Challenger Community News April 8, 2021

WNY HAS THE HIGHEST COVID-19 POSITIVITY RATE IN THE STATE. PLEASE MASK UP!

Justice For Tiara!

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Photos by Blanc Photographie

Community Pushes For

Resurrection Sunday During Covid: A Testament of Faith Page 7

Photo By Tito Ruiz

Photo by Darvin Adams Street Legacy

April 8, 2021 | FREE | thechallengernews.com | Community News

India Walton: "Zellner Not Interested in Democracy" Page 11

Another Life Lost at the Erie County Holding Center

Beware of Fake Covid-19 Survey Scams!

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Cerebral Kingdom Bookstore: “Knowledge, Education, Learning” Page 2

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INSIDE ROCHESTER

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

Rochester’s Cerebral Kingdom Bookstore: Comentary: The Eagle Report by Howard Eagle A Celebration of “Knowledge, Education, RASE Commission Leaders: Continued Unprincipled Behavior and Learning”

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n 1999, there were more than 325 Black bookstores in the U.S. By 2014, that number had dwindled to 54, a decline of 83%.

However by 2018 there had been a substantial revival an encouraging sign - when the number of Black bookstores rose to a little over 100.

The opening of Cerebral Kingdom, Rochester’s premiere African American Bookstore is an example of that encouraging revival. Located at 533 State St, it is an intriguing movement in the flower Anthony King and Zakiya McAdams-King’s City with long term and far reaching benefits to families and community.

Owners Anthony King and Zakiya McAdams-King’s vision for this movement was birthed out of a deep seated love for our families, community and ancestry. Amazingly, they opened last August in the midst of a pandemic.

The couple released the following statement of purpose: “We want to highlight the countless innovations and accomplishments of our great ancestors by providing titles and resources that show we’ve greatly influenced all things great in this country and the world.

“Our logo, the NEA ONNIM- a west African Adinkra symbol, embodies the principle of lifelong commitment to knowledge, education and learning. It literally means 'He who does not know can know, through learning.' " Cerebral Kingdom provides quality literature centered around African and African American History, Spirituality and Anti-Racism to name a few categories. They also carry children's books so your little ones and teens can be inspired.

In the future Cerebral Kingdom plans to host events that inspire, empower and enlighten... Book clubs, podcasts, mentoring and professional development among other things.

“We hope you are as excited as we are about this movement as we seek to push individuals, families and communities forward through inspiration, enlightenment and empowerment every day,” the couple concluded.

The store is open Sundays noon to 5 p.m. and Tuesday thru Saturday noon to 7 p.m.

For more information call (585) 623-8358 and follow them on social media @cerebral kingdom books and on twitter @cerebral kingdom

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he final report of the RASE Commission has been released, and two of the co-chairpersons are making rounds in an attempt to convince the community of the validity and value of their findings and recommendations.

The co-chairs held a press conference on March 18 to announce release of the long-awaited final report.

During the press conference they waxed eloquently about "the need for the community to take ownership" of the findings and recommendations contained in the massive document. However, there is a very serious, fundamental flaw regarding the latter idea. Namely, with regard to "the community taking ownership" of the report, a significant portion of the community (in fact, many thousands who are most directly and most devastatingly impacted by individual, institutional, and structural

racism) are not even aware that the report exists.

At the start of the process in August 2020, we had cautioned the co-chairs of the possibility and likelihood that the latter referenced factor would represent a fundamental flaw; one that, in accordance with contents of the report. Little to no serious effort has been made to address that concern.

It has always been seriously-problematic when major studies and reports designed to address/remedy deep-seated, widespread, pervasive socioeconomic, sociopolitical, and sociocultural issues and problems, omit huge numbers, or the majority of people who are most negatively impacted.

Plain common sense, in and of itself, and surely the very long and clear historical record, dictates that both awareness and buy-in is needed among such groups if efforts are to be signifi-

cantly and measurably effective and successful (plain and simple).

Secondly, during Howard the above EAGLE refere n c e d press event, one reporter asked the co-chairs what they planned to do about the fact that "there are other groups in the community who are interested in what [the Commission is doing, and want to get] involved."

Bill Johnson's response was: "I don't think anybody is gonna be excluded." The latter quote flies in the face of the fact that the following day, on March 19 we attended the first public zoom session, at which Mr. Johnson and Mr. Shafiq facilitated a meeting with ROCACTS, and at which time we in-

quired about them facilitating the same sort of presentation for our Coalition ( https://www.facebook.com/ tidpc/?ref=br_rs ). Again, Mr. Johnson's response was that we should contact the Mayor's Office. He assured us that the Mayor would have someone associated with the Commission contact us regarding a presentation. Needless to say, to date, not one single word of response from her-honor.

So based on the factors outlined above, intelligence and common sense dictates doubts as to whether or not it really is true that no one will be excluded or slighted relative to full and equal participation in the ongoing RASE process. We shall soon see.

Time will tell, as it always does.

(Howard J. Eagle, educator, anti-racist expert, is also a member of the Take It Down Planning Committee/Faith Community Alliance Coalition.)

Thaddeus Dunn Named to NAAAHR WNY Rochester Board Thaddeus Dunn has been appointed Co-Chair VP Membership on the Board of The National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) WNY Rochester, an organization which provides a unique global forum for the career development of Black and African American human resources professionals. Mr. Dunn is founder and CEO of Right Fit Recruiting.

“We are beyond excited to have Thaddeus join our NAAAHR family,” said Talethea Best, WNY Rochester chapter President. “He brings over 15 years of human resources experience and extensive background in full life Thaddeus Dunn cycle recruitment across all leves.

The National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) WNY Rochester, is an inspirational and unique career development and networking powerhouse for Black and African American human resource practitioners and those who are aligned with the organization’ goals to provide networking, career opportunities, educational and professional development, mentorship, coaching, tools, tips and resources.

TALK PRO P L U S Hosted by

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(George Radney) &

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105.5 FM “The Beat” Rochester Every Saturday 7AM – 8AM “Taking you to the locker room and beyond!”

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

AREA BRIEFS Buffalo Peacemakers Are Feeding Our Seniors

ON A MISSION: Dr.Raul Vazquez was featured in a front page story in the April 4 Buffalo News for his “mission” to bring life-saving care to the city’s Black and Brown communities. The article highlights the outstanding medical professional’s fight against vaccine disparity.

Deyanna Davis Indicted Deyanna Davis was indicted by a grand jury last month on two charges of first-degree assault for driving through a line of police in riot gear on Bailey Avenue during a peaceful Black Lives Matter march last year on June 1. A state trooper was run over in the incident.

If convicted she faces up to 25 years in prison. The grand jury also indited a passenger in her vehicle, Semaj Pigram, on a count of second degree criminal possession of a weapon.

HEAP Application Due Date Extended The HEAP application due date has been extended to April 30. If you need help filling out a HEAP application or simply would like to pick up a paper application, please call the Dorothy J. Collier Community Center at (716)882-0602 for more information.

Every Saturday, the Peacemakers are delivering meals to senior citizen complexes from different Black-owned restaurants, giving them a much needed boost in business.

The group expects to deliver roughly 30 plus dinners until the end of April thanks to an $82,000 grant they received from the Mother Cabrini Foundation.

They are also teaming up with the African American Heritage Co-Op to distribute food for needy families and distributing PPE free of charge. For more information on these programs, you can contact Pastor James Giles at 716-6092898 or Murray Homeland at 716-597-2858.

IN THE NEWS A host of community businesses and community notables have been featured in the recent pages of Buffalo Business first. Among them: •Dionne Williamson, Visit Buffalo Niagara national sales director, certified diversity meeting professional and founder/CEO of the non profit Upward Design for Life Corop.

•Harita West, an Assistant Vice President at Evans Bank, and her mom Schenita Williams, co-owners of Park Vue Restaurant.

•Nikki Seales, owner/founder of Sunshine Vegan Eats on Jefferson Avenue, featured in a two page spread for her innovative, successful vegan eatery.

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

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Community Pushes for Justice for Tiara!

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fter 22-year-old Tiara Lott went missing in January, Rev. Timothy Newkirk of GYC Ministries and the Community Action Coalition of WNY formed a search party to try to help find her.

A few weeks later her body was discovered along some train tracks in East Buffalo.

Her killer has yet to be apprehended.

Most recently Pastor Newkirk and the coalition became involved with Tiara’s case once again.

This time they pulled together a press conference in Shaffer Village housing development in Riverside and along with Tiara’s family, passed out infor- JUSTICE!Pastor Newkirk of GYC Ministries (left front) the Community Action Coalition of WNY stand with mation and Crimestoppers WNY fly- and family, friends and supporters calling for justice in the murder ers of the man - Andre Whigham - who of Tiara Lott. Street Legacy Photo by Darwin Adams police want for questioning . The family said he was the last person she was seen with .

The press conference was in that particular neighborhood explained Pastor Newkirk, because that was the most recent area he was reportedly seen.

They are pushing authorities and the public to do all they can to assist in bringing her killer to justice.

Chanting “Justice for Tiara Lott! See something! Say something!" The group held signs depicting Tiara as well as posters of the crime Stoppers initiative offering up to $2,500 for information leading to the whereabouts of Whigham who police describe as “a person of interest.”

Their efforts produced a lot of good leads reported Pastor Newkirk.

“The response in the community was overwhelming,” he said. He also noted that they are calling on Crime Stoppers to increase the reward on Whigham “to initiate more interest.”

Newkirk also wondered aloud why the police had not issued a warrant for his arrest.

“A warrant would help bring him to justice,’" said Newkirk. “This was not some miscellaneous crime or an accidental death. It was a homicide...Her body was left on the tracks!”

If anyone has any information that can help police, they're asked to reach out to authorities or contact the Community Action Coalition hotline at 716-770-9093.

Another Death at the Erie County Holding Center: Carter Calls on Cuomo to Remove Sheriff Howard

The Campaign to Elect Myles Carter to the Office of Erie County Sheriff held a press conference in recently expressing outrage over the death of Mikey Frear, - another life lost at the Erie County Holding Center. On March 13, 2021 Frears was found unresponsive in his cell and could not be revived.

“Every 6 months someone is dying in this building,” Carter said.

Justice and equality are two focal points on which Carter is basing his Myles Carter calls for governor to remove Sheriff Howard. campaign for sheriff. He and the Photo Tito Ruiz family of Frears released the following statement: “We demand Andrew Cuomo take immediate action to remove Sheriff Timothy Howard from the office of Erie County Sheriff. The sheriff’s department, under the administration of Sheriff Howard, lacks the security, transparency and accountability necessary to build and sustain a trustworthy relationship with the community.”

Sherriff Howard was re-elected in 2009, 2013, and, by a slender margin, in November 2017. At least 31 inmates have died in Sheriff Tim Howard’s jails since he took office in 2005. He is not running this year.

Manchu Ladies by John Thomson 1869

The Black Chinese

Blacks in Ancient China The skeletal remains from southern China are predominately Negroid. The people practiced single burials which is an African ritual.

In northern China the blacks founded many civilizations.

The three major empires of China were the Xia Dynasty (c.2205-1766 B.C), Shang/ Yin Dynasty (c.1700-1050 B.C) and the Zhou Dynasty.

The Zhou dynasty was the first dynasty founded by the Mongoloid people in China called Hua (Who-aa). The founders of Xia and Shang came from the Fertile African Crescent by way of Iran.

Chinese civilization began along the Yellow river . Here the soil was fertile and black Chinese farmers grew millet 4000 years ago, and later soybeans. They also raised pigs and cattle. By 3500 B.C., the Blacks in China were raising silkworms and making silk. The culture hero Huang Di is a direct link of Africa. His name was pronounced in old Chinese Yuhai Huandi or "Hu Nak Kunte." He was supposed to have arrived in China from the west in 2282 B.C., and settled along the banks of the Loh River in Shanxi.

This transliteration of Huandgi, to Hu Nak Kunte is interesting be-cause Kunte is a common clan name among the Manding speakers. The Continued Page 15

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

BUILDING COMMUNITY AMID

Living With Type 2 Diabetes “Take care of your body, it’s the only place you have to live in.”

Jim Rohn tes. Physical activity helps insulin get glucose into your ype 2 diabetes is a chronic disease cells! You don’t have to go out and run a marathon, but a all too familiar in our communi20-30-minute daily walk can go a long way. Remember, ties and families. Erie county has “success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and a higher incidence of diabetes than NYS day out”. and the United States. It is also the 5th 3.Weight Loss leading cause of death in Erie county.

Obesity is the number one risk factor for Type 2 diabeAfrican Americans in Erie county have tes. Losing weight will release the excess fat stored around double the hospital admission rates than the liver and in cells and help insulin work better to help their white counterparts for Type 2 dianormalize blood glucose levels. (Next Week Conclusion: betes. Type 2 diabetes is an insidious Eating a Healthy Diet) disease that can lead to loss of vision, kidney disease, nerve damage and is a precursor to heart disease and stroke. We must begin to understand this disease and take the necessary steps to mitigate its negative effects and begin the journey to reverse it.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

When someone has Type 2 diabetes, their body becomes resistant to insulin’s effects. This causes glucose (sugar) to end up in the blood stream and this can overwhelm the kidneys.

How Does Insulin Work?

Our bodies break down all the food we eat into glucose (sugar). Glucose is the fuel all our cells need to function.

Glucose needs insulin to get from the bloodstream into the cells. Every time you eat a meal, the pancreas releases insulin to transport glucose into our cells. But when someone is a Type 2 diabetic, the cells are resistant to insulin and the glucose is not transported to the cells and instead builds up in the bloodstream. This is one reason why diabetics may be constantly hungry. The fuel (glucose) is not getting into cells and the body doesn’t know that energy has been provided.

Over time, this extra glucose (sugar) can damage the blood vessels throughout the body, causing blindness, kidney failCome One! Come All! ure, heart attacks and stroke. Blood sugar can also damage The First Fruits Food Pantry Is Open! the nerves, which is known as neuropathy. Diabetics can also suffer from poor circulation which can lead to injuries that don’t heal properly and could result in amputations.

What Causes Insulin to Malfunction?

The accumulation of fat inside the cells of muscles and liver interferes with the action of insulin. The larger the fat cells become, the more resistant they may be to insulin.

Where Does the Fat Come From?

The fat inside muscles comes from our own fat stores and the Offering Healthy Food Options fat we eat. Obesity is considered the number one risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, especially when the excess fat is carried Free To The Community around the abdomen.

NEW TIME! Tuesdays 4-6 PM & What can I Do? 1.Healthful Mindset Saturdays From 10 A.M. To 12 NOON As a practicing holistic nutritionist, it is the belief that there Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church, is no separation between mind, body and spirit and one is 641 Masten @ Northland not affected without impacting the others. All action is preceded by thought. It has been said that “we become what we think about”. The first step is to analyze our thought patNo Forms To Fill Out, No Proof Of Income Or Residency Etc. Just The Blessing Of Good Food! terns concerning Type 2 diabetes. Do we have the mindset While You’re There Check Out The that because our family members suffered with diabetes, so Lincoln Memorial. Clothes Closet! must we? Have we mentally resigned ourselves to taking pills, insulin shots, or dealing with tingling and numbness “Fighting Food Insecurity & Meeting the remainder of our lives? Or are we prepared to believe the Needs of The People.” that, “given the right conditions the body will heal itself”.

Do our mindsets reflect the belief that our bodies are temples Rev. George Nicholas, Pastor, and should be valued and respected by nourishing it with Lincoln Memorial UMC good food, drink and exercise. As it was written, “as a man thinketh, so is he”.

Rita Hubbard Robinson, Coordinator, 2.Exercise First Fruits Food Pantry Exercise is a great way to better manage Type 2 diabe-

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Warning: Fake Covid-19 Vaccine Surveys

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n increasing number of victims are being contacted via email and/or text message after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and asked to participate in a fraudulent post-vaccine survey with the promise of a prize or cash at the conclusion of the survey. The victims are told they can choose from various free prizes, such as an iPad Pro, and only need to pay shipping and handling fees to receive their prize. Victims then provide their credit card information and are charged for the shipping and handling fees, but never receive the promised prize.

Victims are exposing their personally identifiable information (PII) to the scammers, thereby increasing the probability of their identity being stolen and/or sold.

TIPS TO AVOID BEING VICTIMIZED NO post-vaccine surveys are being conducted by Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. Any emails or text messages that purport to be sent on behalf of these companies seeking personal financial information is illegitimate and fraudulent as these companies would never request an advanced payment for shipping or other expenses. DO NOT open the messages or provide any personal information, including credit card and/or bank information.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM If you are a victim of these post-vaccine survey scams: - Report the activity to the online payment service used for the financial transaction.

- Contact your financial institution upon discovering any fraudulent or suspicious activity within your account(s).

- Report suspected crime to www.IPRCenter.gov

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

Former Buffalo Resident Dr. Melody Carter Honored at Purchase Offer - "Your Dream Home" Clayton State University reetings to everyone ~~ In this

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ormer Buffalo resident Dr. Melody Carter was honored at Clayton State University in Georgia during Women’s History Month, where she serves as Special Assistant to the President, Chief Sponsored Research and Programs.

She previously served as Vice President for External Affairs and Executive Director of the FVSU Foundation, Inc. at Fort Valley State University. As the university’s chief advancement and deDR. CARTER velopment officer, she oversaw the administration of sponsored programs representing more than 52 million dollars in multi-year external funding.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Carter led Talent Search and Upward Bound programs at Canisius College and Buffalo State College, respectively. She also taught research methodology to undergraduates preparing for graduate school through the Ronald McNair Post baccalaureate program also at Buffalo State College.

Dr. Carter’s expertise also includes scholarly research in the field of social and cultural foundations of education. To this end, she has published research on African American women’s access to college in the United States. Additionally, her published research has addressed students’ perceptions of institutional caring as a factor of retention. Guiding her work is an abiding commitment to serve historically underrepresented youth who aspire to pursue and complete postsecondary schooling.

Dr. Carter is the recipient of various professional and community service awards, and is a member of several civic organizations to include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated. A native of Buffalo, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a Master of Science degree in student personnel administration at Buffalo State College. Her Ph.D. in sociology of education, with a concentration in higher educational leadership and policy, was awarded by the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is the daughter of Gloria Pearson of Buffalo. Congratulations Dr. Carter!

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"Wonderful Weather to begin Planting your Flowers" Hello my Purchaser(s)! Alright you've already selected your dream home with your agent.

Now what comes next is the price offering. This means meeting with your agent to review, discuss, negotiate and present a "price" on the home. How is this accomplished?

Your agent will prepare the necessary documents to be reviewed before signing. Here are a few to mention: Contract of Purchase, Agency Disclosure, Lead Paint Disclosure,Covid19 disclosure, NYS Housing Discrimination Disclosure to begin with.

At the same time, other purchasers may be placing an offer as well, so as we say in real estate "Come with Your Highest and Best Offer."

WE SELL MONEY… Mortgages & More When others say NO… We can get you the YES you deserve!

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market, sufficient funds on hand, a possible gift from family and grant funds are a few avenues. Income tax time is here, so get ready to make that a portion of the process.

Be mindful, homeowners are focused on obtaining the listing price.

As mentioned in the previous article in January 2021, "multiple offers" on the same home do occur. "Get ready to Bid ."

Your agent will submit the offer and all of the aforementioned documents, usually at a time, date and location if

necessary, convenient for the owner and their agent.

All submissions forwarded to the owners agent, gathered,reviewed and subsequently a decision will be announced by the owners agent usually on the same day by telephone.

Hopefully your "Dream Home" comes into fruition in 2021! In any case, there are more homes coming on the market as I complete this article.

Your Agent will diligently,

continue to work with you on your home search, "Stay encouraged on Your Journey of a lifetime."

What happens next.....The Loan Origination Process.

Hey its been real ~ Be safe and stay focused

" It's A Great Time to Market & Locate a New Home "Hawwao Wajed / Real Estate Salesperson~Notary askhawa@kw.com 716~867~4377 Cell

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

COMMENTARY

Women Are Changing The Landscape Of Politics And She Should Be Next Because...

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he is a person with great leadership skills and she gets the job done.

Kimberly Miller-Beaty has a successful career in law enforcement, and she is the right fit to be Erie County Sheriff.

She served diligently with the Buffalo Police Department. As I watched, she has always been a very compassionate, caring, and confident leader amongst her male counterparts in Buffalo's command staff. We were so proud when she began getting promoted because she was a good cop on the street.

Deputy Commissioner Beaty was always present in the moment and available for her community in her office at all hours, at community meetings and events, presenting herself with a graceful command presence. She knew how to talk to and treat people. As a leader, she showed up at homicide

scenes, unlike others that came before her. She was there for families and cops. She cared. She has a great deal of respect for the officers she served with at the Buffalo Police Department, understanding that inner-city policing wasn't easy. She showed up for them too. While with Buffalo, she was in charge of community policing, patrol officer, training, and investigations. She always said officers have special needs because it takes a social person to be a police officer. I learned from her that cops' conditions are significant.

At family get togethers, she talked to our family about our encounters with police. She asked that we cooperate, be cordial, respectful, and genuine, never argumentative.

So, my Auntie lost a lot of sleep over the years working with BPD. When she retired, our family was happy. We thought

Kimberly Miller-Beaty

she would find solace working at Canisius College as the Director of Public Safety. But she still leaves out the house at weird hours to address any problems in the Canisius NeighContinued Page 7

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

RESURRECTION SUNDAY: Calvary Baptist Church celebrated Resurrection Sunday with both a virtual and live service. Pictured above, Rev. Corey Gibson and First Lady Dr. Ida Gibson of Calvary Baptist; Worship Dancer Tierra Jefferson; outdoor worshippers; and a beloved 88 year old member who was ecstatic to be able to attend the live service! Images

by Richard Blanc of Blanc Photographie

Area Churches Celebrate Resurrection Sunday During Pandemic as a True Testament of Faith

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rom living rooms to parking lots to chapels with masked, socially distanced worshipers, Buffalo’s Black churches celebrated their second Resurrection Sunday after a year of hardship and loss.

This year was an excellent time for renewing one’s faith. Believers will be the first to explain that Easter is merely the commercial side - with eggs and chocolate bunnies and new clothes - when the Resurrection comes through Jesus Christ who died for our sins on Friday and rose on Sunday morning.

Calvary Baptist Church, pastored by Rev. Corey Gibson on Genesee Street in Buffalo is but one example of area churches throughout the community that faithfully celebrated Resurrection Sunday with praise and worship last week for a hybrid service (live and virtual). There were some 50 cars in the church parking lot for a virtual service, as well as socially distanced chairs set up for worshippers who choose to worship outside. Rev. GIBSON, who preached a beautiful Word, gave communion, the choir sang, a moving worship dance was performed , and participants, including one 88 year old member, was ecstatic to be able to attend the live service.

TERRENCE D. McKELVEY Attorney at Law 181 Franklin Street Suite #301 Buffalo, New York 14202

If it is the will of God next year on Resurrection Sunday, the churches will be fully open and filled to capacity with grateful worshippers and praises going up and blessings, abundantly, coming down!

Blanc Photographie

The Community’s Portrait & Event Photographer.

716.319.8979 • Facebook: Blanc Photographie • Instagram: @blanc_photographie

HONORED: Desiree Parker received a proclamation from County Legislator Howard Johnson (right) during a Women's History Month celebration and showcase of local business owners at her 1339 Jefferson Avenue establishment recently.

Congratulations Desiree!

Free Food Giveaway

Metropolitan UM Church, located at 657 Best Street will hold a Free Food Giveaway every 2nd Monday of each month 11, a.m. – 1 p.m.

All are welcome. Angela R. Stewart, is pastor.

Dorothy J. Collier Bible Study

Join us for Virtual Bible Study every Thursday @ 12 PM! If you have questions or need help getting on Zoom email: FRIENDSINCDCC@ GMAIL.COM or call (716)882-0602.

Holy Month of Ramadan Begins Next Week The Holy Month of Ramadan 2021 is expected to begin on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 and will end on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

Eid al Fitr 2021 is expected to be celebrated on Thursday, May 13, 2021. This is the tentative date as the actual date of commencement of Ramadan 2021 is subject to the sighting of the moon.

Fasting is Obligatory during Ramadan.

Millions of Muslims across the world observe fast from dawn till dusk during the whole month of Ramadan as this is the most sacred month for the whole Muslim world.

Buffalo (NY) Chapter of The Links Donate Masks to Support Delavan Grider Community Center’s Response to COVID-19 The Buffalo (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated recently donated 550 masks to the Delavan Grider Community Center. The organization collected masks, hand sanitizer and other items to support the Delavan Grider Community Center, which houses one of the NYS and federal government operated COVID-19 vaccination sites intended to reach “socially vulnerable” communities. The agency provides meals, as well as educational and recreational programing for youth, adults, families, and senior citizens.

The donation to the Delavan Grider Community Center is part of the Buffalo (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated COVID-19 community efforts. It is the culmination of collaboration between the organization’s Arts and Human Services Facets and includes contributions from ABC Hardware located at 3336 Bailey Ave., Buffalo, NY. The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent in 292 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the United Kingdom.

The Links, Incorporated is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and persons of African ancestry. Members contribute more than 1 million documented hours of community service annually and exceeded more than 5 million dollars in charitable donations and scholarships.

KIMBERLY BEATY continued borhood. The people that live in Hamlin Park love her. One day, she said to me, 'I have thousands of kids, faculty, staff, and students I have to take care of, and I need to show up for them.' She graduated from Canisius and called the place home when she returned there to work.

Everyone is important to her. She told me, every single person has value. Nice lady, my Auntie.

I wanted to share this because I know she is the best candidate Erie County could ever have for Sheriff. She has the experience and qualifications. She is firm yet fair. And I always tell her she is classy. She never loses her patience, gives her time to others, basically to try and fix everything. Believe in her with us. She always does the right thing for people.

Including people she never met. She believes in the equity of everyone. She's excellent at helping uplift others, but we need for her to lead on this one. Elect Kimberly Beaty, my aunt for Erie County Sheriff, because she is what a Sheriff looks like, sounds like, acts like.

-Moricia Miller

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Entertainment

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

Jean Michel Basquiat and his1982 painting "Warrior"

Basquiat’s “Warrior” Sells for $41.9 Million

Artists Naila Ansari and Marquis "Ten Thousand" Burton

Naila Ansari and Marquis Burton are

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"Creating Space For Joy"

pril 3 was the kick off of a month long collaboration “Creating Space for Joy,” a new project by two outstanding Buffalo artists, Naila Ansari and Maquis "Ten Thousand" Burton who build a multidisciplinary work in process that imagines the performance of joy.

Held at UB Arts Collaboratory The Space Between, “Creating Space for Joy” builds upon an improvisational practice deriving from African American experiences that connects the virtual and physical world to explore joy. Naila and Marquis combine artists interviews, community discussions, and multimedia art to create an interactive archivable documentation of joy.

Also part of the project support team are artists Tara Sasiadek whose work is featured in the creative space where performances take place. Paulette Harris directs and develops the projections. Other support teams include Fitz Books and Waffles (just next door for booklist and giveaways) and the Buffalo Documentary Project who will capture the entire process. “ We are honored and excited to perform, receive and share joy here in Buffalo, ” said Ansari who added she looks forward to collecting joy from the community on Saturdays.

The Saturday sessions are being held at UB Arts Collaboratory at 431 Ellicott Street with remaining dates of April 10, 12-4pm, April 17, 24 and May 1 from 5-9pm and May 8 from 12-9pm.

Registration is required to participate in this actual work in progress at thebuffalospace.com and you can also find a link to registration at themovementofjoy.com The performances will be recorded live and also saved and made available for people to view at a later date on both websites.

Naila Ansari is an award-winning choreographer, director and performing artist who has merged artistry and scholarship to build and create works through community and collaborative processes that facilitate conversations on race and Black performance.(stay tuned for her forthcoming book The Movement of Joy) Marquis “Ten Thousand” Burton is a visual artist, educator and decorate poet who has coached the Buffalo poetry teams at the National Poetry Slams to Top 10 finishes has has partnered with Naila Ansari since 2019 to create immersive interactive dance and poetry experiences that explore joy in play, resistance, community and self.

Follow the artists @nailia_moves_joy and @tenthousandpoetry on social media sites Instagram and Facebook.

Support for this project is provided by Just Buffalo Literary Center and the Civil Writes Project Support Award.

“Warrior,” a 1982 painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat that was said to symbolize the struggles of Black men in a Whitedominated world, sold for $41.9 million, with fees, at Christie’s auction house in Hong Kong last month.

Although Christie’s said it was the highest price paid at auction for a Western artwork in Asia, that may be a technicality.

At a Sotheby’s New York sale in 2017, the Japanese billionaire collector Yusaku Maezawa paid $110 million for Basquiat’s “Untitled.” It remains the artist’s auction record.

Born 1960, Basquiat was of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent and his works have been described as pop culture that take on social issues in the form of graffiti, abstract, and figurative painting. Since his death at the age of 27 from a heroin overdose, in 1988, his work has steadily increased in value.

Rap Legend DMX Hospitalization Update: At the time of publishing this edition, the now 50 year old Yonkers rap legend DMX who was rushed to a White Plains New York hospital last Friday night after reportedly suffering a drug overdose is being closely monitored as he remains on life support. The family of the multiplatnum rap star released a statement: "We ask that you please keep Warl/DMX and us in your thoughts wihses and prayers as well as respect our privacy as we face these challenges".

Point9Mile Collaborative Presents Drea d'Nur at Ausbury Hall Friday April 23rd!

Point9Mile presents singer songwriter and composer Dre d'Nur for a live and in person performance on April 23rd for a one night only performance at Asbury Hall 341 Delaware at 8 pm. witj limited seating is avaible.

Among her many hit single releases, indelible stage projects, and breathtaking live concerts in the past year(s) the artist recently completed a deeply moving new album called This Love Thing, a project with newcomer Rami Nashashibi that is a collection of storytelling musical examples of love and its many complexities.

Tickets for the event are $30 and can be found online at www.point9mile.org

SUPPORT COMMUNITY ARTISTS

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

D’Youville’s New Cultural Enrichment Center Seeks to Raise Awareness D’Youville recently launched a new space on campus to address and raise awareness of racial and cultural issues affecting marginalized students, including those who are Black, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+. The Cultural Enrichment Center (CEC) was developed in response to student concerns in the wake of protests against the murder of George Floyd last summer.

“In the summer of 2020, when D’Youville joined the world in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, we asked our students how we could support them,” says Chief Student Affairs Officer Benjamin Grant. “The answer was the CEC; a home base, a programming center, and, most importantly, an educational tool used to teach those with privilege how to support and elevate Black and other marginalized students.”

RaShon Thomas was appointed into the new role of Cultural Enrichment Center Coordinator in December and has led a raft of programming in a few short months. Thomas, a graduate of Jarvis Christian College, a private, historically Black college in Texas, most recently served in the Office of Diversity and Community at the University of Central Arkansas.

RaShon Thomas

Girl Gang Entertainment presents a Virtual Sexual Health Program for Teen Girls

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irl Gang Entertainment is hosting a program called "It's The Choices For Me," a virtual program that offers an exclusive opportunity for Buffalo teen girls to learn about sexual health.

Intended for teen girls ages 14-19 that reside in the 14215, 14206, or 14211 zip codes, the program includes a 1 hour virtual sexual health intervention, the Seventeen Days Interactive film designed to educate young women about contraception and sexually transmitted infections presented through real-life scenarios when it comes to relationships.

All teens that complete the Seventeen Days experience will receive a $10 Amazon e-gift card and will be entered into the Girl Gang Giveaway that has prizes valuing over $3000!

Prizes include a MacBook Air, Telfar Bag, Micheal Kors Bag, AirPods, and more!

The program runs now through June 30th! Register now at girlgangent.com or contact girlgangentertainment@gmail.com (see ad this page)

9

10 GENERATIONS

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

Beyond Women’s History Month

Buffalo Public Schools Mothers/Women Caregivers:

Remembering Dorothy J. Collier…

“We Are Tired, Frustrated And Need A Change” To commemorate the last day of Women’s History Month, Buffalo Public Schools mothers issued a call to action that centers the concerns of mothers and women caregivers, with a focus on every child and family being healthy, safe and supported during a press conference March 31 at School #77/PUSH Buffalo.

They released the following statement: “As Buffalo Public Schools slowly implements a re-opening plan, many students are still learning from home a year into the pandemic; and even those who have been phased back in only receive two in-person instruction days/week. Mothers who have kept their jobs are stretched to the limit- on an endless 'double shift' of working and caregiving, and are dealing with exhaustion and burnout. In the City of Buffalo, the majority of households are run by single mothers. Mothers are often caring for elder or disabled family members in addition to their children. Many families have children with special needs or limited English proficiency, and need services that are difficult or impossible to provide online. Child, adolescent and parent mental and physical health have shown troubling trends over the past year as well.

Scheduled speakers at the press conference representing these issues will included: •Jessica Bauer Walker, mother and President, BPS Community Health Worker Parent Association •Maribel Irizarry, mother and Community Health Worker •Dr. Wendy Mistretta, mother and President, District Parent Coordinating Council •Khadijah Hussein, mother/caregiver, college student and Community Health Worker •Assunta Ventresca, grandmother/caregiver, former Director of Health Related Services, Buffalo Public Schools “We are tired, frustrated and need a change,” says Khadijah Hussein, who came to the U.S. as a refugee. She is currently the mother of a two-year-old, caregiver to her two high-school aged siblings, going to school fulltime and working as a Community Health Worker. “We go to District meetings and try to advocate for ourselves and the families we work with. If I feel like I’m not being heard, you can imagine how difficult it is for the mothers I am trying to help who have limited English skills.”

Jessica Bauer Walker, a single mother of two middle school children who have yet to return to any in-person school agrees. “We have a silent crisis here and we need to speak up. Mothers have lost decades of progress in gender equity in our homes and work. We are watching our kids suffer and feel helpless. Every day I talk to Moms who tell me they don’t know if they can make it through the day or week.”

Dorothy J. Collier founded Friends Inc. in the late 1980s as Friends to the Elderly Youth & Family Center.

She did so after working for several community organization to fill the gaps in services experienced by the community's elderly residents (in photo bottom left Mrs. Collier & her daughter Kim standing in front of the original location on Jefferson Ave). She also focused on meeting the needs of the youth within the community. Mrs. Collier led the organization as the Executive Director until her passing in 2010.

The organization later relocated to the former PAL center at 118 E Utica St. As a testament to Mrs. Collier's work and contributions to the Western New York community, the City of Buffalo renamed the building "Dorothy J. Collier Community Center (DJCCC)" in her honor.

Mrs. Collier was a true pillar in the community and her contributions will never be forgotten.

We her memory and her legacy! Dorothy J Collier Community Center is Black History & Women's History!

To every community member, thank you for allowing us at Dorothy J Collier Community Center to continue Mrs. Collier's work by serving you all. It is truly a blessing!

(Submitted by Sheila Hamilton, Dorothy J. Collier Community Center Board President and daughter of the late Dorothy J. Collier.)

"READERS ARE LEADERS!"

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VOICES

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

Lessons From Lynchings

Placing the Floyd Murder in Historical Perspective

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By Charles M. Blow

here are many appalling narratives emerging from the trial of the former police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd.

There’s the transference of guilt from the people who killed Floyd to those who watched him die. There’s the difference in empathy when a Black person in the inner city is struggling with opioid addiction, compared to when the drug user is a young white person in a suburb or rural America.

But what resonated for me was the sense of powerlessness in Floyd begging, to no avail, for his life, and in the powerlessness of the agitated crowd of bystanders and witnesses to intervene. The power in this dynamic was held by the officers, including Chauvin, and it was wielded to a deadly extreme.

The application of force, a deadly force, even after Floyd was handcuffed, even after he became unresponsive, is to me emblematic of an attempt not only to punish Floyd’s body, but also to demonstrate complete control and demand complete submission. The treatment of Floyd’s body was a message to those in his community: Any perceived disorder or disobedience will be crushed, literally.

It recalled for me the long history of demonstrative displays against Black people in America. The enslavers performed barbaric acts on the bodies of so-called disobedient enslaved Africans, as a punishment to the person deemed guilty, but also as a deterrent to the fellow enslaved people who saw or heard of it.

It was the flaying of flesh, the human beings torn apart by hounds, the stiff bodies dangling from the stiff branch of a tree. The display was the thing. The theatrical production of pain, to the point of mutilation, was the thing. The transmission of trauma was the thing.

When the enslaved rebelled, this theater was taken to even higher levels. The German Coast Uprising of 1811 in Louisiana, one of the largest slave revolts in United States history, ultimately failed, but so intent were the white enslavers to terrorize the remaining enslaved never to repeat the attempt that, as Leon A. Waters wrote for the Zinn Education Project: “Some of the leaders were captured, placed on trial and later executed. Their heads were cut off and placed on poles along the river in order to frighten and intimidate the other slaves. This display of heads placed on spikes stretched over 60 miles.”

When Nat Turner staged his revolt some 20 years later, the response took on a similar expression. As Daina Ramey Berry, a professor of history and African diaspora studies and the chair of the history department at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote for The New York Times in 2016 about Turner’s 1831 hanging: “Those who came to witness his death then decapitated and skinned him. They bragged about it for decades. One participant, William Mallory, also known as Buck, gloated so much about having skinned Turner that it was listed in his own obituary.”

She wrote that one of her students even claimed that his family was in possession of a purse made from Turner’s skin.

Even after slavery ended, or maybe because it did, lynching surged. And the terror infliction moved from the plantation into the general populace. Often, the bodies weren’t just hanged, they were burned or their fingers, toes or genitalia sliced off. And to commemorate — and disseminate — the terror, postcards were often made of the lynchings.

In 1956, just months after being acquitted in the lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till, his killers gave an interview to Look Magazine in which they confessed. As one of Till’s killers, J.W. Milam, said of the killing, “I just decided it was time a few people got put on notice” that as long as he lived Black people (he used a racial slur), “are gonna stay in their place.”

As Milam is quoted as saying: “I just made up my mind. ‘Chicago boy,’ I said, ‘I’m tired of ’em sending your kind down here to stir up trouble. Goddamn you, I’m going to make an example of you — just so everybody can know how me and my folks stand.’”

They pistol-whipped Till, made him strip naked on the banks of the Tallahatchie River that Sunday morning, shot him through the face, then tied a fan from a cotton gin to his neck with barbed wire, and pushed him in.

Till’s face would emerge nearly unrecognizable.

There is no way for me to know if Chauvin intended to kill Floyd, but there is an abundance of evidence of a depraved indifference about Floyd’s life. There is no way to predict how a jury will rule, even with video of the killing, and being predictive in that regard is not the point of this column.

My point is that there are echoes in Floyd’s killing, in public, in front of his community, in broad daylight, that reverberate from centuries of killings of men and women who look like Floyd, whose killings the system of the time validated or shielded.

It is hard not to draw the through-line from a noose on the neck to a knee on the neck.

And it is also hard not to recall that few people were ever punished for lynchings.

Motionless Black bodies have been the tableau upon which the American story has unfolded, and Floyd’s body is sadly but one of the latest examples.

(This article appeared in the April 5, 2021 New York Times.)

11

Mayoral Candidate India Walton: "Zellner is Not Interested in Democracy"

D

espite having been ruled off the Working Families line in the mayor’s race, activist candidate India B. Walton assures that her campaign remains on track as she is still on the ballot for the June 22 Democratic primary.

Walton released the following statement in the wake of the ruling: "As a Black woman running for Buffalo mayor against an establishment incumbent, I knew going into this campaign that the gatekeepers of political power would work against us. And as an experienced movement leader, I made sure my team knew going in that the establishment would find ways to block us from power and India Walton influence, just as they've always done to prevent working-class Black and Brown folks from making their voices heard. That's exactly why I'm running, that's why I was endorsed by the New York Working Families Party, and that's why they're so committed to our campaign with statewide and nationwide support.

"And that's why we were not at all surprised when Jeremy Zellner - who has a clear conflict of interest in chairing both the Erie County Democratic Committee and the Erie County Board of Elections and should have resigned long ago - called me the morning after the deadline to formally accept my Working Families Party ballot line, declaring that I'd been disqualified from the line in the November election. Zellner is not interested in democracy, and we are not phased by his games. And that's exactly why we have him scared and on the run, closing ranks and trying to cut off power while our current mayor stands quietly behind him."

The primary election is June 22. the last day to register to vote in that election is May 28.

You can register at the Erie County Board of Elections, 134 West Eagle St. Call 858-8891 for more information.

Empowered Women Empower!

The title of this article is taken from a sweatshirt I purchased a few weeks ago. On the shirt is a picture of four of the most powerful women in America: Vice- President Kamala Harris, former 1st Lady Michelle Obama, superstar poetess, Amanda Gorman and First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden. The picture is both inspiring and powerful. It shows three out of the four women as Women of Color, the most ill treated, devalued and under paid category of citizens in America! But at the same time, it demonstrates what can be achieved when we women press on and conquer any challenge that society puts in our way.

We have that same challenge and also that same opportunity to have empowered women, empower women here in Buffalo, New York. We have an opportunity to elect the first woman of any color, Sheriff of Erie County. Kimberly Lynn Beaty, a former Buffalo Police officer and Deputy Commissioner, with over 34 years of service, is considered by many to be the most qualified candidate running. And yet, the party leaders of the local democratic party have dismissed her candidacy as heartless as they have dismissed intelligent, educated and courageous Black women candidates in the past.

Black women are one of the most loyal Democratic voting blocs and we have been the pivotal votes in elections, both local and national, that Democrats have won. We must stand up to the power brokers in Erie County and we must show them that we protect and respect our own. We women must go in huge numbers and vote for Kim Beaty for Sheriff of Erie County, on Primary Day, June 22nd.

(Former County Legislator Betty Grant and founder of We Are Women Warriors)

Buffalo is Long Overdue in Honoring Shirley Chisholm Dear Editor: Women's History Month has recently passed, but the outstanding, commendable deeds of women -- past and present -- are expansive and impossible to recognize in a mere month.

Mindful of that, here is a recommendation for acknowledgment of the dynamic, courageous, political trailblazer SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, in Buffalo. She was the first Black woman elected to Congress. And, the first African American major party candidate to run for US president.

(Ms. Chisholm is buried in Forest Lawn.)

It definitely would be appropriate to have a Buffalo Public School with her namesake.

Also, a statue of her seems long overdue!

-Katherine Massey

12

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

Generational Wealth Project To Help Erie County Residents Draft Wills For Free Chair of the Erie County Legislature April Baskin encourages all Erie County residents to utilize the free will-drafting services being provided by the Erie County Legislature Vacant & Abandoned Property Community Resource Team (ECVAP Team), which is staffed by the Western New York Law Center.

The Law Center has spent years addressing foreclosures and abandoned property issues across Erie County in upstate New York.

Thanks to funding from the Erie County Legislature, and with the help of Columbia Law School, the EC VAP Team is launching the “Generational Wealth Project” to provide free will-drafting services to residents of Erie County.

The team will work with local homeowners to protect assets that may otherwise be lost due to events like a tax foreclosure or property decay.

“As we continue to work on strengthening the financial independence and economic well-being of families who are living paycheck to paycheck, we are better understanding the gaps in protections from poverty some families are missing,” said Legislator Baskin. “One of those gaps is having a will. This clinic will assist families to obtain a will and help them get started with estate planning. These tools are essential to developing and maintain wealth across generations for families and everyone should have access to these tools, regardless of your income.”

Through this project, low-

to moderate-income families will be able to plan for the future and ensure assets such as real property and other possessions remain in the family for generations.

“A will gives you peace of mind in knowing that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes. You can protect the wealth and sweat equity you have placed into your home for decades.

Most importantly, will drafting allows you to provide for those you love and care LEGAL NOTICE COUNTY OF ERIE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES 95 FRANKLIN STREET BUFFALO, NEW YORK County of Erie, New York RFP RELEASE The Erie County Department of Social Services is seeking proposals from qualified agencies to provide Youth Development Programming in Erie County (RFP #2021-018VF).

The RFP can be found at http:// www2.erie.gov/purchasing/index. php?q=requests-proposals-ampconstruction-bids starting on April 14, 2021. A complete copy of the package can also be obtained by contacting Judith Kolmetz, at 716-858-7932, or via email at Judith.Kolmetz@erie. gov on or after April 14, 2021.

All correspondence, communications and/or contact with the County in regard to any aspect of this proposal shall be with the ECDSS contact person listed on the specific RFP. Prospective proponents, or their representatives, shall not make contact with or communicate with any representatives of the County, including employees and consultants, other than the designated person in regard to any aspect of this proposal.

One copy of the final sealed proposal is due to the Senior Youth Bureau Director, 810 East Ferry Street, Buffalo, New York 14211, by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on May 12, 2021.

An electronic version of the submission must be submitted according to the instructions contained in the proposal.

Erie County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and waive any informality.

Marie A. Cannon Commissioner of Social Services

about after you can no longer be with them,” said Jordan Zeranti, Esq. and Managing Attorney for the Vacant & Abandoned Property Program.

The official launch date is Tuesday, April 6th, 2021.

The video release can be found on our YouTube channel: EC VAP Team.

More information can be found here: http://freewillswny.com.

LEGAL NOTICE COUNTY OF ERIE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES 95 FRANKLIN STREET BUFFALO, NEW YORK County of Erie, New York RFP RELEASE The Erie County Department of Social Services is seeking proposals from qualified agencies to provide Respite Services. The RFP #2021023VF can be found at http://www. erie.gov and a complete copy of the package can also be obtained by contacting Carrie Godfrey, ECDSS, at 716-858-6086, or via Carrie.Godfrey@erie.gov.

All correspondence, communications and/or contact with the County in regard to any aspect of this proposal shall be with the ECDSS contact person listed on the specific RFP. Prospective proponents, or their representatives, shall not make contact with or communicate with any representatives of the County, including employees and consultants, other than the designated person in regard to any aspect of this proposal.

Final sealed proposals are due to the Erie County Department of Social Services, 95 Franklin Street, Room 804, Buffalo, New York 14202, by 4:00 p.m. (EST) on May 3, 2021.

Erie County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and waive any informality.

Marie A. Cannon, Commissioner of Social Services

The Pike Company and LECESSE Construction actively encourage participation from M / WBE certified firms.

Contact Kathy Rooney, Diversity & Community Engagement Manager, to discuss potential opportunities.

1.800.264.7453 | www.thepikecompanies.com | info@pikecos.com

LLC'S

Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company

Notice of Formation of a Limited Liability Company

Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company

NataniaBParker, LLC filed Articles of Organization with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/15/21. Office location: Erie County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 1339 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

March 18,25 April 1,8,15,22

Name of LLC: NRG Officiating LLC. Date of filing of Art. Of Org. filed Secretary of State (SSNY) 9/28/20 office of the LLC: Erie County. SSNY designated as process agent. Process Service Address: 84 Avery Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216. Purpose of LLC: any lawful act or activity.

March 11,18,25 April 1,8,15

R&D Hospitality Services, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 3/4/21. Office in Erie County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 195 Glenwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14208. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

March 25 April 1,8,15,22, 29

Notice of Formation of a Limited Liability Company

Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company

Name of LLC: RNCW of LLC. Date of filing of Art. Of Org. filed Secretary of State (SSNY) 1/26/21 office of the LLC: Erie County. SSNY designated as process agent. Process Service Address: 61 Treehaven, Rd, Buffalo, NY 14215. Purpose of LLC: any lawful act or activity.

March 11,18,25 April 1,8,15

Primordial Waters Live, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the NY Dept of State on 12/23/2020. Office in Erie County.

NYSS has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. NYSS may mail a copy of any process to the LLC at 955 Glenwood Ave, Buffalo NY 14211. Purpose: Any lawful purpose permitted for LLCs under NY Limited Liability Company Act. March 11,18,25 April 1,8,15

Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company

Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company

Formation of BNNY Associates LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/17/2021. Office loc.: Erie County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address SSNY shall mail process to 303 W. Lancaster Ave., #290, Wayne, PA 19087. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

March 11,18,25 April 1,8,15

KT Innovations LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/19/2021. Cty: Buffalo. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Kyhir Turnage, 661 Minnesota Ave., Buffalo, 14215. General Purpose.

March 25 April 1,8,15,22, 29

Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company Name of LLC: 716Artists, LLC filed Articles of Organization with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/26/2021. Office location: Erie County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 154 Blaine Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208.

Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

March 18,25, April 1, 8,15,22 Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company PR Creations and Vending, LLC. The Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 7/10/2020. Office: Erie County. The SSNY is the designated agent to receive service of process.

A copy of process should be mailed to: PR Creations and Vending, LLC, 141 Calvin Ct North, Tonawanda, NY 14150. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

March 18,25 April 1,8,15, 22 Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company A Natural Eye Home Inspection LLC Notice of formation LLC, Art.of.Org filed with SSNY 1/28/21 office: Erie County.USCA.Inc designated agent of upon whom may process against it may be served.SSNY shall mail process to 7014 13th ave suite 202, Brooklyn NY 11228. Purpose of LLC:Any lawful purpose under Ny llc act.

April 8,15,22,29 May 6,13

ADVERTISE YOUR LLC CONTACT US AT (716) 881-1051

Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company Cerebral Kingdom LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 7/17/2020.

Office: Monroe County. URS Agents LLC designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to URS Agents LLC at 3675 Crestwood Parkway, Suite 350 Duluth, GA 30096. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

March 11,18,25 April 1,8,15 Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company RICH$OUL COLLECTIONS LLC. Arts of org. Filed with the SSNY on 2/25/21. Office in erie county. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process. Against it may be served. SSNY should mail copy of the process to the address 384 pineridge rd, BUFFALO NY 14225. (Purpose any lawful purpose March 25 April 1,8,15,22, 29 Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company THE EDWOODS GROUP, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/04/2021. Office: Erie County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 2012 Bailey ave, Buffalo, NY 14211. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

March 25 April 1,8,15,22, 29

LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA) requests responses to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Cleaning Services at Various Housing Developments from qualifying businesses. The project scope, content of proposal, and vendor selection process are summarized in the RFP that describes the terms and conditions under which the BMHA will select a business for these services. Proposals must be received no later than 3:00 pm (EDT), Wednesday, April 21, 2021. If you are interested, please email rfpresponse@ bmhahousing.com or see website at bmhahousing.com

Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company Highland Springs LLC, filed its Articles of Organization with NY Dept of State: January 21, 2021 The office of the LLC: will be located at 10430 Allen Road, East Concord, NY 14055 in Erie County. The NY Secretary of State has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. NYSS may mail a copy of any process to the LLC at the above named office.The LLC was formed with the intention of creating an agricultural business. The LLC is managed by Sarah Schneider.

March 25 April 1,8,15,22, 29 Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company XAVIER WADE CONSULTING, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/05/2021. Office: Erie County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 165 Brookside Terrace W, Tonawanda, NY 14150.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

March 25 April 1,8,15,22, 29 Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company Spain Integrated Group LLC. Articles of Organization filed 01/21/2021 in Erie County. The NY Secretary of State has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. NY SOS shall mail copy of process to 117 Southampton Street Buffalo, NY 14209. No dissolution date. Spain Integrated Group LLC will serve as a consumer services company.

April 1, 8,15,22,29 May 6

Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company The P.Wave Music Production LLC, Art,of Org. Filed with the SSNY on 1-5-21 office:Erie County. SSNY designated as agent of The LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of Process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC 1967 Wehrle Drive, suite 1#086 Buffalo NY 14221, Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose March 4,11,18,25 April 1,8

LEGAL NOTICE County of Erie Request for Proposals Large Culvert and Pedestrian Bridge Inspections The Erie County Department of Public Works, Division of Highways is seeking proposals from Architect/Engineering firms for Condition Inspection of Large Culverts and Pedestrian Bridges. The RFP#2021/2022 Inspections can be found at: http:// www2.erie.gov/dpw/. All correspondence, communications, and/or contact with the County in regard to this proposal shall be in writing to Jonathan.DePlanche@erie.gov. Sealed proposals are due to the Department of Public Works at 95 Franklin Street, Suite 1400, Buffalo, NY 14202 by 2:00 PM local time on April 23, 2021.

Erie County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and waive any informality.

13

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF INVITATION TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES Proposals are requested by the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, Division of Sewerage Management (DEP/DSM) for engineering consultant services to provide an Engineer’s Report, design plans and specifications, and construction phase services for the Southtowns Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility – Phase 1 and Phase 2 Expansion project. The top rated respondent(s) will be selected to enter into an agreement to provide the services.

In accordance with Local Law No. 6, proposals are hereby invited for the subject project. Proposals are to be submitted in the exact format detailed in the request for proposals (RFP).

Proposals will be due at 4:00 PM on June 15, 2021. Proposal shall be delivered to ECDEP-DSM, Room 1034, 95 Franklin St., Buffalo, NY 14202.

To obtain a copy of the RFP guidelines, please visit the following website, http://www2.erie.gov/purchasing/index.php?q=requests-proposals-amp-construction-bids. Alternatively, you may call (716) 858-8383 or e-mail DSM@erie.gov if you would like to request a hardcopy.

This invitation does not commit Erie County, or its DEP-DSM to accept any priced proposal, nor does it obligate Erie County for any costs associated with preparing or submitting proposals.

By:Joseph Fiegl, P.E., BCEE Deputy Commissioner Erie County DEP-DSM Dated: March 31, 2021 Published: April 7, 2021

EMPLOYMENT Assistant Team Leader – Trainee. The applicant would be part of a Bridge Inspection Team consisting of a Team Leader and an Assistant Team Leader. The applicant will be working out of DiDonato’s Buffalo office and will be required to travel to bridges in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara Counties. The objective of the 2-year trainee program is for a minority and or female candidate to complete the training and qualify for an Assistant Team Leader position.

The candidate should possess a 2-year degree in civil engineering technology or related field or 18-months bridge experience and is subject to review and approval by New York State Department of Transportation.

Applicants should submit resume, transcripts, degree and/or qualifying experience to: DiDonato Associates 689 Main Street Buffalo, New York 14203 Attn: Jeffrey Blank, PE Vice-President jblank@DiDonato.cc "An Equal Opportunity Employer”

EMPLOYMENT Communications and Social Media Assistant Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Communications and Social Media Assistant.

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.

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.

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.

•HR Specialist: Responsible for ensuring efficient and effective data flow and compliance throughout all programs within the agency. Ability to interpret employee records, transcripts, references and employment regulations as required. Associates Degree in Business Administration or HR Certification. 3-5 years HR experience, Full Time $35k.

•HR Assistant: Perform day-to-day HR task, such as clerical duties, record keeping, receptionist duties, data entry and preparing a variety of complex documents and carrying out secretarial functions. Associates Degree w/2 yrs. exp. or equivalent combination of education and experience. Full Time $14 - $16 per hour •Data and Assessment Coordinator: Tech-savvy, exp. with compiling and generating high level reports that produce data driven outcomes. Extremely organized with a great attention to detail. Associates degree with a minimum of 2 years related exp. Full Time $18 - $23 per hour.

•Teacher III The incumbent of this position assists in performing educational work that ensures a healthy, safe facility and a conductive educational climate for infants/toddlers. Bachelors or Associates degree in Early Childhood Education with 2-3 years’ experience teaching preschool age children. Full Time $14.13 per hour.

•Certified Teachers (Req. # 1057): Primary Function of this position is to ensure quality academic and enrichment programming is provided to school aged youth. Part Time evening opportunities $20 per hour. BS in Elementary or Secondary Education with one-year exp. working with school age children. NYS Teacher’s Certification.

•Job Developer: Initiates and maintains ongoing professional contact and relationships with a variety of company and industry representatives and job placement/training agencies to promote the services of the CAO E&T department for client placement. Combination of education and experience, Associates degree preferred. Full Time 35k – 40k •Community Crisis Specialist: Performs community outreach work and assists in providing services to customers and families. Associates Degree in Human Services or Social Services w/one year related exp. Full Time $15 per hour.

•Purchasing and Inventory Clerk: Ensures that all procurements are completed within regulatory guidelines and agency policies and procedures. Two (2) year degree from college or technical school in Business or Accounting and one (1) year exp. or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Full Time $19 per hour.

•Child Development Specialist: Ensures compliance with all education-related Head Start Program Performance Standards, Child Care Licensing and all other regulations. Bachelors and/or Masters in Early Childhood Education or Child Development with 3-5 years’ experience Full Time $19 per hour.

•Family Case Worker: Responsible for implementation of programs and policies related to child development, health, and family and community partnership. Associates Degree, FT $13.18 per hour.

Apply now on our website http://www.caowny.org

Email legals & classifieds to: advertising@thechallengernews.com Deadline Fridays @ 5pm

•Tay Team Leader of Safe Space.

The Tay Team Leader is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Safe Space overnight drop in center and provides direct supervision of on-site staff. The Tay leader must maintain a fundamental understanding of transition aged youth, mental illness and substance abuse disorders; their related symptomatology and rehabilitation. Applicants must have Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus two (2) years full time paid human service experience in an approved mental health or social service agency and program management experience OR Associates degree or High School diploma and five (5) years full time paid human service experience in an approved mental health or social service agency and program management experience. In addition applicants must have a driver’s license and a car in good working condition.

•Senior Counselor at Health Mall The Senior Mental Health Counselor works at a maximum level of independence and responsibility, often sharing responsibility for program operations with the Program Director. The majority of time is spent in direct client services, providing crisis and ongoing counseling and psychotherapy to new and ongoing clients. Applicants must have a Master’s degree in a human service field plus professional certification (e.g. LCSW, LMHC preferred but not required) plus at least three years of paid work experience in a mental health setting.

•Care Manager- Children’s Clinic

Care Managers provide outreach and enrollment services to children presumed to meet eligibility requirements of New York State's Children's Health Home program. Applicants must have a BA with 2yrs relevant experience OR RN with 2yrs relevant experience, OR MA with 1 year relevant experience.

•Rehabilitation Specialist I- North Collins

This position works with adults diagnosed with a serious mental illness in a broad range of integrated services designed to help the client achieve goals of work, education, relationships, socialization, living and wellness. Applicants must have Bachelors degree in psychology, social work, recreational therapy, human services or other closely related mental health field AND Supervised field practicum in any organized mental disability or rehabilitation setting with one year (1) full time paid direct service experience in an organized mental disability or rehabilitation program OR Associates degree in human services with four (4) years full time paid direct service experience in an organized rehabilitation program two of which must have been in mental health.

•Team Leader of Homeless Outreach Services

The Outreach Team Leader functions as the team leader of a multidisciplinary homeless outreach team and supervises the day-to-day operations of the program. Initiates contact and begins the engagement process with street homeless individuals, conducts case finding, intake, and assessments. Applicants must Master’s degree in Social Work or mental health field, or a related human services field, including relevant field placement experience or Bachelor’s Degree plus 2 years’ relevant experience or an Associate’s degree in Human service field plus 10 years’ experience valid NYS driver’s license and a reliable car.

•Outreach Specialist of Homeless Services

The Outreach Specialist provides rehabilitative and supportive interventions to Homeless Services Program clients. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in social work/related field or RN plus two (2) years relevant direct service experience, valid driver’s license, and reliable car.

•Registered Nurse

The Registered Nurse provides group and individual treatment. Develops treatment plans based on comprehensive assessments, and formulates a diagnostic impression. Applicants must have Associates degree from an accredited school for professional nursing and four (4) years of paid work experience as a professional nurse and at least three (3) of which have been in a mental health setting OR Bachelor’s degree in professional nursing AND at Registered Nurse.

To apply please email: rmancone@bestselfwny.org

LOOKING FOR MORE EMPLOYMENT? STOP BY OUR W E B S I T E J O B S PA G E O N L I N E AT THECHALLENGERNEWS.COM

14

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

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community calendar Central Terminal Public Meeting. Via Zoom on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. to share a vision and redevelopment strategy for the terminal and grounds, To register, please visit www.buffaloterminalplan.org.

•Erie County Stay Fit for Meals for Seniors: Feel free to call the Dorothy Collier Community Center with any questions you might have or to place an order at 716.882.0602. The cut off time for orders is every Wednesday by 11 AM so that your order will be ready for the following Monday @ 10 AM. EBT cards accepted. *Choose Healthy WNY Virtual Workshops every Wednesday Now thru April 17 from 11-11:30 a.m. Call the Dorothy Collier Community to sign up at 8820602

Tao Te Ching -43The gentlest thing in the world Overcomes the hardest thing in the world.

That which has no substance Enters where there is no space.

This shows the value of nonaction Teaching without words, Performing without actions: That is the Master’s way.

15

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

Open Buffalo Proudly Welcomes Passage of Marijuana Law Last week’s enactment of the 2021 Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) stands as a pivotal moment for racial justice and community restoration in the State of New York.

Open Buffalo is proud to welcome its passage, and galvanized to ensure accountability and adherence to the bill’s justice-driven provisions.

For too long, New York and its municipalities have disproportionately targeted Black and Brown people for cannabis enforcement and incarceration, under the auspices of the War on Drugs and public safety. Passage of the MRTA, which contains directives for restoring the rights of many of those swept up in the war and economic investment in those communities, is an important step in the right direction.

Franchelle Parker, Open Buffalo’s Executive Director, offered the following reflection on this week’s news: “As a child, I experienced firsthand the devastating impact the War on Drugs was having on communities of color. As a student leader/activist, New York State drug policy reform became the first issue I worked on. As a community, we have learned that legalization is important, but it must be coupled with equitable strategies to help repair the harm done to poor communities and communities of color during this unjust war.”

BLACK HISTORY; BLACK CHINESE continued from page 3

Africans or Blacks that founded civilization in China were often called Li Min "black headed people" by the Zhou dynasts. This term has affinity to the Sumero-Akkadian term Sag- GigGa "Black Headed People". These Li Min are associated with the Chinese cultural hero Yao.

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We sincerely value your business! Please advise us immediately at email editorial@thechallengernews.com or call (716) 881-1051. If you experience any problems or delays with delivery. If you move please contact us so that we can update our records. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

After serving decades in prison for a crime they did not commit, The Buffalo 5 have suffered enough injustice! Tell DA Flynn to Take the Legal Knee off their necks so they can breathe!!

FREE THE BUFFALO 5!

The community is asked to call D.A. John Flynn (716) 858-2424 Extension 1, and ask him to NOT oppose the Motion To Vacate Indictment 41-413.

16

images of us...

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 8, 2021

THE WAY WE WERE....The image above was taken from the June 2010 front page of the

Challenger highlighting the awesome Juneteenth cultural celebration that year. Last year due to the Covid pandemic, Juneteenth could not be held outdoors and for the first time the festival - one of the country's largest - was successfully held virtually. Because we are still experiencing the pandemic, the celebration will be largely virtual again this year. 2021 marks the 46th consecutive freedom celebration. To volunteer, become a sponsor, or donate call (716)891-8801 or email JenniferStrickland@juneteenthofbuffalo.com Challenger Photos

Want to be a hometown hero? Bring your event to Buffalo.

When you bring a meeting, convention, or sports event to Buffalo, big things happen. Businesses thrive, visitors get a new favorite city, and you become a hometown hero. It’s incredibly easy to do — just contact Mike Even at even@visitbuffaloniagara.com or visit BringItHomeBuffalo.com to get the ball rolling. You’ll be glad you did, and so will your friends and neighbors.