Faith Formula Human Services Corporation will host its Third Annual Faith Summit on Poverty on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, 2008. The Faith Summit on Poverty was implemented as a direct result of the Gulf Coast (Katrina) Relief efforts which resulted in elevated focus on the poverty conditions in America. It is the belief of FaithFormula Human Services that Katrina exposed the pink elephant in our nation. The Gulf Coast Disaster pulled the covers off the real issues of poverty. Therefore, the Summit is positioned as a partnership of churches, community organizations, corporations, schools, city, state and national government institutions, elected officials and citizens to build stronger communities. The Texas House of Representatives held a hearing on House Bill 947, the Bill of Rights for the Underprivileged, on March 15, 2007. Rep. Yvonne Davis of Legislative District 111, sponsored the bill which came out of the 2006 Faith Summit on Poverty, authored by Dr. Haynes. This legislation will institute a policy statement for the State of Texas that reinforces basic rights every Texan including the underprivileged of our ...

This past Sunday was a busy one for Friendship-West Baptist Church. I'm still trying to figure out how we fit so much into each service yesterday. First Dr. Haynes acknowledged some guests from the Brite Divinity School Black Church Summit. There was a banquet held during the summit to honor Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. Dr. Wright did not attend due in part to security concerns. The Dallas Morning News' Jeffrey Weiss gives a summary of some of the weekend's events here. Married couples in the congregation participated in a vow renewal ceremony in conjunction with Black Marriage Day. Sister Nisa Muhammad , founder of Black Marriage Day, was also in attendance. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and his wife were also present, and the mayor presented Friendship-West with a proclamation from the city commending the church's support of Black Marriage Day and commitment to family. (I hope the mayor doesn't plan to run for President anytime soon). Following service, Dr. Haynes lead those present in a groundbreaking ceremony for Phase II of the Friendship-West development. The ceremony was held around a monument that will be placed in the Village Prayer Garden on the site. ...

On Sunday April 6, Rev. Al Sharpton will be minister of the hour to kick off the celebration of the 25th Pastoral Anniversary of Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III. Dr. Haynes is commemorating his silver anniversary as Senior Pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church. The visit by Rev. Sharpton is part of a month long celebration.  As more information becomes available, I will place it on the site. Who:    Rev. Al Sharpton What: 25th Pastoral Anniversary of Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III Where: Friendship-West Baptist Church 2020 Wheatland RD Dallas, TX 75236 When: April 6, 2008 - 8 am and 10:45 am

As of 1:10 p.m. on Sunday, Burnt Orange Report reported results of the Texas Senatorial Conventions with 83% (6,365) of the total delegates (7,64) counted - 55% of the conventions tallied. Of the total delegates count reported, Senator Barack Obama has garnered 56% (3,561 delegates) and Senator Clinton 44% (2,804). Obama did extremely well in the Dallas County conventions. In State Sen. Royce West's District 23, Obama won 82% (306) of the delegates. If Clinton had not received at least 15% from the precinct convention representative, then all of the districts 373 state delegates would have gone to Obama. Sen Clinton gained 67 delegates from District 23. Other Dallas County results: District 2 - 80 delegates to 30 delegates District 8 - 52 to 35 District 9 - 45 to 28 District 16- 150 to 105 Click here to see Burnt Orange's County/District breakdown.

Howard Witt once gain writes about a relevant issue in the African-American community for the Chicago Tribune. He has a theory that there is a rift between old guard activists -Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, NAACP- and new school internet advocates. Howard Witt's theory is (mostly) right. One thing that I don't like is how the media has chosen to join Sharpton and Jackson at the hip. Though their work is similar, their styles and tactics are not the same. Even at the Jena rally, by the afternoon, Rev. Sharpton had left town while Rev. Jackson was still speaking and marching. I think the frustration lies more with Sharpton and the NAACP more that with Rev. Jackson. The names Jackson-Sharpton have become a punchline amongst whites and many well to do blacks. It is unfair to both, but especially to Jesse Jackson. Anyway, we've been wondering for months why there hasn't been more attention given to Dunbar Village. The story first appeared on this website August 5th, even before the Jena 6 march. June 18th of last year, a mother (with son present) gang raped in their W. Palm Beach apartment ...

I've gotten an initial report (8:30 am) that delegates have been told that they are not eligible to participate in the convention.  They have been told that they must "re-caucus."  Anyone with convention stories shoot me an email @ shawn@dallassouthblog.com.

Over the last couple of weeks a lot of people have sent me....less just say less than positive responses to my thoughts about Dr. Wright and Black Pastors.  Most had never visited Dallas South prior to this.  They felt they needed to let me know that they respected good black folks  like Thomas Sowell and Clarence Thomas. I dismissed the whole notion, but then I began to think about whether there were any Republican or Conservative types that I could roll with.  8 years ago, George W. probably would have made this list.  He was a popular governor here in Texas and did work with Democrats quite often.  That seems like 100 years ago. Anyway, here's what I was able to scrape up.  5. Michael Williams Michael L. Williams is the Chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas, the state’s oldest energy regulatory commission. I've heard him speak here and there and he is always impressive in his manor (the bow ties are a nice touch also). I continue to wonder how it is the African-Americans can move through the ranks of the Republican Party, while the Democrats seem to have some sort of glass ceiling in tact. Now that's a bit ...

The Truth About Trinity United Church posted this excellent YouTube clip on their excellent website. This is a discussion with James Cone, one of the fathers of Black Liberation Theology.I'm not sure if most of you have the patience to stick with the 20 minute interview, but those of you who do will hear a very clear explanation of the idea of the "black church." It's not a profile of every church, but many black churches identify with what Cone speaks of here. Be Blessed!

I'm proud to share with you the latest video from Dallas' own PPT. Check out Pikahsso, Picnic, and Tahiti in their latest joint When We Was Kool. And lookout for their new album Denglish sent to release on April 15th.I've included an interview I conducted with Pikahsso last year around the time of the I Got Soul Music Festival. VERB Pikahsso Interview Part I Pikahsso Interview Part II

    IRS Targeting Americans Eligible for Economic Stimulus Payment Who Are Not Required to File Income Taxes Washington, D.C. - (March 26, 2008)  Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today encouraged residents of the Greater Metroplex to participate in Super Saturday, to be held this Saturday, March 29, across the country. On Super Saturday, the Internal Revenue Service and its partner organizations will provide tax preparation assistance to Americans in hundreds of offices nationwide, targeting those who are eligible for the upcoming economic stimulus payment, but who are not required to file an income tax return. The Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act, which Congresswoman Johnson supported, will provide tax rebates to 117 million households in the U.S., including 8.6 million Texans.  Payments will range from $300 to $600 for individuals and $600 to $1200 for joint filers, and many of those eligible will receive an additional $300 for each qualifying child.  Many Americans who are not required to file an income tax return will be eligible for the stimulus payment; however, they must file a return this year in order to receive it.  "I encourage all residents of North Texas to consider filing an income tax return this Saturday, when they ...