T E X A S
MetroNews DELIVERING NEWS YOU NEED
• Vol. 10 • Feb. 23 - Mar. 1, 2023
MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER
Person of the Year
WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM
BLACK HISTORY IS BEAUTIFUL
Parents say Black students targeted
By Ayesha Hana Shaji Texas Metro News Staff
Once again a social media platform is at the center of controversy. On Jan. 30, a seventh grader from Cobb Middle School and his two friends decided to play a TikTok prank on teachers. Unfortunately, the results of the prank weren’t just giggles and wiggles but in-school suspension (ISS) and alternative school. Jordan Thomas, 13, has been described as a student with good grades and a quiet demeanor. According to his mother, Carla Broom, he is also a goofy kid but never disrespectful. The incident took place as the students were walking back to their classes after lunch. Thomas said the trio had decided to par-
Asst. Principal Clay Grubb
Asst. Principal Reaunna Johnson
Photos: Courtesy of Frisco ISD
ticipate in one of the latest TikTok fads, the mumbling prank; where a prankster begins to ask a question but mumbles halfway through to confuse the other person. Thomas went up to a teacher and said, “Can I get a blah blah blah?” The teacher responded back by reversing the joke onto the student. The purpose of the prank, explained Broom, is to get the oth-
er person confused and make them ask, “what?” After a good laugh at the first teacher's expense, Thomas and his friends walked up to the next teacher and tried repeating the prank. However, the second teacher, Ms. Branch, reportedly heard sexual favors from Thomas rather than mumbles. Immediately, Thomas received in-school suspension from assistant principal Clay Grubb. Later that day, his mother was notified of claims that Thomas asked for sexual favors from two teachers. The assistant principal later changed his statement to Thomas “interacted” with two teachers. He then closed the case. However, on Feb. 9, Thomas
Allegations of Racism and Disparate Treatment Continue to Plague Frisco ISD received a green slip saying he was banned from attending the school's pep rally the next day. When Broom went in to discuss the action, she said Grubb told her the case was now handled by another assistant principal, Reaunna Johnson. Johnson, who is also Black, reSee PARENTS ALLEGE, page 6
Texas Metro News Sports Editor Named Teacher of the Year Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson
We’ve been holding off announcing this year’s Person of the Year and we’re glad to share this moment with the recipient and those who know, love and respect her and the work she has done over her lifetime. We are proud of our previous recipients because whatever anyone feels about them, all we ask is that they check the receipts. This year’s recipient, like Rev. Yvette Blair Lavallais, Judge Tammy Kemp, Hall of Fame journalist Roland Martin, and Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders have long receipts and memories. So many have benefitted from the works of the aforementioned and while some will ever admit it, others are proud to say they stand on the shoulders of these giants. For at least 50 years, we have publicly had an opportunity to scrutinize, criticize, praise, challenge and more. She’s taken the critiques and See MY TRUTH, page 8
Dorothy J. Gentry, Sports Editor for Texas Metro News, was named the Lady Bird Johnson Middle School 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year. Gentry, 56, teaches 7th Grade Reading/Language Arts and is the faculty adviser for the yearbook and National Junior Honor Society. She has taught at Johnson Middle School in Irving ISD for six years. Prior to arriving in Irving ISD, she
taught in DeSoto ISD and at A.W. Brown Fellowship Leadership Academy. “As teachers, our job is never done. There are high days. There are low days,” Gentry said. “There are days you laugh and days you cry. We are educating the future and training the next generation. I didn’t choose teaching. Teaching chose me.”
Gentry, a Dallas native, holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications from the University of North Texas and has a teaching certificate as well. She is also ESL (English as a Second Language) certified. This is her 20th year in education. She will represent Johnson Middle School in the district-wide Teacher of the Year voting process.
Children introduced to brainpower By Ayesha Hana Shaji
See CENTER FOR BRAINHEALTH, page 6
Breakfast Brothers expand business in Dallas with a new concept By Ayesha Hana Shaji Texas Metro News Staff
Texas Metro News Staff
It was a day of brainpower as the Center for BrainHealth in Dallas hosted a BrainHealth Week Family Fun Fair to celebrate the importance of brain health. The week-long affair brought together families from all over the city, who were eager
Dorothy J. Gentry
Micaela Rodriguez, Managing Producer with KERA, tells about a new podcast for children. Photo: Nina Garcia
Have a midnight craving and want to steer away from the basic fast food chain? Breakfast Brothers has got you! Breakfast Brothers inaugurated their first food truck and Breakfast Brother Express on Tuesday at their third location, off of Commerce Street in Dallas See BREAKFAST BROTHERS, page 6
Tony, with Breakfast Brothers, happily serves eager customers. Photo: Nina Garcia