The Dallas Examiner
DALLAS
Dallas Black Dance Theatre will present its 12th annual DanceAfrica, celebrating the life of National DanceAfrica founder, Dr. Charles “Baba Chuck” Davis and his mantra “Peace, Love, Respect for Everybody.” Performances will be held Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Moody Performance Hall, located at 2520 Flora St. Featured guest artist will be Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.dbdt.com.
A free outdoor DanceAfrica marketplace will also be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Annette Strauss Artist Square, located at 2389 Flora St. An array of festivities including vendors, food, art, children’s activities, face painting, a fashion show and performances by local community artists will all be a part of the free event. Local artists highlighting the marketplace’s stage performances include Texas Women’s University International Dance Company, World Dance Ensemble Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Dallas Youth Repertory Project, DC3 of Lancaster High School, Concord Church GEiMs Youth Praise Dancers, Terry Jackson and 8 & 1.
DALLAS
Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, iconic TSU professor and Debate Team head coach emeritus, received the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s highest honor on Sept. 23 in the District of Columbia.
Freeman was presented with The Phoenix Award and recognized for his profound influence on our nation as a legendary educator and prolific scholar. His long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life for African American students was the basis of the award. Civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges was another Phoenix Award recipient.
The Phoenix award is presented by the CBCF to individuals whose extraordinary achievements strengthen communities and improve the lives of individuals, families and communities, both nationally and globally.
DALLAS
The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded Cedar Valley College a $296,537 Jobs and Education for Texans grant. The grant will help the college purchase and install equipment to provide 930 students with training for careers in the automotive services profession.
The JET program provides funding for equipment to eligible educational institutions for the purpose of developing career and technical education courses and may include courses offering dual-credit and technical education programs. The equipment must be used to train students in high-demand occupations that include auto mechanics and auto body repair specialists.
DALLAS
The Texas Workforce Commission is partnering with the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and Texas Workforce Solutions for the Texas HireAbility campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. Governor Greg Abbott has issued a proclamation for Disability Employment Awareness Month in Texas. The campaign is now in its second year and coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month to highlight the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce. During October, TWC and its partners will feature resources for employers and conduct a statewide series of hiring events for job seekers with disabilities.
AUSTIN
(AP) – The sole African American member of the board overseeing Austin’s public transportation authority has said a Black executive should not be hired to lead the transit agency.
Beverly Silas made the remark during an August meeting of the Capital Metro board as members discussed hiring a new CEO and president.
A video recording of the meeting shows her saying, “Austin is not the place for them.”
Silas clarified Friday to the Austin American-Statesman that she doesn’t oppose hiring an African American.
But she says that, “because of the environment here, they might be subject to failure.”
Silas said Austin has drawn strong Black managers who excelled in prior roles but ran into problems when they took posts in the capital.
U.S. Census figures in 2014 show Austin had an African American population of just 8 percent.