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My Truth By Cheryl Smith Publisher
We love you Demond!
I remember writing about Demond Fernandez when I heard that he was leaving Houston to come to Dallas for a reporter position at WFAA-TV 8. One of the most commented on posts of the year for me, folks in Houston let me know that they were not pleased that he was leaving. Many talked about his character and his journalism. Sure they wished him well, but they were not happy to see him go. Fast-forward to today, Dallas is in the same position. Which brings me to my truth. Demond is moving to another market where his many skills will be appreciated, utilized, enhanced and celebrated. He will be sitting at the anchor desk, doing something he is well prepared for and deserving of. I told Demond that I hoped he would still be reporting because he is an outstanding, highly-regarded, award-winning journalist whose skills would be invaluable in any newsroom. His new employers agree so he will be reporting as well. More importantly, he has an impeccable work ethic. He doesn’t wait until there is a story to visit certain areas of a city. When he arrived in Dallas, the Baltimore native put his boots on the ground, exploring the entire D/FW Metroplex. He wanted to delve into the culture, meet and understand the citizens and learn about all communities. A long-time member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Demond is a member of the D/FW Association of Black Journalists. The University of Maryland-College Park alum devoted countless hours to community organizations, programs and activities. When you get a good thing, you want to hold on to it. Sometimes you have to let go, Demond is going to be alright. He’s a pro. And did I mention the man can sing! We wish him well and will show this Alpha Phi Alpha Man much love on Thursday, June 22, 5:30-7:00pm at the The Urban Arts Center, 919 Morrell Ave. Dallas 75203. He deserves our love. He’s the type of guy you love to see coming and hate to see leaving. If we could all be that way!
SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS
THURSDAY JUNE 15, 2023
VOLUME X
White House Juneteenth Concert Celebrates Black Music, Denounces Racism By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Correspondent
President Joe Biden delivered a powerful speech denouncing racism in the United States during the White House’s first major Juneteenth celebration, on Tuesday. The first Black woman vice president, Kamala Harris, began the evening by explaining the origins of Juneteenth and introducing 96-year-old Opal Lee, whose tireless advocacy played a significant role in establishing Juneteenth as a holiday. The Biden-Harris administration hosted the Juneteenth concert featuring renowned singers Jennifer Hudson, Audra McDonald, and Ledisi, aiming to highlight American values Biden said he believes are under threat. Addressing the audience, Biden urged Americans to choose love over hate and emphasized the importance of remembering history rather than erasing it. “As the past few years remind us, our freedoms have been put at risk by racism, that’s still too powerful a force. Hate only hides… And when given oxygen, just a little oxygen, it comes roaring back out again, and we
The Biden-Harris administration hosted a Juneteenth concert featuring renowned singers Jennifer Hudson, Audra McDonald, and Ledisi, aiming to highlight American values Biden said he believes are under threat. have to stand up and deny it the oxygen. So, Juneteenth as a federal holiday is meant to breathe new life into the very essence of America.” Juneteenth, a combination of June and June 19, is called Emancipation Day. Biden declared it a federal holiday in 2021. During her remarks Ms. Lee led
with strong words as she urged the audience to be catalysts for change, saying, “Make yourself a committee of one to change somebody’s mind. If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love.” If a change isn’t made, she closed by saying that “everyone would be going to hell in a handbasket!”
The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general arrived in Texas to inform a group of enslaved African Americans of their freedom after the Confederate states had surrendered to end the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation had See WHITE HOUSE JUNETEENTH, Page 3
WELCOME HOME BG!
Brittney Griner says 'no' to overseas play By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor
For Brittney Griner, there is no place like home. “Being back in Texas is wonderful. I’m just happy to get some barbecue and just seeing my family again,” she said. “I miss Texas so much. I miss being at home, I miss the culture. “When you’re from Texas, you know it’s like the best place to be,” Griner continued. “I’m just happy to get back to that; to playing in front of people in Texas.” The Houston native returned to her beloved state for two games between her Phoenix Mercury and the Dallas Wings at College Park Center on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington. It has been more
than two years since Griner has played in Arlington. She last played at College Park Center May 29, 2021. The Dallas Wings swept the series. The Texas ties run deep for Griner. In addition to growing up in Houston, she went to college at Baylor University in Waco where she helped them win a national championship in 2012. She has also won multiple Gold Medals for the Team USA women’s basketball. “We did a great job bringing our sister home and I am also happy that she wants to play and be out on the court,” said Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally. “She’s from Texas so it will be a welcoming applause that she deserves. She’s a phenomenal basketball player.” “It’s important for her to get all
that love and know that we were pulling for her and praying for her in that hard time,” said Dallas Wings center Kalani Brown, who has followed Griner’s career since she was young and who also played at Baylor. “For her to be playing so well after all of that adversity and she has triumphed over it – I am so proud of her. It just makes me have so much more respect for her.” Brown said. “I am glad that situation didn’t dim her light because she is the sweetest person. Every encounter we’ve had. I never had a negative one. I’m so glad it didn’t change her because it could have easily done that. Thank God for that.” Griner was freed in December in a prisoner swap with the See BRITTNEY GRINER RETURNS, page 7
Brittney Griner at morning practice in Dallas Photo: Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings
Trump Indictment Reveals 37 Felony Counts Relating to His Mishandling of Classified Document By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
An indictment against former President Donald Trump has been unsealed, showing an astounding 37 felony charges connected to the alleged misuse of confidential data. Publicly released documents include new details on the criminal charges against Trump and his associate Walt Nauta. Federal officials seized over a hundred classified documents from Trump’s Florida resort in August, which led to the charges. The indictment names seven separate statutes that Trump
is accused of breaking and 31 counts of deliberate retention of national security information. Among the additional allegations are making false statements, conspiring to obstruct justice, hiding evidence, and engaging in a scheme to keep facts from the public. Information about U.S. and foreign defense and weapons capabilities, U.S. nuclear projects, potential vulnerabilities to military strikes, and plans for possible reprisals were among the sensitive details seized from Trump’s possession upon departing the White House. The indictment shows that the files were from many government
Donald Trump Photo: Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons
and law enforcement groups. Those groups include the CIA, the Department of Defense, the NSA, the NGA, the NRO, the Department of Energy, the Depart-
ment of State, and the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. In addition, the indictment shows that, in two instances in 2021, Trump disclosed confidential material to unapproved parties. In one incident, he shared a “highly confidential” attack strategy with an author, a publisher, and two employees who lacked security clearance. In the second incident, two members of his political action group who lacked the necessary permission saw a classified map of a military operation. Continued at www.GarlandJournal.com