Texas Metro News 4-29-21

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• Vol. 9 • April 29 - May 5, 2021

MY TRUTH

By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER

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VOTE

Election Day is May 1, 2021

A Life of Service

Congrats to the Diane Ragsdale retiring fromICDC, planning different role Class of 2021 I WAS

It’s hard to imagine what members of the Class of 2021 are feeling.

And that was also pretty much the case with the members of the Class of 2020 who were not forewarned that a time they were working toward was going to be drastically altered, disrupted and many elements totally voided.

No one could prepare them because so few if any were around for previous pandemics. And no other pandemics were quite as devastating, but if they were, folks didn’t know because there were no televisions or telephones; you just had “tell a friend.”

Today, depending on your status and fan base, telling a friend could equate to telling millions, thanks to social media.

It’s kind of hard to tell the Class of 2021 that “this too shall pass.”

They are living in the here and now where there is plenty of despair and sadness to go around.

That is if we let it.

Instead must be positive. We have to support each other without being overindulgent. After all, we see what happens when we overindulge. We must also provide encouragement and exhibit resilience.

I only hope that this pandemic will be the worst pain and suffering that they all endure. With that in mind, though they have to be equipped with survival tools: mentally, financially, emotionally and physically.

We’re trying to get through this together. It would be so great however if this class could be known for ushering in a period of love because we have definitely had enough hate for an eternity.

Go forth class of 2021, with love, respect, compassion, justice and faith. Work hard. Lift as you climb.

Learn better, know better and do better. Lastly, bring receipts!

JUST THINKING...

By Norma Adams-Wade

Coming next week, the new and previous ICDC – Part II In a way, Diane Ragsdale is an architect and construction worker. Technically, of course, she’s a long-time community organizers, advocate, registered nurse, and former Dallas City Council member. But you see, she builds things. She does not carry a hammer and wear a tool belt. But she constructs communities and designs people.

Now she wants to do more of that – but in a different way. So, after 35 years at the helm, she has retired as executive director of the South Dallas-Fair Park Innercity Community Devel-

Dallas’ own Diane Ragsdale makes sure sun always shines in Sunny South Dallas!

opment Corporation (ICDC) at 4907 Spring Ave near Fair Park.

Ragsdale founded the nonprofit in 1986 while serving on the Council, from 1984-1991, and representing the area where ICDC is located. She will remain for six months to

April is a SMH month for many as Murders continue of unarmed Blacks

By Texas Metro News Team

More than a week after the jury found former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, the trial is still a subject for many even as three others who were with Mr. Chauvin await their trial and Black people are continuing to be murdered by police officers.

The month of April provides plenty of fodder for the history books.

help train her successor, Venus Cobb, who took office April 16.

We will learn about Cobb in next week’s column.

“I have retired from ICDC, but not from the movement for justice,” said Ragsdale who also was Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

continues its original role as an advocate for the African American community, New Journal and remarked Andrews, Guide publisher who serves as treaBrenda Andrews has surer for the Nationnever hesitated when al Newspaper Pubresponding to quesNew Journal and lishers Association tions about the Black Guide Publisher Press of America’s rel- Brenda Andrews (NNPA).

“Recording racial evancy. history and giving meaning “Even with diverse news and value to what is news and stories from various media platforms, the Black Press See BLACK PRESS, page 14 NNPA Newswire

There is that fateful day, April 4, 1968, that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated.

On April 20, 2021, the jury in See MURDERS, page 12

See A LIFE OF SERVICE, page 9

Legendary Publisher Prepares for NNPA Convention, lauds Black Press as ‘Transformative’

By Stacy M. Brown

Chief Malik Aziz

during part of her Council tenure.

I was just thinking how future Black community and Dallas city leaders will benefit unknowingly from the years of labor Ragsdale amassed, both at

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DELIVERING NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Vol-9

• April 29 - May 5, 2021

BRIEFS

Texas Senate unanimously approves bills sensitive to social justice

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MetroNews DELIVERING NEWS YOU CAN USE

Publisher : Cheryl Smith Editor: editor@myimessenger.com Address: 320 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 100 Dallas, Tx 75203 Website: www.texasmetronews.com Phone: 214-941-0110

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.

WASH HANDS WEAR MASK

Members of the Texas Senate have voted 31-0 on SB2212 and SB68, bills primarily authored by State Senator Royce West (D-Dallas) and State Senator Borris Miles (D-Houston) respectively. SB2212 establishes a duty for officers to request and render aid to a person an officer observes to be injured during the course of the officer’s duties. SB68 would require that an officer act to intervene if the officer sees that another officer is using force he believes to be excessive that would be in violation of state or federal law.

“The past few years have been both troubling and crucial to us as a society when we recall the number of deadly force incidents that have taken place across America,” said Senator West.

“SB2212 and SB68 passed the Senate just days after many Americans acknowledged a collective sigh of relief following the guilty verdicts rendered in the Derek Chauvin case for his role in George Floyd’s death.

“These bills today could mark a pivotal moment,” said Senator West. “They acknowledge that things are not quite as they should be when we look at how some citizens and communities are treated when they come in contact with some who are sworn to protect them.”

If passed into law, SB2212 would require an officer to immediately request emergency medical assistance and to help a person who is injured until assistance arrives. It also contains provisions

Establishing Global Relationships

Royce West

related to officer safety if the onsite conditions pose danger. In addition to requiring an officer to intervene if the officer witnesses another officer using excessive force, SB68 calls for the officer who must intervene to promptly report the incident to the officer’s supervisors.

“As policymakers in this state and across the country, we cannot ignore these repeated incidents that in too many cases are have the appearance of officer misconduct,” said Senator West. “I want to thank my colleague Borris Miles and others in the Senate for their leadership in taking these initial steps to address social justice concerns and encourage them to take the next step, because our work on these issues is not complete.”

SB2212 and SB68 must now be approved by the Texas House of Representatives before they can become law. Less than 40 days remain in the 140-day, 87th Legislative Session.

Parkland to host mobile vaccinations in Dallas County this weekend Parkland Health & Hospital System will host two mobile COVID-19 vaccination events this weekend in Dallas County. Individuals over the age of 16 can receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine without an appointment between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 1 at Sarah Zumwalt Middle School, 2445 E. Ledbetter Drive Dallas, 75216, or Sunday, May 2 between 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Jaycee Zaragoza Recreation Center, 3114 Clymer Street Dallas, 75212.

Individuals will need to bring a valid ID and minors must be accompanied by an adult.

“Traveling distance, lack of public transportation, and limited access to medical care can make it difficult for some people to get vaccinated against COVID-19,” said Herron Mitchell, Director of Operations-South Region for the Population Health Division at Parkland.

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“Getting vaccinated will not only protect you but also those around you. We hope bringing the vaccines to Dallas County neighborhoods will make it more convenient for residents. The more people who get vaccinated the closer we are to building herd immunity.”

Parkland will return to the sites at the same time on Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23 to administer the second dose.

Individuals can also go to Parkland’s drivethrough vaccine sites at Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 S. Polk St., Dallas, 75232, or Dallas College-Eastfield Campus, 3737 Motley Dr., Mesquite, Dallas 75150 to receive their COVID-19 vaccination without an appointment between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday – Saturday. Both sites are open to those with an appointment from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The locations are closed on Sundays.

By Arise Rejoice Media North Texas businessman and commercial real estate developer Edward Okpa recently met with Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, who represents the Kingdom of Bahrain in Washington, to discuss trade and business opportunities in that commercially

viable Persian Gulf country.

Okpa, a former Dallas mayoral candidate and international economic advisor, said that issues of mutual benefit were discussed that could promote development in Bahrain and in the United States. The Bilateral Chamber hosted the meeting that was held in Irving, said Okpa whose wife, Ronke, also participated in the meeting.

Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Community Outreach Center May 11 Free Wills Clinic Need a will? Get the help you need to prepare your Last Will & Testament at this Free Wills Clinic.

The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and the Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Community Outreach Center have partnered to bring these free services to those in the community who need the help and are eligible for the service.

May 24 | 7 PM Cash Flow, Collateral and Leverage Orientation Registration Now through May 14 Learn How to Maneuver Your Finances through the Changing Economy. Get prepared for what’s next in this changing economy by joining the upcoming FREE Cash Flow, Collateral and Leverage sessions offered by the Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Community Outreach Center.

Learn how money operates, discover asset building strategies and more. Par-

ticipants will have the opportunity to get an understanding of the financing tools for the new economy through lectures, discussions and book studies. Instructor: Frances Smith-Dean, Executive Director of the ZWHJCOC, and owner of the Financial Educator.

June 7 | 7 PM Financial Wellness Village for Women Registration now through May 3 The Financial Wellness Village will focus on women who have been affected by the challenges of Covid-19. This is a 12-week coaching program that will provide a coach, case management, and financial techniques to help you thrive during challenging times.

The Wills Clinic will be conducted via phone. All other sessions will be via Zoom. To register and to learn more about these sessions, go to www.zwhjcoc.org and click on Classes or contact info@zwhjcoc.org.

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• Vol-9

• April 29 - May 5, 2021

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CDC Vows Partnership with Black Press on Vaccination Awareness

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “I was on a Zoom in my office with Dr. [Anthony] Fauci when the verdicts came in,” Dr. Rochelle Walenksy, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recalled during a special live interview with the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) “Let It Be Known” breaking news program. “We were all relieved,” Dr. Walensky assured. “This is just a single moment. What we face as a nation is generations of racism and discrimination, and barriers for Black people. We can’t erase 400 years in one single verdict, but this is one huge step forward, and we have to make many more huge steps forward.”

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Like most of the world, Dr. Rochelle Walenksy, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, watched with nervous anticipation the jury verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.

And, like many others, Dr. Walensky was relieved with the guilty verdicts that brought a measure of justice to the family of George Floyd and, by extension, African Americans and people of color everywhere.

“I was on a Zoom in my office with Dr. [Anthony] Fauci when the verdicts came in,” Dr. Walensky recalled during a special live interview with the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) “Let It Be Known” breaking news program.

“We were all relieved,” Dr. Walensky assured. “This is just a single moment. What we face as a nation is generations of racism and discrimination, and barriers for Black people. We can’t erase 400 years in one single verdict, but this is one huge step forward, and we have to make many more huge steps forward.”

During the 30-minute interview, Dr. Walensky said the CDC is taking more steps to shift from looking at just markers of health and equity to looking at the drivers of health and equity.

“They are inextricably linked with race and require us to evaluate the structural barriers that exist for so many Black Americans, so many Latino Americans and Native Americans,” Dr. Walenksy offered.

“So, our work as a nation must be to address these drivers to make everyone safer and to make

Dr. Walensky reiterated that she and the CDC enjoy the full support of the Biden-Harris Administration in its racism and health initiatives.

our streets safer and education more accessible.”

In the CDC’s efforts to reclaim the public’s trust – particularly among individuals of color, Dr. Walensky said it was imperative to announce that racism is a public health crisis publicly.

She pledged that the CDC would partner with the Black Press of America to get critical messaging to minority communities.

“One striking thing is that the [pandemic] started in this country among the wealthy and moved rapidly to communities that didn’t have resources,” Dr. Walensky said.

“It was clear to me that the health of our nation was not going to be better until we addressed the fact that everybody in the nation had to be better. Not just pockets, we needed to reach all communities.”

Dr. Walensky reiterated that she and the CDC enjoy the full support of the Biden-Harris

Administration in its racism and health initiatives.

“We welcome [the Black Press] partnership, and I recognize that people who are not confident in the vaccine are those we need to meet where they are,” Dr. Walensky continued. “Some people don’t know where to get the vaccine, and for some, it’s not convenient.

Some are worried that the science isn’t complete, and some have listened to misinformation.

“The real question is as we address concerns and questions, we need to have the person conveying the information to be a trusted messenger. I may not be a trusted messenger, but you [The Black Press] are, and I would like to work with you and create that partnership so that we can provide that information and package it as your viewers and readers want it and delivered by people they trust.”

More than 100 million people have received the covid vaccine after over 100,000 enrolled in clinical trials to ensure efficacy, Dr. Walensky said, adding that the CDC has safety monitoring in place and hasn’t seen anything troubling.

A third booster shot is being discussed by scientists and the administration only as extra protection and not out of fear or information that the vaccines would wear off, Dr. Walensky assured, noted that none were involved in clinical trials, but early results in about 700 baby deliveries have revealed good news for pregnant women.

“There is early data to suggest that if pregnant and you receive the vaccine, you can pass the antibodies to your babies, so there’s some potential that the baby might be protected as well,” Dr. Walensky said.

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• Vol-9

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• April 29 - May 5, 2021

Has America come any closer to Dr. King’s dream?

African Americans and Latinos were the most likely to be infected, the most likely to lack health care, the most likely to be frontline workers, the least likely to be OUR able to work from home.

VOICES When the economy shut down, African Americans and Latinos suffered the

By Rev. Jesse. L. Jackson largest loss of jobs, and the greatest colThis year marked the 53d anniversary lapse of incomes. We are also vulnerable of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. to the most evictions and foreclosures.

Over half a century. Has America come The schools our children attend are the any closer to his dream? least likely to have adequate ventilation or He would be pleased at some of our space for social distancing. progress. Segregation is no longer the law The level of economic violence suffeof the land. The Voting Rights Act helped red daily by poor and low-income famiopen doors. Dr. King would be pleased lies is immoral and unnecessary. Millions that a majority of Americans joined to of Americans still lack the basic right to elect and re-elect an African American adequate health care. Dr. King’s legacy president. Georgians just elected a black has helped to inspire a new Poor People’s minister from Dr. King’s own historic Campaign, giving voice to the 140 million church to the U.S. Senate. There are now low income and impoverished Americans 60 African American members of Con- who struggle to survive. gress, 54 Latino members, Dr. King protested as the 20 Asian American or Pacific Dr. King would War on Poverty was defeated Islander Americans and 5 nain the jungles of Vietnam. He be marching tive Americans. with those who understood that a bloated Yet the reconstruction has military budget, constant inseek to make it brought reaction. By a 5-4 terventions across the world, easier to vote. the arms race that threatened decision, right-wing judges He would be on the Supreme Court gutted all humanity sapped the reappalled by the Voting Rights Act, even sources, energy and attentiafter overwhelming majori- George Floyd’s on needed to make America ties of both parties voted to murder, but not better. reauthorize it. Now across the Today, the military budget surprise. country, Republicans, fearful is even higher — in comparaof the growing involvement of minorities ble dollars — than it was at the height of and the young, are seeking to impose res- the Cold War. The U.S. maintains nearly trictions that make voting more difficult.

800 military bases in more than 70 counDr. King would be marching with those tries. We fight endless wars on the other who seek to make it easier to register and side of the world. And worse, we seem to vote. He’d be urging the Senate to pass headed into a new Cold War, this time S1, the For the People election reform bill with both Russia and China, and have lauthat would go far to limit voter suppressi- nched a trillion-dollar program to build a on, gerrymandering and counter the role new generation of nuclear weapons that of secret big money in politics. He surely we don’t need and cannot use. would be delighted that African American Our priorities remain distorted. There business leaders of major corporations were no Republican votes for Biden’s Reand banks have joined in urging the cor- scue Plan to deal with the pandemic and porate community to speak out against the economic collapse. Many predict that efforts to suppress the vote. there will be no Republican votes for BiGeorge Floyd’s murder would appall den’s American Jobs Plan to rebuild and but not surprise Dr. King. The shameful modernize our infrastructure and begin mass incarceration of African Americans to deal with the existential threat of caand the structural racial inequities of our tastrophic climate change. Yet there will criminal justice system demand reform. be bipartisan support for a military budget Again, Dr. King would be marching with far beyond our security needs. the Black Lives Matter movement and Over half a century. We’ve come a long would be encouraged by the multiracial way, yet we still have so far to go. Hope is outpouring of largely peaceful, nonviolent provided by a new generation — more diprotests demanding reform. verse, more engaged, better educated, and Economic justice was the third move- increasingly on the march. ment of Dr. King’s civil rights symphony They are bringing new energy and new — and the most incomplete. The pande- numbers to the struggle for justice and mic has once more stripped the veil off of peace. About that, Dr. King surely would America’s structural racial inequalities. be pleased.

The life-taking oppressive knee on our necks comes in more ways than one OUR VOICES

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. Seeing the video of the torturous death of George Floyd stirs up inside of me emotions that are hard to suppress and what’s even harder is the will to want to stop them. I understand that we can’t always resort to our physical impulses in combating and destroying that witch does not receive us as human beings.

Yes my heart goes out to the family members of George Floyd and to his friends and sympathizers.

Yes we want justice, yes we want to be recognized for our humanness and compassion. Yes, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

Are we to stop or are we to continue to forged on by any means necessary to obtain those unalienable unalienable rights? We will go to the ends of legitimacies even though our spirit tells us to circumvent and go straight to the quick to get our justice.

Nevertheless, we fight on.

There is more than one kind of oppressive killing knee to our necks that we need to address.

Why do we spend our money and support those businesses who don’t support or respect us?

So many times we look at the news and we ride through our Black communities, and we see places that are deplorable in

THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

their conditions and they allow illegal and disrespectful things to happen on their premises, and we don’t say or do a damn thing to try to stop it?

I am appalled even more at a news story that I saw on Channel 10 recently where a young Black 19-year-old sister recorded an incident at Kwik Stop Rims & Tires, 3091 NW. 19th St. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Stearlia Dormeus went to return a tire that was the wrong size. She said she asked if she could get her money back, and the guy with the gun said no and threatened to damage her car if she didn’t give him the tire she purchased or more money. The guy said he was gonna break her window if she didn’t take the tire out of her car because he was “the boss”.

If any of you Black men have seen this video, how can we sit idly by and watch our sister be disrespected and our brothers who are perhaps being manipulated because of

their addiction to drugs and alcohol be used as puppets to do the orchestrated work of a menace to our society as this operator did when he told a ‘do boy’ to break her window.

These oppressive knees on our necks are an extension to deep rooted racism and communicable selfhate akin to a powder-keg waiting to ignite civil unrest in this country.

Brothers and sisters, we have to stop the madness one way or another.

It is extremely difficult for anybody to put their knee on your neck when you are standing tall with your head held high.

Mama told us a long time ago to walk tall and straight with your head up! You ain’t got nothing to be ashamed of”.

The post The life taking oppressive knee on our necks comes in more ways than one appeared first on The Westside Gazette.

Bobby R. Henry, Sr. is Publisher at The Westside Gazette.

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• Vol-9

• April 29 - May 5, 2021

What’s Your Love Language?

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

By Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew It is very easy to become cynical and bitter. If you are not careful, you will become a person who finds fault in everyone. When I meet people that have nothing good to say or complain about everything, there is a reason that they have allowed their pain to pierce others. I find myself in awe of how mean people can be. People make fun and pick at individuals without any remorse and sympathy. As the verdict was announced in the murder of George Floyd, the Twitterverse was on high alert making fun of Jessie Jackson.

Some of these individuals found it amusing to pick at this man who has spent his life as a civil rights leader fighting for many of the rights they benefit from.

They failed to acknowledge that he has Parkinson’s disease which is responsible for his gaze and

movement. There is something to be said about a world that has lost compassion and empathy.

It is very easy to feel sorry for others because we do not put ourselves in their shoes.

It allows us to detach and see the person as ‘other’. Sympathy does not require much of us. All we do is say or make gestures that appear kind and we can go back to our lives. What we are missing so much of in our lives is empathy. Empathy is more than feeling sorry for someone.

It is truly placing yourself in the other person’s shoes. Empathy is about understanding what others go through and sharing with them in their pain. Empathy requires us to be vulnerable and connect to another through our emotions. Empathy is not about minimizing someone’s struggle to make your situation appear greater, it is about being with them and recognizing what they are experiencing. Somewhere along the way, this has become lost. In building our self-esteem and pushing this narrative of putting ourselves first, we have lost the desire to care for others.

There is nothing wrong with selfcare AND caring for others---and not at the expense of either. They can both co-exist. Bu right now, our world is suffering and so are we.

The Bible says “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without selfcontrol, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. ... (2 Timothy 3:117)” Our world is at an extreme of self-centeredness. If we are at the center and everyone is disposable, we often leave out space for God. God is then blamed for all the occurrences in the world when a choice was made to move God from the center. God has been replaced by our own needs, our greed, and our desire to be first. The

issues listed in 2 Timothy 3:1-17 all focus on preserving self. It is all about me at the expense and pain of others.

“Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.” (Mark 8:35 MSG) The solution for this self-centeredness is simple. We must get out of our own way. This requires not only holding others accountable, but we must hold ourselves accountable. The standards for treating one another with kindness and compassion must return. It begins with recognizing that our love walk must be checked. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

Loving God is first. Loving our neighbors is second but if we do not love ourselves, it will be difficult to love our neighbors.

Maybe the loss of empathy and compassion for others lies in the

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loss of love we have for ourselves and God. We cannot be for others what we are not willing to be for ourselves.

I thank God for Mr. Jackson and the many others who deserve our admiration, respect, and love.

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.

Your Obituary Goes Right Here!

QUIT PLAYIN’

By Vincent L. Hall Editor’s note: This is a reprint from November 2020.

For years, my publisher Cheryl Smith has had a dream to print a weekly obituary page. Not just for the money, but because we continue to bury giants in this community without telling their stories.

Ancestry.com needs us!

This story came during a funeral for the mother of a friend, Kevin Cowens, and his brother Kenneth.

The history was so vivid and vibrant.

We get syrupy about “Hidden Figures” from all over and know little about the heroes and sheroes who grew up in our own back yard.

Mrs. French L. Cowens was born

French L. Jackson to Willie Mae and Willis Jackson in Gladewater, Texas.

She grew up in old North Central Dallas. As a little girl, she would walk to church on Sundays by herself to St. John’s Baptist Church.

On her way to St. John, caught the attention of sisters at the Sacred Heart of Mary convent from St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church across the street. They were so impressed with the little girl they asked her mother if she could attend St. Peters academy and live in the convent tuition-free. Her mother gave permission, and she was raised there. She went to daily mass, communion, and evening vespers daily. She excelled in academics and graduated at age 16 from high school with honors.

She attended the Xavier University School of Pharmacy in New Orleans.

She completed the demanding fiveyear pharmacy program in three and 1/2 years with honors. She pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and become president of the Pharmacy

Club. She was crowned, Miss Xavier (homecoming queen) in 1948.

After graduation from Xavier, French L. faced a dilemma. She was only 20 years old and too young to take the State Pharmacy Board. The required age was 21. She worked menial jobs for six months until she could take the Louisiana Pharmacy Board and passed. Upon returning to Texas, she faced the challenge of finding a pharmacy position. In the early 1950s, this qualified young African American woman could not get a job as a pharmacist in Dallas, Texas.

In the meantime, she began teaching Chemistry, Biology, and Algebra at Dallas Booker T. Washington High School. There she met and married Edward L. Cowens and had two sons. The Pharmacy Administrator at St. Paul’s hospital (Sister Florence) hired Mrs. Cowens to run the pharmacy on the 3-11 shift for the 700-bed hospital. She would work alone, and she would arrive 45 minutes after the dayshift personnel

left so they would not know she was Black.

One day a white pharmacist from the day shift made a medication error. An irate surgeon went to the pharmacy that evening to confront the pharmacist. To his surprise, he found Mrs. Cowens running the pharmacy, and the secret was out. Because her work was so impeccable, she was not terminated because of her race. She resigned after a newly graduated young White male pharmacist was hired to be her supervisor, and she was instructed to teach him his job.

Mrs. Cowens continued to pray. She opened a neighborhood pharmacy in North Central Dallas while teaching at her alma mater, S. Peters Academy. There she taught high school Chemistry and Biology.

She served as a powerful role model for hundreds of African American students. She was a practicing pharmacist at various outlets in the Dallas Fort Worth area. In 1964, the Forest Avenue Hospital was opened

by three Black physicians and a Black entrepreneur, and she became the Director of Pharmacy.

It was her dream position.

The tiny 65-bed facility provided medical care to over 65,000 Black and Hispanic patients in the South Dallas area. She operated the Forest Avenue Pharmacy until shortly before its closure in 1979. Mrs. French L. Cowens was the first African American woman in the State of Texas to practice pharmacy.

Mrs. Cowens lived a life of courage and hard work. She bore great love for her family and her people. She referred to racial discrimination as “the civil war.” She fought it! And her sons; they both became medical doctors.

Everybody else resurrects the best part of their history. Why should we keep burying ours?

(Thanks to Dr. Kevin Cowens for sharing your mom with us…again)

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

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Just what will Tomorrow bring for us?

WHAT’S ON MILES’ MIND

By Miles Jaye Yesterday, I, like the rest of the digitally and broadcast connected world, watched and waited for the Derrick Chauvin verdict-- a verdict vigil. That, after nearly a year of waiting for the trial to take place. We listened to just shy of two weeks of testimony. We heard 11 days of the prosecution’s 38 witnesses, much of it, heart wrenching and highly emotional, much of it, highly technical, scientific and procedural. We heard a mere 2 days of the defense counsel’s 7 witnesses, much of it aggravating, much of it boring. Surprisingly, it took the members of the jury, 6 white (2 men, 4 women), 4 black (3 men, 1 woman), and 2 multi-racial (both women), only 10 hours to reach a unanimous verdict. And we waited for the reading of the 3-part decision.

Waiting is something Black folks are very familiar with. If you were raised in the church, as I was, you learned the meaning of tarrying at an early age. You may not have had a full appreciation of the Biblical context, but you knew it meant to wait. You knew about waiting on the Lord.

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) As we grew older, we heard phrases like, good things come to those who wait and fools rush in where angels fear to tread-both meaning, slow down and wait. We’re accustomed to waiting for anything of value and

importance, but we were told that yesterday’s decision was a potential game changer.

They said a guilty verdict would be pivotal as it was a likely catalyst for change-- not just in Minnesota, but across the U.S. and throughout the world, a world which had been watching murder after murder of unarmed black men in America go unpunished. Black folks have been waiting on justice since long before Civil Rights was a movement, so as I waited, I couldn’t help but anxiously wonder, and nervously speculate about tomorrow.

Would tomorrow usher in the end of the white superiority ethos in law enforcement communities?

Would tomorrow call for the end of a history of highly charged police aggression towards black men? Would tomorrow bring in the ringing of the church bells for the death of America’s systemic racism?

Will tomorrow sound a trumpet blast, a clarion call for all to hear, across America’s urban centers and small towns, signifying that from this day forward, a zero-tolerance justice system will not allow a city cop, or a sheriff’s deputy to operate as judge, jury and executioner?

Wounded, scarred, and battle weary, yesterday, I was reluctant to celebrate the promise of freedom.

No high fives, no fist bumps, and as much as I would have loved to dance in the streets and fill the night air with fireworks, I was still numb from previous acquittals, and frankly, stunned by a verdict I never thought we would hear. What would I have been celebrating? We’re down 50 points in the 4th quarter and we score a goal?

Would I have been celebrating a single victorious battle in

a long-standing war, a war for equality that has left my people in a constant and dismal state of PTSD? Would tomorrow’s dawn bring with it a future where I feel safe and equal as I go about my days and go about my ways amongst white people, predisposed to viewing me as a threat-- as dangerous?

Well, today is tomorrow, and I don’t feel the difference. I don’t feel any more hopeful or optimistic.

In fact, I’m waiting for the backlash from folks whose reaction to the verdict was outrage and indignance. Those who sought to try George for his own murder and are now seeking justice for Derrick.

They are some of the same folks who cheered for George Zimmerman’s acquittal. I would be naïve to believe the January 6th insurrectionists are taking this loss lying down. The money is flowing into the coffers of former President Trump and his minions throughout the Republican party. Their armies of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers remain ready, still standing by, waiting for their next call to action. I’m confident that the events of yesterday, with all of our celebrations and collective tears of joy, will only serve to bolster and motivate the cause of the hateful. I can only wait and wonder what tomorrow will bring. Perhaps tomorrow will bring significant policing reform ending Choke Holds, No Knock Warrants and Qualified Immunity, to begin, but I’m not hopeful, nor am I optimistic. I hope I’m proven wrong.

I’ll have to wait and see.

That’s what’s on my mind.

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

Revitalize South Dallas Coalition April 29, 2021 – May 8, 2021 Verify details w/sponsors. RSDC does not sponsor these events Developing Public Speaking Skills: Virtual Workshop Thursday, April 29, 2021; 11:30am – 1pm. Charlene Burroughs and Lawana Porter, Toastmasters officials, will discuss the “Do’s & Don’ts” of public speaking; review the benefits of joining Toastmasters; and field questions from the audience.

Sponsor: Zan Holmes Community Outreach Center’s Lunch & Learn Series. Contact: jasmine.anderson@zwhjcoc. org.

Register: https://www. zwhjcoc.org/classes.

Virtual Sneak Peek: DART’s Proposed Bus System Redesign Thursday, April 29, 2021; 12noon – 1pm. By early 2022, DART will implement a totally redesigned bus-route system.

Routes have not been finalized.

Your feedback is still needed.

At the virtual sneak peek.

DART’s Rob Smith, Planning & Development, and other DART staff will discuss the redesign and get your feedback.

Contact: serviceplanning@ DAR T.org.

Tune in: www.facebook.com/ DARTDallas/Dallas/ or https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=pc9lW1t0aUs MLK Food Park Fri – Sun, April 30 – May 2nd.

Friday, 6pm – 8pm; Sat/Sun, 11am – 2pm; 1611 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, 75215. Free. Food can be purchased. This is a popup business incubator that tests the South Dallas community’s appetite for innovative food and entertainment options. Drop-in for fun and camaraderie.

Info: www.betterblock.org/mlk foodpark 2021 Congressional Art Competition Submission Deadline: Friday, April 30, 2021. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson hosts

this competition for any high school student within District 30. Formats: collages, computer generated; drawings; mixedmedia; paintings; prints, photography. Art must be submitted digitally.

Contact: Susan Zeb; 214-9228885.

Digital Submission: https:// forms.gle/GMWQAuKi2BzRd4 MD9 Real Estate Boot Camp: For Community Investors Application Deadline: Monday, May 3, 2021. Free! Topics: Stages of Development; Players; Market, Site & Financial Analysis; and Project Success.

Sponsor: The Real Estate Council. Virtual Course Dates: May 27th; June 3rd; June 8th; June 15th; June 22nd.

Contact: Ms Mims: 214-6923604.

Register: https://Recouncil. com/Bootcamp Housing Non-Profit Certification Program: Virtual Info Session Tuesday, May 4, 2021; 3pm. In 2009, The Texas Legislature passed a law giving municipalities the authority to file lawsuits against owners of properties that pose health and safety risks, like drug houses.

The law also allows housing organizations to sue if they are “certified” by the City. The City is exploring the creation of such a certification program.

Contact: Jill Haning, 214-6700622, or jill.haning@dallascity hall.com.

“Magnificent Mom’s Day Experience” Saturday, May 8, 2021; 10am – 12noon; MLK, Jr Center, 2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd, 75215 (Mural & Stage Area). Free. In honor of Mother’s Day, the Center and LIRA Group host free shopping for health & beauty products, motivational presentations, and affirmations of motherhood.

Contact: 214-670-8418.

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Virtual and liVe Community Calendar National Financial Literacy Month Alcohol Awareness Month Autism Awareness Month Now-May 16 Jubilee Theatre Presents Pooled by Moses T. Alexander Green. Tickets: Box Office if you have any questions, Tuesday-Friday 12pm-5p as 817 338-4411.

April 29 Happy Birthday to Valerie Fields-Hill Happy Birthday to Rebecca Aguilar

AARP Texas Meditation Series: Meditation for Better Sleep. Reg: https://bit.ly/3dswZtO. 9-10 pm. CDT. Texas College Athletic Fundraiser KickOff. Cowboy Legend, Greg Ellis at Network Bar, 331 Singleton Blvd. 6:30-8:30 pm. Must RSVP: espy.lolwilson@gmail.com.

April 30 From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed.11 am -1 pm. CST, Fridays on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

The Bald Truth - My Journey From Victim To Survivor Documentary Premiere. Event by Angela Chatman, The Bald Truth. Free via Eventbrite.com. 6-8 pm.

Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, A Hard Conversation with Anne Miskey and Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew MDHADALLAS. org. Go to: https://bit.ly/2RJjGgd. 12 pm. CDT. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson hosts the Congressional Art Competition for high school students. Submission: bit. ly/3utJPOf. Info: Susan Zeb 214-922-8885.

“Soul Line Dance” Virtual Dance Sessions.

Event by BE Creative Arts Center Tickets: https://bit.ly/3tXSHvD 4-5 pm. CDT. Tomea’s Diva Tribute “Patti LaBelle” Host The Attache Cigar, 4099 W. Camp Wisdom #101. 9 pm. CDT. Tickets $15: https://bit. ly/2S9gKcY.

May 1-Aug 8 Dallas Arboretum Presents the Return of ZimSculpt. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Rd. Purchase Tickets: https:// bit.ly/32wrhkw 9 am-5 pm. daily.

May 1 AARP Texas Meditation Series: Meditation for How to Meditate. Reg: https:// bit.ly/3dswZtO. 2-3 pm. CDT. The Red Hats and Heels Virtual Gospel Tea. Guest Speaker, Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd. Host Southwest Dallas County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Reg. & Pay at: https://bit.ly/2QAS4sS. 11 am-12 pm.

GAAP Grant Writing Training Virtual Workshop. Reg & Pay: www.gaapgrants.org Contact Annette for details at 214-4974260. 8:30 am-1 pm.

The Real Trap Yoga Fort Worth Texas, host The Real Trap Yoga at The Yard, 3017 Morton St. Ft. Worth, 10 am CDT. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Mother and Son Dance, Event by City of DeSoto Parks & Recreation Department, at DeSoto Civic Center, 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd. Tickets: bit.ly/3fLH8U3. 4:30-6:30 pm.

May 2 The World According to Drew, host Andrew Whigham, III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8-10 am. It’s thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news commentary. Join the call at 646-200-0459.

Ubuntu Market for Small Business. Hosted

by Pan African Connection, 4466 Marsalis, Dallas. 12-5 pm. For vendor Info: Email: adjwoahogue@yahoo.com Or call 214-9438262.

Sunday Drum Circle. Hosted by Pan African Connection, 4466 Marsalis, Dallas. 2:30-4:30 pm. Email: Panafric@airmail.net.

May3 AARP Texas Meditation Series: Meditation for Healing. Reg: https://bit. ly/3dswZtO. 6-7 pm. CDT.

May 4 THE DOC SHEP SPEAKS SHOW! With Dr. Felicia Shepherd. From 11 am. CST on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, @fnsconsulting, and You Tube @docshepspeaks Skill Up with IBM: Get the job you want Online Event. Host Open P-Tech. Reg: Eventbrite.com 3 pm. CDT.

The Jirah Nicole Show with Jirah Nicole Mickle. From 11 am-1 pm. CST Tuesday’s on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com. Call in and join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed. 11 am -1 pm. CST, Fridays on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

Opportunities for Minority, Veteran and Women-Owned Small Businesses, host Shasta Cascade SBDC. Eventbrite.com.

12-1 pm. CDT.

M.A.D.E. Dallas, Makers-Artisans-Designers-Eats. Hosted by Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S. Harwood. 4-8 pm.

May 5

May 8

Cinco De Mayo

Raheem DeVaughn at Fair Park Music Hall, 909 1st Ave. 8 pm. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com.

Empower Hour 2021. Host Brem Foundation, celebrating 15 years of fighting Breast Cancer Together. Reg: www.bremfoundation.com. 5 pm. CDT. I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade. From 11 am -1 pm. CST On Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com. Call in and join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

Ask Dr. Amerson with Dr. Linda Amerson.12 pm. CST @DFWiRadio.com, and Live on Facebook @DrLindaAmerson AARP Texas Meditation Series: Meditation for Older Adults. Reg: https:// bit.ly/3dswZtO. 6-7 pm. CDT. 5 de Parques: Anita Martinez Rec Center, 3212 N. Winnetka Ave. Dallas. 6:30 pm. FREE drive-in performance. Must reg: https://bit.ly/3anczjX. Crisis in Indian Country: Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women. Event by Native News Online: On Native News Online/ FB Live. 7 pm.

Nelly Live at Lava Cantina, 5805 Grandscape Blvd. The Colony. 7-10-pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3gJNnbw Biggest Cinco de Mayo in Fort Worth. Host Landmark Kitchen and Bar, 3008 Bledsoe St. 4 pm-2 am.

May 6 Developing and Leading Multi-Ethnic Congregations: A Black Church Choice.

Host: Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Daniels, Jr. Host The Centre for Prophetic Activism. prophetic-activism.org.11:45am-1:15 pm.

AARP Texas Meditation Series: Meditation for Better Sleep. Reg: https:// bit.ly/3dswZtO. 9-10 pm. CDT.

May 7 Happy Birthday to Dr. Stacia Alexander

AARP Texas Meditation Series: Meditation for How to Meditate. Reg: https://bit.ly/3dswZtO. 2-3 pm. CDT. Crackin Jokes Catchin Chuckles Live Band And Comedy: at The Vault Arcade, 901 S. Polk St. #370. Tickets: Cash.me/ CracknJokes. Opens at 5:30 pm.

Cece Winans Livestream Concert From Hampton! 6-10 pm. CDT. @cecewinansaneveningofthanksgiving - Concert Tour. Online with Facebook Live.

May 9 The World According to Drew, host Andrew Whigham, III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8-10 am. It’s thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news commentary. Join the call at 646200-0459.

Sunday Drum Circle. Hosted by Pan African Connection, 4466 Marsalis, Dallas. 2:304:30 pm. Email: Panafric@airmail.net.

Taste of the Bishop Arts District Tour, Host Dallas Bites and Sights Food Tours at Hunky’s Old Fashioned hamburgers, 321 N. Bishop Ave. 1-4:30 pm. Tickets: www.dallasbychocolate.com.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

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Top Ladies of Distinction continue to serve

In Spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trinity West Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. continued to serve the Dallas community in all 5 of the organization’s Major Thrust (Top Teens, Status of Women, Senior Citizens, Community Partnership and Community Beautification) and National Projects (TLOD Literacy, NAACP, UNCF, NCNW and Sickle Cell). President Lady Brenda King-Murphy

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A life of service

city seats of power and leading protests in the streets of Dallas’ underserved communities. In a future Part II of this column, we will explore Ragsdale’s assessment of her past contributions and her plans for adding more.

ICDC’s mission was and is to improve the quality of life in that underserved community by building affordable homes for families, helping residents find and prepare themselves for jobs, improving their education, and providing better business services through economic development. ICDC implemented its plans by partnering with other nonprofits, agencies and residents that can help provide these specific needs.

Ragsdale stressed the importance of acknowledging how others helped implement her original vision for ICDC. That vision began with a detailed land-use and zoning plan, using much of what she learned in earlier years when she was ap-

Ragsdale with Marvin Crenshaw, Bobbie Seale, and Fahim Minkah. Seale is National Black Panther Party co-founder. Crenshaw and Minkah are Dallas Panther Party members.

Diane Ragsdale as Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

pointed to the Dallas City Plan Commission. She expressed gratitude for others who helped implement the ICDC plan and hired managers and staff.

Ragsdale played various roles, including as a volunteer, and finally in 2005 took the helm as managing director and founder.

“I was the visionary founder,” she stressed. “I want to show respect for others who were keenly involved.”

After retirement, Ragsdale says she wants to focus on areas of leadership that are vital, particularly in nonprofit leadership, but that often gets smothered under the day-today grind of keeping an operation afloat; that is, managing people, making payroll, raising funds, and such.

But when serving a community of people, where making their lives better is your goal, policy and advocacy are paramount, she says.

“My focus will be a new position as volunteer chair of policy and advocacy,” she announced.

In that role she seeks to create

ways to transform old operating guidelines of people-serving entities that obviously do not work and advocate for changes that will work.

At ICDC, she will have more freedom to advocate on behalf of the nonprofit and space to consult and advise without daily pressures of management.

Beyond ICDC, she said she can see herself tackling nagging community issues that beg for attention. Poor relationships between police departments and people in underserved communities is a prime example, she suggests. This column’s Part II will further explore that idea.

ICDC board member Thomas Muhammad recounted many ICDC achievements he said Ragsdale facilitated: He said it set national trends for low- to moderate-income homeowners; earned a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) award for housing models that led the nation; was key in holding Dallas Police accountable for unjustified fatal shootings;

helped sponsor neighborhood safety workshops and helped set up neighborhood associations for safety; brought banks to the area for the first time; led the way to creating the South Dallas Fair Park Trust Fund that helps businesses in under-served areas before the fund ended early. At last count, Muhammad said ICDC had constructed about 400 homes in its target area. He gave Ragsdale major credit, saying her integrity, community compassion, and political sense were key.

“Diane was the force behind so many of these accomplishments,” Muhammad said. “She was a champion. You could not buy her and you could not scare her.”

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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Mortal Kombat I am ashamed of my sister

special effects a plus

ASK ALMA

By Alma Gill

AT THE MOVIES

By Hollywood Hernandez MORTAL KOMBAT has been on life support since 1997 with a version of the film that was universally hated by critics and MORTAL KOMBAT fans.

A third MORTAL KOMBAT script languished in movie hell until Australian director Simon McQuoid had his name attached to the project in 2015.

McQuoid first made a name for himself directing commercials, one of which was a 2011 spot for Play Station which brought together some of the games greatest characters. That earned him a shot at directing the movie.

MORTAL KOMBAT goes back to the basics as it tries to reboot the series and continue

with the movie franchise. It appears that he achieved his goal.

In his first feature film he brings back a lot of the original characters from the game, like Sub-Zero and Scorpion. The premise of the film is that the earth’s fighters are locked into a series of MMA battles with fighters from another planet called, Outworld. If Outworld wins the battle they will also win the rights to takeover our realm. They currently lead the battle nine matches to 1.

The story of the movie was a little confusing but the special effects and the gory fight scenes redeem the film. It’s rated R for some intense violence and lasts just under two hours. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” MORTAL KOMBAT rates a LARGE. It’s showing at theaters and streaming on HBO/Max.

Dear Alma, My younger, non-married sister is pregnant and she is going to ruin our standing in the community. I don’t know what she is thinking or how she could let this happen. She is only thinking about herself and being totally selfish. My father is the pastor of a very large church. My parents are very strong leaders, loving and supportive parents who taught us to be ambitious. I will graduate from college this year with a business degree and plan to return to assist my parents in the ministry.

My brother is a sophomore in college, majoring in architecture. And here comes my baby sister, a high school junior, pregnant. I just can’t believe her. After she told my parents, my mother called my brother and me to let us know. I immediately rushed home and could see the pain and trauma on my mother’s face. This is the worst thing that could ever happen to my family and I’m not sure if we can recover. I am so angry right now, I just cannot speak.

Help me to explain to her that she has ruined, ruined our family. And Alma, how can I assist my parents in this terrible situation?

Signed A Sistah’s Shame Dear Sistah’s Shame, You know what, I need you to turn all the way around and sit yourself down. I hear your story and I see where you’re coming from, but you need to slow your roll and calm down. Let’s realistically review what your sister’s pregnancy is – unplanned, sure, unexpected, yep, traumatic…Aaah, I don’t think so.

Fortunately for your family, this isn’t your problem to solve. This situation will be managed between your

parents and your sister. I know it’s hard for you to believe or perceive, but your sister’s pregnancy is a mere pimple on the face of your family. A pothole on your kinfolk’s path of perfection. Does that make it right? No, but it does make it better than most. Without a doubt, your parents will see your sister to the finish line. She will be provided with support, reassurance, medical treatment, food and shelter.

You’re suffering from embarrassment, sweet pea, and there’s no need to call the doctor, because it won’t kill you. If you can’t offer the love and support that’s needed at this time, step back, and allow yourself to be seen and not heard. For the next nine months, this isn’t about you or your parents, it’s about your little sister.

Here’s a newsflash: From our problematic projects to our pretentious gated communities, every family in America is hosting homemade shickity behind closed doors. Yours isn’t immune. Don’t let your child’s eye view of various manicured lawns dupe you.

A young, single woman who finds out she’s pregnant without support is hopeless, heartbreaking and traumatic.

Have a heart to heart talk with you mom and let her know how you feel. She’ll reassure you that these feelings of disappointment will pass, and your family will rise to the occasion, continuing to be and serve as an example of forgiveness and love of family. Once you and your family lock eyes with that petite package of sweet baby smiles, you’ll feel more than just joy in the morning.

Alma

Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@gmail. com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and twitter @almaaskalma.

Hubert contemplated suicide after ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’

felt so broken. So low. I didn’t know what I could do. There were moments RollingOut.com where I wanted to die. I Will Smith and Janet figured I had a life insurHubert publicly ended ance policy to take care of their long-standing feud my son… I’m not gonna last November when they do this.

I can’t do this. I can’t both were part of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air make it, this is too much.

Reunion” show, which ‘Cause everywhere I went first debuted on HBO people would attack and say hurtful things. [My Max. Hubert was the orig- son] was an infant. What inal “Aunt Viv” on the was I gonna do?”

Fortunately for Hubert, classic comedy series for three years before be- she had something else to ing replaced by Daphne fight for. “He saved me. He really did. My Maxwell Reid. son. Because After her deI knew I had parture from to take care of the show, Huthat little boy,” bert’s career she further and personal explained to life were in PopViewers. shambles and “‘Fresh Prince’ she and Smith had not gone traded jobs Janet Hubert into syndicathroughout the years before their rec- tion yet, so there was no money for a few years onciliation.

“You’re only as good as until they did enough epthe last job you ever did. isodes to make syndicaWe also know that you tion.

I was in the third season can make money [and] the next day you can have negotiating for the fourth no money,” she explained season. It was hard. There to PopViewers about her were moments when I felt so broken. So low. I downward spiral.

“I also had just opened didn’t know what I could up a studio, signed a 10- do. There were moments year lease at like $60,000 where I wanted to die.”

The veteran actress has to $100,000 worth of equipment, had a fran- bounced back howevchise to develop…I not er and will be starring in only had a house, a mort- the upcoming film Regage, a husband who member Me: The Mahalia wasn’t working at the Jackson Story. The film time, I also had a business will also star Ledisi as the and a baby, an infant who famed gospel singer and Columbus Short as Dr. needed me desperately.”

Hubert also revealed in Martin Luther King, Jr. Check out her interview the interview that she contemplated suicide after with PopViewers Chris the show ended because Witherspoon on the next of the negative comments page. towards her and a feeling The post Janet Hubert of being blackballed and contemplated suicide after labeled “difficult.” leaving ‘The Fresh Prince of “It was hard. There Bel-Air’ appeared first on were moments when I Rolling Out.

By Michael “Ice-Blue” Harris

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Nation of Islam Clarifies Capitol Attacker Not a Member and Condemns Violence The Nation of Islam has clarified and contradicted mainstream media reports that erroneously identified the individual who recently attacked the U.S. Capitol as one of its members. In a statement to the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the trade association of the 230-member Black Press of America, officials at the Nation of Islam said Noah Green, who killed a police officer in the attack and died from injuries sustained during his action, was not a member of the Nation of Islam. The organization also denounced the violent attack, noting that its members and leaders are appalled by violence that occurred at the U.S. Capitol last week.

Here is the full statement from the Nation of Islam:

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Brothers and Sisters of the Black Community, members of the press, and the American People: We have prepared this statement to answer some of the many inquiries that we have had over the last few days about Mr. Noah Green. Naturally, we, like most of you, were disturbed watching the news of an assault on the U.S. Capitol where one police officer was killed, one was injured, and Mr. Green was killed.

We speak on behalf of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the members of his family, all of the registered Muslim members of the Nation of Islam, and all people of good will everywhere, in that, we are in sympathy with the victims of this tragedy. And we are in sympathy with the families of these victims. And we, like you, can only offer them condolences and our deepest sympathy for their loss.

Our prayers are for the full recovery of the officer who was injured.

The Nation of Islam has no history of violence against the government.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement are all well aware of our history.

We have held four national marches, including the Historic 1995 Million Man March, which we know to be one of the largest gatherings in the history of the United States of America and the most peaceful on the U.S. Capitol grounds.

We had a good working relationship with the U.S. Capitol police during each of these historic events.

It is being reported that Noah Green was a “follower” of the Nation of Islam.

This young man, Noah Green, we believe may have attended our Saviours’ Day convention in Detroit, MI in February 2020.

In March of 2020, due to the COVID 19 pandemic, we closed our Mosques, and began conducting meetings and classes remotely. A search of our records indicates Noah Green was not a registered member of the Nation of Islam.

It appears that in late summer (AugustSeptember) of 2020, he started the process to begin his study to become a member, but he did not complete the process.

He did make a donation to the Saviours’ Day Gift. Every year, the followers and supporters make a charitable donation to the Nation of Islam’s Saviours’ Day Gift charity. Every donor who makes a donation of $1000 or more is issued a Certificate of Completion. This certificate does not establish that the donor is a member in good standing in the Nation of Islam.

Mr. Noah Green’s alleged use of an automobile as a weapon and the alleged possession of a knife as reported, violates our teachings.

We absolutely disavow this act that resulted in the senseless loss of life. It is shocking for us to learn that someone who was attempting to be a part of our ranks may have been involved in something as tragic as this.

But we respectfully say to the members of the media and to the American people, Timothy McVeigh confessed that he was a Christian, but nobody blames the church for his misconduct.

No one would blame Jesus or their pastor for unlawful and immoral behavior that is contrary to the teachings of Jesus. You have criminals, people that do horrific things, but we never know their religion. It’s not important because religion does not teach criminal behavior.

Criminal behavior is an aberration.

Criminal behavior is a violation.

Criminal behavior is absolute rebellion

Mr. Noah Green’s alleged use of an automobile as a weapon and the alleged possession of a knife as reported, violates our teachings. We absolutely disavow this act that resulted in the senseless loss of life.

It is shocking for us to learn that someone who was attempting to be a part of our ranks may have been involved in something as tragic as this. Credit: NNPA BLACKPRESS

toward what God teaches through the mouth of His prophets.

When thousands of American citizens engaged in an attempted insurrection, attacking the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, resulting in the deaths of five persons and injuring many, the news media did not question what their religion was.

Nowhere in the teachings of Islam, nowhere in the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, could we countenance any man taking the life of an innocent human being. For us, human life is sacred.

And the violation of human life is a violation of God, Himself, because He’s the giver of life and He’s the ultimate cause of death. But He doesn’t give us the right to kill innocent people. That is against our law.

We are taught “to never be the aggressor in word or in deed,” for Allah (God) hates aggression and is not with the aggressor.

This is our teaching. In fact, all of us who are members of the Nation of Islam have been instructed not to carry any weapons—not so much as a penknife— not on our persons and not in our homes.

We do not rely on weapons of war to defend us. We rely on our belief and our faith in Allah (God).

We condemn the wicked mischaracterization of some media reports trying to tie this tragic incident to the teachings of the Nation of Islam and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, and all people of good will should do the

same as well.

So, most of us, like you, are questioning why would this young man allegedly do such an act? If he did, what happened to him? What caused this? The family released a statement published in the Washington Post saying of Noah Green, he “was not a terrorist by any means.”

He had been studying for his master’s degree in business administration but had also suffered from “depression and potential mental illness.”

It has also been reported in an article from CNN, that he shared on social media, “I have suffered multiple home break-ins, food poisoning, assaults, unauthorized operations in the hospital, mind control.”

This young man had struggled in his early life but overcame much as a student to graduate with a degree in finance.

He had a wonderful, noble idea to help the black and brown people through his knowledge of finance. “I am sure,” Minister Farrakhan states, “had he been blessed to come through the crisis that he was going through, he would have been a star in the mission of the resurrection of our people. We need to know what happened to our brother.”

So, our research is continuing into what happened to this young man and we cannot rest until we find out what caused him to take a turn like this. We are saddened by the loss of this brother with such great potential.

With heavy hearts we offer sympathy and condolences to his mother, father, family and friends.

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Murders from page 1

Andrew Brown Jr. was killed Wednesday by Elizabeth City, NC deputies serving drug-related search and arrest warrants. His son watched as Mr. Brown was shot attempting to drive away. Seven deputies are on paid leave, pending an investigation.

the Derek Chauvin trial notified officials that they had reached a verdict that many felt could have led to potentially more if not the same level of outrage and civil rights protests that followed the seven days of deliberation when on April 29, 1992 four Los Angeles police officers were acquitted in the brutal beating Rodney King.

There were similarities in the cases in that White officers were on trial and critics wondered who jurors were going to believe: their lying eyes or the lying police officers. MR. King survived the beating, however Mr. Floyd died on May 25, 2020.

Mr. Chauvin was the first to stand trial, following the death of Mr. Floyd, who millions watched around the world as he called for his mother and told the officers he couldn’t breathe.

Jurors continuously watched the video where Mr. Chauvin’s knee remained on Floyd’s knee for approximately nine minutes and 29 seconds.

Were the jurors sending a message when they came to a unanimous decision after nine hours and 20-plus minutes, some ask? After all for weeks they kept hearing about nine minutes and 29 seconds.

In his opening statement, prosecutor Jerry W. Blackwell, told jurors, “The most important numbers you will hear in this trial are nine, two, nine.

What happened in those nine minutes and 29 seconds when Mr. Derek Chauvin was applying this excess force to the body of Mr. George Floyd.”

While some called the conviction of Mr. Chauvin, “justice,” others said the verdict was “bittersweet” as still there have been numerous shootings of Black people since and President Joe Biden reaffirmed the verdict, saying, “It was a murder in the full light of day and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism. This can be a giant step forward in the march toward justice in America.”

Sunday, April 11, 20-year-old Daunte Wright, was fatally shot by a police officer in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center. The officer, Kimberly Potter, a 26-year veteran said she mistook her Taser for her service revolver and she has since resigned. She was charged with second-degree manslaughter, booked into the Hennepin County Jail and released on $100,000 bail.

For Malik Aziz, who retired from the Dallas Police Department as a Deputy Chief, and now heads the Prince George’s County, Maryland Police Department, there is an overall feeling that “that due process was followed and justice prevailed.”

Chief Aziz said, “A nation breathes easier knowing that there is hope for those who have been disenfranchised. I have not heard from any police officer that believed what happened to George Floyd was justified.”

Because there were several officers who testified that George Floyd’s death was a case of unnecessary force on an arrested person who was handcuffed, on his stomach, and defenseless for at least 9 minutes and 26 seconds, the graduate of UTA and UTD said those actions signal a vibrant ray of hope for police-community relations.

He continued, “While I believe justice prevailed I remain convinced that polarization between police and community will remain. The challenges will and should be confronted head on.”

And he is optimistic about his future in PGC, as he brings a message for the department and community.

“The verdict should not mark celebration or anger, but deep reflection, intelligence, and courage to challenge the negative institutional and structural constructs that separate us,” he said. “I will tell my officers and police in my circle to remain steadfast. Hold to what is correct and rely on training and common sense. This job requires both.”

Chief Aziz, who led the National Black Police Association, was twice a finalist for Dallas Chief of Police. Highly sought-after, he caught the attention of several city leaders across the country. Respected by many officers and law enforcement organizations, the David W. Carter High School graduate even had support from local members of the New Black Panther Party and the Next Generation Action Network; who fought for oversight and supported community policing.

Mutual respect was important to Chief Aziz and he will be leading the charge wherever he goes. He knows that everyone does not feel safe or that they are treated fairly, so there’s work across the country and the verdict could be the starting point.

Maybe.

Maria Gonzales was at home in North Dallas waiting for the verdict to be handed down by the jury. She was surprised the

jury made a decision in a short time and she was satisfied with the outcome.

“I do love the police, but not at the point that brutality or murder is involved. Yes, Mr. Floyd had counterfeit money and yes, he had been high on drugs. That does not give the police a license to kill.”

And her sentiments were echoed by others.

“I watched most of the trial and cried when they showed the videos of Mr. Floyd,” said Sandra Garcia who watched the trial while working from her North Fort Worth home. She said she believed the jury saw what she saw, an ex-police officer with no feelings. “He showed no remorse during the trial or when the verdict was read.”

Chief Aziz’s message should resonate wide and far, especially if there is going to be a change.

Sadly, however the murders continue. Since Black men and women are being told to “stop resisting, don’t do drugs and commit crimes and they are still getting killed, social media is ablaze with folks looking for solutions. Some say it begins with training and how police unfairly treat “so-called minorities.”

Meanwhile the chief says he is telling his officers to ”to embrace honor, integrity, courage, ethics, and the humanity that this noble profession embodies.

I will tell them to push back on all things unethical, immoral, and illegal. Lastly I would tell them to make a difference.”

• Vol-9

Are we really in a race against the COVID-19 variants?

Over the course of a year, we have experienced the ups and downs of the COVID-19 pandemic – from fear to frustration, loss to hope.

Even the excitement surrounding the delivery of highly effective COVID-19 vaccines has been tempered somewhat by the emergence of several variants of the SARS-CoV2 virus that were first identified in the U.K., South Africa, and Brazil.

As these variants have spread around the world, some scientists and news outlets have warned we are now in a race to vaccinate enough people before the constantly evolving virus eludes the immune responses created by vaccines. How much of a race we are in remains unclear.

Viruses have been mutating for millions of years, and we knew SARS-CoV2 would likely produce thousands of variants, most of which have little to no impact on the severity of disease in humans. For the few variants that do have the potential to increase transmissibility or skirt some of the antibodies created by vaccines, sequencing becomes a critical public health tool so we can monitor them it in real time and respond quickly if needed.

We are doing some of that important work here at UT Southwestern, and recently I joined Dr. John Warner, Executive Vice President for Health System Affairs, to discuss this topic of variants on his video series “What to Know.” Below is an edited transcript of our discussion, with some updates on the evolution of the variants.

What is a COVID-19 variant and why should we be concerned about them?

Viruses, particularly RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2, evolve and when they do, they make mistakes or typos in their genetic code. That’s totally normal and expected. We see that with other viruses such as influenza, and that’s one of the reasons we get a yearly vaccine for flu because the virus is constantly changing.

The same is true for the virus that causes COVID-19, and these genetic changes create what we call variants. Sometimes variants are completely inconsequential. And sometimes they impact how the virus is transmitted. The variants we’ve been seeing lately fall into that category and raise questions about what it means to have them circulating in the community.

How many variants are we seeing and what are the differences between them?

Thousands of variants have already been documented. The U.K. variant has been in the news a lot partly because of how rapidly it has been detected there and how quickly it has spread. On April 7, the Centers

David Greenberg, M.D. Internal Medicine - Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the U.K. variant, also known as B.1.1.7, has become the dominant strain of the virus in the U.S. The issue with this particular variant, along with those found in Brazil and South Africa, is that they share some common features, but they’re not identical. The worry about all of them is whether this means we’re about to enter a phase where this virus could transmit even more easily.

Do variants cause more severe disease?

Not necessarily. The variant may be a bit more infectious or transmissible because it is able to bind better to cells or enter them more efficiently. Those are characteristics that give the

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variants a small advantage over the original virus. Over time, as more people have been infected, these small differences in the population can become bigger differences. But, so far, the variants haven’t produced more severe COVID-19 illness and the vaccines continue to show high efficacy against these new strains.

What is sequencing and why is it important?

Sequencing, which is essentially decoding the DNA or RNA building blocks of a virus, is being done on a larger scale in the U.S., and it is also happening here in North Texas. I oversee the microbial genomics lab within the Infectious Diseases division at UT Southwestern, and we and others have been doing a lot of sequencing, both from patients within our health system, as well as working with Dallas County to help determine which variants are circulating in North Texas. This can give us an idea of what we’re facing as a community, and what may be emerging in the near future.

Will the vaccines protect people against the variants?

The vaccines should be effective against these variants. The vaccines are designed to target our immune system and generate antibodies against multiple spots in the spike protein of the coronavirus. So, one change isn’t going to dramatically change the efficacy of the vaccine. You would have to have multiple changes. The data so far have shown that these vaccines are already protecting us against the viruses, and while there may be a slight diminishment of how well they protect, in terms of the overall quantity, there’s still plenty of protection to fend off serious COVID-19 illness. These comments relate to the two mRNA vaccines that are currently being widely used in the U.S. Some vaccines there is either not enough data or there are potential problems with giving full protection for certain variants.

Variants of the SARSCoV-2 virus are raising concerns about another surge of COVID-19 cases.

Will vaccines require a booster to enhance effectiveness?

A year out, a lot of the patients that got infected early on still have robust immune responses, but classically coronaviruses are like common cold viruses – your immune response doesn’t last long, maybe a year or two.

So, a booster might be needed.

Several vaccine manufacturers are already working on creating a booster if necessary, but we’re still relatively early in this process and we don’t know how durable immunity will be. A third shot is kind of a hedge in that case.

Will these variants prolong the pandemic?

Over the next few months, we need to stay ahead of any emerging variants and try to keep vaccinating the broader community at a brisk pace. Vaccine supply has increased, and I think that bodes well for all of us. That brings up a couple of really important points, which is first, once a vaccine is available to you, absolutely you should get it. The emergence of these variants should not give you pause about waiting for something different down the road.

We feel confident the (current) vaccines will offer robust

• April 29 - May 5, 2021

13

protection against the current variants.

Second, we need to continue doing the things that protect us from getting and spreading the virus in our own community: social distancing, limiting exposure, wearing a mask, and washing hands. All of those mitigation measures continue to apply, particularly in public places, so as the variants emerge we can keep them from spreading and creating a new surge of cases.

What will see over the next six months in the pandemic?

If the vast majority of people get vaccinated, I think that will go a long way toward ending this pandemic by late summer.

Now, the coronavirus may continue to be with us and, longterm it may necessitate the occasional booster shot. But if we all get vaccinated, then I think we will be returning more toward a pre-pandemic life by the end of summer or early fall if vaccine rollout and production continues to go the way we hope.

Register to get vaccinated As part of our ongoing commitment to an equitable, effective, and efficient vaccination rollout, UT Southwestern offers a convenient online portal where Texans can sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Tracking the variants Dr. David Greenberg, an infectious diseases specialist at UT Southwestern, and Dr. Vineet Menachery, a virologist at UT Medical Branch at Galveston, are tracking the COVID-19 variants – and the vaccines’ response to them. In the Jan. 29 episode of “What to Know,” they discuss the variants’ impact on the pandemic.

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More than 4 in 10 Americans breathe Unhealthy Air, People of Color 3 Times as Likely to Live in Most Polluted Places CHICAGO- A new report from the American Lung Association finds more than 4 in 10 people (135 million) in the U.S. live with polluted air, placing their health and lives at risk. The 22nd annual “State of the Air” report shows that people of color were 61% more likely to live in a county with unhealthy air than white people, and three times more likely to live in a county that failed all three air quality grades.

While the report finds some improvements in the nation’s air quality, it is clear that in many parts of the country climate change is making air quality worse.

“As the 2021 ‘State of the Air’ report shows, communities of color continue to be disproportionately exposed to dangerous

Black Press from page 1

how it is created and distributed as information and commentary from the Black perspective.”

This year marks the 194th anniversary of the Black Press of America and the 81st year of the NNPA, the trade association representing the 230 African American-owned newspapers and media companies that comprise the Black Press of America.

Andrews and her fellow publishers are preparing for the NNPA’s annual summer convention with the theme “Black Press Matters: Trusted Voice, Resilient Vitality, and Transformative Vision.”

The June 23 to June 26 event again will occur virtually this year.

Registration is free, and those interested can sign-up at www.virtualnnpa2021.com.

“The Black Press matters because it is a watchdog over how the stories about Black America are told,” Andrews relayed.

“It is an incubator for news that makes history and impacts our country and our democracy. Its members determine exactly what is news and newsworthy for the Black communities they serve.

They decide what stories must be told and exactly how these stories are to be told as events that impact Black America.”

She continued: “It is an important and crucial role to decide how the current

American Lung Association’s ‘State of the Air’ report finds air quality worsened by climate change, remains environmental justice issue levels of air pollution, resulting in health issues such as asthma-related hospitalizations, heart attacks, strokes and even premature death,” said David Tom Cooke, M.D., FACS, chief of thoracic surgery at UC Davis and a volunteer medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association.

“Everyone has a right to breathe clean air that won’t make them sick or shorten their life. Until our nation addresses this burden on our at-risk communities, especially many Black and Brown Americans, and ensures clean air for everyone, we will not be

able to fully address the health inequities in our nation.”

This year’s “State of the Air” finds that climate change continues to make air pollution worse, with many western communities again experiencing record-breaking spikes in particle pollution largely due to smoke from wildfires. Changing climate patterns fuel wildfires, and also drive warmer temperatures that lead to more ground-level ozone pollution. This degraded air quality threatens everyone, especially children, older adults, pregnant

events of the day are to be remembered as history. It is not just important to have these stories and information recorded about the Black community. It is important who is telling the stories and how authentically those stories mirror the various nuances of Black Life in America. That is why the Black Press remains ‘The Trusted Voice’ of the people it covers. It has never abandoned its purpose for being, even in the face of economic challenges. It is both a ministry of public service and a business endeavor that must sustain itself to deliver news, information, and commentary.”

Like many Black newspaper publishers, Andrews maintained a foothold in the civil rights movement in the 20th century and today.

She and three other students integrated E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Virginia, and participated in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

A U.S. Army veteran, Andrews once served as associate editor of the Army’s Newswire Service at the Pentagon.

The New Journal and Guide has been a member of the Black Press since 1900, just 73 years after the founding of the Black Press in 1827.

“Our future is based on how successfully we navigate the changing ways people today view, receive and value news, especially with the emergence of fast, cheap and easily accessible digital platforms that distribute and exhibit

people, people of color and people living with a lung disease.

New research also shows that air pollution exposure can result in worse health outcomes from COVID-19. As the nation continues to respond to the pandemic and its disproportionate burden on hard-hit communities of color, reducing air pollution is critical for respiratory health now and in the future.

“This report shines a spotlight on the urgent need to curb climate change, clean up air pollution and advance environmental justice,” said American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer. “The nation has a real opportunity to address all three at once – and to do that, we must

‘new,’” Andrews maintained.

While the digital media revolution, or the “Transformative Vision” from print dominance to digital is underway with great merits, Andrews cautioned that digital media and social networking platforms are not held accountable to “truth.”

Nor are they held to the same standards of quality journalism that have been required for print publications, Andrews said.

“Everybody who can put together a sentence can be a ‘citizen journalist’ and too often what is passed as news may be gossip, disinformation or misinformation without consequences,” Andrews warned.

“This competes with legitimate and professional media outlets and challenges them to remain vigilant, whether in print or electronic,” she said.

“As we move increasingly to a world of digital media communications, there is a special consideration for the Black Press to be made for the value of our enduring print publications. We have seen during the coronavirus pandemic that has necessitated the use of virtual communications for teaching, working, and shopping.

It has been the Black community – rural and urban – that was most ill-prepared digitally to respond successfully. Inadequate internet broadband access in underserved urban and rural communities hamper these areas, largely Black and Brown, from participating in the digital world as successfully as better served areas.”

center on health and health equity as we move away from combustion and fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy.”

“Too many people are breathing unhealthy air, and they are disproportionately likely to be people of color,” Wimmer said. “Join us in calling on President Biden to promote environmental justice by prioritizing historically burdened communities for pollution cleanup and to receive the benefits of investments in the transition to electric vehicles and clean, renewable electricity.”

Learn more about “State of the Air” at Lung.org/sota and sign the petition for the Biden Administration to promote clean air, a safe climate and environmental justice.

Biden administration expands USDA summer food program to feed over 30M school kids

By Kelly McCarthy, GMA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new effort on Monday that will feed more than 30 million children over the summer by expanding the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits funded

by President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

Low-income families struggle to put nutritious food on the table during the summer months when school is out of session, so these programs have acted as a lifeline for some families.

The summer food programs on average have reached less than 20% of those fed during the school year, but now the USDA will offer P-EBT benefits to low-income children of all ages.

“The expansion of P-EBT benefits over the summer is a first-ofits-kind, game-changing intervention to reduce child hunger in the United States,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “By providing low-income families with a simple benefit over the summer months, USDA is using an evidenced-based solution to drive down hunger and ensure no child has to miss a meal.”

P-EBT was established in March 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide

families with payment to make up for meals missed when schools were closed. It was originally set to expire on Sept. 30, 2021, but the benefits from the ARP Act are now available for the duration of the summer months.

Previous summer P-EBT pilots proved successful at “reducing severe food insecurity as well as improving the quality of children’s diets,” the USDA said. “Recent research by the Brookings Institute confirms P-EBT also has a measurable impact on food insecurity, decreasing food hardship faced by low-income children by 30% in the week following benefit issuance.”

All children eligible who are eligible for the temporary nutrition benefit will receive an EBT card to be used to purchase food.

Typically, the families of eligible children receive $6.82 per child, per week day, which comes out to roughly $375 per child during the summer.

“Help is here for financially stressed families trying to put food on the table,” Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for USDA’s Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, said. “Our nutrition assistance programs are powerful tools that are critical to America reaching a full and equitable recovery from the pandemic.”

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WITH EACH NEW YEAR The shadows are parting and the New Year brings me hope.

That memories and His grace will help me to cope.

With my loss and your absence and all in between.

Still not understanding what it all means.

Forced into a reality not of my choice.

Often finding myself screaming although I don’t hear my voice.

Comforted by friends and family who can.

Yet, they think my pain should be over because they don’t understand.

How deep my sorrow and

how broken my heart.

My world seems together yet, it’s falling apart.

I’m through it ...

I THINK then, I cry.

I’m over it for sure yet, I sigh.

Each day is something different and I expect tears.

I’ll miss you and love you each day of the New Year.

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