Welcome to Stay Woke! Your Dallas Weekly Newsletter for Wednesday, July 2, 2025!
Happy hump day all…The South Got Something to Say was a smashing success, while Paul Quinn’s Founders Weekend handled their business. Lisa Brown Ross leads the African American Museum, and Colin Allred has launched another Senate run. We’ll cover The Bill in DC soon enough, just know that it’s going to make life tough.
Editor’s Top Pick
Tragic I-20 Crash Claims Six Lives in Terrell, Texas
Six people lost their lives in a fatal crash on I-20 near Terrell, Texas, and the driver, Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni, has been charged with six counts of manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Community
Lisa Brown Ross Named President and CEO of the African American Museum
Ross has been a champion of equity, education and cultural preservation throughout her career. She holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Texas at El Paso and is certified in international protocol and leadership strategy.
Black Music Month
“The South Got Something to Say” – A Sold-Out Celebration of Southern Hip-Hop and Black Music Culture
On a warm summer night in South Dallas, DW and Cimajie Best hosted “The South Got Something to Say,” a sold-out event celebrating Southern hip-hop and its impact on Black music, featuring performances, a tribute to Vicki Meek, and a conversation between hip-hop pioneers The D.O.C. and LilJu, emphasizing the need for more conversations like this and a call to action to water the seeds of Dallas’ talent pool.
Education
The Unseen Divide: How the Teacher Diversity Gap Shapes K-12 Education
The lack of racial and ethnic diversity among teachers in K-12 classrooms nationwide creates a significant \”representation gap\” that impacts student experiences and outcomes, and can be addressed through strategic interventions such as financial incentives, professional development, and data transparency.
Politics
Texas Democrat Colin Allred Launches 2026 U.S. Senate Campaign
Colin Allred has launched his second campaign for U.S. Senate, hoping to unseat John Cornyn, or his Republican primary opponent Ken Paxton, in the 2026 midterm election.
Environmental Justice
Trump’s EPA Cut $3B in Climate Grants. Now, a Lawsuit
A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 23 organizations to reinstate $3 billion in EPA grants that were cut by Trump’s executive orders, arguing that the money was appropriated by Congress and cannot be undone by the President.
Health
Black Women Face Earlier Menopause Onset and Inadequate Care
Black women experience earlier onset, more severe symptoms, and different levels of care during menopause compared to white women, due to systemic racism, socioeconomic conditions, and lack of culturally competent providers.
Culture
Disney Dreamers Academy Now Accepting Applications for Popular Mentorship Program at Walt Disney World
Disney Dreamers Academy is a mentorship program that encourages high school students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams through an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Criminal Justice
Diddy Acquitted on Sex Trafficking and RICO Charges—Convicted on Two Counts Under the Mann Act
Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of the most serious charges against him, but found guilty of violating the federal Mann Act, leaving him facing a potential 10-year sentence.
Word In Black
Toxic Legacy: How Lead in Schools is Silently Harming Black Kids
Lead exposure remains a concern in American schools, with some cities still struggling to provide safe drinking water and others with outdated infrastructure.
Newsletter for Wednesday July 2, 2025