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My Truth By Cheryl Smith Publisher

SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS

THURSDAY JANUARY 5, 2023

126 Granted Ghanaian Citizenship

Yes We Must Must

Photos and Story By Richard A. Moore

They had many other chart topping songs and I absolutely loved their energy, talent, beauty and stage presence; as well as their outfits. It’s interesting to note that this year marks the 50th anSee MY TRUTH, Page 6

Looking at Stock Market Money Talk By Rodney A. Brooks

As I sat in my room this past Sunday morning, I received the news of the passing of Anita Pointer, of the legendary Pointer Sisters. I immediately thought back to my high school years and that hit song, “Yes We Can Can.” I recalled how I would sing along with those sisters: Ruth, June, Bonnie and Anita.

Anita Pointer

VOLUME X

For some, just the thought of visiting the Motherland is wishful thinking, but 252 made the trek and on November 28, 2019, 126 from the Diaspora were granted Ghanaian citizenship out of the group. The celebration was bittersweet but then on December 22, 2022 the remaining 126 were finally granted their citizenship and the big celebration took place as people showed up and

showed out dressed in beautiful Kente Cloth and other traditional fabrics. Most of those granted citizenship came from the U.S. and now have dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Ghana, Africa; eligible for a passport from their new home, Ghana. This celebration comes after 2019 when Ghana hosted a series of activities at home and abroad to encourage the descendants of those who were forcibly removed from the Motherland to return home.

That year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo embarked on a five-nation tour of the Caribbean to promote the citizenship initiative. The year 2019 was not the 1st time Diasporas were granted citizenship. In December of 2016, President John Mahama “restored” citizenship for 34 Diasporan Africans. Following the ceremony, Vanessa Mixson from Milwaukee, WI who arrived in her 20s said, “It’s strange because I don’t feel the instant joy or build up toSee GHANAIAN CITIZENSHIP, Page 5

Superb Women 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 IN 2022! EARLINE GADSON-SMITH Earline Gadson-Smith was born in Ocala, FL. When her parents moved to Plant City (the Strawberry Capital), she attended high school where she was a cheerleader. Upon graduation she moved to Newark, NJ; following her older brothers. It was there she made her home for more than 60 years. Family was very Important to her and she loved her children and led their 4H Club while also involving them in community programs. Instilling faith, pride and honor, she saw all three off to college as she enjoyed stints with Newark Airport, as a dental hygienist and an office manager. A lover of baseball, especially the Negro Baseball League, she was a life member of the National Council of Negro Women and a long-time member of Newark’sNew Hope Baptist Church. MARY LESTER Dallas ISD’S first director of mathematics, Mary Lester was a leader in the field of mathematics instruction. She developed and implemented innovative mathematics curriculums, and created and implemented the DISD Olympiad competition. As the court ordered auditor, she monitored the implementation and recruitment process of desegregation in the magnet schools. She hails from Crockett, TX and attended Ralph Bunche High School

before attending Prairie View A&M University. An inductee into the African American Educators Hall of Fame, Mary is the consummate professional and team player. HON. ROSIE M. COLLINS SORRELLS Rosie M. Collins Sorrells was the Director of early childhood education and developed the early childhood education curriculum for DISD. A member of the State Board of Education. Rosie M. Collins Sorrells DISD School was named in her honor. She is a graduate of Anderson High School in Austin, TX. Her undergraduate work was done at Howard Univ. and Huston-Tillotson. She holds a B.S. Degree from Huston-Tillotson, earned her M.S. Degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce, TX. and Ed.D. from Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX. A recipient of numerous awards, she serves on The McNeil Educational Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; HustonTillotson, Texas Woman’s Univ. and TX A&M Univ. Alumni Associations; NAACP; and AA Archives & History Program. She’s also a Hall of Famer! TIFFANY BLACK Hailing from Hackensack NJ, Tiffany Black, studied African/African American Studies AFAM concentration at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, during which time she also served as Student Representative on the board of the National Association of Black Journalists. Currently the president and owner of Epiphany Content & Media, she works as Global Social Media Lead at Google Cloud. She has also held numerous positions at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, In Style, Mediabistro, Inc. Magazine, CBS Sports, ancestry. com and Airbnb. A definite overachiever, she delivers! ZENETTA DREW The incomparable Zenetta Drew is celebrating 35 years as the Executive Director of Dallas Black Dance Theatre since 1987. A Distinguished Alumni Recipient from Texas A&M University – Commerce where she received a BBA in Accounting. She also received a management

certificate in non-profit leadership from Dallas College. Known for her expert leadership and management skills, she is highly respected and even receives invitations from across the country and most recently, Rome. Engaging, loving and proficient, Zenetta is stylish and a joy to be around. She is committed to the arts and uses her creative and organizational skills to elevate the DBDT to higher heights. NELLIE LEWIS Just thinking about Dr. Nellie Lewis evokes a heavy sigh. She was so dynamic. A respected educator and volunteer whose career spanned almost 50 years, with 17 of those in Washington, D.C. schools before coming to Dallas; she served as area Director for Learning Centers and Administrative Assistant to four DISD Superintendents, was past President - dr/NABSE (Dallas Chapter), and also worked with the Young Educators Group at Paul Quinn College. An inductee into the African American Educators Hall of Fame, she was born in Durham, NC and also enjoyed a stint working at Paul Quinn College. DR. YVONNE EWELL Dr. Yvonne Ewell was a born leader. Even more importantly, she was a mentor and lifted as she climbed. A DISD Teacher, Principal, Consultant, Assistant Director - Curriculum and Ethnic Studies, Deputy Assistant Superintendent - Instructional Services, Associate Superintendent - East Oak Cliff Sub-district, Planner- Townview Magnet Center and District 8 School Board Member, Townview School was named in her honor. Bishop College awarded her with an honorary doctor of law degree in 1979. She was inducted into the Texas Black Women Hall of Fame in 1986. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Dr. Ewell was born in Frankston, TX. She received a bachelor’s degree

First of all, let me say, I’m not a grinch. So, I’m not suggesting that you don’t buy your young children the toys and gifts that they ask for. But the holidays are the perfect time to buy gifts for your children (or grandchildren) of any age that will teach them lessons about money and investing and provide them a solid foundation for their financial futures. Let’s start with a little lesson on the stock market. The last two months have been good for stocks, but it’s not hard to remember when stocks fell off a cliff earlier this year. Still, the S&P 500 is down 15 percent this year. But over the last 20 years the annualized rate of return for stocks is nearly 10 percent. Over the last 10 years the annual rate of return for stocks has been 16.4 percent. So, think about how a simple gift of $100 invested in the market would grow as your children or grandchildren grow. Let’s do an example. Read more at www.GarlandJournal.com

December 2022 from Prairie View A&M College and a master’s degree from the University of Colorado. MELISSA M. YOUNG Melissa M. Young is the artistic director at the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. A Honduran-American from Santa Ana CA., she has been with the DBDT going into her 30th year; first starting as a dancer, then rehearsal director, among other positions. She attended Orange Coast College where she studied business administration and she has worked as an adjunct instructor at SMU and Texas Woman’s University, and as a visiting dance artist at Abilene Christian University. She is a graduate of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. The epitome of grace, her every movement is art at its best. JOYCELYN JOHNSON Joycelyn Johnson is a proud graduate of South Oak Cliff Class of 73, where her classmates remember her as ambitious, attractive, cool and friendly. She attended the University of Houston where she was a featured twirler of the Cougar Band, and the first African American female performing on the field! She worked over 25 years as the Community Affairs Director for Service Broadcasting (KKDA/K104/KRNB) and she was the most recognizable voice in radio. For the past 11 years she has enjoyed several positions juggling numerous duties between West & Associates, LLP and Sen. Royce West’s Campaign Office.; while also putting her numerous skills to work with Reach Media/Tom Joyner Foundation. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. REV. DR. OUIDA LEE Rev. Dr. Ouida Lee is a writer, author and dynamic motivational speaker. Hailing from Henderson TX, she attended Mayflower High School in Tatum, TX and then it was off to Dallas Baptist University and Dallas County Community College. She received a Masters of Divinity in Ministry and Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Theology at Southern Methodist See SUPERB WOMEN page 8