WSSN Stories

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- “Life itself is an active abstract interpretation of one’s reality. I won’t be defined.” Those words were spoken by filmmaker and activist, Donisha Predergast, who is also the granddaughter of late Reggae legend, Bob Marley.

Over the last couple of weeks, Donisha has been in countless newspapers, blog sites and news coverage regarding the recent race issue that she and her friends were faced with when checking out of an Air BNB in Rialto, California. Although that issue is of importance within the community, Miss Donisha and her family actually enjoyed bringing the Kaya Fest to the Inland Empire, which she mentioned in a recent interview with me.

I wanted to bring a little bit of positivity and take the light off of the Air BNB situation and focus more on what Prendergast is up to and what she is working on. Before we get into the interview, here’s a little information on who Donisha is for those who only know her as part of the Marley family.

Donisha Rita-Claire Prendergast is an actress, model, dancer and poet. She was born on December 29, 1984. Through the years while in the field, she increasingly developed a love for acting and the theatre. She landed several lead parts for “Jambiz” (Production Company in Jamaica). Her first role came as Karen in “Puppy Love”. Immediately she followed up by playing Cindy Relisha in “Cindy Relisha and the DJ Prince”.  She also has appeared in a number of major promotional ads including the new Ammars spread which appears in newspapers and billboards throughout the Caribbean and parts of the world including the U.S.A. many doors. Donisha aspires to become a Child Psychologist.

Click below to listen to the interview

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Wonderful, tired, worn-out Mama… Sit down… Relax… Clear your mind of all thoughts… Forget the morning drama… Forget the battle cries… Let go of today’s worries and stresses…. Throw your cares on the Lord… and just rest… Mama…  Amazing Woman!

You are incredibly strong. You balance work, home, children, husband, cleaning, finances, cooking, shopping, planning, appointments… all these and many more. You work hard. You are relentless! Sit down and relax, mama! Yes, you can do it all!” is the message we hear and see. But underneath “doing it all” is a woman who I know sometimes feels like she’s crumbling under the weight of it all. Let yourself off the hook!  Breathe! Exhale!

“O if I had wings like a dove! I would surely fly away and be at rest; Truly, I would flee far away; I would lodge in the wilderness. I would hurry to find a shelter for myself from the raging wind and tempest …. [Psalms 55]. 

Oh mother, I thank God for the caring you’ve shown me through the years. I thank God for a mother who sacrificed many things, behind the scenes, unbeknownst to her children who never wanted for anything. I thank God for a mother who led by example and put others before herself. I thank God for a mother who forgave when others caused her pain. I thank God for a mother that persevered and handled set-backs with grace. I thank God for a mother that prayed for her children to find their way back, instead of pushing them further away. But most of all, I thank God for blessing me with a mother who introduced me to Him when I was old enough to talk. For without Him, I’d be lost and certainly wouldn’t appreciate the mother he gave me. Oh mother, I am forever grateful for all that you are and who you have taught me to be. The gratitude I have for you can hardly be expressed by words. Thank you for everything Mother!

 “All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all of my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her” [George Washington].

“All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life” [Abraham Lincoln].

I encourage you, if your mother is still a live; appreciate her because she is irreplaceable. If she is no longer here, may her soul rest in peace. I know God has made a perfect home for her in heaven.

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL Mothers!

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- On Sunday, May 6, I had the pleasure of attending the last Los Angeles showing of ‘Feeding A Monster’, the stage play. ‘Feeding A Monster’ is the real-life story of Veronica Loving and her daughter Jazzmine Jackson. The stage play was derived from the book written by Loving and Jackson, and just as the book was in depth of the issue of sexual assault, the actors did an exceptional job of bringing the issue that has been swept under the rug for years, to the forefront.

The talent of this awe-inspiring production consisted of Fayley Patrice (Veronica Loving); DeJuan Christopher (Kenneth Crockom King); Doyin Domingo (Jazzmine Jackson); Conisha Wade-Dorsey (Rhea); and Andre K. Jefferson (Eli). Each cast member did a phenomenal job of bringing their character to life. The passion that they exhibited on stage made the audience feel the situation. You were able to visually see a reenactment of how Veronica and Jazzmine felt during the time that this experience occurred.

The way that the script was written, which was written by Loving and La Darrion Williams, kept us on the edge of the seats. Some scenes were so intense that they gave you chills because it seemed like everything was actually taking place right before your eyes. It made you feel like you had traveled the journey with Loving and Jackson. I commend the director, Art Evans, for bringing his vision of that to the stage.

Each scene in the play was thought out to a ‘T’, and in between the scenes the production crew were on que when it came time to get the stage ready for the next scene, whether it caused for moving furniture around or adding additional props to stage, they were on it.

If you did not get the chance to see this production, Veronica stated that they do plan on bringing it to a bigger stage and to more cities, so be on the lookout for that. But in the meantime, you can purchase the book at Amazon.com.

By Lue Dowdy

Sgt. Major Janie B. McCoy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- My mama, retired Sgt. Major, Janie B. McCoy, is WHAT IT DO!

Beautiful, Black, strong, fearless, kind, loving, giving and unapologetic are just a few words to describe the lady that gave birth to me. When I think of the quote, “She get it from her mama,” I can totally agree because I do. My Queen is everything to me.

Born in New York but raised in these Cali streets, my mother was no joke. At a young age she enlisted in the military where she served in the army for over 30 years, faithfully. My mother is the type pf person that will give you the shirt directly off her back. I love listening to her tell stories about my grandmother and great-grandmother. I come from good stock!

Mommy thank you so much for always loving me, supporting me and believing in me. You’re my hero, the real J.I. Jane. Happy Mother’s Day!

Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen

You can read in other places the details about the Rialto Police response to the neighborhood watcher’s 9-1-1 call about “Three Black People Stealing Stuff.” My focus is on the caller’s assumption of theft and more importantly, why that assumption and description.

The caller is described as a member of Neighborhood Watch, an organization of which most people speak with pride. I expect that people who are organized to watch would also be trained to report accurately.

 I could readily agree that she saw four people, one White and three Black, that she did not recognize who were removing “stuff” from a neighboring house. However, she assumed theft and reported it as such.

Is it a crime to make a sincere, but false police report? Is it a crime if that report ends in a tragic death? Responsible Neighborhood Watch members, as well as the rest of us, should want to be accurate when calling police.

The Rialto police responded in force as they should to a call describing an active burglary; however, thank goodness they did not arrive with guns blazing. They arrived and began investigating, asking questions, seeking the reality of the situation. That investigation took about 22 minutes according to Rialto police.

Why did the caller describe the “strangers” racially, if her concern was that she did not recognize them?

Donisha Prendergast, Bob Marley’s Granddaughter, was the focal point of the press coverage because of who she is.  The Rialto police have been notified of a possible lawsuit because of the incident. 

I think the Rialto Police Department has no need to apologize or worry about a suit. I cannot say the same about the Neighborhood Watch caller.

Donisha was in the Inland Empire attending the KAYA Fest, a concert tribute featuring Bob Marley’s sons and grandson. The performance was in San Bernardino at the National Orange Show. The event was a success that will hopefully become an annual affair.

Sandra V.

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Let’s face it, sometimes life is hard! Aside from prayer, sometimes we need that earthly guidance to help direct us in the path to take. Sandra V., founder and host of Vibrant Talk Show, created her outlet to do just that—guide people into their purpose.

Sandra is a life transition and success coach. Her show Vibrant Talk Show, based in Upland, California, was created to enhance the lives of individuals through specialist, experts, webinars and the like.

In addition to her show, Sandra is a nomadic presenter and conference speaker for organizations, conventions, schools, churches, as well as radio and television broadcasts. She holds a Doctorate in Religious Philosophy, along with her coaching certifications. She is passionate about touching lives and helping people to discover, design, transition and fulfill life’s purpose.

I recently chatted with Sandra V. where she chatted more about her mission and vision in life and for the show. Check out the interview below:

Can you briefly tell the readers who Sandra V. is?

I grew up in the Twin Cities, which is Minneapolis and St. Paul, and I’ve been her in Southern California since 1980. I have done public speaking for about 30 years and I’m also a life coach. I’ve authored a couple of books and I have a Ph.D in Religious Philosophy and an honorary doctorate from Next Dimension.

Wow, you do a lot! Let’s start off with the talk show first. What inspired you to launch the Vibrant Talk Show? And what is the mission and vision behind it?

I love success stories and I enjoy talking to people who have been what we consider the underdogs, that person who is least likely to make it or least likely to succeed. I love hearing their journey because sometimes we see the finished product, but we don’t always know what that person went through and the process that they went through to get to where they are. I like having them come on to share that and to inspire others. We also have experts who come on the show to inform the audience in different areas.

Awesome. So what prominent guests have you had on the show to date?

We had Raquel Herring (the first African American Mousekeeter), we’ve had professional athletes. We’ve had Ernest L Thomas. We’ve also had John Tarver (NFL professional). We’ve had celebrities on there, singers and authors, such as Romeo Johnson (The Voice). We’ve had quite a few.

When did you launch the show?

We launched it July 7, 2017.

Ooo awesome! So, you’re coming up on your one-year anniversary. Do you have anything planned?

Yes we do! We’re putting together a social event where we’ll have some of our guests that have previously been on the show, as well as people from the community, to come out and celebrate with us. We’re excited!

Where do you see the show going in the next three years?

We are hopeful to be picked up by a network. Right now, we do more like a webisode, but we’re also on HSBN.TV, which is available 24-hours a day. We’re hoping to go with some of the mainstream networks as well, so we can reach more audiences.

We want to shine a positive light on people and not necessarily bring up the mistakes they made. We want to show what they accomplished and how they’re impacting people in a positive way.

You’re also a life coach. What is your specialty and how long have you been doing that?

I’ve been a life coach since 2015 and I’m very passionate about it because it gives me an opportunity to sit down and provide a safe haven for people who just need an outlet to talk and also those who may have goals but don’t have the courage or the game plan.

I specialize in internal wellness because I believe as a Christian life coach the scripture lets us know that we prosper and we’re in health as our soul prospers, so I work with people to bring that wholeness and wellness to themselves and then they’re in a better position to produce the dreams and goals that they want.

You’re also an author…

I am!

So, what are some the books that you’ve written and what are they about?

I’ve written two and I’m working on one. The first one is called, “God’s Waiting Room”, and it has to do with conditioning yourself to be patient and wait on the perfect will of God for your life. You’re in preparation mode, but you’re not getting ahead of Him, but really allowing him to progress you forward in His timing and according to His purpose and plan for your life.

The second book is like a sequel to the first one and it is called, “I Don’t Mind Waiting, But I Refuse to be Denied”. That one has more to do with, ‘Ok, you’ve waited and prepped and now you’re at a time of launching what it is you want to do.’ So you have to have a determination and a tendency that says, “I’m not going to be denied what I’ve been promised. I’m not going to be denied what I prepared myself for.”

You also said you’re working on one. So, what will that one be about?

I’m working on one and this one is I think going to be very near and dear to my heart because this one is called, “The Renovation of a Signature Woman”, and it is birthed out of a period of my life where my life was basically dismantled and stripped down to the studs, and then being rebuilt again and being reinvented and reestablished, but also maintaining all of the experiences that was gained beforehand so that I can go to the level that I really need to be reaching.

When will that one be released?

That one I’m hoping to launch in 2019 because there’s a few chapters of it that are still being written if you know what I mean [laughs] by that. So, I would like to launch it in 2019.

You also do public speaking. Do you have any events coming up?

I don’t right now, mainly because we’re so focused on the show. The show is really taking off and it’s requiring a lot of time and energy right now, so we kind of ceased some of the speaking for now. But when the new book comes out, we’ll want to launch it again.

What are some things that you’re personally looking forward to? We’ve talked about the show’s vision, but what is Sandra’s own personal vision?

I envision myself being on those platforms that are going to take the show to the next level and also opening a gateway for other people who have been in the shadows preparing and putting in work who have a message that they need to share, whether it be a success story, a triumph. I want to be a Conduent for them. Some of them are doing grassroot work, but it’s not getting the type of attention that could really help them further their causes, so I’m excited and looking forward to that.

As a life coach, what is your piece of advice for those whether young or seasoned, who feel trapped and don’t know their purpose or trying to find their way but to no avail?

One of the things that I would say to them is that they may be if they’re stuck and been stuck for a while, they may need to search out someone who has tools of discovery that is put before the person for them to work through which makes them narrow down the things that are real true standards in their life. It makes them really narrow down what their true goals and aspirations are and then map out a way that they can actually maximize their time, energy and their resources to get them turning toward the direction that they discover that they really are interested and passionate about.

It also helps people to identify because sometimes you have people who have multiple gifts and talents and don’t know what to do with it all. It helps them to sort it out and organize the projects and set up timelines that are workable, doable and achievable. This allows people to come out of frustration because they can see progress. Even if it’s small steps, you’re now seeing progress.

If someone wanted to be a guest on the show, what are the requirements and how do they go about doing so?

Anyone who would be interested in being on the show can find us at VibrantTalkShow.com. We have a page there for people to fill out a form to submit to be on the show. We take on not just professional athletes, but community leaders and ordinary people who have overcome some really great obstacles and want to share and empower. We’ve had cancer survivors and we’re getting ready to a segment on domestic violence, suicide awareness. We also see the show us an intervention as well.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Why want you, “First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye [Matthew 7:5]. That’s right, deal with your own sin, and then you can help someone else. Otherwise, don’t judge others because they sin differently than you do. For as [Romans 2] states, “Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest does the same things.” YOU ARE A SINNER YOURSELF! How you going to call the kettle black? The next time you’re tempted to run down someone, remember James’ pointed question, “But who are you who judge your neighbor?” Judge yourself instead! [James 4:11-12]

I tell you, you remind me of the group of Pharisees and teachers of law, who brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. They use her as a test case to trap Jesus. It was a clever trap. Yet Jesus did not step into it. Instead, He turned the trap on them. He said to them, “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” [John 8:1-11]. He makes them judge themselves. Imagine that! “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone…” Can I tell you that after what Jesus said penetrated, one  by  one they  drop  their stones  and  walked away  until  Jesus was  left  alone with  the frightened and disheveled woman. That’s right. They were gone, “poof” nowhere to be found… And when they were all gone, Jesus straighten up from writing in the sand, looked at her and said, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she says. Then He went on to say, well there is one who is without sin.  There is one who has the right and authority to judge and condemn you. And then He pronounced His judgment: “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. ‘“Go and leave your life of sin,” he concluded.

 Understood rather than condemned. Saved rather than stoned. Sin exposed yet covered in His love. This story does not condemn the sinner, but calls the sinner to change, to be saved. Grace ushered in forgiveness.

So what’s the point? Jesus was above reproach in a way none of us could ever be, and yet He showed only compassion, not accepting sinful behavior but never rejecting the person who sinned.  Maybe if we showed that same kind of love toward other sinners, we’d have more power and influence for good in the world and appear less like the hypocritical Pharisees.  It’s His kindness that led us to repentance after all [Romans 2:4].  So, the next time you hear of someone struggling with sin, try resisting the urge to “pile on” and think to yourself, “There but for the grace of God go I.”  Ask the Lord to forgive him or her as [1 John 5:16] instructs us to do, and if you get a chance, offer a word of encouragement.  You don’t have to condemn the believer to prove that you don’t condone the behavior.

God’s grace, receive it and then go and sin no more. Frame these words and hang them on the wall. Read them.  Ponder them.  Bathe in them. Drink them.  Stand below them and let them wash over your soul. 

“Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he falls” [1 Cor. 10:12].

By Manny Otiko

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- I hate to admit it, but I have been sucked into the Kanye West-Donald Trump media storm. At first, I didn’t want to play a role in this manufactured event, but there are some important marketing, media and political lessons here.

West has always been a controversial figure. He’s a talented musician, who has won multiple Grammys. I bought two of his first CDs, back in the days when people bought CDs, and I enjoyed that his songs were different from the usual guns and blunts fare produced by other rappers. But in recent years, controversy has overwhelmed his talent.

There was the thing with Taylor Swift, the outrageous boasts and then the marriage to reality star Kim Kardashian. Several people in the industry have whispered that Kardashian’s reality TV antics are overshadowing West’s career and he has now been absorbed by the Kardashian clan. And more recently, West was hospitalized for “exhaustion” and rumored to be treated for a mental health condition. Now there is the sudden alliance with the Trump-MAGA crowd.  

This MAGA love happened just when West is promoting his new album. West comes from the showbiz world, where there’s no such thing as bad publicity. (Rapper 50 Cent once said that he didn’t mind some of the black gossip sites running stories about him being gay, because at least they were writing about him.)

West’s alleged alliance with Trump has news jacked social media and made him trend on Twitter, which is all great publicity for his album. This kind of publicity would cost you millions of dollars, and West just got it for free.

There is a history of people using outrageous antics to market their product. Madonna practically perfected it. I’ve never heard a song by rapper Azealia Banks, but her history of making crazy statements landed her in Playboy.

But there is a danger that West’s antics will alienate his base. And that’s already happening. He’s already lost millions of Twitter followers. And West has been hit by abuse on Twitter as fans are horrified by his comments. He might be embraced by MAGA lords, but they’re not going to buy his album or go to his concerts.

Part of the problem is because he’s allying himself with the Trump administration, which is one of the whitest supremacist presidencies in several decades. As ESPN’s Jemele Hill said, Trump has surrounded himself with open racists. He’s also implemented anti-immigrant, and anti-Muslim policies and referred to African countries as “sh*thole countries.” Even the phrase Make America Great Again (MAGA) is racist, because Trump supporters think America was great in the 1950s, when white males ran everything, and people of color had no representation.

Is this what West wants to ally himself with? If so, it’s no wonder his fans and management team have bailed on him.  It’s also ironic that West is getting praised by FOX News, a network that hates hip hop. FOX often tells entertainers that they shouldn’t talk about politics but loves to embrace Hollywood types if they have conservative views.

One of FOX’s arguments against Hollywood political commentators is they don’t know what they’re talking about. Well, that’s exactly the case with Kanye West! Just look at some of his statements:

• Kanye says he loves Trump and he is his brother, but he’s not political.
• He also once said that he doesn’t see the need to read books and bragged about not reading contracts.
• He also praised black conservative commentator Candace Owens, who said that police violence wasn’t a problem with the black community. She also called Black Lives Matter whiny. Owens appears on Alex Jones’ conspiracy show, Info Wars, which should be enough to kill her credibility. Jones has spent years denying that the Sandy Hook school shooting existed until he was sued by the parents of the children killed at the school.

African-Americans turning against West isn’t about group think. People are not rejecting him because he’s dallying with Republicans. They’re turning against him because he’s allying with racists and he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. It’s not about left or right, it’s about right or wrong.

But good luck to Republicans with their embrace of Kanye. He’s a loose cannon and when he explodes again, it’s going to be your problem.

Manny Otiko is a media professional who is based in Southern California. Follow him @mannyotiko on Twitter. This column represents the views of the author, not California Black Media.

By Antonio R. Harvey | California Black Media

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- While residing in the Easter Hill Village public-housing project in Richmond, California during her younger days, Cynthia Marshall’s mother put two books in her hands — a publication of mathematics and the Bible to guide her through her life’s journey to success.

For a young person living less than 18 miles east of San Francisco, those two books became the important focal point of Marshall’s life and career in telecommunications. They lifted her out of despair and a constant element of crime.

Now that she is the Chief Executive Officer of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the professional sports team is discovering how the books still play an integral role in the task she has acquired. Marshall is an effective problem solver and has a strong Christian faith. 

“She put those two books in my hands at an early age and said, ‘If you keep your head in these books they will get you out of poverty,’” Marshall said of the advice given by her mother. “That’s what I did. When people ask me what is the secret to your success, I tell them it’s those two books. I kept my head and eyes in both of them because that is what I was told to do.” 

Today, Marshall, who retired from AT&T as its senior vice president of Human Resources and chief Diversity Officer, is not only the first Black female CEO of an NBA franchise, she is the first woman ever to hold the position.

At a time when the “Me Too” movement has rapidly picked up the pace, Marshall was specifically brought in to address and subdue an alleged culture of sexual violations against women within the Mavericks’ organization.

The Mavericks’ owner, Mark Cuban, announced that there would be in-house investigations, and then introduced Marshall as the interim CEO who would lead the independent review as well as provide solutions to ensure women work in a respectful environment. “The CEO interim tag has since been removed,” Marshall said.

Cuban’s decision to introduce Marshall into the corporate world of sports also brings hope to other African Americans and women who would like to follow her path. 

“I think for our community it means that we have opportunities, it means somebody like Mark Cuban saw the value and didn’t care if I was a man, woman, Black, White, or Asian. He didn’t care,” Marshall said. “He wanted somebody equipped to do a job and it just so happens he called upon a Black woman to do it. He made the call. It says a lot about our society. Hopefully, we’ll have more people like him that will follow suit and get beyond gender and race.”

Thanks to her mother providing her a math book and Bible, Marshall’s climb to leadership roles has been one of determination. She earned every position she attained since graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was the first Black cheerleader on the campus and earned degrees in Business Administration and Human Resources Management.

Marshall started at AT&T in 1981, holding positions in operations, human resources, networking, engineering, planning, and regulatory and external affairs. She was named senior vice president of Human Resources in 2012, and then was appointed Chief Diversity Officer as a dual role in 2015. Black Enterprise listed Marshall as one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in corporate America the same year. She retired from AT&T in 2017 to start her own consulting firm.

Marshall was honored on the California Senate and Assembly floors at the State Capitol on April 19, 2018 in Sacramento, a place where she spent time advocating “good public policy” for AT&T, she said.

Loretta Walker, who worked alongside Marshall at AT&T before retiring as vice president of Employment Engagement Communication, said the Mavericks’ hiring of Marshall “makes sense.”

“From the standpoint of looking at an established institution in AT&T that has gotten a lot of recognition for diversity, they (the Mavericks) have gained a lot by allowing her to bring in her expertise,” Walker said. “I know I’ve been blessed. I know I’ve never experienced anything like (sexual harassment) in my lifetime working for a company like At&T.”

Cynthia Marshall extended the interview with California Black Media to touch on her duties and vision as an executive for the Dallas Mavericks.

CBM: After you took the CEO position for the Mavericks, you said that the ‘system failed’ under the previous leadership. What parameters have you put in place and have you made any progress?

Marshall: Yes, we have made progress. We put together a 100-day plan and we had to start with telling people that we are about zero tolerance. We put together a ‘respect-in-the-workplace’ training, harassment training, updated our code of conduct, and I started sitting down with the employees one by one. One of the first things that I did was roll out a set of values and hashtags. The hashtags are #RespectAtWork and #PerfectOurCRAFTS. The C.R.A.F.T.S. are our values — character, respect, authenticity, fairness, teamwork, and safety. When I say safety, it’s physical and emotional safety.

Those are the things we are trying to model in the workplace. And of course, we’re rolling out new policies, and we have brought in a new senior vice president of human resources, who is also a Black woman. We added a new position, a compliance officer, who can focus on investigations, misconducts, and setting the right tone.

Our leadership team has gone from no women to at least five women and three people of color. We’re making progress and that matters only because diversity matters. All the research says you make better decisions when you have a diverse group at the table.

CBM: You said that you first declined the offer to work for the Mavericks. But then changed your mind after talking to a couple people within the organization. What changed?

Marshall: First of all, they were asking ‘are you the new woman who is our new boss and Mark Cuban’s new boss?’ I was like wow, for him to tell people that he’s already excited about me coming in. The smart man that he is, obviously, he already did his homework and felt that I could help with this issue. Then they told me that this was not a workplace that’s really inclusive of women the way it should be. We were addressing everything, including pay disparities, which I am happy that we don’t have a big gender disparity around pay. Some things were done right, but clearly, some things were not done right. So we’re changing that culture. Those women said, ‘We need you. We absolutely need you. This place needs to focus more on women.’ We’re doing that.

CBM: Do you know that what you are doing could be a blueprint for the NBA, the entire league itself? How do you feel about that?

Marshall: Exactly. When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called me to welcome me to the NBA, and he was so welcoming, to have him call me and send me a huge message that the whole league is watching and dedicated to getting this right, yes, hopefully, we can lay out a blueprint. So, if any other organization has an issue we can lay out the template on how to address it.

CBM: This is a great opportunity for you. Do you know what this could do for your career and others who want to follow your path from where you started to where you are now?

Marshall: You know, I worked for AT&T for 36 years. So now I am committed to this. But my ultimate dream is to lead a small college. Whether it be a rural college, Christian college or historic Black college. I want to lead an institution that needs a lot of help, where I can call upon all my friends to help for free, and that we can give those students a good education for free. That’s my vision. Those are the kind of calls that I want to get.

Donald Smith

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Donald Smith was born on June 24, 1945 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the 7th of 9 children born to Oscar Smith Sr. and Mamie Louise Hill Smith of Yazoo City, Mississippi. The family attended Calvary United Methodist Church and the York Street Methodist Church. Donald and his siblings were very active in Church activities and recited biblical stories at Church functions.

He attended Heberle Elementary School, Bloom Junior High, and graduated from Central High in 1963. As a young man Donald moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan and was quickly drafted in the Army in 1964 where he served 3 years. Returning to Cincinnati, Ohio he continued his education to graduate from the University of Cincinnati.

In the following years, he met his future wife Maria. They were married and gave birth to his first child, Donald Jr. Donald moved his family to Houston, Texas where his second son David was born. There he managed a large restaurant chain and received a corporate recognition award. Donald was very disciplined and passionate and thrived as a successful entrepreneur for many

years. In his later years, he became a teacher and state compliance official for a reputable charter school in San Bernardino, California. Most recently he retired early 2018 after 15 years of service at the PAL Center.

On April 21, 2018, Donald’s journey was complete, and he transitioned to be home with the Lord. Donald is survived by sons Donald Jr., David and his wife Kelly, two granddaughters Naima and Nalaya, sister Helen Witt, brothers Douglas and Terry Smith, and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family. Preceding him are his wife Maria, father Oscar Smith Sr., mother Mamie, and siblings Turner, Annie, Oscar, Sylvester and Dewey Smith.