Texas Metro News 4-13-23

By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER

No disrespect intended?

However!

Sometimes people around you, those close, possibly related or say they love you can actually be a thorn in your side. They can say and do things that they shouldn’t do and make your life miserable!

We can take a walk down memory lane and recall several times when people have had to take a “fall” of sorts because of some infraction by someone close.

Without any modicum of disrespect I have to ask our First Lady to “chill,” to stand down, or take a chill pill.

I was so disappointed to hear that Dr. Jill Biden even thought of inviting the losing team in the Women’s NCAA finals to the White House.

The Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers defeated Iowa during March madness. As is customary, the winning team is extended an invitation to the White House.

The Biden administration knows of this practice and to his credit, it wasn’t President Joe Biden who committed the error in judgement and the slip of the tongue that had Black Twitter and anyone in their right mind saying, “Yo, can you believe what she did?”

Or something like that

For some reason, and I have heard many, Dr. Jill also decided to invite the losing team.

I know she can’t possibly feel good about the backlash that she received. I have heard folks announcing that they would not support her husband should he seek re-election.

By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines Texas Metro News Correspondent

According to most soulful historians, a meal of chicken and waffles began in Harlem in the 1930s, at the famous Wells Supper Club. This classic meal, which is a cross between breakfast and dinner, became a favorite of jazz musicians after they finished their late-night sessions.

Today, this dish, which is labeled as southern cuisine, is served in restaurants from Louisiana to Los Angeles and Nebraska to New York. It is eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch across the country.

“For me, my mama’s famous recipe for chicken and waffles comes from a rich family tradition that started after church at my grandmother’s house with soul food Sundays,” said Donna Richardson, who has been known for the last three decades as a fitness guru. “Basically, everyone would bring a dish to share. We would get to my grandma’s house and there would be about 60 people coming together because my mom had nine siblings.

“We would come and gather around the table spending quali-

ty time together, watching sports and playing cards.”

After Richardson’s grandmother passed, her mother Laverne Richardson, who is affectionately called ‘Mama Laverne’,

took over the task of making soulful Sunday meals for their family.

At the top of her menu was the family-coveted recipe of chicken and waffles. The dish became so popular that she began to get calls to go to people’s homes and make her famous dish.

“After I started cooking for the family, they began looking forward to coming to my house for chicken and waffles,” said Mama Laverne. “I did this for about 25 years. I cooked for friends, family members and even celebrities. Although they enjoyed it I just did it through love. I love people, and I love cooking.”

According to Richardson, cooking is her mother’s love language. However, in 2020 they both experienced a setback.

Mama Laverne was no longer able to go out and make her

chicken and waffles. Richardson’s thriving fitness and motivational speaking career also came to a screeching halt.

Richardson said the concept for the chicken and waffle mix started during the pandemic.

“People were calling us, but we couldn’t get to them. We started mixing up the flour and seasoning and making them for friends and family members and sending them out along with the recipe,” she recalled. “After a while the demand became so high that we could not keep up with it. Then friends would drive by and pick up chicken and waffles and we would blow them a kiss as they drove by.”

Richardson and Mama Laverne soon realized that they

Story and Photos

Lexis Nutt, Mama Laverne and Donna Richardson Lexis Nutt said the partnership with the Richardsons has been mutually beneficial for Al Biernat’s restaurant.

Mama Laverne said one of the highlights for her and daughter, Donna, was finding their product on the shelves of Target in Texas.

April 1, 2023

Message from Mayor

As you know, Dallas is the only major city in America to record two consecutive years of violent crime reduction in every major category. Recently, Sports Business Journal announced that Dallas is ranked #1 in the United States for sports business, beating out New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Room to grow

Another survey of big cities released this week reveals Dallas also leads the nation in vacant land.

Dallas tops cities with room to grow with over 90,739 vacant acres of property available for future building.

These survey results are just more proof that Dallas is the city to be in right now in the United States and is well-positioned to win the future.

This administration will continue to leverage all available tools to ensure Dallas remains the preferred destination in our region and in our nation.

We have a winner

Congratulations to the Louisiana State University Tigers, 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Women's Basketball National Champions! What a privilege it was to watch these

economy by over $30 million. The additional sales and hotel-occupancy taxes collected will benefit all Dallas residents.

It is clear that sports generate significant opportunities for economic development. This is why in 2022 I created an Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Sports Recruitment and Retention. This committee will discuss strategies to keep the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars playing in Dallas, attract expansion teams, and win relocations of existing professional sports franchises and major events.

amazing athletes play at the iconic American Airlines Center in Victory Park in Dallas.

This is the second time that Dallas has hosted the NCAA Women’s Final Four. And, in even better news, the biggest event in amateur women’s basketball will return to Dallas in 2031!

The Dallas Sports Commission projected the 2023 tournament will boost Dallas’s

There is no doubt Dallas is the nation’s #1 sports city, and this new committee will help Dallas continue to compete at the highest level.

That’s all for now. It is a privilege to be a part of the incredible growth Dallas is experiencing, and this administration will continue to play to win for all Dallas residents.

Until next time,

Texas is stressed – here’s the problem and some solutions

By Ayesha Hana Shaji Texas

Before the May flowers bloom, it's important to tend to the roots of your well-being by managing stress effectively in April.

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April is Stress Awareness Month, and with inflation stressing out 83% of adults, WalletHub, a personal finance website, has released a report on the most and least stressed states in the US. Texas earned a spot in the top 10 most stressed in the list, coming in 9th.

The report is based on 41 key metrics, including average hours worked per week, personal bankruptcy rates, and the share of adults getting adequate sleep.

In Texas, money-related stress was ranked the most stressful. Texas also ranked No.1 for the highest average

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Stress is a psychological and biological response to feeling overwhelmed or out of control or threatened, or when life feels unpredictable, said Leah Hibel, professor at the University of California. “Stress in large doses, or over long periods can erode your mental and physical health.”

To combat stress, Hibel said, establishing routines and seeking social support from loved ones who can empathize is helpful. Regular exercise and calming activities like yoga and meditation can also help reduce the negative effects of stress.

One effective way to reduce financial stress is to make a plan, said Joanne Gavin, professor at Marist College, who added that even small steps go a long way.

Gavin said if the debt burden is beyond a simple budget, contacting cred-

itors and negotiating a different repayment schedule is something to consider.

“The bottom line is to do something to work toward correcting your financial problems,” she said. “It will reduce your distress. Doing nothing will only increase the stress you are feeling.”

Kelly Campbell, interim vice provost for academic affairs and co-chief diversity officer at California State University said living within your means is also important.

Everyone’s budget looks different and adjusting the ‘ideal’ or ‘dream’ materials to settle to be within the budget will help tremendously to manage financial stress, she explained.

Metro News Team

Mayor Eric Johnson

Ayesha Hana Shaji is a 2022 graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, where she was on The Shorthorn staff.

Dallas non-profit provides youth with funding through Financial Education Program

Dallas-based non-profit organization Project Still I Rise aims to close the generational wealth gap amongst African Americans by gifting 500 students with Roth IRAs and stock as first-time shareholders through their signature financial education program.

The program is multi-tiered: The Gift of Home Ownership, and The Gift of Stock, Tech, and Entrepreneurship (S|T|E). The goal behind the financial education program is to build a continuum from pre-K to high school in financial literacy.

“It’s clear that there is a gap in knowledge of basic financial principles related to saving, retirement, credit, taxes, banking fundamentals, and mortgages but there’s also this knowledge gap on stocks, bonds, risk, in-

flation, and interest rates that we wish to close, beginning at an early age, through education and exposure,” says Project Still I Rise’s Executive Director, Kevin Mondy, Sr. Financial management companies like Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab and E-Trade have provided support and assistance with onboarding, education, and investment strategies.

“It’s critically important that we equip youth with the essential skills needed to make sound financial decisions because the lack of financial education and opportunities have been barriers to economic freedom,” says Irvin Ashford, Jr., Managing Director at Charles Schwab.

Through the PSIR Gift of Home Ownership tier of the

program, parents and children from the age of four are gifted custodial Roth IRA accounts with the idea that upon maturity, these savings will springboard participants into home ownership — which is one proven tool for wealth-building.

Comerica Bank, also headquartered in Dallas, TX, has been a major underwriter of this tier of the program by providing an investment of $25,000 to gift participants with IRA seed funding, books, and other financial tools.

The cumulative investment of Comerica Bank in this program and related PSIR programs such as Books and Banking, totals over $45,000.

Through the Gift of Stock, Technology, and Entrepre-

neurship (S|T|E) tier of the program, middle and high school students will participate in an interactive 12-week cohort featuring Investopedia Stock Trading simulations, field trips, and hands-on mentorship provided by partners including the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., through their EMBODI program.

The initial cohort kicked off on Sunday, February 28, 2023, with graduation slated for the end of April, and the second cohort began on March 20, 2023. Participants are gifted weekly copies of the Wall Street Journal as well as $100,000 of stock to practice what they’ve learned with hands-on experience investing through the tech platform, Investopedia.

S|T|E culminated with the 2023 Spring Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium on Friday, April 14, 2023, at Comerica Bank’s new Business HQ Center. At the Symposium, founders and business leaders shared their insight into how the pursuit of an entrepreneurial path is a viable way to financially invest back into our communities — building sustainable businesses that positively impact society.

“We stimulate the development of our children's mental and ethical growth through mentorship. Our program helps to not only lead youth towards the necessary financial resources but also build a supportive eco-system for youth entrepreneurship,” said PSIR Program Manager Marcus Robinson.

City of Dallas named finalist for All-America City Award

The City of Dallas has been named a finalist for the 2023 All-America City title.

The honor, which is given through the National Civic League, celebrates the best in local innovation, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

The theme for 2023 is “Creating Thriving Communities through Youth Engagement” and recognizes communities that are working to improve the health and well-being of young people, with particular attention to efforts that engage young people.

“In Dallas, we offer some amazing programming and amenities for our city’s young

people,” Mayor Eric L. Johnson said. “In my office alone, we’ve partnered to create innovative initiatives that involve Dallas’s youth, such as Summer of Safety, Dallas Works, and SMART Summer with Mayor Johnson. The Dallas community knows the stakes. The more kids we keep engaged, the safer and better positioned for success our city will be. There’s no question Dallas is a national leader in meaningful youth engagement.”

Additionally, the Dallas Youth Commission made up of 15 Council-appointed high school students leads numerous projects like youth forums,

community service events, litter prevention programs, youth focused initiatives, and a community hygiene closet. The Commission maintains a focus on increasing student voter registration and turnout in local and national elections, and utilizes Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to engage directly with youth in the city. Several elected officials are graduates.

“The newest value of service for the City of Dallas is engagement, and I am excited to see that the City is being honored for its efforts to engage with the youth in the community,” said City Manager T.C. Broadnax. “The youth we work with

will soon become City of Dallas leaders, and I know the future is bright.”

Initiatives through the Office of Cultural Affairs and Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs further promote youth engagement within the City of Dallas, including efforts to work with diverse communities to promote civic engagement and closing opportunity gaps for young people of color in the arts.

“I am incredibly proud and honored to serve as Chair of the Dallas Youth Commission. Since joining, I’ve personally seen the impact our commission has had on communities,

and I have no doubt it will continue to rise. We strive to impact our community as best we can. Every day, I see us reach that goal and were not slowing down,” said Youth Commission Chair Ricardo Corpus. “The amount of effort, drive, and passion that I see in this Commission is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I can confidently say I work with some of the best youth delegates in the country.”

The 20 finalists for the 2023 All America City Award represent 12 states and range in size from 4,700 to over 8 million residents. The 2023 All-America City Awards will be held from June 9 to 11 in Denver, Colo.

PSIR program participants learn tech company stock valuation basics and the sector's affect on the stock index

Cohort participants learn about self-directed brokerage accounts from Comerica Bank Wealth Management

The Great White Hope 2.0

championship for the white race and demonstrate that a white man is king of them all," said Jeffries.

By Vincent L. Hall

The "Great White Hope" made its film debut in 1970, following its success on Broadway. A film critic described the plot: “A Black champion boxer and his white female companion struggle to survive while the white boxing establishment looks for ways to knock him down.”

James Earl Jones portrayed world heavyweight boxing champ Jack Johnson, whose power and persona surprised White America in the early 1900s. Johnson presented a double threat to the status quo; he violated laws that forbade him white female companionship, and no one could whip his ass.

The "White establishment" marshaled a search party to promote what was to have been the "Fight of the Century." In 1910, former undefeated heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries was lured out of retirement.

"I feel obligated to the sporting public at least to make an effort to reclaim the heavyweight

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Jeffries, who was two inches taller and 22 pounds heavier than Johnson, lost in the 15th round. He landed on his butt three times during the one-hour fight for the first time in his career.

A PBS series, Unforgivable Blackness, reveals that when the white establishment can’t get you in the field of play, they will look for other fields you may have played in.

“Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight champion, whose reign lasted from 1908 to 1915, was also the first African American pop culture icon. He was photographed more than any other Black man of his day and, indeed, more than most white men. He was written about more as well.

Black people during the early 20th century were hardly the subject of news in the white press unless they were the perpetrators of crime or had been lynched (usually for a crime, real or imaginary). Johnson was different—not only was he written about in Black newspapers, but he was, during his heyday, not infrequently the subject of front pages of white papers.

With public sentiment so strongly against Johnson, the government was encouraged to continue its hunt for a witness against him for a Mann

hood of Jack Johnson. Jack Johnson's problem was that he was whipping white men by day and whipping white women by night. Boxing was a subplot in

of justice. Instead, their Republican colleagues used the bucket of water to drown the Jordans while throwing a life raft to Jill.

But don't get it twisted. The message they sent was corporate and not personal. It was another “Red State” manifesto devaluing Blacks.

Dred Scott is no longer a federal law, but the Red States still adhere to that ruling. "The framers of the Constitution, Justice Taney wrote, believed that Blacks "had no rights which the white man was bound to respect; and that the negro might justly and lawfully be reduced to slavery for his benefit."

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.

Act violation. (a federal law that criminalizes the transportation of “any woman or girl for the purpose.”)

They found one in Belle Schreiber, a white prostitute who had been Johnson's girlfriend on and off for several years. The case was successfully prosecuted, and Johnson was found guilty in 1913 of violating a decidedly bad law. Despite being found guilty of a fairly minor offense, he was given the maximum penalty of a year and a day in prison.

This quest for a champion was never about the person-

the theater of American racism.

Thank God that the Black folks of his day understood that every attempt to put his big brawny black ass on the canvass kept Blacks in their place.

Hopefully, we will be that wise in 2023.

The "status quo" has unleashed a bevy of Great White Hopes in the past few weeks. First, Angel Reese of LSU was labeled “an f***ing idiot” for the same gesture that bought her white counterpart Caitlan Clark a crown.

The “Justins and Jill” went up the Tennessee hill to fetch a pail

New York DA Alvin Braggs has been reduced to a lawless Negro for charging Trump. Texas Governor Greg Abbott inferred that the jury that found Daniel Perry guilty of murdering a White Black Lives Matter protestor violated the White man's sacred rights. He will issue a pardon.

But the greatest of the Great White Hope 2.0 is that you won’t stand up and fight them at the ballot box.

They lose a few bouts, but they win when it counts the most.

Remembering Assassination of Dr. King

By Dr. John E. Warren

Fifty-five years ago this week, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at the age of 39. His death rocked the world and America’s African American community in particular which responded with riots and destruction in our cities and streets. During the years since we have seen many of his dreams for a better America come to pass. But what Dr. King said he had seen “going to the mountain top” the night before his death, has still not materialized in part.

Yes, we have had our first Black President of the United States and our first Black Vice President who happens to be a talented Black woman who was a United States Senator and former Attorney General of the State of California, but equality still eludes us as Black and African Americans continue to lag behind White America in life expectancy, income, home ownership and just about every other area.

As we celebrate Dr. King’s Birthday each year with what is now a national holiday, let us remember why and how he died as a sacrifice for all of us and the benefits so many enjoy today. We keep his death from being in vain by continuing the fight against poverty, dis-

crimination and the “Insufficient Fund” check he said Black America had been given instead of equality, freedom from segregation, and a second-class citizenship so many of us have been forced to live with.

Let us remember some of his most important statements like “Give us the ballot and we will elect people with a moral righteousness about the fairness we are most concerned about.”

But what good is the ballot, if we don’t vote and won’t vote; what good is Civil Rights and Voting Rights Laws if our only concern is about ourselves instead of the collective that Dr. King fought and died for.

Today, our cities are not burning as they were 55 years ago when we learned of the death

of Dr. King. Instead of crying out in righteous indignation, too many become tranquilized with the wine of “just enough”, no longer having the passion or concern for the struggle we still live with 55 years after his death.

Let’s remind ourselves and others that Dr. King did not die in vain. Let’s rise up and fight voter suppression, the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, police murders in and out of custody and the war of real Black history in America. As the song says “…wake up everybody, no more sleeping in bed..”

Time to join the struggle in remembering why Dr. King died.

Fight of the Century

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

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

Crabs do not belong in buckets

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

By Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew

It’s interesting that so many of us have bought into this idea of feeling as if we are an imposter. No matter how much we’ve accomplished, we find opportunities to dismiss or discredit ourselves. I realize that there have been so many times that others made me feel that if I worked harder, if I was smarter, or more of something, it would be enough. At what point does it become enough? For people of color, we are constantly reminded that we are different. We are othered if we don’t believe the same way, don’t look the same, speak the same, or have the same experiences. It is the onslaught of blatant reminders that you are not enough, that you do not fit.

We’ve witnessed this week the Tennessee's Republican-led House voted Thursday to expel two of

three Democratic lawmakers who called for gun law reforms. The two expelled were black. The third who was not, was white. Reps. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, were both removed with votes falling along party lines, in a disciplinary measure that's only been used twice since the 1800s. Situations like this serve as a reminder and attempt to reaffirm that your difference is a problem. It’s designed to make us feel as if we are imposters.

Imposter Syndrome is defined as the “persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.” What causes a person that has worked hard and has experienced success doubt their abilities and doubt themselves? In the Harvard Business Review article, Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome by Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey, the authors note that “Who is deemed ‘professional’ is an assessment process that’s culturally biased and

skewed” and “In truth, we don’t belong because we were never supposed to belong. Our presence in most of these spaces is a result of decades of grassroots activism and begrudgingly developed legislation.” Ultimately, it’s not the individual(s) that should be ques-

confined in a bucket that was not their natural habitat. Instead, we should ask why the crabs are even in a bucket. Could it be that their behavior was in response to the trauma of being contained in an environment that was not designed with them in mind? It is stark reminder of the power of those who tell the story and the benefit of those who have the power to share and be heard. I bet the crabs would have a vastly different view of the experience.

that He has prepared for me to do. “(Ephesians 2:10)

• “I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me.” (Romans 8:37)

• “I am the head and not the tail, and I only go up and not down in life as I trust and obey God.”

(Deuteronomy 28:13)

• “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you.” (Jeremiah 1:5 ESV)

tioned but environments that produce these feelings that need to be examined and exposed.

Growing up, I would often hear phrases about behavior of people of color compared to “crabs in a bucket.” Crabs in unison often pull down a crab trying to escape. It was viewed as a problem that the crabs were not cooperative or remaining

It can become exhausting, even overwhelming to be in spaces that push conformity. God does not call us to conform to the world. Our uniqueness and difference are strengths when we are told that they are not. Remind yourself of who you are and whose you are. Tap into the power of our faith as we persevere and speak truth to power.

• “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 ESV).

• “I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works

Despite a world that continues to create doubt, anxiety, and fear because of our difference, we have to remain clear in God’s view of who we are. YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH! If those rooms and spaces you enter do not welcome your presence, create a building that does.

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy and the founder of the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation (r2fdn. org). She is the author of four books including Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy (Baylor University Press, 2022) and the host of the Tapestry podcast.

The Unequal Cost of Protesting

By Dr. Julianne Malveaux

The 45th President is in the news again, facing indictments in New York and Georgia for criminal behavior regarding illegally paying a porn star (New York) and election tampering (Georgia). While the former President has not yet been indicted, he has already wallowed in his victimhood, describing the legal proceedings as "political" and biased. His attorneys have attempted to slow the process in Georgia by lobbing accusations against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who happens to be a Black woman. She is biased, they say, incapable of prosecuting. As usual, the 45th President and his ilk have it all wrong. And as he has done for the past 50 years, the Orange Man attempts to wiggle out of his legal challenges.

The former President has attempted to rally his troops, just as he did on January 6, 2021. Fewer may be inclined to take it to the streets, given that about a thousand insurrectionists have been charged for disorderly and disruptive conduct and more. The average sentence for these miscreants was 16 months, but so far, at least five have been sentenced to more than seven years. Some were found not guilty, and many received minor sentences.

Contrast the treatment of traitorous criminals witH the treatment of Brittany Martin, a South Carolina woman who participated in a May 2020 protest against police brutality and the murder of George Floyd. She was vocal with a police officer, shouting "no justice, no peace," and, allegedly, "I'm willing to die for the Black, are you willing to die for the Blue? This is just a job for you; this is my life."

Her comments were perceived as “threats” (she had no weapon), and she was charged with aggravated breach of peace, instigating

a riot, and five counts of threatening police officers. She was grossly overcharged for her verbal reaction to police violence and was sentenced, in May 2022, to four years in jail. Appeals to shorten her sentence were unsuccessful, and there is evidence that she was brutally treated in jail. She was disciplined because she refused to cut her dreadlocks for religious reasons.

Brittany Martin got a sentence of four years for yelling at a police officer. Most insurrectionists on January 6 got less than a year and a half. If everyone who shouted "no justice, no peace" at a rally were sent to jail, the jails would overflow. Why was she electively prosecuted?

Brittany Martin was harshly treated and given an unfairly lengthy sentence because she was a Black woman who chose to stand up for her rights, including her right to protest. Perhaps the judge in the case decided to make an example of her. But as the former President attempts to get the misguided morons who support

him out to protest, I am reminded of the unequal ways "justice" (or should we call it just-us) is meted out. Rabid white men assaulted capitol police officers. Many escaped judgment. Others were given a slap on the wrist. A Black woman fighting for Black people gets an unreasonably long sentence, and her pregnancy is imperiled. She gave birth in November 2022 while incarcerated, receiving neither justice nor mercy.

Brittany Martin has given birth to seven children, losing one to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and another to gun violence. Before her latest birth, there were four surviving children, and now five children are missing their mother, including an infant who has had no time to bond with her. South Carolina incarcerated a mother for four long years for yelling at a police officer. Federal courts are sentencing insurrectionists to much less time. In some ways, comparing federal courts to state ones is like comparing apples to oranges. Still, the contrast

between Brittany's sentence and those who have done far worse is instructive.

The prior President may or may not get indicted or convicted, and he may or may not be forced to don a jumpsuit the same color as his hair used to be. But those of us who watch the so-called justice system are almost certain that he'll get a break, just like his supporters, the January 6 insurrectionists are getting.

Yelling is not the same as breaking into a federal building, assaulting Capitol police officers, breaking windows, and busting into Speaker Pelosi's office. The insurrectionists excuse their lawlessness by leaning on "free speech" rights. Where are the rights of Brittany Martin and the other fearless freedom fighters treated shabbily by the courts?

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA. She is also President of PUSH Excel, the education arm of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. You may reach her at juliannemalveaux.com

If not us then who will teach our History?

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

On this day in history and not just Black History but the history of the truth, a great man was shot down for standing up for the rights of “the other American.” Fighting for our rights is nothing new to those who believe that our seats at the table of equal rights have been a long arduous fight that has required blood shedding and in a lot of situations, even death.

Our blood has been sealed in the soil of the tortured history of this country and no matter the efforts of DeSantis and his trolls, and the warped souls of evil people, we can prevail.

The Broward School Board spent a great deal of time at Tuesday’s workshop discussing the process to review books that have been called into question as being inappropriate. The Board members vacillated with whether they wanted a districtwide process in place for books or curriculum that have been challenged, as opposed to an individual school process.

Schools are different based on elementary, middle, and high school, and they are also different based on who attends the schools in the communities they live in. The individual school process would allow for books to remain on shelves in one community but will have them stricken from the shelves in another community.

One of the examples that was shared is one community may be opposed to the autobiogra-

phy of Malcolm X while another school in another community may find value in the book being used in their school. Broward is a very large and diverse district with different cultural dynamics from one corner to the next.

As the discussion went on, more questions came about, and no clear school based, or district process was on the horizon at the workshop’s conclusion. This sort of uncertainty around the education of children, and particular Black children, brings me great concerns. I must go back to everything that was lost when we embarked upon the desegregation of schools in this country which integrated Black children into predominantly White schools. Black students lost so much from what has been coined as “unintended consequences” of integration. To be honest, I often consider whether

these consequences were “unintended.”

What I do know is we can no longer allow people who do not appreciate our children, do not have the best interest of our children and who present a false narrative to confuse our children at the forefront of educating our children. Nor do we need to tolerate their misunderstanding the consequences of stripping our history from our children to represent them without challenge.

I am calling all Black churches and Black Greek Lettered Organization (BGLOs) and grassroots organizations to gear up to teach Black History. If the schools are too afraid to do it, then we must.

When I look at the history of churches and BGLOs and what the founders of each intended, I believe this is our collective work. The Black church and the

Black Press also have a responsibility to our children.

We can no longer say the church is the hub of the community if we fail to do the work of the community and how can the Black Press say that we are the voice of our community if we are not speaking collectively with other Black organizations. There is a gap that is calling for us to fill. We have too many retired teachers in the Black church, BGLOs and the community to not heed the calling.

If not, we are simply a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

Tennessee Three-proof there is work to do

• Communications (social media infrastructure in place)

• Civil Rights Organizations

• Divine Nine

• Black Colleges and Institutions

• Churches

By Arthur Fleming

“We can't normalize the ending of American Democracy," those are the words of Justin Jones, one of the "Tennessee Three," that includes Representatives Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson.

I believe in order to fight a “fascist thing," you must name it, and define it. Expelling State Representatives Jones and Pearson, was the first political move from the fascist, extreme Republican Party, aimed directly at Black political power.

What is fascism?

Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, ultranationalists political ideology and movement; characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation and race, and strong regimenta-

tion of society and economy.

This system was made famous by Adolf Hitler's Third Riech.

First, let’s acknowledge the fact that our beloved America was created using what we now call fascism. The definition defines the American fascist dynamics from her beginning.

The white Republicans' supermajority Tennessee State House of Representatives demonstrated affinities for the fascist bug hiding in our quilt of diversity.

White Rep. Andrew Farmer

spoke in the Tennessee house in the tradition of George Wallace and Bull Connor, dismissing gun violence concerns as "temper tantrums."

I believe this is the moment or tipping point when the African American community's leadership is being called upon once again to help our nation get to a better place through our never ending fight for our American freedoms.

How should our community respond to this very real threat to

our political freedoms and security as presented by the Tennessee Three event?

Political freedoms thought won and secure are no longer won, nor secured therefore we must mobilize our African American communities in seven areas in an emergency manner to facilitate a mobilized response to voter suppression with voter education and registration.

As a first phase of response we must mobilize around the following:

• Voter registration and education

• Freedom Bus Rides Summers 2.0 (information tool)

With the knowledge, and talent we possess as a community, I have no doubt we can meet this moment just as our ancestors and elders before us.

African Americans hold a special place in this America, “we are the keepers of American moral authority,“ so let’s lean into this moral authority, and claim our rightful place in this country built on the free Labor of our ancestors, so our children can be unburdened by America’s burdensome past.

I believe expelling these freedom fighters will create more freedom fighters among our youth. The Tennessee Three are right when they say, ”We can't normalize the end of Democracy."

Peaceful protest is our right, not privilege.

Arthur Fleming is an activist and past president of the Dallas NAACP.

Bobby R. Henry Sr. is the publisher of the Westside Gazette in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He was the recipient of the National Newspaper Publishers Association's 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2019 he received the National Association of Black Journalists Angelo Henderson Community Service Award.

Tennessee State Representatives Justin Jones, Justin Pearson and Gloria Johnson call for gun reform in wake of Nashville school shooting.

Photo: Atlanta Tribune - NNPA

Spring Cleaning: Pantry Edition

Why should you get a health check?

You’ve heard the term spring cleaning, but have you considered that your pantry or cupboard may need a refresh as well? Now is the time to conduct a pantry cleanout. Don’t limit spring cleaning to just the floors and windows. With a new season comes a new opportunity to start fresh and eat clean. Stock up on nutritious foods and ingredients and clear out the outdated food. Here are some tips on how to clean out your pantry:

• Toss expired items. Like

most of us, we have a few hidden pantry items that have been there well past their use-by date.

• Donate canned and boxed foods that you won’t use or don’t fit into your healthful lifestyle. Ask yourself: is this food helping or hurting my health?

• Don’t forget about spices! Over time, spices can lose flavor. Dried leafy herbs have a life span of one to three years, while ground spices have a shelf life of three to four years.

Better Health

101: Word Game

Can you find your favorite health topics?

Screenings/health checks are tests conducted to check for diseases and health conditions before there are any signs or symptoms. Getting recommended screenings is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

“Screenings can detect

chronic conditions and save lives. Early detection of chronic illness means accessing treatment sooner to improve your overall quality of life,” said Perla Sanchez-Perez, RN, Adult ICU/CCU at Parkland Health.

Receive health services, fi-

nancial assistance, education and more at any of Parkland’s Access to Care & Coverage healthcare pop-ups. No appointment needed. Let’s start your journey to better health together. Visit www.parklandaccess.org for more information on services provided.

Know how to help your child if they suffer from asthma

With spring in full bloom, the blossoming trees and shrubs can wreak havoc for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. Asthma is a condition that causes swelling and narrowing of the airways. The airways are the passages that lead from the nose and mouth down into the lungs.

When existing asthma symptoms get worse, this leads to an asthma attack. When this happens, it can be difficult for your child to breathe. Asthma attacks can range from minor to life-threatening.

Parkland offers an asthma text program to improve patient care in identified ZIP Codes such as patient symptom and medication adherence monitoring. The text messaging program allows for two-way communication. For example, the parent may receive a text message asking, “How is your child’s asthma today?” If the response is the child is experiencing some difficulties, Parkland

Center for Clinical Innovation (PCCI) will notify their provider who may recommend the parent to seek care.

Sign up for Parkland’s asthma text message program to get appointment reminders, asthma health tips, reminders to refill medicines and more.

Keep your child well with the power of a text message:

• Learn more about asthma

• How to care for asthma

• Reminders about healthcare Parkland’s asthma text message program helps to remind you even on the days that you may be too busy.

This text program is available to eligible patients at no cost, except for message/data rates.

Sign up today! Text @asthma to 844-721-0839

Have questions about the program? Contact Grace. Mathew2@phhs.org

Get Some Blessed Oil

By Eva D. Coleman Lifestyle & Culture Editor

Fresh Prince meets Pitch Perfect in Praise This movie that cleverly blends gospel and hip hop. As The Oil Factory choir flows throughout singing competitions, circumstances of a host of characters show the residual effects of theft, yet proves "Thou shall not steal" one's joy in the gift of serving others.

Sam, played by Grammy nominee Chloe Bailey of music duo Chlöe x Halle, is uprooted from Los Angeles by her father and dropped into a new, southern environment with her aunt and uncle, and doting cousin Jess. The move to Atlanta eventually shows promise to Sam’s aspiring music career through connecting with an artist she admires, and by adding some flavor to Jess’ struggling, competitive gospel choir group.

While the movie has some fun, yet predictable moments of love, jealousy and deceit, the juxtaposition of old time gospel hymns set to tracks that make you move

something is reminiscent of when grumblings in “the church” occurred due to the infiltration of rap music. This discourse is reintroduced with Praise This, however the acceptance of the combo is still up in the air.

The gospel music competitions, complete with theatrics, are entertaining. The Oil Factory group grows as the weight of jealousy falls off. In the end they become

victorious. It’s a tale of family, finding oneself and connectedness coming back around as Sam navigates her gift of singing while processing tremendous loss.

Praise This, produced by Will Packer, premiered on Peacock April 7, 2023.

Comerica Bank, Iron Mountain to Host 11th Annual Shred Day DFW on Earth Day

Comerica Bank and Iron Mountain Incorporated, the global leader in storage and information management services, will shred sensitive paper documents for free from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 at Iron Mountain’s DFW flagship station located in Mercer Business Park on the northwest corner of I-35 and 635 (12121 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas 75237).

“At Comerica, we are committed to building strong and sustainable communities, offering Shred Day DFW is another opportunity for us to raise expectations of what a bank can be in the communities where we live and serve,” said Andrew Raines, Comerica Bank Retail Regional Director.

“Our longstanding partnership with Iron Mountain and the North Texas Food Bank con-

tinues to raise awareness about the importance of preventing identity theft, protecting the environment and fighting hunger in the DFW area.”

the amount of paper individuals can bring – there will be a special lane for large loads (trucks, flatbeds, trailers, etc.q). A complete list of Shred Day guidelines and more event details can be found at comerica.com/ShredDayDFW.

The North Texas Food Bank will be on-site to collect monetary donations as well as nonperishable food items. The first

500 guests who donate to the food bank will receive a complimentary gift.

“We are so grateful for the support of companies like Comerica Bank and Iron Mountain that recognize the growing issue of hunger and look for ways to contribute to organizations addressing this complex problem,” said Erica Yaeger, North Texas Food Bank Chief External Affairs Officer. “Since 2011, more than 516,000 nutritious meals have been collected at Shred Day DFW for our

neighbors facing hunger. This collaboration helps the North Texas Food Bank and our feeding network provide food during a time when we are seeing an unprecedented need.”

All paper from Shred Day DFW will be turned into pulp and recycled after being securely destroyed.

The public, including small business owners and nonprofits, is invited to bring personal or business paper documents to be securely destroyed and recycled. There is no limit to

“As the leading bank for business and a force for good in the communities where we live and serve, we encourage small businesses and nonprofit organizations to join us as at Shred Day,” Raines said. “It is an opportunity to help safeguard their reputation by securely shredding sensitive and confidential paper documents without incurring the costs.”

Since 2011, Shred Day DFW has collected more than 3.5 million pounds of paper for recycling while providing 518,000 meals for area residents facing hunger.

The Oil Factory performs in Gospel music competition in Praise This Photo: Eva D. Coleman

Andrew Raines

Guests are encouraged to donate to the North Texas Food Bank as they pass through the shred lanes.

Eva D. Coleman is the Lifestyle and Culture Editor at Texas Metro News.

MAMA LAVERNE

could not keep up with their growing customer list. At that point, they took a leap of faith and developed a business plan for their popular flour and season mix.

With the help of food scientists, packaging experts and graphic design artists they launched Mama Laverne’s Chicken Waffle and Pancake Mix, on Mother’s Day 2021 and their product became available on Amazon and in Shoprite supermarkets.

“The one thing I wanted to do was to make a combo. I didn’t want someone to have to look for the flour in one place and then go somewhere else to look for the chicken seasoning. I wanted them to be packaged together,” said Mama Laverne. “I also wanted to make sure the waffles tasted homemade. Most pancake box mixes only require water. I wanted mine to remain light and fluffy, so you have to add butter, buttermilk and an egg.

“The season is already premixed to add for your chicken or whatever you are serving with the waffles.”

According to Mama Laverne and Richardson the seasoning and batter have multipurpose uses. They have made everything from fried green tomatoes to fancy desserts with the mixture.

“We are enriching people’s connection through food for the soul,” said Richardson. “Food has always been the backdrop of gatherings at the table, which allows us to spend quality time together.

“We believe that we have created a product that can help you do that. We have a premixed seasoning and waffle mix, which can be used to cook tofu, seafood and vegetables. Because I have a background in health and fitness, we looked at all options. We have it where you can fry it, air fry it or bake it.”

While promoting their fa-

mous chicken and waffle mix, this mother and daughter team has made the television circuit. They have been on Good Morning America, the Drew Barrymore and the Sherri Shepherd Shows; and many of the local television programs in the Dallas, Fort Worth viewing area.

“I was so excited when Donna said that we were in Target locations in Texas. Since there was a Target down the street, we stopped in to see if we could find our product,” said Mama Laverne, who recently turned 83 years old. “We were walking down the aisle where the flour mixes were, then we spotted Mama Laverne’s Chicken Seasoning Waffle & Pancake Mix on the shelf and I just shouted, Hallelujah,”

Mama Laverne’s Chicken Seasoning Waffle & Pancake Mix can be found at Target, several food markets and Amazon. Their signature item was also added to the menu at upscale north Dallas restaurant Al Biernat’s; making Mama Laverne the first African American and the first female on their menu.

“I feel our partnership has been amazing,” said Lexis Nutt,

general manager of Al Biernat’s location on Oak Lawn, adding that the partnership has been mutually beneficial. “It has brought a lot of new relationships that we really cherish.”

Richardson and Mama Laverne are taking all limits off their growing business. They are looking at other retail options, Ecommerce, more restaurants and possibly food trucks.

“This is about love and legacy,” explained Richardson. “We are spreading love through food for the soul. We give back, we are growing and scaling our business to do great things. We have gone from serving God to serving up food for people. We are grateful to God for giving us this platform to make all this happen.“

Lenell Wyatt, who had been one of the original food testers during the process of developing the chicken and waffle mixture said that she could not believe how close the box mix was to the actual product that Mama Laverne serves up in her kitchen.

Family friend Jacqueline Jakes says the waffles are amazing. “It has been such a pleasure watching the journey of my good friend Donna Richardson and her mother, Mama Laverne, to produce a product that has gone over the top. It is such a blessing to witness so many people see this going in this direction.

When Mama Laverne is not cooking, she is mixing it up on the dance floor. She has even been caught on some talk shows shaking it down to the ground, after she finished serving up chicken and waffles. This journey that mother and daughter are on is one they are grateful for. “We stepped out on faith. We keep growing and thanking the lord for where we came from and where we are today. We are taking baby steps, so that we can get to the giant steps.”

Mama Laverne Richardson said her mother left a legacy by giving her the recipe for chicken and waffles, now she wants to leave that legacy to her daughter, Donna.

Although Mama Laverne just turned 83, she said she likes to turn that number around because she feels 38.

Chuck D’s New Culture Media App Brings the Noise for Users

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Correspondent

With beta testing completed, Bring the Noise is now in full effect.

Public Enemy, founder and legendary MC Chuck D, has fronted the release of a new culture media app called Bring the Noise.

“It’s a flow in its usage like a billion other apps,” Chuck promised in an impromptu 45-minute interview with the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s live morning show, Let It Be Known.

“This is just dedicated to culture. To the F.A.M. – Film, Art, and Music.”

As noted by HipHopDx.com, Chuck D’s app should come as no surprise, considering how adamantly he has pushed for Hip Hop to have a board dedicated to sorting out the needs of the culture.

The website noted that, in July 2022, Chuck D, KRS-One, Kurtis Blow, and Doug E. Fresh teamed up to establish the Hip Hop Alliance.

In January, the alliance issued a statement in response to Bow Wow claiming Hip Hop needs a

“board” to discuss cultural happenings.

“Like every other aspect of society’s workforce, the artists and creators of hip-hop need protection, support, and advocacy,” read the statement.

“From label disputes to intellectual property retrieval and the need for an overall governing body, the Hip Hop Alliance was established.

“Recent comments this weekend created a unique opportunity to bring forth a conversation that many in hip-hop & R&B have been addressing for a long time.

“The need for a governing

body for hip-hop. H.H.A. aims to empower artists to make informed decisions about their career and ensure that their rights are respected and protected.”

A Long Island, New York native, Chuck D counts among hip-hop’s trailblazers. Born Carlton Douglas Ridenour, Chuck D attended Adelphi University in New York.

That’s where he met his would-be Public Enemy co-star, Flavor Flav. The group’s hit albums included “Yo! Bum Rush the Show,” “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back,” and “Fear of a Black Planet.”

Public Enemy also contrib-

uted to the soundtrack of Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” and “He Got Game,” which starred Denzel Washington.

The new app dropped this month and is about “less of what they want where you can create more of what you want,” Chuck declared.

“History will be made for culture media being greater than social media,” he asserted.

While all ages are welcome and encouraged, the targeted demographic remains those 35 and older.

“With ‘Bring the Noise,’ we’re not telling anyone to leave social media,” Chuck exclaimed. “This is culture media. You might not know me, but you definitely don’t know those people you

checked ‘I accept’ to.”

The hip-hop legend added that social media has “everybody in a sandbox.”

“Not saying people can’t say or do whatever,” Chuck explained.

“One thing that culture media does is the music, the craft, and the art, and it’s not uninviting to 35 and under if you want to give it a name, figure, or number. It engages a conversation in a room that just keeps it to the art and culture, and that’s what it is.”

Chuck concluded:

“I just think social media’s all over the place. Everybody feels like they have a mic and a camera and are a superstar, so I’m just like, ‘Cool, stay there if you want to,’ but you could go to BringTheNoiseApp.com.”

Big Mama Said Don’t Let a Wishbone Grow Where a Backbone Should Be

BLACK CARD

By Terry Allen

Whether it was the back porch or front porch, my grandmother, Lucille “Big Mama” Allen filled her three sons and three daughters, 16 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren, 38 great-great grandchildren, seven great great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and bonus family members with strong Bible-based logic that uniquely resonated inside today’s current events and occurrences. She was our Ida B. Wells Barnett.

In that famous hands on hips stance, “Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be.” "For the ground beneath will hold you and you will know that you are free. In research, we find that Journalist Clementine Paddleford uttered these magical words in the 1920's.

Today, what does it mean to not let a wishbone grow where a backbone should be? If you want more to come into your life, you must let more life come out of you. If you want something different to come into your life, you must let something different come out of you.

The reality is clear. We all know it is extremely easy to fall into the trap of wishful thinking, whether you are on a spiritual path or not. A person may

think life operates based on his or her feelings or the goodness of mankind but that is not true!

According to Endorlearning. com, Wishbone – emphasizes the importance of having a goal,

spoke of what is right and defended it as well.

In our current political climate. We are seeing more fear tactics and disinformation (a.k.a. lies) that is fueling three

SCHOOL SHOOTINGS

a focus and something to aspire towards. This bone provides us with personal motivation and keeps us facing forwards. Have big dreams. Backbone – underlines the importance of mental toughness, being resilient and seeing things through.

So I discovered that having a backbone means that you

very serious issues in our community: a) School shootings & drug overdose, B) Community murders and C) racially motivated hate. Per Big Mama, wishbone people have cooked up fear –driven rationale to create dire situations in our communities and schools. So what can we do? Big Mama would tell

you to, “change the recipe!”. Success is a recipe that must be seasoned according to the skills of the chef. If you aren't achieving the success you had hoped for, you might want to “drastically” change the recipe. Let’s examine our lives and try to see how we are doing with respect to making our schools safe, instilling community wellness and preventing the return to the “Jim Crow” era in race relations. So if Big Mam were here she would tell you to get cooking!

Terry Allen is an NABJ awardwinning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional and founder of the charity – Vice President at FocusPR, Founder of City Men Cook and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org

& DRUG OVERDOSE, COMMUNITY MURDERS AND RACIALLY MOTIVATED HATE MUST GO

APRIL 13-15 20

Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce Virtual Orientations to learn how to maximize your chamber investment. https://dallasblacktxcoc.weblinkconnect.com/events 21

ing Keynote speaker, Cynthia Izaguirre, Open Doors Award winner Sylvia Komatsu and emcee Jay Warren, Texas Rangers Golf Club, 701 Brown Blvd in Arlington Tickets are $50 Program begins at 6:30pm

his tenure at Friendship-West Baptist Church.

SPJ 20th annual First Amendment Awards and Scholarship Banquet. Featur-

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Psi Chapter presents the 49th annual Business Month Education and Scholarship Awards

Luncheon at 11am at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Dallas Campbell Centre, 8250 North Central Expressway Dallas

The African American Museum- Dallas presents the 35th A. Maceo Smith Community Service Awards Brunch at 10 am at the Dallas Marriott Suites Medical/ Market Center

South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club Inc, 59th V. Alyce Foster Trailblazer Awards Luncheon, 12 noon at the Hilton Anatole 27

Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce Business Mix & Mingle 5:30-8:30pm Register at dallasblackchamber.org 28

Friendship-West Baptist Church will be hosting a 40th Pastoral Anniversary Gala for Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III. This event will honor all of the hard work and achievements of Dr. Haynes during

5th Annual HBCU College Fair and Scholarship Informational. The National Pan-Hellenic Council-North Dallas Suburbia Chapter has once again partnered with Frisco ISD to host this event.

MAY

Celebrating Mothers Congrats to

May 6 and Sunday, May 7

A significant program for the Dallas Arboretum, the Black Heritage Celebration places the spotlight on

Frisco RoughRiders on Opening Night

It was a chilly night in Frisco as the RoughRiders swung into their 20th Anniversary Opening Day on April 6, 2023 against the Amarillo Sod Poodles! Check out the Texas League Champion Frisco RoughRiders this baseball season as they attempt to defend their title. Buy tickets at ridersbaseball.com

My Truth

cont. from page 1

I know how those folks feel and I feel for Angel Reese, her teammates, coach and entire LSU family.

Dr. Jill was wrong and once again, we are expected to move on with the apology.

In Jillsplaining, her reps said by suggesting that both teams come to the White House she “intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes.”

In response, Reese said Iowa could have the spotlight, that instead, “We'll go to the Obamas.

If we were to lose, we would not be getting invited to the White House."

Later after emotions subsided, the team decision was to accept the invitation.

Now, the other Twitter showed no mercy for Angel. After showing a double standard criticizing “unsportsmanlike” conduct by Angel during the game, many were shamed into back-peddling as showed the same behavior from Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, numerous times.

Still you had the trolls who continued to vilify Angel and were relentless in their savage attacks.

We must also understand,

from an historic perspective, there was yet another slight at our expense.

Why, oh why? Many asked. Which brings me to my truth.

When I think specifically about the eight years of the Obama Administration, I can’t help but recall the endless attacks. Many were hateful, unconscionable and disgusting.

Whomever is the target, the behavior is unacceptable. It is a sad commentary that we live in a society where disrespect is so nasty and cruel.

There are ways to criticize without character assassinations and this is a call out to any and all. If you are on the receiving end, you might find it awkward to say something, so how about leaving?

Or better still, act as though the comments are about your loved one. Do you snicker like a spineless coward or do you diplomatically stand up for your person?

The situation involving LSU and Iowa was filled with emotion and there were several layers of painful lessons.

But there’s nothing like facing the truth, and there are several lessons to be learned, like your actions have consequences and most importantly; your feet go in your shoes, not your mouth!

Stephney appointed Acting CEO of Abounding Prosperity

With the passing of Mr. Kirk D. Myers-Hill, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Abounding Prosperity, Inc., the Board of Directors announces the appointment of Tamara Stephney as Acting Chief Executive Officer of Abounding Prosperity, Inc.

The Board of Directors of Abounding Prosperity, Inc., met for an emergency meeting on the evening of April 4 and unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Stephney to the role. The appointment went into immediate effect as part of the agency’s succession plan.

“Ms. Stephney has played a vital role in helping Mr. Myers-Hill grow the agency to what it is today. We, the Board of Directors, have no doubt that she is well suited to further advance the mission of Abounding Prosperity, Inc., and the legacy of Mr. Myers-Hill,” said Michelle Myers, board chair.

Stephney is a long-standing, committed and visible part of Abounding Prosperity. She has served Abounding Prosperity for the past 12 years, working side-

by-side with Kirk Myers-Hill. She started as a Manager, then she was promoted to Associate Director, and for the past six years she has served as Chief Operating Officer. She has over 20 years of public health experience working in medically underserved areas, including developing and implementing high-impact prevention efforts for Black and Latinx populations in the Southern United States, including Texas.

She has more than 10 years of experience in fiscal management and programmatic infrastructure and management. Stephney is an active advocate in the community, contributing as part of many relevant organizations. She is a member of the State HIV Planning Group, Dallas local HIV Task Force, and Hepatitis C Task Force.

“I am truly honored and privileged to have worked alongside Mr. Kirk Myers-Hill for the past

12 years. The best way to honor his memory is to continue the work and carry his legacy forward,” said Stephney. “I will continue that work, the work to fulfill the mission of Abounding Prosperity, Inc. and the vision of Mr. Kirk Myers Hill.”

Kirk Myers-Hill founded Abounding Prosperity, Inc. in 2005 and was a tireless advocate for the health and wellness of the Black family, particularly Black LGBTQ+ community members in Dallas.

Several services have been planned to celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Kirk Myers-Hill. See the full schedule below:

Visitation

Thursday, April 13, 2023

5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The Hall of State at Fair Park

3939 Grand Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210

Funeral Service

Friday, April 14, 2023

11 a.m.

Cathedral of Hope

5910 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, TX 75235

Inside Riders Field on Opening Day, April 6, where the Frisco RoughRiders take on the Amarillo Sod Poodles in Frisco, Texas

Opening Weekend sign on digital board inside Riders Field for Frisco RoughRiders Opening Day

Frisco RoughRiders and Amarillo Sod Poodles during the singing of the National Anthem

Photo Credit: Eva D. Coleman

Kirk Myers-Hill

Tamara Stephney

HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST

The Strong One

By La Juana Barton

WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM

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APRIL 15

Southwest Dallas County

Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presents 2023 MISS Jabberwock Pageant @ Showcase, 5-7pm at the Hilton Garden Inn Duncanville. Masks are required

Lake Highlands White Rock Demcorats Dallas City Council Forum

10 AM - 12 PM CC Young 4843 W. Lawther Dr. Dallas, TX 75214

Join the Lake Highlands White Rock Democrats in person or on Zoom for their Dallas City Council Forum, featuring Districts 2, 9, 10, and 14. Let them know you’re coming on Facebook!

MORE, BRUCE BRUCE, LAVELL CRAWFORD and Dallas’ own D Ellis

Featuring Principal Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at HUD, Demetria McCain, 6:30 pm

27

EarthX Business Lunch featuring Rick Perry, Alex Epstein and Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon.

12 p.m. - The Women’s Museum at Fair Park, 3800 Parry Ave, Dallas, TX 75226.

Fireside chat luncheon featuring Alex Epstein, author of Fossil Future and The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels, and Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, professor of meteorology at Texas A&M and the Texas State Climatologist. The chat will be moderated by Former Texas Gov. and Former Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.

Cost: $100, https://earthx2023.eventive. org/schedule/6424ea720eb441002c1f66a3 22

EarthX Business Lunch featuring Van Jones.

12 p.m., The Women’s Museum at Fair Park, 3800 Parry Ave, Dallas, TX 75226.

7

Miss Jabberwock Scholarship Pageant DoubleTree Campbell Centre, 8250 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75206

Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc at 5 pm

Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce Business Mix & Mingle 5:30-8:30pm Register at dallasblackchamber.org 29

14

Mother’s Day 20

HYPE w/Cheryl Smith

Weekday mornings on FaceBook

Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce

Virtual Orientations to learn how to maximize your chamber investment. https://dallasblacktxcoc.weblinkconnect.com/events

Description: EarthX welcomes CNN commentator and environmental leader Van Jones to North Texas. The New York Times best-selling author has a long reputation as a world-class change-maker, with a rare track record in the modern world to bring people together on areas such as clean energy solutions and others.

Cost: $100, https://earthx2023. eventive.org/schedule/6424f161dd79cd0040991eb4

25

Fair Housing Act

55th Anniversary Webinar - Dallas

Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

ROYAL COMEDY with SOM-

The Nu Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Southern Methodist University (SMU) is hosting its second annual Delta Walk: “Steps for Autism” from 10:00am to 1:00pm at SMU, 6150 Bishop Ave., Dallas. This walk is dedicated to raising awareness for people experiencing Autism in the Black community. If you are interested in participating in the walk, please register at https://secure.qgiv.com/ event/2023stepsforautismwalk/ Team: Nu Iota. 30

Denton County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s 24th Annual Women’s Symposium, “I’m Not your SUPERWOMAN…Taking off the Cape.” Embassy Suites, 3100 Town Center Trail, Denton. Starts at 2 p.m.

MAY

11th annual Tux and Chucks Gala, a charity fundraiser event in support of Fit and Faithful Living’s mission of inspiring hope, vision, and possibilities for youth and families. This year’s event promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience for the whole family, featuring guest speakers Olympians Michael Carter and Michelle Carter, who will share their personal journey and insights on the importance of mental health in families and achieving goals.

6pm - 9pm at The Highland Dallas Hotel. In addition to the guest speakers, the event will include awards, live performances, dinner, silent auction,

Juanita J. Craft Open House at 10:00 AM

JUNE 4

Black Music Month

Ivy & Pearl Foundation of Dallas, in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, Alpha Xi Omega Chapter’s 2nd Annual Top Golf Tournament Scholarship Fundraiser on Sunday, June 4, 2023 2:00 PM at TopGolf in Dallas, TX.

Bringing you hype you can believe!

GET READY to GET REAL

The Real Deal w/ The Reality Coach on BlogTalkRadio.com 11 am.- noon CST. and FaceBook, Mondays. Join the call 646-200-0459 on Cheryl’s World.

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

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