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On Monday, July 1st, Majed Al-Ghafry officially began his role as the new City Manager of DeSoto.

 The city announced the appointment with enthusiasm as anticipation and optimism surrounded Al-Ghafry’s arrival.

The announcement was made by the city via social media, and expressed a warm welcome to Al-Ghafry, wishing him success as he embarks on this new chapter in his career.

“Team DeSoto would like to extend a warm welcome to Majed and wish him all the best as we work with him to move DeSoto forward!” the post read.

Al-Ghafry brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously held significant roles in municipal management.

His background and expertise are expected to be instrumental in addressing the city’s challenges and leveraging opportunities for progress.

The new City Manager’s arrival comes at a pivotal time for DeSoto, a city that continues to grow and evolve.

Al-Ghafry’s leadership is anticipated to bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the city’s administration.

Residents shared their thoughts on the new city manager in social media posts on the city’s Facebook page.

“The citizens of Desoto welcomes you City Manager Majed. Please know that you have the full support of the community as we are looking forward to your arrival,” said Mary Morris Bonaparte.

Another user named Sumbel Zeb wrote “Wonderful addition to the City of DeSoto! Congratulations!”

As Al-Ghafry steps into his new role, the DeSoto community extends its best wishes for his success and looks forward to a productive partnership aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

The post DeSoto Welcomes New City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

Shavondra Smith, now 36 years old, spoke at the emergency press conference called by the Black Dallas Clergy and provided details of her stint at the center.

From 13 to 17 years old, Smith was in and out of the justice center and recalled her experience at the facility.

“We were locked in our cells multiple times. Five of us, I know, tried to commit suicide at the same time because we were put on lock down,” said Smith.

She along with many others and the Dallas Black Clergy are calling for changes to be made at the detention center after damming reports have shed light on unsavory conditions.  

The post Shavondra Smith Details Her Experience at HWJDC appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

Sunday the Dallas Black Clergy held an emergency press conference after damming reports from a whistleblower revealed horrid conditions in the Henry Wade Juvenile Detention Center.

The group met in front of the facility Sunday to discuss conditions that the group calls “inhumane and harsh.”

Reverend Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes, III: founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy and Senior Pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church lambasted local officials and facility leadership.  

“Seriously, Dallas County seriously, Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, seriously,” remarked Haynes.

“Have you declared war on our children and we don’t know about it because the inhumane and evil conditions that we are hearing about and that has been reported on is reminiscent not of a juvenile justice center but of a POW camp. It sounds like they are prisoners of war who are being tortured and traumatized,” said Haynes.

Members of the Dallas Black Clergy want to meet with the entire Dallas County Juvenile Board and discuss with the conditions at the Henry Wade Justice Center.

At Sunday’s press conference, the group said that they hope to meet with members of the juvenile board in July ahead of the Board’s scheduled meeting in August.

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Majed Al-Ghafry, who the DeSoto City Council selected in late May to become DeSoto’s next City Manager, formerly starts his new position on Monday, July 1st.

Majed Al-Ghafry, the Assistant City Manager for the City of Dallas, has been selected by the DeSoto City Council to serve as DeSoto’s next City Manager. Mayor Rachel L. Proctor announced his appointment at Tuesday evening’s DeSoto City Council Meeting.

“After conducting a comprehensive national search to find the very best City Manager to lead DeSoto into the future, we are proud to say that we have accomplished our mission and are bringing the best of the best to DeSoto,” said Mayor Proctor. “While Majed Al-Ghafry has built an impressive track record of high-level accomplishments, it was the steady praise that we heard from those who knew him best that told us what we needed to know about his character and leadership abilities.”

The process of finding a new City Manager began in November of 2023 when the DeSoto City Council hired the municipal consulting firm Government Professional Solutions (GPS) to conduct a nationwide search. On Thursday, April 18th, three finalists including Al-Ghafry were invited to DeSoto City Hall for a public meet and greet event. It was there that Majed Al-Ghafry distinguished himself with his demeanor, knowledge, and love of DeSoto.

“When I told our residents back in April that I loved DeSoto, I meant it! I’ve had many friends and colleagues from DeSoto over the years and they’ve shared the love and enthusiasm they have for this wonderful city with me.” Al-Ghafry continued, “I’ve also been able to experience DeSoto on my own as a neighbor and a professional, and I can see both its greatness and its untapped potential. This is a very exciting opportunity and I am looking forward to working with our Mayor and City Council, team members, and residents to make DeSoto the absolute best it can be!”

Majed Al-Ghafry is an Executive Engineer and educator who has spent more than 35 years as a leader in both the public and private sectors. He has worn many hats with the City of Dallas including overseeing all of Dallas’ infrastructure departments, Economic Development, Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, Planning and Urban Design, Development Services, the Office of Historic Preservation and the Tourism, Conventions and Events Departments.

Before joining the City of Dallas, Al-Ghafry served as the Assistant City Manager of the City of El Cajon, California, and as the Public Works Director for the City of San Antonio. Majed is a Credentialed City Manager who earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Texas, Denton, a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, professional engineering registrations in Civil and Traffic from the State of California and a professional engineering registration from the State of Texas. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas.

The post DeSoto’s New City Manager takes the reins Today appeared first on Focus Daily News.

Following a damning whistleblower report on the inhumane conditions for juveniles at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, the Dallas Black Clergy has called for an emergency press conference to address the community.

The press conference aims to shed light on the reported abuses, demand action from Dallas County officials, and mobilize community support for systemic changes.

The press conference comes as former and current employees came to local news outlet WFAA to expose the conditions at the facility.

The conference will take place at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center on Sunday, June 30, at 3 p.m.

Speakers  from the Dallas Black Clergy include:

·  Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes, III: Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy; Senior Pastor, Friendship-West Baptist Church

·  Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters: Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy; Founder and Lead Pastor of Abundant Life A.M.E. Church

·  Sha Smith: Impacted Individual by the Henry Wade conditions

·  Mr. John Fullinwider: Co-Founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality

·  Rev. Dr. Irie Session: Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy for Safety, Equity and Justice; Co-Pastor of The Gathering: A Womanist Church in Dallas

·  Minister Dominique Alexander: President and CEO of the Next Generation Action Network

·  Rev. Virzola Law: Senior Minister of Northway Christian Church

The conference comes in the wake of a September 2023 report by the Lone Star Justice Alliance’s Reimagine Justice Coalition.

The coalition highlighted severe violations of state juvenile standards at the facility.

Key findings include:

• 15 violations of state juvenile standards.
• Juveniles isolated in cells for up to five days.
• Inadequate daily showering for detained children.
• Failure of guards to conduct regular checks, especially for those on suicide watch.
• Disparities in case processing times, with White (including Hispanic) children facing shorter waits compared to Black children.
• High rates of deeper system involvement for children, despite being reported as low or medium risk.

In Nov. 2023, John Wiley Price, ranking member of the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court, sat down with The DeSoto Tribune to discuss the standards of the Dallas Juvenile Detention Center.

The post Dallas Black Clergy to address Conditions at Juvenile Center appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.