MY TRUTH: Picking up the Baton

By Cheryl Smith

You may not have heard about the demise of yet another newspaper. This is the message I sent to Focus Daily News readers:

While I am excited to introduce Texas Metro News to the Focus Daily News family; I am saddened that after nearly 40 years, a beacon of light in the journalism world will cease to publish.

Since 1987, Focus Daily News has been a source of information, telling the stories of several Texas communities and bringing readers national coverage.

I salute Marlon Hanson and his team, and especially the late Joshua Johnson.

Joshua was my student at Paul Quinn College and before that, a high school participant in the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists Urban Journalism Workshop.

Joshua loved journalism, and working for Focus Daily News allowed him to showcase his many talents. I was so proud of his efforts to provide quality journalism and to tell the stories that needed to be told.

When Joshua died, it was a huge loss.

I know the Focus Daily News felt Joshua’s loss, and thousands of readers will also feel the loss of Focus Daily News. We know that Focus Daily News is irreplaceable, just like Joshua.

However, Texas Metro News and our team of award-winning journalists and media professionals will work tirelessly to gain your trust and support; and we will do what we do — provide coverage of your community.

So let me tell you what it means to have Texas Metro News in your community.

With Texas Metro News you have a committed news organization that includes the Garland Journal and I Messenger. We practice ethical, authentic journalism through our audited and legitimately verified publications.

Our unofficial motto is: “We go where the people are!”

While some of you have seen team members at local events such as community meetings, parades, events, rallies, etc.; we are of, and for the community, therefore you will see increased engagement and coverage of your town’s businesses, schools, religious institutions, organizations and citizens.

Through our many resources, and with your support, we are a voice — as we give a voice to the voiceless. You can help us here by sharing your advice, issues and concerns. We also hope the businesses you support will support us because we definitely support the business com- munity — especially the small businesses.

For the past almost 13 years, we have invested in and been committed to the communities we serve and we ensure that everyone has a voice on our pages; even if we don’t agree.

As we move forward, I want to hear from you. Send your news, calendar of events, and letters. Tell us what you want to read, see, and hear on our social media platforms and pages.

We are indispensable because we provide so many services on so many levels. Staytuned for our community listening events coming in 2025.

Hopefully, you will join us and tell us how we can better serve you.

We are here for you and you can reach out at 214-941-0110 or editor@texasmetronews.com.

Thanks to Marlon, many of the newspaper bins where you have been able to pick up Focus Daily News will now carry Texas Metro News. You can subscribe and have Texas Metro News appear in your mailbox at home, in the office, or electronically.
We will work to earn your support.

Thanks again to Focus Daily News.

I also want to thank those who have been hanging with Texas Metro News. Like readers, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Society of Black Journalists, Dallas Media Collaborative, Google, and The Dallas Morning News, as well as supporters and advertisers; the Focus Daily News has shown its support of our journalism and we won’t let you down.

We are expanding, so look for us across the Best Southwest and coming to your neighborhood, showing you why the Black Press is so important and worthy of your support.

Journalistic excellence is our priority and mission!