also is the VP of Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances for the State Fair of Texas.

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From Pulpits to Presidents!

QUIT PLAYIN’ VINCENT L. HALL “White folks, not all of them, but many of our oppressors messed up. They kept us out of school, out of political office, and out of good jobs. But they made a tactical mistake; they let us go to church! They let us meet Jesus!” – The Late Dr. Manuel Scott Sr. The Black Church and Black Preacher brought us from a mighty long way!

These proclaimers of the Gospel developed a Black Hermeneutic, or biblical interpretation that nullified the Slave Bible. Oh, you didn’t know there was a Slave Bible? The History Channel’s website captures the essence of its function.

“When slavery was legal, its proponents often justified it with the Bible; specifically, a verse that tells servants to obey their masters. There were also a lot of verses that abolitionists could and did use to argue against slavery. But you wouldn’t find those in the heavily-redacted “Slave Bible.”

Most of the Old Testament is missing, and only about half of the New Testament remains. The reason? So that the enslaved Africans in the Caribbean islands of Jamaica, Barbados, and Antigua couldn’t read or be read anything that might incite them to rebel.

The Slave Bible was actually titled Parts of the Holy Bible, selected for the use of the Negro Slaves, in the British myimessenger.com

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERIES West-India Islands.”

Anyone who frequents the Old Testament liberation stories is well acquainted with the Israelites’ plight, flight, and fight. God sent them fresh manna and quail by day and fire by night. But in much the same way, God sent the Black preacher to the African captives who found themselves in the most severe form and record of chattel slavery.

We supported and compensated our preachers so that they could be fiercely independent. Black men as recently as the 1960s felt forced to hide their Cadillac from their White bosses and

peers. Our grandmothers fulfilled wealthy White women’s “duties” during the week and looked more prosperous than their employers looked on “any given Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Black preachers were able to say what their congregants could not say.

And say it poetically. They parlayed their biblical interpretation with well-placed poetry, politics, and passion!

In our Freedom Diary, the Black Preacher is the only second in significance to the Black Church.

Black pulpiteers imbued us with consciousness and confidence.

Contemporaneously, Black preachments

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fueled by prose and poetry, promoted scholarship as the standard of personal and communal progress. For generations, the only educated Blacks we knew were preachers and teachers. They made us!

You can parse it however you like, but the word on the street is that Dr. Jeremiah Wright Jr. paved a road that led from his pulpit to Pennsylvania Avenue. “Obama” may have been another peculiar African surname without “Daddy J!” Dr. Wright fed him, wed him, prepared him, and declared him. The “Obama’s Strut” comes from a place in his soul! Black preachers give you something that no racist or birther can ever take from you.

This misuse of Jesus and the Bible did not stop with American slavery. Former Kenyan Prime Minister left us this invaluable caveat.

“When the Missionaries arrived, the Africans had the land, and the Missionaries had the Bible. They taught us how to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land, and we had the Bible.”

Dr. Scott was right. White folks who wanted to keep us in bondage messed up when they took everything but Jesus from us. Black preachers held their interpretation of Jesus up as an all-purpose standard. Black historians should never take their labor lightly. “The Word” like Black Lives…Matter!!

Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

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How to get a COVID-19 vaccine If you are a Parkland patient: Parkland patients (at least one appointment in the last year) will be contacted by Parkland when it’s their turn to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you are not a Parkland patient: Please follow these steps to register to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

1.

Go to the website of Dallas County Health and Human Services:

www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination.php

2.

Click on the green rectangle to register:

3.

Fill out the form and click Submit. You are now registered.

4.

When it is your turn, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment to get the vaccine at one of the hub sites (such as Parkland, UT Southwestern, Dallas County Health and Human Services, etc.)

Getting the vaccine will protect yourself and the people around you.

The vaccine will help stop the spread of the virus in our community and end the pandemic.

Not able to register online?

Call the Dallas County Health and Human Services Vaccine Registration Hotline at 469-749-9906, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Registration help is available in English and Spanish.

Until more people are vaccinated, please stay safe.

Wear a mask

Wash your hands

Clean surfaces 01/21/21

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WHO IS “KAREN?“ WHAT’S ON MILES’ MIND

MILES’ JAYE Who is Karen? What has such a common given name come to represent? Fairly or unfairly, the nomenclature is inaccurate if the intention is to simply identify a person or type of person who is not well-meaning, at best, and at worst is a clear and present danger to our community. I feel a sense of regret for actual well-meaning ‘Karens’, who are decent moms, sisters, and wives of all races and cultures.

I took a chance and googled “Karen” uncertain if I would find an explanation for the slang use of the name. To my surprise, this is what I found.

“Karen is a pejorative slang term for an obnoxious, angry, entitled, and often racist middle aged white woman who uses her privilege to get her way or police other people’s behavior.” Bingo!

Interestingly, along with Karen, I also found similar accounts for Becky, Stacey, and Suzie, only distinguished by assumptions about age and lifestyle. Either way, the names are now popularized for use with negative connotations. Becky, for instance, is presumed to be a younger version of Karen, clueless and insensitive in matters of race relations, but she somehow still feels entitled and superior.

My issue with the use of the slang is that aliases like Karmyimessenger.com

Bonnie and Clyde

en, Becky, and Suzie, camouflage the actual perpetrators of the indignities of false accusations, police calls, and the accompanying public embarrassment. Worse… real women fitting the “Karen” description share households and views with known racist public figures in Congress, the media, and on courts throughout the nation. They should be publicly identifiable, as easily as Michelle Obama, and open to as much scrutiny.

Call them by their names, let them bear the shame. Heidi Cruz is the wife of Ted Cruz, Jeanette Rubio is the wife of Marco Rubio, Elaine Chao is the wife of Mitch McConnell, Erin Hawley is the wife of Josh Hawley, and Patricia Lott is the wife of Trent Lott.

Black History Month is the perfect time to unwrap these cute, coined slangs, like a roll of pennies, and unravel

some recent and past history of the prototypical portrait of the innocent victim. Typically, discussions of ‘Karen’ are steeped in irony and humor, but I contend, the matter is much too serious for fun and jokes.

Trump stoked the fires of the Karen issue by calling out to suburban housewives with promises of protection and safe communities, but the history of Karen in America must include wives of its slave-owning Founding Fathers-- Martha Washington, Martha Jefferson, Mary Lincoln, Deborah Read Franklin, and Rachel Jackson, Andrew’s wife to name a few. Modern day candidates might include Melania and Ivanka.

No serious list of Karens would be complete without the name Carolyn Bryant Donham whose false accusations cost Emmett Till his life.

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Add to this list, all of the other Karen’s known and unknown, who throughout America’s bloody history, with a scream and a few streams of convincing tears, could land an unsuspecting innocent man dead, swinging from a tree limb.

Here’s the real problem…

Somehow and for some inexplicable reason, we’ve been conditioned to believe, to presuppose the women in question, fitting the Karen profile, are kind and caring, vulnerable, when there is no evidence and absolutely no reason to believe they are any less vile and violent as their male counterparts-- their husbands, boyfriends, sons, brothers and fathers. Pull up your phone, replay January 6th and look into the crowd.

Karen is not just a nuisance quick to dial 911, she’s just as much an insurrectionist, a terrorist, as the men in that footage.

No laughs? No jokes?

Good… because I don’t find it funny, at all. Time to retire the pedestal. Start prosecuting false claims, and frivolous 911 calls and watch it stop.

My hope is that every woman involved in the attack on the Capitol resulting in the deaths of civilians and Capitol policemen, gets the very same treatment as the men involved. Remember, Bonnie met the same fate as Clyde.

That’s what’s on my mind!

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

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February 12, 2021

Chef brings twist to Cajun Classics Photos and story

By EVA D. COLEMAN Lifestyle and Culture Editor It’s small and intimate, yet bursting with flavor— ORNO Restaurant at 3908 Cedar Springs in Dallas, TX is the designated spot for celebrity chef Ty Frazier and his wife Denise Harper Frazier of Our Door to Yours Catering to deliver a dine-in or to-go experience.

Known for his signature and mouth-watering Scrimp & Gritz, from previous brick and mortar establishments to crowds lined up at his booth during the State Fair of Texas, Chef Ty often brings an elegant twist to Cajun classics.

Whether kicked-up, seasoned and fried catfish or blackened and loaded with a special lobster, crawfish and shrimp sauce; to a gumbo with a dark and rich roux so good you could drink it by itself, the Frazier duo behind this Our Door to Yours ORNO Takeover featuring Chef Ty are after something different.

“What we’re doing is we’re going for the night life,” Denise Harper Frazier said.

“Everybody’s got their niche in the City and we’re gonna niche in on the night life.”

Frazier favorites are plated up for what Denise calls “Dinner Dine” from 5:00 -10:00 pm on Thursday through Sunday.

They then seek the palates of the night owls for “Twilight” hours starting at 10:00 pm until 2:00 am on Thursdays and 4:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

“So basically, we want everybody that’s hungry after February 12, 2021

Chef Ty Frazier working in kitchen at ORNO Restaurant

9:00 and there’s nowhere to go eat,” Denise said.

Chef Ty has been on the scene for a number of years and he beamed with pride at the chance to bring his culinary skills from Our Door to Yours to the table.

“It’s such a blessing to be able to be afforded this opportunity for what we do and the grind we’ve been through,” Chef Ty said. As he looked at his recently-wedded wife, he added, “And the love we have for each other, first of all, and

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Chef Ty’s Fried Catfish

the passion that I have for what we do; a commitment to not only just this city, but to the community, everybody at home. We love what we do and we just want to keep on doing it.”

Just outside the restaurant, and in the night sky, the couple’s energy was magnetic as they lifted each other up.

“I’m excited that he has this platform, cause you guys know we gon’ give it to ya,” Denise said. “And now you can come in and have fine dining where he’s going to

plate it up for you as you see it on social media all the time; we’re going to have all kinds of specials, and if there’s something that you want, just let me know and it will show up.”

The doors to the takeover officially opened on January 28, 2021; which happened to be a special day. ”This is a birthday gift to her,”Chef Ty said as he smiled at his wife.

At a time in the world where so many have lost so much, the Fraziers have gained an opportunity during the pandemic. In unison, they answered with whom they give credit to.

“God!” “God first of all,” Denise said. “God and hungry people!”

Make reservations to sit down for your late-night cravings or order food to-go by calling 469-445-5122.

Chef Ty Frazier and Denise Harper Frazier at ORNO Restaurant

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February 12, 2021

Dallas Black protest and planning sites-Part1

South Dallas Information Center

Credit: The Dallas Morning News

I WAS JUST THINKING BY NORMA ADAMS-WADE

Shall we gather at the river… or City Hall, Kennedy Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center? Where?

In Black history, our people gathered at the river or in the dense woods to plan strategies for gaining freedom and fighting inequities. I was just thinking…. Traditionally, where have Dallas Black people gathered to plan and protest? Here is Part I of a twopart review: February 12, 2021

1. Kennedy Memorial, Main and Market Streets in downtown Dallas. During the 1970s and after, this monument’s central location drew protest and commemorative crowds of different ethnicity with diverse causes in common – a wrongful death, a significant anniversary, an immigration, foreign policy or discrimination issue. They also gathered to remember the nation’s 35th president, John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated Nov. 22, 1963 in Dallas. The memorial is about 200 yards east of the assassination site at the Dealey plaza/grassy knoll/triple underpass site. New York archi-

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tect Philip Johnson designed the “open tomb” memorial concept shortly after the assassination. The concrete structure was dedicated more than six years later on June 24, 1070. In recent years, fewer groups gather at the site as other locations become more convenient with more accessible parking.

2. Moorland Branch YMCA (now headquarters for the Dallas Black Dance Theatre) at 2700 Flora St. in the downtown Arts District near Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

This historic building, build in 1930, is almost a shrine to

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African-American history in Dallas. As the saying goes, “if these walls could talk” in Moorland, what a story they would tell! Moorland was a significant hub of Black Dallas where all aspects of “Negro life” planning and development happened.

Significant figures in local and national Black history, including former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who then was a prominent NAACP attorney, strategized civil rights activities at meetings in the building. Also, many well-known national Black entertainers stayed overnight in the sleeping quarters when here for enmyimessenger.com

gagements, as local hotels did not admit Black people during that era. The history of Moorland and its place as a planning site for African-American progress, and Black life in general, deserves its own section in the annals of Black life in America; and that also should include how the Dance Theatre saved the building for posterity.

3. South Dallas Information Center at 2808 Pennsylvania Avenue near Malcolm X Boulevard (formerly Oakland Avenue) in South Dallas. This was the primary community resource center and office/headquarters, opened in the early 1970s, by the matchless and unstoppable community advocate Albert Lipscomb. When there was a need, Lipscomb organized a protest.

Kennedy Memorial

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Street protest in Dallas.

Credit: Wikipedia

Credit: The Dallas Morning News

After he later became a high-profile Dallas City Councilman, Lipscomb was a gnawing thorn-inthe-side of powerful leaders when they tried to overlook the best interests of Dallas Black citizens. Two of Lipscomb’s more memorable protests and take-a-stand positions include these: Once in his early days as an advocate, he jumped up and stood

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on top of a table at city hall to make his point.

He told reporters later that he felt leaders in the room were not listening to him and he found a way to get their attention. He also once led a group of protesters from South Dallas to City Hall with protesters carrying a coffin to highlight unjust killings of Black people by authorities.

There are various

other sites in and around Dallas where planning and protests have become familiar.

We will explore other sites in Part II of this review in a future report.

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

February 12, 2021

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February 12, 2021

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Celebrating Black Business with author Cecily Forde FROM MARVA WITH LOVE

BY MARVA J. SNEED

This month we celebrate Black History Month with Cecily M. Forde, a global bestselling author and owner of Tiny Steps Publishing.

Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio; as a young child, her love of reading fostered her journey as an author. At the age of eight, she wrote her first short story and became a published author by 14. Currently, Cecily resides in Fort Worth, Texas with her loving husband and their three children.

MS: Welcome Cecily. I want to get right to it. I would like to talk to you about the journeys that led you where you are today.

CF: Yes, I am an independent author and publisher. I always wanted to write a book.

My career actually began with doing Behavioral Therapy with children who have autism.

And so when the pandemic hit I had to put those services on hold. So I began my writing.

It was like I wanted to write a book and with the pandemic, now I have the time. And once I wrote that first book I knew I wanted to do something to help other authors to write as well. So I started my Publishing Company. Now I help other authors to become self-published. I have now published six books and it all has happened in a year.

MS: So, what does that mean to be self-published? myimessenger.com

CF: Self-published just means that I did not go the traditional route of publishing my books. There was no huge publishing house that came and sponsored me with a big book deal to publish my books. So when you see the books on the self like Dr. Seuss they are published by a large publishing house. Selfpublishing is like the DIY of the publishing world. I’m still published. Its just as much work, but I did it myself.

MS: What are some of the services you offer at Tiny Steps Publishing?

CF: Well, I start off with some consulting services, where I teach them how to navigate in the world of self-publishing.

I also offer packages that

Autism is my Superpower. It is written about my son Aamir who has Autism. I wrote this book to remind other children on the spectrum that they are not defined by their limitations. There are superpowers in us all.

Cecily Forde

include editing; cover-design, helping the writer with layout and other things, plus helping them find a printing company.

MS: Tell us about your first book.

CF: Yes, my first book is called

There was so much more to Cecily’s journey. Visit TinyStepsPublishing.com.

To hear the full interview, go to BlogTalkRadio.com/ Cheryl’s World. Link: http:// bit.ly/3o2UpYQ or see the video on Facebook.com/ TexasMetroNews page.

“From Marva with Love” BlogTalkRadio.com/Cheryl’s World Texas Metro News email: marvasneed@myimessenger.com

Tuesdays 11AM

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February 12, 2021

Tues 11:30 am - 1 pm

February 12, 2021

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Dallas COVID-19 Resources

MO’ BETTAH WINGS

COVID-19 Call the hotline The bestHotline way to 24-7 protect yourself and others is to 214-670-INFO (4636) to get information regarding: stay at home.

•Current COVID-19 Regulations & Testing Locations •Employment Assistance •Federal Relief Payment Information •Volunteer/Assistance Opportunities •Rental/Mortgage, and Eviction Assistance •Small Business Assistance •Social Services (food pantry, childcare assistance, senior assistance, unsheltered resident assistance and mental health resources) •Utility Payment Assistance

Slow the spread of COVID-19 The best way to protect yourself and others is to stay at home.

Safer at home

2860 E. LEDBETTER DR. (Inside Valero) DALLAS, Tx.75216 myimessenger.com

11am-10pm Monday-Saturday 12-8 Sunday

Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Keep your mouth and nose covered while out in public.

Visit dallascityhall.com/COVID19 for a list of resources and up-to-date information about COVID-19.

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February 12, 2021

FINALLY!

South River, NJ. “This experience has been very rewarding. The timing of it has been amazing. Seventy years old and now I am looked at as a Hall of Famer and I can be that for the rest of my life.”

A recipient of numerous honors and recognitions, the University of Tulsa alum was also inducted into the Tulsa Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985.

Pearson in Class of 2021

By EDWARD HILL Texas Metro News Drew Pearson is probably still crying somewhere.

But instead of tears of disappointment as they were last January when he was denied entrance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2020 Centennial Class; this time they’re tears of unbridled joy, pride and satisfaction.

The legendary receiver achieved football immortality last Saturday when it was announced that he would go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Class of 2021, officially correcting an egregious oversight and ending a personal 33-year wait for a man who made the No. 88 jersey a sacred symbol with the Dallas Cowboys.

Pearson was known as “Mr. Clutch” during an 11-year career with the Cowboys.

He retired as the team’s alltime leader in pass receptions and passing yards and was linked to many of the legendary plays in Cowboys history that helped forge their “America’s Team” moniker and championship pedigree.

The high school teammate of former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann, Pearson played in three Super Bowls, winning the title with the Cowboys in 1978; and will be forever known for his “Hail February 12, 2021

Mary” catch in the Cowboys’ 1975 divisional playoff win over the Vikings.

There was never a question about Pearson’s greatness during his career. Still, he was the only member of the 1970s All-Decade Team not in the Hall of Fame.

Until now.

Former Dallas Cowboys player Drew Pearson during his Gameday Sports Show in Grapevine Texas, on Sept 6, 2014 at the Embassy Suites Grapevine.

Credit: Gameday Sports Tours

There’s something extra special here though.

“This creates immortality for Drew Pearson,” he explained.

“In life we try to establish something that outlives us and this is going to outlive me.”

In this Nov. 6, 2011, file photo, former Dallas Cowboys receiver Drew Pearson reacts during an induction ceremony into the Cowboys Ring of Honor at halftime of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Arlington, Texas. Pearson was selected Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021.

And now his football legacy is secure.

A dream deferred but not denied. It’s still just as sweet.

“I can’t imagine it being better if I got in earlier or sooner,” said Pearson, who began what has been a stellar football career at South River High School in his hometown of

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His decades-long wait for the Hall of Fame was largely a product of the times, as most of his career numbers came in an era when the running game was more prominent, prior to the shift to the pass-happy movement and the explosion of receiver stats.

“I was disappointed a few

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times,” the businessman, philanthropist and radio/tv broadcaster added. “I know it’s a tough process. I survived that process. I am a Pro Football Hall of Famer now. That is all that matters.”

The wait was long. But the joy is forever.

According to Pearson his inclusion among the eight-member Class of 2021 has lifted a huge weight off of not only his shoulders; but also his family and his former teammates.

“It’s the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Pearson said. “You are going to wait as long as you need to wait. I am 70 years old.

I will enjoy it. The wait was well worth it when you get the word. It’s still a big deal.”

It’s football immortality.

And yes, there were tears and they are likely still flowing.

But again, they were tears of joy, unlike last January when he was not voted in as a member of the Hall of Fame’s Centennial Class of 2020.

A despondent and inconsolable Pearson wailed “they broke his heart” before family and friends in a video that went viral during what was supposed to be a celebration party.

There was no party when the announcement was made this time.

But there were tears of shock, awe and surprise — thanks to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach and Pro Football Hall of Fame CEO David Baker.

Pearson said Cowboys public relations director Rich Dalrymple wrote him a letter saying that Jones had requested his presence at the Cowboys’ headquarters at the Star in Frisco for a meeting.

“He said he didn’t know what it was about, but he thought it had something to myimessenger.com

do with real estate and the businesses going on at The Star,” Pearson recalled. “I figured this was logical, because Roger and Jerry are involved in a business deal with a high rise condominium there, and I thought maybe they wanted to include me in this deal.”

Jones was already waiting in a meeting room just off the lobby of the main entrance when Pearson and Staubach arrived.

“We come in, he says a few words and they’re talking — and the next thing you know, you hear that knock on the door,” Pearson said. “Jerry tells me to go open the door, so I open the door and bam — the doorway was filled with Mr.

Super Drew Pearson, now in the NFL Hall of Fame, with Willis Johnson of JBJ Management. The two shared the microphone at Soul 73 KKDA-AM.

David Baker. And he never looked so good. If it wasn’t on camera I probably would have kissed him. It brought me to tears.”

In another viral video, an emotional Pearson said he was stunned.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I have always wanted this for a long time. I promise to live up to what the Hall of Fame is all about. You are giving me a chance at immortality. The legacy of that is amazing.”

What was amazing was the myimessenger.com

Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor member Drew Pearson is pictured at halftime during the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Dallas Cowboys NFL football game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Sunday, November 1, 2015.

Credit: Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News

huge Afro that Pearson wore during the 1970s. He had kids idolizing him and wanting their Afro hanging out the back of their helmet.

He is bald now but he said that Afro will be included on his Hall of Fame bust, the biggest Afro in NFL history.

And then there were the iconic plays that were some of the most famous in NFL history.

Most notable was the 50yard “Hail Mary” reception from Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach to lift the Cowboys to a 17-14 win at the Minnesota Vikings in the 1975 NFC divisional round game. It created the term “Hail Mary” in football for last second game-winning touchdown passes.

There was also the 50-yard touchdown reception from unknown-rookie Clint Longley, who replaced an injured Staubach, to clinch a comeback victory against rival Washington on Thanksgiving in 1974.

Pearson caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Danny White to rally the Cowboys to a victory against the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round in 1980.

And he was blocking down the field when Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett set an NFL record with a 99-yard

Dallas’ own country music sensation Imaj pictured with Drew Pearson, trying out his Super Bowl Champion XII ring.

touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings on a Monday night game in 1983.

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Pearson made the 88 Club legendary in Dallas. It followed with Michael Irvin, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007; Dez Bryant, the team’s all-time leader in touchdown catches; and now CeeDee Lamb, who with 74 catches last season established a new team rookie reception record.

Not bad for someone who played quarterback in college and started his career with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 1973.

“You can’t tell the story of the NFL without him,” Irvin said of Pearson “He is in his rightful place. Thank God he is going home where he belongs. I get emotional thinking about it.”

More tears will come during the official induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio in August.

You can count on it!

Pearson, inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 2011, will become the 20th member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who were elected based on their accomplishments with the Cowboys.

The others are: Jones, Gil Brandt, Tom Landry, Tex Schramm, Jimmy Johnson, Troy Aikman, Larry Allen, Charles Haley, Bob Hayes, Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders, Mel Renfro, Bob Lilly, Randy White, Rayfield Wright, Staubach, Dorsett, Irvin and Cliff Harris, a safety who’s a member of the Centennial Class.

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February 12, 2021

SUPREME LADY Mary Wilson dead

By STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Mary Wilson was a friend to the Black Press of America, a neighbor to the world, and the radiance she exuded never seem to fade. At 76, the Supremes legend is gone too soon.

Wilson died suddenly late Monday, Feb. 8, at her home just outside of Las Vegas.

“I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supremes,” Motown founder Berry Gordy wrote in a statement emailed to NNPA Newswire shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday.”

Gordy emphasized, “The Supremes were always known as the ‘sweethearts of Motown.’ Mary, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, came to Motown in the early 1960s. After an unprecedented string of number one hits, television and nightclub bookings, they opened doors for themselves, February 12, 2021

the other Motown acts, and many, many others.”

“I was always proud of Mary,” Berry Gordy concluded. “She was quite a star in her own right and continued to work hard to boost the legacy of the Supremes over the years.

Mary Wilson was extremely special to me. She was a trailblazer, a diva, and will be deeply missed.”

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO, affirmed, “On behalf of NNPA Chair Karen Carter Richards and all of the 230 African American NNPA member publishers across the United States and the Caribbean, we pause solemnly today to pay tribute and our profound respects to the living memory, legacy and cultural genius of our beloved Mary Wilson.

She loved and supported the Black Press of America, and we will always love and keep Mary Wilson’s transformative spirit in our hearts as the

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Mary Wilson died suddenly late Monday, Feb. 8, at her home just outside of Las Vegas.

NNPA continues to publish truth to power in America and throughout the world.”

In a 2020 interview on the Black Press of America’s “Fiyah!” livestream program, Wilson talked about her life and career and her long pursuit of having Florence Ballard memorialized with a United States Postal Service stamp.

“People forget that Florence Ballard not only gave us our name, but she formed the group,” Wilson revealed on “Fiyah!”

“It was really Flo who formed us, and I want people to know that. I am putting together a program to get Florence Ballard a U.S. stamp, hopefully, so I want people to send their request and say something about Florence.

All those hits were Florence, so when you listening to [The Supremes], it’s about Flo, so I want people who listen to those songs that bring back memories, think about Flo.” A singer, best-selling author, motivational speaker,

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businesswoman, former U.S. Cultural Ambassador, mother, and grandmother, the legendary Mary Wilson made great strides on her inevitable journey to greatness.

As an original/founding member of The Supremes, she changed the face of popular music to become a trendsetter who broke down social, racial, and gender barriers, which all started with the wild success of their first number one song.

Formed in Detroit as The Primettes in 1959, The Supremes were Motown’s most successful act of the 1960s, scoring 12 No. 1 singles.

They also continue to reign as America’s most successful vocal group to date. Their influence not only carries on in contemporary R&B, soul, and pop, but they also helped pave the way for Black artists’ mainstream success across all genres.

Mary achieved an unprecedented 12 No.1 hits, with 5 of them being consecutive from 1964-1965. myimessenger.com

Those songs are “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love”, “Come See About Me,” “Stop!

In the Name of Love,” and “Back in My Arms Again,” according to Billboard Magazine.

In 2018, Billboard celebrated the 60th anniversary of Motown with a list of “The Hot 100’s Top Artists of All Time”, where The Supremes ranked at No. 16 and remain the No. 1 female recording group of all time.

Jan. 21, 2021, marked the 60th anniversary of the day The Supremes signed with Motown in 1961. This year, Mary kicked off the celebration of the 60th anniversary of The Supremes.

“With the same passion as she did singing with the original Supremes as well as with her solo career, the world-renowned performer was an advocate for social and economic challenges in the United States and abroad,” Wilson’s longtime publicist and friend, Jay Schwartz, said.

“Ms. Wilson used her fame and flair to promote

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a diversity of humanitarian efforts, including ending hunger, raising HIV/AIDS awareness, and encouraging world peace. Mary was working on getting a U.S. postage stamp of her fellow bandmate and original Supreme Florence Ballard who passed away in 1976,” Schwartz said.

In 2019, Wilson stretched her dancing muscles when she joined the cast of the 28th season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” Schwartz recalled.

He noted that in 2019 she also published her fourth book, “Supreme Glamour.”

“The coffee-table book showcased the gowns The Supremes were known for over the decades and delved into more history of the most successful female recording group of all time,” Schwartz wrote in an email.

He provided the following extensive recent bio of Wilson: She was honored at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, celebrating her work in music and

her influence on young African Americans and entertainment.

Her conversation with Janice Littlejohn left the audience laughing with her unmatched humor and standing with applause displaying her graceful composure throughout the night. Showing the same love she has always demonstrated to all her fans, Wilson gladly met and personally thanked every attendee that night for their support throughout her career.

Wilson’s influence reached beyond music.

In 2018, Mary’s longtime fight for the passage of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) came to fruition when it was signed into law on Oct. 11.

The law modernized copyright-related issues for new music and audio recordings due to new forms of technology like digital streaming, which did not protect music recorded before Feb. 15, 1972, according to Schwartz.

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Her tireless advocacy for this legislation included trips to Washington D.C. to personally meet with Congress members to advocate for legacy artists gaining fair compensation when their songs are played on digital radio stations, Schwartz continued.

Mary Wilson’s last solo recording, the song, “Time to Move On,” reached No. 23 on the Billboard Dance charts, which marked her first time on the charts with a solo recording since The Supremes.

She was working on new projects for 2021, including an album she recently teased on her YouTube channel. Her primary love of preserving the legacy of The Supremes and introducing her music to new generations.

“I think that The Supremes had a lot to do with the awakening of the world in terms of what blackness was,” Wilson said in her 2020 NNPA interview. “The whole world was watching Black people in a way they’d never seen.”

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TYLER PERRYs’ BET “Sistas” THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

BY VALDER BEEBE

The more I conduct the Valder Beebe Show, the more real life intersects with topics from and about my guests.

Ebony Obsidian & DeVale Ellis from Tyler Perry’s Sistas on BET, were my guests recently in the Valder Beebe Show studios. The Sistas stars shared about their characters; their ups and downs of love and friendship and the pressure of being 30-Something, Single and Black.

Sistas, the one-hour drama follows a group of single Black

females as they navigate their “complicated love life,” careers and friendship through the ups-and-downs of living in a modern world of social media and unrealistic relationship goals. Mr. Perry takes viewers on an exhilarating ride of emotions and gut-busting predicaments that will test the ladies’ long-standing friendship. This band of women, intertwined with their newfound relationships, must navigate this new-age dating scene as they continue to search for love in their 30s. The talented ensemble cast of “Tyler Perry’s Sistas” includes KJ Smith, Mignon, Ebony Obsidian, Novi Brown, Chido Nwokocha, DeVale Ellis, Brian Jordan Jr., Kevin A. Walton, Anthony Dalton II,

Ebony-Obsidian

Deval Ellis

Trinity Whiteside, and Crystal Renee’ Hayslett.

The multi-talented Ebony Obsidian stars as ‘Karen Mott.’

The one-time journalism major can be seen as Michelle in the Netflix series Master of None and Adrienne in If Beale Street Could Talk. Ebony can also be seen as Nia in the upcoming Hulu series WuTang: An American Saga, and Carol in Amazon’s The Hunt.

The darling and handsome, Devale Ellis is a former NFL player-turned-actor who has served in guest starring roles on popular hit TV dramas such as The Blacklist and NCIS. He also played his first supporting role as Tommy in the award-winning feature film, Full Circle. In 2019, Devale landed a recurring role in the Emmy nominated Netflix series, It’s Bruno, as Nelson. Sistas stars publicists provided text in conjunction with the Valder Beebe Show

peek into your characters.

EO: My character is a business owner, a homeowner, great friend and a sex life that is not lacking at the moment with two incredible men in their special ways.

VBS: Devale, you are a former NFL player, right now there is a lot on you as an African American male in such a well-presented series.

DE: I bring the funny to character Jack. Jack deals with a lot, he deals with recidivism; he’s been in and out of prison. He deals with having to be marginalized by the government. I bring the funny, I also bring the love and I show that I am a man who loves Black women. Jack represents your………..

VBS: I love the idea of Sistas from Tyler Perry, women and women of color can identify with the characters. Give us a myimessenger.com

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Sistas’ complete interview……

YouTube.com/valderbeebeshow: SoundCloud.com/valderbeebeshow; Broadcasting to a national & global audience: ValdeBeebeShow. com ; KKVI FM Radio, KRER FM, Streaming TV, Social Media, Print Publications I MESSENGER, Texas Metro News, and Garland Journal News.

February 12, 2021

Briefs

Texas Republicans participated in riot AUSTIN, Texas - The Republican Party of Texas is currently doing damage control after it was reported that one of their own staffers participated in the riot at the Capitol last month that left five people dead. The FBI has determined that the rioters sought to kidnap and kill lawmakers and that pipe bombs were strategically placed the day before the incident.

The Republican Party of Texas staffer posted a video of the riot on social media and has a history of posting conspiracy theories about Democratic leaders as

well as defending far-right extremists, neo-fascists and white supremacist groups like the Proud Boys.

It wasn’t until the Texas Tribune wrote about the findings that the Republican Party of Texas decided to cut ties with the staffer, who has since said that Republicans are “canceling conservatives.”

The Texas GOP, so unwilling to accept the loss of Donald Trump that their chairman has called for Texas to succeed from the Union, is currently hemorrhaging moderates as they are more and more sickened by a rabid right-wing base.

Gilberto Hinojosa

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued a statement: “The Republican Party of Texas and Republican leaders across the country are doing absolutely nothing to stop the

Journalists, colleagues condemn Greene SPJ condemns the mistreatment of WRCBTV reporter Meredith Aldis and her colleagues by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and local sheriff’s deputies after Aldis was threatened with arrest for asking Greene a question at a public town hall meeting on Jan. 27.

“There is no excuse for it, and we hope Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene reflects on this and reconsiders how she interacts with the media, which is doing the public’s work,” SPJ National President Matthew T. Hall said.

Also, in a vote of 230-199 yesterday, the House voted to remove the from her committee assignments House Education and Labor and Budget Committees.

Evidence showed she was a supporter of QAnon February 12, 2021

Leon Spinks dies

Marjorie Taylor Greene

and made comments supporting the execution of Democratic politicians, and other infractions her fellow Housemembers felt were deserving of rebukes.

Following the path of the man she said she admires, Donald Trump; after the vote she tweeted: “Thank you to the real Republicans who stood with me today! Every single one of you will be remembered.”

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spread of the radicalization of their members from a defeated presidential candidate. In fact, they’re encouraging it.

“This is the party whose members conspired to attack and kill our own lawmakers and police officers in Washington, D.C., and who have endorsed dangerous white nationalist groups across the country. The silence and unwillingness

by Republican leaders to rebuke this behavior and this ideology is further proof that the GOP cares about nothing more than seeking power at any and all costs.”

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After a yearslong battle with cancer, former World Heavyweight Champion boxer Leon Spinks died on Friday. Born July 11, 1953, he made a name for himself in the international h e a v y w e i g h t championship.

He has an overall record of 26 wins, 17 losses as well as three draws as a professional- he made 14 of those wins via knockouts. Spinks is known to have created one of the most unsettling records in boxing history when he beat world-famous champion Muhammad Ali on February 15, 1978.

In 1974, before the start of his professional career, Spinks won a bronze medal at the inaugural Amateur

Leon Spinks

Boxing Championship in Hanover in 1974. In 1976, two years later, Spinks won the a gold medal in the Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada; along with his brother Michael Spinks who had won at middleweight; he was awarded the gold medal. myimessenger.com

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February 12, 2021

HER TESTIMONY As attention focused on National Black HIV/AIDS Day on February 7, actress/ entertainer and now author VirLinda Stanton began candidly talking about her journey that includes an HIV diagnosis.

She is “Tyler’s Golden Rose.” She has had a day proclaimed after her, a street named in her honor and performed at the White House before President Barack Obama – all within one year.

The list of 5-star performances by VirLinda from all over the country are now too numerous to

Briefs

count, excelling in anything and everything she’s encountered, leaving her voiceprints, fingerprints and footprints all over the country and parts of the world to be vividly remembered.

Now you can read about her life, at least a portion of it, in the soon to be released “Souled Out, Vol 2” by Cheryl Polote Williamson.

In Ms. Stanton’s chapter, she shares her testimony and triumphs.

She also appeared on Cheryl’s Word which was broadcast on Blog Talk Radio, Streamyard and Facebook Live (Texas Metro News).

CAUGHT at the Capitol

Andrew Williams

Andrew Williams is a firefighter-paramedic with the Sanford (FLORIDA) Fire Department and he was arrested for unlawful entry of a restricted building and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

A photo showed

Williams wearing a Trump 2020 hat and pointing at a placard for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi inside the US Capitol.

He appeared in federal court and was released on a $25,000 signature bond.

Southern Dallas Entrepreneur Development Program Applications are now open for the Southern Dallas Entrepreneur Development Program.

This program is designed to provide existing Entrepreneurs with access to key resources that will strengthen their business performance, educate on maintaining

business financials, and how to access capital to grow your business.

Participants of this program will gain: • An understanding of their business model as it relates to their target market • A business and financial mentoring • Access to flexible

February 12, 2021

I MESSENGER

workspace • An opportunity to apply for a convertible cash grant, up to $5000 For more information on this opportunity, please visit: www. nteetc.com/apply and select the Southern Dallas Progress option.

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The Chavis Chronicles Sunday mornings on KERA 13 - check air times THE CHAVIS CHRONICLES is a thoughtprovoking half-hour weekly talk show with an urban American flair featuring interviews with famous leaders and politicians, doctors and scientists, cultural leaders and influencers from around the globe. The public affairs program goes beyond the headlines offering insights on matters Dr. Benjamin Chavis that impact the public, and provides a unique perspective from a renowned living legend of the AfricanAmerican world. Each week, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. hosts the 52-part series. Dr. Chavis an award-winning journalist, civil rights icon, and consummate intellectual influencer - is a skilled interviewer who presents important content and diverse conversations that are engaging, enlightening and entertaining to a wide audience. myimessenger.com

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Virtual and liVe Community Calendar

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Dr. Carter G. Woodson Sixth Annual Luncheon: Feat. Deah Berry Mitchell. Online tickets http://bit.ly/3r3Ir2T. 2 pm. CST

FEBRUARY 11-13

Valentine Makeover for the Homeless. Event by Help Is Help at Dallas International Street Church, 2706 S. 2nd Ave. Volunteer or donate go to www.helpishelp.com. 2-4 pm. CST.

Affairs of the Heart Virtual 5K Walk/Run. Hosted by National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. - Dallas Metropolitan Chapter Online: runsignup.com.

FEBRUARY 11 2021 Free Human Rights Lecture Series host SJSU Human Rights Institute.

Keynote by Dr. Angela Davis. www.go.sjsu. edu/HRI3. 7-9 pm. CST. Reg: bit.ly/3oZWaal

Greater Denton County Chapter The Links, Inc. Presents NSBE Jr. Black History Program. Special guest: Mr. Rob Hardy. Online Zoom 9:30-11:30 am. Reg: Eventbrite.com.

DFW News & Tings, with Jirah Nicole.

11:30 am-1:30 pm. CST. On Facebook.com/ TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com.

Call in and join the conversation at 646-2000459.

February Anti-Racism Book Discussion Virtual by Baltimore County Public Library. Reg: Eventbrite.com 6-7:30 pm. CST Jarvis Christian College 2021, Virtual Chapel. Zoom: http:// bit.ly/2YOBnLB Info: www.jarvis.edu.

SPJ-Fort Worth Careers Conference 2021. Host Hispanic Communicators via Zoom. Info: Madelyn Edwards at madelynedwards@rocketmail.com.

A Real Conversation with Donnie Simpson. Event by AARP Black Community, Donnie Simpson and Harriette Cole Media. Online: Facebook.com/AARP Black Community.

4 pm. CST.

FEBRUARY 14 Facebook Live: Protecting Loved Ones From Financial Scams & Fraud. Event by AARP Programs. Reg: https://bit. ly/36bt5Bw 6-7 pm CST. 2021 Annual Campaign Kick-Off. Event by YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Grand Prairie Family YMCA and YMCA Serving West Dallas. Reg: http://bit.ly/3aKve8y 6-7 pm. CST. SoulJazz Thursdays. Hosted by Sandaga 813, 813 Exposition Ave. 8 pm-12 am. Visit www.sandaga813.com.

FEBRUARY 12 From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed.

11 am -1 pm. CST, Fridays on Facebook.com/ TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Call in and join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

An Evening Of Blues Valentine Weekend, Feat: TJ Hooker Taylor at The Warehouse, 1125 E. Berry St. Ft. Worth. 7 pm.

Tickets: JimAustinOnline.com.

DeSoto ISD Celebrates Black History Month with a Zoom Panel Discussion on Facebook.com/DeSotoISD. This week: Divine Nine Black Greek Letter Org. Streams at 12 pm.

Black Lives Matter as a Curriculum. Event by Anna Julia Cooper Center and Melissa Harris-Perry. Reg: Eventbrite.com 11am-12:30 pm. Black Lives Matter Syllabus: bit.ly/2MJIRx1.

FEBRUARY 13 56th Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Symposium for Social Change. Interactive workshops & live Q&A feat: Nina Turner & Dr. Sekou Franklin. selmajubilee.com.

Sophisticated Lady Productions presents Triple Threat Valentines Celebration at The Warehouse, 1125 E. Berry St. FT. Worth. 7 pm. Tickets: JimAustinOnline.com.

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Psi Chapter Presents: African Americans and the Vote –A Thoughtful Conversation. Moderator: Norma Adams-Wade. Reg: bit.ly/3jtEHVZ 1 pm. CST

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Valentine’s Day The World According to Drew, with Andrew Whigham III, on BlogTalkRadio.com. 8-10 am. Sundays. Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news and commentary. Join the call at 646-200-0459.

Valentines Fabulously Funny Comedy Festival with Mike Epps, Kountry Wayne, Jess Hilarious & Haha Davis at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie, 1001 Performance Pl. Tickets: http://bit.ly/39IoqI6. 7-11 pm.

Jonathan Butler’s Valentine Day Virtual Show. Event by atlnightclubz.com. Online: atlnightclubz.com use code: BUTLER. 6 pm. CST. Valentine’s Day: LOVE on the Rooftop. Saint Rocco’s at Trinity Groves, 3011 Gulden Ln. #100. Eventbrite.com. 6-10 pm. CST.

FEBRUARY 15

DBDT Presents Virtual Cultural Awareness Performances ODETTA by Matthew Rushing&The Mourner’s Bench by Talley Beatty. Details at www.DBDT.com.7 pm CST.

Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez Live Podcast on Facebook @HollywoodHernandez, at 2 pm.

United Acts of Kindness 2021. Hosted by First United Spreading kindness throughout Dallas together. Reg: https://bit. ly/35X27gZ. All day long.

“The Sum of Us” Book Preview and Q&A with Heather McGhee. Event by Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation.

Reg: http://bit.ly/2YRYm8x 10:30 am CST.

FEBRUARY 18 Hair Love: Building a Legacy Through Representation with Matthew A. Cherry.

Event by Dream Bank. Reg: Eventbrite.com 3-4 pm. CST.

FEBRUARY 16

FEBRUARY 19

THE DOC SHEP SPEAKS SHOW! 11 am. CST on Facebook.com/TexasMetroNews, @fnsconsulting, You Tube @docshepspeaks.

Happy Birthday to La Donna Castro

Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Power Hour. 11:30 am. Reg: irvinghcctx.chambermaster.com//eventregistration.

Virtual Open Mic Night. Event by Southwest Dallas County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Reg. Online: swdcadeltas.net. 7:30 pm.

Happy Birthday to Shane Hefner I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade. 11 am -1 pm. CST On Facebook.com/TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

In the Middle with Ashley Moss From 11 am -1 pm. CST On Facebook Live/@ TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com.

Call in and join the conversation at 646200-0459.

DeSoto ISD Celebrates Black History Month with a Zoom Panel Discussion on Facebook.com/DeSoto ISD. This week: Social Justice - Civil Rights and The Black Voter. Streams at 12 pm.

FEBRUARY 20

Matters of the Heart - A candid conversation. Event by Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Reg: http://bit.ly/2YSnwE2 7:30-8:30 pm. CST.

Happy Birthday to Monique Stone

Howard Gospel Choir Presents: LET FREEDOM SING. Event

by Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University. Online: Tickets bit.ly Eventbrite.com. 5-6 pm.

FEBRUARY 17

NAACP Collin County Unit #6165 Hosts a Virtual Job Fair. Matching HBCU College graduates with Collin County Jobs. Reg: jobfair@collincountynaacp.org.

Southern Soul Love Jam, host by SDMG Soul And Blues Awards at Southern Soul Jam, 7439 S Westmoreland Rd, Dallas, 6 pm. Tickets: http://bit.ly/369efeD.

Sounds of Blackness-Black History Month Celebration, by Jasmine RaShael of Soulful Flow Yoga. Online event tickets: Eventbrite.com. 8:30-9:30 am.

A Path Forward Through & Out of COVID-19: The Vaccine & The Black Perspective. Guests Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Cong. Karen Bass, Bishop James L. Davis & Pastor Rev. Dr. Mark E. Whitlock. reidtemple.org at 12 pm.

Be HER 2021 Women’s Conference, Event by Christian Culture Magazine. Reg: Eventbrite.com. 10 am CST. The Carter G. Woodson Festival - Virtual Black History Celebration. Event by Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center.11 am-3 pm. Online tickets for streaming: http://bit.ly/39c5Vgo The Black Family and Generational Health. Event by National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Online: Must Reg. At http://bit.ly/3r4RNvn.10 am CST.

FEBRUARY 21 The World According to Drew with Andrew Whigham, III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8-10 am. on Sundays. Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news and commentary. Join the call at 646-200-0459.

Ubuntu Market (Small Business Marketplace)Host Pan African Connection 4466 S. Marsalis Ave. 12-5 pm. Shop Small Businesses. Info email: Panafric@airmail.net.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed. 11 am -1 pm.

CST, Fridays on Facebook.com/TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

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February 12, 2021

MALCOLM AND MARIE

is complicated love story AT THE MOVIES BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

Showing both in theaters and on NETFLIX this week is the complicated love story MALCOLM AND MARIE. The movie stars John David Washington (Denzel’s son) and Zendaya who’s worked before with writer and director Sam Levinson. Levinson wrote the movie with Zendaya in mind after the two formed a strong bond working on the HBO series EUPHORIA. The movie reminded me more of a one act stage play than a movie. MALCOLM AND MARIE only features the two actors and the entire movie is set in the couple’s home after coming home from Malcolm’s movie premiere as they wait at home for reviews to start coming in for the film.

However, the two actors give strong performances and manage to carry the entire movie. As they wait for the re-

February 12, 2021

views Malcolm gets Marie to open up about her thoughts on the film and it turns out she’s not as high on the film as he had expected her to be.

We learn that the movie is really the story of her life and how she battled drug addiction. There’s a lot of screaming and fighting in the film but once Marie starts to control her emotions there is some real heartfelt conversation where she confesses her love for Malcolm.

The dialogue is sharp and cutting and is perfectly timed to convey the emotions being felt by this couple who seem to be in a “love/hate relationship.”

MALCOLM AND MARIE is a real cutting-edge drama and perhaps it could be a jumping off point for couples to have a conversation about what’s going on in their own relationships. The movie is rated R for sexual content and language.

On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate it a LARGE.

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February 12, 2021

February 12, 2021

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Dallas Metroplex Council of Black Alumni Associations

The 2021 calendar for the Metroplex Council has begun and we hope that you and your organization will continue to be a financially supported member of the Council. Here’s a high-level recap of the 2020 accomplishments of the Metroplex Council: 1. Awarded a total of $8,000 in scholarships to 13 area students currently attending various HBCUs 2. Awarded a $500 one-time memorial scholarship to Maya Harris, a local student majoring in Education at

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Valerie Roussell President

Texas Southern University, in memory of the Council’s 1st VP, Camille Goode, who suddenly, unexpectedly pas-

sed in 2020 3. Hosted the 2nd Annual DFW HBCU 5K Run virtually and continuing the Council’s partnership with the Robinson House, LLC for this event 4. Participated in a successful fundraising campaign with the North Texas Giving Day event and secured several contributors who provided “matching funds” contributions from their Employer 5. Resurrected the DMCBAA. org website 6. Welcomed three new HBCU chapters and several new in-

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dividuals to join the Metroplex Council 7. Received a surprise and much welcomed contribution from Pearls of Service, Inc., the nonprofit organization of Chi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to assist with the Council’s scholarship efforts.

The Metroplex Council has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to approximately 300+ high school students from the DFW area.

February 12, 2021

ARRESTED

HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST

He targeted members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. but this is more than about a sorority.

We’re talking about a community.

Come on PEOPLE! Don’t you CARE? Will it matter when it is your sister, mother, aunt or grandmother or maybe YOU?

Crimestoppers 877-373-8477 February 12, 2021

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