Fort Worth-Arlington-Tarrant County Vida News The Black Voice Page 1 “Fort Worth and Arlington ’s Oldest and Largest BLalack Weekly” FREE
Thursday, FREE July 9 - Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Volume 66, Number 19
Thursday, July 9 - Wednesday, July 15, 2026
P. O. Box 60382, Fort Worth, Texas 76115
Digging For Dignity Underneath The Togetherness Tree: Texas Buffalo Soldiers BBQ & Frontier Storytelling Festival to Honor 160 Years of Service and America’s 250th Anniversary
HALTOM CITY, Texas — Beneath the shade of an old pecan tree known as the Togetherness Tree, surrounded by the graves of more than 7,700 Black pioneers and over 500 Black military veterans, North Texans will gather on Tuesday, July 28, to celebrate a remarkable chapter of American history. The Texas Buffalo Soldiers BBQ & Frontier Storytelling Festival will begin at noon at Historic Fretwell Cemetery–New Trinity Cemetery in People’s Memorial Legacy Park, commemorating National Buffalo Soldiers Day, the 160th anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers, and America’s 250th anniversary. While the event includes barbecue, historical storytelling and community fellowship, organizers say its true purpose is to preserve and honor the legacy of generations whose contributions helped shape the nation. “It is a reunion with history, a celebration of service, and a commitment to remember those who helped build America while often receiving little recognition for their sacrifices,” organizers said. The story of the Buffalo Soldiers began in 1866, one year after the Civil War, when Congress created the first allBlack peacetime regiments in the United States Army. Native American tribes later bestowed the name “Buffalo Soldiers” in recognition of the soldiers’ courage, endurance and fighting spirit. Throughout the American frontier, Buffalo Soldiers built roads, protected settlers, mapped unexplored territory, escorted wagon trains, strung telegraph lines and defended frontier communities. Long before the creation of the National Park Service, Buffalo Soldiers also protected the natural landscapes of Yosemite and Sequoia, becoming some of America’s first park rangers.
eliminated the massive backlog and restored a vital connection between soldiers and their families. Their historic achievements were recognized decades later when the battalion received the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors. Organizers say the stories of the Buffalo Soldiers and the Six Triple Eight share a common legacy of service, sacrifice, perseverance and faith that continues to inspire future generations. There are many heros’ resting in the cemetery that made an unforgettable impact on the Black Community. Edward Jewel Briscoe is one of those heros’. He served this country with honor in World War II, United States Army, in 1957, became the first Black principal of Carroll Peak Elementary School. In 1975 Retired after thirtynine years of faithful service to Fort Worth’s children. In 1988 Fort Worth School District named Edward Briscoe Elementary School in his honor. In 2006 he entered into eternal rest and was buried beside his beloved wife, Jewel E. Briscoe, at Peoples Memorial Burial Park. Even after his death, twenty years Seated: Commander RosieLeetta Reed, President, Tex- later his legacy continues to as Buffalo Soldiers Association and Hall of Fame Recipi- inspire old and new generations. ent, Cowboys of Color. As the nation commemoRawls served in the historic rates its 250th anniversary, Their accomplishments came despite enduring ra- 6888th Central Postal Direccial discrimination, segre- tory Battalion, better known gation and unequal treat- as the Six Triple Eight—the ment throughout their only all-Black, all-female military service. Even so, Women’s Army Corps unit Buffalo Soldiers earned nu- deployed overseas during merous Medals of Honor, World War II. While millions of pieces of military commendations and the lasting respect of future mail piled up across Europe, threatening to disconnect generations. The festival will also hon- American troops from their or another remarkable chap- loved ones back home, the ter in Black military history women of the Six Triple Eight through a special tribute to accomplished what many be- neath the Togetherness Tree. Florence Marie Cole Rawls, a lieved impossible. Through Event Highlights Texas Buffalo SolTarrant County native buried determination, discipline and • diers Living History Program extraordinary efficiency, they at People’s Memorial Park.
Attorneys for Karmelo Anthony have filed motions seeking a new murder trial and the recusal of the judge who presided over his case, alleging prosecutors reneged on a pretrial agreement that prevented Anthony from testifying in support of his selfdefense claim. Anthony, 19, was convicted last month in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during an April 2025 confrontation at a high school track meet in Frisco. A Collin County jury found him guilty of murder and sentenced him to 35 years in prison. The motions, filed Tuesday by Anthony's new appellate legal team, argue that constitutional and legal errors during the trial deprived him of a fair proceeding. The defense is also asking that District Judge John Roach Jr. be removed from handling any post-trial matters, claiming public statements he made after the verdict have compromised his impartiality.
Judge Roach did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The case has drawn national attention since the stabbing, generating widespread public debate, misinformation and racially charged commentary online. Metcalf was White, while Anthony is Black. Defense Alleges Broken Trial Agreement In a 63-page motion for a new trial, Anthony's attorneys contend prosecutors violated a pretrial understanding that both sides would limit the case to events that occurred during the confrontation under the track meet tent and avoid introducing character evidence involving Anthony, Austin Metcalf or Austin's twin brother, Hunter Metcalf. According to the filing, the defense relied on that agreement throughout jury selection, opening statements and witness examinations. Attorneys argue they intentionally avoided introducing testimony from student witnesses
they hope the gathering beneath the Togetherness Tree will remind visitors that history lives not only in textbooks but also in the names, stories and memories preserved by communities. For one afternoon, the voices of Buffalo Soldiers, Black pioneers, veterans, educators, laborers, mothers, fathers and freedom dreamers will once again be remembered be-
• Recognition of Black military veterans • Tribute to Florence Marie Cole Rawls and the Six Triple Eight • America 250 commemoration • Community fellowship beneath the Togetherness Tree • Digging for Dignity Legacy Project presentation Event Information Tuesday, July 28, 2026 12:00 Noon Historic Fretwell Cemetery–New Trinity Cemetery People’s Memorial Legacy Park 5200 NE 28th Street Haltom City, Texas 76111 Sponsors • Texas Buffalo Soldiers Association • New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church Ministers Justice • Frontier storytelling • Coalition of Texas and historical presentations Digging for Dignity • Buffalo Soldiers • Legacy Project BBQ fellowship
Karmelo Anthony Seeks New Murder Trial, New Judge, Citing Alleged Prosecutorial Misconduct fense that the agreement did not apply if Anthony chose to testify. Prosecutors also argued that the defense had already violated the understanding by mentioning during opening statements that Anthony played chess. Defense attorneys say prosecutors warned that if Anthony testified, they would seek to introduce character evidence that previously had been excluded. Given only 10 minutes to decide, the motion says, Anthony chose not to take the witness stand. Anthony's attorneys argue that decision significantly affected the jury's ability to hear his account supporting his claim of self-defense. Prosecutors Reject Allegations Collin County First Assistant District Attorney Bill Karmelo Anthony Wirskye, who led the prosecution, strongly disputed the describing Austin Metcalf as aries. defense's claims. aggressive because they beThe motion states that on In a statement to The Dallas lieved such evidence fell out- the final day of testimony, Morning News, Wirskye said side the agreed-upon bound- prosecutors informed the dethe defense's motion contains
multiple inaccurate descriptions of the trial proceedings. "I and the entire prosecution team conducted this trial ethically and in full compliance with the Court's rulings and any agreements with defense counsel," Wirskye said. "We look forward to addressing these claims thoroughly in our written response." Additional Claims Raised The defense also argues that: • A jury instruction improperly discouraged jurors from accepting Anthony's self-defense claim. • Anthony's constitutional right to a public trial was violated because of strict courtroom attendance rules and the judge's ban on cameras during the proceedings. Motion Seeks Judge's Removal In a separate motion, Anthony's attorneys seek Judge Roach's recusal from all posttrial proceedings, including ruling on the request for a Please see Anthony page 6
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