T E X A S
MetroNews DELIVERING NEWS YOU NEED
• Vol. 10 • February 24 - March 2, 2022
MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER
Newsflash We’re down to the wire and all the drama can finally subside. Maybe, just maybe we can have a few days of peace, civility and common decency. Now, while I hope that many reading Texas Metro News are unaware of the mess that continues to surface during election time; I know some of you have been caught in the crossfire this cycle and that is unfortunate. Candidates, can we agree on a few points? For the record: you don’t have to be mortal enemies to oppose someone in a political race. Newsflash: You are supposed to be running for the position, not against the other candidates. For the record: Your opponent’s record can be an issue. Newsflash: While you’re calling out your opponent(s)’ record, or lack thereof, make sure you have your own receipts; that you have a record to run on. For the record: Just because someone does not vote for or endorse you does not translate to hatred or anything personal. Newsflash: Everything is not about you. For the record: You don’t have to bully people into voting for you. Newsflash: Some voters actually don’t make up their minds until they are standing in that booth so you want to make sure they go in with positive thoughts about you. I could go on and but more than anything I just want you to take advantage of this time in your life and go to the polls. See MY TRUTH, Page 6
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CLARIFICATION - Media Executive Shares Black Struggle in High Office In a February 9, 2022 Texas Metro News Blog Talk interview and a February 17, 2022 news article, cable network executive Sharon Nash Alexander discussed a dispute between her and a Canadian Production Company. Her expressed complaint is against JV Productions Inc., the Canadian cable channel production company where she has been an executive producer of a new home-im- Sharon Nash Alexander provement show. To be clear, her complaint is not with H2R, a different Los Angeles-based production company where she said she has an excellent relationship and is respected as the company’s director of development.
PepsiCo Called Out Arbery Murderers Found Memorable Guilty of Hate Crimes by Black Farmers Moments
John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), said he’s calling out PepsiCo for discrimination after a year and a half of talks that produced no contract. Boyd claims that PepsiCo, a multinational company that produces food and beverages, had made a verbal agreement with the NBFA. In a press release
By Stacy M. Brown
Bryan chased Arbery through their mostly white Georgia neighA federal jury found borhood in their pickTravis McMichael, up trucks, cornering Gregory McMichael, him before Travis Mcand William Michael shot the “Roddie” Bryinnocent jogger an guilty on all with a shotgun. counts in the The trio was murder of Ahconvicted in maud Arbery. state court and The verdict given life sencame on the Ahmaud Arbery tences. The fedeve of the anniversary eral charges included of Arbery’s murder. a hate crime that exThe McMichaels and See ARBERY MURDERERS, page 10 NNPA Newswire
John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA)
on Jan. 27, Boyd said white farmers are given an opportunity to See PEPSICO, page 8
‘ROUND THE CLOCK’ CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
The Stellar Awards Artists Showcase.” Show, honoring the Round the Clock’s top acts in Gospel very first “Indusmusic, has been gotry Celebration & ing on since 1984 and Artists Showcase” for more than half was held in January of those 38-years, 2002 in Atlanta and Round the Clock Enthis summer this Carlton McConnell tertainment has held celebration of gosone of the premiere pre-Stellar pel artists is coming “full cirevents, “Industry Celebration & cle,” returning “home,” under
Askia Muhammad, a renowned journalist, photographer, poet, and Black Press columnist, has died. “With deep sadness, the family of Askia Muhammad announces his passing of natural
See ROUND THE CLOCK, Page 14
causes today at the age of 76,” WPFW-Radio in Washington, D.C., said in a statement. “A private service will be held with a memorial planned for a future date. There are no words to express the profound sadness we feel at the passing of our dear brother.” See ASKIA MUHAMMAD, Page 6
Askia Muhammad
Credit: WPFW Radio
Election 2022 Update In person early voting is happening now at dozens of early voting centers all across Dallas County. In January, the Dallas County Commissioners Court approved and announced a joint Democratic and Republican Primary. Voting in the primary is different this year in some ways, including voters being able to choose party affiliation discreetly at the qualification table, rather than party-specific vote centers
or separate party lines at a vote center. We urge every Democrat to decide Texas' future by voting March 1. Local elec-
From Dallas County Democratic Party tions are often won in the Primary! This November, our lives and our democracy depend on voter turnout, and the first step
By Norma Adams-Wade One veteran colleague trudged laboriously to the speaker’s stand assisted by a walker and a relative who gripped his arm to steady him. That long walk from the audience, to the front of the room, and over to a microphone could have symbolized the long triumphant life journey of the man on the walker and the man he came to honor during a celebration of his friend’s life.
founder Carlton McConnell. The “Who’s Who” of gospel media will again mingle with legendary performers like Dr. Bobby Jones, Myron Butler, Billy Dorsey, Dorthy Norwood, Gerald Alston, Mel Holder, Lemmie Battles and Dr. Leonard Scott. Also some of the hottest current artists, including: Zac-
Renowned Black Journalist Dies By Stacy M. Brown
Dr. Marvin E. Robinson’s Celebration of Life
is the Democratic Primary. You may vote at any voting center! Use the DallasDemocrats.org website to find the polling place nearest your home, church, school, or work, review your personalized sample ballot, and meet your candidates. Don’t skip a race! Early voting ends February 25, and Election Day is March 1. Be a primary voter! Take a friend and go vote!
Dr. Marvin Robinson
Credit: The Dallas Morning News
Trini Garza was the 90-year-old retired federal government appointee, civic leader, businessman, and education advocate on the walker. Garza came to honor the late Marvin E. Robinson, a civil rights trailblazer, Dallas entrepreneur, education and business leader, attorney, husband, father and grandfather who died November 27, 2021 at age 86. The Celebration of life was held Feb. 12, 2022 at Concord Church, 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr. in Dallas’ Oak Cliff community. Garza, a Latino, and Robinson, African-American, partnered on various bi-racial equity projects during the 1970s in Dallas. “Marvin and I worked together on many causes for justice,” said Garza, who co-founded Dallas’ first Mexican-American leadership Conference. “It is my pleasure to be here.” Robinson’s portrait was disSee DR. MARVIN E. ROBINSON, Page 3