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Show Notes

• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 8/10/2009 4:30 AM UTC

  KKDA's Reporters Roundtable with Cheryl Smith and Ms. Xernona Clayton and Joy Thomas
  

  Today’s show came to you live from the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Tampa, Florida.
  
  
  The Deltas (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.) are coming to town and the Kappas (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.) are in DC.
  
  The show opened with Ms. Xernona Clayton and we talked about a number of issues as she prepares to come to town on August 14 for the Evening with Xernona, sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd., at 6:00 p.m.
  The event is free and will feature actor Richard Roundtree, as they focus attention on breast cancer.
  Ms. Clayton said she will talk about her experiences with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and her career in journalism and Mr. Roundtree will give a male perspective on the breast cancer.
  She wants listeners to sign up to be ambassadors and spread the word about the Circle of Promise.
  You can register for the event at 404-455-4946 or at xernonaclayton@gmail.com
  
  We also talked about NABJ and she had very kind words to share about the organization, as I named folk like Condace Pressley, Angela Robinson and Sidmel Estes Sumpter--all from Atlanta, who were at the NABJ Convention. Ms. Clayton was especially pleased to hear that the Atlanta Voice won an award, as well as several other members of the Black Press, like TV One’s Johnathan Rodgers and Roland Martin, Essence and of course, Ebony, for the wonderful picture of then-Senator Barack Obama in shades, getting out of a car. CNN, where Ms. Clayton made a significant mark, also won an award.
  
  I was humbled by the praise I received from Ms. Clayton. She was so gracious and kind.
  
  
  Next on the agenda --It’s time to raise your umbrellas, and it is not for rain. There will be a silent march focusing on the infant mortality crisis in Fort Worth.
  The Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta in partnership with the Junior League of Fort Worth Inc. and the Fort Worth Commission for Women will sponsor a silent march to call attention to the alarming rates of infant mortality in the city, on August 12 at noon. The march begins at the North entrance of the Fort Worth Convention Center. Tarrant County has one of the highest infant mortality rates in Texas and the rate among Blacks in the county is about twice higher than other ethnic groups. The honorable Kathleen Hicks and Kim Parish Perkins, of the Fort Worth/Dallas Birthing Project will speak.
  Joy Thomas of the FW Alumnae Chapter was my guest to talk about the project. She said that this issue is important to Delta Sigma Theta and the awareness about the issue needs to be raised. Participants in the march can purchase red and white umbrellas for $5. The umbrellas will provide relief from the sun for the short walk. Ms. Thomas talked about some of the issues surrounding infant mortality, like the lack of pre-natal care and stress.
  On August 13, the Deltas will hold the SW regional conference in Fort Worth. In addition to the Social Action Luncheon and Gospel Fest on Saturday at the Omni Hotel. There will be an Ecumenical Service on Sunday at 9a.m. Judge Maryellen Hicks will be the speaker at the Luncheon.
  
  Next we had the health update from Bilal and Jasmine provided news, discussing such topics as the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
  
  
  SHOUTOUTS--
  
  -Speak from Houston and Tornado from Talladega College were in the chatroom
  -Happy Birthday to Doug Williams, my former producer Mario White, Michelle Cross, Dana Nicole Vaughn, Derrick Simmons, Nanette Lee and Antonio Everette
  -Congratulations to Sen. Royce West and the participants in the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Internship Program.
  -I need to reach Lajuana Barton from Sen. West’s office and LaWonda Peoples from American Airlines.
  -The Florida A&M Rattlers are at Friendship-West Baptist Church today
  -The team from Freddy Haynes Unscripted ( Snoop, Veda and Tonya) were at NABJ, along with Terry Allen, Eva Coleman, Darla Miles, Kristi Nelson, Gromer Jeffers, Selwyn Crawford, Tony Salters, John Yearwood, Duschene Paul Drew, Paige Stewart, Rodney Thrash, Lorraine McBride, Angela Martin, Brandon Truttling, Brandon Gillespie, UNT students, Olivia Sanders and Dallas South.
  -A special solo shout-out to NABJ Founder Norma Adams Wade of the Dallas Morning News, who was in attendance.
  -Congratulations to Kathy Times, the FAMU Rattler elected president of NABJ. Also, to other winners, Deirdre Childress-VP Print, Bob Butler - VP Broadcast, Gregory Lee -Treasurer, Roland Martin - Secretary, Tonju Francois-Parliamentarian, Georgia Dawson (also a FAMU Rattler)-student rep, and the other members of the board.
  
  
  Until Next time -
  Wherever you go, whoever you talk to and whatever you do,
  DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE!
  • Tags:
  • KKDA-AM
  • Reporters Roundtable
  • Cheryl Smith
  • Don't Believe the Hy
  • Xernona Clayton
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