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My Truth By Cheryl Smith Publisher

Time for BLACKITY-BLACK I said I am Black, Black-ish, Blackity-Black. I hate to do this but it’s also been a long time coming, and I know that like change, nothing is going to happen if someone doesn’t speak up. First I will say that if you are not Black, you might think you need to move on, but if you have the sense that God gave you; you’ll keep reading, make the necessary edits and holler when hit! Now Black folks, get pissed if you will but if you’re feeling a certain way, that too shall pass. Here goes: STOP BEING CONVENIENTLY BLACK! Which brings me to my truth! Years ago, I belonged to an organization of Blacks, Asians, Hispanics and Native Americans and it was a very rewarding experience because I was there to learn and I did. To be authentic and accurate, there were also Anglos involved. See MY TRUTH, Page 3

SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS

THURSDAY APRIL 6, 2023 VOLUME X

UNPRECEDENTED INDICTMENT

Mixed opinions about former president Trump’s case By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines

Texas Metro News Correspondent

Attorneys for former President Donald J. Trump say that the charges of falsifying business records levied against their client are unwarranted and he will be vindicated. Meanwhile the nation has been in a frenzy regarding what the next steps will be and what the unsealed documents show, as well as how citizens will react. The judge has warned against public comments that might incite violence and has set the next appearance date for December 2023. Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg asked, why did Donald Trump continue to make false statements about a “catch and kill scheme” that could help Trump win the election, by keeping negative information about the presidential candidate from the public. Trump, who is currently facing more than 34 counts related to business fraud, was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, making this the first time in American history that a current or former president has faced criminal charges. Appearing in court on Tuesday, Trump called the indict-

ment a “witch hunt,” and the level of outrage regarding this case is still split along party lines. “This is not about former President Trump,” said Allen West, former chairperson of the Texas Republican Party. “This is about destroying the rule of law in America thereby threatening the existence of our constitutional republic and representative democracy. The hypocrisy is blatant, and the intent is simple. Political opposition will not be tolerated.” Although some Republicans are following Trump’s lead, referring to the charges being brought against him as “political prosecution,” many Democrats were waiting for the documents to be unsealed after Trump is arraigned, to get more clarity on this case. The New York district attorney’s office has been investigating Trump’s alleged role in a hush money payment scheme involving adult film star Stormy Daniels that dates back to the 2016 presidential election. “Many Americans are glad to see Trump be indicted. And there may still be more cases brought against him that go to his subversion of democracy and fair elections,” said Jeff Dalton, a Dallas-based Democrat-

ic strategist. “We will have to wait and see what the political impact of these events will be. This is unprecedented, just like so much else about the Trump story.”

Donald Trump

For those that are in the legal system, political affiliations are not enough to ignore the facts of this case. Russell Wilson, a criminal defense attorney in Dallas called the decision to move forward with the case an important step for the criminal justice system. “This just means everyone including the president and former presidents can be held accountable for the law if they are accused of violating a law.” According to Wilson, the

Superb Women

charges are conduct-based, and the investigation would be the same if it were a Republican or Democrat who engaged in similar conduct. Even this indictment has not been enough to diminish Trump’s faithful followers. According to reports, his 2024 Presidential campaign has earned an additional $7 million since he became the first former president to be charged with a crime. Taft Thompson, a member of the Dallas County Republican Party, said there are two stories to every story. “From the grassroots level, we are going to embolden because of the indictment,” he said. “This case is going to mobilize people to support former President Trump even more. We already think he is innocent regarding this witch hunt. “Everything that he has done has been under the microscope and been criticized. From the Russian Gate to you name it, then stealing the election. He will be redeemed from this in the eyes of people in the Republican party. However, you still have those who are not Trump supporters who are members See UNPRECEDENTED INDICTMENT, page 2

March 2023

Our Superb Women! By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News

2021 was the “Year of the Woman,” especially the Black Woman! For 10 months, we dedicated this space to uplifting Black women and spreading a message that we need to show love and empower people with love instead of destroying them with hate and disrespect. We celebrate Black Women and call them SUPERB! AND WE ARE KEEPING THE CELEBRATION GOING FOREVER! We love you Black Queens! MICHELLE OBAMA

managing member of SFDF LLC, she has worked as a realtor at Caldwell Banker Apex and a Pre-Needs Burial Insurance Agent. She also operates an Airbnb, Pinetree Crest in Avinger, TX. A native of Fort Worth, Tx, Gilda graduated from Polytechnic High School and attended Dallas College. She is committed to serving the community and sharing blessings. So many have benefited from her generous heart and spirit. A mother and a grandmother, this year she commemorates her 50th wedding anniversary. She is also a member of the Garland Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC).

women empowerment coach. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Jackson State University. Sherry is a member of The Professional Woman, Women Speakers Association and Christian Media Association. Through television, speaking, and writing, Sherry aims to empower women to work towards realizing their dreams. ANDREA DURHAM

board member of the Fort Worth Association of Federated Women’s Clubs. Sims has been instrumental in helping to promote and spread awareness about Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the US. Sims attended Southwest High School and graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in 1989 with a BBA in Information Resource Management.

to modern-day planning troubles for brides through her platform. She has had a passion for event planning ever since she first planned her 6th birthday party. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communications from Texas State University where she was a member of the Black Student Alliance and Texas State Chapter of the NAACP. McDowell is also part of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

DIAMOND (STYLZ) COLLIER

MARSHA JONES

Diamond (Stylz) Collier is the executive director of Black Transwomen Inc. Collier was the first openly trans woman to attend Jackson State University. She produces and cohosts a weekly podcast called Marsha’s Plate and works tirelessly to nil gender inequalities and to ensure the LGBTQ community is not left behind in the larger Movement of Black Lives. Collier is also a board member of the Transgender Law Center and the A Call to Men organization. She came in 34th in The Root’s 100 most influential African Americans in 2020. She is originally from Indianapolis. Collier is an avid traveler.

Marsha Jones is the co-founder and executive director of The Afiya Center, a community for Black womxn to seek refuge, education and resources. She is also adept in HIV/AIDS advocacy and not only has been raising awareness but also providing solutions. Jones has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is a graduate of the Black AIDS Institute’s African American HIV University and Tyndale Theology School. She is a part of the board of directors for the Texas Equal Access Fund and is a member of the National Women AIDS Coalition.

VICKIE GUNNELLS-HODGE

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017 and she is an award winning author and writer. An attorney, she is the most respected and admired woman in the world. She’s a wife and mother, a voice of reason in a world full of chaos. Born in Chicago, IL, she graduated from Whitney Young High School where she was an honor student and student council treasurer. She went on to major in sociology with a minor in African American studies at Princeton and then graduated from Harvard Law School. She is an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating. She is grace at all times! GILDA SMITH A managing member at SFDF LLC, she is co-founder of the non-profit Bands of Hope, providing social and financial services to underprivileged single mothers and children. A

Vickie Gunnells-Hodge is the founder and CEO of Empower You/Empower Me, LLC and Founder of one in Abundance, Inc. She has also enjoyed stints at Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church Clothes Closet, United States Postal Service, Grocers Supply and Continental Airlines. A graduate of Forest Brook High School, this writer and author has degrees from Texas School of Business, North Harris College and Houston Christian University. SHERRY BRONSON Sherry Bronson is the founder of Sherry Bronson Television Network. A talk show host, producer, author, speaker and certified

Andrea Durham is a clinical research expert, and the founder and owner of Durham Research Collaborative, a firm that aims to diversify the clinical research industry at the sponsor, investigator and patient levels. Durham was named one of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2022 40 Under 40. She graduated from Rhodes College with a Bachelor’s in Urban Studies and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of North Texas. Durham is also a servant leader who volunteers for different causes in the DFW community. DIONE SIMS Dione Sims is the founding executive director of the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. She is also the founder of Unity Unlimited. She continues to work relentlessly to eliminate racial and gender disparities by promoting diversity opportunities in the community. Sims is a

GIGI MCDOWELL GiGi McDowell is the founder and CEO of Fêtefully, a virtual wedding and event planning platform. As an innovative thinker and a problem solver, McDowell found solutions

JUDGE AMBER GIVENS Judge Amber Givens is the presiding judge of the 282nd Judicial District Court in Dallas County. She received her BA in Political Science from Tuskegee University See SUPERB WOMEN page 8