By Cheryl Smith
Texas Metro News
Our Superb Women!
2021 was the “Year of the Woman,” especially the Black Woman! For 10 months we dedicated this space to uplifting Black women and spreading a message that we need to show love and empower people with love instead of destroying them with hate and disrespect. We celebrate Black Women and call them SUPERB! AND WE ARE KEEPING THE CELEBRATION GOING IN 2022!
EARLINE GADSON-SMITH
Earline Gadson-Smith was born in Ocala, FL. When her parents moved to Plant City (the Strawberry Capital), she attended high school where she was a cheerleader. Upon graduation she moved to Newark, NJ; following her older brothers. It was there she made her home for more than 60 years. Family was very Important to her and she loved her children and led their 4H Club while also involving them in community programs. Instilling faith, pride and honor, she saw all three off to college as she enjoyed stints with Newark Airport, as a dental hygienist and an office manager. A lover of baseball, especially the Negro Baseball League, she was a life member of the National Council of Negro Women and a long-time member of Newark’sNew Hope Baptist Church.
MARY LESTER
Dallas ISD’S first director of mathematics, Mary Lester was a leader in the field of mathematics instruction. She developed and implemented innovative mathematics curriculums, and created and implemented the DISD Olympiad competition. As the court ordered auditor, she monitored the implementation and recruitment process of desegregation in the magnet schools. She hails from Crockett, TX and attended Ralph Bunche High School before attending Prairie View A&M University. An inductee into the African American Educators Hall of Fame, Mary is the consummate professional and team player.
HON. ROSIE M. COLLINS SORRELLS
Rosie M. Collins Sorrells was the Director of early childhood education and developed the early childhood education curriculum for DISD. A member of the State Board of Education. Rosie M. Collins Sorrells – DISD School was named in her honor. She is a graduate of Anderson High School in Austin, TX. Her undergraduate work was done at Howard Univ. and Huston-Tillotson. She holds a B.S. Degree from Huston-Tillotson, earned her M.S. Degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce, TX. and Ed.D. from Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX. A recipient of numerous awards, she serves on The McNeil Educational Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Huston-Tillotson, Texas Woman’s Univ. and TX A&M Univ. Alumni Associations; NAACP; and AA Archives & History Program. She’s also a Hall of Famer!
TIFFANY BLACK
Hailing from Hackensack NJ, Tiffany Black, studied African/African American Studies AFAM concentration at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, during which time she also served as Student Representative on the board of the National Association of Black Journalists. Currently the president and ownerm of Epiphany Content & Media, she works as Global Social Media Lead at Google Cloud. She has also held numerous positions at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, In Style, Mediabistro, Inc. Magazine, CBS Sports, ancestry.com and Airbnb. A definite overachiever, she delivers!
ZENETTA DREW
The incomparable Zenetta Drew is celebrating 35 years as the Executive Director of Dallas Black Dance Theatre since 1987. A Distinguished Alumni Recipient from Texas A&M University – Commerce where she received a BBA in Accounting. She also received a management certificate in non-profit leadership from Dallas College. Known for her expert leadership and management skills, she is highly respected and even receives invitations from across the country and most recently, Rome. Engaging, loving and proficient, Zenetta is stylish and a joy to be around. She is committed to the arts and uses her creative and organizational skills to elevate the DBDT to higher heights.
NELLIE LEWIS
Just thinking about Dr. Nellie Lewis evokes a heavy sigh. She was so dynamic. A respected educator and volunteer whose career spanned almost 50 years, with 17 of those in Washington, D.C. schools before coming to Dallas; she served as area Director for Learning Centers and Administrative Assistant to four DISD Superintendents, was past President – dr/NABSE (Dallas Chapter), and also worked with the Young Educators Group at Paul Quinn College. An inductee into the African American Educators Hall of Fame, she was born in Durham, NC and also enjoyed a stint working at Paul Quinn College.
DR. YVONNE EWELL
Dr. Yvonne Ewell was a born leader. Even more importantly, she was a mentor and lifted as she climbed. A DISD Teacher, Principal, Consultant, Assistant Director Curriculum and Ethnic Studies, Deputy Assistant Superintendent – Instructional Services, Associate Superintendent – East Oak Cliff Sub-district, Planner- Townview Magnet Center and District 8 School Board Member, Townview School was named in her honor. Bishop College awarded her with an honorary doctor of law degree in She was inducted into the Texas Black Women Hall of Fame in 1986. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Dr. Ewell was born in Frankston, TX. She received a bachelor’s degree from Prairie View A&M College and a master’s degree from the University of Colorado.
MELISSA M. YOUNG
Melissa M. Young is the artistic director at the Dallas Black Dance Theatre.
A Honduran-American from Santa Ana CA., she has been with the DBDT going into her 30th year; first starting as a dancer, then rehearsal director, among other positions. She attended Orange Coast College where she studied business administration and she has worked as an adjunct instructor at SMU and Texas Woman’s University, and as a visiting dance artist at Abilene Christian University. She is a graduate of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. The epitome of grace, her every movement is art at its best.
JOYCELYN JOHNSON
Joycelyn Johnson is a proud graduate of South Oak Cliff Class of 73, where her classmates remember her as ambitious, attractive, cool and friendly. She attended the University of Houston where she was a featured twirler of the Cougar Band, and the first African American female performing on the field! She worked over 25 years as the Community Affairs Director for Service Broadcasting (KKDA/K104/KRNB) and she was the most recognizable voice in radio. For the past 11 years she has enjoyed several positions juggling numerous duties between West & Associates, LLP and Sen. Royce West’s Campaign Office.; while also putting her numerous skills to work with Reach Media/ Tom Joyner Foundation. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
REV. DR. OUIDA LEE
Rev. Dr. Ouida Lee is a writer, author and dynamic motivational speaker.
Hailing from Henderson TX, she attended Mayflower High School in Tatum, TX and then it was off to Dallas Baptist University and Dallas County Community College. She received a Masters of Divinity in Ministry and Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Theology at Southern Methodist University. Having retired as a pastor, she has also served as senior pastor of United Methodist Church of Disciple and Senior Associate Pastor of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, and currently leads Haven Chapel United Methodist Church in Denison. She’s a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority!
PAMELA GARRETT
She’s the owner of Texas CDL Drivers Education. Pamela Garrett is also the owner of Golden Opportunity Services and enjoyed stints at The Lucas Group as an accounting analyst and an office manager at Devine Mercy. Pamela attended W.W. Samuell High School and H. Grady Spruce High School. Then she attended El Centro Community College and received an associates degree in accounting and she also studied at A.I.B Banking College and the Art Institute of Dallas where she received an Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in Culinary Arts. Pamela is a businesswoman and a born leader. With a servant heart, she gives of herself and her time.
WONDA TRAYLOR, RPA
Wonda Traylor is a servant leader. A team player, she knows how to step up and run thins! A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Wanda is a 2022 retiree who spent more than 15 years as an asset manager for Healthcare Realty Trust. Previously she served as a manager, Parking and Transportation Services for Baylor Health Care System. A proud member of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Psi Chapter; Wonda has also served at the regional level. She is skilled in property management, contract negotiation, real estate development, lease management and strategic planning.
RONISHA ISHAM
Ronisha Isham is a service desk specialist/ Software Engineer. A “Full-stack” web developer from Nebula Academy with technical skills working with frontend applications and backend applications, Ronisha received her BS degree in Business Administration and Management from Paul Quinn College and her MS Degree in Information Systems from Texas A&M University – Central Texas. She has spent a lot of time developing future leaders and has also supervised student employees and mentored Americorps Eagle Scholars.
AUDRA COOPER, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Audra Cooper is a Strategic Human Resources Manager with over 18 years of experience in Fortune 100 Companies. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she has just become a One Star Director with PlanNet Marketing. She says she is on a mission to help ordinary people live extraordinary lives by supplementing their incomes and upgrading their lifestyles! Hailing from Tarpon Springs, FL, she is a graduate of Tarpon Springs High School and Florida A&M University. She also attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison and enjoyed stints at ADP as a Senior HR Business Partner and Naturally Divine Beauty. Beautiful, engaging, and spiritually grounded, Audra is a team player and born leader.
DANIELLE BESS
Currently the Director of Public Relations and Realtor at Womack Development & Investment Realtors, Danielle Keys Bess formerly worked at Lockheed Martin. She graduated from Texas Woman’s University Houston with an Executive Masters of Business Administration with a 4.0 GPA, after graduating with honors in Communications (Public Relations) from the University of Texas at Arlington. Danielle hails from Missouri City,TX and attended Lawrence E. Elkins High School. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Danielle is a board member of the Houston Texans Family YMCA and previous served as parliamentarian of Julia F. Thompson, Inc.
DR. MARGIE L. BLOUNT
Dr. Margie L. Blount, recently retired as an educator of 32 years. A Teacher, Assistant Principal, and the Principal of Hutsell Elementary School for the past 12 years, she hails from Center, TX and attended Shelbyville High School. An alum of Lamar University where she received her Doctor of Educational Leadership, she did undergraduate work at Stephen F. Austin State University. Dr. Blount is a mentor to many and folks are watching to see the next chapter in her life as she has accomplished so much thus far.
DR. CLAUDINE GAY
Dr. Claudine Gay is a distinguished educator. This history maker received her B.A. in economics from Stanford University with honors and distinctions before earning her PhD at Harvard in 1998. On July 1, 2023 she will assume the role of President of Harvard University, where she was recruited to in 2006 as a professor of government. She currently serves on the boards of the Pew Research Center, Phillips Exeter Academy, and the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Born to Haitian immigrants, she also served as a member of the American Association of Universities advisory board on racial equity in higher education.
KARLETTE JONES
Karlette Jones is the CEO at K-Way Branding LLC. A former on-air talent at DFWiradio, Karlette is a former board operator/producer at Service Broadcasting Corporation and Mortenson Broadcasting. Hailing from Fort Worth graduated from Eastern Hills High School and attended The Art Institute of Fort Worth where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. She then receive a certificate in radio broadcasting from the American Broadcasting School-Arlington before graduating from Prairie View A&M University with a degree in Business. She has worked as a substitute teacher in Fort Worth ISD.
SHANTAQUILETTE CARTER
A charter member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc – Dallas Metropolitan Chapter. ShantaQuilette Carter is a certified fraud examiner at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and she has enjoyed stints at the FDIC, U.S. Federal Government, U.S. Department of the Treasury, and National Treasury Employees Union. Hailing from Denver, CO., she studied at Regis University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Style Coaching Institute, ILC International Life Coaching Academy, Maryland University of Integrative Health and The Global Life Coach Training & Entrepreneur Institute.
PATRICE WITHERS-STEPHENS
Patrice Withers-Stephens is the chartering president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Omega Alpha Omega Chapter. Hailing from Charlotte, NC, she is returning home to serve as the new National Director of Giving for Fifth Third Bank! Most recently serving as an executive at First United Bank, this community servant and leader was honored this year as one of 40 Under 40 by the Dallas Business Journal. Previously she held management positions at JCPenney, Capital One, BBVA Compass, Bank of America and Verizon. Patrice received her BS Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from North Carolina A&T State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was a Ronald McNair Scholar; and she received her MA Degree from Amberton University.
JANIQUA LACHE’A JILES
Currently the Dean of Instruction/ELA Department at KIPP Texas – Houston, Janiqua LaChe’a Jiles is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University, where she studied Radio- Television Broadcast Journalism and she also received a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling & Leadership. A graduate of Lincoln Humanities and Communications Magnet in Dallas, Janiqua is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She received Houston Can’s Staff Member of the Year Award in 2015. Smart, talented, stylish and beautiful Janiqua has an impressive portfolio and she brightens up any room she enters and is sure to put a smile on your face and joy in your heart!
LUCY CAIN
Lucy Cain is a Communications Consultant for LJC & Associates. Previously she was a Resource Coordinator with Meeting ) Professionals International, and Corporate Trainer & Coach at AT&T. A graduate of Dallas’ James Madison High School, she attended Fisk University and the tri-lingual (also versed in French and Spanish) multi-talented Ms. Cain is skilled in a number of arenas, She is skilled in event planning, public speaking, public relations, fundraising, social networking, customer service, community outreach, leadership, volunteer management, social media marketing, and more. A born leader, Ms. Cain is highly respected and regarded.
AMBER SIMS
Amber Sims is the Executive Director of Young Leaders Strong City. She is the former Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at LIFT, and former Communications Coordinator at Texas Rangers. Amber has also been a principal at the Imagining Freedom Institute and a Director of Regional Impact of Leadership for Educational Equity. She studied English with a minor in Political Science at Agnes Scott College after graduation from Mesquite High School. She is a community volunteered and has tutored third grade students in reading and writing to prepare for the STAAR test.
VETA GRANT HOLT
Veta Grant Holt is the Chief Operating Officer at Friendship-West Baptist Church, overseeing everything from IT, accounting, construction, communications, facilities and audio-visual. Previously she worked as the Disbursements Manager for Brinker International and The Dallas Morning News. She attended South Oak Cliff High School and Veta graduated from Texas Southern University with a BBA in Accounting. During her time at TSU she was a member of the Ocean of Soul Marching Band. A consummate professional and community servant, she provides service with a smile.
FELICIA ATLAS
At Dallas Boss Inc, editor and operations manager Felicia Atlas of Boss Magazine is building opportunities and structuring success for entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes. She is the host of the Dimensions of Greatness podcast. Vibrant, beautiful, smart and engaging; Felicia is full of love and wisdom to share. She is the visionary behind the Start Something Global Experience and if you’re interested in building a better business, let Felicia help you take your business to global greatness. She believes in lifting as she climbs. Check her out at www.dallasboss.com
DWALA BROWN
Dwala Brown is an Independent Computer Software Professional. Dwala Brown previously worked at Mobil Oil Corporation. A member of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Dwala is a leader and team player. Called beautiful and brainy by those who love and know her, Dwala is a community servant. She is committed and focused. A member of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Psi Chapter. Her efforts in the community and as a sorority member has gained her much respect and love. Along with her business acumen, she brings so much to any situation and her opinion is highly valued and respected.
HON. MONIQUE THOMPSON
Psychotherapist and Professor, the Hon. Monique Thompson serves as Vice President of the Little Elm School Board. She works at Collin College, University of Phoenix (where she has been nominated for Faculty of the Year for the past three years), and she is a consultant for Perkins School of Theology at SMU. Hailing from Little Rock Arkansas and about to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary, Dr Monique is a licensed professional counselor. She is a sought-after speaker, she authored a workbook for couples, Infidelity Recovery Workbook for Couples: Tools and Exercises to Rebuild Your Relationship, that has ranked in the top 100 Dating Books on Amazon since its release in 2021.
LYNDA JONES MUBARAK
Children’s Author Lynda Jones Mubarak is a native Texan raised in Waco. A graduate of Paul L. Dunbar High School, she attended Texas Christian, Texas Wesleyan and Nova SE Universities. She is an award-winning author, retired special education teacher and an Army veteran. She was an avid reader in elementary school and her love for books continued during her career in education. She is the author of the popular Detective Maxine Hill Series and she is a community servant. Lynda has established a lifetime partnership with the Community Food Bank of Fort Worth, TX. and a percentage of each book sold is donated to feed families in need.
SHELIA BROWN
Shelia Brown (Dr. Samone) is an author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and movie producer at Dr. Samone Studios. An Education Administrator, Former Principal of Townview, hailing from Pine Bluff, she serves as VP External Affairs and Media at The Wellness Experience 365, Dr. Samone is founder and owner of Samone Publishing. Also an adjunct professor, she attended Jackson State University, University of Texas at Austin, Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, (celebrating 35 years), her current focus is the prevention of domestic abuse. She’s a servant leader and committed to anything she undertakes.
DR. EVELYN LAWSON
Dr. Evelyn Lawson graduated from the University of North Texas with a BS Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education and Teaching. She then received a M.ED in Educational Leadership and Administration from Texas Woman’s University and a M.Ed in Reading- Master reading Teaching at the University of North Texas and then a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University- Commerce. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University – Commerce.
PEARLIE WALLACE
Pearlie Wallace hails from Longview TX and graduated from Ned E. Williams High School. She studied at Texas College, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree and also studied at Texas Woman’s University. She is a mother and grandmother. An active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Pearlie is a Delta Dear and a long-time educator having served as a principal in Dallas ISD, and she is a member of the Dallas Retired Teachers Association.
