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Local Parades & Rallies
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ANUARY 2025
by Jill Darden FWBN Publisher
After 20 years of leadership, Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks passed the torch to Roderick Miles, Jr during a swearing-in ceremony held January 4, 2025. Surrounded by his wife, daughters, family and a room full of supporters, Miles was visibly moved by the moment. Throughout the program, which included songs of praise, prayers of consecration, thanksgiving and wisdom to govern, the new Commissioner was seen wiping his eyes with a napkin.
“The time has come to empower the next generation to take leadership of Precinct One,” Commissioner Brooks said. “He is the one that will lead us forward. Roderick has spent the last ten years preparing for this and is ready.”
The outgoing commissioner explained the position as a type of “secular ministry” where your goal is to meet the
needs of the people. In his view, success is not measured by getting votes on the board from colleagues but based on how well you respond to what is needed in your precinct.
Commissioner Miles will represent Tarrant County Precinct One, which includes the southwest corner of the county - beginning west of Benbrook, following Fort Worth neighborhoods to north of Arlington then south toward Everman, Forest Hill, Edgecliff Village Crowley and Burleson. Both urban and rural communities are a part of its boundaries.
Mansfield Mayor Dr. Michael Evans prayed for Miles’ tenure to be filled with concord over discord, for him to rule justly and show mercy. Others featured during the ceremony were Pastor Patrick Winfield, Colton Blake,
Commissioner Roy Brooks swears-in Roderick Miles, Jr. as new Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct One
The Music of Sam Cooke Community Panel Discussion and Concert at Bass Hall
Celebrate the Dream
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Juneteenth Museum Receives $2.5 Million Award
The National Juneteenth Museum (NJM) received a $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. Announced in December, the grant will support NJM’s permanent exhibition, The Spirit of Juneteenth, designed by Local Projects
This immersive, multi-sensory experience will explore Juneteenth’s origins, cultural and spiritual signifi-
cance, and its lasting impact on American history. Support from Lilly Endowment is instrumental in bringing this important story to the public.
Construction of the National Juneteenth Museum is expected to begin in 2025, a longtime of dream of advocate Opal Lee. It will be located in the southside of Fort Worth, near the Evans Avenue and Rosedale intersection.
Lee and Tomlinson Among Honorees to be inducted into Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame
Local golf legend Gladys Lee and football trailblazer LaDainian Tomlinson are among the list of honorees to be inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame. The event will take place at Renaissance Dallas Hotel on March 1, 2025.
The Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame is housed at the African American Museum and was established to chronicle the sports history contributions made by AfricanAmericans. Created in 1996, it honors coaches and athletes of high
character and athletic achievement, who are either Texans by birth or by athletic participation. Honorees have made recognizable contributions to African-American culture and history.
This year’s inductees are Cynt Marshall, LaDainian Tomlinson, Harvey Armstrong, Calvin Murray, Derrick James, Larry Brown, Greg Williams, Ken Washington, Fritz Pollard, Michelle Carter, Harold Cash, Eugene Lockhart, Gladys Lee and Larry Johnson.
by Stae Hall, FWBN Columnist
Are Your Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence Holding You Back?
In the pursuit of career and business success, many people focus heavily on hard skills the technical expertise needed to excel in their craft. However, an often-overlooked factor is the importance of soft skills, the peopleoriented abilities that are just as vital, if not more so. Soft skills foster relationships, build trust, and create connections - essentials for personal and professional growth
People do business with those they know, like, and trust. Yet, trust and likability aren’t established through technical expertise alone. Studies consistently show that consumers are more likely to return to a business where they were treated well, felt valued, and encountered genuine friendliness. In fact, customers often prioritize good service over a higher-quality product. The emotional connection wins out over technical perfection.
Similarly, employers tend to promote individuals with positive attitudes, excellent communication, and teamoriented mindsets over technically superior but less personable colleagues. Why? Because technical skills can be taught, but cultivating the right attitude and emotional intelligence requires more effort.
For business owners and corporate leaders, investing in your staff’s soft skills is not just a good idea - it’s essential. Providing team members with training in areas like communication, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence gives them the tools they need to excel. This investment enhances morale, boosts productivity, and reduces turnover rates. Furthermore, it creates opportunities for internal promotions, helping you build strong succession plans while fostering loyalty and longterm commitment within your team.
This is why focusing on Emotional Quotient (EQ) is critical. The days of relying solely on a degree, certification, or experience to guarantee success are
long gone. Employers and clients are seeking professionals who can balance technical expertise with the ability to make others feel heard, respected, and valued. In short, being well-rounded is more desirable than being welleducated alone.
If you’re struggling to achieve the success you believe you deserve despite your technical competence, it might be time to evaluate your soft skills. Ask yourself:
· How well do I interact with others?
· Am I an effective communicator?
· Do I express empathy?
· Am I a team player?
· Do Iactively listen to others?
· Am I a critical thinker?
· Do I excel at conflict resolution?
If you find yourself lacking in any of these areas, this could be the missing link in your career or business success. The good news is that it’s never too late to make a change.
Consider investing in yourself by hiring a coach, enrolling in courses, or actively developing your soft skills. Becoming a well-rounded leader with strong emotional intelligence can unlock doors you never thought possible. Remember, success isn’t just about what you do - it’s about how you make others feel along the way.
Stae Hall is a published author, career trainer, transformational speaker and life coach.
You may contact her at www.StaeHall.com or email StaeHall@iSALT4U.com
‘
A Chang i Gonn Com ’
Panel Discussion Centered Around the Music of Sam Cooke
A community panel discussion centered around Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come will be held at New Fellowship Church in Fort Worth. The conversation is planned to examine the music of the King of Soul, the era he lived and performed, and his relevance to modern music and sociological experiences It comes two days before a concert at Bass Hall featuring the music of Sam Cooke. Presented by Performing Arts Fort Worth and Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, the discussion will last for one hour followed by a reception. Since music involves an experience between the person who creates the piece, the performer, producer and consumer, each segment will be represented. Here’s a list of panelists and the roles they represent:
Sheilah Walker, CREATOR
A professional composer/conductor with a vast amount of experience creating/conducting socially conscious compositions, similar to that of Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come.
Akin Babatunde, PERFORMER
A professional performer with years of experience bringing real and fictional characters to life and how the dissection of the character’s history and culture also affects their lives.
Tyrone King, PRODUCER
A professional producer of live musical theatre events describing how they select a season catered to a target demographic.
Analisa Diaz Gabriel, CONSUMER
A consumer, season ticket holder, who likely selects shows based on representation of their age, religion, culture, etc.
Dr. Erica Vernice Simmons will serve as moderator. She is a tenured professor who specializes in musicology, music curricula, and early music composition. The panel discussion is free to attend, but RSVP is requested to ensure seating:
January 18, 2025 at 2pm
New Fellowship Church 5420 Flamingo Rd. Fort Worth, TX 76119
RSVP: www.basshall.com/change
F W B N • J 2025 • P 5
New
Commissioner of Precinct One [Con nued from Front Page]
and
The swearing-in ceremony was held at Crowley ISD Multipurpose Stadium, where guests were greeted by a large digital screen announcing what was about to take place. Balloon-lined stairs led past the reception area to the event room. Commissioner Miles will serve for the next four years.
SaJade Miller, Bishop Rodney McIntosh, Jock Lewis,
Julian Hobdy.
“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, & tell all thy wondrous works.” - Psalms 26:7
Be Yourself
by Arnita Ware
By now, most people have heard the famous words of William Shakespeare… “To thine own self be true.”
These words immediately came to mind as I read an online news article whose headline read: He had blue lights, a badge, gun and more, describing how a man from Mississippi was accused of posing as a U.S. Marshal when he unknowingly tried to pull over a real Jefferson Parish Sheriff Officer.
The 45-year-old man, or better yet, I’ll refer to him as the imposter, was seriously armed with a gun, badge and handcuffs. He explained that his rationale was he played “pretend” in order to gain “respect,” according to the federal court records. Source: NOLA.com
That’s his story! What’s yours? How many people are there that perhaps you and I both know who are trying to live and be like (imitate) others . . . pretending to be who they are not, wanting prestige, maybe even fame or fortune to make an impression and/or may be in competition with others . . . and for what?
Advertise your church or special program in the next issue of Fort Worth Black News! Call or Text Jill Darden @ 817-729-6491
No, simply put just be you!
The only person we should be in competition with is “ourselves.” That is daily, and I do mean each and every day striving to become a better version of ourselves than we were the day before. And, if you, like the imposter, want RESPECT be true
Authenticity and integrity are ALWAYS in season.
Mind you, it isn’t uncommon for a child to want to pattern after his or her parent(s); that’s expected. In fact, all of us have someone who is watching. What we do with this influence is critical.
The only person we should even attempt to imitate is God and Christ. It is recommended that we do so by the Apostle Paul Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (I Corinthians 11:1 - NKJV)
Ephesians 5:1 gently reminds us also . . . Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
So, be yourself, while exemplifying Christlike behavior. God created YOU with your specific personality to draw others to him by you being you.
Arnita Ware is a published author & speaker. Book Entitled: Look Through the Window. She is also an educator, life coach, a Lifetime member of Strathmore s Who s Who Worldwide, & the founder of Just Write: www.justwrite4insight.com justwrite4insight@gmail.com
TCU Appoints New Provost,
After a highly competitive national search, Texas Christian University has chosen Dr. Floyd L. Wormley, Jr., as its next provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. His first day in the position is January 1, 2025.
Wormley was selected based on his research acumen, missiondriven leadership and studentcentered commitment to academic excellence. The provost will play a pivotal role as TCU embarks on its new strategic plan, LEAD ON: Values in Action. The goal of the strategic plan is to strengthen TCU’s position among leading national universities as well as its research profile.
Since coming to TCU in 2019 as the associate provost for research and dean of Graduate Studies, Wormley has overseen the doubling of external research expenditures and the expansion of the offices of Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance. For the past year, he also has
Dr. Floyd Wormley, Jr.
served as the interim provost.
“Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr., and President Pullin are building a team in support of TCU’s new strategic plan, Lead On: Values in Action, that was recently approved by the board,” TCU Board of Trustees Chair Kit T. Moncrief said. “With research, scholarship and creative activity as one of the four pillars of the strategic plan, Dr. Wormley has
helped to build the plan and is now poised to move quickly and enact mission-based progress.”
As provost, Wormley will continue to apply his scholarly expertise to advise and mentor faculty, staff and students in research and creative endeavors. He also will continue his research and work with students through his National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded laboratory.
Wormley is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) and the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane University, a Master of Science and Ph.D. from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and completed postdoctoral training at Duke University Medical Center. Before TCU, Wormley served as an academic leader, professor and researcher at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Crowley ISD invites the public to celebrate their State Football Championship during the Parade of Champions, Saturday, January 18 at 1 p.m. at the Crowley ISD Multipurpose Stadium.
Advertise your business in the next issue of Fort Worth Black News!
Call or Text Jill Darden
817-729-6491
Dear Tucks,
Is it okay to go through your spouse’s phone whenever you want to? I’m so mad at my husband. I’m angry to the point I thought about divorce when he said, “No, this is my personal space.”
- Concerned Wife from Out of My Mind
Dear Concerned Wife,
Thank you for your question. I can feel your frustration and anger, and I want to honor your feelings. Let’s unpack this together.
In a healthy marriage, transparency and trust are essential. The foundation of any relationship should be built on openness, honesty, and mutual respect. When one spouse feels the need to look through the other's phone, it's important to ask why. Has something happened to make you feel suspicious or insecure? Is there a pattern of behavior that’s causing you to doubt your spouse's honesty? Often, the desire to check a phone is a symptom of a deeper issue usually a lack of trust or a breach of connection. That’s the real root we need to address, not just the phone.
To the husband: I understand that privacy is important, even in a marriage. However, when you say “no” to your wife in this scenario, it’s crucial to consider the impact of that response. Your refusal might protect your personal boundaries, but it can also unintentionally send a message that you have something to hide. Is your “no” worth the breakdown, chaos, hostility, and anger it’s causing? In marriage, sometimes small compromises can prevent larger issues. If you have nothing to hide, showing transparency in this moment could be a step toward building trust, not diminishing your autonomy.
To you both: It’s important to remem-
ber that the goal here isn’t to create a “win” or “lose” scenario. Instead, focus on understanding why this situation is triggering such strong emotions. I encourage you to sit down and have an honest conversation - not about the phone, but about what you’re both feeling underneath this conflict. Are there unresolved insecurities? Unmet needs? Past breaches of trust? As a trained counselor and coach, I can help y’all navigate these deeper issues if you find yourselves stuck.
Ultimately, a thriving marriage requires both partners to prioritize the relationship above their individual stances. My hope for you is that this situation becomes a catalyst for deeper communication, understanding, and healing in your marriage.
With love and wisdom, Candace (Remon)
Remon & Candace Tuck are the founders of The Couples Lounge, an awarding-winning talk show and marriage movement. Their mission is to inspire, encourage, and give hope to God’s sacred marriage union. The movement consists of speaking, marriage events, and retreats. The Tucks are the authors of Somebody Shoulda Told Me, Marriage Do We Really Know What It’s About. Candace is the founder of We Will Win, an affiliate of the movement, which consists of couples and individual coaching services.
Follow on social media: The Couples Lounge. www.thecoupleslounge.com Order book: www.lulu.com
Book for speaking engagements: wewillwin@candacetuck.com
Send relationship questions to: wewillwin@candacetuck.com
What is Small Talk:
Small talk is polite conversation about unimportant and uncontroversial matters between people who do not know each other well, especially as engaged in on social occasions. Light or casual conversation. It is commonly used when you are talking to someone you don’t know well and at a networking and social event such as banquets and dinners.
Learn the Art of Small Talk:
It is very important to learn this skill. Talk about the weather, sports, the day of the week, and keep it simple. It may just open a door to a new friend, opportunity, information or insight.
Small talk is not just Blah.
It is an actual conversation, and it should be like a tennis match. You start the conversation, and it should go back and forth without the ball dropping. I hit the ball then you hit the ball!
Like it or not small talk is integral to your success.
Weather, Sports, Family, Work, News, Books, Movies, Music. There is a lot to talk about! Some conversations run naturally as one topic leads to another. Others bounce from one topic to another with no rhyme or reason. Here are some tips to jump start a conversation:
· Learn what’s happening.
· Try to know what’s going on in your community, your state, the world, and current sports and entertainment.
· Know your audience.
· Consider their interest, hobbies, and jobs.
· Ask people’s opinions. People love to be asked their opinion.
· Be a good listener: Focus on the person you are talking to and maintain that focus.
· Practice, Practice, Practice: If you are shy get used to talking to strangers.
How To Jump Start a Conversation
· Ask open ended questions
· Active listening
· Put your phone away
· Show your interest
The three tiers:
Knowing what to talk about and when can be tricky.
Use these three tiers to quickly determine if a topic of conversation is safe.
Tier 1 Small Talk; Weather, food, music are safe topics.
Tier 2 Controversial Topics: Sex, Politics and Religion, be careful.
Tier 3 Personal Information: These topics are best reserved for private discussions.
Conversational Pit Falls:
Whatever course a discussion takes, the good conversationalist knows that certain subjects should be handled with care.
· Too much information
· When it’s all about you
· Agreeing to disagree
· Criticism and Gossip
Conversation Stoppers:
Remember to be sense to other’s feeling when you speak. Consider the person you are talking to and the circumstances. Here are some conversation killers:
· You live there?
· When are you due?
· You look great have you lost weight? Or had something done?
· HOW MUCH DO YOU MAKE ON YOUR JOB?
· Are you okay? You look tired
· Should you be eating that?
“Etiquette is NOT Extinct” It has Evolved
Anita C. Heiskell
Certified Social Graces Etiquette & Image Consultant
Anita Heiskell is the founder and owner of Prim, Poised and Proper, LLC., a full-service Etiquette School located in Fort Worth, Texas that focuses on social graces, dining etiquette, business etiquette, along with image and presentation skills. Heiskell also offers Pageant Preparation and training. She is certified from The Social Skills School of Protocol and has over 25 years experience in the etiquette field.
For more information: You may visit the website: www.primpoisedandproper.com
Email: primpoisedandproper@gmail.com or call 817-219-5557.
Fort Worth Opera presents Donizetti’s 'The Elixir of Love' in collaboration with students and faculty of I.M. Terrell Academy Visual and Performing Arts. ‘The Elixir of Love’ is a heartwarming tale of sincerity triumphing over schemes - a special 90 -minute adaptation in English.
January 18, 2025 - 7:00pm January 19, 2025 - 2:00pm
I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA 1411 I M Terrell Cir S, Fort Worth, TX
Tickets: https://loom.ly/wbS8y6M
WHAT IS SMALL TALK
by Terry Allen, FWBN Columnist
Big Mama always knew how to sum up life with a simple phrase that spoke volumes. One of her favorites was, "Every new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners." It’s a saying that resonates now more than ever, as the world grapples with rapid change, generational shifts, and the growing need for collaboration between the young and the seasoned.
A new broom the younger generation brings energy, fresh ideas, and the courage to challenge the status quo. But the old broom the elders possesses the wisdom that only time and experience can teach. Together, they can sweep the whole house clean, reaching every corner.
Take the recent Hollywood writers' and actors' strikes as an example. Younger creatives fought for fair pay and recognition in a streaming dominated industry, bringing bold ideas for reform. At the same time, veteran actors and writers stood firm, guiding the movement with their decades of experience and knowledge of past labor battles. It was the unity of generations that secured the victory, reminding us that change and wisdom go hand in hand.
place. Companies that encourage mentorship programs are thriving. Young professionals bring digital savvy and innovative approaches, while seasoned employees offer insights into navigating challenges and building sustainable growth This mutual respect transforms teams into powerhouses. Big Mama’s wisdom is clear: We need each other. The young can’t see all the corners, and the old can’t sweep as fast. But together? Together, we can clean house.
The literary world offers another beautiful example: elder poet Sonia Sanchez and young poet Amanda Gorman. Sanchez, a legendary voice of the Black Arts Movement, has long used her words to advocate for justice, inspire communities, and uplift voices often silenced. Gorman, a modern-day trailblazer who captivated the world with her poem The Hill We Climb at President Biden’s inauguration, carries that same torch. While Gorman’s fresh perspective ignites a younger generation, Sanchez’s wisdom and rich legacy illuminate the path. Together, they embody the power of generational diversity in shaping culture and driving progress.
Closer to home, look at the work-
So, let’s talk. Let’s collaborate. Let’s learn from each other. The next time you pick up a broom whether new or old remember Big Mama’s words. The future depends on generations working side by side, sweeping clean and tending to every corner.
Terry Allen is CEO 1016 Media, Founder, Sister CEO Small Business Camp 2018-2020 NABJ Board of Directors, Media Related Board Representative & 2015 Induction, President's Club, FedEx
PHOTO: Terry Allen with Sonai Sanchez, and Haki Madhubu
