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MetroNews DELIVERING NEWS YOU NEED
• Vol. 10 • Mar. 2 - Mar. 8, 2023
MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER
Forever Black History Another Black History Month, come and gone. But, as the Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. said, during a recent visit to St. Luke ”Community” United Methodist Church, the struggle continues. The struggle is in the classroom, the courts, the streets, out in the community, and yes, in the homes. We are fighting against enemies known and unknown, as well as those that are in our head. Which brings me to my truth. Opal Lee is the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” During a Black History Month program hosted by the cIty of Dallas, Ms. Lee called on each of us to do our part in solving the problems of the world. For more than 40 years Ms. Lee led the charge to make Juneteenth a nationally recognized holiday. For her, it was a labor of love, all for freedom. Ms. Lee, Lula Briggs Galloway and Clara Peoples (Mother of Juneteenth) were known across the country for their efforts on behalf of the day when enslaved Africans in Texas received word of their emancipation. While Ms. Galloway died in 2008 and Ms. Peoples in 2016; Ms. Lee was here to see their dream become a reality when in 2021 Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday; with the signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act by President Joe Biden. I first met Ms. Lee more than 25 years ago when I attended See MY TRUTH, page 2
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Changemakers discuss Dallas and the civil rights movement
By Norma Adams-Wade
Texas Metro News Correspondent
Can we talk? To borrow from a classic song lyric, there was “a whole lot of talking going on” during Black History Month 2023. For their part, three local changemakers shared important memories during a February 11 “Community Conversation” at the African American Museum at Fair Park. The African American Museum and the 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza that houses artifacts about the 1963 Pres. John F. Kennedy assassination co-sponsored the event. Former Dallas deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Diane Ragsdale, community organizer Marilyn Clark, and arts and culture adminis-
Three changemakers on stage Feb. 11, 2023 in the African American Museum auditorium discuss Black Women in the Dallas civil rights and Black Power movement. (Lt to Rt) Arts and culture administrator Vicki Meek, former Dallas Deputy Mayor ProTem Diane Ragsdale, and community organizer Marilyn Clark.
trator Vicki Meek said much of the civil rights movement has been forgotten, but still is relevant today and can help guide future changemakers. Meek
led an audience Question and Answer session after Ragsdale and Clark spoke. Others at the program included a group of young change makers headed
Holmes brings strong message at St. Luke
St. Luke Leadership, past and present: Rev. Zan Holmes Jr. and Rev. Michael Bowie with Rev. Ritchie Butler (c)
Sharing stories of his tenure as senior pastor of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church, Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes Jr., Pastor Emeritus told a filled-to-capacity sanctuary that "these are some challenging times." "If we remain where we are, we won't get very far," he said. "The worse thing we can do is say we have arrived, that we have overcome. Our nation is struggling!"
by younger activist Amber Sims. “Where are we falling short?” Meek asked concerning veteran activists. See DALLAS CIVIL RIGHTS, page 6
Dallas presents Black History Month Program
Dallas City Manager T. C. Broadnax
Rev. Holmes returned to St. Luke for Black History Month and to kick off the church's 90th anniversary celebration which will culminate with a huge event in December. Instead of a sermon, after several musical selections, Dr. Holmes and Senior Pastor Richie Butler sat down for a conversation, which was more like a history
When Ms. Opal Lee speaks, everyone listens. The "Grandmother of Juneteenth" was the featured speaker at the City of Dallas' Black History Month Event on Monday at City Hall. The event, sponsored by the Office of Community Police Oversight, Office of Equity & Inclusion and Office of Arts & Culture also featured the Rob Holbert Band, dinner and presentations
See REV. ZAN WESLEY HOLMES JR., page 6
See BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM, page 6