Page 6 ~ THE VILLAGER/June 22, 2018 DIASPORA www.theaustinvillager.com Dyana Limon-Mercado Sworn in as Vincent Harding Announces Chairwoman of the Democratic Party Chair by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon | Villager Columnist Mercado’s message was Run for the Austin City Council focused on uniting and building the party. More- over, the TDCP is consid- ered to be one of the most important structures of the Texas Democratic Party. June 15, 2018, Dyana was sworn in as the new Chairwoman of the Travis County Democratic Party. At the swearing in event, there were numerous elected officials and com- munity leaders. Some of the elected officials in- cluded Congressman Lloyd Doggett; State Senator Kirk Watson; Judge Gisela Triana and Constable Stacy Suit. In addition, there were numerous elected precinct chair persons Vincent Harding announces run for Austin City Council District One. present during the swear- Photo by by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon ing ceremony. by Tsoke Finally, Dyana has vote. must see issues and prob- (Chuch) Adjavon | Moreover, this is not lems as challenges for all been in politics for a very Villager Columnist longtime. Over the years, Vincent Harding’s first run Austinites.” she has worked for a State Friday, June 15, 2018, for an elected official po- Finally, Harding is Representative and Vincent Harding an- sition. For instance, he has running on numerous is- Dyana Limon-Mercado, Chairwoman of the nounced his intention to previously run for; Pre- sues that will affect Cen- TCDP. Photo by by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon Planned Parenthood. In 2014, Dyana was pro- run for the Austin City cinct Chair and Chair of the tral Texas. According to After a hard-fought Dyana’s vision regarding moted as the Deputy Ex- Council District Place One. Travis County Democratic Mr. Harding, “We are at a battle regarding the direc- the direction of the Travis ecutive Director for According to Mr. Harding, Party. Consequently, pivotal moment in Austin’s tion of the Travis County County Democratic Party Planned Parenthood Texas “Austin is a very special Harding has the experi- history and ninety years Democratic Party, Dyana Chair (TDCP) prevailed Vote which is the advocacy place and we can come ence of running a “suc- from the 1928 plan. We Limon-Mercado won the over her opponent. Even arm for Planned Parent- together to do some great cessful campaign.” Ac- are currently debating a primaries. Moreover, after the primaries, Limon- hood. things.” Since Ora Hous- cording to Mr. Harding, he change to our land devel- ton will not seek re-elec- will be running on numer- opment code, while rou- tion, the seat is open. Con- ous platforms. “We must tinely ranked as a top Godfrey Awuah-Mensah, sequently, Mr. Harding will not see issues as only an place to live, but a third of be facing three other can- East or a West Austin prob- our minority children are didates. As a result, he lem, a black problem or a growing up in poverty. We New President of ABS plans to fight for every white problem but, we must do better. “ by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon | NNPA, Chevrolet Launch 2018 “Discover the Villager Columnist Unexpected” Journalism Fellowship in Detroit Just recently, Godfrey By Daja E. Henry, Ila Wilborn and Natrawn Maxwell Awuah-Mensah became the president of the Aus- tin Black Star (ABS). Not only is the Austin Black Star a soccer club, but it’s also a nonprofit that orga- nizes numerous commu- nity events. In other words, the ABS is more Godfrey Awuah-Mensah than sports due to the fact it plays a vital role in the over the love of soccer. As president, Mr. Central Texas community. ABS meet twice a week on Awuah-Mensah will over- According to ABS, “We are Tuesdays and Fridays. Ac- see and work in partner- a multinational group of cording to Sampson, “This ship with the ABS leader- individuals who come allows for good exercises ship. Some of his job de- from various backgrounds, which in turn helps them tails include making sure The 2018 NNPA Discover the Unexpected Journalism Fellows are (from such as Nigerians, Ghana- to stay healthy. Not only that the club is financially left-right): Tyvan Burns of Norfolk State University; Denver Lark of North ians, Sudanese, Ethiopi- does it allow them to stay solvent; making sure that Carolina A&T University; Ila Wilborn of Florida A&M University; Daja E. ans, Togolese, etc. It is a healthy, but it also serves there is a plan for future Henry of Howard University, Diamond Durant of Morgan State University; melting pot where we as a way to bring the fam- growth; and help to orga- and Natrawn Maxwell of Claflin University. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA) share a common goal to ily together. The ABS is nize their various events. Chevrolet and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) have foster love and brother- rooted in family values. For instance, the ABS teamed up once again for the “Discover the Unexpected” (DTU) Journalism Fellow- hood through sports.” Our events are a way for leaderships are planning ship program. The fellowship, in its third year, gives students attending Historically, The ABS is an organi- families to come together for the upcoming Fourth Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) the opportunity of a lifetime: an eight-week, zation that brings the Afri- and to even enjoy each of July celebration that immersive training experience with the Black Press. can community together other.” they organize annually. The NNPA also known as the “Black Press of America,” is a trade group that represents more than 200 African American-owned media companies and newspa- Don’t bring contaminated items into your pers in the United States. This year, the program also features a travel journalism component when the manufactured housing unit DTU fellows (#TeamAuthentic and #TeamOptimistic) embark on a road trip in the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, filing stories along the way as they travel to their second AUSTIN, Texas — Before you bring any items into your FEMA/Texas General posts and then to Detroit, Mich., for a grand finale. #TeamAuthentic will travel from Land Office (GLO) manufactured housing unit, protect your health by discarding Atlanta to Norfolk and #TeamOptimistic will drive from New York City to Washington, or treating items that are possibly contaminated by microbial growth. D.C. Before you move into your manufactured housing unit, check your belong- The participating NNPA newspapers are: The Atlanta Voice (Atlanta, Ga.), The ings for materials that are prone to microbial growth, such as: Wood and uphol- New Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), the New York Amsterdam News (New York stered furniture, and other porous materials Glass, plastic and metal objects and City), and The Washington Informer (Washington, D.C.) other items made of hardened or nonporous materials. If you think your belong- The 2018 Discover the Unexpected journalism fellows are: Tyvan Burns of Nor- ings have microbial growth, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recom- folk State University; Diamond Durant of Morgan State University; Daja E. Henry of mends that you dry them as soon as possible. Other tips from the EPA include: Howard University, Denver Lark of North Carolina A&T University; Natrawn Maxwell Scrub the mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water. Microbial growth can of Claflin University; and Ila Wilborn of Florida A&M University. grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials. You may This fellowship is unique in that it partners a global auto manafacturer (Chevrolet) have to dispose of absorbent or porous materials if they have growth. with a Black media organization, (NNPA), in an effort to not only expose HBCU stu- If you are unsure of how to clean an item or if it is an expensive or sentimen- dents to the Black Press, but also to marketing and advertising roles that exist in tal item, you may wish to consult a specialist corporate America, a space where Black professionals are often underrepresented. For more tips, visit: https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home or Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, the president and CEO of the NNPA, said that the NNPA https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home. pleased with its ongoing partnership with Chevrolet, especially with the NNPA DTU For more information on Hurricane Harvey and Texas recovery, visit the FEMA Journalism Fellowship program. Hurricane Harvey disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4332, the FEMA Daja E. Henry (Howard University), Ila Wilborn (Florida A&M University) and Natrawn Harvey Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FEMAharvey or the Texas Division Maxwell (Claflin University) are 2018 Discover The Unexpected Journalism Fellows repre- of Emergency Management website at www.dps.texas.gov/dem/. senting #TeamAuthentic. Follow their stories this summer at nnpa.org/dtu.