Challenger Community News April 11,2018

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April 11, 2018

STILL MARCHING…

“We’ve come a long, long way, but we still have a long, long way to go before racial justice is a reality in our nation.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Page 3

ENTERTAINMENT

Oscar Alston’s Back to The Community Tribute Concert.

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LOCAL

Anti-Violence Activist Holman to be Honored in Washington, D.C. Page 4

ROCHESTER

Frederick Douglass Ancestor Launches “Abolitionists” Project Page 2

Talented Students at Olmsted #156 Perform “History In Our City” Page 10

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BUFFALO, N.Y. PERMIT NO. 164

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INSIDE ROCHESTER

Frederick Douglass Ancestor Launches "One Million Abolitionists" Project in Rochester

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ochester City Council President Loretta Scott and Department of Recreation and Youth Services Commissioner Daniele Lyman-Torres last week welcomed Kenneth B. Morris Jr., founder of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, to Rochester for a special announcement.

In honor of Douglass' 200th birthday, Morris, the great-great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass and the great-great-grandson of Booker T. Washington, launched his national "One Million Abolitionists" project in Rochester to help end human trafficking, a modern form of slavery.

The initiative aims to distribute one million hardcover copies of the "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave," to young people across the country; including 2,250 copies in Rochester. The welcoming event took place at the Frederick Douglass R-Center, 999 South Ave. Mr. Morris also spoke at the U of Rochester. University President Richard Feldman presented Morris with the Frederick Douglass Medal for his commitment to civic education that “embodies values that the University of Rochester’s faculty, students, and staff aspire to achieve.”

He was in Rochester for a week of festivities related to his work and the ongoing bicentennial celebration of Douglass' birth.

City Council President Loretta Scott (at podium) and Department of Recreation and Youth Services Commissioner Daniele Lyman-Torres (far right) last week welcomed Kenneth B. Morris (left),the great great great grandsonfFrederick Duglass andBooker T. Washington

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

15th Annual Debutante Cotillion On Saturday, April 14th the 15th Annual Debutante Cotillion will take place at 5:00pm-Rochester Holiday Inn Downtown-70 State Street. The theme is, “We've Come This Far By Faith."

The gala is presented by Sisters Together Achieving Results, Inc. (S.T.A.R. Inc.).

STAR, Inc. is a Preventive Mentoring Education Program for young ladies in grades 9th - 12th. The Debutantes, who are 12th graders, will be escorted as they make their debut into society. The Pages-Gems-Rosebuds, 9th - 11th graders, will be in a Rites of Passage ceremony.

Tickets are $50 per person.

To purchase tickets please contact Diane E. Bowens at 585-752- 5846. To be a Sponsor a Vendor or Make a donation please contact Keischa J. Higdon at 585-464-8356 and visit the website:www.sisterstogether.org

AROUND TOWN ”Awaken & Arise,” BORINQUEN DANCE 37TH Anniversary Community Performance, Saturday, 7 p.m., April 14, Hochstein School of Music & Dance, 50 Plymouth Avenue N. Rochester, doors open at 6:30 p.m.

All Photos by Ira Srole Photographer, City of Rochester

Annual Benefit Luncheon for the William Warfield Scholarship Fund The Annual Benefit Luncheon for the William Warfield Scholarship Fund will be held at noon on Thursday, April 19, at Max of Eastman Place Restaurant, 25 Gibbs Street, Rochester, NY. The luncheon is a wonderful event featuring the 2017-2018 scholarship fund recipient, tenor Jonathan Rhodes, a sophomore at the Eastman School of Music.

The William Warfield Scholarship Fund (WWSF) was formed in 1977 to honor the life and legacy of Rochester's own William Warfield. The fund provides financial aid to talented AfricanAmerican students who are pursuing a career in vocal performance through advanced training at the Eastman School of Music. Scholarship recipients are nominated by Eastman faculty based on criteria of demonstrated ability and financial need.

Warfield laureates have gone on to achieve high distinction as performers and educators. Many sustain their deep connection to Rochester through performances with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rochester Oratorio Society and other professional ensembles. Tickets: $40, by Friday, April 13, 2018 at https://2018williamwarfieldluncheon.eventbrite.com or by mail at: WWSF, P.O. Box 31992, Rochester NY 14603

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New Officers Named in Rochester Black Journalists Group

Richard McCollough, president of the Rochester Association of Black Journalists, has announced the appointment of a new officer in the organization. Rashad Smith, a public relations freelancer, has been named Recording Secretary. Smith is currently public relations and community engagement manager for the new Rochester radio station, WLGZ, 105.5 FM, The Beat, and for the past three years, has held a similar position with Tipping Point Communications. The other RABJ officers for 2018-2019 are Joanne Gordon, senior video editor with WXXI Broadcasting, Vice President/Broadcast; Kevin Hicks, freelance writer, Vice President/Print; Moiet James, development administrative assistant, WXXI Broadcasting, Vice President/ Social Media; Ericka Wilson, news producer with WHEC-TV, Treasurer, and Dolores Orman, retired Democrat and Chronicle reporter, Parliamentarian.

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

AREA BRIEFS Thompson to Receive SUNY EOP Alumni Award The SUNY System Administration will be hosting a 50thAnniversary event. The Office of Opportunity Programs has selected Antoine Thompson, National Executive Director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) and former NYS Senator as one of the EOP honorees. The event will be held at Buffalo State College in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall on April 14 from 5p.m. to10p.m.

Transit Riders Demand Voice at NFTA Board As part of a larger effort to push for riders to have greater influence on the decision-making board that oversees buses and trains, Buffalo Transit Riders United (BTRU) invited Commissioners and NFTA management staff to join a board meeting of their own, a “Riders’ Board Meeting” at St. Paul’s Cathedral last Saturday.

However none of the commissioners attended. An NFTA spokesperson said that NFTA already provides transit riders with a voice through its non-voting Citizens Advisory Committee. BTRU has two seats on that committee, but is seeking to have one commissioner position reserved for a transit rider.

They said none of the NFTA’s 10 voting commissioners depends on bus transportation.

Senator Tim Kennedy has introduced legislation to create two voting transit user positions, and Erie County Legislator April Baskin has lent her support.

Deputy Police Commissioner Beaty Receives Woman of the Year Award March was a busy month for Deputy Police Commissioner Kimberly Beaty.

Deputy Commissioner Beaty received the Woman of the Year Award March 19 from Medaille College during the school's 13th Annual Media Awards luncheon.

On March 10 she was honored by Utopian Euphoria with a “Women Making History” award at their 8th annual awards gala at the classic Banquet facility.

And on March 3 she was one of six outstanding women featured in the “You Don’t Know My Story 2018” Breakfast Symposium at Elim Christian Fellowship. The event was presented by Girls 2 Women in collaboration with Women Against Violence Everywhere (W.A.V.E.) Kimberly L. Beaty, well respected in the community she serves, graduated from Canisius College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and has served in law enforcement within the City of Buffalo Police Department for 31 years. As Deputy Police Commissioner, she oversees Buffalo’s five city-wide police district operations, homeland security, special events, investigative services and specialized teams. Since 2014, she has directed the Buffalo Police Departments training agenda for its’ officers. Deputy Commissioner Beaty and her husband Vernon Beaty for 25 years are the proud parents of daughter, Kayla. She is also a member of True Bethel Baptist Church.

Still Marching…

We’ve come a long, long way, but we still have a long, long way to go before racial justice is a reality in our nation.”

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-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Speech at Kleinhans in November 1967

n an unseasonably cold and snowy April day, Buffalo held is first Martin Luther King Legacy March last Wednesday as a re-enactment of the “I Am A Man” Sanitation Strike/ March and to commemorate Dr. King’s legacy on the 50th anniversary of his assassination.

The event kicked off at Antioch Baptist Church on Fillmore Avenue where the Rev. Ulysees O. Wingo Sr., Masten District Council Member, is pastor.

Former Common Council President George K. Arthur, reflected on the day he met Dr. King during his 1967 visit.

"Little did we know, at that time, that five months later, he would have been assassinated," said Arthur.

Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee where he visited in support of striking Black city sanitation workers. It was a tense time for race relations, here and across America, but King’s words resonate today.

King spoke to a crowd at Kleinhans Music Hall back in November of 1967. It was one of the last major speeches he made before his assassination on April 4, 1968.

We’ve come a long, long way, but we still have a long, long way to go before racial justice is a reality in our nation,” he said during his Buffalo speech.

Buffalo Urban League Executive Director Brenda McDuffie said the civil rights leader would have recognized the leadership of young people in the March for Our Lives, especially the young people she took to Washington, DC for the national march against gun violence.

"I was moved," McDuffie said, "because when I looked back at the pictures and my knowledge and understanding of the Civil Rights Movement, it was in fact young people who took a stand and said, 'enough is enough.'"

Mrs. McDuffie brought a contingent of young people to the Buffalo program and march. It’s important she told The Challenger, that our young people at least know about Dr. King and that we keep his legacy alive – not just exclusively on anniversaries and celebrations, “ but by doing those things that address issues of racism and inequities in terms of jobs, education, and living wages. We can’t sit here and celebrate if we’re not doing anything proactively.” It was young people she pointed out “that propelled the civil rights movement – it was young people who sat at those lunch counters."

Other speakers spoke of the similarities between today and 1968, of the religious connections and how much has changed or not changed.

In additiion to Mr. Arthur and Mrs. McDuffie, speakers included Richard Lipsitz, President of WNY AFL-CIO; Majority Leader Legislator April Baskin; State Senator Tim Kennedy; Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples; Barbara Seals Nevergold, President and Member at Large, Buffalo Board of Education; and Mayor Byron Brown. There was also a spoken word presentation by Brandon Williamson & 10,000.

Rev. Kenneth Simmons, pastor of Cold Spring Bible Chapel, attended the commemoration inside Antioch and led the chants as marchers filed into MLK Park afterwards.

“The event was phenomenal” he said, “but if we were really serious about his dream then our community wouldn’t be in the condition that it’s in…we just wouldn’t come together just for an event, we would constantly combat the destruction and negativity in our community that is a direct result of self affliction. We have too many people with the power, capability and capacity to make change, and until we come together as a people we won’t realize the dream of Dr.King.

“We have enough leadership in this community to excel far beyond our wildest dreams – we have enough talent and the skill level as a people to turn our situation around but we have to get serious about it and stop pointing fingers,” he concluded. “ We have to understand that regardless of what we believe (spiritually) we are still Black people (first) who cannot excel until we depend and rely and trust each other.”

The legacy march took place from the church, down Fillmore Avenue, into Martin Luther King Park to the King monument. There participants observed a moment of silence at 6:01 p.m., when King was killed in Memphis by a sniper 50 years ago. There were remarks by Dan DiClemente, Vice President of AFSCM Council 66 and closing remarks by Rev. Mark Blue, President Buffalo Branch NAACP. (Parts of this article excerpted from WBFO 88.7 reports: “Racial equity progress slow decades after MLK visited Buffalo” and “Celebrating MLK: The man and his movement” )

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Belgian Rule of Congo: Cutting hands of Africans to make sure they didn't revolt.

Africa’s Hitler

King Leopold II of Belgium Killed between two and 15 Million Congolese King Leopold II of Belgium “owned” the Congo during his reign as the constitutional monarch of Belgium. After several failed colonial attempts in Asia and Africa, he settled on the Congo.

He “bought” it and enslaved its people, turning the entire country into his own personal slave plantation. He Leopold II disguised his business transactions as “philanthropic” and “scientific” efforts under the banner of the International African Society.

He used their enslaved labor to extract Congolese resources and services. His reign was enforced through work camps, body mutilations, executions, torture, and his private army.

The Congolese horror ended when international outrage compelled the Belgian state to take control of the colony in 1908. Estimates for the number of people killed range between two and 15 million, easily putting Leopold in the top ten of history’s mass murderers.

Although seldom mentioned in the history books, Leopold’s actions over a 24 year period have left a permanent scar in the Congolese history.

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Murray Holman, Anti-Violence Activist to be Honored in Washington, D.C. .

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cting FBI Special Agent in Charge Kevin P. Lyons recently recognized Murray Holman as the recipient of the 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA).

Holman, the executive director of Stop the Violence Coalition and senior leader of Buffalo Peacemakers, will attend the national DCLA Awards ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on April 20 where he will be one of 57 community leaders from across the country to be honored with the FBI leadership award.

Mr. Holman was selected for his “outstanding contributions toward the prevention of crime, drug and gang violence within the city of Buffalo through engagement with youth, law enforcement and individuals who have entered the criminal justice system.”

Growing up on the same streets in the ‘70s and ‘80s that he now patrols today, Holman told Spectrum news that he was once one of those troubled kids until he made a conscious decision to turn his life around.

"You take, take, take, and you think you're above the law when you're younger, and then you decide, something clicks-off in your Murray Holman mind, it's really God clicking off in your mind telling you, ‘you need to change your life and the way you do things,’" Holman told the news source.

Holman is involved with the Peacemakers – a collaboration of groups dedicated to ending violence in the community which includes Stop the Violence, No More Tears, MAD DADS, Buffalo United Front, FATHERS and Back to Basics.

Holman and volunteers from the Peacemakers regularly to monitor the corners of East Delevan and Grider before and after school to ensure students can safely walk to and from school. He leads Stop The Violence Coalition’s efforts to keep local events safe for families. He actively participates in the Gun Involved Violence Elimination(GIVE) a program that involves working with law enforcement and engaging the community in at-risk neighborhoods. He has been credited with helping advance the cooperation between law enforcement and the African American community.

FBI Director Christopher Wray will present Mr. Holman with the award.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

HOME's 55th Annual Dinner

Freedom Wall Artists to be Honored by Local Civil Rights Organization The artists of Buffalo's latest mural, The Freedom Wall, and People, Inc. President and CEO, Rhonda Fredericks, will be awarded the Sarah G. Metzger Human Rights Award by Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) on Friday, April 13, 2018 at the Buffalo Convention Center. Edreys Wajed, Julia Bottoms, John Baker, and Charles Tingley received much buzz in 2017 regarding their art on the corner of Michigan Avenue and East Ferry Street, celebrating civil rights leaders.

On Friday, April 13 Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME, Inc.) will be celebrating its 55th Annual Dinner as well as the 50th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act. The event, expected to draw 250 people, will be held at the Buffalo Convention Center and will mark the largest single gathering of civil rights advocates in Western New York during Continued Page 5

Fillmore Leroy Area Resident Inc.

FLARE, Inc.

Building A Better Community Together

Pointing You In The Right Direction

Target/Focus Street Program Emergency Roofing Program Fifty/Fifty or 50/50 Program Emergency Assistance Program Help is available for eligible households - Limited to one (1) item/per household Only: Water line replacement, Sewer Line Repair, Non-Working Furance Boiler Replacement Broken Hot Water Tank Replacement, Defective Main Electrial Panel These Programs are available city-wide to income-eligible, owner occupants, who meet the program application guidelines.

Program applicants must be classified as one of the following in order to apply: Elderly (household income 80% or less of median income) Disabled (household income 80% or less of median income) Families with children (household income 50% or less of median income) Very-low income individuals or families (household income 50% or less of median income) Determined by HUD Low income limits (effective 06/06/2016) Applicants will be required to submit supporting documentation to verify eligibility for the program - including (but not limited to) proof of ownership, household income, household size and composition, current with city/county taxes, water bill and user fees.

To apply, contact the Housing Agency Assigned to your Council District: Masten District Homeowners contact

FLARE Inc. 2495 Main Street Suite 412 Buffalo, New York 14214 (716) 838-6740

A n s w e r i n g y o u r q u e s t i o n s a b o u t c r e m a t i o n a n d b u r i a l . . .

“How many people can be buried in a cemetery lot?”

If you have any questions about cremation or burial, give us a call at (716) 885-1600.

Most cemeteries allow 1 or 2 burials in a single grave. At Forest Lawn, we recently changed our rules & regulations to allow up to 4 burials in a single grave, w hich can include 1 casket plus 3 urns or a total of 4 urns.

For example, if a couple chooses side-by-side casketed burial in 2 graves, there’s room for them and up 6 other members of their family. This can represent a significant cost savings for the family. But more importantly, it can make it possible for you and your dearest loved ones to remain together forever.

1411 Delaware Ave ● Buffalo, NY 14209 forest-lawn.com

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

FREE COMMUNITY HEALTH EVENTS Faith Based Health Event Sat., April 14 - Noon – 2 PM Hopewell Baptist Church, 1301 Fillmore Ave.Health Literacy; Importance of Physical Activity; Let’s Talk Stigma; Ask the Doctor; Ask the Pharmacist. Millennium Collaborative Care, Greater Buffalo United Ministries, Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center Million Hearts® Blood Pressure and Health Screening Events

Sat., April 7: 10 AM – 2 PM Mount Olive Baptist Church 701 E. Delavan Avenue,Millennium Collaborative Care, Greater Buffalo United Ministries, UB School of Nursing Sat., April 21 : 10 AM – 2 PM Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church 665 Michigan Ave. Screenings, Health Information, Fun Kids Activities, Prizes. Millennium Collaborative Care, Greater Buffalo United Ministries, UB School of Nursing

Acclaimed Storyteller Dylan Pritchett Featured At The “10Th Annual Tell Me A Story” Event

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radition Keepers: Black Storytellers of WNY is hosting its 10th Annual--"Tell Me A Story” event which includes a storytelling concert after workshops for both children and adults: “Tell Your Superhero Story,” “So You Want to Be a Storyteller“ and “Caught in the Web ~ Storytelling & Technology” on Saturday, April 21 from 10:15 am-2 pm at the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library!!! THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Dylan Pritchett is a native of Williamsburg, Virginia. Since 1990, Mr. Pritchett has been a full-time storyteller, taking his African and African-American folk tales averaging over a hundred schools annually throughout the country. He has enjoyed a twelveyear, professional association with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he performed and lead workshops for teachers on using storytelling in the classroom.

Dylan's storytelling work extends beyond the classroom to museums, arts centers, historical sites, television and recordings. Storyteller Dylan Pritchett in In addition to recording several albums of folk tales, he has created action! the voices of many historical characters on museum recordings and exhibits; most recently for the National African American Museum of History & Culture in Washington, D.C.! One of his favorite assignments is researching and presenting real life characters from our nation's past for such prominent institutions as the Smithsonian Museum and the American Civil War Museum.

Since 1995, Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of Western New York has participated in numerous festivals in WNY and its surrounding areas. Tradition Keeper's signature event "Git on Da Bus!" storytelling crawl is a mystery tour highlighting local Black history has become a very popular pre-Juneteenth community event for the past two decades. Contact TK storytellers for your programming engagements.

Tradition Keepers is a member of the National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS).

Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of WNY meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month (except July and August) For more information go to Facebook.com/TKStorytellers/ or email: traditionkeepers1@gmail.com or call 716 - 308 - 8391, or 716 - 480 - 3967.

HOME ANNUAL DINNER continued from page 4 National Fair Housing Month.

Sheriff Thomas Dart, one of TIME Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in The World," will give the keynote address at the fair housing celebration. Sheriff Dart oversees thousands of inmates at the largest single site jail in the nation, Cook County Jail in Illinois. A staunch advocate for health, justice, and social welfare reforms, Sheriff Dart has been nationally recognized for boycotting foreclosure evictions until safeguards were put in place to protect tenants, policies protecting the rights of abused and neglected children, suing Craigslist over its "Erotic Services" section, and addressing the mental health needs of the inmates of Cook County Jail.

At the event, HOME will also be presenting the Sarah G. Metzger Human Rights Award and the Joarme-Ctrnmpion Granger Scholarship, given annually to an outstanding high school senior who has demonstrated both academic excellence and a commitment to civil rights.

The evening will also include live & silent auctions, raffles, live music, and a DJ. For tickets or sponsorship information, please contact HOME at (7 I 6) 854-1400. People can also purchase tickets at http://www.homeny.org/55thannualdinner/.

Housing Opportunities Made Equal is a civil rights organization whose mission is to promote the value of diversity and to ensure the people of Western New York an equal opportunity to live in the housing and in the communities of their choice-through education, advocacy, enforcement of fair housing laws, and the creation of housing opportunities.

Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, FRCOG, FACOG

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FAITH & FAMILY

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

Mt. Olive Presents 5 Nights of Revival

Faith Missionary Baptist Church 37th Pastoral Anniversary

Gospel Greats to Perform Here at Festival of Praise

Mt. Olive Baptist Church will present Five Nights of Revival April 16-20 at 7 p.m. nightly at the church, 701 E. Delavan Avenue. Pastor William Gillison will lecture April 16 & 17. Dr. Rev. Jonathan McReynolds of Aenon Missionary Baptist Church in Rochester will be the guest preacher April 18-20.

Faith Missionary Baptist Church located at 626 Humboldt Pkwy. is excited to announce the 37th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration of Pastor James R. Banks II. The church will be celebrating with him during the month of April . On Wednesday April 11, at 6:30p.m. Pastor Dwayne Jones and the Mt. Aaron Baptist Church will worship with us. On Wednesday April 1, at 6:30pm Pastor Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr. and the Antioch Baptist Church Family will worship with us. And Sunday April 22 at 10:45 a.m. closing out our celebration will be Pastor Elgin J. Taylor, Sr. Pastor of The Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church of Albany NY. All are invited to attend.

Multiple Grammy, Stellar, BET Award winning artists James Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Take 6, James Fortune and Pastor Charles Jenkins will perform at the Festival of Praise ‘texture of a Man” Friday April 13 at 7 p.m. at Shea’s Performing Arts Center.

WNY Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship To Host Hour Of Power Service Dr. James A. Lewis III, WNY District Overseer and the Full Gospel Fellowship Churches, serving under the leadership of State Bishop Darius G. Pridgen invite you to join our “Hour of Power” series, “Servants Serving Together,” 7 p.m. April 20, at Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church 406 Sycamore Street.

The "Hour of Power” series is a quarterly worship service held for one hour with dynamic Gospel Messengers from our community delivering the message. Various churches in the WNY Full Gospel District will serve as host churches. The April 20 Gospel Messenger will be Pastor Ted Howard of the Edison Street Community Church.

Please come out a worship with us and “BE BLESSED.”

Miracle Missions To Celebrate The Birthday Of Dr. James A. Lewis With A Musical Concert Join Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church as we host a Birthday Celebration for Overseer, Dr. James A. Lewis III, Senior Pastor. This joyous event takes place 4p.m. April 15 at Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church located at 406 Sycamore. The incomparable Mary Craig will be the Master of Ceremony.You will be blessed by musical selections by our guest choirs. We welcome all area church choirs, community choirs, psalmist & praise dancers to join us!

Deaconess Rededication Day The Deaconess Ministry of the Great Lakes Baptist Association will celebrate its Deaconess Rededication Day on Friday April 20 at 7:00 PM The service will be held at the Hopewell Baptist Church, 1301 Fillmore Ave., where Reverend Dennis Lee Jr. is Pastor.

The Rededication Theme is “Deaconess Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" Matt 25: 1-13. The Deaconesses of the GLBA wear white for this special day, and we invite our deaconess guests to wear white also. We’re asking that each church donate $20. If you are unable to attend kind-

ly forward your donation to Debra Witherspoon 151 Kay St Buffalo, NY 14215. .

The speaker for the evening will be Sister Gloria Babbs, First Lady of Thankful Baptist Church, in Buffalo. If you have any deceased Deaconesses in 2017 please bring their names for the Memorial on the program.

WANTED

Second Baptist Church Seeks

Full-Time Musician Experience Preferred For More Information Call

(716)-826-4940

BUSINESS

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

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Building Business in the East Buffalo Community

By Marshaun L. Quinniey

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n March 28th, the Community Action Organization (CAO), in conjunction with the Pathstone Enterprise Center Inc., hosted an entrepreneurship workshop to cultivate businesses in the WNY community. According to Jonathan Ling, Business Development Manager of Pathstone Enterprise Center Inc., “these workshops are an initiative to immediately help cultivate business in East Buffalo and Western New York.” Pam

Financial Empowerment Workshop Get Your Finances In Great Shape 2018 Workshop Dates April 21, 2018 May 19, 2018 Location & Time All Classes Start 10am to 1pm FLARE, Inc. 2495 Main Street Suite 412 Buffalo, NY 14214 Parking on Halbert Street

Our goal is to provide free financial planning information to our community to help strenghten a solid foundation. A powerful three hour session will equip you in these areas: • Discover how to repair your credit without struggle • Discover how to save without struggle • Discover how to prepare for homeownership

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• Discover how to establish a financial plan

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Bounce back from financial difficulties and plan you financial future.

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Building A Better Community Together

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2495 Main Street Suite 412 Buffalo, New York 14214 Phone: 716-838-6740 - Fax: 716-838-6919 Website: www.flarecenter.org - Facebook: FlareIncorp.com

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Fillmore Leroy Area Resident Inc. Emergency Roofing

Downpayment Closing Cost Assistance

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James, the Better Business Fund Coordinator of the CAO Masten Resource Center, stresses “these classes are of value for fostering business growth in areas outside downtown Buffalo during the economic resurgence in Buffalo.”

The topics covered in the March 28th workshop addressed technologies available to help small businesses operate optimally. This event was a part of a series of workshops designed to help startups and existing businesses in East Buffalo. The workshop featured Kenyana David, Sincere Lincoln, Duane Madyun, and Marshaun L. Quinniey.

The presenters stressed the importance of using current technologies to optimally manage small businesses to reduce time and save money.

Madyun discussed deploying his cost-effective product, Harbor Touch POS System.

Lincoln discussed how the value branding benefits her website development clients.

David shared steps for creating strategic content for social media and her workbook, Digital Content Strategy Toolkit, designed to help small businesses take immediate action with little or no cost (http:// bit.ly/DigitalContentStrategyToolkit). Quinniey discussed a variety of electronic tools (software, apps, & online resources for small businesses) uncovered from helping community stakeholders build websites, business cards, and flyers.

FLARE, Inc.

Building A Better Community Together

Weatherization Financial Empowerment

Pointing You In The Right Direction 2495 Main Street Suite 412 Buffalo, New York 14214 Phone: 716-838-6740 - Fax: 716-838-6919 Website: www.flarecenter.org - Facebook: FlareIncorp.com

Black Chamber of Commerce to Host Business Networking Affair April 19 The Black Chamber of Commerce of WNY will host a Business Networking Affair on Thursday, April 19 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the Roswell Cancer Institute Gaylord Cary Conference Room, Carlton and Elm Streets. “Doing Business With Roswell” will be presented by David C. Scott, Director of Diversity and Inclusion. RSVP to wnyblackchamber@yahoocom For additional information contact Richard A. Cummings at (716)400-2041. The event is free and open to the public.

Refreshments will be served.

The Business Development Series workshop concludes on May 21st. The upcoming topics and presentation dates are: 4/16 – Workshop 7 | Risk Management Business Insurance 4/23 – Workshop 8 | Taxes 4/30 – Workshop 9 | Business Financials Capabilities 2 5/7 – Workshop 10 | Government Contacting 5/14 – Workshop 11 | Business Banking Financing Options 5/21 – Workshop 12 | Putting it all together These workshops were the result of a collaborative effort by several organizations.

These organizations include: Consumer Credit Counselors Services of Buffalo, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library,

Small Business Developments Series, Western New York Law Center, Everything Kiea LLC, Compliance & Administrative Services of New York, New York State Department of Taxation and Finances, Pathstone Enterprise

Meet April

Founder of The College Simulation Experience “The Allstate MWEE program allowed me the opportunity to enhance my business acumen. It’s a successful learning and development initiative; without it, I would still struggle to make a meaningful impact on my clients.

Since graduating, I have seen a variety of positive results in growth, marketing as well as new clientele.”

-April Baskin, 2017 Graduate

Center Inc., Excelsior Growth Fund, and ONYX Administrative Services. For more information about the Business Development Series contact Pam James at (716) 332-3773 or Jonathan Ling at (716) 4362560.

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Entertainment

Oscar Alston’s "Back to the Community" Tribute Concert A Labor of Love

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

ON STAGE Pine Grill Reunion Applications Available for Vendors, Entertainers

Former Rick James Bassist Still A Part of Funk & Soul Heritage

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or an artist who has played with some of the greatest legends of soul music and was a key fixture in one of the most innovative funk bands of all time, Oscar Alston is an incredibly humble cat. Kismet has always played a role in the venerable Buffalo-born and bred bassist’s career and Alston will be paying tribute to the soul and funk sounds of yesteryear with the Oscar’s Back To The Community Tribute Concert on Saturday April 21 at Schiller Park Center. Raised partly in the Jefferson projects, Alston had no Matt prior experience to music, except for listening, when his friend’s cousin ofBAUER fered him the choice between a bass guitar and a trumpet.

“I had no inkling for either one but I preferred the bass to the trumpet,” he explains.” It was a guitar really and I just played the top low strings and for whatever reason it wasn’t very difficult to hear the notes and I was able to apply it to the guitar at that time and I wound up just practicing and practicing. I didn’t know it but I was becoming good.

People would say ‘you’re getting pretty good with that.’ As it turned out we did a couple house parties around, people liked us and next thing you know we had a band called the ‘Soul Busters.’ I got my first bass which I’ve still got the Fender Precision. We weren’t into it for drugs or smoking, we were in it for the fun at that point.”

An opening slot for local Northern Soul legends The Debonairs during the Christmas holiday week would herald the beginning of Alston’s professional career when Debonair leader Tyrone Williams offered Alston and Erskine WilOscar Alslton liams as bassist and organist, respectively.

Williams’s and Alston’s persistence, not to mention gift of gab, got them backstage for shows by The Stylistics and Blue Magic at The Century Theater. A meeting with the latter would take them to Philadelphia and New York and then on the road, with Blue Magic and then The Manhattans where fatefully, Levi Ruffin, would spot Oscar behind the iconic group as they sang “Kiss and Say Goodbye” on television.

At the same time, Rick James was finishing his breakthrough, “Come Get It” but didn’t have a band. Oscar auditioned and was shortly bustin’ out of L seven square as a member of The Stone City Band, performing and recording for James on classic albums like “Fire It Up” and “Street Songs,” his mini-empire of artists, including Teena Marie and The Mary Jane Girls, and not to mention three highly collectible Stone City Band albums which featured songs co-written and written by Alston such as the title track of “In N Out,” “Party Girls” and “Keep Love Happy.”

“We weren’t as talented as someone like The Time or The Ohio Players, to me individually,” he explains with humility of the group.“ You couldn’t put me up against Marshall Jones in The Ohio Players, us doing a battle of the bassists and me winning. It wouldn’t be like that.

Together as a group we were phenomenal. With Funkadelic, The Ohio Players, Cameo and all of those groups we were considered the top funk band in the country and that pretty much came behind Rick James.”

Regarding his relationship with the king of punk funk Oscar shares: “What I tell people about is that Rick and I were very, very close .

I wasn’t his friend so to speak, he was my boss and I respected him as a boss. My contribution to Rick was never really a hang out buddy. I FUNK & SOUL HERITAGE: Oscar (4th from left) would never get a call from Rick to hang out 'back in the day' with Rick James (center) and some of the Stone City Band. Oscar was and get high. But if ever Rick was working on members Rick's premier bass player. a song or putting together something that had to do with music I would be the first person he’d call. But whenever we were recording in the studio, regardless of which album, he would want me to be present, especially for the music part. For the music, he’d look back at me to see if something was ok or it was something that he questioned.

He’d just turn around at me and if I gave a puzzling look or a look like I’m not crazy about that he would go back and check it.”

Still a vital part of the funk and soul heritage that he’s helped foster, Alston is using music to give back to the community he still loves. The event on April 21 will feature tributes to The Delfonics, The Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly & Maze and The Time from The Next Level, Uncle Willie, The Exoutics’ Thomas Hall and Denzel Ward.

“At the concert I’m not going to be preaching to the people but someone’s going to drop in about investing in yourselves and your community. It’s the community where you live and you can make you better. “

•Black Violin, Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m. Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Ave.; Tickets available Rockwell hall, 2nd Floor or by phone 878-3005.

•Oscar’s Back To The Community Tribute

The legendary Oscar Alston Will Be Playing Tribute To The Music of The Delfonics, The Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly & Maze and Morris SATURDAY, APRIL 21•Doors 7pm • Concert 8 pm Schiller Park Center 2057 Genesee St. Buffalo.

Guest Artists Include •The Next Level from Niagara Falls •Uncle Willie •Thomas Hall from The Exotics, •Denzel Ward and more Tickets $20 • VIP $30 & Includes Priority Seating, Free Drink And More...

For Tickets Or Group Rates 716/-222-2939. Also Available @ Doris Records 286 E. FerryTo donate to this worthy community event - GoFundMeBackToTheCommunity Visit Oscar at: OscarAlston.com Facebook - Oscar Alston

Taylor Made Jazz 30 Year Anniversary Black Tie Gala Event On April 21, 2018 the internationally known and Buffalo-based band Taylor Made Jazz will celebrate its 30th year with a black-tie gala at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara Hotel, 1340 Millersport Hwy, Amherst, NY 14221. The event will kick off with a private V.I.P. reception at 6:00. Doors will open at 7:00 for general admission.

(More info next week or go to thechallengernewsn.com)

LGBTQ 'Black In Time' Dance On Saturday, April 14, the Buffalo-Niagara LGBTQ History Project and the Black Intelligent Ladies Alliance (BILA) will host Black in Time, a historical dance party Admission fee is a suggested donation of $5 to $10, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Vendor applications are available for the African American Cultural Center's Piine Grill Jazz Reunioin on the agency’s website at www. aaccbuffalo.org Groups interested in performing should send an EPK to paulrobesontheatrebuffalo@gmail.com or drop it off to the AACC at 350 Masten Ave.Attn: Paulette D. Harris, Event Coordinator For additional information contact Ms. Harris at 716884-2013 x103

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

Lackawanna’s Award-Winning Actor and Director Ruben-Santiago Hudson to Host Event

Emmy Award Winner Keith David, Tony Nominee Stephen McKinley Henderson to be Honored at Global Concepts Gala

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Drea D'Nur

Canisius College Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of Afro-American Society

TO ADVERTISE: advertising@thechallengernews.com

Members of the community are invited to join alumni and friends for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Canisius Afro-American Society (AAS), entitled “Our Past, Our Progress.”

“Canisius is very connected to Buffalo, so we want to get the local community involved in this celebration,” says Janelle Brooks ᾿04, MS ᾿06, chair of the anniversary celebration committee.

Campus and communitywide events are planned through April to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

•On Saturday, April 14 at 6 p.m., the Afro-American Society presents “Flava in Ya Ear,” a fashion show featuring styles from the 1970s, African prints, monochromatic, hip hop flava and much more in the Montante Cultural Center. Tickets are $7 for general admission and $10 for VIP. For more information, contact afro@canisius.edu.

•Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. ‒ Drea D’Nur brings her soulful sounds to the Montante Cultural Center. Her performance is entitled “Healing Songs in Beautiful Spaces.” D’Nur’s work, which often has activist undertones, has received national and international acclaim. Tickets are $35 and are available here.

•Saturday, April 21 at 6 p.m. ‒ the Afro-American Society Ball will be held at the Pearl in the Lafayette Hotel in Buffalo. Don your best formal attire, enjoy dinner and drinks, and get ready to dance the night away to the sounds of the Lyfe Band.

•Sunday, April 22 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ‒ Relax and catch up on the weekend’s events at the Afro-American Society Alumni & Friends Brunch in the Grupp Fireside Lounge in the Richard E. Winter ᾿42 Student Center.

Click here to register and for a complete listing of events.

lobal Concepts Charter School will hold their second Ruben Santiago-Hudson Fine Arts Center Gala 2018 in the studios of WNED television beginning at 5 pm on Saturday, April 14. The Gala, hosted

by Lackawanna’s award-winning actor and director Ruben-Santiago Hudson, will honor Emmy Award-winning actor Keith David (Oprah Winfrey Network’s GREENLEAF), Tony-nominated actor and University of Buffalo alumni Stephen McKinley-Henderson, and Global Concepts own theater director and Buffalo-based actor, director, and educator Chris Kelly. Global Concepts Charter School will present Community Service Awards to Western New Yorkers who present and champion the fine arts. This year’s honorees include Aileen Gonzalez-Marti a Buffalo-based artist who has helped beautify Buffalo’s lower West Side. Previous honorees include Phylicia Rashad, Brenda McDuffie, Tonnalee Batchelor, Anthony Conte and Joan and Peter Andrews. Proceeds from the Gala ticket sales and auction items will go to continue funding our year around school based and community arts programs.

Tickets for this black-tie affair are $65 and can be purchased by contacting Charles Clark at 716-9392554 or via email to cclark@ globalccs. org.

Keith David (top), & Henderson

Ruben-Santiago Santiago-Hudson

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Generations

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

Student of the Month Initiative Duncan Kirkwood and the African Heritage Economic Initiative has launched a “Student of the Month Initiative.” They are asking parents and community members to nominate students from grades K-12 who have demonstrated self determination in or out of school. The selected student will receive a $50 award and certificate of achievement. To nominate a student email duncankirkwood@gmail.com with a few sentences about the youth and how he or she has shown self determination.

EYES WIDE SHUT!

No More Tears presents “Eyes Wide Shut: The Dangers of Social Media” on Thursday, April 19 at Schiller Park Community Center, 20157 Genesee Street from 5:30-7:30 p.m. State Senator Tim Kennedy and Deputy Police Commissioner Kimberly Beaty will be the special guests. This event is open to public and the community is urged to attend!

2018 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarships

Talented Students at Olmsted #156 Perform “History In Our City”

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he Multicultural Club at Olmsted School #156 put on an impressive showcase of talent during their annual Black History Program on March 23.

The theme was “History In Our City,” and followed three students visiting different historical locations in Buffalo, learning and experiencing the history that surrounds them everyday.

The points of interest included the Colored Musicians Club, The African American Cultural Center and The Freedom Wall where George K. Arthur (Joel Richards), Eva Doyle (Mikeya Nesbitt), Arthur O. Eve (Malcolm Rice) and Alnisa Banks (Amaya Wood) were portrayed. There was also a salute to Mary B.Talbert and a visit to the Nash House (via video) and the Michigan Street Baptist Church. There were a number of highlights in the program including the African dance number, the drill performance , the video presentations and a poem “Average Black Girl” recited with serious pride by Amaya Wood.

And the audience throughout the production was great!

Hats off to the talented cast, especially Nia Morris, the amazing young lady who wrote the entire play! It was informative, entertaining and a testament to the talent, creativity and vision of our youth. Stay woke!

Homicide Prevention Workshop A Homicide Prevention Workshop will be held Saturday, April 21 at 12 noon, at 940 Broadway. Partners include the PE.A.C.E. Group, Mount Hope Community Church, Fellowship World, OIC, UCCB and UCC. Learn the “why’s” our children are dying from homicide! Learn why they are going to prison! Call 570-9573 for more information.

SUPPORT THE ARTS!

The Christian Education Scholarship Committee at New Hope Baptist Church is accepting applications for their 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship from graduating Buffalo Public high school seniors.

The applications are available in the guidance counselor’s office in all Buffalo Public High Schools.

Students must demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership skills, community involvement, and financial need. Requirements include: completed and signed application, three reference letters (two from school personnel and one from a community leader), a 500-word autobiographical sketch, and an official school transcript. ALL documentation is due on or must be postdated by Friday, May 4, 2018. For additional information contact: Chair Retta Billingslea, (716)-8354737 / akaretta@verizon. net or 716-883-0821 / newhope543@roadrunner.com).

VOICES

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

Stephan House, Draylen Mason, Stephon Clark: Terror Victims

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Why is The Democratic Party and The Mayor Playing "Poliltricks" With Judge McLeod? Why Aren't Black Leaders Speaking Out?

By Margaret Kimberley

he word terrorism is both over used and useless. It generally refers to the actions of the American government’s political enemies. It is rarely used to describe the wanton killing that is committed by this state or accepted by the dictates of white supremacy.

Two Black men, Stephan House and Draylen Mason, were killed by a White man in Austin, Texas. The perpetrator is dead too, killing himself with the same explosives he used against House and Mason. The bomber should have been called a terrorist but law enforcement never used the word. Not only did he escape the politically charged moniker but he was given dignity and respect despite being a cold blooded murderer. The press spoke of his family’s religious faith. He was described as “quiet and nerdy.” Police who listened to his taped confession described him as a young man with “challenges in his personal life.”

Not so Draylen Mason. The closed captioning on an Austin television station quite literally labeled him as “that monkey.” Claims of a faulty algorithm and profuse apologies cannot erase the insult heaped on the talented young musician. Stephan House was the first victim and police initially suspected him of exploding the bomb that tore shrapnel through his body.

Clark met an equally horrible but more common end. He lost his life at the hands of the police. It happens on average three times every day in this country to people of different races, but one of those people will be Black. Usually the victims are erased and forgotten but sometimes we learn the details of the crime.

Clark was a 22-year old Black man living in Sacramento, California, the father of two small children. He was in the backyard of the home he shared with his family, a place he had every right to be. But the over policing of Black neighborhoods means that home is no safe haven. While allegedly chasing a petty thief the cops encountered Clark and killed him - firing 20 bullets. They turned off their body cameras, questioned Clark’s grandmother, and said nothing about killing him right outside her door.

The collective outrage over Clark’s killing is justified. It is all to the good that mass protests took place in Sacramento. Business should not go on as usual when the police act as the 21st century slave patrol.

Just a few years ago police murder spawned a political movement. The words Black Lives Matter became ubiquitous and it appeared that the uniformed assassination squad might be curtailed. But a confluence of events stopped the movement before it could achieve any long lasting victory.

The organization Black Lives Matter was itself problematic. Its politics were merely liberal when revolutionary work was called for. Barack Obama also helped to dampen the anger over police murder. He directed the Justice Department to stand down and only two killings committed by police were prosecuted during his eight years in office.

Obama shamefully hijacked BLM with stunts such as a July 2016 televised town hall called “The President and the People.”

One BLM founder called it a “shit show .” “It was honestly one of the worst experiences you could’ve put families through. It was all about apologizing about the cops, it was just a mess.”

Obama’s goal was to silence protest and give everyone amnesia about the death toll. Only the revenge killing of police by Micah Johnson and Gavin Long moved Obama to do that much.

Absent their actions he would not have even bothered with this hypocritical gesture.

The mass movement dwindled and hundreds of victims, more than 300 Black people every year, were disappeared too. It has been a long time since any victim was given as much attention as Stephon Clark.

“We wish to plead our own cause.

Too long have others spoken for us.”

- John Russwurm, Freedom’s Journal.

1827 America’s 1st Black Newspaper

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Selected Readings from Kenneth and Sharon Holley

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ever underestimate the power of reading. Frederick Douglass understood it when he said, ”Once you learn to read, you will be forever free,” Malcolm X applied it to his life transformation: “The ability to read awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive. I certainly wasn’t seeking any degree the way a college confers a status symbol upon its students. My homemade education gave me, with every additional book that I read, a little bit more sensitivity to the deafness, dumbness and blindness that was afflicting the black race in America….My alma mater was books, a good library.” We cannot say it enough – “You must read your history to go forward.”

•Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture by Ytasha L. Womack •An American Marriage: A Novel by Tayari Jones •Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Escaped Slavery and Became Millionaires by Shomari Wills •Black Ink: Literary Legends on the Peril, Power and Pleasure of Reading and Writing edited by Stephanie Stokes Oliver •Distorted Truths: The Bastardization of Afrikan Cosmology by S. K. Damani Agyekum •Down the River Unto the Sea: A Novel by Walter Mosley We also have a selection of Mother’s Day cards and other gift items. (Zawadi Books is located at 1382 Jefferson Avenue. 716903-6740. See their ad page 10)

The proof of White supremacy cannot be denied. Individuals like the Austin bomber are given protection even after they kill.

The young White man who murdered nine Black people at a Charleston, South Carolina church was treated to lunch by the arresting officers. Obama intervened in that instance too, appearing at a funeral and singing Amazing Grace, quieting the justifiable anger and mollifying the credulous.

While hundreds of thousands recently marched to protest gun violence committed by individuals, the state’s victims were forgotten, those at home and around the world. The top down acceptance of terrorism when committed by those in uniform trickles down to the entire society.

The deaths of Clark, House and Mason make a mockery of the Marching for Our Lives charade. No one marches for Black people’s lives except Black people, and even we can fall short unless all of the stars are aligned.

Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Rekia Boyd, Corinne Gaines, Jordan Davis, Austin Sterling and nameless hundreds are terror victims. The killers may wear uniforms or the simple uniform of White skin privilege. Because of them a Black person shouldn’t pick up packages from their front porches, let W hite people into their churches, or even stand on their own property. Doing anything at all, no matter how mundane, can lead to death at the hands of a terrorist.

Margaret Kimberley’s Freedom Rider column appears weekly in BAR, and is widely reprinted elsewhere. She maintains a frequently updated blog as well at http://freedomrider.blogspot. com . Ms. Kimberley lives in New York City, and can be reached via e-Mail at Margaret.Kimberley(at)BlackAgendaReport.com.

Challenger Community News P.O. BOX 474 Buffalo, NY 14209 advertising@thechallengernews.com

P: 716 881.1051 F: 716 881.1053

Dear Editor: I was disgusted but not surprised, reading your recent article about the "politricks" of the local Democratic party and its treatment of Judge James McLeod, who is seeking re-election to City Court. As a community, it's time that we ask WHY, and demand answers of a party that more and more, disrespects us as a people, and seemingly, takes our votes for granted.

Additionally, we must ask WHY, and demand an answer from Mayor Brown concerning his appointment to a court that has too many Black and Brown defendants, a person who reportedly was the attorney, counselor and defender of (in my opinion), one of Buffalo's most racist citizens, Carl Paladino. A man, who without shame blatantly attacked President and Michele Obama, as well as every Black woman on the Buffalo School Board.

We must ask every elected Black and Brown official WHY they have been silent on this appointment, where they stand, or have they sold us out? We must ask WHY and demand an answer from Senator Kennedy who comes into our community saying he is a friend, where he stands on this important matter, or has he been playing us? But the most important question continues to be WHY the Democratic Party is treating the Judge this way. A Judge who has done so much for the entire City of Buffalo and for our youth!

We won't continue to let political parties take advantage of us.

-Ralph C. Rucker, Buffalo

dear editor

Behavior of New ECC President Questionable: Growing Climate of Fear and Intimidation at ECC Cited Dear Editor, The new ECC president, Daniel Hocoy, was fired along with other campus presidents, by Antioch University in 2016. However, his own experience with redundancy was apparently not a teachable moment for President Hocoy. In fact, it was reported that at a recent college meeting, he threatened to lay off 20% of the ECC’s faculty.

And, among President Hocoy’s first two official acts, he fired the Associate Vice President/Chief Diversity Officer, and the Associate Vice President/ECC Foundation, (a foundation to which I have contributed). Inasmuch as I worked with these colleagues for years, I find his decision to be personally offensive.

But there may be more to these firings, including a growing climate of fear and intimidation at ECC. Since the fired Associate Vice President/Chief Diversity Officer is an older, African American woman, she has been triply discriminated against. And through no fault of their own, a number of long-serving, older, (over age 45), female staff members have been threatened with job insecurity or worse. It may be said that they are discriminated against both as women, and due to age. Racial and ethnic discrimination may also be involved.

It has also been reported that at College Day, ECC president Hocoy showed a picture of a dilapidated house on Buffalo’s east side juxtaposed to a Toronto condo on the waterfront, followed by this quip: “[w]e can be the difference between a person owning a house and breaking into one.” Many were offended by this seemingly racial stereotyping.

Is this the sort of behavior we should expect from a college president who makes $225,000 per year, has a pricey SUV provided for him by the College, and is supposed to be an educational leader?

Gene Grabiner SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus

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EMPLOYMENT/HELP WANTED

JOB ALERT Hiring:

JOBS

Buffalo Employment and Training Center

Hospitality Positions

/BETC • 716-856-5627

For more information visit UnilandEmployment.com

www.workforcebuffalo.org

Orientation Times: Mon. – Thurs.10 am or 2 pm.

Network Analyst The Information Technology Exchange Center (ITEC) at SUNY Buffalo State seeks candidates for the position of Network Analyst (local title). Essential duties and required and preferred qualifications can be found at www.itec.suny.edu.

Apply by May 4, 2018 at: https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.

Assistant Vice President for Educational Pipeline Initiatives The Academic Affairs Office at Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Assistant Vice President for Educational Pipeline Initiatives.

For a full job description and to apply: https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.

Service Delivery Manager The Information Technology Exchange Center (ITEC) at SUNY Buffalo State seeks candidates for the position of Service Delivery Manager (local title).

For a full job description see: www.itec.suny.edu Apply by May 4, 2018 at: https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.

LEGAL NOTICE City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency Request for Proposals April 4, 2018 The City of Buffalo (“City”), through the City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (“BURA”), is seeking proposals through the federal HOME Investment Partnership Program from qualified not-for-profit agencies to acquire, rehabilitate and manage a HOME-assisted multi-family rental housing development located at 413 East Delavan Avenue (The Property). The development consists of ten rental units (six–three bedroom units and four-two bedroom units), adjoining office space and available on-site parking.

Additional properties owned by the City of Buffalo, located adjacent to the East Delavan site are available for redevelopment. The respondent may consider and address these sites within their proposal but it is not a requirement in order to be considered.

The Property is currently held by a third party and BURA, on behalf of the City of Buffalo, will facilitate transfer of the Property to the successful developer.

Restrictions regarding the use of the property as affordable housing will be enforced through March, 2023 (the “Affordability Period”). The City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency currently holds a first position mortgage lien of $818,322 that must be assumed by the successful applicant.

Applicants must be incorporated as for-profit or non-profit entities to undertake affordable housing activities within the boundaries of the City of Buffalo.

It is the policy of BURA that all local Minority/Women Business Enterprises (M/WBE’s) be encouraged to submit proposals. BURA continues to ensure that all locally owned M/ WBE’s are afforded the maximum opportunity to participate as Applicants or Sub-Applicants in the provision of goods and services for BURA. BURA encourages the award of at least thirty percent (30%) of the total dollar value of this project directly or indirectly to M/WBE’s.

Proposal Submission Deadline: Friday, May 18, 2018, 4:00PM. Request for Proposals submissions are due to: Yvonne C. McCray, Director of Housing City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency 65 Niagara Square Room 315 City Hall Buffalo, N.Y. 14202 RE: City of Buffalo HOME Investment Partnership Program RFP Submission 413 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo NY A full copy of the Request for Proposals can be picked up in 315 City Hall or 920 City Hall, 65 Niagara Square Buffalo NY 14202, the Central Library, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo NY 14203. The RFP can also be found on the City of Buffalo Website www. city-buffalo.com/BuraBids

-PROCLAMATION-

I, Kemp EL, whose address is 2951 West 33rd Street, Apt. 4H, Brooklyn, NY 11224 proclaim my Free National Name as Moorish Science Temple of America according to the rules and usage of such Moorish Science Temple America. The Moorish Science Temple of America depriving its power and authority from Great Koran of Mohammed to probate the faith and extend the learning and truth of the Great Prophet of Alli in America. To anoint, appoint consecrate missionaries of the prophet and to establish the faith of Mohammed in America.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

LEGAL NOTICE Citimortage v. Parker/Paulk SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF ERIE CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff -against- RAYSHAWN M. PARKER, SHANA D. PAULK, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated October 30, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Foreclosure Alcove, 1st Floor, Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY on May 2, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. premises situate in the City of Buffalo, County of Erie and State of New York, being part of Lot 89, Township 11, Range 8 of the Holland Land Company Survey and further distinguished as Subdivision Lot 45, as shown on a map filed in the Erie County Clerk's Office under Cover No. 1182. Section: 77.76 Block: 3 Lot: 16 Said premises known as 67 SAINT FLORIAN STREET, BUFFALO, NY Approximate amount of lien $78,230.47 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 813751/2014. GREGORY J. STEWART, ESQ., Referee David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 99 Powerhouse Road, First Floor, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 File# 5025.1924

LEGAL NOTICE Bank of America v. Lashua NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF ERIE Bank of America, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Erie County Public Administrator as Administrator for the Estate of Ralph Edward Lashua a/k/a Ralph E. Lashua, Kimberly Guerrero as heir to the Estate of Ralph Edward Lashua a/k/a Ralph E. Lashua, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 2-14-2018 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Foreclosure Alcove of the Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 on 4-25-2018 at 9:30AM, premises known as 88 Riverside Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14207. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Buffalo, County of Erie and State of New York, SECTION: 77.56, BLOCK: 1, LOT: 1. Approximate amount of judgment $91,020.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #811237/2016. Cheryl McFadden Zak, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-074666-F00 52242

LEGAL NOTICE RFP Request for Proposals for

Employment Recruitment Services

The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA) is seeking proposals from qualified executive search professionals in connection with its recruitment of an Executive Director.

The consultant must be licensed to do business in New York State. The consultant must have demonstrated experience in conducting national searches at the highest executive levels; skill in working with a wide range of constituencies and stakeholders in developing consensus; and experience with recruitment of candidates and overall management of public search processes.

As the BMHA desires to hire an Executive Director experienced in public housing, tax credit and property development with a proven record of leadership and excellent management skills, successful experience with executive searches in public housing is preferred.

Requests for Proposals may be obtained from the Authority by contacting Arnitra Chester at achester@ bmhahousing.com. Responses are due April 27, 2018.

LEGAL NOTICE

Finance of Americaa v. Simpson

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF ERIE Plaintiff designates ERIE as the place of trial situs of the real property SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Mortgaged Premises: 355 LONGNECKER STREET BUFFALO, NY 14206 District: Section: 112.34 Block: 2 Lot: 52 INDEX NO. 800514/2016

FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC,

Plaintiff, -against-

TONJA SIMPSON, AS PROPOSED EXECUTRIX, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ANNETTE GLOWKA; BRENDA A. MATTAR, AS PROPOSED EXECUTRIX, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ANNETTE GLOWKA; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ANNETTE GLOWKA any and all persons unknown to

plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, JEAN MARIE MOORE, "JOHN DOE #2" through "JOHN DOE #12," the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.

To the above-named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff's Attorney within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) in the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until (60) days after service of the Summons; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $66,000.00 and interest, recorded on September 25, 2013, at Liber 13655 Page 1944, of the Public Records of ERIE County, New York, covering premises known as 355 LONGNECKER STREET BUFFALO, NY 14206.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. ERIE County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your

case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: March 23, 2018 RAS BORISKIN, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff BY: SELENA MARCHAN, ESQ. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 106 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675

LEGAL NOTICE U.S. Bank v. Bryant SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF ERIE; Index No.: 816480/2017. Filed: 11/15/2017.

U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, V. THE ESTATE OF MARY L. BRYANT; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF MARY L. BRYANT; ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; CITY OF BUFFALO; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; STATE OF NEW YORK; JOHN DOE (SAID NAME BEING FICTITIOUS TO REPRESENT UNKNOWN TENANTS/ OCCUPANTS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY AND ANY OTHER PARTY OR ENTITY OF ANY KIND, IF ANY, HAVING OR CLAIMING AN INTEREST OR LIEN UPON THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY), Defendants. SUMMONS AND NOTICE. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above captioned action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action may answer to appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the Summons and protect your property.

Sending payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. To the above named defendants: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Hon. Christopher J. Burns, a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of N.Y., dated February 15, 2017 and filed along with the supporting papers in the Erie County Clerk’s Office. This is an action to foreclose a mortgage on the property 336 Olympic Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215 also known as Section: 90.48 Block: 1 Lot: 24. Erie County is designated as the place of trial based upon the location of the property being foreclosed. Attorneys for Plaintiff: Stern & Eisenberg, PC, 485 B Route 1 South, Suite 330, Iselin, NJ 08830, T: (516) 630-0288.

13

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

NEW BUSINESSES LLC -LEGAL NOTICENOTICE of FORMATION of a DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY VPD RJG LLC Date of filing of Articles of Organization with the NY Dept of State: November 09,2017. Office of the LLC 7954 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY, Erie County. The NYS Secretary of State has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. NYSS may mail a copy of process to the LLC at 7954 Transit Road, Williamsville,NY. Purpose of LLC: Renting and leasing real estate.

No specific duration attached to LLC March 21,28 April 4,11,18,25 -LEGAL NOTICEFIRST MOVE- WNY, LLC Orig filed Articles of Organization w/ the S.S.N.Y. on 2/22/2018. office location is the County of ERIE S.S.N.Y. Designated as agent of LLC, upon whom process against it may be served. S.S.N.Y. Shall mail a copy of any process served upon him to: 2025 Delaware ave Ste 1-E, Buffalo NY 14216- Purpose:any lawful act or activity.

March 28, April 4,11,18,25, May 2

LEGAL NOTICE

Thursday April 12

Seeking – Licensed, insured minority and women owned business vendors, to bid on general needs such as supplies, auditing, heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, carpentry work, etc. Please call Niagara Community Action Program, Inc. at 716285-9681 x 103 for an application or more information.

Northland Workforce Training Center Information Session

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES! ROOMS

ROOMS FOR RENT: Delavan-Humboldt area, Bailey-Delavan. $325$480. Everything included.

(716)818-3410.

The UBEOC is once again hosting information sessions with the Northland Workforce Training Center for anyone looking for a career in Advanced Manufacturing & Energy . Northland is looking to recruit 300 students for their program this Fall and they need your help to spread the word!

Northland Workforce Training Center Information Session: Thursday, April 12th at 5:00pm King Urban Life Center 938 Genesee St. Learn about training and career opportunities. Interested candidates can start their application at the information session. Call 645-8875 to RSVP as seats are limited.

Fillmore Leroy Area Resident Inc.

FLARE, Inc.

Building A Better Community Together

-LEGAL NOTICEBALANCE PROPERTIES & CONSULTANTS, LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 4/3/2018. Office: Erie Co. SSNY desi. as agt. for process & shall mail to: The LLC, 192 Stevens Ave, Buffalo, NY 14215. Any lawful purpose.

April 11,18,25, May ,2,9,16

Pointing You In The Right Direction

First Time Homebuyers Orientation Be Part of our Home Club We have the Keys to your new Home

April 19th, 2018

April 24th, 2018

FLARE, Inc. 2495 Main Street Conference Rm 2

FLARE, Inc. 2495 Main Street Conference Rm 2

6:00PM

6:00PM

Free and open to the public.

Learn more about: Where do I start?

How do I apply for a mortgage?

Tax benefit of owning a home?

Credit Repair & Financial Empowerment And more!

Reserve Your Seat Today

City of Buffalo Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program Call (716) 838-6740 to register.

Sponsored by Flare, Inc. & BURA

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!

AT THE POINT With Greg Gamble

City of Buffalo Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA)

Tao Te Ching 66 All streams flow to the sea Because it is lower than they are.

Humility gives it its power.

If you want to govern the people, You must place yourself below them.

If you want to lead the people, You must learn how to follow them.

The Master is above the people, And no one feels oppressed.

She goes ahead of the people, And no one feels manipulated.

The whole world is grateful to her.

Because she competes with no one, No one can compete with her.

Marcus Hutchins

Park's First African American Athletic Director, Marcus Hutchins, Notches First Boy’s Basketball Class A Federation Championship

I

n 2015, The Park School of Buffalo Pioneers won the Class B State Federation Championship under the tutelage of Athletic Director Tom Ford and Head Boy’s Basketball Coach Michael Battaglia. In that same year, Marcus Hutchins was hired as the new Athletic Director, and the schools first African American Athletic Director, bringing with him 16 years of experience from The University at Buffalo as the Associate Director of Facilities and Business Operations. Hutchins is also the founder of The Unit Promise, a non-profit organization that focuses on youth engagement and development. He serves on several boards.

He is the father of two teenage sons, Noah and Kaleb Hutchins who both attend The Park School of Buffalo and Husband to wife Samantha Hutchins.

At the same time that Marcus Hutchins was hired at The Park School of Buffalo, the schools athletic programs moved up from Class B, to Class A large schools.

On Sunday, March 25, 2018 The Park School of Buffalo Boys Basketball team defeated Albany Academy at the buzzer, 59-57 in a back and forth game from the very start. The win notches The Park School of Buffalo’s second Federation title, in two different classes (Class A and Class B), in 4 years. The win also propelled The Park School into the history books, as only 6 other teams from Western New York have ever won a Federation title as a Large School. Their opponent, Albany Academy was the two-time defending New York State Class A Federation Champion and the fourth straight season that they’ve played in the championship game.

In speaking with Marcus Hutchins, he was extremely proud of the way that the student-athletes have come together in his program. “They’ve embodied the fact that this is bigger than them and they’ve embraced the idea that winning, the goal, is more important than any individual performance.” Also, with the win, notches Marcus Hutchins first New York State Title in any sport under his leadership as Athletic Director at The Park School of Buffalo.

“It feels good, it’s been a work in progress,” were Hutchins sentiments to the feat. His philosophy to building quality student-athletes is through engagement, accountability and development. He believes that students should be nurtured to be good people first and foremost and that when this is accomplished, everything else falls into place. Hutchins himself is no stranger to that philosophy. At the University at Buffalo, Marcus Hutchins sits in the Athletic Hall of Fame for his prestigious wrestling career. There, he also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Sciences Interdisciplinary/Legal Studies, a Masters of Arts Degree in Applied Public Affairs and Urban Studies as well as an Advanced Certificate from the Graduate School of Education in Teaching and leading for Diversity and he currently is an adjunct professor at UB. His wife, Samantha Hutchins also played basketball for the University at Buffalo Women’s basketball program.

Marcus Hutchins, congratulations on your great feat as a New York State Class A Federation Champion and much success in your future accomplishments as the Athletic Director of The Park School of Buffalo.

14

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS advertising@thechallengernews.com

ATTORNEYS

DOCTORS

LAW OFFICE OF DARIA L. PRATCHER, PC “Everything Real Estate” 523 Main Street (716)541-8574

RAPHA FAMILY MEDICINE Frances IIozue MD

PRATCHER & ASSOCIATES Franklin Muhammad (Pratcher) Attorney 1133 Kensington Avenue (716) 838-4612

AUTO BEN’S Downtown Tire

50 Sycamore (cor. Elm) (716) 856-1066 or 894-1483

Colston Mobil Auto Repair

716 E. Ferry (Near Fillmore)

(716) 896-3910

ART GALLERY Main Street Gallery Lodina Clyburn 515 Main Street Lodina@gmail.com

2200 Main St. (716) 200-4122

ELECTRICAL EMPIRE ELECTRIC (716) 634-0330

FASHION

FLORISTS MAUREEN’S Flower Market 441 Ellicott St. * 852-4600

HAIR BRAIDING GERMA'S HAIR BRAIDING (716) 238-2862

HAIR SUPPLY

GIST BAIL BONDS

MAIN HAIR & BEAUTY SUPPLY 3067 Main St. (716) 862-4247

BOOKS ALIVE CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE 2275 Fillmore Ave. (716) 837-1118 ZAWADI BOOKS 1382 Jefferson Ave. 716-903-6740

CONSTRUCTION SINGLETON CONSTRUCTION CONSULTLANTS INC. 110 Pearl St. Site 5B (716) 842-2197

MON 4/2

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MID-4-1-2-9 EVE-1-4-3-8

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11-13-26-35-39

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THURS 4/5 MID-7-5-6

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2372 Genesee St. (716) 894-3742

BAIL BONDS A-1 Bail Bonds 855-2514 or 854-2128

SUN 4/1

TAILORS ANN RHOD’S Tailoring 3185 Bailey Ave. (716) 838-5633

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES MEREA WORLD Transportation Service Specializing in Round Trip & Over Night Trips Text or call 716 939-8892

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!

Zakiyyah’s Rundown (ZR) 532-791-065-990-456-435-468-015-076-974-240-198-513-546809-507-433-354-760-919-512-891-558-001-064-247-091-547910-107-432-304-567-729-865-790-085-333-465-789-423-567543-196-745-890-965-435-679-510-764-570-152-468-392-843256-434-627-467-019-690-054-623-467-896-786-578-967-910 MA RUTH SPEAKS THE TRUTH! SURE HITS! 890-219-345-476-578-768242-000-111-777-989-123125-436-515-600-349-675652-986-568-853-578-168

APRIL Vibes 782-187-678-890347-036 876-069 quick money 189-809-444 886-980-422 322-522-355 800-592-390 394-833-924 127-909-418 927-313-466 124-550-098 511-005/201

“It’s In The Stars”

Aquarius -496-235-165-579 Pisces - 056-362-237-694 Cancer - 482-372-895-718 Aries - 289-946-034-594 Taurus -258-231-026-695 Gemini-495-257-694-508 Leo-345-213-157-201 Virgo 385-291-431-170 Libra -247-723-179-501 Scorpio - 453-253-571-597 Sagittarius - 389-701-234-924 Capricorn:893-275-342-506

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15

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

WEDNESDAY APRIL 11

THURSDAY APRIL 12

Home Depot On-Site Hiring Event: 5-8pm at Resource Council of WNY 347 E. Ferry Speakers begin at 5pm. Please Bring Resume and ID.

The Blackness Project Team is hosting a Free Community Screening at The Frank Merriweather Library on Thursday April 12 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

The screening followed by a panel discussion.

Hustle for Health Urban Line Dancing with Phyllis Caver at Gloria Parks: 3242 Main St, Buffalo. 12pm - 1pm. FREE for ages 55+ 832 -1010 The Durham Central City Baby Café . Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 pm 200 Eagle St (716)427-0566.

Urban Line Dance Classes: St. Phillips, 15 Fernhill ; 6-8 p.m.; Cheri & Darel 200-9702.

Thrive for Health Fair for Older Adults: 1pam -1pm Buffalo Public Library Downtown 1 Lafayette Square. Hustle for FREE SCREENING! MEETINGS TO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION The PLAN Blackness Project Team is hostHealth PUBLIC presentation 10REVIEW a.m.-THE DRAFT ing a Free Community Screening at The Frank Merriweather 1p.m.Free Event

Library on Thursday April 12,2018 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Screening

The Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC) is holding two public meetings for the community to review and comment on the Draft 2050 Regional Transportation

followed by a panel discussion.

National Alliance Mental IllPlan Moving Forwardon 2050 ness Family Education meeting, Aprilpublic 10, 2018- Niagara Public Library SATURDAY APRIL 14 openTuesday, to the 7:00 Falls p.m.

THURSDAY APRIL 12 Earl W. Brydges Building St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran 1425 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14305 Mike's Smooth Urban Ballroom Church, 5:00pm 4007 – 7:00pmMain St. 716Dance Classes: 11 to 1 PM, Sat226-6264 for more info. urdays, Delavan-Grider ComThursday, April 12, 2018 munity Center, 877 E. Delavan Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Central Meeting Room 2nd Floor, Ave. 716-380-5100 class is $5

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!

1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Public Meeting to Review

GBNRTC will present an overview of Moving Forward followed by anTransportaopen discussion for Draft2050,Regional your questions and comments. Special accommodations will be provided upon request. For more tion Plan: 5-7 p.m. Downinformation email MovingForward2050@gbnrtc.org or call (716) 856-2026 ext. 315. The public town Main Library, 2nd Floor, review period is open until April 27, 2018. An electronic version of the draft plan is available at 1 Lafayette Square; hosted by gbnrtc.org. Paper copies are available at GBNRTC’s office: 438 Main St. #503, Buffalo, NY 14202.

GBNRTC. Free & open to the public.

The Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, sex, age, disability or national origin, as provided by Title VI of the United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent legislation, regulations, statutes and orders, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any MPO program or activity.

FRIDAY APRIL 13

Jericho Road Community Center Informational Social: Broadway Market, 11 am. – 1 p.. 3483000 ext. 405 Chicago Steppin: Every Friday 7-8:30 p.m. The Pratt Center 422 Pratt St.

Fillmore Leroy Area Resident Inc.

FLARE, Inc.

Building A Better Community Together

Pointing You In The Right Direction

HUGE 50% OFF SALE PLUS 30% �

Saturday April 21 11-Spm & Sunday April 22 Noon-Spm LAYAWAY AVAILABLE

Louis Kallinikos & Sons

City of Buffalo Weatherization Assistance Program

Weatherization Program funds, up to $5,000.00 per structure are now available to assist homeowners in the City of Buffalo.

This Program is available city-wide to income-eligible, owner occupants, who meet the program application guidelines.

Program applicants must be classified as one of the following in order to apply: Elderly (household income 80% or less of median income) Disabled (household income 80% or less of median income) Families with children (household income 80% or less of median income) Very-low income individuals or families (household income 50% or less of median income) Determined by HUD Low income limits (effective 06/06/2016) Applicants will be required to submit supporting documentation to verify eligibility for the program - including (but not limited to) proof of ownership, household income, household size and composition, current with city/county taxes, water bill and user fees.

For more information contact: FLARE Inc. 2495 Main Street Suite 412 Buffalo, New York 14214 (716) 838-6740

Beginners/Intermediate Line Dance Classes Every Friday 6pm Bethel AME Church Hall 1525 Michigan @ E.Ferry Ernestine, Instructor SATURDAY APRIL 14 STEAM Into The Future: 9am – Noon. Learn about STEM at Bennett School of Innovative Technology 2885 Main Street Swing Into Spring Affair Old School Dance Party: 7pm Metropolitan 1670 Main Street $25 Advanced Tickets $30 Door.

Bennett Wells American Legion Post #1780 celebrates 72nd Anniversary: 2 p.m., 1356 East Delavan Ave. 449-6668.

Hustle For Health Urban Line Dancing: East.

Community High School, 820 Northampton St. 11:30-12:30 p.m. Free for all ages. Free lunch. www.hustleforhealth.com SUNDAY APRIL 15 Ms. Dorothy’s Birthday Party and Book Signing : Shea’s 710 Theatre Main & Tupper 4-8 p.m. $25 person/$30 couple; (716)563-0994.

MONDAY APRIL 16 African Consciousness Workshop : “Tell Them We Are Rising -The Story of Black Colleges” : Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson, 5:50-7:50 P.M., 716-883-4418. Free admission.

Hustle for Health Urban Line Dancing with Phyllis Caver at Gloria Parks: 3242 Main St, Buffalo. 12pm - 1pm. FREE for ages 55+ 832 -1010 TUESDAY APRIL 17 Job Fair: Western New York Independent Living, Inc. Main -Transit Fire Hall 6777 Main St., Williamsville 10:00 a.m.

- 1:00 p.m Disabled and bilingual STRONGLY encouraged to apply! Wheelchair accessible shuttle service to and from the Job Fair Call 716-836-0822 ext.

186

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

16

IMAGES OF US

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 11, 2018

BUFFALO'S FIRST MARTIN LUTHER KING LEGACY MARCH. Pictured above are scenes from last Wednesday's commemoration and march on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Top row (l-r) George K. Arthur, Judge Debra Givens, Jackie Rushton; Rev. Mark Blue, Barbara Seals Nevergold and Legislator Majority Leader April Baskin. Above audience participants, Mayor Byron Brown, marchers at the King monument, Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Council Member Ulysees O.Wingo, Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church where the program was held before the march to MLK Park. Photos by Yves-Richard Blanc