I Messenger 3-18-22

I MESSENGER Rocky Rules Supreme in Courtroom

VOL XI NO 28 MARCH 18, 2022

The Honorable Raquel “Rocky” Jones re-elected for a second term

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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.

March 18, 2022

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Wear the masks, wash your hands and show love!

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INSIDE

DIGITAL INTERACTIVE WALL If there is any time when the significance of educational leaders should be amplified and supported, it has to be now and that is just the message coming from the African American Education Archives and History Program (AAEAHP).

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FAITHFUL UTTERANCES We live in a world that is fraught with conflict and mean-spiritedness. A friend shared a situation she encountered: A lady she did not know wanted to teach her a lesson about parking badly. Long story short, she yelled out to the lady to give her grace.

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THE COVID-19 QUANDARY

An outpouring of Black parents are lining up in vaccination centers across the United States to get Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for their children. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized emergency approval for two small doses of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.

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BIG MAMA SAID:

Blessings are like boomerangs. You have to send them out to get them back!

THE BLACK CARD BY TERRY ALLEN

One of the greatest lessons taught to me from Lucille “Big Mama” Allen’s playbook became a common saying in the family.

My grandmother consistently and quietly challenged mental laziness and spiritual inactivity. She steadfastly believed that no one in her household should ever stop helping others, even when they only had meager means themselves.

Big Mama would stop you dead in your tracks to ask you, “Who did you bless today?”

Then she would thank you with a special hug and visual recognition among your peers. Why? Big Mama knew that special recognition would also spark replication!

If one of us received her public recognition, it would make each of us seek, find and give blessings to someone in our myimessenger.com

proximity. Big Mama knew that this process would create the right activity. She knew we would do what God called us all to do -- send Blessings to others through our words and deeds.

What I know for sure, is that doing things like actively loving others with our words and deeds, as God calls us to, helps us have an accurate view of ourselves.

Serving others can actually contribute to our own well-being and thus remove opportunity for negative thoughts and non-productive behavior.

Big Mama would share the struggles of our uncles, aunts and “cousins” just to remind us how the doors that we walk into were once closed before!

I did not understand at the time what she was teaching yet I use it now! When Miss Lucille shared, she taught us lessons on perseverance, fortitude, making-do and the existence of our own cultural self-hatred.

That lesson became clear recently when one of my colleagues and organizational peers approached me privately and verbally told me I was ‘in the way of prog-

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ress’ yet offered no real measures of proof of this accusation.

The call came with no emails, no proof, no sharing, just a verbal accusation that floored me emotionally, spiritually and actually made me physically ill for three days.

I shared that with a few others, and they recalled my work, the recorded videos, the peer-to-peer testimonials and the multiple success stories and outcomes.

All of a sudden, I saw the boomerang effect that Big Mama spoke of!

My good friend and mentor, CEO Ron Carter’s words he always says, “Speak Truth to Power!’

All of a sudden, the blessings boomeranged back to me.

In another Big Mama-ism, I can hear Big Mama saying, “See Baby Boy, what the devil meant for evil, God meant for good.”

I love boomerangs and blessings! Can you share yours with me at Terryallenpr@ gmail.com Terry Allen is a multi-media journalist and former board member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

March 18, 2022

MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith Publisher

Can you overcome?

As I sat home alone — multi-tasking, cleaning, writing and returning phone calls; I turned on the television to TV One and watched the movie, Overcomer.

It was a pleasant surprise to see the wonderfully beautiful and talented Priscilla Shirer starring in this story centered around a coach and a young track star.

Sometimes you get messages in the strangest places and the messenger is not always who you expect.

Young Hannah was going through troubling times. Finding out that the father she had been told was dead, actually was alive, was a bit much for the 15-year-old.

It didn’t help especially when Hannah’s bitter grandmother continued to lie.

Dealing with her mixed emotions, Hannah confided in Principal Brooks (Shirer), who in turn talked extensively about being a Christian, and shared a scripture.

Which brings me to my truth.

Immediately my thoughts went to Tammy Kemp, the Presiding Judge of the 204th Judicial District Court in Dallas and former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger.

After a highly emotional jury trial Guyger was convicted and sentenced for the murder of businessman Botham Jean, who was home watching television when Guyger “mistakenly” entered the apartment and opened fire.

Before she was removed from the courtroom, Guyger, who was watching the judge interacting with the Jean family, expressed remorse to the Judge and asked for direction.

Kemp said she told her, “Brandt Jean (Botham’s brother) has forgiven you.

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You have to forgive yourself.”

Guyger told the Judge, “Do you think God will forgive me?”

Kemp responded: “Yes, I know He will.”

As they talked, Guyger told Kemp that she did not own a bible and she asked for a hug because she thought the judge treated her fairly.

That hug pissed people off.

The same people who sit quietly in boardrooms, classrooms, or in the streets and laugh and smile at racist jokes, or never speak up when someone is the victim of racist attacks; were quick to vilify the judge.

Hell, they don’t even remember the names of some of the judges in historically racist cases (Judge Curtis Swango, Judge Samuel Alito, Judge James Horton, Judge William “Two Gun” Worrill), to name a few.

Those who are quick to say, “have a blessed day,” or “blessed and highly favored,” suddenly spoke their real truth, as hypocrites. After all, they weren’t the only ones upset over Mr. Jean’s death, or the numerous others; but for some reason, it has become easier and easier to attack a Black Woman.

That situation, just like in the movie, was about forgiveness, redemption and atonement — the true measure of a person.

After finding out that her lie had been revealed, the grandmother asked for help in forgiving her granddaughter’s father, who she felt had brought so much pain to her family.

Yes, it was challenging, just as it must have been for Judge Kemp, who said she heard her dearly departed mother’s voice saying, “Now, Tammy, I know you

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aren’t going to just talk to the Black people in the room and not go over and offer a word of encouragement to this woman.”

I know there were so many people who if faced with a request from Guyger or Hannah would have said, “Hell NO!” People were actually angry that Guyger didn’t get more than 10 years and they blamed the judge.

They were so blinded and deafened by their anger that they didn’t realize that it was the jury and not the judge that rendered the verdict and the sentence.

All they wanted was vengeance.

To Judge Kemp’s credit, she has remained true to her purpose. There are many who celebrate her for that reason; even Botham Jean’s mother who I have heard speak fondly of the judge.

Now I have written about forgiveness before, because I have heard so many pastors preaching that theme.

But in this case, I saw a difference because the pastor who condemns abortion until his daughter is pregnant or is for the death penalty until someone he knows or loves commits the crime, hypocrisy reigned supreme.

Judge Kemp was vilified by people who go to church at a greater rate than I and are quick to tell you they are Christians, but they were so vicious in their assaults because she shared her faith.

I guess I am not the only one in need of a little guidance on this spiritual journey.

The late, great Dick Gregory used to tell me that faith and fear cannot occupy the same space.

I think faith and forgiveness should, though! And, I definitely don’t want to be a hypocrite! myimessenger.com

That Other Pledge!

QUIT PLAYIN’

BY VINCENT L. HALL

The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (as it was initially called) was founded in Oakland by Chairman Bobby Seale and Defense Minister Huey P. Newton; and included four other charter members. The other brothers were Elbert “Big Man” Howard, Sherman Forte, Reggie Forte, and Little Bobby Hutton, who served as treasurer.

As we near the 40th year of their noted “dissolution,” it would be helpful to refresh many of the concepts, programs, and rituals that made them great. There could be no modern-day revolutionary movement among Black people that do not adequately understand their place in history.

In April 1967, the Black Panther newsletter was created to explain their position and refute so many lies about them.

In 1967, a communist was the worst thing you could be.

Because the Panthers studied Communist leaders like Karl Marx and Chairman Mao, the Panthers were labeled anti-American. But if learning the process of your oppression is anti-American, so be it!

The Panthers also leaned heavily on Malcolm X, whose assassination was as fresh as his speeches. The MIA Archives page tethered the Panthers to Brother Malcolm’s teachings.

“The practices of the late Malcolm X were deeply rooted in the theoretical foundations of the Black Panther Party. Malcolm had represented both a myimessenger.com

militant revolutionary with the dignity and self-respect to stand up and fight to win equality for all oppressed minorities.

The Panthers followed Malcolm’s belief of international working-class unity across the spectrum of color and gender, and thus united with various minority and white revolutionary groups.

From the tenets of Maoism, they set the role of their Party

nemesis is too broad and wildly inadequate in the pursuit of individual and racial freedom.

The Panthers wanted the Black community to understand that the working class (proletariat) and the middle class (bourgeoise) were being controlled and manipulated by the ruling class.

The American ruling class points to minorities, liberal whites, and “illegal aliens”

as the vanguard of the revolution and worked to establish a united front, while from Marxism, they addressed the capitalist economic system.

The Panthers studied the three primary classes of people: the Proletariat, the Bourgeoisie, and the Ruling Class.

Their center of gravity was not leveled on Karl Marx’s theory as much as they identified who their enemy was.

To proclaim that the “white man” or “capitalism is our

smokescreen. Meanwhile, they convert the votes and volition of their short-sighted political base to maintain wealth and control at the highest levels.

What Malcolm shouted to a raving crowd in Harlem is fit for 90% of us today. “Oh, I say, and I say it again, you been had! You been took! You been hoodwinked! Bamboozled! Led astray! Run amok!”

Shirley Williams’ poem appears simple but is a profound pronouncement of what each

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of us needs to hear. Her emphasis was on “growing” our children, but the tenets she set forth will grow you as an adult.

The ultimate preparation for battle, self-defense, or negotiation is to ready oneself; mind, body, and spirit.

“I pledge allegiance to my Black people. I pledge to develop my mind and body to the greatest extent possible. I will learn all that I can in order to give my best to my people in their struggle for liberation.

I will keep myself physically fit, building a strong body free from drugs and other substances that weaken me and make me less capable of protecting myself, my family, and my Black brothers and sisters.

I will unselfishly share my knowledge and understanding with them in order to bring about change more quickly.

I will discipline myself to direct my energies thoughtfully and constructively rather than wasting them in idle hatred.

I will train myself never to hurt or allow others to harm my Black brothers and sisters, for I recognize that we need every Black man, woman, and child to be physically, mentally, and psychologically strong. These principles I pledge to practice daily and to teach them to others to unite my people.

Your kids need not salute a flag or stand at attention, but they need to learn Ms. Williams’ poem. Their strength and our future well-being depend on it.

(Thanks Ed Gray) Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

March 18, 2022

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Digital Interactive Wall Multi-Media Project to Preserve Legacy of African American Educators If there is any time when the significance of educational leaders should be amplified and supported, it has to be now and that is just the message coming from the African American Education Archives and History Program (AAEAHP).

“Preserving our history is especially important so that contemporary society can study the lessons learned through the struggles and triumphs of the African American educators, students, and the community,” said Dr. Alfred L. Roberts, Sr. “The installation of the digital interactive wall is vital to this effort.”

The AAEAHP Board and Charter Members recently announced the launch of the Digital Interactive Wall Multi-Media Fundraising Campaign to

preserve the history and legacy of African American educators.

With the support of Honorary Chairs Senator Royce and Carol West, organizers hope that others will join in recognizing the impact educators have on building a better community, country and world.

The Digital Interactive Wall Project (DIWP), to be housed at the African American Museum, will use high technology systems to bring alive the history and contributions of Dallas County’s African American educators and education patrons.

Maps, artifacts, video and voice recordings, holograms and more will come alive to tell the unique stories of the titans who laid the foundation of education in Dallas County.

Ultimately, “The Wall” will

be a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate learning environment designed to immerse all museum visitors in this rich history.

Since 2002 this 501(c)3 organization, AAEAHP, has elevated the significant contributions of African American Educational Leaders in Dallas County by collecting, preserving, recognizing, teaching, and learning from outstanding individuals, supporting students with scholarships, and mentoring young educators.

With the Digital Interactive Wall Multi-media Campaign, organizers hope to raise $250,000 (of which $50,000 has been donated by Charter Members) to create a Wall that will be a blueprint for other professions and institutions.

“This means we need the

support of the community,” said one organizer. “Your support will be key to ensuring the AAEAHP will keep the African American educational experiences in Dallas County alive for generations to come, so please consider donating in support of this history-making endeavor.”

Further, organizers say donors’ names and the names of their organizations will appear on the donor list on the Project’s website and to the donor list on the Digital Interactive Wall Multi-Media Board, after installation at the African American Museum.

For additional information on how to contribute, contact one of the charter members; Dr. Alfred L. Roberts, Sr., President, AAEAHP, 214-478-7228; or visit the website: www.digitalwallproject.com.

African American Education Archives and History Program (AAEAHP)

Digital Interactive Wall Project Fundraising Goal: $250,000 CHARTER MEMBERS AS OF MARCH 9, 2022(AAEAHP)

Bernard Snowden

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Carolyn Thompson

Charles L. Fisher

Dr. Alfred Roberts, Sr.

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Dr. Andrea Hilburn

Dr. Ann Williams

March 18, 2022

Dr. Billy E. Dade

Dr. Jesse J. McNeil, Jr.

Dr. Rosie Sorrells

Dr. Thalia Matherson

Harnell Williams

Hollis Brashear

Johnnie Brashear

Judge Thomas G. Jones

Lela Herron

Lincoln Butler, Sr.

Mary Bolden

Melvin Traylor

Orethann Price

Rachel George

Rachel McGee

Robbye L. Williams

Robert Ward

Ruby Johnson Abel

Sandra Malone

Shirley Fisher

Shirley Ison Newsome

Verna Mitchell

Wanda J. Smith

Wilber Williams

HONORARY CO-CHAIRS SENATOR CAROL AND ROYCE WEST

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Please consider making a donation to the DIGITAL INTERACTIVE WALL PROJECT fundraising campaign and help us preserve our rich history.

CHARTER MEMBER LEVEL IS $1,200!

Dr. Barbara Martin and Billye Sanford donated a Charter Membership in memory of their father, Dr. Billy E. Dade.

Enez Brashear and Teresa Brashear donated a Charter Membership in memory of their father, the Honorable Hollis Brashear.

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Apprenticeship Program in Texas to Address Teacher Talent Pipeline The first paid teacher residency apprenticeships in Texas will be offered soon by Dallas College, as part of a program aimed at building a steady pipeline of well-trained teachers and putting those teachers in more classrooms across the state, sooner rather than later.

Staffing and teacher shortages in schools across the nation, which only worsened during the pandemic, have left Texas schools facing an immediate challenge in recruiting teachers for hard-to-fill positions.

Dallas College’s School of Education is making a concerted effort with local school districts to strengthen the teacher pipeline by modeling a hands-on training program similar to what has been successfully employed in other professions, such as fast-track apprenticeships in health care.

This paid apprenticeship model gives trainees a chance to gain real-world experience and earn a salary with a partner organization while earning a degree or a credential.

Dallas College will hold a signing ceremony with the first two partner school systems on March 30, 2022 at 2 p.m.

The Texas Education Agency estimates that in the next decade Texas will continue to experience high demand for certified school teachers to fill positions across the state.

Demand is particularly high in disciplines that currently have an inadequate supply of schoolteachers.

Dallas College is the second institution across the nation and the first in Texas to have its program be recognized by the Department of Labor as a registered teaching apprenticeship.

“School districts across Texas almyimessenger.com

ready rely on Dallas College and other institutions of higher education to meet their hiring needs but this apprenticeship program will provide aspiring educators with a seamless bridge to train in a school district and then land a job in that same district,” says Dallas College Vice Provost of

Dr. Robert DeHaas

Education Dr. Robert DeHaas. “The apprenticeships will be an important and unique way that our School of Education continues to work closely with our local school district partners to meet their critical educator workforce needs.”

“The apprenticeships will help fill short-term workforce needs of partner school systems while providing a rich career-embedded learning opportunity for Dallas College students, resulting in a living wage job,” said Dallas College Dean of Educator Pathways Sara DeLano. “We are thrilled to launch this program with two local school partners and would love to expand it to school systems across the region.

“The apprenticeship program re-

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moves financial barriers and supports school systems in growing their own pipeline of talented educators.”

Richardson Independent School District (RISD) is the first to join Dallas College in the apprenticeship program and Uplift Education expects to join in the partnership this spring to host students currently enrolled in Dallas College’s bachelor’s degree in teaching program and place them at schools most in need of additional teaching staff.

Students in the first cohorts in fall 2022 will earn $30,000 each in yearlong residencies. These students will serve as residents three days per week in classrooms and will then either tutor or serve as a substitute one day per week. At scale, the apprenticeship program will look to serve 200 future educators in partnering school districts across Dallas County.

The residency is also structured as a cohort model that allows students to participate in once-a-week cohort meetings and also to receive deep coaching from Dallas College faculty members.

“This innovative program offers a win-win for Dallas College students and school districts,” said Tabitha Branum, RISD’s interim superintendent. “The [Dallas College] School of Education will graduate students who will not be deeply in debt, so when they become teachers, they won’t have to find ways to pay off that debt. The immediate opportunity for Richardson ISD is that we will be able to host and hire students who have spent a year preparing and honing their craft. We think an apprenticeship year increases the likelihood that they will become excellent longterm educators in our district.”

March 18, 2022

Dallas City Council votes to stand behind Ukraine DALLAS — The City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution — proposed by Mayor Eric Johnson — in support of the people of Ukraine.

The resolution condemns the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine; calls on the city’s business, civic, and philanthropic communities to support Ukraine in any way they can; suspends the City of Dallas’ official “Sister City “relationship with Saratov, Russia while still encouraging people-to-people work toward

peace; and restricts the City Council from approving future contracts with entities that have significant Russian ties.

Mayor Johnson developed the resolution in consultation with the Mayor’s International Advisory Council, a bipartisan group of distinguished Dallas residents who formerly held the rank of United States ambassador.

The mayor placed the resolution on Wednesday’s voting agenda and expressed his gratitude to the City Council for its support.

Here is the text of the resolution: WHEREAS, Ukraine, the second-largest country in Europe by land mass, has a long and rich history with its own unique language, literature, and cultural identity; and WHEREAS, on August 24, 1991, Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union; and WHEREAS, Ukraine is a democratic republic with a constitution that provides for a directly elected president; and WHEREAS, Ukraine has been building its democratic institutions and working to improve the life of its residents; and WHEREAS, on February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation (hereinafter, “Russia”) launched an unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine, invading a sovereign nation and forcing thousands to flee their homes to seek refuge in neighboring countries; and WHEREAS, the United States and nations around the world have united to condemn the invasion and have levied sanctions against Russia and its financial institutions; and WHEREAS, Ukraine is on the front lines of the battle for freedom of democratic countries around the world – and the fight against the evils of dictators; and WHEREAS, the people and leaders of Ukraine have demonstrated incredible resolve, tenacity, and bravery in the face of the Russian invasion; and WHEREAS, the City of Dallas, Texas, is home to a robust Ukrainian community, and Dallas is an international city — a welcoming place to people, businesses, and institutions from all over the world.

Now, Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DALLAS:

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Mayor Eric Johnson

“As an international city, we have to stand up at times like this to make our intentions and our feelings known,”

Mayor Johnson said. “Dallas is clearly important to the global economy, and we are the cultural engine of this entire region — the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. But we also must be moral leaders. This resolution tells the people of Ukraine and our Ukrainian community in Dallas that this is a welcoming city that stands behind them as they fight for their freedom against an illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified invasion by the Russian Federation.”

SECTION 1. That the City of Dallas condemns Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and stands with the Ukrainian people, with the Ukrainian community that now calls Dallas home, and with people in Russia and all over the world who are calling for peace and an end to Vladimir Putin’s war.

SECTION 2. That the City of Dallas supports the coalition of nations imposing sanctions on Russia and encourages its international business, civic, and philanthropic communities to support the Ukrainian people in all possible ways in their fight to retain their freedom.

SECTION 3. That while Vladimir Putin holds power over Russia, the City of Dallas hereby suspends any formal diplomatic ties with Russia, including the official relationship with Saratov, Russia and the potential establishment of any trade offices. However, the City of Dallas recognizes the long-time cultural, educational, and medical ties with the people of Saratov and supports any efforts by the people of Dallas and Saratov to work toward peace and understanding during this challenging time.

SECTION 4. That the City Council will not authorize any city contracts with any entities with significant ties to the Russian regime under Vladimir Putin.

SECTION 5. That the City Secretary of Dallas attests and affixes the seal of the City of Dallas to this resolution and that a copy be transmitted to the United States Department of State, the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, the Dallas Regional Chamber, and the Ukrainian American Society of Texas.

SECTION 6. That this resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Dallas, and it is accordingly so resolved.

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God isn’t surprised…and you shouldn’t be, either FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW We live in a world that is fraught with conflict and mean-spiritedness.

A friend shared a situation she encountered: A lady she did not know wanted to teach her a lesson about parking badly. Long story short, she yelled out to the lady to give her grace.

The lady made up her mind that she had the right to confront her without even taking the time to understand, listen and offer compassion.

We are witnessing right before our eyes the bombing of the Ukraine and while trying to escape, African students are being discriminated against by not being permitted to ride trains.

While in the bank to retrieve his money, famed producer, Ryan Coogler, was handcuffed due to a lack of due diligence of a teller and her supervisor. It is easy to become disillusioned especially after two years of the uncertainty of COVID. We are tired, worn out and with the onslaught of the shocking news of current events, it is easy to believe that there is no good news.

The situations we are facing are not new to God. Instead of seeing this as a time myimessenger.com

of despair, it is an opportunity to love others well, do good, and choose to live in a way that brings honor to God and builds a legacy.

We are reminded in Matthew 24:6-13 by Jesus that these occurrences will happen and increase, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

It can be painful to witness what we are seeing, and we cannot sedate ourselves into choosing to ignore reality or distract ourselves with unhealthy habits and useless activity. We must be aware of these issues and yet, still willing to do work that is impactful and life changing.

We are called even amid what we see or hear to work.

“So, let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued from doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up or quit.

Ryan Coogler

Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all….”

(Galatians 6:9-10 MSG) I am reminded of Joseph in the Bible when he prepared for the famine. He was aware that it was a reality and yet, he did his part in making sure that others did not suffer. (Genesis 41) Joseph knew the famine was going to happen because of his gift of interpreting dreams.

He was able to warn the Pharaoh of the upcoming challenge and God used him to ultimately help others including his family. Recognize that what we face are the results of bad decisions of humans. It’s crazy to me how we blame God for what happens when we choose not to invite God in until something bad happens.

Have you uninvited God to

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be in your life until it is convenient? What gifts have you allowed to go dormant that you could be using to bless others and build God’s kingdom?

Instead of becoming discouraged or focused on doing things that are shortterm with no meaning, what are you doing with your life to make it better for others in spite of the issues now and to come?

Your relationship with God is first and foremost. Joseph could not have interpreted the dream if he was not in relationship with God. Seek God for your purpose and the plan for your life. God’s plan always includes blessing others.

If your focus is only about promoting and building you, you will continue to find yourself frustrated and flustered because you will only go so far. Allow God to use you to make a difference even as we see the increase of evil, meanness, and heartache.

It does not mean that it is time for you to give up or give in. There is work to do.

It is time to seek, sow, and serve.

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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COVID-19 inequities faced

by Black Americans

By Dr. Harry L. Williams

President and CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)

While the world has been focused on the growing numbers of COVID-19 causalities, the media has somewhat ignored the long-term educational and economic impacts of the pandemic – especially for Black students. Although there has been some attention given to the disparities between Black Americans and other groups contracting the virus, it is not an exaggeration to say that the Black community will be recovering from the impact of COVID-19, health wise, economically, and educationally for at least the next two decades.

Throughout the pandemic, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been on the front lines addressing the impact the pandemic has had on students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities. In March 2020, when college campuses across the country closed and sent students home, many HBCUs continued to house hundreds of students who did not have homes to return to. Groups of students were stuck on campus without the funds to pay for transportation back to their home cities. This challenge was a byproduct of several students losing the jobs they used to help fund their education, along with loss of family income. Many students became both food and housing insecure without the critical resources that HBCUs often provide. myimessenger.com

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) worked with our member-schools— America’s 47 publicly-supported HBCUs—and many of their corporate partners to help secure access to needed support for students. Beyond academic scholarships, TMCF stepped up to help provide grants for students, assisting them with rent, groceries, and transportation. At one HBCU, more than half of the students and faculty did not have the adequate computer hardware or broadband internet access to participate in remote classes.

Corporate partners supported the purchasing of laptops and hotspots for both students and faculty to facilitate the pivot to online learning.

Despite their long history and accolades, HBCUs as a collective have continued to struggle with proper funding, receiving less per-student aid from their states, along with less research funding from the federal government. These institutions are highly tuition dependent, which can cause a great challenge anytime enrollment numbers are compromised. Closing campuses and sending students home meant that many schools had to return housing funds that traditionally would have supported the university’s operations. Recognizing the great infringement that the pandemic placed on the schools, we shifted part of our focus of providing scholarships and career readiness opportunities to work with HBCUs to provide support restructuring

their finances, securing new resources, and planning for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years.

Part of the shift also included engaging corporate partners to help find new and creative ways to help students succeed in this environment. For example, McDonald’s expanded their partnership with TMCF in 2020 to provide additional scholarships beyond their original commitment for HBCU students. This commitment extended in 2021 to support students who overwhelming were high-achieving performers but came from low-income backgrounds and needed the extra support during this unprecedented time. As a non-profit committed to the advancement of Black students, we understand that the best way to address disparities is to invest in students so they can persist in their studies, graduate, and progress to economically sustainable careers.

We also partnered with our member-schools to provide enhanced mental health resources to help students address the emotional needs that may have emerged as a result of the changing landscape of the world. Among other amenities, TMCF scholars were offered access to Shine, a minority-owned mobile app which offers self-care resources to better manage mental health challenges like stress and anxiety.

The resilience of Black students in the face of the pandemic further illustrates the importance of HBCUs for en-

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gaging the Black community. Though the pandemic has presented extraordinary challenges in the last two years, HBCUs have emerged even stronger. While many colleges had steep drops in enrollment during the pandemic, HBCUs experienced the exact opposite. Many of the country’s largest HBCUs are seeing record numbers of applications.

The COVID-19 crisis inspired a new approach to working together as a network and building new capabilities in online learning, student retention and attraction, and more. This has only strengthened HBCUs’ unique position to help fill the social and economic gaps Black Americans experience, given these institutions’ assets, experience, and cultural and historical significance.

As a legacy corporate partner, McDonald’s stepped up to support HBCU students because of their longstanding commitment to supporting the Black community and empowering the next generation by creating opportunity through educational initiatives. Today, we call on other major corporations to do the same – address inequities by investing in diverse students, who are posed to be the next generation of changemakers. Their journey to leadership starts with a college degree, and with the proper resources that degree can come from an HBCU. Darryl Sellers is the Director of the Public Relations Team for Creative Marketing Resources, a strategic marketing agency in Milwaukee and a partner of the Cobb Institute.

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Black History, Black Print and You OUR VOICES DR. JOHN E. WARREN

Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the work he left behind certainly makes the case today for the study of Black History.

Without his work most of us would not know who we are or how many things we have done to contribute not only to this nation but also to mankind.

For 195 years, the Black Press has been a guardian and transmitter of our history. When it was against the law to teach a slave to read and write, the Black Press was already telling our story to those who could read or just listen as others read to them.

Oh, how far we have come. Today we have the freedom to read, but too few of us are reading. Social media and its abbreviated written language, along with television and the internet, have replaced our desire too often to even open a book.

But now, more than ever, is the time to once again add reading to learning and following our history in the making.

The Black Press not only carries our history and stoMarch 18, 2022

ries, continuing the work of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, but our press has extended our stories to the digital world providing news and facts that we can rely on coming from our “trusted messengers”.

But none of this works if we don’t take the time to embrace, read and digest the written story of our past and present, as told by us.

But we continued to tell our story with the help of so many of us who volunteered services and time to share our stories with those among us.

This Black History Month is probably one of the most important in our history.

We are under attack as Jim Crow racism moves on voter suppression in the form of reducing voting

We must ignite the perseverance of our history to rise in numbers above the challenges being placed before us. We must become so laser focused that our lives and the lives of those who agree with us out number our opponents.

Our newspapers have survived because of “us” and not because of the large ad accounts we never had.

We never had the large grocery store, department stores and automobile dealership accounts.

We never had the large newsrooms, printing presses and classifieds accounts that made white papers rich.

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sites and equipment, and replacing true election officials with those who have bought The Big Lie that Trump is still President.

We must speak truth to power as we remind our brothers and sisters of the racism of voter denial, the counting of jelly beans in a jar as permission to vote, and the push for what White Conservatives are calling “Critical

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Race Theory” as a means of re-writing our history without racism and lynchings which they imposed upon us.

If they pass laws to restrict our voting, then we, as the Black Press and Media, must use “Print” and “electronic” means to remind us of why history says we can’t allow those with such practices to stop us.

We must ignite the perseverance of our history to rise in numbers above the challenges being placed before us. We must become so laser focused that our lives and the lives of those who agree with us out number our opponents.

President Biden is only a symbol of what we are struggling for: to keep America an inclusive democracy.

It's up to us to reignite the spirit and faith of our fathers that brought us this far so that we don’t lose ground.

It comes down to “Our History, Our Print and You”. We must write our story, today which will be our history tomorrow, and we must make sure that we are included in telling our own stories.

Dr. John E. Warren is publisher of The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint.

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The Forward Times in Houston: Carrying Forth a Special Vision

195 Years of the Black Press

By Jeffrey L. Boney Forward Times Associate Editor

The spirit of Black journalism, which was inspired by Russwurm and Cornish, found its way to Houston 128 years later through a vision given to a local Black businessman to birth a newspaper that positively reflected the Black community, while also reporting the hard truths happening in our communities on the local, state, and national level.

After initially casting his vision to a group of friends in 1955, entrepreneur Julius P. Carter started investing every extra dollar he could from his cigarette vending business that he operated out of his office garage, into the equipment he needed to print his first tabloid-sized publication.

It was Mr. Carter’s plan to print a publication that featured only photos and positive stories about Black Houstonians in that first edition.

Thanks to his bold vision, the Forward Times newspaper published its first edition on January 30, 1960, out of his office garage.

“The idea of launching a newspaper like the Forward Times came about because of my father’s strong business acumen and community prowess amongst Houston’s Black elite,” said Karen Carter Richards, CEO and Publisher of the Forward Times and NNPA Chair.

“My father wanted Black people to be highlighted during a new era where it was time for African Americans in the City of Houston to move forward, and he did that successfully from the founding of the newspaper to his passing in 1971.”

Mr. Carter successfully ran the Forward Times from 1960 to 1971.

In 1971, after reporting a story that was not so favorable to the powers that be, the Forward Times’ building was bombed. myimessenger.com

After the bombing, Mr. Carter died of a massive heart attack, only four days later, primarily because of all the pressure he had endured.

Upon his death, Mr. Carter’s wife, Lenora “Doll” Carter took the helm at the Forward Times in 1971.

The Forward Times remains the only Black newspaper in the Greater Houston area that is still operated by its founding family and is the only Black newspaper in the Greater Houston area that has printed its newspaper consecutively, having never missed a week a print, for over 62 years.

Affectionately known by many simply as “Doll” Carter, she took on the daunting task of being the Publisher and Editor of the newspaper and the CEO of the company, as a 29-year-old widow with two little girls, who were 9 and 11 at the time.

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“The bold decision that my mother made to upgrade the business by purchasing an 8-Unit Goss press with the capability of printing two color newspaper jobs at one time gave Forward Times Publishing Co. a significant edge in the regional market,” said Karen Carter Richards.

“Not only was she responsible for the day-to-day operations of one of the only publishing companies in the country to own its own printing press, but she was also responsible for maintaining and securing clients who owned other major newspapers and magazines in the region.

“One of those clients was the University of Houston Daily Cougar, which Forward Times Publishing Co. printed every single day for over 28 years.”

Because of the leadership of “Doll” Carter, the Forward Times newspaper reached a paid circulation of roughly 65,000 and is still one of only a few publications in the region to hold a second-class mailing permit, which gives the company the ability to mail its newspapers directly into the homes and the offices of their loyal and dedicated subscribers.

During her tenure, the Forward Times continued to add to its impressive resume of never missing a week of print since inception.

The business celebrated over fifty years in business under her visionary and dedicated leadership from 1971 until her untimely death in April of 2010.

The Forward Times remains the only Black newspaper in the Greater Houston area that is still operated by its founding family and is the only Black newspaper in the Greater Houston area that has printed its newspaper consecutively, having never missed a week a print, for over 62 years.

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A Much-Needed New Perspective To The Supreme Court TO BE EQUAL

BY MARC MORIAL

“The advancement of Black people into positions of power traditionally held by white people is a threat to white supremacy. It frustrates a narrative about merit, threatens the expectation of unlimited control and power, and opens the door to see things through a different lens. When that Black person is one who has fought for racial justice or who unapologetically brings experiences and perspectives to the table that have the potential to interrupt prevailing approaches to how the law is understood and applied, it opens a portal to see aspects of our society that are all too often beyond the range of vision of those in power.” – Sherrilyn A. Ifill, president and director-counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc. Her name means “lovely one.” Her parents chose it from a list sent by an aunt serving in the Peace Corps in West Africa in 1970.

Ketanji Brown Jackson, nominated by President Biden to serve as the first Black woman on the United States Supreme Court, was born into a unique moment of hope for Black Americans. “The hard work of the previous decade — the marches, the boycotts, the sit-ins, the arrests — had finally borne fruit,” she said. A Black man, Thurgood Marshall, had been serving on the Court for three years. The first Black woman federal judge, Constance Baker Motley – who shares Judge Jackson’s birthday – had been confirmed four years prior. It was hard to imagine that it would take more than 50 years for a Black woman to be nominated to the nation’s highest court.

Judge Jackson’s nomination is historic not only because she will be the first Black woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, but her service will mark the first time two Black justices have served together and March 18, 2022

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bring the Court near to gender parity with four women justices.

But it is more than just her gender and her race that make her nomination historic.

She will be the first justice to have served as a public defender, giving her a range of experience and perspective that currently is lacking on the Court.

Ketanji Brown Jackson

“Most of my clients didn’t really understand what had happened to them,” she said during her confirmation hearing last year for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. “They had just been through the most consequential proceeding in their lives, and no one really explained to them what they were supposed to expect so they didn’t know where things might have gone wrong.” That’s why as a trial judge, she took extra care to communicate with the defendants who come before her in the courtroom.

“When I have to sentence someone, I always explain to them, this is why your behavior is so harmful to society that Congress thought it had to be made a crime,” she said. “This is why I as the judge believe that you have to serve these consequences for your decision to engage in criminal behavior. I think that’s important for our entire justice system because it’s only if people understand what they’ve done, why it’s wrong, and what will happen to them if they do it again, that they can really start to rehabilitate.”

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While we at the National Urban League are reviewing her record, Judge Jackson has already proven she is eminently qualified to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Judge Jackson clerked for judges at every level of the federal judiciary, including former Associate Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court, and served as a federal public defender. With her extensive experience in both civil and criminal law, Judge Jackson is more than prepared for exemplary service on the nation’s highest court.

Judge Jackson has remained dedicated to fighting for the most vulnerable members of our society and fought for the constitutional rights of all -- qualities that have been overlooked in recent nominations to the Court.

This country deserves a Supreme Court that reflects the rich diversity of the American people, and this nomination brings us one step closer to realizing that goal.

Judge Jackson’s credentials, experience and expertise have been extolled widely by some of the nation’s most formidable legal minds. But the most meaningful endorsement came in a handwritten letter to President Obama in 2016, when he was looking for a replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

Dear Mr. President, While you are considering judges to fill Justice Scalia’s seat, I would like to add my mother, Ketanji Brown Jackson of the District Court. I, her daughter of 11 years old, believe she would be an excellent fit for the position. She is determined, honest, and never breaks a promise to anyone, even if there are other things she’d rather do. She can demonstrate commitment and is loyal, and never brags. I think she would make a great Supreme Court Justice, even if the workload will be larger on the Court, or if you have other nominees. Please consider her aspects for the job.

Thank you for listening, Leila Jackson Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.

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The COVID-19 Quandary The Virus Can Have Long-Term Effects on Some Children

By Darryl Sellers An outpouring of Black parents are lining up in vaccination centers across the United States to get Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for their children.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized emergency approval for two small doses of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.

More than 9 million children between 5 and 11 years old have received at least one dose of the vaccine, bringing the FDA closer to making Pfizer-BioNTech’s lowdose vaccine available for 28 million children in this age bracket.

The call-to-action for Black parents to get their children ages 5 to 11 vaccinated also comes with a growing concern about long COVID, a condition marked by ongoing COVID-19 symptoms, including brain fog and chronic fatigue, that is affecting more than 6 million children. Other children have been diagnosed with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a rare condition that affects multiple organs. And others are struggling with their mental health.

Dr. Nina Ford Johnson, a physician at Cobb Institute and a pediatrician with Infirmary Pediatrics in Alabama, stressed the importance of protecting Black children myimessenger.com

from long COVID, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome and other problems that are becoming more widespread in the U.S. Dr. Ford Johnson is also the president of the Medical Society of Mobile County, a professional membership organization founded in 1841 that develops medicine to conserve and protect public health.

Last year, Dr. Johnson didn’t have any flu cases among her patients, leading her to think that the flu had been eradicated. But this year, she’s seeing a sharp rise in the number of flu cases among her patients.

“A few days after I thought that, it popped up,” she said.

“And I’ve been seeing it ever since.”

Dr. Ford Johnson reminds us that a flu shot protects kids and adults from the flu and other related illnesses, including pneumonia. And that we should see COVID vaccines in the same light.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is cautiously optimistic that the number of Omicron cases have already peaked and will now spiral downward.

This month, there’s a growing concern that some states are prematurely dropping their indoor mask mandates.

Dr. Nina Ford Johnson

Dr. Ford Johnson said this makes it even more imperative to vaccinate Black children.

“This is very concerning.

We still have to stay on top of this,” Dr. Ford Johnson said.

“This pandemic has not gone

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away, and we can witness that with those who’ve lost loved ones. This is a public health emergency. This is something that must be done, not just to protect the child itself, but also to protect communities.”

Dr. Ford Johnson said Black Americans should have a collective mindset and get their children and themselves vaccinated, which will get them to the other side of the pandemic in 2022.

“We’re doing this to help each other,” Dr. Ford Johnson said. “I wish everyone would kind of see that from that light and from that standpoint. If we vaccinate each other and vaccinate ourselves, we are protecting each other. I hope that message comes across and is received.”

Please visit this CDC link for more information about COVID-19 variants.

For more information about booster shots, please visit CDC – booster shots.

To find out more about the schedule for the upcoming Cobb Institute/NMA Stay Well Health Fair events, visit Stay Well Community Health Fairs.

To learn more about the Cobb Institute, please visit thecobbinstitute.org.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, please visit hvaccines.gov.

Darryl Sellers is the Director of the Public Relations Team for Creative Marketing Resources, a strategic marketing agency in Milwaukee and a partner of the Cobb Institute.

March 18, 2022

Black Women Rally for Jackson’s Supreme Court Confirmation

By James Wright Jr. Washington Informer

Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of the National Center for Black Civic Participation speaks during the Black Women's Roundtable rally at the Supreme Court on March 10 supporting the nomination of Ketanji Jackson to the Supreme Court (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer) Leaders of Black women’s groups and their supporters rallied outside of the U.S. Supreme Court building in the District on Thursday to call on the U.S. Senate to confirm U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the high court.

President Biden tapped Jackson to replace retiring Associate Justice Stephen Breyer on Feb. 25. At the rally, Melanie Campbell, the president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBP) and convenor of the Black Women’s Roundtable that is meeting in the Washington area this week, told the gathering that Jackson is well-qualified to be a Supreme Court justice.

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with our allies to ensure that this nominee is treated fairly and is confirmed without delay,” Campbell said to the gathering of over 50 people.

Capitol Hill observers say confirmation hearings for Jackson could take place during the week of March 21, with a floor vote on her nomination possibly by early April. No Democrat has risen to oppose her confirmation. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has indicated he may vote to oppose Jackson but Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) recently said she is open to supporting her. The Senate’s filibuster rules don’t apply in Supreme Court justice nominations so Jackson needs just 51 votes to become the first Black woman to serve on the high court.

Janice Mathis, the president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, served as one of the speakers at the rally.

“Now we will be truly represented on the court,” Mathis said.

Sheila Katz, the president and CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, said “we all want to see Judge Jackson confirmed.”

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“We are talking about having a fair federal judiciary and Supreme Court for all of the people,” Katz said. “She represents the diversity of America. When the Supreme Court was founded over 200 years ago, it was set up by white men who favored people that looked like them.

Now we have the chance to continue to change that.”

Jakota Eaddy, the convenor of WIN with Women, said everyone wins if Jackson is confirmed.

“The U.S. Supreme Court will win,” Eaddy said. “Black women will win. Black people will win. All Americans will win when Judge Jackson gets on the court.”

Judge Carlos E. Moore, the president of the National Bar Association, the trade group for Black attorneys, judges, paralegals, and law students, said if Jackson is confirmed as a justice “it will have positive reverberations for decades to come.”

“Judicial diversity is important,” Moore said. “She will bring a diverse perspective on the court. The Senate should confirm her unanimously.” myimessenger.com

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Rocky Rules Supreme in Courtroom The Honorable Raquel “Rocky” Jones re-elected for a second term

Special to Texas Metro News

In the recent Democratic Primary election held on March 1, 2022, voters re-elected me to the 203rd Judicial District Court for a second term. (I am unopposed in the General election on November 8).

Thank you, Dallas County, for entrusting me to continue dispensing justice with the utmost integrity and fairness to both victims and the accused for another four years.

As presiding judge of the 203rd, I am honored and humbled by your vote of confidence in my leadership, and I want to take this opportunity to share highlights and accomplishments from my first term.

CAMPAIGN PROMISES DELIVERED When I ran for the bench the first time in 2018, I laid out my reasons for running. I told voters I was going to restore accountability and justice to the 203rd Judicial District Court.

I have not only restored those attributes, but I have also returned respectability and dependability to the court’s reputation. I told voters they deserved a judge who has thorough myimessenger.com

Celebrating 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

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Meeting and greeting Dallas County citizens

knowledge of the law, honors the laws she is sworn to uphold, and who will not make rulings outside of her judicial authority and I have consistently upheld my campaign promises.

Lastly, I told the citizens of Dallas County, they deserve a judge who will hold people accountable for their actions by examining the root causes of why offenders commit crimes and consider all available options (including community supervision, diversion programs and incarceration) for punishment based on the merits of each case that comes before the court and I am proud to say I achieved that goal through the court’s A.T.L.A.S. Program and newly-founded C.R.O.W.N. Program.

In addition to delivering on the aforementioned campaign promises, I also took action to improve the 203rd’s efficiency. Since taking over the bench on January 1, 2019, I immediately reduced the court’s dispositions and jail population, resulting in taxpayer savings.

In my first year on the bench, I took the 203rd from being ranked #17 of 17 of felony courts, to being ranked in the top 10 most efficient felony courts in Dallas County. In 2019, my court also ranked in the top three courts for most jury trials and most case dispositions. I have also increased community partnerships with Metrocare, Hope March 18, 2022

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Judge Raquel Jones preparing for court in her chambers

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Serving the community with husband, Marcus Kelly and son, Ryan

Ministries, Care Center Ministries, Men of Nehemiah and other treatment and rehab facilities throughout the county.

I am also a member, along with five other Dallas County judges, of Pipeline to Possibilities, a program committed to educating youth on various aspects of the justice system and inspiring youth to become leaders in society.

Although I am incredibly proud of all the progress and accomplishments my team and I have made in the 203rd thus far, my proudest moment as a judge came just five months after I took the bench. In May of 2019, I conducted the exonerations of Dennis Allen and Stanley Mozee and declared them actually innocent after serving 15 years of respective life sentences for wrongful capital murder convictions. I was honored and humbled to preside over such a monumental, life-changmyimessenger.com

ing chapter in their journey to seek justice and reclaim their freedom.

ATLAS In addition to presiding over felony trials in the 203rd, I am also the presiding judge over Dallas County’s ATLAS Program, which stands for Achieving True Liberty and Success.

The ATLAS program is designed to serve members of the community who are charged with a felony criminal offense and also diagnosed with a mental illness in an effort to help them reconnect with their families and society while coexisting with their mental health issues. ATLAS partners directly with Metrocare Services, the largest provider of mental health services in North Texas.

THE C.R.O.W.N. PROGRAM In 2021, I created and co-founded The C.R.O.W.N. (Conversations Regarding Our Women Now) Program

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in partnership with the 204th Judicial District Court. The C.R.O.W.N. Program is an eight-week mentorship program that seeks to positively redirect eligible women, ages 17 to 25 years, who are serving felony probation sentences. The program’s curriculum includes sessions on mental health, college readiness, employment, personal finances, self-esteem, dating and healthy relationships.

The program meets on the first and third Thursday of each month in both courts. Participants who successfully complete the program are eligible to have their court ordered community service hours waived; court costs and probation fees reduced or waived; participate in mail-in reporting; and have the potential to receive an early discharge from probation.

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giveaway at Paul Quinn College with community partners Hunger Busters, The Lullaby House, Metrocare, Services of Hope and Texas Metro News.

JUDGE RAQUEL “ROCKY” JONES AT-A-GLANCE I am a licensed attorney with more than 25 years of experience, and I have worked as State District Court presiding judge, a prosecutor (adult and juvenile), criminal defense lawyer and a civil attorney and have tried all types of felony offenses including death penalty cases.

I previously served the citizens of Dallas County as a Chief Prosecutor in the Felony Division of the District Attorney’s Office and also served as a prosecutor at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. My law licenses include the State Bar of Texas, U.S. District Court of Northern Texas, and the United States Supreme Court.

I am the daughter of a single mother who was raised in Arlington, Texas.

I graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and journalism and earned a three-year scholarship to attend St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio.

During law school, I studied abroad in Innsbruck, Austria, at the Institute on World Legal Problems.

Always eager to affect change in my profession beyond the walls of the courtroom, I am active in professional and civic organizations including my previous stints as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington, and Tarrant County College; a distinguished member of Texas Bar College; and serve on the Desoto City Council Charter Review Commission.

I have served as a speaker/presenter at the Texas Association of Specialty Courts Conference; am a Board member of StenoVators, a non-profit court reporting organiMarch 18, 2022

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Judge Raquel Jones

zation; a Board/faculty member of E.P.P.S. School of Ministry in DeSoto, TX; a newly inducted member of the Texas Prosecutors Society, an elite group of former and current prosecutors, whose mission is to support the Texas District and County Attorneys Association; and the recipient of Democratic Monthly Magazine’s 2021 Rising Star Award.

Currently serving my second term as Arlington Alumnae Chapter President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; I am an active member of Community Missionary Baptist Church; a member of the Texas A&M University Alumni Association; a lifelong Democrat; married to Marcus Kelly, a retired Air Force veteran; and mother of our 6-year-old son, Ryan.

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Thank you again for granting me another term to affect positive change in our criminal justice system. While I am unopposed in the upcoming General election, I still encourage all Dallas County citizens to stay informed and be a part of the process by participating in all local elections.

The Primary runoff election is on May 24, the General election is November 8, 2022, and municipal races will be on the ballot in 2023.

Get registered to vote, take five people with you to the polls and make a difference in your community at the ballot box. Remember, your vote is your voice!

Judge Raquel “Rocky” Jones of the 203rd Judicial District Court Political advertisement paid by the Judge Raquel Rocky Jones Campaign, David Godsey, Treasurer.

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Ruby Young Drone Academy Celebrates First Graduates!

Thirteen Ruby Young Personalized STEAM Academy (RYPSA) students received certificates of completion for successfully passing the first courses of instruction in the RYPSA Drone Academy.

RYPSA Principal Noel Greenwood worked with DeSoto Police Chief Joe Costa to build a partnership to develop a drone class for students interested in learning more about this evolving industry. Drones are unmanned aircraft, more formally known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

According to BusinessInsider.com, the drone services market size is expected to grow to $63.6 billion by 2025.

Sergeant Mike Edwards, Drone Commander for the DeSoto Police Department’s UAS Response Team and Ruby Young teacher Edwaurdo King joined forces to work with interested students and prepare them for the first phase of testing. The academy included one-hour, interactive, after-school sessions beginning in October, and was free to RYPSA students who joined.

The DeSoto Police Department’s UAS Response Team consists of certified FAA Part 107 licensed pilots. Knowing the importance of the combination of community interaction and teaching this technology, Officers Patrick Krekel, Victoria Grubb, Luis Morales and Detective Eric Montemayor dedicated their time and expertise to assist the students. myimessenger.com

Ruby Young Drone Academy Graduating Class

“These students are the future of this country and drone technology is a gateway into a vast world of many fields like GPS, infrared, laser, aviation, forensics, health care, engineering, aerospace and so much more,” Sgt. Edwards explained. “It is imperative that we get them engaged early to prepare them and pave the way for their future as well as ours!”.

Scored 100

The following students completed 5-hour interactive minimum standards course designed to provide basic knowledge and fundamentals about drones and FAA regulations, and were awarded certificates of completion:

• • • • • • • • • •

Dylan Dickerson Chase Dansby Daniya Gray Laela Ashby Jaylenn Hawthorne Marvel Williams Eric Aranda Cortland Brooks Elijah Harris Juan Plata In addition to certificates, the highest scoring students also received their own personal drones!

Those students are: • Fernanda Castaneda • Quintin Webb • Leila Mendoza Eighth grader Leila Mendoza scored 100% on the exam!

She also expressed a strong passion for working with drones and an interest in joining the military, either navy or air force, and later becoming a police officer. She plans to join the JROTC in High School. Sgt. Edwards, a 23-year navy veteran, shared advice and encouragement, noting that his spouse was currently serving

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in the Air Force.

Proud parents and staff were on hand to witness the graduation ceremony followed by an outdoor demonstration.

Enthusiastic expressions of support and questions to instructors were heard throughout the campus courtyard.

Leila Mendoza’s parents were naturally excited about her accomplishment. Her mother, Samantha, explained “I’m very proud of Leila!

When she has something in her mind, she goes all the way through it, she always excels in what she puts her mind to. I’m just one proud Mom!” Leila’s dad, Tallen Contreras, echoed, “We’re very proud that Leila has taken an active interest in her future! This is definitely something she can take with her as she grows.”

The RYPSA Drone academy will continue to the next phases. Interested students and parents should contact the campus office for information on how to register.

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Call issued to Support Black Businesses Buy Black!

ALL THINGS NUTRITION

By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News

When Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, of Friendship-West Baptist Church, announced 100 Days Dr. Frederick D.Haynes III of Buying Black in acknowledging the 100th Commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre, we joined the movement. December 31, 2021 marked 100 days of featuring Black Businesses. and we decided that the struggle continues and we must also. So enjoy reading about more Black-owned businesses and please support.

Earnestine Jackson is the owner of All Things Nutrition, a health and wellness company offering a variety of nutrition services with the goal of assisting the community with developing a healthy relationship with food. Adhering to a mission that includes helping others understand the basic fundamentals of nutrition; Earnestine provides counseling, coaching and more with a focus on nutrition, diet, health and wellness.

Reach Earnestine at 214-417-3836 nor info@all-thingsnutrition.org

CANDYOLOGYCS

1996. They specialize in crafting nostalgic desserts that create a timeless element in sweet celebrations with a modern approach and they say they will “bake your dreams come true with our southern-style desserts for sweet once-in-a lifetime moments.”

Check them out at https://www.unclewilliespies. com/ or call 972-576-5582. Located at 305 N Hampton Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115

BABY BACK SHAK

COOKING THE DETAILS

Cooking the Details is a culinary workspace offering cooking lessons, nutrition coaching, and private chef services. Established in 2019 by Dazore Bradford, Cooking the Details’ mission is to create delicious moments that are intuitive, build community and encourage culinary education; with a goal to inspire and educate the everyday cook by creating out of the box, hands on experiences to build your confidence in the kitchen and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Located at 1414 S. Broadway St. 3107, Carrollton, Texas, 75006, Call 214-865-8116 or email: info@ cookingthedetails.com March 18, 2022

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Candy J. is a certified Sexologist, Life and Relationship Coach. You have to check her out at Candyologycs. She provides pre martial counseling covering everything from finances, intimacy/s3x, love languages, family/ friends/ gender roles and boundaries to lifestyle and goals, children, conflict and communication. She also hosts a therapeutic show, Sundays at 8p.m., that focuses on sex, love, and relationships. Located at 6850 Manhattan Blvd Suite 400, Fort Worth, TX 76120 You can call for an appointment at 972-670-7787 for online appointments and onsite services. Find out more at www.candyologyc.com and get ready for the 30 day S.P.I.C.E up yYour Sexy Challenge – Began March 1.

UNCLE WILLIE’S PIES

Uncle Willie’s Pies is an award-winning, familyowned boutique, southern-style baking company serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond since

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Clarence Cohens is the maker of Shak Rub and founder of its home, Baby Back Shak. Cohens’ history - of living in two of the greatest southern cities that celebrate good times as much as they do good food - makes him the perfect person to bring the Shak Rub recipe to life for the whole country to enjoy. Bringing together the best of Memphis and Dallas, he’ll tantalize your tastebuds.

Located at 1800 S. Akard St. in Dallas, you can call ahead at 214-428-7427. Check them out at www. babybackshak.com myimessenger.com

PRAY BY PERCY RAY

Tech Concierge” division within the exclusive Irving/ Las Colinas community that includes specialized media services.

Check them out at (469) 685-4136) or nvisionsystemsdfw.com

ANDRE TERRY

PRAY by Percy Ray…is designed to allow Christians and people of all faiths to express their love for God and to spread the message of Christ to the least, the lost and the lonely. Percy provides “active wear for those who walk by faith!”

The PVAMU alum Is about substance and quality.

The designs are exquisite and Percy is committed to excellence. www.praybypercyray.com or call 972-7046338

FAYE’S PLACE

Andre Terry is the owner and operator of IMT designs, providing exquisite designs. Hailing from Austin, TX., for almost 30 years he has called Dallas home but Andre is internationally known for his unique, classy and one of a kind wardrobes.214-721-4203 www.

Andreterry.com

TASTY’S CHICKEN

Faye’s Place is named in honor of Alma Faye Turner, whose mother, Bobbie Mae Turner, taught her to cook and bake. A cook at First National Bank in Dallas for many years, she was President of the Sunshine Band at Mt. Zion C.O.G.I.C. and secretary of the church. Check out the menu on line at www.fayesplacedallas.com or call (469) 834-9952. FAYE’S PLACE DALLAS 1718 S. Ewing Ave. Dallas, TX 75216

Monroe, La native Terral T. Slack is an entrepreneur and music industry veteran who was known for cooking and creating one of a kind signature dishes. He started Tasty’s Chicken to “give the world Tossed and Sauced chicken, seafood and fries.” They are currently looking for franchise operators in LA, MS, TX, OK, CA, MI, IL, OH, AL, FL, AR and Canada. https://www.tastyschicken.com/

TX BBQ & BURGERS

NVISION SYSTEMS

TMACK ELITE TRAINING

TMack Elite Training wants you to get in the best shape of your life.

Owner Tony Mack is a USA Certified Boxing Trainer, Personal Trainer, Personal Wellness Coach, Texas Super Middleweight Champ, USA National Boxing Team, 6x Dallas Golden Glove Champion, National Champion, and World Series of Boxing Team Member. He has two locations: 109 N Greenville Ave A, Allen, TX 75002 and 604 SH 78, Suite 109, Farmersville, TX 75442 214 – 273 – 1872 https://tmackelitetraining.com

GOING PUBLIC

PR and Branding Karen Lewis and Tanya M. Diggs are partners in Going Public, a highly innovative company with inventive communication specialists.

Their services include Entertainment, Brands, Lifestyle, Media and Digital Strategies. Each customer will receive own detailed plan for growing the desired audience, engagement and significant goals. Find out more at http://www. goingpublicpr.com/

MX COMMUNICATIONS

Public Relations + Public Affairs Mahogany Xan Communications is all about building brands and telling their stories through this platform. The elements of services are Public Relations, Multicultural Communications and Marketing with enriching strategies for each client. Owner LaTricia Harper Woods believes in making sure clients trust them to promote their brand in the most resourceful way possible. Check them out at https://mahoganyxan.com/about-2-2/

GET YO TEES

NVision Systems was established in 2000 as a Dallas-based security and alarm installation services provider with the finest experience in high-end, custom installations of audio, video, security and electronic automation, cable & data lines, computer support, networking & WiFi, prewiring, and telephone wiring.

In 2022, NVision Systems has launched a new “High myimessenger.com

Owner Elton Webster III can tell you all about the great seasoning and taste, but he also touts service.

He says, “The true quality of TX BBQ and Burgers is our service.” TX BBQ & Burgers is located at 3128 Forest Lane Ste.228, Dallas Texas, 75234 972-247-1999 https://www.mytxbbq.com/

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Get Yo Tees is an online business based in Dallas, TX. The mission is to create fashionable trendy shirts that match your lifestyle and also express the vision of what the GYO brand is all about. Colette showcases a limited collection throughout the year with distinctive accessories. Check them out at https://getyotees.com/ March 18, 2022

March 18, 2022

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Lifestyle Metro Calendar powered by MARCH 2022

7502 Fair Oaks Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231 4pm - 6pm The Recruitment Team will confirm your registration prior to the event via email. Email futureteacher@dallasisd.org for any questions. Register at eventbrite

CELEBRATING WOMEN

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BLACK PRESS WEEK

1942: “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin is born in Memphis, TN.

NNPA Fund Black Press Week Welcome and Enshrinement Ceremony 11:00 to 11:20 am

Poetry Night at Black & Bitter Coffee!

Poetry Night is an open mic night open to all ages, talent levels, poets, authors, musicians and more. This is a supportive environment, 8 pm - 11 pm

Salute and Enshrinement - NNPA Publisher William Garth, The Citizen Newspaper Group, Chicago, IL

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NNPA 2022 Virtual Black Press Week National Issues Forum Celebrating the 195th Anniversary of the Black Press of America 11:20 AM to 2:30 pm EDT

Hair & Glam DFW Expo 11 am - 4 pm Lofty Spaces 816 Montgomery St, Dallas, TX 75215

NNPA Black Press Week Welcome National Messages of Support of the Black Press

1944: Diana Ross, singer and actress, born in Detroit, MI.

Issue Sessions on GOTV, Education, Equal Justice, Small Business Administration (SBA), Health Care Join live on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 11 am EDT at the link: www.nnpa-events.com

*** Great night of socializing, networking, & prizes. Bring your business cards and desire to make more friends/business partners, 6 - 8:30 pm One Dallas Apartments Sky Lounge 30th 350 N Saint Paul Street, Dallas, TX 75201 Register at Eventbrite

17 1919: Singer and Jazz pianist Nat “King” Cole is born. Died 2/25/65

18 - 22 The Dallas Literary Festival presented

by SMU and featuring David Treuer, Eric Dickerson, Jelani Cobb and Nikole Hannah-Jones

1938: Charley Pride, Black country music singer, born.

19 In honor of Women’s History Month, Galleria Dallas is celebrating an American original, Dolly Parton. The country legend is releasing her 52nd studio album this spring, and that album as well as other hits from Dolly’s five decades in the recording industry will be played for skaters at Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center. Guests are encouraged to come dressed to fit the theme. The Dolly Parton skate experience will be from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 19.

Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center plans a series of themed skate experience throughout the year. For additional information, visit galleriadallas.com.

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29 1918: Entertainer Pearl Bailey is born in Newport News, VA. Died 8 /17/ 90.

Dallas City Councilman Casey Thomas II invites you to attend open house to discuss and get community input for the former hospital at 2949 S. Hampton Road. RSVP at the link to attend. Copy this link to your browser to register: bit.ly/OHSD3OH

31 1988: Novelist Toni Morrison awarded Pulitzer Prize (for Beloved) In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom Crum Auditorium, James M. Collins Executive 3150 Binkley Ave Dallas, TX 75275 Starts at 6pm ***

6th Annual Dallas Mayor’s Masked Ball, 6 - 10p at Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd. Mayor Eric Johnson, host ### The Book review and signing by Dr. Terry Anne Jones, author of Lynching and Leisure: Race and the Transformation of Mob Violence in Texas at 3 p.m. in the AAMuseum’s AT&T Auditorium.

20 1957: Filmmaker Shelton “Spike” Lee ( Do the Right Thing) is born.

Spring Begins

Pasos Con’s 2022 Vintage & Sneaker exchange Pasos Con’s is Pasos for Oak Cliff’s second vintage & sneaker swap meet in Dallas, Texas! Join sneakerheads in the DFW region.

Four Corners Brewing 1311 South Ervay Street Dallas, TX 75215 6 pm - 8pm Free event register at eventbrite

Send your calendar items to: editor@texasmetronews.com at least 2-4 weeks before your planned event

Mocca Cosmetics and SkinCare celebrates 20 years and beauty icon Kena celebrates 30 years of providing exellent service and products! 6-9pm at Hampton Event Center in Red Oak Dallas Soul Food Festival THE NUMBER 1 FOOD FESTIVAL IN TEXAS IS BACK!!!!

Come enjoy food from over 30 different food vendors from Dallas, Houston, Austin, and other surrounding cities. The Texas Food will be a mix of foods including pork chops, oxtails, candied yams, greens, fried chicken, fish, barbecue, funnel cake, turkey legs, tacos, vegan & keto optional available 12 pm - 6pm Lofty Spaces 816 Montgomery St, Dallas, TX 75215 Tickets: $0 -5 https://form.jotform.com/213446884953165

24 2002: Halle Berry becomes first black woman to win Best Actress Award (for Monster’s Ball) Dallas ISD In - Person Job Fair Emmett J. Conrad High School

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March 18, 2022

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www.grandpasecret.com

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March 18, 2022

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 March 18, 2022

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