Our Superb Woman
today is
Rep. Senfronia Thompson
--She is the Dean of the Texas House of Representatives
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Rep. Senfronia Thompson is the Dean of the Texas House and Texas Legislative Black Caucus (TLBC). She was born in Booth, Texas and currently represents District 141, which includes Northeast Houston and Humble. Rep. Thompson has the distinct honor of being the longest-serving woman and African American in Texas history, serving her 25th term. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Houston, received a BS in Biology from Texas Southern University; a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M University; a JD degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law and a Masters in International Law from the University of Houston. Rep. Thompson is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. A Houston attorney and award-winning legislator, Rep. Thompson, affectionately known by her colleagues as "Ms. T", was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame on May 6, 2014. Her works in the House are legendary. She’s been at the forefront of many issues and is ever vigilant; addressing everything from human trafficking and equal pay to healthcare, education and racial profiling. And yes, voting rights!
Rep. Thompson is the only recipient of the Rosa Parks Award from the TLBC and she is a strong supporter of the UNCF.
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OUR VOICES
The real hoax:
Claims of widespread voter fraud
Senator Royce West shares a personal message concerning the outcome of voter fraud claims, resulting in the SB7 bill.
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By Sen. Royce West
A former U.S. Commander-in-Chief has made it his habit to immediately label any claims, no matter how factual, not aligned with his branding of information as “a witch hunt” or “a hoax.” But a bill that will if passed – create confusion for voters and reject ballots for reasons now legal under law under the guise of ensuring voting integrity, that’s the real hoax.
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CONGRATS to Alpha Kappa Alpha
In 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® became America's first Greek-letter organization established by Black college women. Her roots date back to Howard University, Washington, D.C., where the idea for formation was conceived by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle of St. Louis, Missouri. She viewed the Sorority as an instrument for enriching the social and intellectual aspects of college life by providing mental stimulation through interaction with friends and associates. Through the years, however, Alpha Kappa Alpha's function has become more complex. After her incorporation as a perpetual body in 1913, Alpha Kappa Alpha gradually branched out and became the channel through which selected college-trained women improved the socioeconomic conditions in their city, state, nation, and the world.
In a world in which materialism is pervasive, and technology and competition have decreased the need for collaboration and cooperation, it is critical to have an association that cuts across racial, international, physical, and social barriers to help individuals and communities develop and maintain constructive relationships with others. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® is that vital organization.
Alpha Kappa Alpha is a sisterhood composed of women who have consciously chosen this affiliation as a means of self-fulfillment through volunteer service. Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards; promotes unity and friendship among college women; alleviates problems concerning girls and women; maintains a progressive interest in college life; and serves all mankind through a nucleus of more than 240,000 women in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is an international Sisterhood and every member adheres to these standards and holds our commitment of “Service to Mankind” dearly.
METRO NEWS SALUTES AN OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION!
And especially our team members:
Dr. Stacia Alexander, Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew, Eva D. Coleman, Dr. Felicia Shepherd, Hon. Madame Secretary Chelle Wilson, and Rev. Yvette Blair-Lavallais
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As Democrats meet with Manchin to fight for Texans, a reminder of the many times Texas Republicans abandoned their jobs and their constituents
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Democratic resistors in D.C. are continuing to make progress on behalf of Texans and people across the country -- keeping the pressure on and the fight for voting rights in the national spotlight. Today, a delegation of Texas Democratic lawmakers had a constructive meeting with Senator Joe Manchin to push the fight for federal voting rights protections forward. The lawmakers have also continued to strengthen the voting rights coalition by meeting virtually and in person Wednesday and Thursday with other key partners, including Senator Sherrod Brown, the Texas Democratic Congressional Caucus, and labor leaders including the AFL-CIO and the Texas Retired Teachers Association.
Faced with a united Texas Democratic caucus that is not slowing down, Republicans are taking increasingly desperate approaches to their communications -- making paper-thin claims that Democrats are shirking their duties as lawmakers. Texas Republicans should know all about that, since their habit of abandoning their jobs and their constituents has left Texans out in the cold on numerous occasions. As Democrats continue to advocate tirelessly for Texans, here are just a few times Republicans refused to do their jobs and abandoned Texans:
From day one of the COVID-19 pandemic, disgraced Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans refused to do their jobs, take the pandemic seriously, and keep Texans safe -- going so far as to sue cities for implementing stronger protections, and leaving communities of color, especially in South Texas, to be disproportionately ravaged. 53,000 Texans have died because of this Republican negligence.
Republicans have done nothing to help more Texans get healthcare, and blocked Medicaid expansion, proposed by Democrats, in state budget negotiations over multiple legislative sessions -- including in 2021, more than one year into the devastating pandemic. Because of Republicans, Texas remains the most uninsured state in the country, with more than 5 million Texans forced to go without the healthcare they need.
During Texas’ spring legislative session, Republicans not only blocked healthcare accessibility -- they also stopped retired teachers from being able to get the support they need, deserve, and have earned. In the spring, Democrats put forward a bill to push a 13th check to retired teachers, with 96% of Democratic legislators either co-authoring or sponsoring the bill. However, House Republican leadership refused to sign on and let the bill die in committee -- choosing not to prioritize supporting Texas teachers.
Ah yes -- and don’t get us started on February’s power outage crisis. In this Republican-made disaster, Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans abandoned Texans in the cold and dark -- with our embarrassment of a senator, Ted Cruz, jumping on a plane to Cancun during the worst winter storm his constituents had faced in decades. Abbott’s failure to lead cost more than 700 Texans their lives. This is beyond shameful.
Adding insult to injury -- and all but guaranteeing a future disaster -- it’s been six months since February’s crisis, and failed and flailing Gov. Greg Abbott has still taken no meaningful action to fix the grid and make sure another catastrophe like this doesn’t strike again.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:
“It seems Texas Republicans are not familiar with the saying, ‘people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.’ The one thing Republicans consistently do for Texans is abandon us. Whether it’s leaving us to die during the pandemic, leaving us to fend for ourselves during the winter storm, stopping us from getting affordable healthcare, or refusing to fix our grid, Texas Republicans have a sterling track record of consistently abandoning their jobs and their constituents.
“Republicans could learn a thing or two about leadership from our state Democratic lawmakers -- who are working around the clock in D.C. and leading the national fight to protect our most basic constitutional right. I’m beyond grateful to the Texas Democratic resistors in D.C. who continue to hold the line for voting rights. Texas Democrats are in this fight for the long haul, and we will do whatever it takes.”
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Texas Legislative Black Caucus, Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., and Texas Legislature Democrats announce Press Conference at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Alexandria, VA – Today, members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., and Texas Legislature Democrats will host a joint press event on voting rights and election legislation at the historic Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library.
Press Conference
Friday, July 16
12:00 PM (Noon) ET
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
The historic Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library was the site of the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in, when five Black men were arrested for attempting to register for a library card.
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FAITHFUL UTTERANCES
Toxic Leaders Need to Take a Seat
“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. It is God who judges: He brings one down, He exalts another.”
— (Psalm 75:6)
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A friend of mine recently shared her struggles at work with dominating, manipulative, and mean-spirited leaders. I was stunned that a leader would be concerned with such insignificant details. Micromanaging is more about the leader’s self-confidence, fear of being exposed for what they don’t know and feeling a sense of control.
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Jason Kidd, Nico Harrison introduced as new Mavs Leadership
By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
PHOTOS: Dorothy J. Gentry and Dallas Mavericks
“Well, I guess this is hello Dallas for the third time,” said Jason Kidd to a packed audience Thursday afternoon at American Airlines Center.
And with that, the former Dallas Maverick and Hall-of-Famer was introduced as the Mavs new head coach.
“What a dream come true. What an incredible journey; to be drafted, to win rookie of the year, to win a championship and then to come back to be the head coach,” said Kidd.
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WHAT’S ON MILES’ MIND
Hate is an illness!
“If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother and sister, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother or sister.” This is the powerful admonition offered in 1 John 4:20-21 regarding love and hate.
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By Miles Jaye
Consider this… If God made man to love one another, why isn’t hate an anomaly, abnormal, a malfunction of the human mind? Imagine, if hate were not accepted as a norm, but a departure or deviation from what is normal, a disorder, a mental illness, it might be treated appropriately, as such. In this modern, 21st century world, hate is as pervasive as any previous time in human history– it’s not new, but just as corrosive to a society.
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WNBA MVP
Photos: WNBA
Dallas Wings star guard Arike Ogunbowale, playing in her first WNBA All-Star game, finished with 26 points and was named the All-Star Guard MVP. The League’s reigning scoring leader led Team WNBA to a 93-85 win over Team USA in the game played in Las Vegas.
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WEAR MASKS! WASH HANDS!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky announced that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can discard the masks and also cease to physically distance. That's for inside or outside, so while some businesses and sports teams have celebrated the announcement, many took to social media to say they would not stop wearing their masks.
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Restaurants that participate in DFW Restaurant Week tend to be finer-dining establishments, like steakhouses and modern American restaurants. The 2021 list includes Al Biernat's, Del Frisco's and YO Ranch Steakhouse, as expected. But it also includes some newer and more casual eateries, like Windmills brewery in The Colony, El Patio Tex Mex in Lewisville, and the restaurants inside Eataly at NorthPark. Tom Fox/Staff Photographer |
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The list: These 99 restaurants will sell dinner for a good cause at DFW Restaurant Week in August |
By Sarah Blaskovich
DFW Restaurant Week is back on the calendar in 2021. The popular foodie event did take place in 2020, but the number of participating restaurants was smaller than in previous years and the starting date was later than usual. The 2021 version of DFW Restaurant Week reads more like the events in pre-pandemic years. Restaurant Week will kick off Aug. 6 with about 100 restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth offering special menus throughout much of August.
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This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
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Congratulations!
CLASS OF 2021
Tahjinae Jackson
El Centro College
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DOC TALK // Live Town Hall on Glaucoma at the Cooper Clinic Auditorium 12200 Preston Rd. July 16, 2021, at 2-3 pm. RSVPs: Jennifer, 817.269.3254 or [email protected].
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Barry Sanders, Alexandra Shipp, Charrisse Jackson-Jordan, WizKid, Zayion McCall, Kevin Abstract, Bobby Lashley, Barbara J. Lee, Ida B. Wells Barnett, Nina Morris, Yvette Blair-Lavallais, James Brewton, Hop Holt, Cathy Ward, Daniel Bueno, Jackie Greene, Ti'Mon Wafer, Crystal Bell, Rick Hancock, Cecka Rose Green, Milton Hinnant, T Gertrude Jenkins, Becky Lewis, Sherman N. Miller |
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Message for Democrats
Hi, everyone, I hope that everyone's having a good summer so far. This is a reminder of our next meeting that will be held next Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Please note that this meeting will be held in person outside at the Ernie Roberts Park, on E. Pleasant Run Rd. in DeSoto between Polk and Hampton at Pavillion #2. We will practice social distancing, etc.
Our special guest will be Kristy Noble, our new Dallas County Democratic Chair, who will talk about what's going on with the party and her plans for making the party more inclusive. We have a lot to talk about so please come out and join us.
Democratically yours,
Thelma Clardy, SWDC Chair
972-201-5426
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The video, which has been replayed over various news and social media outlets, shows Campo tampering with a raincoat on a desk that appears to be that of a Black officer |
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White Police Chief Resigns After ‘KKK’ Note Placed in Black Officer’s Jacket
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Sheffield Lake Police Chief Anthony Campo reportedly decided to retire after more than 30 years on the police force in the Ohio town of just over 9,000 people and just over 21 miles from Cleveland. “We had a very emotional sit down because it took us 10 minutes to talk to each other because we were both crying,” Mayor Dennis Bring told a local television news crew.
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By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Sheffield Lake Police Chief Anthony Campo, who was captured on surveillance video placing a Ku Klux Klan note in the jacket of a Black officer, has retired. Campo reportedly decided to retire after more than 30 years on the police force in the Ohio town of just over 9,000 people and just over 21 miles from Cleveland. “We had a very emotional sit down because it took us 10 minutes to talk to each other because we were both crying,” Mayor Dennis Bring told a local television news crew.
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“If the Democratic Party fails to recognize what we did here in New York, they’re going to have a problem in the midterm elections, and they’re going to have a problem in the presidential election,” said Eric Adams
(Photo: ericadams2021.com)
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Eric Adams Poised to Become New York’s Second Black Mayor
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Adams won New York City’s Democratic primary for mayor, and political watchers in the Big Apple give Republicans virtually no chance of beating Adams in the fall, which would put him in exclusive company with the late David Dinkins as New York’s only Black mayors.
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By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Eric Adams grew up poor. As a teenager, he was abused by the police but later decided to join New York’s Finest ranks. After serving as a police captain, and in the state Senate and as Brooklyn borough president, Adams is poised to become only the second African American to lead the biggest city in America.
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Chef Day
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