• Vol. 10 • Aug. 11 - 17, 2022
MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER
Ever heard about Sankofa? Saluting the 2020 and 2021 NABJ Honorees
Sankofa is an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana. The literal translation of the word and the symbol is “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” Which brings me to my truth.
In 2020 and 2021 the National Association of Black Journalists honored several distinguished members and chapters and inducted several outstanding people into the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately because of COVID 19, the pomp and circumstance was viewed digitally and without all the personal hugs that add to the special occasion. This year, the hugs were there in Las Vegas; however a part of me wanted to show some love to those who I will not leave behind. I would have gladly shared with these noble men and women. They are dynamic and worthy of all the accolades:
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See 2020 and 2021 NABJ Honorees, page 13
Pages 7-10
State Fair Classic Bounces Back with New Schedule
By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines Cotton candy, healthy cattle, iconic cooked foods, and fancy cars are all things you can count on from the Texas State Fair. The ever-changing and growing phenomenon is the State Fair Classic Football Game. After over four decades of working with the State Farm Classic, Al Wash, president of ALW Entertainment, is making changes to ensure this year’s game has a record attendance. Over the last two years, the pandemic has had an impact on the game’s attendance. “In 2020, we canceled the fall game and did a spring game. Then we had a snowstorm and pipes that burst at the Cotton Bowl. We had to move the game to Arlington to Ranger Stadium, which didn’t work out as well for us,” said Wash.
This year, Wash has made a few changes and he’s pulling out all the stops to have a record attendance. The game will start two hours later at 6:00 PM. This will allow for a pre show kick-off concert at 4:00 PM, with Grammy award-winning singer, Ashanti Douglas. After the game, the New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band will perform. The jazz ensemble has been performing since 1961. All the concerts will be on the City Stage which is right outside of the Cotton Bowl. “Over the years I have seen things happen. When Hurricane Katrina hit, the students had to evacuate from New Orleans. Then, in 2001, when we were preparing for the game, on September 11, there was a terrorist attack and the entire country came to a halt,” said Wash.
Al Wash proudly holds up a poster for the State Fair Classic showing the new game time at 6:00 PM. The pregame kick-off will feature Grammy award winning singer, Ashanti Douglas.
“We have crossed some hurdles that have been devastating for us, but we have always been able to bounce back to become one of the largest black events in Texas under one roof.”
The State Fair Classic has a rich history extending from the first game in the Cotton Bowl in 1925 between the Wiley College Wildcats and the Langston University Lions. Since 1985, the Classic showdown has been between Prairie View A&M University and Grambling State University. Since then, the pair-up between the Panthers and the Tigers has been the major matchup at the State Fair Classic. From the beginning of the pairing of the two teams, Grambling won every game except for one game until this changed in 2009. Many of the early wins were by legendary coach Eddie G. Robinson, Sr, who received his 324th career win against Prairie View at the 1985 State Fair Classic Game. Robinson, whose coaching career spanned 50 years, has See STATE FAIR CLASSIC, page 15
Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity receives On the Come funding for first-time homeowners Up: 205.Ghee By Asia Nicole Alcorn
2021 Hall of Fame Inductees • A.J. Smitherman, Tulsa Star (posthumously) • Claire Smith, Temple University/MLB Writer • Cornelius “Neil” Foote Jr., Foote Communications, LLC/ University of North Texas • Kirk McKoy, Kirk McKoy Photography, Formerly L.A. Times
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Subsidy recipient Kellye Coleman, along with representatives from Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, First National Bank Texas and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. Photo: Asia Nicole Alcorn
Kellye Coleman, a 37-yearold customer service representative and single mother of three, had been dreaming of making the transition from renting to homeownership as the rent on her two-bedroom apartment increased each year. Thanks to a no-interest mortgage from Dallas Area Habitat and a $6,000 subsidy, Coleman and her family moved into a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Dallas’ historic Joppa neighborhood in May. First National Bank Texas and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas presented a ceremonial check of $72,000 in Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) subsidies
Dallas native Christian Houston, also known as 205.Ghee, is a trained musician and budding artist; who’s also the Founder and CEO of FourMobSound, a music company striving to improve the rap industry in Alabama by allowing artists to work and grow their audiences. This 19-year-old is an impres-
See HABITAT, page 6
See ON THE COME UP, page 6
Christian Houston, aka 205.Ghee
By Asia Nicole Alcorn