By Cheryl Smith
Publisher
I am so glad I had a few feel good moments and wanted to share them with you.
June, which is always an exciting month, was especially exciting but challenging for me in 2021.
My sorority sister (bka line sister), who pledged with me on the campus of Florida A&M University 43 years ago, got married. It was a joyous occasion as sisters from Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Chicago gathered in Houston for the celebration. We even had Karaoke Night and you should have seen me as I did Al Green proud with “Let’s Stay Together!”
Congrats to Larry and Angela!
There was also a meeting of the Black Press, Black Texas Legislators and the NAACP to discuss the 87th Legislative session that had just ended. The candid comments from legislators gave us food for thought and should have fueled many of us to move to action.
I then went to a wonderful Black- owned restaurant, Turkey Leg Hut, after visiting the impressive offices of the Houston Forward-Times.
It’s always a joy to visit the homes of some of our historic Black newspapers and so much is happening under National Newspaper Publishers Association Chair Karen Carter Richards, who is the publisher.
And just think! It’s been about 14 years since I had turkey, and that one bite, encouraged by editor Jeff Boney, has me planning my next trip to H-Town!
New Jersey wins!
Next, it was off to Florida, the home of the great Florida A&M Uni- versity (FAMU)!
On a sad note, we said our fare- well to Emmanuel Curet, whose life was celebrated in Miami.
There are no words to express the respect I have for his mother, Nadrina. Talk about beautiful inside and out; spiritually grounded and loving! Then there’s Emmanuel’s beautiful daughter, Emani, who would like to become a FAMU Rattler, so I am in recruitment mode!
Also, while in Florida, some more FAMU Delta sisters joined me to celebrate my birthday, showering me with love and gifts!
Of course we took time out to salute fathers because I had a great one and I know some great ones. So I paid tribute to Daddy and also Mother, who transitioned in June 2014.
And fellow journalist and publisher of the Westside Gazette, Bobby Henry (bka Bobbeque) and his wife, my sorority sister Bertha, fried fish for me at their beautiful home.
The next day, I visited the newspaper and once again my heart was overwhelmed!
Gazette’s founding is legendary. It seems the daily newspaper wrote something untrue about businessman Levi Henry. He visited the paper and told them that he wanted a retraction. In their arrogance and disrespect, they said, “no!”
Mr. Henry told them he would start his own paper and print the truth! Well that was 50 years ago and today, my classmate, Bobby, is the publisher!
Next I was off to Chicago for a National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) board meeting with President Dorothy Tucker. When we weren’t working hard for NABJ, I was dominating on the Spades table (Roland Martin wanted no parts of me), until my line sister Karen Caldwell joined forces with NABJ’s VP Broadcast Ken Lemon.
I didn’t do as well playing CULTURETAGS; but had a great time with Chicago ABJ members, Karen and former Dallas-area journalist Gevonna Fassett.
And, as always the hospitality of Karen and hubby Kevin Fleming, was great, except for them beating Stew and I at Jenga.
It was all good, though, because thanks to Karen and Dorothy, I got Uncle Joe’s wonderful seafood and Karen introduced me to ginger beer!
Before I departed from the people in Houston, Miami/Fort Lauderdale and Chicago; I told them all that I loved, respected, appreciated them.
Which brings me to my truth.
We all know life is short.
We must enjoy life, living and the people who make it all worth while.
Yes, you should measure your words. You should determine what good comes out of what you say or don’t say because guess what? Some things are just not worth repeating and achieve absolutely nothing.
If I never ever see any of the people I spent time with in June, I sure as heck tried to spread love during the time we shared.
Actually every month will be like June for me, filled with love!
Also, It was great to come home to dear Skylar, who I was more than happy to shower with love.
