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My Truth By Cheryl Smith Publisher

Black Press

Love

Note: As we celebrate the 196th anniversary of the Black Press, I am taking this opportunity to share most of my remarks from the 2022 National Association of Black Journalists Convention when I was inducted into the Hall of Fame. I love the Black Press and I am proud that it is part of my legacy. Thanks NABJ family. To god and to God be the glory. To my Soror Valerie Fields Hill, my sis Eva Coleman and esteemed NABJ founder Norma Adams Wade, thanks for nominating me. To this Hall of Fame Class, you’re the best. Sarah Glover, The mark of a true leader is the ability to recognize, cultivate, uplift and encourage others. Thanks for seeing that I had so much more to give. Our founders wanted us to embrace every member no matter the age. I joined NABJ as a junior at Florida A&M University. DFW-ABC’s Dallas Mafia later embraced me. Now after more than 30 years of service with 10 on the national board, I stand before you feeling kinda special. I thank Joseph and Earline. Just look what Black Love produced! My God parents Charles and Liz Braswell were always Team Cheryl. I’m from East Orange NJ, by way of Newark. I grew up loving James Brown. The library was my place of refuge and respite as I read Nikki Giovanni, Dr. Maya Angelou and Iceberg Slim. Jim Washington at the Dallas Weekly gave me a chance and others followed. Teaching at Paul Quinn College and managing DFWABJ’s Urban Journalism Workshop helped make me better. With resources from my foundation, more than $250,000 in scholarships, internships and fellowships also helped send students to NABJ conventions. I wish Arthur Teele who gave me my first job at The Capital Outlook; Chuck Smith who introduced me to radio at Soul 73 KKDA or my friends Dick Gregory, George Curry, Pius Njawe or Lawrence Young could be here today. Mentors, mentees and their families, the FAMUly, The Warriors, my Godbrother Richard Moore in Ghana, HBCUs, Melanie Burney - who had me carrying her pink and green bag around the NABJ convention, praying loved ones, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Divine 9 all greatly enriched my life. Yes — Coleman Love is Strong! Just ask Stewart Curet — who is my fire and desire! Congrats to mi Hermana, SPJ president and NAHJ Hall of Famer Rebecca Aguilar. I’m proud to have my line sister here. Elusive Ladies Spring 78. We’re the BADST. Thanks to others who travSee MY TRUTH, page 5

SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS

THURSDAY MARCH 16, 2023 VOLUME X

A Family Wins Its Struggle By Joseph Green-Bishop

Texas Metro News Correspondent

The family of Reeves Henry, an accomplished blacksmith, philanthropist and inventor who lived in Forney, TX until his death in November 1930, will get its wish when Forney officials unveil the historical marker recognizing his contributions that their relative made to the city, and its residents. Jimmy Malone, a great-grandson of Henry’s who was born in Gregg County in 1859, said that members of his family had urged city officials in Forney for more than 30 years to pay tribute to Mr. Henry, whose business interests made him one of the wealthiest residents in Forney during the late 1800s and early 1900s. “We expect that the marker will be unveiled this summer,” said Malone, a former supervisor at Dallas Area Rapid System (DART). “We are terribly excited that this struggle is finally coming to an end. There is a marker on the site in downtown Forney that notes that my great-grandfather repaired the first gas powered car in the state. But there is no mention of his name.” The manager of the Spellman Museum of Forney, Kendall Nobles, said that the marker would make residents of the city proud

Jimmy Malone

of the many contributions that Henry made to the quality of life in their city. Among his inventions was a cotton chopper that separated seeds from the plant. “Mr. Henry was known throughout Forney as a mechanical genius and a great inventor. An approval notice was received by the city of Forney in February of this year. Among other accomplishments, Mr. Henry repaired

the very first gas powered horseless carriage in Texas in 1899, she said. “The Henry marker will be the second in Forney dedicated to the contributions of prominent African Americans,” said Ms. Nobles. “It is very important to our community. Our board of directors is grateful that the Malone family contacted us.” The other marker dedicated to

an African American in Forney tells the story of Mr. William McDonald, an educator, business owner and public official. There are a total of 10 historical markers in the city, Ms. Noble added. Ms. Noble said that the Henry marker was approved under a program created in 2006 by the Texas Historical Commission in Austin to address omissions in the state’s historical marker program, and to include more women and ethnic minorities. The first person in the Malone family to contact historical preservation managers in Forney was Mr. Malone’s uncle, Lt. Colonel George H. Jackson, a United States Air Force veteran who earned a degree in electrical engineering from Tuskegee when he was 19 years-old. Mr. Jackson made his first request to Forney officials in 1986. “This has been a very long and important struggle for our family,” said Mr. Malone. “We were always puzzled why his name was not included in Forney’s history, and why he had not been recognized for all that he had done. We always knew that we had to do something to accomplish it.” Joseph Green-Bishop is a longtime journalist who has published newspapers in America and Africa. Currently he is a news correspondent for Texas Metro News.

National Bankers Association addresses Industry National Bankers Association (NBA) President & CEO Nicole Elam Esq. and Chairman Robert James II released the following statement regarding Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank. “In light of recent industry events, the National Bankers Association wants to assure consumers that your money is safe with minority banks. Minority depository institutions are very different from both SVB and Signature Bank which had high concentrations in crypto deposits and volatile venture capital. Minority banks are not exposed to riskier asset classes and have the capital and strong liquidity to best serve consumers and small businesses. If you’re looking for a place to bring your deposits and have greater impact, bring your deposits to minority banks” said Nicole Elam, President and CEO of the National Bankers Association. “The Biden-Harris Administration, FDIC, and Federal Reserve worked hard this weekend to

make sure that these bank failures are the exception, not the rule, and that all Americans can continue to have confidence in our banking system. I also applaud bipartisan leaders in Congress for keeping

Robert James II

Chair, National Bankers Association

stakeholders informed about how hardearned deposits are being kept safe.” said Robert James, II, Chairman of the National Bankers Association, President & CEO, Carver Financial Corporation The National Bankers Association is the nation’s leading trade

association for the country’s minority depository institutions (MDIs). MDIs have always focused on safety and soundness as a part of our conservative, relationshipbased business model. We continue to monitor SVB’s impact on large corporate deposit concentrations, fintech, tech companies, and larger financial institutions that have partnerships with MDIs or who have made investments in MDIs. MDIs are in the strongest position ever to support their customers and here’s why: • Traditional Banking Model with Diverse & Secure Assets: MDIs are diversified in terms of their assets, predominately focused on well-collateralized loans, and are not exposed to riskier asset classes. Unlike both SVB and Signature Bank, MDIs have very limited exposure to the venture capital industry and crypto. • Well-Capitalized and Strong Liquidity: MDIs are in the strongest position ever. The sector is

exceptionally well capitalized, enjoys substantial liquidity overall, and has grown by 33% over the last three years in total assets. Nearly $4 billion in new, permanent capital has flowed to MDIs and currently, the median MDI common equity ratio is 16.4% versus 14.8% for non-MDIs. • Positioned for Impact: 77% of MDI branches are in areas with a higher average share of minorities compared to 31% for all FDIC-insured depository institutions. According to a Dallas Fed Study in 2022, MDIs originate almost 40% of their mortgages to minority borrowers, versus only 10% by other banks. Additionally, MDIs originate 30% of small business loans to low- to moderate-income communities in comparison to 20% at community banks and 24% at large banks. Customer deposits are not only extremely safe in an MDI but are far more likely to have a positive impact in the community Photo: twitter

Pursuing His Passion Leads Damarcus Offord from South Dallas to the Nation’s Capitol By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines

Texas Metro News Correspondent

According to Congresswoman Johnson, Damarcus Offord rises to the top of her list of staffers during her five decades of public service.

Dedication, discipline and determination are attributes of Damarcus Offord that has caused former U. S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson to list him as one her top staffers in her 50 years of government service. “Over the years, I have not had anybody better than Damarcus,” recalled the recently retired legislator. “He is thoughtful, diligent and respectful. There is no one that he would not approach if he thought it was important regarding his responsibilities in our office.” Before her demise last year,

Linda Mitchell, owner of Black & Clark Funeral Home had similar expressions when speaking of the young high schooler who she introduced to the funeral business and is now making a name for himself in so many areas and at so many levels. A stellar work ethic and loyalty are two characteristics that are important, he says, acknowledging that his interest in politics started in middle school at Pearl C. Anderson in South Dallas. “I got involved in student government and student council in 6th grade. It was then that I developed a love for serving people,” said 31-year-old Offord. While he was still in elemen-

tary school, Offord became one of 30 students who took a field trip to the nation’s capitol with longtime DISD administrator Shirley Ison Newsome. Along the route the students made several stops to historical spots from South Dallas to Washington, DC. Not only would this field trip spark Offord’s interest in politics, but it would provide a forecast of his future. A few decades later, he would be very familiar with Washington, DC as he became the Director of Outreach for Congresswoman Johnson. Read more at www.GarlandJournal.com