Challenger Community News January 21, 2021

Mask Up! Practice Social Distancing! Wash Your Hands Often & Use Common Sense!

“We believe we serve a God that can hear our cry and there’s going to be justice (for the Buffalo 5)!”

- Bishop Michael A. Badger

Malik Evans Announces Run for Rochester Mayor Page 2

Photo: Challenger Photo

Photo: Unique Visions

January 21, 2021 | FREE | thechallengernews.com | Community News

Page 15

Page 10

The Passing of Our Beloved Bishop William Henderson Page 16

Removing Police From Mental Health Response

Niagara Falls Native Delivers Benediction at Biden Inauguration Page 6

Page 3

2

INSIDE ROCHESTER

Malik Evans Announces Run For Rochester Mayor

City Councilman Malik Evans has announced he is running for mayor of Rochester. Evans, a former City School Board President is challenging Mayor Lovely Warren' in her bid for a third term.

"We must build bridges in our community," Evans said in a pre-recorded video posted to YouTube. "And this starts by building trust and transparency at City Hall."

Also reportedly running is Mohamed Mohamed, (aka Mohamed Squared and Abdul Bounds, a community activist .

Malik Evans TheWarren campaign issued the following statement in the wake of evans announcement: "We’ve prepared for this moment. All over the country unfortunately it’s been our brothers that have been first in line to take on sisters. The powers that be playbook hasn’t changed since the days of slavery. We know our ancestors are looking down upon us and asking...when will our people learn.

Fire Chief Will Jackson Retiring After 25 Years of Service Mayor Lovely A. Warren recently announced that Rochester Fire Department Chief Will Jackson will retire at the end of February after 25 years of service to the community. Executive Deputy Chief Felipe Hernandez Jr., a 20-year veteran of the RFD, has been appointed as Interim Chief upon Chief Jackson’s retirement.

“Today is a happy day,” said Mayor Warren. “I am excited that Chief Jackson has fulfilled the two-year plan he gave to me when I asked him to lead our Fire Department. He became Chief at a critical time for our City and he stepped up to the challenge. But, he told me then, that he made a promise to his wife and famChief Will Jackson ily to retire after 25 years of service.

Well, that day is coming, and Chief Jackson’s a man of his word. So I am grateful to him for his leadership and excited that Chief Hernandez is ready to lead the department and continue our success.”

Under Chief Jackson’s leadership, the RFD earned national accreditation and Rochester maintained its status as a Class 1 ISO city, which leads to lower insurance rates for homeowners and businesses. With a staff of 504 firefighters and civilian employees, RFD responds to approximately 36,000 calls for service each year to protect the lives and property of city residents and visitors.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

The Bills Are What Superbowl Teams Are Made Of!

D

efense! Defense! And more Defense was the theme of Buffalo Bills Divisional Playoff game.

It’s the first time this season that the Bills defensive unit reminded me of 90’s unit lead by Bruce Smith, Darryl Talley, and Nate Odom’s. The game changing play was Taron Johnson’S 101-yard interception return for a touchdown It was the first defensive touchdown in the playoffs by a Bill since Jeff Burris had a 34-yard interception in 1996 against Tennessee and tied George Teague for the longest playoff interception in NFL history.

The Bills defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier put together a game plan to not only slow down Ravens QB Lamar Jackson but also force him to throw into coverage. Bills edge rusher Jerry Hughes said:“Throughout the week we had Isiah McKenzie play Lamar Jackson in practice and allowed us to simulate what we were going to see especially speed wise.

The type of team we are likes to feed off each other and the crowd allowed us to get that added juice; We were able to hold the edge and force Lamar to make plays against us.”

Yes, the Bills made tackles and did not give up many yards after contact which was extremely good for them. It was the Bills Defensive Coordinator’s best game plan of the season and has added him to Head Coaching interviews which was announced first during my question to him last Monday on his phone.. Coach Frazier said: “Yes earlier today my representative was contacted by Houston Texans.” Bills Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier’s stock has risen and could be a possible option in Philadelphia as well. He deserves the opportunity after four years of high-quality defensive play by his unit. You must keep in mind the Bills are playing without a true nose guard in Star Lotulelei, after he opted out of the season and Bills General Manager Brandon Beane decided to go with the players they have and not bring in any free agent nose guards. That gamble continues to pay off with the under sized defensive front line using speed to make up for size. I thought this philosophy would have caught up to them against the Baltimore Ravens powerful and massive offensive line, but to their credit the Bills gave up some early yardage and made adjustments by putting nine players near line of scrimmage forcing Lamar Jackson to throw the ball.

The Baltimore Ravens need to follow the Buffalo Bills blue print for their QB to sign a top free agent wide receiver like an Allen Robinson to give Lamar Jackson a true number one receiver. Dez Bryant a shell of himself, Hollywood

The Divine Solution is the Only Solution. Trust your intuition. Stay open.

Quiet the mind…

TALK PRO P L U S Hosted by

The Radman

(George Radney) &

The Mighty O’Ba (Patrick Freeman)

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

Brown, and Michael Boykin are not going to get it done.

Bills QB Josh Allen was 23 for 37 totaling 206 yards and one touchdown. Allen missed Gabriel Davis on two badly thrown balls and twice missed John Brown which should have been touchdowns. The Bills have gone two consecutive playoff games without a turnover which is the first time ever in Bills playoff history this has happened.

Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh said: “Congratulations to the Bills; Obviously they played a very good football game in all three phases. They were mistake free and capitalized on their opportunities. At the beginning of the second half was a big one, then also the turnover. They did a great job. Sean, Leslie, and all their guys, congratulations.”

The playoff pressure and tension is getting the best of Josh Allen and Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll must call more running plays for him to calm down. The Kansas City Chiefs are 21st in league against the run and the Bills must run the ball in order to beat them on Sunday night. Brian Daboll is showing once again just an average offensive coordinator and continues to put the game on Josh Allen’s shoulders which could be a recipe for disaster.

I see a very exciting game with the Bills catching a slight break with Mahomes in concussion protocol and most importantly his turf toe which does not allow him to push off on certain throws. It seems things are shaping up in Buffalo’s favor. I would replace an injured Cole Beasley with newly acquired wide receiver Kenny Stills. It’s quite clear Beasley is playing on one leg and can’t be effective with his current injury. I see the Bills defense bending and not breaking, allowing offense to make some key plays by Allen/Diggs connection for a thrilling 28 -24 win. Bills are going to Super Bowl LV!!!!

Follow me on Social Media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER: @georgeradney@georgeradman, RADIO: Pro Talk Plus on WLGZ – HD2, 105.5 FM The Beat of Rochester, Every Saturday morning 7 AM – 8 AM, Live call-in show 585 595 1055, What’s Going on The Experience, Every Sunday Morning 8 AM – 9 AM, on WHTK 1280 AM, Rochester, NY

Miriam Rivera Farmers Insurance

1038 Lyell Ave • Rochester, NY 14606 (585) 360-0094 (Office) (585)360-8658 (Cell) (888) 546-5157 (Fax) mrivera1@farmersagent.com

3

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

AREA BRIEFS Le’Candice Durham Kicks Off Campaign for City of Buffalo Mayor Pledging to "strengthen the relationship between the government and the people we serve,“ LeCandice Durham recently kicked off her candidacy for Mayor of the City of Buffalo from her Clinton street headqarters.

Described as a demonstrated servant leader, a community activist, and a dedicated neighbor, Mrs. Durham is the owner of Candi Eyez, a fashion glasses and accessories business. She serves as president of Poppy Kidz Klub, a LeCandice Durham nonprofit organization started after her young niece was struck and killed by a vehicle on Fernhill Avenue.

Like many, she does not believe political experience is a prerequisite for excellent governmental leadership. She previously worked in City Hall “Committed and impactful change starts with caring for your neighbor,” she said.

Durham was born and raised with five siblings in Buffalo, on the city’s Eastside. She credits great role models with teaching her the importance of taking care of her community.

Le’Candice Durham and her husband Larry reside in Riverside with their 6 children. Durham is the block club leader on her street where she resides and is very active in serving the community and Buffalo Homeless.

Her mayoral vision can be found on her website https:// lecandicedurham.com. “The time for neighbors to be united is now. I believe I am the leader Buffalo needs. I pledge to be the people’s mayor.”

Buffalo Police Advisory Board Releases Recommendations On Two Topics: Mental Health Diversion & Bolawraps The Buffalo Police Advisory Board (BPAB) has submitted two reports of policy recommendations to the Common Council, Mayor Byron Brown’s office, and the Buffalo Police Department Commissioner for review and consideration. The BPAB reports include recommendations on mental health diversion and use of Bo-laWraps. Reports are accessible through the Common Council’s website link.. The public is encouraged to submit comments to the City Council on these reports by emailing councilstaff@city-buffalo. com by end of day Sunday January 24th.

BPAB will present these recommendations to the Common Council police oversight committee on January 25th.

Calls for a Better, Fairer, More Caring City and Region

2021 Community Agenda: Removing Police From Mental Health Response Number One Priority “Once again this year, the Community Agenda created by our partners calls on us to address some of the most serious challenges we face in our region,” said Partnership for the Public Good Executive Director Andrea Ó Súilleabháin, as the group unveiled its 2021 Community Agenda in a lively virtual event on Zoom with 130 supporters.

“Our 315 community partners are bringing their solutions, their imagination, and their collective vision for a better, fairer, more caring community. They have come together to identify the top ten policy changes that local and state governments should take in the coming year,” Ó Súilleabháin explained.

Enslaved Africans Built The White House...And A Few Other Things Too...

The 2021 Community Agenda was announced at a virtual event opened by local spoken word poet Jillian Hanesworth. Then, an advocate for each proposed policy shared why it matters for our city and region.

The top ten policy change priorities are: 1 .Remove Police from Frontline Response to Mental Health Crises 2. Pass the Climate and Community Investment Act (CCIA) 3. Use Public Land for Public Benefit 4.Equitable and Sustained Funding of Frontline Arts Communities 5.Implement a New Police Oversight Model and Increase Public Involvement in Police Contract Negotiations 6.Improve Language Access and Inclusion in Western New York 7. Fund Public Transportation Emergency Relief, Expansion, and Improvement 8.Promote Local Home Ownership by Changing the City of Buffalo Auction 9.Stop the Practice of Stationing Off-Duty Police Officers in Buffalo Public Schools 10.Invest in Just Streets, Not Enforcement The full text of each plank is available at PPG’s web site, ppgbuffalo.org.

In calling for action on the number one priority, removing police from mental health response, Kartika Carr of VOICE Buffalo said: “The thought of us continually being impacted by what is happening in the current state of the world and not being able to support people specifically around mental health is literally setting us up to die.”

In calling for equitable funding for artists and arts organizations in frontline communities, Maria Ta of Ujima Company said: “While some are calling for a return to normal, what we need, now more than ever, is to reimagine our future. Arts and cultural workers face challenges in our livelihoods, in bad times and even in good ones. However, especially in the frontline art communities, help rarely reaches our doors. When the waves of this pandemic subsides, who will be left standing?”

In calling for a new model for police oversight in Buffalo, Miles Gresham of PPG said: “The oversight structure is so weak in the City of Buffalo, with an oversight board that doesn’t have subpoena power and doesn’t have disciplinary power. And then, of course, on the state side, there are laws that make it so that police are more often than not successful when they challenge the firings of bad cops.”

In calling for changes to the Buffalo property auction to prioritize local residents seeking to become homeowners, Ahmad Nieves of Buffalo Information Sharing Collective said: “A lot of people who benefit from the auction are not from Buffalo, so this plank is to change the auction process” to offer properties to local residents first.

In calling for a new approach to traffic safety known as Just Streets, Jalonda Hill of the Buffalo Fair Fines + Fees Coalition said: "This plank is about reimagining safety and reimagining how we keep our streets. We shouldn’t penalize people by giving them tickets that they cannot afford to pay. We should redesign streets to change people’s behavior.” continued pg 11

•The White House: Enslaved Africans built the White House. Work began in 1792, and it took eight years to finish.

•Enslaved Africans also rebuilt the executive mansion after it burned down in the War of 1812.After its completion, presidents continue to use enslaved Africans to maintain the household, and seven presidents even brought their own slaves, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Andrew Jackson, and Zachary Taylor.

•The US Capitol :The US Capitol in Washington DC took more than 30 years to build, from 1793 to 1826.

Enslaved Africans slaves would have done the hard work, like sawing logs and moving stones, as well as working at quarries to get raw materials. They were also responsible for more skilled labor, like plastering, painting, and carpentry.In 2012, a marker was unveiled to remember the slave labor that went into the building.

•The Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol.On top of the Capitol sits the Statue of Freedom, an important statue of a 19-foot bronze woman holding a sword and a laurel wreath. It was made by an enslaved Afraican named Philip Reid.

4

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

BUILDING COMMUNITY AMID Mayor Brown Releases Statement on Son’s Positive Examples of Working Together Within Our Communities To Support Ourselves And Our Neighbors “Mental Health Episode” During The Covid-19 Crisis

The Links Incorporated, Buffalo Affiliate of the National Medical Association to Host Covid-19 Forum The community is invited to join us 7:00pm Janu-

ary 28, for our Third Community Forum entitled Covid-19: Navigating Parents through the Virtual learning Environment. This forum is designed to provide the community with valuable information related to Covid-19 with a focus on parents and students. We will address issues from the School Administrators, Parents, Teachers, and Students prospective. Our panelists will be Buffalo Public School Chief of Staff, Dr. Darren Brown Hall, Medical Director Niagara Street Pediatric, Dr. Fred Archer III, Say Yes Buffalo Community Schools Senior Director, Link Tanya Staples, Build Community School Principal, Link Tanika Shedrick, Riverside Academy Principal, Teena Jones, Parent Representative, Link Kawanza Humphrey and Student Representatives from Buffalo Collegiate Charter School.

To register for the forum, we ask that you go to our website https://linksbuffalochapter.org/upcomingevents page and click on bit.ly/LinkingtoEducateCovid19 or enter the following link in the address bar of your internet browser: http://bit.ly/LinkingtoEducateVirtual.

We invite you to come prepared to ask questions and get educated on plans for the reopening of schools for your children.

Come One! Come All!

The First Fruits Food Pantry Is Open!

Offering Healthy Food Options Free To The Community

NEW TIME! Tuesdays 4-6 PM & Saturdays From 10 A.M. To 12 NOON Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church, 641 Masten @ Northland No Forms To Fill Out, No Proof Of Income Or Residency Etc. Just The Blessing Of Good Food!

While You’re There Check Out The Lincoln Memorial. Clothes Closet!

“Fighting Food Insecurity & Meeting the Needs of The People.”

Rev. George Nicholas, Pastor, Lincoln Memorial UMC

;t)CHCB Rita Hubbard Robinson, Coordinator, First Fruits Food Pantry

COMMUNITY

HEALTH CENTER OF BUFFALO. INC.

i,1,tff,\\Q - 'i+l!GAPl,,11\H� · <t tH"IO,',AGo\•�O(·PQ�l

Mayor Byron Brown released the following statement regarding an incident last Friday night where his son, 30-year-old Byron Brown Jr, broke \windows of a Linwood Avenue apartment to gain access to a friend’s apartment above the one he broke into. The tenants and the landlords are not pressing charges and Brown will pay for the damages. His son was taken to ECMC to be evaluated.

Mayor Brown’s statement Mayor Brown read: “Last night, my son, Byron, experienced a mental health episode that required professional help. My family and I are grateful that the individual who called for assistance recognized that Byron needed professional medical attention, and for the police response, which ensured his safe transport to a hospital where he is getting the care he needs. Throughout the pandemic, the absence of reliable support systems and the isolation that results from social distancing has undoubtedly had an effect on all of us, but also creates additional barriers and risks for people with mental health issues. We ask that his privacy be respected as he recovers. We are grateful for all of the support that we have in our community.”

-An IssueJust days after a Buffalo Police officer shot and wounded a homeless man with a history of mental illness last fall on Buffalo's East side, Brown announced his proposal for a new police unit that would pair officers with social workers on mental health emergency calls.

That proposal however, was met with vehement opposition by a group of social workers, mental health professionals and concerned community members who met outside Buffalo City Hall in September to denounce the mayor’s proposal.

COVID and the Community The Buffalo NAACP Health Committee will present “COVID And The Community” Thursday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Panelists include Lorraine Braithwaite-Harte, Dr. George Matthews, Dr. Lavonne Ansari, Ph.D., and Dr. Camille A. Jones, MD, MPH. Register for this virtual event at: https://bit.ly/2XCk7bW

VITAMIN B AND COVID While vitamins C and D have garnered much attention in the fight against COVID-19, B vitamins can also play an important role, according to two recent papers — niacin (B3) in particular.

•B vitamins may play an important role in COVID-19 prevention and treatment, according to two recent papers •Based on B vitamins’ effects on your immune system, immune-competence and red blood cells (which help fight infection), supplementation may be a useful adjunct to other prevention and treatment strategies •B vitamins can influence several COVID-19-specific disease processes, including viral replication and invasion, cytokine storm induction, adaptive immunity and hypercoagulability •Niacin appears particularly important. According to a recent paper, there appears to be a causative link between low niacin status and SARS-CoV-2 infection

Ravens Lamar Jackson Shouts Out Bills Mafia for Donating $360,00 Charity “Blessings in a Backpack” Bills Mafia is not just about being a supportive fan to their beloved home team. They have finessed the olive branch of support on many occasions and were recently thanked by Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson on his twitter page for donations to a Louisville charity that he has formerly raised money for, “Blessings in a Backpack,” where Bills Mafia have donated $360,000!

The outpouring support to the charity’s Louisville chapter began after the Bills 17-3 victory over the Ravens in their AFC divisional playoff game during which the reigning NFL MVP was ruled out late in the third quarter with a concussion.

Jackson wrote “Appreciate that Bills Mafia” .. “Means a lot to not only me but those kids as well.”

Get the AARP® Medicare Advantage Plan from UnitedHealthcare *Doctor Coverage *$0 copay for preventative care

*Prescription Drug Coverage *$0 copay for Contact: Tanya Mulvaney/ Liscensed Sales Agent lab services *$0 or low copay *Routine Vision Coverage

717-435-9339 tanya_m_mulvaney@uhc.com

COVID-19 TESTING Monday-Saturday 8:30AM-Noon & 1-4:15PM • Call (716) 986-9199 Ext. 5907

5

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

CAO Appoints Thomas U. Kim New President: Retiring CEO Nate Hare Calls Him “Inspiring Leader”

Living with the “Silent Thief”: Is It Time for a Glaucoma Screening?

By Dr. Deepan Selvadurai anuary is Glaucoma Awareness Month, but what do we really know about glaucoma? It is the second leading cause of blindness in the world in adults over the age of 60, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. In black populations, for instance, glaucoma occurs about ten years earlier on average, more frequently, and with higher rates of blindness.

There are a few reasons why glaucoma — “the silent thief of sight” — can be more concerning than other diseases that affect vision. We’ll talk about some here, and why scheduling regular glaucoma screenings can be a step to saving your long-term vision.

The first step to understanding glaucoma is to understand a little about the eye’s anatomy. Light enters the eye where it’s focused — or “refracted” — onto the retina, which contains millions of light-sensitive cells. These cells organize the information the eye receives and sends it to the brain. The “cable” that carries these signals is called the optic nerve.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes the pressure inside of the eye to rise, damaging the optic nerve, resulting in the loss of peripheral (side) vision. It’s a chronic, progressing illness that will continue to worsen over time, and unlike some other eye diseases, the vision loss that occurs is permanent.

This makes early detection critical. There are a variety of different ways to stop or slow glaucoma’s progression — but only if it’s caught in time.

Why Is Glaucoma So Concerning?

There are three main sources of blindness in older Americans: macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and glaucoma.

There’s a key difference between glaucoma and the other two, however, and it has to do with the way it affects your vision. AMD and cataracts affect the central vision, while glaucoma causes vision loss from the outside in.

This is a part of why glaucoma is called the “silent thief of sight”. It slowly steals away your peripheral vision and it does it with very few symptoms. Because this vision is key to mobility and overall function, most people don’t notice the loss of peripheral vision until it starts to have huge impacts on their overall independence — and at that point, vision loss may be too severe to overcome.

Early Detection is Key A number of risk factors contribute to glaucoma, including age, ethnicity, and genetics, and lifestyle habits. While we’re not sure why exactly black Americans are affected much more heavily than other ethnic groups, glaucoma is also hereditary. If glaucoma runs in your family, you’re significantly more at risk for it. Other conditions that can put you at a greater risk for developing glaucoma include diabetes, hypertension, and even extreme nearsightedness.

All this is to say that having regular glaucoma screenings is so important to the long-term preservation of your vision.

You may not notice your peripheral vision as much as your central vision, but there’s a reason why it’s said that glaucoma is “the worst way to go blind” — your side vision is critical to mobility, driving, and staying independent later in life.

Vision loss from glaucoma is permanent, but preventable.

It’s never too early to be screened for eye diseases, especially if you have a family member with the disease or are in a high risk group, as African Americans tend to be.

Dr. Selvadurai ,one of Buffalo’s premiere glaucoma specialists, is a fellowship trained and board certified cataract and glaucoma specialist, completing training at Northwestern University, The Mayo Clinic, and the University of Toronto on advanced methods for treating and managing complex cases of glaucoma.

J

The Community Action Organization of WNY’s (CAO) Board of Directors has selected Thomas U. Kim as its new President and CEO. Kim has a 30+ year career of extensive organizational, management, and fiscal leadership experience across non-profit, government, military, and for-profit sectors.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Primo Center in Chicago, an organization that serves the city’s homeless population Kim’s life experience also stood out to CAO’s Board.

He grew up in extreme poverty while being raised by a single immigrant mother.

His family experienced racial injustice first-hand.

The Honorable Craig D. Hannah, CAO’s Board President, said he looks forward to working with Kim. “The Board, with the help of an extensive search process conducted by the executive search firm Catapult Executive Consulting, selected Kim because of his high-level leadership and management experience with many non-profit organizations across the nation.” Hannah added: “His passion for driving change in low-income communities stems from a first-hand understanding of the issues they face.”

Retiring President and CEO of CAO, L. Nathan Hare, said he is impressed

by Kim’s record of leadership.

“Mr. Kim is an inspiring leader who can carry our mission forward with a new vision, ideas, and enthusiasm,” Hare said.

In September of last year Mr. Hare announced plans to retire after serving the antipoverty agency for 18 years.

Hare, a lifelong resident of the City of Buffalo , has worked in youth employment, youth training and education, foster care, social

services, and juvenile justice for more than 40 years.

He served as leader of the CAO since 2002.

Between 2002 and the present, he increased the agency’s operating revenue from under $20,000,000 to well over $40,000,000 and brought the agency’s employee headcount from just over 300 to well over 800.

He also dramatically expanded the number and quality of program offerings that were aimed more broadly at eliminating the root causes of poverty and the lack of opportunity.

The Community Action Organization of WNY was incorporated in 1965 and operates anti-poverty programs

in Erie and Niagara counties.

Annually, CAO serves more than 50,000 families and individuals .

Hare will continue his work in the community as an antipoverty leader, activist,

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.

Nate Hare

Thomas Kim

and educator, and will continue to empower the vulnerable and unheard. He is hopeful for what the future will bring under new leadership at CAO.

6

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

"THIS IS OUR COUNTRY"

Niagara Falls Native Reverend Dr.Silvester Beaman Delivers A Powerful Benediction at Presidential Inauguaration

Western New York was well represented at the Nations Capital Wednesday for PresidentElect Joe Biden's inauguration when Niagara Falls native, Reverend Dr. Silvester Beaman delivered the benediction.

Rev. Dr.Beaman ended his powerful, spirit-filled prayer with these words.

“…This is our benediction, that from these hallowed grounds, where slaves labored to build this shrine and citadel to liberty and democracy let us all acknowledge from the indigenous native American, to those who recently received their citizenship, from the African American to those whose foreparents came from Europe and every corner of the globe from the wealthy to those struggling to make it…from every human being regardless of their choices…that this is our country..as such teach us O God…to live in it, love in it, be healed in it and reconciled to one another in it, less we miss Kingdom’s goal."

Reverend Dr. Silvester Beaman is a graduate of Niagara Falls High School and a longtime friend of the Biden family. Reverend Beaman's mother still lives in Niagara Falls as well as

his mother-in-law and five of his eight siblings.

"Niagara Falls is very dear to me. When I go home, I go to Viola’s to pick up my sub, I go to Mr. Ventry’s to get my pizza. ... I go to Ted’s to get my hot dogs," Pastor Beamen told 2 On Your Side last week.

Reverend Dr. Silvester Baeman is currently the Pastor of Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilmington Delaware.

7

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

SUBSIDIZED HOUSING FOR SENIORS

COVID-19 CONTROLLED!

An extensive and rigid cleaning protocol has been implemented by our Maintenance Staff to limit exposure to the coronavirus.

ST. JOHN TOWER, BUFFALO

COME ENJOY QUALITY LIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH RENTS BASED ON INCOME - AS LOW AS ZERO. → Newly Renovated Units → Great Location → Personal and Courteous Onsite Management. → Professional Security → On-Site Laundry Room → Full Time Social Service Director → Daily Activities → Free Shuttle Bus → Emergency Pull Cords → And much more

FIND OUT MORE! CALL TODAY: 716-855-1505 | TTY/TDD#711

8

Entertainment

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

Go Bills:

Playoffs on the Patios Returns to Chippewa

Cast of Typography of Women: I Am Not Invisible

Typography of Women: I Am Not Invisible.

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

This is not a feel good cause, it is a life or death cause -- it is a global crime that is hidden and unreported because traffickers can be anybody - including your next door neighbor, the high school coach, the bartender, the hair salon owner, the minister, the judge, the lawyer - hence nobody wants to talk about it or the system continues to discredit and let down the victims of these crimes. They come from all walks of life, they are every age, they are every color, they are women, girls, men and boys, the disabled, and the unwanted. Sold, beaten, drugged, or killed for body parts in organ harvesting.

The United States is the largest exporter of trafficking victims, and they are the largest consumer of trafficking human contraband.

More than 40 million people world wide are enslaved or indentured, in the United States it is estimated at hundreds of thousands - it is difficult to give an accurate count because it is a hidden crime - in factories, low cost hotels and motels, private homes, small businesses, agriculture, you name it.

Often hiding in plain sight and we just don't know how to recognize the signs and what steps to take to help the victims. It's important to remember that it can happen to anybody...and it does.

Restaurant operators at Soho and Rec Room are working with the Small Business Social Distancing Initiative for the return of "Playoffs on the Patios," a safe, socially distant dining experience for Bills Fans as they cheer on the Buffalo Bills during their game against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday The long awaited ribbon cutting for the National Museum of January 24.

African American Music in Nashville, Tenn. took place on

National Museum of African American Music

"Playoffs on the Patios" is part of Reopen Buffalo, the Brown Administration's ongoing effort to support City businesses during the COVID-19 emergency.

On Sunday Chippewa Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 1pm - 11:30pm from Franklin Street to the Buffalo Tap House as crews set up additional dining tables and chairs and two large LED video screens for patrons to enjoy great food and Buffalo Bills football.

Gates open at 5:30 pm and you must be 21 years of age or older for admittance.

Tables are limited and reservations are required, to reserve a table email reservations@recroombuffalo.com or text 716-939-1279.

For those of you who have not seen the video, Typography of Women: I Am Not Invisible. It is available for rent on VIMEO and proceeds are for efforts in the war against human trafficking and Project Mona's House, a transitional home for women who have escaped and are seeking to restore and rebuild their lives. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/towiamnotinvisible2 January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Please share and support. No amount is too small. Every penny matters. https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-am-not-invisible You can also go to projectmonashouse.com for more info on its mission .

OPENING NIGHT: Pictured above, a scene from opening night Kwanzaa 1980. Sounds and Echoes along with special invited guests Art of Black Dance and Music perform at 11 E. Utica , then known as The Center for Positive Thought.

The late Alene Barnes Hardin took the photo. It was a very exciting opening night!

Emile Latimer and Gey Lyons in foreground. Gaynell Sherrod and Yvonne Hicks in background. Classic photo classic time! (Submitted

by Gail “Gey” Lyons)

Monday, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, in the heart of the city's tourist district. It is a 56,000-square-foot tribute to the makers of the first music that was truly American — “one nation under a groove,” as the museum’s tagline puts it in a nod to the George Clinton song. Beginning with the musical traditions of enslaved people, its interactive exhibits celebrate the brilliant legacy that has followed the first Black Americans through more than 50 musical genres and subgenres — classical, country, gospel, jazz, blues and hip-hop, just for starters — during the past 400 years. According to the museum’s website, no other museum with this purpose exists in the world.

9

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

Thompson Named to The Top Bob Gore Photography On Exhibit Documentary photographer Bob Gore, captured dynamic images of 200 Most Powerful Leaders in last summer's Black Lives Matter protests in New York City. SelecResidential Real Estate List tions of his work will be exhibited at For the second year in a row, Antoine Thompson has been named to the Top 200 Most Powerful Leaders in Residential Real Estate List.

Thompson, a. Buffalo native, is the Executive director of The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), a position he has held since 2015. Thompson oversees the nation’s oldest minority real estate association, which has close to 20,000 members who champion the development of Black real estate professionals and focus on increasing homeownership rates among Black Americans.

A former New York state senator, he owns a cultural and entertainment magazine and a consulting firm. He is one of only four African Americans named to the Top 200 list of influential executives. Congratulations Antoine!

the Interchurch Center from January 15-February to 25, 2021.

WE SELL MONEY… Mortgages & More

The recent invasion of the US Capitol has generated interest in the nonviolent protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Extensive media reports have compared and contrasted the motives, makeup, and behavior of the protestors. In light of the unprecedented violence that occurred in the nation's Capitol, educators and parents are looking for ways to weave discussions on the role of protest into their lesson plans.

When others say NO… We can get you the YES you deserve!

We offer Financing to Real Estate Investors throughout WNY! • FIX & Flip, Fix & Hold • Portfolio Loans • Commercial Real Estate

Mr. Gore will make his images available at no cost to students, parents, and teachers to create discussions and create assignments around peaceful protest. Students, parents, and teachers can access the collection The Brooklyn Public Library and Brooklyn Historical Society have also agreed to share this offering with their audiences.

If you need financing advice give us a call

One Bronx teacher said, "Bob's images will enable students to revisit last summer's peaceful protests for discussions, and artistic expressions."

Integrity Business Solutions Group, Inc.

Blanc Photographie

www.integritybizgroup.com (877) 777-4274 Office (716) 256-4632 Direct integritybizz.chollie@gmail.com

The Community’s Portrait & Event Photographer.

716.319.8979 • Facebook: Blanc Photographie • Instagram: @blanc_photographie

612

Filmmaker Doug Ruffin Returns With “67: Buffalo Uprising” PAGE 6

Phone: __________________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________________

Avenue

E HOUS . PAGE 8 D OPEN – 7 p.m HLANnd • Noon NORT NOX• 612 Northla IGHT-K y 17 | ALBR Januar | FREE Friday 2020 ary 8, nu Ja

Buffalo,

New

York

FRIDAY,

17

York

11

142

HART, EDRA

SOTO, AND

RODNEY

TAYLOR

pm:

Northland by

Albright-Knox is supported

Company,

Manufacturing is generously

by HARD program

supported

g bratin CeleL of e if e th ueen

HART, EDRA

EY , AND RODN

SOTO

NATIONAL

ROCHESTER: 2020 Black Heritage Honorees Page 3

LOCAL

T

Y orn in HISTORliams Swerican ler-Wil ican Am e 3 a Mil Pag Afr Barbar ’s First ptroller as City ale Com Fem

EN s TAINM Welcome k!

ENTER bb Roc WUFO 96.5 and Chu Power ckmon e 8 Bla Pag Carol OF A

INSIDE

P R O T E C T I O N

I N

T I M E S

O F

T R O U B L E

March 18, 2020 | FREE | COMMUNITY NEWS

ROCHES

TER: THE 8TH ANN

Februar

y 19, 202

PAGE 7

UAL ROC

0 | FREE

|

AWARDS

RETURN

S!

PAGE 2

nd Northla by ted t-Knox Albrigh is suppor

ny,

Spread the Love – Not the Virus!

te to Tribu Pay loved Be 1,000 Over allenger’s Jones Ch Bernice ed” Miss 7 Will Be Page “She

From Dirt Cheap to Miss Betty’s and everything In Between!

Page 11

F O R

Brenda Calhoun Don Patterson Dorothy Wagstaff

Surviving The COVID-19 Health Crisis!

An Open Letter Fro Green to The Youm Donald “Sly ” ng Brothe in rs “My Wa the Street Struggl y was the e

Page 9

LS an, RA FAL inessm NIAGAurns Busder

The Politricks of Race: Trump Praised as “First Black President” Page 4

TAYLOR

g Compa acturin usly Manuf is genero m HARD red by ion progra are sponso ’s exhibit t-Knox l. Events Jamma The Albrigh Leila rt of C. Smith. suppo h the and William le througEstate, Inc. Real possib made rson, Hunt Foundation, ion was H. Knox exhibit Philip Hende ur This and The Seymo Marionrted by suppo

HEATHER

AQ

USE CAUTION!

Will Holton’s Annual Talent Showcase Love Cadenza VI: A Performance With A Purpose Page 8

12, 2020

perf n–7 t-You-Wis noo with rvarz, Wha ion ll Paybrat i Meh is Love Cele Man pm: Ansari, and Curt 5–7 a aee,

by Nail Muli yam

P R AMarY E R

e

admission ou-Wish with performanc noon–7 Mehrvarz, Pay-What-Y Lovell Celebration Mani pm: Ansari, and Curtis 5–7

by Naila Muliaee, Maryam

HEATHER

ENTERTAINMENT

New

17 n JANUARY issio ance FRIDAY, pm: h adm orm

A

12, 2020

JANUARY

exhibition are sponsored Events Jammal.The Albright-Knox’s of Leila Smith.

C. the support William and through Estate, Inc. possible Real Hunt Foundation, made was H. Knox Henderson, exhibition Philip This and The Seymour by Marion

Buffalo’s Zuri Appleby Set to Play with Lizzo!

Page 8

alo,

Buff

14211

ON VIEW 17 - APRIL JANUARY

March 4, 2020 | FREE |

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

Zip/Postal: __________________________________________________

Northland

DARD D STAN AGE ORTE PRESU.S. POST PAID N.Y. ALO, BUFF IT NO. 164 PERM

State: __________________________________________________

thla Nor

ON VIEW 17 - APRIL JANUARY

Address: __________________________________________________ City: __________________________________________________

nue

nd Ave

612

Com

Mo Lea e4 munity munity n Pag Com hardso Ric Jesse

k IT K Jr. Par EXHIB MENT st In ML MONU ce Of Bu rvi G on Se MAKIN dicati & Rede

PAGE

10

Page 11

wrong wa y!”

Felicia Stanley Jason Rowe Keyon Lee

Black Tie History Ext For Black ravaganza Na mes 2020 Awardees Page 9

LOCAL

Mayor Brown Shares Updates to Buffalo’s Response to COVID-19 Page 3 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BUFFALO, N.Y. PERMIT NO. 164

Name: __________________________________________________

$27 ONE YEAR BULK RATE (TAKES 3-7 DAYS) $47 ONE YEAR FIRST CLASS (TAKES 2-3 DAYS)

HEALTH

Beyond COVID-19: Tips for Health & Longevity Page 5

ROCHESTER

Legislator Lightfoot Offers Important Information for Residents Page 2

UPDATE: CORONAVIRUS IN THE DIASPORA Page 4

LOCA

L New Sis. Jean Trial Date Set for nie’s Attac ker in Crime Assa ult Page Hate 3

PRESOR TED STANDA U.S. POSTAG RD E PAID BUFFAL PERMIT O, N.Y. NO. 164

I WANT TO SUBSCRIBE!

PLEASE SELECT YOUR PREFERRED YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

CALLING

LEGA

CY Norzell “Nore Street Sign ” Aldridge Unveiled Page 3

NATIONA Race Matte L rs: Trum Trave p’s

Latest l Ban on ALL POE Nigeria TS! Page 4 Deadline 3rd Lonnie B. Harr February ell Poet 29! See ry Edition Ad Page 5

PLEASE MAIL YOUR PAYMENT AND COMPLETED FORM TO: The Challenger Community News, P.O. Box 474, Buffalo, NY 14209.

Credit card payments are accepted by calling (716) 881-1051.

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!

10

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

FULL MOON WATCH Full moons and New moons represent new beginnings. Their influence can empower you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace bold changes in your life or step back and reflect on personal issues close to your heart.

January’s Full Wolf Moon is on January 28 .

When the Earth is closest to the sun during the dead of winter, we see the Full Wolf Moon. It emphasizes how fluent we are with both our emotions and our familial karmic connections. How much do you share with others? How well do you relate with them?

Call or Text Henry at (716)544-9733 Facebook Page. unique visions Instagram Page unique_visions_716

Pictured from left: Van Lipscomb, Bishop Darius Pridgen, Pastor Tim Newkirk, Bishop Michael A Badger, Darryl Boyd, John Walker, Bishop Frederick A. Gelsey and Elder Charley H. Fisher III.

Buffalo 5 Prayer Vigil 2021 A Resounding Success

T

he airwaves on Legendary Mix 1080 and Power 96.5FM were filled with powerful prayers and words of encouragement during a spirited prayer vigil for the Buffalo 5 on Monday evening.

It was an impressive show of community and organizational support by a host of churches as well as the NAACP, The Urban Think Tank, Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, WNY Peace Center and of course, We Are Women Warriors, who have been in the forefront of the movement to seek justice for the Buffalo 5.

The vigil was organized in support of The Buffalo 5's scheduled return to New York State Supreme Court at 2p.m. on Tuesday, February 16. NYS Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns will be presiding. That hearing was initially scheduled to be held this week.

John Walker looked at the postponement as a positive turn of events.

“It’s keeping hope alive,” he said, giving them more time to rally on behalf of their cause.

The vigil, led by five conscienious community minded clergy members, also gave listners a chance to hear the story of five 16-year-od Black boys who were falsely accused in 1976 and wrongly convicted in 1977 of a brutal crime they did not commit.

Over the past 45 years, John Walker and Darryl Boyd have consistently proclaimed their innocence of the robbery and murder, “They never had any evidence from the beginning,” said John. “No blood sample, no weapon, never recovered any money, never had anything that connected us to the case aside from our friend, Tyrone Woodruff, who was pressured and tricked into making a false confession by detectives, placing the blame on us. (Woodroff retracted the “confession” on a number of occasions).

“There was actually nothing to ever connect us to the case," John continued. “So when there’s nothing to connect you to the case, it becomes kind of difficult to find something later on down the line to overturn the case because there was nothing to convict you with!”

They are presently being represented in court by renown criminal defense attorney Paul Cambria of Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP. Mr. Cambria has filed a Motion To Overturn Judgment Of Indictment 41-413, on The Buffalo 5's behalf. It is the hope and prayer of The Buffalo 5, that photographic evidence that existed at time of their (original) 1977 trials, and that will now be presented in their matter, will be ruled as "New Evidence".

If that occurs, the Buffalo 5's indictments and convictions will be overturned and they will be exonerated. This may be the single best and last chance The Buffalo 5 receive, to attempt to accomplish that objective.

The Buffalo 5 wishes to thank the five esteemed clergy who participated in and led Prayer Vigil 2021: Bishop Frederick A. Gelsey, Sr., Elder Charley H. Fisher, III, Bishop Michael A. Badger, Pastor Tim Newkirk, and Bishop Darius G. Pridgen. The Buffalo 5 also thank the community throughout Buffalo and Erie County, for its steadfast support over the past four decades. Justice For The Buffalo 5! -By Sherry Sherrill (The Challenger contributed to

TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM Become a teacher and positively impact communities in Buffalo.

UB’s innovative teacher residency program places aspiring teachers from diverse backgrounds in city classrooms where they learn—and earn—alongside mentor teachers for a full school year.

The next residency cohort launches in the summer of 2021. EARN AN $18,000 living stipend while working towards a master’s degree and initial teacher certification. Apply by January 25th.

Learn more & apply: ed.buffalo.edu/residency

this article)

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.

VOICES

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

Local•National•World

Camille Cosby: Capitol Insurrection a Reminder that ‘Hatred is a Hellish Emotion’

D

Standing in Solidarity with Hunger Strikers at Batavia Immigrant Detention Center: Justice 4 Mi-

grant Workers, Rochester Rapid Response Network and the WNY Peace Center reported that ICE is punishing hunger strikers in Batavia with solitary confinement. In response the groups staged a “Standing In Solidarity With Hunger Strikers” at Batavia Immigrant Detention Center, in Batavia NY, just outside of Buffalo on January 19. Part of the action was a cacerolazo, where pots and pans banged and other noise makers used to let those inside know they had support.

Will The Real Terrorist Please Stand Up?

Before leaving office, the Trump administration designated Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism, complicating any efforts by the future Biden administration to repair relations with the former Cold War foe. President Obama removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism in 2015, but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the new designation was given for "repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism in granting safe harbor to terrorists." A top Cuban called the move hypocritical and an act of "political opportunism." Cuba now joins three other countries on the list: Iran, North Korea and Syria.

2021 COMMUNITY AGENDA Continued From Page 3

PPG and its partners will be visiting with elected leaders in the coming months to review the Agenda with them and ask for their support. Several elected officials joined the meeting to voice their support for the Agenda: NYS Assemblymember Sean Ryan expressed support for removing speed cameras and punitive enforcement from traffic safety efforts, citing the negative impacts on low-income communities. When it comes to traffic safety, he said, “Intelligent design is the way to do it.”

Erie County Legislator April Baskin voiced her support for more equitable arts funding, for improving language access, and for providing alternatives to police in mental health emergency response. She said: “I have found PPG to be one of the most valuable community resources. I am continuously grateful for your partnership and all of your advice as we move forward in advancing the people’s agenda across the City of Buffalo and Erie County.”

NYS Assemblymember Monica Wallace, NYS Assemblymember Karen McMahon, NYS Assemblymember Jon Rivera, and Buffalo Common Councilmember David Rivera also offered remarks in support of particular advocacy priorities.

A video of the event with all participants’ remarks is available at PPG’s facebook page: facebook.com/ppgbuffalo.

r. Camille Cosby has unleashed a scathing commentary in the aftermath of the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month.

In a commentary sent to the Black Press accompanied by a 1999 opinion piece penned by Harvard Medical School Dean Dr. Alvin Poussaint, the wife of comedian Bill Cosby called hatred “a hellish emotion.”

“And, in recent years, hatred has been spewed by well known, public, demonic people…and condoned, sensationalized and disseminated by varied forms of irresponsible, greedy media,” Dr. Cosby railed.

“Racism is at the forefront of multiple types of hatred. Racism has been, and is steeped, in the foundation of America’s generational histories; ever since white people’s original settlements in this country.”

Openly, specific White people committed brutal and murderous seizures of indigenous people’s homelands, Dr. Cosby added.

“Savagely enslaved millions of Africans; and, afterward, legalized numerous years of apartheid within our nation’s medical, financial, corporate, law enforcement, judicial, governmental and educational institutions…all of which are still hugely, racially problematic,” Dr. Cosby continued.

“Evidently, those particular White people delusively and dementedly felt and believed that their male and female whiteness gave them lifelong entitlements and supremacy,” she added while pointing out Dr. Poussaint’s “profound and timeless article, ‘They Hate. They Kill. Are They Insane?’

Dr. Poussaint was not then supported by his peers in the profession of psychiatry, probably because legions of psychiatrists have professional and personal histories of racism, Dr. Cosby opined.

“But each and every word in the article should resonate to clear-minded readers, in light of the recent in-your-face acts of racism that are sadly and grossly very familiar in the USA,” Dr. Cosby wrote.

She concluded: “The convergence of crazed mobs of White people, hell-bent on destructions and murders in AfricanAmerican communities, have been all too common occurrences in this country.

“This is a country that has not cleaned up its act pertaining to racial hatred.

“That should be a primary mandate amongst diverse White people, and they should not look to people of color to resolve that ongoing, sociological filth of injustice.

“Is America a democracy? Not yet, nor has it ever been… maybe soon.” By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Lumumba Assassination Changed Black American Politics

A panel of academics and activists marked the January 17, 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the Congo’s first elected prime minister, by agents of the US and Belgium.

Texas A&M professor Ira Dworkin, pointed out that it was Black women, led by singer Abbey Lincoln, who petitioned for Lumumba’s release from arrest, and later organized against US policy in Congo. These protests “did create a shift” in Black American politics towards confrontation with US policies in Africa and the world, Dworkin told the online seminar. -Black Agenda Report

11

Like Dr. King, We Must Keep The Faith...

Dear Editor: Dr. King, had he lived, would have been ninety two years old on the January 15, 2021. It has a special significance to me for two reasons. One - we were born the same year 1929. Secondly because I spent over half my life helping to perpetuate his memory and all the outstanding leadership he displayed during the Civil Rights Movement.

Dr. King spoke fluently to the conditions of the day, and it was Faith that was the bedrock of all his achievements and actions.

He would be so disappointed to witness the threat against African Americans today, as we are at the forefront of a divided country that once again, is struggling to live up to it's Declaration " That all men are created equal."

In these times all of us that are concerned about the future of America and where we go from here. We must keep that Faith, the same Faith that Dr. King depended on, that kept him going when times were tough. We need that Faith now, that we are challenged by hardships that seem to be coming from all directions. .

Peace And Love Brother (Clifford ) Bell Access To AFreeKa: Where Do We Go From Here?

Meditation: From Community Read to Community Lead Greetings family, we are encouraging everyone to bring their “Best Self” into 2021. Our Ancestors and our Descendants need us to get in order NOW ! The book, “Where Do We Go From Here Chaos or Community?"

by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is a clear and honest message of social, political, and economic position and power.. The position and power that is needed must come from an educated and ACTIVATED community.

In short, the real energy and potential must be created by an organized body of FUNCTIONING individuals.

The 21st century Black Beings in America need to be conscious and connected if true progress is desired. This book is a common lesson on building common agendas and securing allies.

Please listen to our radio show every Sunday at 7PM on WUFO 96.5 FM -1080 AM or Online www.power965radio. com. This week we will dive deeper into organizing individuals into direct action teams. Let’s build the community.

US Genocide Against Blacks, Now and in 1951

The Black leftists that presented a petition to the United Nations, 70 years ago, charging the US with genocide against Black Americans, understood that “there is a linked fate between what’s happening to Black people in the US and what is going to happen” to other racialized and oppressed people around the world, said Dr Charisse Burden-Stelly, speaking at an online commemoration of the event. The “We Charge Genocide” campaign was led by entertainer-activist Paul Robeson and Black members of the Communist Party.-BAR

12

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

Customer Service Sales Representative

We are seeking a passionate, self-driven, natural born sales person with a desire to make a difference in people’s lives. As our newest Customer Service Sales Representative you will sell, market, and service our insurance products to existing clients and new customers. You will help individuals, families, and small businesses secure their tomorrows. Must possess a P & C license. Generating insurance quotes, Provide exceptional customer service, Multi-task, Be highly self-motivated, Strong work ethic and Successful sales background. Base Salary with Commissions.

Send resume to Tacs1@hotmail.com or Call for interview

716-583-9288.

We Are Hiring Communications Assistant The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is a 501(C)(3) holding more than 900 different charitable funds, established by individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and businesses to benefit WNY.

Learn more at cfgb.org/about/careers

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 a Limited Liability Company

Name of LLC: Ethnic Lines LLC./ Art.of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/23/20./ Office: Erie county/ SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served. NYSS may mail a copy of any process to the LLC at: 2316 Delaware Ave #253, Buffalo NY 14216/ Purpose: Any lawful purpose January 14,21,28 February 4,11,18 NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY FDEMKIDZ CLOTHING LLC Date of filing of Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State of New York on 7/17/2020. Office in Erie County.

SSNY has been designated as the agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY may mail a copy of any process to 29 Girard Place, buffalo, NY 14211. Purpose: to showcase a diverse range of products for customers for different situations and seasons.

January 21,28 February 4,11,18,25 Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company JCB CUSTOM DESIGNS, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/22/20. 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, P.O. Box 426, Buffalo, NY 14240. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

January 21,28 February 4,11,18,25 Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company Name of LLC: Unique Peak Nutrition LLC. Date of filing of Articles of Organization with the NY Dept. of State: December 1, 2020. Office of the LLC: 905 Delaware Avenue, Apt 11, Buffalo NY 14209, 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 process to the LLC at 905 Delaware Avenue, Apt 11, Buffalo NY 14209. Purpose of LLC: nutrition counseling.

January 21,28 February 4,11,18,25 Notice of Formation of a Domestic Limited Liability Company Addie Vinta, LLC filed Articles of Organization with the New York Department of State on December 1, 2020.

Its office is located in Erie County, New York. 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 365 Lakefront Boulevard, Buffalo NY, 14202. The purpose of the LLC is any lawful business or activity, with an initial focus of online retail.

January 21,28 February 4,11,18,25

LEGAL NOTICE COUNTY OF ERIE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Erie County Fire Training Academy Exterior Waterproofing and Roof Recoating PROJECT NO. 2020-875-01 Sealed bids for: General Construction work for the above project will be received by the County’s Commissioner of Public Works in the Rath County Office Building, 95 Franklin Street, Suite 1400, Buffalo, New York 14202 until 10:30 AM local time on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at which time they will be opened and read aloud. MBE/WBE, Apprenticeship program, and Local/Disadvantaged Workforce requirements may apply to this project. Additional information must be found at: www.erie.gov/dpw . Attention is called to COVID bid procedures on the County’s website.

LEGAL NOTICE SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Index No. 802905/2020 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF ERIE SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY INC., Plaintiff, -vs- THE HEIRS AT LARGE OF PATRICIA M. MLODZIENSKI, deceased, and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienors, heirs, devisees, distributees, successors in interest of such of them as may be dead, and their husbands and wives, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors of interest of all of whom and whose names and places are unknown to Plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; MICHAELENE STELLA; MARION MILLARD; MARILYN AMPUDIA; ANN MARIE ASHBAUGH; EDWARD BOZENTKA; LORRAINE COOK; BARBARA MCDADE; Defendants. Mortgaged Premises: 184 Cumberland Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14220 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiffs attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. Your failure to appear or answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you, unless the Defendant obtained a bankruptcy discharge and such other or further relief as may be just and equitable. 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 to 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. These pleadings are being amended to include the following individuals as possible heirs to the Estate of Patricia M. Mlodzienski: MICHAELENE STELLA, MARION MILLARD, MARILYN AMPUDIA, ANN MARIE ASHBAUGH, EDWARD BOZENTKA; LORRAINE COOK, and BARBARA MCDADE. These pleadings are being amended to remove reference to JOHN DOE and JANE DOE as the mortgage premise located at 184 Cumberland Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14220 has been found to be vacant. ERIE County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the mortgaged premises. Dated: November 19, 2020 Mark K. Broyles, Esq. FEIN SUCH & CRANE, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff Office and P.O. Address 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, New York 14614 Telephone No. (585) 232-7400 Section: 123.80 Block: 6 Lot: 31 NATURE AND OBJECT OF ACTION The object of the above action is to foreclose a mortgage held by the Plaintiff recorded in the County of ERIE, State of New York as more particularly described in the Complaint herein. TO THE DEFENDANT, the Plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action. To the above named defendants: The foregoing summons is

served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON. MARK J. GRISANTI, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated December 3, 2020 and filed along with the supporting papers in the ERIE County Clerks Office. This is an action to foreclose a Mortgage.

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of ERIE, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT, PIECE, OR PARCEL OF LAND with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Buffalo, County of Erie, State of New York, bounded and described as follows: Being part of Lot No. 244 1/2, Township 10, Range 7 of the Buffalo Creek Reservation and according to a map filed in the Erie County Clerk's Office under Cover No. 449 is known and distinguished as Subdivision Lot Nos. 29 and 30, in Block "A", bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point in the northeast line of Cumberland Avenue 62.33 feet northwesterly from its intersection with the northwest line of Melrose Street; Thence northwesterly along the said line of Cumberland Avenue 32.33 feet; Thence northeasterly parallel with the northwest line of Melrose Street 120 feet; Thence southeasterly parallel with the northeast line of Cumberland Avenue 32.33 feet; and Thence southwesterly parallel with the northwest line of Melrose Street 120 feet to the place of Beginning.

Mortgaged Premises: 184 Cumberland Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14220 Tax Map/Parcel ID No.: Section: 123.80 Block: 6 Lot: 31 of the CITY of BUFFALO, NY 14220 69300 Jan. 14,21,28 Feb.4

LEGAL NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority will receive sealed bids for Site Improvements at Five Separate Developments: BMHA Job 20-05KF-CF Kenfield Homes; BMHA Job 20-05LBJ-CF LBJ Apartments; BMHA Job 20-05 MG-CF Msgr. Geary Apartments; BMHA Job 20-05ST-CF Schwab Terrace; BMHA Job 20-05VC-CF Villa Carolina The Prebid Conference will be held virtually on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 10:00 AM local time, with a limited number of five potential bidders assembled in the Board Room at the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, 300 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14204; the project walkthrough may be held/scheduled after the meeting.

Sealed bids will be received until 2:00 PM, local time, Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at the Capital Improvements Office, 320 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14204. Bids received after the stated time will not be accepted.

Bids will be opened and publicly read aloud virtually at 2:30 PM after the specified closing time. All bid forms must be filled out and returned.

Instructions for the virtual Prebid Conference and Bid opening are listed on the BMHA website at www. bmhahousing.com.

The BMHA reserves the right to reject any bid, which fails to conform to the essential items, required by the contract documents and to reject any and/or all bids submitted.

Dated: January 26, 2021

ADVERTISE YOUR LLC CONTACT US AT THECHALLENGERNEWS. COM/CONTACT

13

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

EMPLOYMENT

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 nurse assessor/care plan development services. The RFP #2021002VF 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 Evans Bank is opening a new branch on the East Side 4:00 p.m. (EST) on February 17, Evans Bank is opening our 21st branch at Westminster Com2021.

Erie County reserves the right to remons, a new affordable senior housing complex on Buffalo’s ject any and all proposals and waive East Side. This community banking office will feature our Fiany informality. nancial Fitness Initiative that seeks to help people improve their Marie A. Cannon, Commissioner of credit and buy homes. We’re hiring a fresh new team of UniverSocial Services

LEGAL NOTICE COUNTY OF ERIE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSAL SUNY Erie South Campus 2021 Various ADA Upgrades Project No. 2021-957-01 The County of Erie is seeking qualification statements and proposals from interested firms to provide A/E design and construction services for various ADA upgrades at SUNY Erie South Campus. Qualification statements and proposals will be received by the County’s Commissioner of Public Works in Suite 1400 of the Rath County Office Building, 95 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202 until 2:00 PM local time on Friday February 12, 2021. RFQ/RFP submission instructions may be found at: www. erie.gov/dpw/

sal Bankers and a branch manager (who will also oversee our Downtown site). Does this sound like you?

•Motivated by doing what’s right and by making an impact on your community •Passionate about helping others achieve their financial goals •Believe in connecting with people one-at-a-time to make a difference •Strong ties to the Downtown and neighboring East Side communities Interested candidates may apply at

https://evansbank.com/about/careers/

NAME CHANGE

Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the Supreme Court, Erie County, on the 23rd day of November, 2020 bearing Index Number 2020/600261, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the clerk, located at 92 Franklin Street, buffalo, NY grants me the right to assume the name of Jacob Robert Coene. The city and state of my present address are Buffalo, NY: the month and year of my birth are January, 1995; the place of my birth is Rochester, New York; my present name is Jacob Robert Light.

NAME CHANGE

Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the Supreme Court, Erie County, on the 23rd day of November, 2020 bearing Index Number 2020/600262, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the clerk, located at 92 Franklin Street, buffalo, NY grants me the right to assume the name of Nicole Lea Coene. The city and state of my present address are Buffalo, NY: the month and year of my birth are January, 1998; the place of my birth is Newark New York; my present name is Nicole Lea LaFluer.

APPLY NOW: Send your resume to yelenna.cichocki@gbuahn.org Or call us at (716) 515 -1019

Principle Sanitary Engineer

Buffalo, NY We are seeking an engineer who possess a Professional Engineer’s License issued by the state of New York. Responsible for conducting technical studies on wastewater disposal processes and the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants and sewers. *Must live in the City of Buffalo, Applicants can submit their resume to Terrance L. DuBois, 65 Niagara Square Rm 1038 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202 or BSA_HR@buffalosewer.org

Medicaid Facilitated Enroller. Batavia, NY. $30K to $35K. www.wnyil.org EEOC. employment@wnyil.org Conduct appointments w/aged/ blind/disabled consumers to assist/support w/eligibility determination & application for LDSS Medicaid.

NY Connects Independent Living Outreach Specialist.

ILGR-Batavia, NY. $18K$20K/yr. Connect aging or disabled individuals & their families to support programs; facilitate access to needed home and community-based supports/services. www.wnyil. org EEOC. employment@wnyil.org

VDI-Linux-AD-Windows Administrator Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of VDI-Linux-AD-Windows Administrator.

For a full job description and to apply: https://jobs.buffalostate.edu/postings/5160.

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

Come Grow With Us!!

•Teacher III: Bachelors or Associates degree in Early Childhood Education with 2-3 years’ experience teaching preschool age children.

•Teacher I II: A Child Development Associate (CDA) in infant development completed within one year from hire date is required (paid for by CAO). This credential requires a GED/ High School Diploma prerequisite.

MHPC Engagement/Outreach Spec. Renewal Ctr. Elm St., Buffalo. Work w/community partners serving individuals w/serious mental illnesses; inform them re: benefits of collab. w/ & referring individuals to Renewal Center’s hospital diversion prgm. $18K-$20K/ yr. NYCPS prfrd. www.wnyil. org EEOC. employment@wnyil.org

•Health Coordinator: College graduate or nursing registration with NYS Department of Education.

CPDAS Accountant. Responsible for the oversight of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Services (CDPAS) accounting program. Accounts receivable, billing for services, payroll, state cost report completion, supervision of CDPAS accounting staff. Buffalo. $55K-$60K. www.wnyil.org EEOC. employment@wnyil.org

•Youth Services Counselor: High School Diploma with one-year experience working with children.

POST YOUR AVAILABLE JOB POSITIONS CONTACT ADVERTISING@ THECHALLENGERNEWS. COM

•Maintenance Associate: Exp. in janitorial work, ability to learn handyman skills that would involve carpentry and plumbing. High School diploma or GED required.

•Certified Teachers: Part Time evening opportunities. BS in Elementary or Secondary Education with one-year exp. working with school age children. NYS Teacher’s Certification.

•Child Development Specialist: Masters and/or Bachelors in Early Childhood Education or Child Development with 3-5 yrs. Supervisory exp.

•HR Benefits Specialist: Associates Degree, Bachelors preferred with 5 years’ experience in Benefits Administration.

•Program Coordinator: Associates degree, minimum 3 yrs. exp. supervising senior and youth sports activities (Pratt Community Center). MUST have valid NYS Driver’s license.

•Program Secretary: Associates degree in Business Administration or 5 yrs. office management experience.

•Youth Services Site Coordinator & Program Coordinator: 1 or more of the following: Associates degree, Elementary Education, NYS Children’s Program credential, School Age Child Care credential, Preferred Bachelor’s degree. 2 yrs. exp. working with children, at least 1 yr. supervisory exp. in a childcare program.

•Nutrition Associate: Good knowledge of the methods to preparing and cooking foods in large quantities and the health and safety involved. High School diploma or GED required.

Apply now on our website www.caowny.org

FIND JOBS ON THECHALLENGERNEWS.COM

14

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

community calendar

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS SUN 1/10

3-WAY

advertising@ thechallengernews.com

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

AUTO

WIN 4 TAKE 5

MON 1/11

TUES 1/12

WED 1/13

THURS 1/14 EVE-5-0-5

MID-6-7-3

MID-1-8-8

MID-3-5-1

EVE-7-6-0

EVE 2-8-3

MID-8-2-1-6 EVE-8-1-1-2

MID-3-1-6-4 EVE-2-7-3-6

MID-5-9-3-7 EVE-0-2-9-0

MID-7-0-0-1 EVE-9-7-2-5

MID-9-5-6-1 EVE-6-0-4-8

10-20-23-32-38

03-06-09-28-39

09-12-16-19-24

08-16-31-33-39

EVE-5-8-1

14-25-29-30-37

EVE-3-6-8

LOTTO

HOT TIPS

MID-0-3-0

4018

022

064

648

BAKERY Taste of Supreme 100% Gluten Free Vegan Goodies Contact the Supreme Bakers

(585) 285 - 5496

www.tasteofsupreme.com Rochester Public Market 280 N. Union St. BLDG. B #44

ELECTRICAL EMPIRE ELECTRIC (716) 634-0330

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

HONEY

Davis Honey

Local Raw Honey Retail / Wholesale Rochester Public Market 280 N. Union St. BLDG. B

www.davisnaturalhoney.com (315 )730-5780

IMMUNITY SUPPORT VITALITY USA FREE CATALOG (716) 249-4800

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

Zakiyyah’s Rundown (ZR) 107-428-467-779-051-074-556-897-844-658-791-017-234256-789-310-856-792-876-4290654-423-157-910-443167-578-918-953-546-478-213-865-198-102-683-907745-019-854-354-096-546-809-556-738-901-789-107-954064-323-456-435-780-912-137-830-173-234-569-657-108457-915-213-576-800-567-920-845-198-436-335-261-189328-780-435-378-190-237-487-132-987-326-789-054-245MA RUTH SPEAKS THE TRUTH! SURE HITS! 168-985-678-198-256-890054-698-679-943-001-202147-001-865-732-855

JANUARY VIBES 523-923-632-145701-653-012

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

THE NUMBER BOOK 708-469-801-066 781-980-194-580 805-075-467-890 579-944-357-909 680-434-680-073 678-456-708-286 230-110-781-009 920-536-580-697 075-356-579-498

MID-7-3-8

MID-3-2-0-3 EVE-5-6-3-1

MID-9-2-8-4 EVE-4-6-3-5

EVE-3-2-2

07-15-27-28-38

EVE-4-1-5

03-18-19-28-38

04-13-16-29-44-51 #20

996

515

140

Challenger Hits MIDDAY 3-5-1 ZR (box) 8-2-6 ZR (box) 4-7-2 Libra (box) EVENING 5-8-1 Duckie (straight) 5-0-5 Quick$ (box) 3-2-2 Quick$ (straight) 4-1-5 ZR , January Vibe, Duckie (box) LUCKIE DUCKIE

743-133-202- 335 -2015-4444-1871134-431--143-

648*123*104

980-422-809-981-989-970-990-080800-515-996-390-196-102-581-752-319408-378-352-126-189-444-886-514- 332522-112-432-421-423-154-039-524

GRANDMA'S DOUBLES 443-588-202-335 890-COVID CASH$$-356

GAMMA’S JANUARY PICS

190-093-142-534-857-521-406

BEST TRIPLE 888

Madam Ozlla's Predictions 140-143-133-392-320-965-843

435-789-085-689-657-989

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!

SAT 1/16

MID-4-7-2

15-24-44-52-54-57 #35

BEN’S Downtown Tire

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

MID-8-2-6

FRI 1/15

This is a sign of complete financial suport from the

BOOK CLUB ZOOM! Join the Dorothy J. Collier Community Center for their Virtual Book Club where they will be having a read along & discussion on the book “White Fragility : Why It's So Hard for White People to talk About Racism” by Robin Diangelo with a forward by Michael Eric Dyson. January 22 & 29; Feb. 12 and 26.

If you haven't started reading the book in time for the meetings, no pressure... we'll be reading from the book during each Book Club meeting.

For information to register call (716)882-0602.

We look forward to seeing you soon on Zoom!

Follow us on our Facebook page. Donate to t he Friends Inc. @DJCCC

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

15

'Freedom Wall Stake-holders Meetings"

The Michigan Street African American Heri­tage Corridor Commission (MSAAHCC) and The East Side Garden Walk (ESGW) will be hosting a series of 'Freedom Wall Stake-holders Meetings" to address concerns around the upkeep of the Freedom Wall.

The two groups are encouraging members of the public and nearby residents to attend the virtual meetings, in order to better understand and address the scope of the project, and to formulate a community vision for a new Freedom Wall streetscape.

"The Freedom Wall depicts the icons of the black community. As a piece it speaks to the history of struggle and perseverance of the black community This artwork matters. The surrounding streetscape should reflect that." - Freedom Wall stakeholders The public is invited to discuss ideas for improvement such as gardens and lighting. Broad representation from community groups, local officials, the original artists, and the organizations involved in its original inception is encouraged.

Dates for the next stakeholders meetings are: January 21 4:30 PM via Zoom March 11, 4:30 PM via Zoom April 8, 4:30 PM ·via Zoom Interested parties can register at www.michiganstreetbuffalo.org/freedom-wall to be added to the stakeholders meeting list and receive the Zoom invitation.

Freedom Wall artists John Baker, Julia Bottoms, Chuck Tingley, and Edreys Wajed were commissioned by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Public Art Initiative in partnership with the Niagara Frontier Trans­portation Authority in 2017. (image from albright knox archive)

NYS Lottery Multiplier Community Print AGENCY AD # N20LO001_037

BILLIEVE : These lovely supportive Bills fans recently came out to the steps of City Hall to participate in Mayor Byron Brown’s “Selfie Challenge.” The challenge encourages Bills Mafia to come down to the steps of City Hall and take fun photos in front of seven awesomely customized celebratory banners that can be used as a backdrop for fans to show love and support to our AFC East Champions! Brown set a goal to amass 2,021 Selfies to mark the season. He recently extended the challenge until the next playoff game against the Chiefs on Sunday January 24th! So grab your crew and get geared up and be part of this first of its kind special tribute to the Buffalo Bills! Tag Mayor Brown for a chance to be featured on his social media page@MayorByronBrown716 on Instagram, @MayorByronBrown on Twitter and @MayorByronBrown on Facebook. Please also tag the Buffalo Bills and use #GoBills, #BillsMafia #Billieve to show the team your support! Challenger Photo

16

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 21, 2021

Transition of a Spiritual Icon

Bishop "Brother Billy" Henderson, Caretaker of the Historic Michigan Street Baptist Church, A Man Dedicated to God, Family and Community “Progress without pain is not possible.”

– Bishop Henderson

B

ishop William H. Henderson was a faithful man of God who lived his life with conviction and purpose.

He was a man willing to lay down his life for his beliefs. Born May 7, 1935 in Buffalo, New York, William was taken from his mother as a baby. The second oldest of five children, William and his siblings were raised by their aunt Pearl Henderson and her husband, Elder Thomas.

“The first and only time I saw my mother was when she was laid inside a coffin. I was just a month away from my fifth birthday,” Bishop recalled. Even though he never had a physical connection to his birth mother, the spiritual love was there and he would plant flowers at her gravestone every year on her birthday and Mother’s Day. The family grew up in the Willert Park housing projects.

There was a Jewish man who would occasionally stop to watch William play with his friends. One day, when his dog was killed by a car, the man stepped forward to comfort him as he sat in the street crying and holding his dog. He learned later this man was his father.

At the age of twelve he found a love for cooking, not because he was interested in being a chef, but out of necessity. Mother Pearl and Elder Thomas had such busy schedules, young William found himself preparing meals for the entire family.

This would be the beginning of him developing leadership qualities that would last a lifetime and take him across the world touching countless souls, leaving an indelible impression on everyone able to sit and spend a few moments with him.

William spent his early years at Bethel Tabernacle, United Holy Church of America. On an electric night in 1950, a young William was on his hands and knees in an all-night prayer service at New Jerusalem church in Lackawanna, NY. He received a vivid and lasting call to the ministry, putting a fire in his belly that would last for the rest of his life. In the summer of 1951, he began preaching the gospel on the street corners of the east side. He was known during that time as “Brother Billy.” Many people credited him with changing their lives. And by the time he graduated from Hutchinson Central High School, he was a full-fledged evangelist. He was ordained at eighteen, founded El-Bethel Assembly and went on to establish the Light of the World Mission in 1957.

Bishop Henderson began preaching up and down the East Coast, then across the nation to the West Coast. The street corners became tent revivals, the storefront churches became large congregations, those shoes he used to stomp around Buffalo preaching became seats on planes that took his vision and passion for preaching to a wider audience. His journey would take him to Africa, Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Israel. He even found himself protecting churchgoers in the shadows in Russia when the KGB would storm in to break up their worship service.

Bishop Henderson often documented his travels with film.

His son, Addison stated, “My father was the original story teller of this family. He would show me old film reels and tell me these great stories about the things he experienced.

It left me enthralled as a kid. These stories still inspire me to this day. The way he lived his life not only influences the stories I tell but also compels me to live my life with purpose and fortitude.”

In 1974, God would add another dimension to Bishop’s ministry when he took over the Michigan Street Baptist Church, a historical church built by Blacks for Blacks in the City of Buffalo. It was also a key stop on the Underground Railroad.

Bishop Henderson was truly the right man for the job.

In the late 1970’s, during one of his annual week-long convocations, where people would come from all over the country, he met his wife Dianna Henderson. Being a man of valor, Bishop asked Dianna’s mother, Janette Stevens, for her blessing and soon after the two began their courtship. While Bishop was on another one of his mission trips in Nigeria, Dianna received a telegram and a bouquet of flowers asking her if she would like to have her last name changed to Henderson. The couple would soon be married and share three children together, Dwand, Addison and Rachel.

A few years after their nuptials, the family moved into the basement of the Michigan Street Baptist Church. With a smaller congregation, and the church structure beginning to crumble, Bishop regularly invested his money, from his job as a registered nurse, into the church to keep it standing. He was successful, but there was much more that needed to be done for his vision of the church to come to fruition.

While going through chemotherapy, when the church’s leaky roof reached a crisis point, Bishop Henderson mounted a public campaign to raise funds to replace it and save the building. This led him to establish the Niagara Freedom Station Coalition, where he served as President.

During this time, the family moved into the Nash House, which stands adjacent to the church. They would occupy the house for twenty years. Knowing the history that lay between those hallowed walls, Bishop Henderson would regularly make repairs to the house to keep the old edifice standing.

It was in Bishop’s third act of life that he would carry out some of his most inspired work.

As caretaker of the oldest Black-owned property in the city, a refuge for fugitive slaves, he campaigned for many years for landmark status for Michigan Street Baptist Church and its parsonage next door, the Nash House, which has become a museum.

Through the years, thousands of people from far and wide would come to the church to hear him tell stories of escaped slaves making their way on the Underground Railroad and stopping in the church for refuge while on the run from bounty hunters to seek freedom in Canada. Many folks, because of his knowledge and white beard, wondered if he was actually there during those times.

Bishop Henderson would become known as the pastor and historian who saved the Michigan Street Baptist Church from demolition and led the effort to gain recognition of Buffalo’s role in Black history.

As he aged, and battled a myriad of health issues, Bishop Henderson’s passion to preach would not be squelched.

While in his 70’s he made numerous trips to Ghana, West Africa; not only to preach the gospel, but to connect the dots between slave castles of Ghana to the bricks of the Michigan Street Baptist Church.

Numerous documentaries have been filmed about the church with Bishop Henderson lending his voice and charisma, because he understood the power of film and its ability to

spread to the masses.

The year 2019 proved to be a pivotal one. Bishop Henderson was thrilled when the archway was installed to mark the African American Heritage Corridor placed on Michigan Avenue right near the church. That part of the street has been given the honorary designation of “Bishop William Henderson Way.” “I’m over-rejoicing seeing this,” he told WKBW-TV reporter Madison Carter. “I always wanted to see it in my lifetime.

And I thank God that He has let me see what’s happening now.”

Bishop Henderson’s life was one of faith, intention and fortitude. He fought not only for his life, but also for the history of the City of Buffalo. He loved God and his family, endlessly. He was an inspiration for all of us who believe our lives have purpose.

He was recognized for Lifetime Achievement during the Harriet Tubman Holiday Celebration Awards in 2010.

The following year, Mayor Byron W. Brown presented Bishop Henderson, his wife and children with a Family Values Award during Black History Month.

On January 11th at 12:30pm with Dianna, his wife of over forty years, by his side Bishop Henderson took his last breath and his soul was reunited with the Lord.

Bishop William H. Henderson is survived by his wife, Dianna Henderson; his sons, Dwand Stevens-Henderson and Addison Henderson; daughter, Rachel Henderson; sister, Mildred Walker; four grandchildren; and, a litany of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Well done, thy good and faithful servant.