| Norma Adams-Wade: Surgeon who beat odds plans speech 03/14/2001 By / The Dallas Morning News Dr. Ben Carson, a well-known neurosurgeon, is no stranger to Dallas, having spoken here several times in recent years.
He is mild-mannered, but he knows how to grip an audience with his riveting personal story. He'll do it again in Dallas next week.
Dr. Carson is recognized for two reasons. Medical experts say he is one of the world's leading brain surgeons. And black leaders say the doctor is a role model and proof that inner-city youths can overcome obstacles.
He is chief of pediatric neurosurgery and an associate professor of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore.
Dr. Carson, who has more than 20 honorary doctorates, led medical teams in groundbreaking surgery in 1987, separating German conjoined twins. He repeated the procedure on South African twins in 1997.
But when he began grade school, he was known as the class dunce. He was poor, failing school and had a violent temper. Combine poverty, ignorance and anger, and surely destruction must follow.
The future surgeon's mother intervened. She could not read, yet she demanded that her two sons read. Her strict decree saved young Ben. He relates his transformation in his video and several books, including Gifted Hands and The Big Picture.
Dr. Carson wants to motivate the next generation. He gives scholarships through the Carson Scholars Fund and tours the country speaking to students and neighborhood groups.
The surgeon will speak at a semiformal dinner March 23 at the Fairmont Hotel, 1717 N. Akard St. A reception is at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7. Tickets are $50. Call 972-283-1414.
The nonprofit FOCUS Centre of Learning, which operates the FOCUS Learning Academy, is sponsoring the fund-raiser. The Oak Cliff charter school serves students who struggle in traditional classrooms. The tuition-free academy targets families that can't afford specialized private schools.
FOCUS leases space at Concord Missionary Baptist Church. The dinner will launch a $3.1 million drive to build the academy's own 35,000-square-foot facility at Camp Wisdom and Westmoreland roads.
"We are thrilled that Dr. Carson has agreed to speak," said Yvette McClure. Her husband, Leroy McClure, is the school's founder and superintendent.
ABOUT TOWN: Sen. Royce West and Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk will square off at the AT&T SuperBone Domino Tournament from noon to 4 p.m. March 24 at Southwest Center Mall, Camp Wisdom Road at Marvin D. Love Freeway. Activities will include prizes and family entertainment. Fees benefit Meals on Wheels. The pre-registration deadline is Monday. Call 214-467-0123.
• Many Dallas-area voters will attend the Texas Legislative Black Caucus conference Thursday and Friday in Austin. Black elected officials will present Outstanding Black Texan Awards to chosen constituents and organizations. The C.A.W. Clark Legal Clinic, where Dallas-area attorneys provide free legal advice, is one of the honorees.
Norma Adams-Wade can be reached at ; P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, TX 75265; or by fax at 214-977-8319.
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