Texas Metro News 4-28-22 by Cheryl Smith

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• Vol. 10 • April 28 - May 4, 2022

MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER

Serving the Community Whether it was because of the presence of Dr. S.M. Wright Sr. until his death in 1994, or his sons, Wright II and Calvin; the Wright name carries weight in Sunny South Dallas. For more than a century the

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OPENING OF NEW PINKSTON

On Saturday April 30th 12 noon, Trustee Maxie Johnson will host the official opening of the New Pinkston High School 3115 Bickers St. The Fine Arts Department will be named in Honor of Actress/ Poet/ Playwright Regina Taylor, Alumnus 1977 and The Jr. ROTC Wing will be named to honor retired Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Castillo. Alumnus Class of 1973 .

Family seeks justice, pushes for juvenile to be tried as an adult after fatal Dallas shooting By Jamie Landers and Nataly Keomoungkhoun The family of a man who was fatally shot in a Costco parking lot in northeast Dallas last year gathered Tuesday to push for the 16-year-old boy who police say pulled the trigger to be tried as an adult. In front of the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center in West Dallas, Mary Elbanna joined her four siblings, their mother and a few dozen others to call for justice for her father, 60-year-old Ali Elbanna. Elbanna was shot Nov. 16 after two men, a woman and

Fatema Mohammed Hadi, left, embraces Stephanie Young Elbanna, the widow of Ali Elbanna, at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center. Credit: Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer

the 16-year-old robbed him, according to police. The Dallas Morning News is not naming the boy due to his age.

His adult certification hearing, previously set for Tuesday, was rescheduled for July 8. Mary Elbanna described her father as a private man, which is why the family initially declined to speak to reporters following the shooting. However, after learning about the “wide range of potential punishments” for those involved, some she considered a “slap on the wrist,” she said her family decided their case needed more attention — and community support. “When decisions are being made under a cloak of darkness, no one fears being held See FAMILY SEEKS JUSTICE, page 13

Donald “Don” Payton – our Dallas African griot. Look it up. Pastor S.M. Wright, II

I WAS JUST THINKING...

Wright’s have been firmly entrenched in the community and the S.M. Wright Foundation’s footprint in South Dallas is wellknown. The legacy of service continues with the reopening of the newly-renovated South Dallas Community Clothing & Resource Center. Located at 3203 Pine Street since its founding in 2005, the Center has been a source of support for thousands of families in need of resources and in recent years, it was in need of a facelift. On Thursday at 9:30 a.m., the doors will open on a new and improved center and once again citizens will be able to “shop” and according to Rev. Wright, II, they will be impressed with what they see. “The facility received a huge upgrade,” said Wright, II. “We totally renovated the Center from top to bottom, ensuring that the entire structure is more user-friendly with several upgrades, which is just what the community needed.”

Texas State Representative for the 100th Congressional District and candidate for U.S. House District 30 in the Democratic run-off, the Honorable Jasmine Crockett was the keynote speaker, while Ms. Coffey Caesar of the Dallas Gospel Connection and a proud member of the South Dallas BPW Club served as the program emcee for the South

See MY TRUTH, Page 13

See SOUTH DALLAS CLUB AWARDS, page 14

By Norma Adams-Wade

Donald “Don” Payton, genealogist and historian of Black Dallas. Credit: Dallas Historical Society

Just finished a delightful twohour conversation with the “unofficial historian of Black Dallas.” For you who are not in the Dallas know, that would be the inimitable, the matchless Donald

“Don” Payton. He is president of the African American Genealogical Interest Group, an affiliate of the Dallas Genealogical Society, and a former Dallas County Historical Commissioner. You can call this a tribute to Payton. He is a repository of oral history that he carries around in his head. He is, in fact, our African griot. Look it up. Oral history comes alive through him. Listen: “History See DONALD "DON" PAYTON, page 6

South Dallas Club Awards $54,200 in Scholarships at Trailblazer Program By Gwendolyn H. Daniels

Mrs. Opal Lee Sojourner Truth Award

Mrs. LueNora Dewitt Trailblazer

Mrs. LaTosha Herron Mayor Curtis Bruff Trailblazer Cornelious Trailblazer

Dr. Donald Arnette Man of the Year

Toni Reynolds-Criner Kevin Robinson, Jr. Humanitarian Awawrd Youth Achiever

Vice President Harris and Husband Test Positive for COVID By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire @StacyBrownMedia

Vice President Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive for COVID after she and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff returned this week from traveling across the country. They attended a fundraiser hosted by Walt Disney Television’s Dana Walden and producer Matt Walden and held at the Walden home, officials said about 30 people attended. “Today, Vice President Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on rapid and PCR tests,” said Harris’ press secretary Kirsten Allen. “She has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the Vice President’s residence. She has not been in close contact with the President or First Lady due to their respective recent travel schedules.” Allen said Harris and her husband would follow guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; along with the advice of their doctors. The Vice President is fully vaccinated and boosted. Harris completed her two dose regimen of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in January of last year and has received two boosters; the first in late October and a second just a few weeks ago on April 1. “The Vice President will return to the White House when she tests negative,” Allen said.

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Community Spring Fling to Celebrate Customers for 35 Years of Loyalty

Hiawatha Williams

The Community and Williams Chicken Customers will be rewarded for their loyalty to a hometown brand Saturday, April 30 from 11am – 2pm at For Oak Cliff, 901 E. Ledbetter in Dallas. More than 1000 participants are expected to fill the backyard of the hosting organization for a day of fun, entertainment, celebration and appreciation. Recognitions from Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, State Rep. Royce West, business leaders and others will be presented during the event. “God and our customers are the only reason we have made it this far, especially post pandemic, said Hiawatha Williams Founder and CEO of Williams Chicken. “To celebrate 35 years with a focus on the community, I wouldn’t have it any other way. My family, the team at Williams Chicken and I are so grateful,” he said. As the fast-casual chain considered how it would celebrate 35 years, Williams reminded his team recently that the

pandemic has reshaped everything, including habits. But one thing the leader said will not change is his commitment to serve the community. “Yes, we have endured massive change over the past few years, but what I can honestly tell you is that our focus was on keeping people fed and providing a great product, explained Williams. In the height of the pandemic Williams Chicken not only increased franchise ownership, we worked with local schools to keep students engaged when they had to transition to full time online learning with Fried Chicken and Chat Fridays. The company consistently was in rotation offering meals for gro-

cery store front line workers, teachers, police and firefighters, hospital and nursing home staff. “It is the consistent support of our customers that allow us to take care of the community then and now, said Williams. I don’t count it lightly when people spend their hardearned money with us, it is the least we can do, to give back.” There is something for everyone at the Spring Fling, including card games (Spades and Bid Whist), dominoes, live entertainment, bounce houses, photo station, sack races and more. The event is free, but guests must register and complete a waiver form @ eventbrite.com – just search Williams Chicken Spring Fling.

BRIEFS

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DeSoto ISD Names Lone Finalist For Superintendent Role DeSoto— The DeSoto Independent School District Board of Trustees named Dr. Usamah Rodgers as the lone finalist for the district’s superintendent position. Trustees voted to approve the decision at a special called meeting held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. “The Board’s hiring of Dr. Rodgers ensures that our kids’ needs are at the forefront of the district’s focus given her extensive work in shaping and preparing students for college and career readiness. As a Board, we are excited about the opportunity for Dr. Rodgers to join DeSoto ISD and lead the work of improving climate, culture, safety, and security while increasing the rigor and standards of the district in an effort to continue our work of improving student outcomes,” said DeSoto ISD Board President DeAndrea Fleming. “Dr. Rodgers has demonstrated her ability to do this work at a high level throughout her proven tenure as a teacher, campus leader, and central office administrator.” A long-serving educator, Rodgers’ ascension through the educational ranks began with her work as a teacher before becoming dean of instruction, assistant principal, and campus principal. Rodgers later transitioned to executive leadership roles as an executive director and, most recently, as the Deputy Chief of Strategic Initiatives in Dallas ISD, the 14th largest school system in the United States serving more than 150,000 students. Rodgers holds a bachelor of science degree in Education from Missouri State University and a master’s and doctorate of education in educational leadership and administration from the University

of Texas at Austin. Rodger’s impact on educational leadership is evidenced by several professional awards and achievements including but not limited to: • 2021 Future School Leaders Network (FSLN) Legacy Leadership Award

DeSoto ISD Superintendent Lone Finalist Dr. Usamah Rodgers

• 2020 Edvocate Best K-12 Leader Award • 2017 Dallas NAACP Juanita Craft Education Award • 2017 Ken Manous Alpha Honors • 2014 Excellence in Education Award – Negro Business and Professional Women’s Garland Club • The University of Texas at Austin – Cooperative Superintendency Fellow

• 2008-2009 – Cedar Hill ISD – Principal of the Year • PTA Life Membership Award • 2009 – Raise Your Hand Texas • 2009 – Harvard Principals Institute – Participant “I am extremely grateful that the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees has selected me as the lone finalist for the position of Superintendent of DeSoto ISD schools. I look forward to serving the students, staff, families, and community. I am excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with all district stakeholders to continue building upon the district’s legacy and providing exceptional educational experiences for our students,” said Rodgers. The district began its superintendent search in January with community meetings designed to develop a profile for the ideal candidate before initiating the application and interview process and then narrowed the field of 27 applicants down to five before reviewing two finalists prior to the Wednesday, April 20, 2022, special called meeting. The state requires a 21-day review period after which trustees are expected to offer Dr. Usamah Rodgers a contract for employment.

Texas Metro News welcomes Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. to D/FW for their District Meeting

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Serena Williams’ Message to Medical Professionals: Listen to Black Women By Stacy M Brown NNPA Newswire

Each year in the United States, about 700 women die during pregnancy or the year after. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, another 50,000 women each year have unexpected labor and delivery outcomes with serious short- or longterm health consequences. “Every pregnancy-related death is tragic, especially because two in three of them are preventable,” the CDC said as the nation observed Black Maternal Health Week through April 17. Tennis superstar Serena Williams, penned an essay for Elle Magazine’s April issue, in which she shared her personal experience. She said she was almost one of them. “I’ve suffered every injury imag-

inable, and I know my body,” Williams writes in the deeply personal essay, later adding: “Giving birth to my baby, it turned out, was a test for how loud and how often I would have to call out before I was finally heard.” As Williams recounts, she had a “wonderful pregnancy” with her first child, Alexis Olympia, and even her epidural-free delivery was going well—at first. “By the next morning, the contractions were coming harder and faster. With each one, my baby’s heart rate plummeted. I was scared,” the 23-time Grand Slam winner wrote. “Every time the baby’s heart rate dropped, the nurses would come in and tell me to turn onto my side. The baby’s heart rate would go back up, and everything seemed fine. Then, I’d have another contraction, and baby’s heart rate would drop again,

Serena Williams, The American Issue for The FADER Credit: Wikimedia Commons

but I’d turn over, and the rate would go back up, and so on and so forth.” The CDC noted significant disparities in the birthing experience of Black women in its most recent report. The agency noted that Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. The agency said multiple factors contribute to these disparities,

such as variation in quality healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias. The CDC added that social determinants of health prevent many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair economic, physical, and emotional health opportunities. After an emergency C-section, Williams gave birth to her daughter, Alexis. Afterward, she said she had to fight for her life. Already classified as a high risk for blood clots, Williams inquired whether she should receive heparin, a blood thinner. “The response was, ‘Well, we don’t really know if that’s what you need to be on right now,’” Williams wrote. “No one was really listening to what I was saying.” Despite excruciating pain, Wil-

liams continued to speak out to her health care providers. At one point, she felt paralyzed. “I couldn’t move at all,” she recounted. Aching and coughing to the point where her C-section stitches burst, Williams complained that she couldn’t breathe. Four surgeries later, doctors discovered a blood clot in one of her arteries, a hematoma in her abdomen, and other clots. She said the nurse she had previously spoken with told her that the medicine was making her crazy. Had she gone along with the nurse’s assertions, Williams could have died. “Being heard and appropriately treated was the difference between life or death for me,” Williams asserted. “I know those statistics would be different if the medical establishment listened to every Black woman’s experience.”

Complexities of Black Pain and Black Pride Define the Black Experience TO BE EQUAL By Marc Morial “The psychological toll of always anticipating that next set back where one unexpected bill, short paycheck, or medical emergency will derail months, maybe years, of plans and priorities is exhausting. Feeling like you must do more, and expect less, creates a never-ending daily cycle of economic anxiety.” — Shannon-Janean Currie, vice president, Benenson Strategy Group For nearly two decades, as part of the State of Black America report, the National Urban League has produced the Equality Index, a statistical calculation of the social and economic status of African Americans inspired by the Three-Fifths Compromise of 1787. The 2022 Index is 73.9%, slightly up from the revised 2020 Index of 73.7%.

This year, for the first time, we decided to find out how Black Americans feel about their status. Conducted by Benenson Strategy Group, the Pulse of Black America survey is based on nearly 1,700 interviews conducted in March of this year. “If the Equality Index measures the share of the American economic pie Black Americans gets compared to whites, then the Pulse of Black America survey unpacks the feelings and frustrations of Black people who will never get that last slice of pie,” wrote Shannon-Janean Currie, the BSG vice president who conceived of and led the research. The survey revealed a Black America ravaged by a deadly pandemic and beset by economic despair, yet still optimistic in the promise that “we shall overcome.” The survey confirmed the findings of the Equality Index: When it comes to education, income, occupation, housing, and debt load, Black Americans are at a disadvantage. Only 27% of Black survey respondents had attained a college

education, compared to 37% of white respondents. Fewer than half as many Black respondents — 12% — reported earning more than $100,000 annually, versus 27% for whites. The Black homeownership rate was a little more than half the white rate: 33% compared to 62%. The survey found that Black and white Americans differ in their views about these economic disparities. A majority of Black respondents, 57%, agreed with the statement, “Wealth inequality between Black and white Americans is a cycle that creates never-ending economic disparity, no matter how hard individual people work.” But an even larger majority of white respondents, 71%, agreed with the statement, “Wealth inequality between Black and white Americans can be overcome, but it’s up to individual people to change their circumstances.” But Black Americans are frustrated about their ability to change their circumstances. Majorities are worried about being paid less, passed over, having to work hard-

er for the same amount, and being discriminated against because of their race. While a plurality of Black respondents, 47%, felt that the professional opportunities they receive have nothing to do with race, nearly as many — 41% — said they received fewer professional opportunities because of their race or ethnicity. Black Americans feel the sting of racism even more sharply in the health care system. An overwhelming 8 in 10 Black respondents feel that race influences the quality of care a person receives, and 2 in 5 said the system had discriminated against them personally. When it comes to the heart of this year’s State of Black America report, voting and democracy, overwhelming majorities believe in the power of their vote to make a difference in economic opportunity, social and racial justice, and police violence. But nearly as many — 71% — believe that Black and brown communities specifically are often denied the right to vote. Only 45% of Black respondents said vot-

ing in their communities is very easy, compared to 59% of white respondents. And Black respondents said the government is doing more to limit voting rights than it is to protect them. “Fifty years since the Civil Rights Movement and ten years since the murder of Trayvon Martin, the real promise of equity has yet to be fulfilled, and young Blacks are growing frustrated with the rate of change,” Curry wrote. “Beliefs and behaviors are hard to shift, and while progress has been made, the biases of today manifest in more subtle forms of systemic suppression. “Pragmatic and hopeful, hardworking and vulnerable, the complexities of Black pain and Black pride define the Black experience.” The full survey, along with the rest of the 2022 State of Black America report, “Under Siege: The Plot to Destroy Democracy,” can be found at www.StateOfBlackAmerica.org Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.

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QUIT PLAYIN’ By Vincent L. Hall

At least annually, the nationally syndicated column named for Ann Landers used to repeat a piece that expounds on class. You know, what yo mama tried to teach you. Our saving virtue was classiness as a race of people when we were poor. So quit Playin’ like you forgot your upbringing! Simplistic yet profound, it goes like this: “Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident. It can handle whatever comes along. Class has a sense of humor. It knows that a good laugh is the best lubricant for oiling the machinery of human relations. Class never makes excuses. It takes its lumps and learns from past mistakes. Class knows that good manners are nothing more than a series of small, inconsequential sacrifices. Class bespeaks of an aristocracy that has nothing to do with ancestors or money. Some wealthy "Blue Bloods" have no class, while some individuals struggle to make ends

My First Class on Class

meet loaded with it. Class is real. It can't be faked. Class is comfortable in its own skin. It never puts on airs. Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down. Class is already up, and need not strive to look better by making others look worse. Class can “walk with Kings and keep its virtue and talk with crowds and keep the common touch." (Thank you Rudyard Kipling) Everyone is comfortable with the person who has class because this person is comfortable with himself. If you have class, you've got it made. If you don't have class, no matter what else you have, it doesn't make any difference.” In one swoop of the pen, Ann Landers shows most of us for what we are. What we are as Americans, as individuals, and as a community and as a race of people. When you look at all of the whining, bitching, crying, and emotionalism that this nation has

witnessed since 2015 A.T. (After Trump came down the escalator), we have shown ourselves to be everything but class. Contrary to what they show you daily in commercials and printed advertisements, cars and clothes

do not bestow class on the pitiful lot we have become. Nowadays, even “common folk” act like the megalomaniacal hedonists we were warned to avoid. We want nothing to do with it if it does not complement our insatiable appetites for attention and notoriety. Boasts and vain glory have no value if they can't be posted on Facebook or Instagram. But class is not something you wear or show. It's a grace that

wears and shows on you. Don't be fooled—people with class vote…regularly! People with class do not make harrowing threats in the streets and fail to follow up. People with class do not make everyone and everything besides themselves an excuse or a scapegoat. Classy people do not allow their children to see them begging and groveling for rights that belong to them by God's promise. Classy people don’t storm the hallowed halls of Congress because the Messiah they voted for lost in a landslide. Class is so much more than brand names and brand new cars. Class does not find its home in fancy houses. Instead, it works to clean the streets that lead up to them. Class is taking direct action as directed by our intellect, our values, and for Black people, by the spirit of our ancestors. Class is a compounded virtue with equal parts of faith, hope, and love. Class does not suppress vot-

ers, turn away needy migrants or permit senseless acts of violence and mass shootings. Classy nations don't lock up the poor, ignore the mentally challenged, and charge interest rates higher to the common than the rich. People with class don't act like Americans who call this nation "exceptional." I know something about class because my grandmother taught me. She may not have been Ann Landers, but she could read. She pointed me to I Corinthians 13 to paint me a picture of class. "Love is patient, love is kind, it isn't jealous, it doesn't brag, it isn't arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things." I don't know much, but I know what class is, and in 2022 America has very little of it!

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

Think About It

WAKE UP AND STAY WOKE By Dr. E. Faye Williams

Throughout my life, I have been blessed with family and friends who have admonished me to be a critical thinker. I was challenged not only to think, but to think with clarity, appropriate urgency, and logic. The old idea of being one who thought “while others were sleeping” was not lost on me. In fact, preemptive thinking has saved me from misfortune “a time or two” — both personally and professionally.

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Because of the life of organizational leadership that I now live, I commonly spend a great deal of time thinking about the subtle and not-so-subtle statements made by political leaders. Others may find it too time-consuming to analyze every errant statement made by politicians, but, with the ever-increasing racial hostility in this nation, I find it essential. A great example of this is the statement made earlier this year by the Senate Republican leader. Mitch McConnell told the world just what he was thinking

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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.

about African Americans. To instill fear and terror in the minds of white people who might be thinking of not voting, in a moment revealing his true feelings, he warned, “African American voters are voting in just as high a percentage as Americans.” As a former civics teacher and political candidate, this statement was wildly offensive. The long-standing tradition in this nation’s political process has been for political parties and politicians to articulate positive policies and positions which will influence voters to vote for them. This rapidly disappearing tradition has been replaced with exclusionary rhetoric, racial animus, and hatred fueled by the desperation of “losing something those who are undeserving.” Did Mitch infer that African Americans are not real Americans? Yes! Did Mitch tell whites that African Americans would vote against the interests of “real” Americans? Yes! Well, Mitch, we are not easily fooled! We know the reason that

you oppose anything you consider beneficial to African Americans. It’s also a sure bet that your Republican cronies are going to oppose it because they, like you, don’t think we are Americans! Neither you nor any of your like-minded lackeys will ever acknowledge that we African Americans pay a substantial portion of your salaries with our tax dollars while most of your industrialist/ business cronies pay little or nothing. Tell us Mitch, what makes one American? Is it white privilege? Is it the size of your bank account? Does our blood sacrifice in times of national conflict mean nothing? Or what about our 200-plus years of free labor building an economic juggernaut heretofore unknown to the world? Consensus agrees that your party members embarrassed themselves during the confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. I’m sure that questions like “What is a woman?” or disparag-

ing her for judicial decisions that are/were consistent with those of her peers was not because she was a woman. Since she is an African American woman, was it because your party didn’t think she is an American? Is Sen. Tim Scott an American or do you give him a pass because he votes with you — even when his vote is against African American interests? How will you reward Senator Scott for voting against the confirmation of a Black woman whose brilliance on the subject of American jurisprudence runs circles around every member of your party who was in the room when her confirmation vote was taken. Mitch, despite your lame justifications, we have given great thought to you and yours. We are not fooled, and you need to re-educate yourself to the reality that we, too, are Americans! Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. Contact her via www.nationalcongressbw.org.

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Walking on the Water of Life FAITHFUL UTTERANCES By Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew

I love water. Strangely enough, I cannot swim. As much as I love being near water and the sound it produces, I have grown to have a healthy respect for what water can do. After a trip to New Orleans in 2016, my daughter, mom and I were driving back to my mother’s neighborhood in North Louisiana. We could not enter the neighborhood because of the flooding and had to take an alternate route. As we went in another direction, the home on the corner was a beautiful two-story house that I always admired. That beautiful yellow home was now underwa-

ter with only the roof showing. I had never seen that type of damage in person, and it was not only shocking but terrifying. As we pulled up into the driveway of my mother’s home, the water slowly began creeping up to her house. We moved quickly, unplugging items, and packing a few items to leave. In the moment, we did not have much time to think and plan. We just wanted to get to safety. In those moments, you realize what is important and it is not the stuff. You realize how important life is and that whatever we go through, we need to know that God is with us. We were blessed that there were no lives lost and mom’s house did not suffer much damage. My heart ached for those in her community who lost everything. It is in those moments that you realize that life brings challenges to all. It does not matter if

you are a good or bad person. Life happens. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45) It is painful to go through experiences that take your breath away—not because they are positive—because they are difficult and heartbreaking. As a society, we have spent so much time pushing people to be strong that we do not give people the space to experience the grief and pain that are a part of life as much as good and happiness are. Tears are natural and temporary, but joy does come. “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” (Psalm 126:5) Tears are normal and necessary. I must remind myself in this season that God is with me. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When

you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43: 2-3a) Water is obviously important in the Bible: • It is in Genesis as the world was being formed. (Genesis 1:2) • Noah and the Flood (Genesis 6-9) • The dividing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) • The Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17) • Jesus turning water into wine (John 2:1-11) • Jesus’ walking on the water. (Matthew 14:22-33) As I spend this weekend on the beach reflecting, I see the power of God through the water. I see what water represents—provision, salvation, and faith. Just as water is important for us as humans to live, to release our pain,

water is also important in our spiritual lives. Jesus tells the woman at the well that He has something for her that is eternal-- “Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14) Go through it and know that God is with you—now and forever. He will never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6-8) even when it seems as if you are being drowned by the onslaught of the issues life brings, He has got you and will see you through. Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the host of the Tapestry Podcast and the author of three books for women. She is also the Vice President of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas. To learn more, visit drfroswa. com.

‘A Morally Inclement Climate’ OUR VOICES By Marian Wright Edelman April 4 was the 54th anniversary of the assassination of our nation’s prophet of nonviolence, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On the same day we received new warnings from international scientists that our world remains headed towards an environmental climate catastrophe, this date was a sad reminder that before his death, Dr. King presciently warned us about a metaphorical climate crisis that also threatened us all. Shortly after President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination, Dr. King wrote that it was time for our nation to do some soul-searching, and while the question “Who killed President Kennedy?” was important, answering the question “What killed President Kennedy?” was even more critical. Dr. King said he believed “our late President was assassinated by a morally inclement climate”: “It is a climate filled with heavy

torrents of false accusation, jostling winds of hatred, and raging storms of violence. “It is a climate where men cannot disagree without being disagreeable, and where they express dissent through violence and murder. “It is the same climate that murdered Medgar Evers in Mississippi and six innocent Negro children in Birmingham, Alabama.” Dr. King also noted that the undercurrents of hatred and violence that made up this morally inclement climate were fueled by our cultural embrace of guns: “By our readiness to allow arms to be purchased at will and fired at whim, by allowing our movie and television screens to teach our children that the hero is one who masters the art of shooting and the technique of killing, by allowing all these developments, we have created an atmosphere in which violence and hatred have become popular pastimes.” The same winds of hatred,

storms of violence, and easy access to and glorification of guns he believed killed President Kennedy would soon kill Dr. King, too. Decades later, we are still being ravaged by the same storms. On April 3, six people were killed and 12 others injured in a shooting in downtown Sacramento, California, one of the worst mass shoot-

Monument of Martin Luther King Jr.

ings in the city’s history. Afterward, President Biden released a statement: “Today, America once again mourns for another community devastated by gun violence. … Families forever changed. Survivors left to heal wounds both visible and invisible. … We know these lives were not the only lives im-

pacted by gun violence last night. “And we equally mourn for those victims and families who do not make national headlines. But we must do more than mourn; we must act.” Will we? President Biden went on to list steps Congress could take to curb gun violence right now: “Ban ghost guns. Require background checks for all gun sales. Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Repeal gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability.” We know what could help. But we also know how many members of Congress remain resistant to doing anything at all. Meanwhile, gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 0-19 and is taking a growing number of lives — a fact that is sometimes lost in the middle of the pandemic. Violence still saturates our communities and our culture. We are raising another generation in a morally inclement climate. We must do more than mourn.

We must put actions behind our words and thoughts and prayers. In his eulogy at Dr. King’s funeral, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays said: “Here was a man who believed with all of his might that the pursuit of violence at any time is ethically and morally wrong; that God and the moral weight of the universe are against it; that violence is self-defeating; and that only love and forgiveness can break the vicious circle of revenge. He believed that nonviolence would prove effective in the abolition of injustice in politics, in economics, in education, and in race relations. He was convinced, also, that people could not be moved to abolish voluntarily the inhumanity of man to man by mere persuasion and pleading, but that they could be moved to do so by dramatizing the evil through massive nonviolent resistance. … He believed that the nonviolent approach to solving social problems would ultimately prove to be redemptive.” Our world is still in desperate need of leaders who share this belief today. Edelman is founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund.

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Donald "Don" Payton - Dallas African griot repeats itself because during the first time we’re not listening and learning,” Payton said, explaining his theory of racial progress and decline. “Our traditions are always there. We just need to pick them up and carry them on.”

Talk Radio. Look it up also. More than a decade ago, historian and former university professor Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney and educator Dr. Alfred L. Roberts also interviewed Payton in a 2011 project that is now digitized

Miller Family Park, 2814 Persimmon Rd. at Tracy Rd, near Bonnie View and Simpson-Stuart roads. Credit Dallas Park and Recreation Dept

I don’t mean to be unfair and make Payton sound too good. He is, of course, a mere mortal. But -- he has that special flare for walking us through history and making us like it. I hated history in high school, but now, I love it and can’t seem to live without it. That’s Payton’s point. I interviewed him on the Texas Metro News Blog that was recorded Wednesday, April 20, 2022 on Facebook Live and Blog

history. The 72-page interview – in print and online -- was part of a project entitled Documenting the History of the Civil Rights Movement in Dallas County, Texas. It is part of the University of North Texas Libraries Special Collections to The Portal of Texas digital repository. Payton gave detailed memories and research about local happenings and his and other Dallas Black families’ histories since Dallas was

settled in the 1830s. Payton’s ancestors are recorded as among the first enslaved Africans who arrive in Dallas with prominent Dallas settler William Brown Miller. The ancestors were given Miller’s surname that both White and Black descendants retain. Payton’s grandmother was a Miller. “William Brown Miller brought my ancestors here in 1847. My ancestors walked from Independence, Missouri to Hord’s Ridge that is now Oak Cliff in Dallas,” Payton said. “My grandmother’s great grandfather John Miller became one of the largest Black landowners in Southern Dallas, near what is now Simpson-Stuart and Bonnie View roads.” Ask Payton anything – anything – about the history of Black people in Dallas, Texas. He either will give you an exact answer --or tell you, almost with chapter and page number, where to look it up. Payton has been interviewed and recorded countless times in numerous other media over his more than 40-year career and he always has new stories and details to unveil. You hear about folk with elephant memories. Payton has one. In our two-hour conversation, captivating historical facts, names and anecdotes about nu-

merous Dallas pioneer families – Black and White -- cascaded from his mouth with unbridled ease and retentive detail. I was just thinking… Dallas Black history is shut up in his bones – like fire, burning in a

cont. from page 1

among Dallas’s first enslaved African-Americans, N. W. Harllee, William Perry Overton, Julia Caldwell Frazier, Dallas Black Giants Negro Baseball Team, … more, more, more. There is so much to Don Pay-

Dallas Black history is shut up in his bones – like fire, burning in a pit. He uses every opportunity to unleash those flames as nuggets of cultural experiences. pit. He uses every opportunity to unleash those flames as nuggets of cultural experiences. Payton’s story telling does remind you of one of his role models, author and historian Alex Haley. Payton met Haley before the writer released his classic book, Roots, that later became a record-breaking television series. Similar to Haley, Payton (our own relatable and downto-earth griot) first began to retain oral history while sitting as a preschooler in grandparents’ and relative’s homes listening to the elders’ stories of their early lives as African-Americans in the 1800s and early 20th Century. Payton’s deep reservoir for detailed storytelling about such experiences; some laced with humor, some evoking anger and grief – indeed is extraordinary. During our talk, his rollcall of names, places, and personal anecdotes sounded like a history course of Black and White Dallas. Our topics ranged from how to start your own family genealogy to what telling details to look for in a family photo. Payton shared many stories about persons whose names are now well-known freeways, buildings, schools, libraries, neighborhoods, such as Hamilton Park, Simpson-Stuart Road, Five Mile Creek community, Webb Chapel Community, Hord’s Ridge in Oak Cliff. He told nuggets about memorable individuals, including Frederica Chase Dodd and her Dallas attorney father Frederick K. Chase, William Brown Miller, T. L. Marsalis, John Neely Bryan, Dr. John Wesley Anderson and wife Pearl C. Anderson, Arch and Charlotte who were

ton’s oral histories that reams of daily newspapers and broadcast recordings still have not told. We will keep listening. Upcoming Miller Family Reunion The free, annual, 24-hour Miller Family Reunion will be held July 9-10, 2022 at Miller Family Park, 2814 Persimmon Road at Tracy Road near Bonnie View, Simpson Stuart roads, and Paul Quinn College. The city renamed Cedardale Park to Miller Family Park in 1989 paying homage to Payton’s enslaved ancestors who helped settle and later owned the land. This is the 175th year since the Miller family –Black and White -- settled in Dallas in 1847. The reunion draws relatives and friends internationally and features live music and lots of camaraderie. The public is invited but must bring your own food, beverages, tables and chairs if needed. A program will feature relatives who have achievements to celebrate. To learn more, contact Payton at donpayton47@gmail.com or 214-328-2618. The African American Genealogical Interest Group meets the 3rd Saturday each month, 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., September through May, in the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1st floor West Room, 1515 Young St., downtown Dallas. Norma Adams-Wade, is a proud Dallas native, University of Texas at Austin journalism graduate and retired Dallas Morning News senior staff writer. She is a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists and was its first southwest regional director. She became The News’ first Black full-time reporter in 1974. norma_adams_wade@yahoo.com

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Reparations Expert Team to Determine Compensation By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

A day after the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans decided who would be eligible for compensation, the nine-member panel approved a framework for calculating how much should be paid — and for which offenses — to individuals who are Black descendants of enslaved people in the United States. The task force voted 8-0 to consider a blueprint of 13 “harms,” titled “Model 2: State Specific Harms/ Atrocities Framework,” presented by an expert team it appointed. “The Task Force will give us some directions and what to pursue to use this framework to figure out a procedure to have calculations,” said Dr. Kaycea Campbell, a member of the expert team. “(It) will allow us to identify specific atrocities or harms for which California should compensate.” The expert panel reported that a “conservative estimate” of two million African Americans in California have ancestors who were enslaved in the United States. According to the US 2020, there are about 2.6 million Black Californians in a state that has a total population of nearly 40 million residents. The expert team identified 13 “categories” that would be the

“methodology” and “procedure to calculate damages” to determine what constitutes harms and atrocities, Campbell said. Those harms include unjust property taking by eminent domain, intellectual property deprivation; homelessness; unwarranted police violence; segregated education; denial of representation on estate commissions; and housing discrimination; labor discrimination; environmental harm; mass incarceration; and sentencing; public health harms; transgenerational effects; among others. The inflictions are prioritized to establish the case for compensation, with specificity to California, based on evidence gathered during witness testimonies over a course of nine months. “The list is in no way final, can be expanded, and can be shrunk,” Campbell told the task force on March 30. “But we wanted to give an idea of these particular atrocities, as they are identified, and have the task force direct us as to what we should be looking at.” Campbell, who is based on Long Beach, is an experienced career economist specializing in economic theory, analysis, and policy. The Chief Executive Officer for Ventana Capital Advisors and Associate Professor of Economics, Los Angeles Pierce College, she has a Ph.D. degree in Economics-Management

from Claremont Graduate University. Campbell says the five-member unit is tasked with providing an economic perspective of the work the task force is doing, helping to quantify past economic injustices African Americans faced in the state and elsewhere, and determining what or how much compensation should be for Black people living in California.

Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University, and Kirsten Mullen, a writer, and lecturer whose work focuses on race, art, history, and politics. Darity is a Samuel DuBois Cook professor of public policy, African and African American studies, and economics at Duke University. His research focuses on racial, class and ethnic inequality and stratification economics; education and the ra-

The expert team includes Williams Spriggs (former Chair of the Department of Economics at Howard University. He currently serves as chief economist for the AFLCIO), and Thomas Craemer (Public Policy Professor at the University of Connecticut). Spriggs and Craemer testified in front of the task force last October. Rounding out the panel of experts are William A. “Sandy” Darity Jr., the director of the Samuel DuBois

cial achievement gap; North-South theories of trade and development; and the economics of reparations. Darity and Mullen co-authored the book, “From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the 21st Century.” They testified before the task force during the first meeting in June 2021. The task force chose the Model 2 framework over Model 1, called the “National Reparations Framework.” The first option captures all the

“opportunities and losses” linked to enslavement, Jim Crow laws, elements of lost wages, and others. The expert team expressed their concerns about the national model because many of the atrocities, discrimination, and wage gap only relate to southern territories that did not happen in California. “The national strategy of attempting to eliminate the racial wealth gap is something that is not replicated at the state level given the resources that the state of California currently possesses,” Darity said. “The second issue is the condition of racial wealth and equality in the state of California is not exclusively a consequence of a chain of events that took place solely in the state.” On March 29, the task force voted 5-4 in favor of lineage over race as the determining factor for compensation. The members of the expert team suggested that a “reparations tribunal” would be one approach where individuals and families could establish residency and file claims of harm based on lineage. Task Force chair Kamilah Moore said the community eligibility portion will be based on lineage “determined by an individual being African American, the descendant of a (person enslaved as chattel) or descendant of a free-Black person living in the United States prior to the end of the 19th century.”

BIG MAMA SAID

DON’T MAKE A BED YOU DO NOT WANT TO LAY IN

WILL WE DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE DISRUPTORS FROM THE JANUARY 6, THE TEXAS BORDER AND UKRAINE?

BLACK CARD By Terry Allen

Lucille “Big Mama” Allen’s birth in 1906 sparked an imprint that created a lesson for a lifetime. Her lesson empowered all of her influencers she encountered. Her influencers included, but limited to, 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 a multitude of ‘Bonus” family members. I mention her “bonus” family members because Big Mama always took in individuals that were not blood related to any of us yet they were treated as family and like family. Herein lies today’s lesson, “Don’t make a bed you do not want to lie in.” Big Mama meant an unmade bed that looks like an unfinished lumpy landscape that speaks to personal avoidance, procrastinating denial and creating a bad brand with an undesirable image of unchanged sheets. This is not a place for anyone to lay in again at all! Is this the bed you want to make or to Lie in? Lucille “Big Mama” Allen

wanted us to know that no matter what, if you chose to make the bed you make, you must lie in it! Another intent is, if “Big Mama “says that you have made your bed and must, you must lie in it. She is saying that since you have chosen to do a particular thing, you must now accept the unpleasant results of your action. What saved me, is that Big Mama’s bed making lesson taught me how to make decisions. Her play book said, 1. Outline and list all the information on the decision you have to make BEFORE you decide. 2. Eliminate all ideas, suggestions and thoughts that create polar-

ization that marginalizes other humans. 3. Deeply explore all factors that making the best decisions and diminishing bad choices We as citizens and influencers are now in the midst of making decisions and adding our responses to the landscape. We must not leave our bed unkept and unmade, as it will have consequences. 1. We need to show our democracy is not unraveling and deliver justice to the January 6 disruptors at the top, not just on the front line. 2. We must be certain that we are protecting our borders at the same time ensuring humane treatment for all BIPOC people.

3. We must peel back the layers to show the atrocities of the opposition in the Ukraine war, and stop standing by on shallow diplomacy excusing no-action. I hope that we as a voting American public and world leader influencers will make a decision that says “I made this bed because it is where I want to lie as a human, as a citizen and as a world participant!” Thanks, Big Mama. Did you make a good bed, let me know at TerryAllenPr@gmail.com Terry Allen is an NABJ awardwinning Journalist, PR professional and founder of 1016 Media, the charity - City Men Cook and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS-DFW

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Metro Community Calendar powered by RECURRING: The African American Genealogical Interest Group meets the 3rd Saturday each month, 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., through May, in the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1st floor West Room, 1515 Young St.

APRIL

30 1952: Dr. Louis Wright honored for his contributions to cancer research by American Cancer Society

1828: Mifflin Wister Gibbs born. First Black man to be elected judge in U.S.

Trustee Maxie Johnson will host the official opening of the New Pinkston High School 3115 Bickers St. The Fine Arts Department will be named in Honor of Actress/ Poet/ Playwright Regina Taylor, Alumnus 1977 and The Jr. ROTC Wing will be named to honor retired Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Castillo. Alumnus Class of 1973.

MAY

1971: Samuel L. Gravely becomes first Black U.S. Navy admiral.

29 1899: Renowned jazz musician “Duke” Ellington is born. Mike Epps is set to bring all the laughs with his all new show to Texas Trust CU Theatre featuring comedians Dominque, Jay Pharoah and Rudy Rush.

The Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra Concert at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters at 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 and up at 1319 Canton Street, Dallas Texas.

*** NC100BW Dallas Metropolitan Chapter’s “All That Glitters Is Gold” Scholarship Fundraiser Celebration from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Soiree Coffee Bar.

1950: Poet Gwendolyn Brooks becomes first Black author to win Pulitzer Prize (for Amie Allen)

1878: Inventor J.R. Winters patents fire escape ladder. 1960: President Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act.

The World According to Andrew on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. CST. Sundays Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news and commentary. Join the call 646200-0459 on Andrew’s World.

1967: Injunction against Philip Morris, Inc. First Case to be tried under Title VII of 1964 Civil Rights Act.

1933: “Godfather of Soul” James Brown is born.

Doc Shep Speaks Show! A fresh perspective, but still entertaining! Welcome to The Doc Shep Speaks Show!!!. Tuesdays at 11 am. CST Live on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews, @ fnsconsulting, and YouTube Live @ docshepspeaks.

Send your calendar items to editor@texasmetronews.com

1961: Black and white “Freedom Riders” begin bus trips to test new segregation laws in the south.

8 1932: Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters founded by A. Phillip Randolph.

1988: Eugene A. Marino was installed as Archbishop of Atlanta, GA. - the first Black Catholic Archbishop in the U.S. 6 1931: Baseball great “Say Hey Kid” Willie Mays is born.

I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade “History Class is in Session” Join in on Facebook/@ TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com at 11 am -1 pm. CST. Wednesdays. Join the conversation call 646-200-0459.

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Lifestyle Metro Calendar powered by APRIL Wear blue for Child Abuse Awareness

APRIL 30

The regional premiere production of Nigerian-American playwright Ngozi Anyanwu’s brilliant play about friendship, grief, and family - GOOD GRIEF: A Best Friend Play - April 28 - May 8 at the Margo Jones Theater in Fair Park.

29 The Small Business Center - FreshStart Employment Program cordially invites you to attend the:

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The Community and Williams Chicken Customers will be rewarded for their loyalty to a hometown brand from 11am – 2pm at For Oak Cliff, 901 E. Ledbetter in Dallas.

• April 28 - May 4, 2022

5 Downtown Dville! Sponsored by Mudhook, Black & Bitter Coffee and Books and First Fridays at Main Station at 100 S. Main Street, Duncanville

Community Impact Event

April is recognized as SECOND CHANCE MONTH Please join us for a Community Leader-led discussion on the significance of the economic and workforce ecosystems. The goal is to expand our partnerships to provide opportunities to justice impacted individuals with a focus on workforce training and skills required to obtain and maintain sustainable employment.

J Erik Johnson Library 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX., 75201 7th Floor O’Hara Hall Friday, April 29, 2022 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM *Breakfast will be served between 9 AM and 10 AM

Click here to R.S.V.P. via Eventbrite Questions? Please call 214.671.5116

DBCC 37th Annual Quest For Success

Small Business Center | 1515 Young St. 5th Fl. Dallas, TX. 75201 | sourcedallas.org| 214.670.3441

Community Leader-led discussion on the significance of the economic and workforce ecosystems. The goal is to expand our partnerships to provide opportunities to justice impacted individuals with a focus on workforce training and skills required to obtain and maintain sustainable employment. COMMUNITY IMPACT 2022 J Erik Johnson Library , 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX., 75201 7th Floor O’Hara Hall 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, *Breakfast served between 9 and 10 AM RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-of-dallas-community-impact-tickets-320455780867

APRIL 29 - MAY 2

Dallas International Guitar Festival at Market Hall

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM CST On The Levee, 2525 N Stemmons Frwy Dallas, TX 75207

MAY 1

Paul Quinn College Commencement Ceremonies

Send your calendar items to editor@texasmetronews.com

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Preventing Osteoporosis-Related Fragility Fractures After Knee Or Hip Replacement Sharon Walton, M.D. Orthopaedic Surgery

About 10 million people in the U.S. have osteoporosis, a disease that slows the growth of healthy bones over time. It affects nearly 20% of women age 50 and older, and can increase the risk of a fragility fracture during or after joint replacement surgery – with falling being the most common culprit. In a joint replacement procedure, we replace a worn hip or knee joint with an implant made of body-safe metal. For most patients, the bones on either side of the implant grow onto it over time or are fused to the joint with a cement-like compound. However, osteoporosis weakens the bones, which can result in poor or no grafting of surrounding bone to the implant. Fragility fractures can also occur during surgery if the surrounding bone is too brittle to withstand surgical cutting or manipulation.

Especially for patients with osteoporosis, using mobility devices after knee or hip replacement can prevent falls that might cause fragility fractures.

If a patient with osteoporosis falls after having a knee or hip replacement – even several years after surgery – the weakened bones near their implant can easily break. Fragility fractures can cause immobility, intense pain, and an increased risk of complications such as infection or death. Most patients need an urgent revisional surgery, which is complex and should only be done by experienced specialists. UT Southwestern’s orthopedic surgeons specialize in primary and revisional joint replacement procedures. We perform hundreds of hip and knee procedures each year, and our surgeons help set national standards for patient outcomes after joint revision and replacement. Many patients come to us for revisional surgeries after inadequate surgeries performed elsewhere. When our patients also have osteoporosis, we collaborate with the UT Southwestern bone mineral metabolism team to reduce the risk of broken bones. These experts specialize in bone degeneration conditions and will co-manage your care before surgery and after, particularly if

you suffer a fall-related fracture. Approximately half of all women and a quarter of men will suffer a fragility fracture in their lifetime. While common, osteoporosis-related fractures after joint replacement often can be prevented. Patients with osteoporosis who want a knee and hip replacement should understand their personal risks – and start preparing before surgery to prevent or reduce the chances of fall-related fractures. Osteoporosis risk factors for knee and hip replacement Fragility fractures are slightly more common after total hip arthroplasty compared to total knee arthroplasty. Total knee replacement (TKR) is more common than partial replacement. Orthopedic surgeons are more likely to use medical cement in a knee replacement. Knee implants weigh 1-2 lbs., and the surrounding bone might have trouble holding the implant in place if the bone is too brittle. This may lead to loosening of the implant from the bone. Medical cement provides stability and reduces the risk of having a loose joint. However, the risk of fragility fracture is never zero. Patients with osteoporosis should be cautious after knee replacement surgery, even if their implant is cemented in place. Hip joints are larger and surrounded by sturdier weight-bearing muscles in the thighs, core, and lower back. Many hip replacements are partial, meaning a portion of the existing, healthy joint is left intact. Total hip replacement implants weigh 1-3 lbs., which is a little less than the natural bone. Patients who had a fragility fracture within three years before a total hip replacement are more likely to experience a break during surgery, according to research. Orthopedic surgeons are less likely to use cement in total hip replacements. With hip replacement, patients typically have better outcomes when their bones properly graft to the implant. Using cement lengthens the surgery, which requires more time under anesthesia. That can increase the risk of cognitive or physical complications in older patients and those with underlying medical conditions.

Strengthening your knee and hip following surgery is an essential part of the recovery process.

If you have osteoporosis, talk with your surgeon about your risks and whether they should consider cementing the implant – it may be the best choice to reduce your risk of fracture, depending on your bone health. Related reading callout: After the fall: RESTORE bone health and prevent future hip fractures in seniors Tips to avoid falling after joint replacement surgery All patients – with or without osteoporosis – must take precautions to avoid falling after knee or hip replacement surgery. Moving will be painful those first few weeks, and it takes a while to gain balance and confidence in walking with a new joint. Osteoporosis compounds the risks of falling. Whereas a fall might result in bruising for a patient with strong bones, it can cause a severe fracture in a patient with brittle bones. Particularly for patients with osteoporosis, we recommend taking these precautions prior to joint replacement surgery to reduce your risk of suffering a fragility fracture: Start taking vitamin D and calcium supplements: Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus – both of which help build new bones and maintain bone health. Discuss other osteoporosis drugs with your doctor: Some patients benefit from medications that alter the natural cycle of bone breakdown and growth, such as

A photo of a normal bone (left) versus one with osteoporosis show how porous the bones can become.

ibandronate (brand name Boniva). These drugs can help improve your bone mineral density, resulting in stronger bones. Do bone-loading exercises: Stressing the bones through weight-bearing exercise, within reason, can spur action in the cells that build new bones. Fall-proof your home: Modify what you

Temporarily modify the bathroom: Standing, sitting, and stepping high will be challenging for a few months – and these necessary movements carry a risk of falling. Install grab bars or handrails around the tub, shower, and toilet to help you use the facilities safely during recovery. Despite efforts to reduce fractures, more than 300,000 people age 65 and older in the U.S. are hospitalized for broken hips each year – approximately 95% of these injuries are from falling. Related reading callout: Why hip fractures require immediate treatment What happens if I suffer a fragility fracture? If you break a bone after knee or hip replacement, you will likely need an urgent revision surgery to prevent further, serious complications. UT Southwestern has developed a unique program to connect seniors who fall with advanced orthopedic care. If a senior presents to our emergency department with a fragility fracture, they

Pets can be a fall hazard.

can to reduce the risk of tripping, particularly at night. Remove loose rugs or tape down their ends prior to surgery. Install nightlights along your route from the bedroom to the bathroom and relocate items that usually live on the floor (such as hampers, baskets, or storage containers). Plan for your pets: Cats and dogs have a knack for winding up underfoot. Put a bell on their collars and consider kenneling or using a pet daycare for the first few weeks of recovery. Ask for help walking your dog for the first few months after joint surgery to avoid tripping or falling, even with the most well-behaved pets. Use an ambulatory device: Your doctor likely will recommend using a cane or walker during recovery to help you acclimate to bearing weight on the new joint. Don’t be too stubborn or proud; using a walker or cane can facilitate a safer recovery. Wear well-fitting shoes: At home or out and about, wearing sturdy shoes can help you maintain balance and avoid slipping or tripping.

are automatically enrolled in the Returning Seniors to Orthopedic Excellence (RESTORE) program, the first of its kind in North Texas. Through RESTORE, we expedite emergency department care, which will include a consultation with our geriatric and orthopedic teams. RESTORE patients receive non-narcotic pain medication to reduce delirium – confusion and agitation associated with surgery after a traumatic injury in seniors. After surgery, our experts will meet with you to discuss nutritional and lifestyle modifications and schedule a follow-up visit to help prevent future fractures. If you have osteoporosis and want a joint replacement procedure, talk with your doctor about options to improve your bone strength before and after surgery. With planning and specialized care, you can reduce your risk of a serious fragility fracture and enjoy the freedom of restored mobility that knee or hip replacement can bring. To talk with an osteoporosis or hip replacement expert, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online.

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Health & Fitness

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

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Family seeks justice cont. from page 1 responsible when it ends up going in the wrong direction,” said Elbanna, who was formerly Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s chief of staff. Ali Elbanna, who was born in Lebanon to Palestinian refugees, lived in DallasFort Worth for more than 30 years. His youngest daughter, Stephanie Elbanna, said he began working his way out of poverty as a child, selling and buying merchandise on the streets, before achieving his dream of owning his own business — a small wholesale shop in Arlington. Then, she said, he devoted his life to helping others. “The way he grew up, with absolutely nothing, helped people to grow, helped people to be good, helped people to be honest,” she said. “If they needed strength, he made himself stronger.” Stephanie Elbanna said she is concerned that if the boy is not tried as an adult, it would not only make the statement that her father’s life didn’t matter, but could embolden other young people. “Taking an innocent life in an open area, it’s almost as if to say, ‘I have a right to do this,’” she said. “We can’t let young people think actions don’t have consequences.”

Adult certification in Texas In Texas, defendants 17 and older are tried in adult court. But prosecutors can ask juvenile court judges to move the cases of minors ages 14 to 16 to adult court based on several factors, including age and the nature of the crime. “The closer you are to 17 the more likely you are to be certified, because if you were 17 you’d be considered an adult anyway,” said Dallas attorney George Ashford III, who is not involved in the case. A judge will consider evidence from prosecutors and the defense before reaching a decision, including a report conducted by the juvenile department that looks at the individual’s history.

If juveniles are tried in adult court and convicted, they remain with others their own age until they turn 18 or 19, Ashford said. This gives them time to mature before moving into the adult prison population. If they are convicted in juvenile court, prosecutors can send the case to a grand jury and ask for a “determinate sentence.” This allows authorities to keep them in juvenile detention until age 19 and then, depending on the sentence and their behavior, transfer them to an adult prison. Although attorneys and victims’ families may push for the certification hearing to go a certain way, the decision rests with the juvenile court judge. “Regardless of what the offense is, regardless of what the juvenile department recommends, regardless of what the family wants — the ultimate decision is on the judge,” Ashford said.

What happened in November Dallas police responded just before 7 p.m. Nov. 16 to a shooting in the parking lot of the Costco Business Center at 8282 Park Lane, where Ali Elbanna was found wounded. He died at a hospital. Investigators said James Levels, 17; Janiya Lashay Miller, 17; and Jacoby Bryce Tatum, 19, approached Ali and “demanded property” before the 16-year-old shot him. The group had committed another robbery beforehand, according to an arrestwarrant affidavit, taking two cellphones. Those victims were able to give police a description of the robbers, who drove away in a black pickup. The phones were tracked to NorthPark Center, where police found the truck and Miller, who had the phones, police said. Officers also found the two men and the juvenile and took them into custody. Levels and Miller admitted

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taking part in the robbery that led to Ali’s shooting as well as two other robberies, the affidavit says. Levels and Miller were being held in the Dallas County jail Tuesday, with bail set at $800,000 each. Both face one count of capital murder and three counts of aggravated robbery. It was unclear whether they had attorneys. A grand jury determined there was insufficient evidence to indict Tatum for capital murder. He bonded out of jail on the robbery charges April 5.

‘This is only the beginning’ Mary Elbanna resigned as the mayor’s chief of staff earlier this year to spend more time with her family. “Very quickly, it all became too much,” she said. “My family needed me and I needed them, as we all continue to now. This is only the beginning.” Johnson held his third State of the City address Nov. 17 and voiced his support for the city’s latest budget, which increased investment in the police department and public safety. He praised police Chief Eddie García on his violence-reduction plan — police statistics have shown a reduction in violent crime during the new chief’s tenure, though homicides have seen an uptick this year. In a statement Tuesday, Johnson said he is grateful for the police department’s work in the case. “Public safety is not just a talking point,” he said. “Real lives are at stake — including the lives of the people closest to us.” Johnson said Elbanna’s death was “abominable and unimaginably tragic.” “This is — and always has been — the Elbanna family’s story to tell, and they have the right to tell it on their own timeline and in their own way,” Johnson said. “I just hate that they have to tell it; Ali Elbanna should still be here with his wife and his amazing children.”

This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.

My Truth cont. from page 1 Instead of finding and moving to another facility, which was an option, the Lincoln Humanities and Communications Magnet graduate said it was important to listen to South Dallas citizens who said, “please don’t go, we need you here.” So instead of finding a place where many would have to travel to be served, the decision was made, with the help of generous donations, to deal with the structure on the corner of Pine Street and Electra Avenue. Once again citizens, who have a median family income of less than $13,000 annually, will be able to secure everything from clothes and pampers, to kitchen appliances, household items and toiletries;

• April 28 - May 4, 2022

of the S.M. Wright Foundation and current pastor of People's Missionary Baptist Church. “We care about our community and this is a place where they can come and they will see how we care in the way we treat them with dignity and respect.” Which brings me to my truth. The Center is one of many ways the Foundation serves the residents of South Dallas. For Thursdays Community Day, volunteers distribute food, clothing and bed sets. There’s also the Bed For Kids Drive Thru of Blessings, Foundation and Business Investment Club, South Dallas Education Center, South Dallas Community Food Center, North Texas Furniture Bank and S.M. Wright Mattress Agency. The Foundation is more commonly known for the two huge events held around Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Thanksgiving Day Feast consists

Pictured with Rev. S.M. Wright, II is Mary Jernigan, Executive Director of the S.M. Wright Foundation's South Dallas Community Clothing & Resource Center -- better known as the "South Dallas Neiman Marcus."

thanks to generous benefactors, volunteers and donors, and at no charge to the needy. For Wright, II the commitment to serving the South Dallas Community is completely in line with the work of his father, the late Dr. S.M. Wright, Sr., who pastored People’s Missionary Baptist Church and was well-known in numerous circles throughout Dallas. If Wright Sr. were alive today and could see the work of the Foundation, his namesake says he would be proud. “I can hear him saying, ‘go ahead on, son, go ahead.’” And along with the feeling of pride with the thought that his father is smiling over everything the Foundation is doing, Wright, II is anxious for the staff and community to see the new facility Thursday. “I’m so excited,” said the president

of hot meals, groceries and clothing presented to low-income and homeless families in South Dallas. Since it began in 1998, Christmas in the Park, held in Fair Park, and considered to be “Dallas’ largest holiday charity event,” has served as many as 50,000, in recent years. To receive assistance, each family must provide proof of income and residence and a Social Security card and birth certificate for each family member. They must also meet the current Texas Commodity Assistance Program (TEXCAP) income requirements. In addition to the naming of the Foundation in his memory and honor, in 1995, Gov. George W. Bush changed the name of Highway 175 to S.M. Wright Freeway. Service to mankind is a wonderful legacy to leave.

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South Dallas Club Awards $54,200 in Scholarships cont. from page 1 Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc.’s 58th Annual V. Alyce Foster Trailblazer Awards Program on April 23, 2022. The virtual event began with instrumental renditions of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “The Lord’s Prayer” by the Thom Brownlee, Jr. Jazz Quartet. President Ollie Gilstrap brought a heartfelt welcome and greetings were delivered by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC) Trea-

South Dallas BPW Club was the creator of the signature Trailblazer Awards Luncheon. Carla Dennis, the Club’s Director of Membership introduced keynote speaker Rep. Crockett who opened on the subject of Supreme Court Justice nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, saying “what we saw is resilience.” She revisited how “qualified the nominee was over and above the Justices currently sitting on the highest court of the land” and she left the viewers with three takeaways: “Be graceful; lean in on your faith; and always show love.” South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. awarded a phenomenal $54,200 in scholarships to deserving se-

V. Alyce Foster

Lake Ridge High School received the Ada Adams Scholarship, $6,500; Niara Hardin of James Martin High School received the Kathryn Mitchell Scholarship, $5,500; Ahmad Brown of Lake Ridge High School received the Ombudsman Scholarship,

rie Fine Arts Academy received $5,000; Kimaari Mondy of Yvonne Ewell Townview Magnet Center received $4,800; Katelayn Vault of Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet received $4,800; and Dynasty Coe of DeSoto High School received $4,600. President Ollie Gilstrap presented Trailblazer Awards to Curtis J. Cornelious, the first African American elected as mayor of Little Elm; Luenora DeWitt, first African American Program Director in the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for Region 3; and Latosha Herron Bruff, the first African American Senior Vice President of Community Engagement for the Dallas Regional Chamber.

Bass, before she founded T.C. Mentoring and Consulting LLC in Washington, D.C. Dr. Donald Arnette, PhD, a cardiologist, author, speaker, NFL mentor and a philanthropist was named Man of the Year. Dr. Arnette has spent countless hours researching why cardiovascular disease is more prevalent in minority communities. The 2022 Youth Achiever Award was presented to Kevin Robinson, Jr. a teenage dessert entrepreneur named “The Pie Dude.”

2022 Trailblazer Event Chair Gwendolyn Hunt, Esquire

President Ollie Gilstrap

surer, Brittany Montgomery, followed by Dr. Terri O’Neal Ford, Governor of the NANBPWC South Central District. Past President Marion Hill-Hubbard took the audience down memory lane visiting the life and legacy of V. Alyce Foster and sharing how the Club renamed the Trailblazer Awards Luncheon in her honor on January 11, 1986 during the presidency of Mae Frances Saulter. Ms.Foster, a charter member of

South Dallas BPW Club

niors in the DFW metroplex. Derria Money a senior at Kathlyn Gilliam Collegiate Academy received the Alberta Blair Scholarship, $7,500; Aaliyah Brown of

$5,500; Jamie Bowers of Duncanville High School received $5,000; Serenity Davis of DeSoto High School received $5,000; Rebecca Oladejo of Grand Prai-

The 2022 Humanitarian Award went to Toni Reynolds-Criner, a former youth in the Texas Foster Care System and a worker in the office of Congresswoman Karen

Jamie Bowers 2022 scholarships

Aaliyah Brown Ada Adams Scholarship

Ahmad Brown Ombudsmen Scholarship

Serenity Davis 2022 scholarships

Dynasty Coe 2022 scholarships

Niara Hardin Kathryn Mitchell Scholarship

Kimaari Mondy 2022 scholarships

Derria Money Alberta Blair Scholarship

Rebecca Oladejo 2022 scholarships

Katelayn Vault 2022 scholarships

The Association’s highest award, the Sojourner Truth Award, was presented by NANBPWC National President Sherelle T. Carper. Ms. Carper expounded on the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth and recapped the extraordinary life of Opal Lee, the South Dallas Club’s 2022 Sojourner Truth Award recipient. In December of 2021, Texas Christian University awarded Ms. Lee an honorary Doctor of Letters degree for her work as an activist and educator. Dr. Lee is a 95-year-old retired teacher, counselor, and activist in the movement to make Juneteenth a federally-recognized holiday! Trailblazer Awards Chair Gwendolyn Hunt, Esq. gave closing remarks of gratitude, followed by President Gilstrap who delivered final remarks congratulating the Trailblazer Chair and Committee and the entire membership for their contributions in making the 58th Annual Trailblazer Awards program a huge success. For more information on the South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc., visit their website: www.southdallasbpwc.org; Instagram: South Dallas 1954; Facebook page: southdallas1954.

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DeSoto ISD Hall of Honor Class of 2022 DeSoto ISD excitedly announces the 2022 class of the Hall of Honor! This year’s honorees include long-time educators and student advocates who have served with excellence in their chosen field, including their significant benefit to DeSoto ISD. In 2011-12, the district launched the Hall of Honor to recognize two categories of honorees – the DeSoto High School Alumni Hall of Fame and the DeSoto ISD Distinguished Service Award. The criteria include special achievements and honors in the individual’s career, and community service or contributions to society plus service to education and DeSoto ISD. To the selection committee, we thank you for your sincerity and integrity during this process! The Hall of Honor recognizes and celebrates those who paved the road for student success and those students who have taken flight! The 2022 Honorees are: Alumni Hall of Fame: Dr. Tiffany Clark, DHS Class of 2007 Distinguished Service Award: Larry Davis Pamela Dawson Karen Pittmon The permanent display for the Service Award is located in the atrium of the academy wing. The Alumni Award permanent display is located at the Eagle Drive entrance to DeSoto High School. For more information about the Hall of Honor, including the nominations process and selection criteria, visit www.DeSotoISD.org/HallOfHonor. The Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 20, 2022 at the DeSoto High School Academy Cafeteria. This invitation-only event will be included in the Cadence of Celebration for end-of-the-year activities. Learn more about our distinguished recipients below. Alumni Hall of Fame - Dr. Tiffany Clark Dr. Clark has been an active member of the DeSoto Education Foundation for the past five years where she has actively participated in the Gala and served as the Top 25 speaker twice. She has spoken at DeSoto Rotary Club

meetings and been an active member of the Education Foundation’s Scholarship Committee, Golf Tournament Committee, and Holiday Baking Committee Fundraiser. She served on the Female Leadership Forum Committee in DeSoto ISD for three years. Dr. Clark, in conjunction with a DeSoto City Council member, started a program in 2019 titled DeSotoYou:NeighborhoodYOU where community members and homeowner associations partnered with schools and

and empathy for fellow citizens. Dr. Clark is actively engaged as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Upsilon Lambda Omega-DeSoto Chapter) where she has served as the Co-Chair for Connections for the past 4 years. She has been a co-chair for the Vendor Committee on Founders’ Day Celebration and has served as the Historian. In 2016, Dr. Clark was nominated for Newcomer (New Member) of the year. Most recently, Dr. Clark was nominated by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Upsilon Nu

youngest woman ever elected to to participate in the Leaderthe DeSoto Independent School ship TASB program which is a District Board of Trustees. As a year-long educational leadermember of the DeSoto Indepenship journey in which somedent School board over the past one earns the distinct honor 5 years, she has been focused on of holding a “Master Trustee” Academics, Accountability, and title. She is only the 8th person Achievements for all students in DeSoto ISD to complete this in DeSoto ISD to empower her program. community. • 2021 - She was named in the Dr. Clark has been an activist, inaugural class of Texas Coaadvocate and agent of change by lition of Black Democrats 40 implementing a community serunder 40 Elected Officials and vice policy and by enacting an Community Leaders. attendance policy to ensure that • 2021 -Dr. Clark was awarded we get our fair share from Austin. SWABSE (Southwest Alliance of Black School Educators) School Board Member of the Year. Former DeSoto Mayor Pro Tem Denise Valentine nominated Dr. Clark for recognition, expressing: “Dr. Tiffany Clark demonstrates exceptional leadership and commitment to the DeSoto community. She is a shining example of what we desire our alumni to become - educated, active, an advocate, and a change agent when needed. She is focused, outspoken, and driven to improve the community she lives in. Her achievements are recognized inside the community as well as in the area and region.”

DHS Class of 2007 Karen - Pittmon, Larry Davis, Pamela Dawson, and Dr. Tiffany Clark

commemorated Back to School, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Counselor Week and Teacher Appreciation Week events. In 2020, Dr. Clark, in partnership with DeSoto City Council members, revitalized a program encouraging people to read called Read Across DeSoto and Glenn Heights. The program is now tied to the School Board’s Literacy goals. Dr. Clark runs a non-profit leadership development program in partnership with Christie Brown entitled Elevating Dreams by H.E.A.R.T.S. (Helping Education Adolescents through Relationship Time and Support). The program's mission is to educate teen girls to exhibit self-awareness, be effective leaders, and display a sense of compassion

Zeta Chapter as a Woman of the Year for her commitment and dedication to DeSoto ISD. Dr. Clark co-founded Project E.D.G.E (Excelling Dreams and Goals) in 2012 at DeSoto High School, a career services event that connects high school students with successful community leaders in a variety of career fields. The successful program linked over 500 students with opportunities for higher education and success outside the walls of the classroom. Project EDGE was hailed as a model community partnership when DeSoto ISD received the college readiness “GEAR UP!” grant from the Department of Education – resulting in over $7 million dollars for DeSoto students. In 2017, Dr. Clark became the

She’s implemented staff mental health days and added African American and Mexican American studies to our curriculum. Trustee Clark has created policies revamping the student dress code policy. She also developed a reputation as a “thought leader” on School Safety, including a headlining town hall in 2018 with Texas Senator Royce West. Dr. Clark is also a charter member of the DeSoto High School Alumni Association, which was established in 2018. Award and Achievements: • 2019 - Dr. Clark was named a Dallas Business Journal ‘40 under 40’ Honoree – recognizing her trailblazing leadership potential in Dallas/Fort Worth and beyond. • 2020 - Dr. Clark was selected

Distinguished Service Award - Larry Davis • DHS Associate Principal – Student Services and Operations (2021 – Present) • Director of Athletics (20122021) • Executive Director of Human Resources (2002 – 2012) • Director of Administrative Services (2001 – 2002) • Principal – The Meadows Intermediate (1997 – 2001) • Assistant Principal – West Junior High (1994 – 1997) • Teacher/Coach – DeSoto High School (1991 – 1994) • City of DeSoto: All American City Nomination Committee Member (2005-2006) • City of DeSoto: Meadow Creek Recreation Center and Natatorium Steering Committee • Member (2019-present) • City of DeSoto: Youth Baseball Executive Committee Member • City of DeSoto: Youth Basketball Executive Committee Member continue reading at www.texasmetronews.com

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The Small Business Center - FreshStart Employment Program cordially invites you to attend the:

Community Impact Event

J Erik Johnson Library 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX., 75201 7th Floor O’Hara Hall Friday, April 29, 2022 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM *Breakfast will be served between 9 AM and 10 AM

Click here to R.S.V.P. via Eventbrite Questions? Please call 214.671.5116 Small Business Center | 1515 Young St. 5th Fl. Dallas, TX. 75201 | sourcedallas.org| 214.670.3441