Black Journalists Gather in San Diego

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) held its annual convention in San Diego, California. I've been attending NABJ conventions for nearly 20 years and of course I didn't miss this one. I'd never been to San Diego before, but it was just as beautiful or even more beautiful than I'd been told. It was great convention. I always say that NABJ is like a family reunion, professional development, and a vacation all rolled into one. I fell in love with the organization ever since I attended my first convention in 1988. I still love NABJ!

Lamar Football Season Tickets On Sale Now!

Season tickets for Lamar University Football start at $60 for six home games. As you've heard, football is returning to Lamar after a nearly 20-year absence and everyone is excited. Coach Ray Woodard recently spoke at the Beaumont Rotary Club meeting about the upcoming season. Be part of the experience. Get your tickets today. Tickets are going fast! For more information, call the ticket office at 880-1715 or go to www.lamarcardinals.com

Jazz Violinist Michael Ward Performing at Grooves

Jazz Violinist Michael Ward will perform Saturday, July 24, at Grooves Jazz Club, 695 Orleans St. in Beaumont. Tickets are $15. Michael and I went to college together. We're both Southern University graduates (Go Jags).. Go out and support my fellow alumni!

Gospel Singer Yolanda Adams Wows the Crowd

Gospel Singer Yolanda Adams belted out her hits at Antioch Baptist Church last week. She was here as part of Antioch's Family conference which features guest preachers and singers from all over the country. Yolanda did a great job as usual and she looked great! In addition to singing, she also preached a little between her three songs. She told the audience that after two bad marriages she's learned to "really" love God.

Local Media Celebrations

There were two celebrations Saturday at The Grill in Beaumont involving local media. On one end of the restaurant, KBTV Channel 4's Marquel Sennet was celebrating a new job at her going-away party. She will be working in Shreveport. The party was hosted by Anchor Sheldra Brigham. At the other end, KBMT Channel 12's Meteorologist Ayna Sehgal was celebrating her birthday with colleagues and friends. Guests kept going back and forth from one celebration to the next. Those attending included Beverly Brooks, Darry Chillow, Liz McKernan, Michael Seiden, Molly O'Brien, Chip Fields, Diane Dean, and Brooke Bentley .

Best-selling Author Coming to Beaumont

National Best Selling Author ReShonda Tate Billingsley will be signing copies of her new book, Holy Rollers, on Friday, July 23 at Barnes and Noble,4155 Dowlen Road, in Beaumont. The signing will take place at 7 p.m. As you may know, ReShonda worked as a reporter at the old KJAC station in Port Arthur before her writing career took off. She's touring the country promoting the book and also working on bringing her book,Let the Church Say Amen, to the big screen.

Dean James Performing at Grooves This Saturday

Jazz Sax Man Dean James will be performing at Grooves, Beaumont's new jazz club at 695 Orleans St., on Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The cost is $15. I haven't been to Grooves,but I've heard good things about it. Let's go out and show our support!

Pioneering Women hosts Media Party/Luncheon

Stephen Jackson's Third Annual Gala

Charlotte Bobcats and Port Arthur Native Stephen Jackson will host his third annual Gala on Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m. at the Stephen Jackson Academy, 235 Proctor St, in Port Arthur. The NBA player is hosting his annual camp this week too. Stephen and his mother, Judyette, do a great job of giving back to the community through the foundation and the gala. Please support their efforts. Tickets are $100. For sponsorship and ticket information, call (409) 984-5720 or (281) 788-6405.

Antioch Family and Friends Day

I had a great time at Antioch's Baptist Church's Family and Friends Day Sunday. I enjoyed the wonderful performance of the Clark sisters. Of course I always enjoy hearing Dr. John Adolph's powerful word. Congrats on a great day and an awesome family conference which is taking place every Wednesday. If you haven't attended yet, you're missing some powerful speakers (Rev. Al Sharpton was there last week) and powerful singers. Gospel Sensation Yolanda Adams will be in Beaumont on Wednesday.

Brown Elected SU Alumni President

Congratulations goes out to my friend Dennis S. Brown who is the new Southern University National Alumni Federation President. The announcement was made last week at the Southern University National Alumni Conference in D.C. Brown is the president of the Houston Alumni Chapter and he has done some great things with that chapter so we're expecting even greater things on the national level. On behalf of the SU Golden Triangle Chapter, we're proud of you and support you 100 percent!

Area Residents Enjoy Zachary Breaux Jazz Fest

The smooth sounds of jazz and rhythm and blues filled the Procter Street Pavillion in Port Arthur this weekend as the third Annual Zachary Breaux Jazz Festival got underway. It was great show with Micheal Ward who is a fellow Southernite; Kyle Turner; Dana Jackson who did a great job, and Althea Renee along with several other performers. I reallly enjoyed the show. It was first class entertainment. The festival which took place on Friday and Saturday is named after the Port Arthur native who died trying to save a drowning stranger while on vacation with his family in Florida. The accomplished jazz musician was in his 30s. Congrats to Ms. Doris Hays and everyone involved in coordinating the event! Looking forward to next year!

Upcoming Juneteenth Celebrations

Juneteenth Celebrations will take place in Port Arthur from Thursday, June 17 to Sunday, June 20. The festivities include a parade, a pageant, and programs featuring various guest speakers. On Friday, Gail Pellum, organizer of the festivities, and pageant participants Megan Miller and Erika Benjamin were interviewed live on KBMT channel 12's morning show by Molly O'Brien.
Juneteenth is named after the day that the last slaves were freed in Galveston. On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to order the legal release of slaves with President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation took place on Jan. 1, 1863, almost two and half years earlier.
The events are sponsored by the African American Cultural Society. All events are free and open to the public.
“We just want to remember all those people who sacrificed so much for us to be where we are today,” says Gail Pellum, president of the African American Cultural Society. “We don’t want to take their dying for granted. And it’s even more important that we pass it on to the next generation so they know their history.”
Event Schedule:
June 8-June 30: Juneteenth Display at Port Arthur Public Library, 4615 9th Ave.
Thursday, June 17: 10 a.m. “Kids & Culture,” Israel Chapel AME Church, 948 Texas Ave. featuring speakers from Kenya, continental breakfast and lunch, a slide show, and a guided tour of the Museum of Gulf Coast
Friday, June 18: 6 p.m. Ms. Juneteenth Pageant, Israel Chapel AME Church, 948 Texas Ave.
Saturday, June 19: 10 a.m. Juneteenth Program, Port Arthur City Hall, 444 4th Street, featuring Waddy Thibodeaux as Harriet Tubman and Historian Amefika Geuka, an expert in African-Centered Education. Lunch will be served.
2-4 p.m Reception Museum of the Gulf Coast, 700 Procter St.
6 p.m. Parade starts at Savannah to Austin to Proctor
Sunday, June 20: 3 p.m. Heavenly Father’s Day, Procter Street Pavillion, 500 Procter St. A moment of prayer and reflection
For more information on the events, contact Gail Pellum, President, African American Cultural Society, at (409) 332-9105.
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Sigee wins Tax Assessor Democratic Nomination

In a special election held Thursday night, Thomas Sigee won the democratic nomination for Jefferson County Tax Assessor Collector. He defeated Interim Tax Assessor Collector Susie James by a vote of 25 to 18. Sigee's name will be placed on the November ballot. The election was conducted by the Democratic Party Executive Committee which is made up of precinct chairs to fill the unexpired term left vacant after longterm Collector Miriam Johnson resigned in March. Jefferson County Democratic Chairman Gilbert Adams supervised the process.
The election was held in the Jefferson County Commissioner's Court where a room full of family and friends gathered to show their support.
Sigee who works in the auditing office has been a county employee for 18 years. He is also a U.S. Army Sargeant. James who worked in the collectors' office for nearly 30 years was appointed to the interim position in April by county commissioners. Last year, the office collected more than $500 million in taxes countywide.

Channel 6 Anchor 'Arrested'

Channel 6 Anchor Nicole Murray was arrested Thursday and put in jail. The reason? It was all part of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Lockup fundraiser. Murray was among dozens of business and community leaders who were arrested for having a "big heart", MDA officials say. Participants had to raise money to get themselves out of jail. The lockup was held at The Grill restaurant in Beaumont.

Zachary Breaux Jazz Fest Downtown Port Arthur

The Heritage Life Center committee proudly announces the 3rd Annual Zachary Breaux Jazz Festival at the Proctor Street Pavilion in downtown Port Arthur on June 11-12. The festival celebrates the musical accomplishments of Port Arthur Native Zachary Breaux, an internationally recognized jazz musician who lost his life in 1997 trying to save a stranger from drowning. This year's lineup includes Joe Carmouche, Dean James, Kyle Turner, and Michael Ward along with a host of other talented singers and musicians. Tickets are $15 per night. For more information, go to www.zacharybreauxjazzfestival.com

Former Essence Editor Equips Youth, Challenges Others

Former Essence Editor Susan L. Taylor and founder of the National Cares Mentoring Movement challenged students and adults alike to serve as "shining examples" to help fight against failing schools and overincarceration in our society. She called mentoring "the low-cost, high results way of saving the next generation." Taylor spoke about the importance of mentoring and gave life tips during the Youth Mentoring Workshop at the Holiday Inn in Port Arthur. The program was sponsored by the city of Port Arthur's legal department. More than 200 people attended including students from Thomas Edison Middle School, Stephen F. Austin Middle School, Woodrow Wilson School of Technology and Engineering and Memorial High School. The best-selling author also signed copies of her book,"All about Love". She empowered the youth telling them "you are more than enough" and encouraged them to stop comparing themselves to others. Instead, she says compare yourself to "your former self. Ask yourself 'am I better? Am I growing?'
I was the emcee for the program and I really enjoyed it. I had a chance to spend some time with Ms. Taylor afterwards and it was really nice. I think she's fabulous!I took her to run some errands. I've never been so excited to take someone to Walgreens! Special thanks to City Attorney Val Tizeno and her staff for putting on a wonderful event!

National Black Book Festival in Houston

I recently attended the National Black Book Festival in Houston. It was a wonderful event featuring self-published authors as well as other authors who have been published by major companies. It also featured an exhibit hall where authors could talk about and showcase their books and seminars on marketing your book and bringing out the book in you. The event was held in Houston at the Crown Plaza downtown. Authors in attendance included Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Brenda Jackson, Tracy Brown, and Carl Weber. I also ran into my friend Author DeMonica Gladney of "Willing to Wait." I would certainly check it out again!