Challenger Community News December 11 2019

2020 BUDGET APPROVED: Funding Secured for Critical Community Services

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December 11, 2019 | FREE |

HOLIDAY

Kente Claus Is Coming to Town!

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LOCAL

Attorney Rashied McDuffie to be Honored Page 3

VOICES

In Support of McKinley’s Crystal Boling Barton Page 11

MISS UNIVERSE 2019!

South African Beauty Zozibini Tunzi Has Claimed the Miss Universe Title. Page 9 SPORTS PROFILE: Joe Jones III

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

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INSIDE ROCHESTER

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11,2019

Community Meeting Called to Address Disproportionate Impact of Rochester City School District Budget Cuts on Black Educators and other Educators of Color

728 University Ave. 585-563-2145

Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of the UNIA

A presentation and discussion at The Baobab Cultural Center (728 University Ave. Rochester) with President Lion Blyden (pictured above) and the Garveyites of UNIA-ACL Division #433 will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of the UNIA on Saturday, December 14 from 2-5 p.m. This event is free www.baobabcultural.org •Wednesdays Kwanzaa planning, 6:30 p.m.

•Fridays Film " Black Nativity December 13, 7pm $5-7 suggested donation.

In a call to continue to address equity and parity, a meeting was held Dec. 11 to discuss the disproportionate impact of Rochester City School District budget cuts on Black educators, especially Black teachers and other educators of color. The gathering , which took place at the FIGHT Village community room, 186 Ward. Street, was convened by RCSD Board Commissioner, Rev. Judith Davis in conjunction with RCSD parents, grandparents and guardians, the Take It Down Planning Committee, the Faith Community Alliance/Movement for Anti-racist Ministry and Action Coalition, and community members.

Commissioner Davis released the following press statement leading up to the session: "The Rochester City School District has a major initiative, the Racial Equity Advocacy Leadership (REAL) team, that has worked over the past two years to develop a district-wide Racial Equity Action Plan. The Plan is to initially address, among other things, the under-representation of race and Commissioner Davis class-conscious Black Educators, especially Black Teachers, and other Educators of Color in the District by promoting a workforce that reflects the diversity of the RCSD student body. The REAL team as a permanent body works with the Superintendent to assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of the District’s Plan. A last hired, first fired, strict seniority-based policy historically has had a grossly disproportionate, negative impact on Black Educators, especially Black Teachers, and other Educators of Color.

“The Rochester Teachers Association heavily publicized the idea that more positions could be made available for Black Educators, especially Black Teachers, and other Educators of Color by offering retirement incentives to higher paid educators, which the Board did approve and provide. Since negotiations are currently taking place with bargaining units, this is an opportune time to raise discussions about the Board, Superintendent, bargaining units, parents, grandparents, students and the community working together to have restrictive, regressive, seniority laws changed. Constant movement toward racial equity in staffing must be maintained, even during difficult financial times," she concluded.

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11, 2019

AREA BRIEFS

Rashied McDuffie

Attorney Rashied McDuffie to be Honored An “Inaugural Ice Blue Party” in honor of Rashied McDuffie will be held at The Butler Mansion, 672 Delaware Avenue on Saturday, December 14 at 6 p.m. The life of this accomplished young attorney and public servant, who holds the position of Assistant Corporation Council for the City of Buffalo, will be celebrated along with honoring some of WNY’s most decorated individuals in our community. Partial proceeds from the event will be donated to the Oshei Children’s Hospital and the University at Buffalo’s School of Law’s Innocence & Justice Project. The event is being sponsored by the Leadership for a Brighter Tomorrow & RHM Consulting. For additional information email iceblueparty@ gmail.com Attorney MCDuffie is the son of the late Joy McDuffie, of Buffalo, a well known business owner and community activist.

Katherine Conway-Turner

Buffalo State President Katherine Conway-Turner Appointed Co-Chair of The WNY Regional Economic Development Council Katherine Conway-Turner, president of Buffalo State College, has been appointed co-chair of The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (WNYREDC).

“I look forward to serving as co-chair of the WNYREDC and continuing the region’s incremental growth,” Conway-Turner said. “We will continue to focus on our region’s core strategies that will promote economic growth by developing the right workforce to meet changing industry needs, focusing on innovation, growing employment, and focusing on concentrated growth and downtown development.”

Conway-Turner began her tenure as the ninth president of Buffalo State College in August 2014.

VIDEO RELEASE OF “SUPPORTING IMMIGRANTS IN OUR SCHOOLS” ANNOUNCED All are welcome to view the recently released video series, "Supporting Immigrants in Our Schools" and discuss up-to-date policies and promising practices for giving our newest students membership and voice in the classroom and larger school community.

The video series will be featured Saturday, December 14 from 9 – 11 a.m. at Lafayette International High School #270 -370Lafayette Avenue. These films feature students from the Buffalo Public Schools! The event is being presented by International #45 at Lafayette Teens in cooperation with City College and NYSED.

Erie County Legislature Adopts 2020 Budget

Chairwoman April Baskin Leads Democrats in Securing Funding for Critical Community Services for Buffalo Residents and Constituents On December 5 the Erie County Legislature amended and approved the County’s 2020 Budget. The Legislature’s amendments, which totaled over $5 million, included funding for important community initiatives affecting residents in Buffalo and across the county.

Legislature Chairwoman April Baskin was lead negotiator in negotiating the amendments with County Executive Mark Poloncarz and her colleagues in the Democratic Caucus and the Republican Caucus. With positive and non-partisan discussions, the amended budget was approved 10-1, with Amherst Republican Legislator Ed Rath casting the lone ‘no’ vote, objecting to the budget amendments providing assistance to Buffalo residents.

The Legislature’s budget amendments include: •$1 million for urban initiatives in the cities of Buffalo, Tonawanda and Lackawanna, with Buffalo receiving $500,000 which can be used, for example, for road work. This appropriation follows the Legislature Democratic Caucus’ securing $300,000 of County funding for Buffalo in June 2019 for similar purposes.

•$1 million for a much-needed anti-opioid Suboxone medication-assisted drug treatment program (“MAT”) in the County Sheriff’s Jail Management Division (Erie County Holding Center and Correctional Facility). The program will be established with assistance from the Department of Mental Health.

•$250,000 for a new pilot project for lead poisoning prevention administered by the Erie County Department of Health to address older houses (many of which are in Buffalo) and lead poisoning of children due to lead paint in old houses.

•$200,000 for a new pilot anti-neighborhood blight project to be administered by the Western New York Law Center to address abandoned houses; the project will allow the abandoned homes to be addressed and made habitable to help stabilize neighborhoods.

•$922,000 in new public benefit funding for community organizations working on neighborhoods, youth programming, health, literacy, senior services, meals on wheels, sports groups, substance abuse, housing, and cultural programming.

•$1 million in funding for the Board of Elections to address the 2020 presidential election and primaries.

Baskin was elected as the Legislature’s Chair in April 2019, and made history as both the youngest Chairperson and the only legislator to serve as both Majority Leader and Chair in her first term in office.

“I am proud that our Democratic Caucus made these amendments to the 2020 Budget to address critical community needs and programs,” said Baskin. “These budget amendments reflect our caucus’ commitment to the urban core of our community and to addressing important community needs, whether roads, drug abuse, youth services, domestic violence, senior citizens, neighborhoods, and housing.”

Some of the groups that will receive 2020 public benefit funding include: S&J Foundation, For Our Daughters, Project Mona's House, Juneteenth of Buffalo, African American Cultural Center, University District Community Development, Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, People United for Sustainable Housing Buffalo, various Boys and Girls Clubs, Colored Musicians Club, Torn Space Theatre, and Westside Community Services.

Baskin noted that the lead poisoning program, which she had been championing since 2018 with partners from the University of Buffalo Law School and Lead716, will also address State changes for lead poisoning in children and will provide Early Intervention services for children affected by lead.

She stated: “Too many of our children growing up in older houses with flaking and chipping paint are slowly being poisoned and their brains being negatively affected and causing developmental delays or permanent brain damage. We need to do more to address this and our pilot project with the Health Department will address this.”

The 2020 Budget amendments from the Democratic Caucus also include a property tax cut and a reduction in the County’s property tax rate and levy, thus providing some tax relief to County property taxpayers.

“I would like to thank the members of the Democratic Caucus, especially Majority Leader John Bruso, as well as County Executive Mark Poloncarz for their assistance and partnership to help pass these budget amendments to deliver assistance to our residents,” added Baskin. “These amendments and programs reflect the Democratic Caucus’ commitment to the community and to the urban core of our county.”

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Dear Valued Readers: The Challenger will not publish Christmas Day Dec. 25 or New Year's Day Jan.1. We will resume publishing January 8.

By 250 BC, the foundations of West Africa’s oldest cities were established such as Old Djenné in Mali (above).

•The ancient Egyptian city of Kahun was the world’s first planned city.

•The Labyrinth in the Egyptian city of Hawara with its massive layout, multiple courtyards, chambers and halls, was the very largest building in antiquity. Boasting three thousand rooms, 1,500 of them were above ground and the other 1,500 were underground.

•Toilets and sewerage systems existed in ancient Egypt.

•Sudan has more pyramids than any other country on earth - even more than Egypt. There are at least 223 pyramids in the Sudanese cities of Al Kurru, Nuri, Gebel Barkal and Meroë.

They are generally 20 to 30 metres high and steep sided.

•In around 300 BC, the Sudanese invented a writing script that had twenty-three letters of which four were vowels and there was also a word divider. Hundreds of ancient texts have survived that were in this script. Some are on display in the British Museum.

•In central Nigeria, West Africa’s oldest civilization flourished between 1000 BC and 300 BC. Discovered in 1928, the ancient culture was called the Nok Civilization, named after the village in which the early artifacts were discovered.

•By 250 BC, the foundations of West Africa’s oldest cities were established such as Old Djenné in Mali.

“Our history did not begin in chains. It will not end in chains.”

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11,2019

The Health Benefits of Chiropractic Care

M FREE “TOYS FOR JOY!” GIVEAWAY The F.A.T.H.E.R.S. 19th annual "Toys for Joy " giveaway will take place at the Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence , 106 Appenheimer St. on Saturday, December 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured will be food, entertainment, informational vendors and free raffles. All are welcome! Parents can register to receive toys for their children at the following locations: •Delavan Grider Community Center, 877 E. Delavan., Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

•Martha Mitchell Community Center, 175 Oakmont Ave. Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Please bring the following items when applying: picture ID of applying parent, proof of income, residence and last 4 digits of your social security number . There will be one toy per child for those under the age of 12.

You may only apply with one of the sites that are part of the WNY Holiday Partnership.

any people visit a chiropractor because they are in pain, have poor posture, seeking injury prevention or pain relief. However, there are many benefits of the chiropractic adjustment. Here are some benefits (according to Health Source) you might not have known (It’s not just for your neck or back): 1.Improves joint mobility, function and health.

2.Makes tight muscles loose and loose muscles tight and improves the contractibility (thereby strength) of the

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.

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muscle.

3.Decreases degeneration of the joint and connective tissues (arthritis).

4.Decreases the on-going inflammatory process associated with the subluxation.

5.Improves circulation taking stagnant blood out and bringing new blood in.

6.Speeds up the recovery process.

7.Improves nervous system function and the individual nerve’s ability to carry nerve impulses more efficiently.

8.Strengthens the immune system.

9.Improves individual organ system function (heart, lung, sinuses, digestive, etc).

10.Improves a person’s disposition (they’re more FUN to be around).

11.Calms a hyperactive mind and energizes a depressed mind.

12.Increases energy, vitality and improves sleep.

13.Relieves/Improves Prenatal Discomfort 14.Decreases length of labor and associated back pain.

15.Decreases the adverse effects of stress.

16.Improves athletic performance (for ANY sport).

17.Improves Quality of Life by enhancing the enjoyment/ fulfillment of a person’s Key Values 18.Prevention ability for sickness, disease and pain.

19.Improves overall health and wellness for infants and children.

20.Improves cognitive ability (ability to THINK more clearly).

21.DECREASES PAIN! For more information on the benefits of chiropractic care and how it can help you contact Universial Chiropractic / South Buffalo Chiropractic at (716) 822 BACK. See their ad this page.

KNOCK OUT CANCER! TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR RISK TODAY.

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11, 2019

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FAITH & FAMILY

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11,2019

Calvary CME Presented Christmas Play

Prayer Breakfast

Calvary C.ME. Church presented its Christmas Play “The Donkey’s Tale: A Stable Conversation” and basket raffle last Saturday (Dec. 7). The play is an imaginary conversation among the animals where Jesus was born. The talented cast included: Rev. Brandon K. Baum (narrator), Rev. Brandon Williamson, Cary Jones, Eula Hooker, Shelby Pittman and making their debut, two 7-year-old actors, Zoe Richardson and Kaiya Boyd. The fun filled event was sponsored by the Board of Christian Education.

The Union of Black Episcopalians at St. Philips Episcopal Church, 15 Fernhill Avenue, Bishop James Theodore Holly Chapter, invites the community to a Prayer Breakfast Saturday, December 14 (not the 24th as published last week) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Philips. The cost is $15 per person.The guest speaker will be Gloria Caver Robinson, spiritual gospel singer and evangelist and prophetess. The event is a fundraiser for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). For more information call Wayne at (716)380-9746.

17th Annual Tree of Life Celebration The Community Health Center of Buffalo Inc., No More Tears, We are Women Warriors and Elite Barber Shop present the 17th annual Tree of Life Celebration on Monday December 23 from 6-8 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) at the Community Health Center of Buffalo, 34 Benwood Avenue. Join us as we come together to celebrate the lives of lost loved ones. For more info call Karla Thomas at 986-9199 ext. 6004 . Bring your own ornament or receive a red bow at the door. Refreshments served.

Gospel Meets Jazz On Saturday December 14 the Delaine Waring AME Church and the DWAMEC@63 anniversary committee proudly presents the annual Gospel Meets Jazz Concert Series, 680 Swan Street featuring Sabu Adeyola and the Oasis. Special guest jazz vocalist D’Lynn and many more! Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and concert begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the door). Call 716 842-6747 or email the church at delainewaringame@gmail.com or see a DWAMEC@63 committee member for more information.. Rev Regina E. Gray, Esq., Senior Pastor.

A COLLABORATION OF CHURCHES PRESENTS: "MESSIAH: BRIGHT MORNING STAR" At a time when many churches have abandoned many genres of Christian music, a group of churches have come together to celebrate and introduce a forgotten style of sacred musical. "Messiah Bright Morning Star," published in 1993 by Reba Rambo and Dony McGuire, is a Christmas Cantata that draws our attention to the true meaning of Christmas. This elegant evening of musical delight for the entire community will take place on: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 at 5:00 PM at FIRST SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH, 15 PINE ST. A combined choir of more than fifty voices with full instrumentation, will take us back to a time when all forms of Christian music were embraced by the Church with excellence. Tickets are available for $15 and $20 at the door. Student tickets are $10 with ID. Tickets can be secured by calling First Shiloh Baptist Church at 716-847-6555. Seating for this event is first come, First served

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

FAITH & FAMILY

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11, 2019

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Shamiqua Mason Competes Officer Training at Maxwell Air Force Base

U.S. Air Force, T Sgt. Shamiqua D. Mason graduated from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama and is now a Second Lieutenant.

Mason was a part of Officer Training School’s (OTS) class 19-07, also known as “Godzilla Class” the largest class in the school’s history pushing OTS to its maximum capacity.

GRAND OPENING Reverend Alan R. Core and guests celebrated his first year anniversary in the new Allan R. Core Funeral Home located at 1933 Kensington Ave with a ribbon cutting and grand opening November 23. Among the dignitaries were State Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and State Senator Tim Kennedy. "I am thannkful for a supportive family, church and community of real love for my success" said Reverend Core.

Photos by Princess Photography and A. Dorcely

Gloria Parks Holiday Party for Seniors!

The Gloria J. Parks Senior Program announces A Winter Wonderland Christmas Dinner Dance for adults 55 or better, on Friday, December 13, from 5– 9 p.m. at the Gloria J. Parks Community Center at 3242 Main Street Come out and dance with friends, and celebrate the holidays. The Holiday Party will feature DJ Kenny spinning popular rhythm and blues, soul, and hip hop music with an entertaining mix of dance music from the 60’s to the present, and a catered, delicious full-course fried chicken dinner!

There will be also a Chinese auction, 50/50 (multiple) drawing, and door prizes.

Parking for the event is free and available behind the Gloria J. Parks Community Center and across Main Street behind St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

The Gloria J. Parks Senior Program serves 400 active seniors annually. Seniors can choose from many activities including hot lunches provided by Erie County, fitness classes including Hustle for Health, Stretch Band Exercise, Get Fit While You Sit, and Tai Chi, Computers for Seniors classes, bingo and other games, field trips, and special events, like this dinner dance. Membership in the Gloria Parks Senior Program is free for everyone 60 and over.

Admission to the dance is $20, which includes a fullcourse dinner, and a door prize drawing. Tickets can be purchased at the Center’s reception desk or at the door. For more information, call Senior Program Director Phyllis Caver at the Gloria J. Parks Community Center at 832-1010 ext. 206.

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Mason completed a rigorous, nine-and-a-half week program designed to challenge officer trainees both mentally and physically. Throughout the course of the program, the officer trainees, now Second Lieutenants, spent their days in the class room, out in the field, and firing range developing the skills and confi-

Mason. She is the mother to daughter, Amiliyah Mason.

Her journey has encouraged and inspired other mothers to dream big. Congratulations!

Second Lieutenant Shamiqua D. Mason

dence to hone their own brand of leadership. Second Lieutenant Mason will continue to serve at the 914th Air Refueling Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York.

Mason, a 2018 M.S. graduate of Buffalo State College, is the daughter of Sharon D. Mason of Buffalo, New York, and granddaughter of late War World II Veteran, Jimmie D.

Free Breakfast for our community youth every Sunday. Adults a small donation. All Are Welcome!

Youth Church/ Sunday School – 10am Sunday Service – 11:45 am

WORSHIP THIS WEEK WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11,2019

ON STAGE •GARTH FAGAN DANCE: Nazareth College Arts Center, Rochester NY, Dec. 11-15 Tickets info:garthfagindance. org (See ad this page).

"If you haven’t yet heard of Ladell McLin, you will.” -Real Blues Magazine On Monday, December 23 at 9 p.m. Ladell McLin, joined by David “Teaspoon” Hulett and Juni Booth will rock the Sportsman’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, Buffalo. Admission is $12.

Music blazes through Ladell McLin's veins. This guitar mastermind who has been described by critics as “a cross between Lenny Kravitz, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix,” is rocking the foundations of the music world with a trademark style and edgy sound that are unmistakably his own. Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, known as the birthplace of Chicago blues.

Ladell McLin is dubbed one of the left Ladell McLin, top rt. David "Teaspoon" Hulett, bottom rt. Juni Booth last disciples of traditional Chicgo Blues/rock a master Guitarist.He has showcased his talents countless times in performance,including four appearances at the world famous Apollo Theater and with Carlos Santana, B.B. King, and Robert Randolph at the renowned Montreaux Music Festival and Son's D' Hiver Festival in Paris and many more.

Ladell has also perfromed with Buddy Miles, Vernon Reid, Paul Schafer, John Primer from Muddy Waters's band, DMC of Run-DMC and many others.

Party Over Here

JAZZ NIGHT! Sabu Adeyola

Gospel Meets Jazz On Saturday December 14 at 5 p.m. the Delaine Waring AME Church will present dits annual Gospel Meets Jazz Concert Series at 680 Swan Street featuring Sabu Adeyola and the Oasis with special guest jazz vocalist D’Lynn and more!

Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Tickets $10 in advance ($15 at the door). Call 716 -842-6747 for more info .

Jazz and great company will be featured at the Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Society’s Jazz Night, Friday, December 13 from 7-9 p.m. at the Rose Bar and Grill, 199 Scott Street.

Live music by the Love Supreme School of Music Faculty Band. Members. Free.

Member guests $10.

SUPPORT THE ARTS! HOME for the HOLIDAYS! Nazareth College Arts Center December 11-15

Be upli ted this holiday season!

Opening night reception, kid-friendly matinees & BOGOS!

Tickets & info: garthfagandance.org

Julie Lemberger

Entertainment Ladell McLin, Juni Booth, David “Teaspoon”Hulett Ready to Rock the Sportsman’s Tavern!

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11, 2019

Z

ozibini Tunzi, Miss South Africa , has claimed the Miss Universe crown, beating out 89 other women from around the world last Sunday Night.

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The 26-year-old natural beauty wowed the judges with her natural stage presence and winning smile, as well as her proudly South African fashion creations.

The first contestant to progress to the top 20, she did not falter at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Her evening gown was worth the price of admission and as soon as she walked out on the stage, she was the favorite to snatch the crown.

Miss South Africa radiated confidence and grace on stage that comes from being at home in her own skin.

She added an extra dimension to the final three contestants’ answers to the final question posed to them.

When asked what the most important thing we need to be teaching young girls today, Tunzi told host Steve Harvey: “I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It is something that has been lacking in young girls and woman for a long time. Not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labelled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity. That is what we should be teaching these young girls. To take up space. Nothing is as important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself.”

Following up her superb response to the question, Tunzi clinched the crown with her closing statement.

“I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my kind of skin and my kind of hair, was never considered to be beautiful, and I think it is time that that stops – today. I want children to look at me and see my face, and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine,” Tunzi said before being crowned Miss Universe 2019.

“Tonight a door was opened and I could not be more grateful to have been the one to have walked through it,” Miss Universe 2019, Zozibini Tunzi, told the media after her triumphant win on Sunday night . “May every little girl who witnessed this moment forever believe in the power of her dreams and may they see their faces reflected in mine.”

When asked by a reporter who her idols were growing up, she noted that it is difficult to find heroes who look like you when you are not represented…. however she named Harriet Tubman and Winnie Mandela, as two heroines who inspired her “to want to do more.”

With deep brown skin and short, naturally-textured hair, Tunzi’s win also represents an increasingly shifting paradigm in beauty standards, even in the world of pageantry, which has

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Black Girl Magic wins again! Miss America is Black. Miss USA is Black. Miss Teen USA is Black.. And now Miss Universe...!

been oft-criticized for upholding unrealistic and Eurocentric beauty standards. After telling host Steve Harvey that she’d spent the week preparing for the pageant by singing Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl” each morning, Tunzi’s crowning is understandably a moment of validation for Black women around the world.

In a related interview earlier this year, she recalled the colorism, racism and insults she had to endure going into the Miss Universe competition as Miss South Africa.

Zozibini Tunzi is the first beauty queen to don the new $5 million diamond-studded Miss Universe crown, called "The Power of Unity.”

Kente Claus is Coming to Town Town!

Kente Claus, the international Afrocentric Claus, is heading back to Buffalo after travelling across North America. He has been very busy this year making special appearances at major league sporting arenas, historically Black institutions and of course the African American Heritage Corridor at Michigan and Broadway. As promised he returns to Buffalo to spread Christmas cheer at an up and close experience that your children will never forget; sharing stories of inspiration, motivation and the never before told story about the first Christmas in Africa, the Flight to Egypt(Matt 2:13) and so much more!

This Saturday, December 14 between 3 and 5.p.m. come to Alphonso "Rafi" Greene, Jr. Masten Resource Center at 1423 Fillmore Ave. for the Kente Claus Afrocentric Christmas celebration. This event is free

Kente Claus\ and his helpers.

and there will be a professional photographer on-site to capture this special moment with your family for a small amount.

For more information email Kenteclaus@gmail.com

go to Kenteclaus.com or find him instagram.com/KenteClaus facebook.com/kenteclaus or call 647-745-6460 This event is brought to you

by UNIA-ACL Division #433

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Generations

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11,2019

Racially Discriminatory Legislation and Policies Must Be Stopped The Unintended Consequences of a Menthol Cigarette Ban to Black America From pro-slavery laws to Jim Crow, to Prohibition, to racial profiling, to Stop-and-Frisk, history is clear: racist laws and discriminatory bans have been devastating for Black America.

Today, Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) and National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) have joined together with other African-American law enforcement executives to call on you - our readers in Black communities across the nation - to see the warning signs of yet another proposed racially discriminatory law: the menthol cigarette ban.

It is a well-known fact that over 85 percent of African Americans who smoke prefer menthol cigarettes. There is no factual basis to assert that a menthol cigarette ban will stop African Americans from smoking. In fact, the unintended consequences of such a raciallydiscriminatory ban will set the stage for more negative and more likely counterproductive interactions between law enforcement and African Americans.

While proponents argue that a menthol cigarette ban could encourage menthol cigarette smokers to quit smoking cold-turkey, another possible outcome could be extremely dangerous—the creation of an illicit market. If this happens, illegal sales of menthol cigarettes will likely be concentrated in communities of color, leading to a greater police presence, citations, fines, and arrests for selling a product that for the past 50 years has been legal.

Possible bans on menthol cigarettes are now being considered throughout the United States as add-ons to e-cigarette bans. It must be said that while FDA has deemed teen vaping an “epidemic,” there is no teen menthol cigarette epidemic. The fact is teen cigarette use has steadily been on the decline over the past decade.

Recently in New York, the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner courageously issued a public statement warning against the consequences of a proposed menthol cigarette ban. Sybrina Fulton and Gwendolyn Carr stated, “When you ban a product sold mostly in Black communities, you must consider the reality of what will happen to that very same over-represented community in the criminal justice system.”

Law enforcement leaders like Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Grand Council of Guardians, and National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NABLEO) have stated countless times that a ban on menthol cigarettes will have unintended negative consequences, especially for African Americans.

Over the past 30 years, we have reduced tobacco consumption overall across this country by about 40 percent. And we did not do that with the criminal justice community. We did that with education, we did it with treatment, we did it from a health and educational perspective.

Let’s continue with that. Let’s not do something that’s going to end up with these unintended consequences of increasing interaction between police and community members.

Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP): “I dedicated 34 years of my life to public safety, enforcing the laws that our legislators placed before me. That’s what cops do, and we trust that those laws are well thought out, studied and based upon sound data and evidence. As we begin to mirror the days of alcohol prohibition with tobacco bans, expect the violence and corruption that comes with the illicit market and add something else, the over criminalization of the black community.”

Jiles Ship, President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives – New Jersey (NOBLE): “Banning menthol cigarettes would be a 21st Century attempt at Prohibition, a past failure of government to restrict a previously legal product. As we learned with Prohibition, every time the government tries to ban something, it seems to cause other problems. And unfortunately, a menthol cigarette ban would be another example of government action that disproportionately disrupts the Black community.”

Charles Billips, National Chair Person of Grand Council of Guardians, “The first question I asked is how are they going to implement this ban on menthol cigarettes, knowing that a large number of Black and Brown people smoke menthol cigarettes? It would be best to educate the communities on the affect it has on our health instead of a ban enforced through Law Enforcement.”

As The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once prophetically said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” And the right thing to do for our families and communities and for all who stand for freedom, justice and equality is to speak out against all forms of racial discrimination and disproportionate law enforcement, as well as the systems, laws, bans and policies that perpetuate them.

Speak out against racism. Stand up against discrimination. Let your voices be heard.

VOICES

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11, 2019

We Support Crystal Boling-Barton….

NATIONAL

11

T

he Challenger would like to voice its support for former McKinley High School Principal Crystal Boling-Barton and we urge the community to join us in supporting her as well. Most recently she was the subject of a headline in the News which read, “School Board trying to Fire Boling-Barton,” and days later an editorial headline asked “What Took So Long?”

Chairman Fred Hampton

50th Anniversary of the Police Murder of Black Panther Party Leaders Fred Hampton and Mark Clark

Last Week, December 4 marked 50 years since Illinois Black Panther Party leaders Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were killed on that day in 1969 at Hampton’s Chicago West Side apartment

by Chicago police officers in a pre-dawn raid assigned by the Cook County state’s attorney. Officials at the time said the slayings were the result of a gunfight instigated by the Panthers. But it was later revealed that Clark (shot thru through his heart) and Illinois Party Chairman Hampton (shot twice at close range in the head) were asleep when officers stormed the residence to execute a search warrant, equipped with a floor plan obtained by a paid FBI informant, and fired more than 90 rounds, killing 21-year-old Hampton, 22-year-old Clark, and wounding several others. Their murders took place in the middle of American military napalming Vietnamese, Nixon’s law and order crackdown on cities, and J. Edgar Hoover declaring the Black Power movement America’s #1 public enemy.

Their deaths sparked years of dispute over what happened and political repercussions for those involved. No one was convicted of the murders but a $1.85 million settlement was eventually awarded to survivors of the raid and the families of Clark and Hampton did produce evidence that Hampton and the Illinois Black Panther Party had been targeted by the FBI’s COINTELPRO campaign to disrupt and undermine dissident political organizations. Hampton’s killing is widely regarded as a government assassination of a charismatic rising Black leader in a resistance movement.

White Maywood councilman Tom Streeter called it a “blatant act of legitimized murder.”

Impeachment Update

This week may mark the point of no return in the push to impeach President Trump. Democrats are getting ready to roll out articles of impeachment today. To recap, the articles will formally accuse Trump of abusing his power and obstructing Congress with regard to his dealings with Ukraine and his request that the country investigate the Bidens. The articles are then set to be debated Thursday in the Judiciary Committee, with the aim of impeaching the President before Christmas. It's a makeor-break moment for both sides: Democrats need to convince an impeachment-wary public that the unpleasant process is necessary. On the other hand, if the process moves to the Senate, Trump and his defenders may not be able to sustain their tactic of withholding information and refusing to cooperate.

Haitians Blame US and France for Corrupt Regime Daoud Andre, of the Committee to Mobilize Against Dictatorship in Haiti, said the “clear demand” animating protests that have shut down much of the country is that President “Jovenal Moise must go,” but also that there must be a change in “the system.” Haiti has been “turned into a shithole by France and the United States,” who put a succession of puppets like Moise in power, said Andre. -blakagendareport

“We wish to plead our own cause.

Too long have others spoken for us.”

- John Russwurm, Freedom’s Journal.

1827 America’s 1st Black Newspaper

Mrs. Barton, an accomplished, focused administrator, was placed on paid administrative leave 2 1/2 years ago, after being at the helm at McKinley High for three decades. Although she has sought to return to her position throughout her “leave,” she has been unsuccessful. We agree with her legal representative that the district is now “grabbing for straws “ in bringing allegations of wrongdoing against her in an attempt to fire her.

The media uses words like “polarizing” and a “lightening rod” to describe Mrs. Barton, and makes reference to past alleged “improper financial transactions.” However in a letter to the editor to the Challenger last spring, signed by concerned teachers and students at McKinley, a strong case was made in appealing to the Board of Education to return Mrs. Barton to the school. The district clearly has issues that need to be resolved, but they should not be done at the expense of trying to bring down a prominent, well respected member of this community who has given so much to our children. Instead of trying to fire her the School Board should return her to her rightful position at McKinley .

-Outstanding EducatorMrs. Barton is an outstanding educator and a woman of tremendous accomplishments who deserves the respect and support of this community. Following is a brief look at the woman, her work and her accomplishments as documented by the Uncrowned Queens Institute (Dr. Barbara seals Nevergold and Dr. Peggy Brooks Bertram founders): •The sixth daughter and eighth child of the late Floyd Sr. and Zorie Mosley Boling, Crystal Boling-Barton is a graduate of Niagara University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Education, a Master's Degree in Educational Administration, a Master's Degree in Counseling Education, a Post Master's Professional Diploma in Counseling Education and a Certificate of Specialization in Minority Group Studies.

She was also one of the first African American females to enlist in the ROTC at Niagara University and received an honorable discharge from the United States Army.

•A pioneer in education, she was appointed as Principal of McKinley in 1987, and is the first female to have been appointed as a Principal of a Career and Technical School in Buffalo Public Schools' then one hundred and forty nine year history.

• She was a People To People International Ambassador to South Africa in 2003, which is a program established by the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to promote friendship, cultural sharing and education throughout the world. Some other organizations she is a member of are: The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she is a life member of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., a life member of the Association of Black Women Historians, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Past President and Vice President of the Black Pioneers of Niagara Falls, New York, member of the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the Afro American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier Inc., and Past President and Vice President of the American Business Women's Association, Frontier Chapter. She is also a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Pi

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

P: 716 881.1051 F: 716 881.1053

Lambda Theta National Honor Society, National Association of Secondary Principals, Supervisors and Administrators of New York State, the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People and the American Institute of Parliamentarians.

•The contributions she has made to her community and individuals have been recognized through the many awards she has received throughout the years. .

• Mrs. Barton extended McKinley' High School’s 21st Century partnership with the Community Action Organization of Erie County, to include a McKinley-Buffalo Leadership Academy for male students to encourage and assist the students in planning for their futures and finding positive ways to accomplish their goals of entering college or the workforce after graduation. These partnerships helped to increase McKinley's graduation rate to 84% in 2017, helping to return the school to "Good Standing" status, as it had been for most of over 30 years she was there.

•Since 2002, she led her school and the district in the preservation and teaching of African and African American History and other multi-cultural educational experiences. She and her staff brought speakers from around the country to McKinley and the community, to conference with students. Speakers such as: Ruby Bridges; Kenneth B. Morrison, great- great- grandson of Booker T. Washington and the great- great- great grandson of Frederick Douglass; the great -great-great nephew of Harriet Tubman, who lives in Buffalo; Dr. Maya Rockeymore; The Honorable Dorian Gadsen; Gail Deculus-Johnson, Sheila Evans-Tranum; representatives from the United Nations, and so many more.

•She is a leader in Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning. McKinley High School, under her leadership, hosted the first, city-wide African American History Quiz Bowl for students and teachers; hosted the first African American History Pageant; hosted an Annual Legacy Luncheon so that the students would learn firsthand of WNY Legends; hosted a WNY Gospel Hall of Fame; hosted an Annual "Teachable Moment in African American History" and other activities focused on Multicultural and Diversity of the various ethnic groups in the school. She envisioned the establishment of an interactive Black Memorabilia Museum that students and the community could use in the years to come, and has been working hard to realize that dream via the conference exhibits held each year.

•Crystal Boling-Barton is the mother of three, grandmother of eight and great grandmother of two. She is the wife of retired principal, Robert Barton Sr.

• Published every Wednesday • News Deadline: Friday 5 p.m.

• Ad Deadline: Friday 5 p.m.

• Classified Deadline: Thursday 5 p.m.

We respectfully submit that the opinions expressed on the editorial pages of this newspaper are not necessairly those of Challenger Community News Corporation or its advertisers.

Advertising /News/ Information/Inquiries adver tising@thechallengernews.com

Phone: 716-881-1051 Fax: 716-881-1053

12

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11,2019

THE BILLS UPDATE BILLS UPDATE THE RADMAN'S Ravens put Beat Down on Bills Offense 24 -- 17

RUNNING THEIR BEST RACE! Thousands of people took part in the annual 8K Thanksgiving Day race, which runs a 4.97-mile course along Delaware Avenue. Among the them were from left to righ , Gregory Bolds, Fred Harris, Dave Richardson and Robert Johnson who ran their best race during the annual event.

Congratulations guys!

Sports Profile:

BUFFALO’S JOE JONES III ByAshley Dorcely The ball is tossed in the air while the “crazies” heighten the anticipation of the crowd with their exuberance. At the center of the court waiting to jump for the tip was a Buffalo native with a big name, Joe Jones III. If you haven’t heard of him and you’re from Buffalo you’re probably not a basketball fan. No biggie except for Joe of course. He’s currently a freshman at Georgia State standing at 6’9” weighing 245 pounds.

The match up I’m talking bout was the Georgia State Panthers vs. the Duke Blue Devils last month.

The Blue Devils are the #2 ranked team in the country containing possibly two lottery picks in the 2020 NBA draft. The Panthers are not currently ranked. So you can probably see where I’m going here. This would be a game biblically described as David versus Goliath.

But for Joe Jones and the Panthers this was just another game.

Their third of a young season. Joe would later tell me, “our team was really prepared.” That Joe Jones III they were. At halftime the Duke Blue Devils were up by two. They would go on to win the game by 11 points.

But this story is one of an area young man who is continuing to work towards a goal. From a small middle school by the name of St. Augustine a.k.a. The NativityMiguel Middle School of Buffalo to The Park School and then Orangeville Prep. in Ontario, Canada. Joe says he believes this journey has been worth it. “There’s a purpose” to all of this. This is not just about basketball. The work he is putting in is for his family and for the one he will make in the future. All the workouts with his father.

It’s completely been worth it Joe claims.

As someone with a little bit of knowledge of the work that Joe has put into being a student athlete this is for all you area kids out there reading this. If you do your school work and put the dedication into what ever the DREAM is that you have it can be achieved. By the time that this story is being written Joe Jones the Third had also played against Georgetown. The Panthers didn’t fair too well in that game either. And Mr. Jones was in foul trouble most of the game. On our phone interview he made the statement “I’m never satisfied. I know there’s a lot I can do better”. I believe he’s just begun to fight.

The Bills had bright sunshine greet them at New ERA stadium last Sunday and you could feel the anticipation of a big game - fans and both teams were ready for it! But Bills QB Josh Allen started out playing like the Josh Allen from earlier in the season - missing wide open receivers and putting no touch on passes.

The Ravens went in with a power football attack and the Bills took a beating but, but they were still standing strong with key stops on third down. At one point Allen came back down to earth still with a very erratic play and turnovers. The Bills defense continued to play well with a “bend and not break” type of system. Allen was 1 of 7 for 10 yards passing in the first quarter - horrible numbers for any quarterback.

You must also keep in mind the Bills drafted Allen at number 7 overall and traded up to get him along with trading away valuable offensive linemen. If the Bills would have stayed at number 22 in the draft they could have picked Lamar Jackson and not trade away any players and could have kept all 10 of our draft picks.

On Sunday Jackson came out with a touchdown pass of 62 yards to start the second half. Bills tight end Dawson Knox should be benched for his dropped passes. He leads the NFL for tight ends with dropped passes. They should start Tommy Sweeney and not play him for rest of season. Dawson Knox should be playing in XFL after the NFL season. He can’t catch the ball with a man on him The Bills offense just can’t seem to not against good teams and Josh Allen having only 89 passing yards after 3 quarters was embarrassing.

The Bills must find a way to score more than 17 points a game on average. They still have not beaten a team with a winning record or a true playoff contender. They will get the chance over the next two weeks against the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots.

Bills running back Devin Singletary had 89 yards on 17 carries and not running the ball more was a big mistake. The Bills coaching decisions finally caught up with them by not playing receiver Duke Williams and running back TJ Yeldon. They obviously need a third running back and TJ has excellent hands and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Bills wide receiver Robert Foster continues to give them nothing at all and Duke Williams should have been in the lineup weeks ago. The Bills could have used Duke against the Ravens for his physical style of play especially in the red zone. These are two offensive weapons not being used and could help a very erratic Josh Allen.

Bills tight end position is a complete disaster and Tyler Kroft making 9 million dollars fits our culture but he can’t play on the football field. Tyler must be a neighbor of Beane and McDermott, because he did nothing for the Bengals, so why did we expect him to produce for Bills?Dawson Knox and Lee “I like holding” Smith should not return the next season.

I would only invite Tommy Sweeney back to training camp and draft a good pass catching tight end in the draft. Irv Smith, Jr. was available and they chose Cody Ford instead. Cody Ford is showing you he is a guard and not a tackle. The Bills have him playing out of position and it was costly against Ravens due to the many blitz packages and rush schemes used by them.

Bills defensive tackle Corey Liuget (who has quickly become one of Bills best defensive tackles) said, “We played best control type defense by watching the film and our gap containment was sound today and Ravens ran many screens on us; let’s go ball for next week and get ready for Pittsburgh. You must prepare like it’s a regular game for our young guys, everybody must play their 1/11 role.”This means you must handle your assignment and not worry about your team mate’s responsibilities.

The Bills will be on National TV on Sunday night playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. I see Bills the scoring their usual 17 points while Steelers will score 24. Steelers 24 -17 win due to Josh Allen not being able to complete passes over 20 yards down field.

I recommend the Bills drafting another QB to compete against Allen next year. Allen has no touch on his passes and should be challenged because the Bills can’t win against the best teams in NFL with him.

Follow me on Twitter: Georgeradney@georgeradman, Facebook, Instagram, and Cable TV: Pro Talk in Buffalo & Rochester NY. RADIO: 105.5 FM the Beat of Rochester, Every Saturday Morning 7 AM to 8 AM Pro Talk Plus

TALK PRO P L U S Hosted by

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

13

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11, 2019

EMPLOYMENT

LEGAL NOTICE BID Town of Evans Notice to All Bidders NOTICE OF SOLICITATION OF GENERAL CONTRACTORS FOR The Town of Evans South Park Spray Pad Construction

LEGAL NOTICE BID COUNTY OF ERIE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSAL Countywide NYSDEC Environmental Compliance Term Agreement ECDPW Project No. 2019-999-02 County of Erie seeking qualification statements and proposals from interested firms to provide A/E design and construction services for the above project. 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 Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 until 2:00 PM local time on Friday, January 10, 2020. RFQ/ RFP submission instructions may be found at: www.erie.gov/dpw/

LEGAL NOTICE BID

NFTA Procurement Invitation to Bid

4920 - HVAC REPLACEMENT UNIT Download Bids from www. nfta.com

Sealed bids for the South Park Spray Pad Installation in the Town of Evans will be received until 2:00PM on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at the Town of Evans Town Hall located at 8787 Erie Road, Angola NY 14006 by the Town Clerk, Lynn M. Krajacic or her designee where they will be opened and read aloud. Each bid must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the Bidding and Contract Documents and must be accompanied by references of similar projects and a Bid Security in the form of a Certified Check, Bid Bond or Bank Check in the amount of (10%) ten percent of the bid amount.

Bidders must have a minimum of 5 years successful experience in completion of similar projects for State, National or locally registered landmarks or park projects.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond and Labor and Material Bond each for 100% of the amount of the Contract. The substantial completion date for this project is May 31, 2020.

This project is being funded in part by a grant administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Under Article 15A, Executive Law, it is the policy of the State of New York to encourage participation of minority and womanowned business enterprises in Statefunded projects. The Contractor, by bidding on the contract, acknowledges understanding and support of this policy and pledges to fully cooperate with the Town of Evans in meeting NYS requirements as set forth in the Bidding and Contract Documents.

Effective December 9, 2019 Bid Documents may be obtained and/or examined free of charge at: CPL 26 Mississippi Street, Suite 100 Buffalo, NY 14203 Each request for bid documents must be accompanied by a certified check made out to the Town of Evans in the amount of $50.00 for each set of drawings and specifications. Cash or personal checks will not be accepted.

If the contractor would like the bid documents mailed to them, a second check in the amount of $25 made out to CPL shall be provided. In lieu of a check for mailing, the contractor can provide CPL with their UPS or FED EX account number for shipment.

If you have any questions, please contact Jason Havens, P.E. from CPL at Jhavens@CPLTeam.com or via phone at (716) 218-4731.

The Town of Evans has been and will continue to be an equal opportunity organization. All qualified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) suppliers, contractors and/or businesses will be afforded equal opportunity without discrimination because of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual preference or Vietnam Era Veterans status.

LEGAL NOTICE BID Bids will be received by RP Oak Hill Building Co., Inc. for the DYouville College – Concrete Flatwork and Soil Mitigation System Project on 12/12/19 at @ 2:00pm. Please fax bids (716-822-4367) or email (bids@ rpoakhill.com) prior to 2:00 pm. The scope of work includes concrete flatwork and soil mitigation work. The contract documents may be examined at Construction Exchange or can be purchased at Avalon Printing, (P: 716-995-7777). This project is prevailing wage. ***W/M/DBE & SDVOB participation is encouraged.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Please see website for more details:

www.buffalolib.org/content/ employment-opportunities

Community Energy Project Coordinator. Erie County is hiring a coordinator for the Erie County Low Income Program for Sustainable Energy (ECLIPSE). This is a new project to develop a community energy program for Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) participants. Learn more at bit.ly/AQ3KDU7 HHUNY Care CoordinatorBuffalo To coordinate services with the Health Homes for the purpose of decreasing high risk medical and/or behavioral health costs for individuals being served in this Health Home. EEOC. Resume and Cover Letter to employment@wnyil.org.

12/16/2019.

HHA-HCBS Outreach Specialist Conduct outreach to people diagnosed with serious mental illnesses and community agencies that may serve people diagnosed with mental illnesses about the benefits of utilizing Home and Community Based Services. EEOC. 12/16/2019.

Resume and cover letter to employment@wnyil.org.

Laborer I The Buffalo Sewer Authority is hiring for entry level laborers. Must have ability to learn the practices and procedures involved in the areas of unskilled labor such as, grounds, streets, bridges, manholes and assist with general maintenance and cleaning. Possession of a current NYS Commercial Driver’s License (“CDL”) is required.

Qualified candidates must be a resident of the City of Buffalo.

Please Send Resume to: Buffalo Sewer Authority, 65 Niagara Square/Room 1038, Buffalo, NY 14202 Attn: Director of Employee Relations; email gjames@buffalosewer.org or Fax to (716) 247-5304

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!

Be A Census Taker  Extra Income  Flexible Hours  Weekly Pay  Paid Training

Apply Online 2020CENSUS.GOV/JOBS For more information or help applying, please call 1-855-JOB-2020 Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339 TTY/ASCII www.gsa.gov/fedrelay The U.S. Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

D-1531 | April 2019

Dean, School of Natural and Social Sciences Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Dean, School of Natural and Social Sciences.

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.

TO ADVERTISE: advertising@thechallengernews.com 716.881.1051

14

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11,2019

advertising@thechallengernews.com

ATTORNEYS LAW OFFICE OF DARIA L. PRATCHER, PC “Everything Real Estate” 523 Main Street (716)541-8574 PRATCHER & ASSOCIATES Franklin Muhammad (Pratcher) Attorney 1133 Kensington Avenue (716) 838-4612

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15

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11, 2019

TO SUSPEND OR NOT TO SUSPEND?

A public forum on “Eliminating Out of School Suspensions: Research and Planning Discussion for K - 8th Grade Students” will be held on Tuesday December 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Northland Workforce Training Center, 683 Northland Avenue. To register go to https://www.eventbrite. com/e/to-suspend-or-not-tosuspend-that-is-the-questiontickets-85162720991 For more information call the Better Schools Better Neighborhoods office at (716)3323773.

“Knowing when to stop, you can avoid any danger.”

-Tao Te Ching

Wednesday December 11

Saturday December 14th

Hustle for Health Urban Line Dancing Gloria Parks: 3242 Main St. 11am- 12pm. FREE for 55+ Call 716 832-1010 .

Kente Claus Afrocentric Christmas Celebration: Free, 3 to 5.p.m.. Masten Resource Center 1423 Fillmore Ave, 14211. For more info e-mail Kenteclaus@gmail.com go to Kenteclaus.com or find him instagram.com/KenteClaus facebook.com/kenteclaus or call 647-745-6460 This event is brought to you by UNIAACL Division #433

The Durham Central City Baby Café Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

200 Eagle St. (716) 427-0566.

Thursday December 12 Yoga: Thursdays 5:30 p.m.

Gentle Chair Yoga $7; also Yoga & Meditation, 6:30 p.m. $10. Juneteenth Headquarters, 517 Genesee St. Friday December 13 Winter Wonderland Christmas Dinner Dance: 55 or better, from 5– 9 p.m. Gloria J. Parks Community Center at 3242 Main Street. Admission $20.

Tickets @ the center or @ the door. 832-1010 ext. 206.

Saturday December 14 Edreys Wajed Solo Exhibition: Flight Gallery (Inside Flying Bison Brewery) 840 Seneca street 6-9p.m. music

by DJ Cutler. New work from his Check Out My Melody Series.

Attorney Rashied McDuffie to be Honored: 6 p.m., The Butler Mansion, 672 Delaware Avenue For additional information email iceblueparty@ gmail.com VIDEO RELEASE OF “SUPPORTING IMMIGRANTS IN OUR SCHOOLS”:9 – 11 a.m. at Lafayette International High School #270 -370Lafayette Ave. Films feature students from the Buffalo Public Schools! The event is being presented by International #45 at Lafayette Teens in cooperation with City College and NYSED.

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

People Inc. Senior Living is in YOUR neighborhood!

Tours available by appointment.

Safe and maintenance-free apartments for independent older adults age 62 and up who are income eligible.

Some utilities included.

Locations: Amherst • Angola • Blasdell • Cheektowaga Clarence • Grand Island • Hamburg • Lackawanna • Lockport North and South Buffalo • Springville • West Seneca Wheatfield • *Gowanda *Our Gowanda apartments provide HUD Section 202 Affordable Housing and NYS Tax Credit apartments for seniors age 62+. Amenities vary. TTD/TTY: 1.800.662.1220.

716.817.9090

Wednesday December 18 The Durham Central City Baby Café Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 200 Eagle St. (716) 427-0566.

Saturday December 14th: Art Opening: Edreys Wajed Solo Exhibition of New Works from his continued 'Check Out My Melody' series with music by DJ Cutler. Wajed's colorful new works rooted in his love for music travels the viewer into a journey of sound, song and memories past present and future.

Wajed closes out 2019 with his 2nd solo show of the year at Flight Gallery (inside Flying Bison Brewery) 840 Seneca Street 6-9 p.m. Follow @edreys on IG and online www.eatoffart.com Tuesday December 17

Wednesday December 18

TO SUSPEND OR NOT TO SUSPEND? A public forum on “Eliminating Out of School Suspensions: Research and Planning Discussion for K 8th Grade Students” 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Northland Workforce Training Center, 683 Northland Avenue. For more info (716)332-3773

Public Meeting Notice: Board of the Westminster Community Charter School, 12 Noon, The Buffalo Club, 388 Delaware Avenue Hustle for Health Urban Line Dancing Gloria Parks: 3242 Main St. 11am- 12pm. FREE for 55+ Call 716 832-1010 .

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 11,2019

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